Decor To Adore

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A Busy Day

A Busy Day

Thank you for your lovely comments regarding my 1000 post milestone. I know how busy most of us are. Today I am sharing some of my favorite time-saving tools for A Busy Day. Even though most of us would like to do this:

A Busy Day

In writing about the many, many projects I have created over the years the question I am most often asked is:“Do you sleep?”  I do. But my day begins early. I don’t set an alarm clock so the time varies. One day I might rise at 4:30 am. On this particular day, I was up at 5:15. My day Decor To Adore time

 On this day as I waited for the teakettle to boil I fed two demanding dogs and then put away the clean pots and dishes leftover from the previous night’s dinner party.

My day Decor To Adore dishes

5:30 am Tea in hand I found a cozy chair. I like to study in the early morning quiet. Today is “Art and Myth in Ancient Greece”. While I read I take notes for an essay paper due later this week.

My day Decor To Adore studying

Breakfast

At 7 am I toddle back into the kitchen to make breakfast for whoever wants it.Today is cream of wheat, raisin toast, and juice. I will eat later.

My day Decor To Adore breakfast

7:20 Dishes are done. Beds are made. A lost shoe is found. The husband is kissed goodbye. Laundry is started.

My day Decor To Adore laundry

At 7:30 Sweet Guy’s lunch is slipped into his backpack and he is sent out the door on his scooter. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays I often follow on foot with my two furry friends.  (Tuesdays and Thursdays have me in the car on the way to school.)

But it was Monday, so we walked until 8 am.

My day Decor To Adore Franz and Rudi

Upon my return, I reheat breakfast and turn the computer on. I set a timer and scroll through my personal and work emails. Notes are made. I scroll through my favorite blogs. Before I know it 30 minutes have passed. It ALWAYS ends too soon. All comments to my own blog are saved. On Saturday mornings I devote two to three hours responding to each and every one. I wish I could respond daily, but time marches on.

8:30 am Into the bathtub, then dressed and even a light application of mascara and lip gloss.

9 am I gather up my notes and begin to write an essay paper. On average I take three classes a semester. School is not easy for me. In order to get the grades I want I have to devote several hours a week to study. Of course, quick breaks occur to toss the laundry in the dryer, sweep the floor and scratch a dog. He’s also an excellent proofreader. 🙂

My day Decor To Adore rudi

Lunchtime

11:30 am Lunchtime! It’s leftovers from last nights dinner. While I eat I scan Sunday’s newspaper ads and cut out the coupons. All are filed in the coupon binder. A grocery list is created based on sales/coupons and what we are out of.  I often multitask so that I can fit all that I need to do into a day. 

My day Decor To Adore coupons

Noon. The Fashionista has recently moved back home. She recently completed an internship and is now actively looking for a job.  We made the recent decision to put the condominium she was living in, while attending ASU, on the market. At this point, we are still trying to cram the contents of her former two bedroom apartment into one small en-suite. We try to work on storage solutions. Gasoline and matches are mentioned. (kidding)

My day Decor To Adore suitcases

12:30 pm. Time for errands: today’s list includes returning books to the library, picking up the dry cleaning, running to Joann’s for supplies for two upcoming projects and picking up a clients dining room chair seats from the upholsterers.

errands

2:30 pm. Home again. A quick scan of emails, I reorder some business cards and edit some photographs taken of a project that was done over the weekend. I also quickly scan through the afternoon blog offerings on Feedly.

My day Decor To Adore feedly

3:15 pm. My boy arrives home. We make an afterschool snack and talk about his day.

3:30 –4 pm Homework. More multitasking in the form of simultaneously doing research for an upcoming blog post.

My day Decor To Adore cookie

4 pm Hot gluing a masterpiece. Pictures were taken of said event for an upcoming Thanksgiving-themed post. (I generally work on posts two weeks ahead of schedule.) 

4:30 pm The next day’s schedule is checked and I make a mental note as well as a post-it note of an orthodontic appointment. All laundry is put away. The table is set for dinner and other small chores are completed.

5 pm Prepare for an early dinner. On the menu: pork chops with apples and an orange juice glaze, green beans, carrots and scalloped potatoes.

Dinner

Dinner

6 pm Dinner is served. The entire family is at the table. Prayers are said. Our days are discussed. 

Yummy Dinner

6:30 pm Dishes are washed, school agenda is signed and lunches are packed for the next day.

7 pm Mr. Décor and I head over to my design clients house to install the chair seats. The Fashionista watches over her brother. I normally do not work past 5 pm but since the upholsterer was two weeks late my client is understandably anxious and I always aim to please. The room is really coming together. We finish fairly quickly, stop for gas and return home by 8 pm.

Client install

8:15 pm My book bag for tomorrow’s classes is set by the door. Clothes are laid out. Faces washed. Teeth brushed. Kisses all around.

8:30, As usual, there is NOTHING on tv. So I settle for Netflix on the laptop. I am currently working my way through 87 episodes of “All Creatures Great and Small”. It’s British, happy, hopeful and features beautiful interiors and landscapes. The best kind of show to help prepare me to count sheep at 10 pm.

sheep

I’d love to hear about your day!

Laura

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Comments

  1. Cindy (Applestone Cottage) says

    Goodness Gracious Laura,
    Busy day! But it was fun reading how you laid it all out. I know about adult kids moving back in too, not easy.
    Of course I follow all your boards and have forever!
    I like the looks of that show your watching, I need to look into that.
    Hugs friend,
    Cindy

  2. Julie Tucker-Wolek says

    You are one busy lady!!!!! Loving watching how your day flows!!!! And I follow all your boards! 🙂

  3. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    You day sounds a lot like mine most days. I am such an early riser too. I follow all of your boards. Hope you have a supe day. Hugs, marty

  4. Rita C. says

    Laura, I follow all of your boards. I can remember being 16 hr a day busy like you are right now, but I always trusted it would pay off, and it did. It's obvious you've got the organizational skills to pull it off successfully – best wishes.

  5. Auntie Em says

    That is one busy but productive day. No wonder you accomplish so much.
    I loved that series 'All Creatures Great and Small'. Have you watched 'Born and Bred'? You might enjoy it when your other series is finished.

    Enjoy your busy day and thank you for taking the time to share a few moments with us as well! 🙂

  6. My Cottage Charm says

    You and I, my sweet friend, are cut from the same cloth. 🙂 I have never ever even owned an alarm clock.
    I follow all your boards…..but of course you probably already knew that. 🙂

  9. Patty Antle says

    It's amazing what we accomplish in a day! You are a busy lady! I am following all of your pinterest boards to keep up with your great ideas!

  10. Go Green says

    I admire how organized you are and how much you accomplish each day! I often wish there were more hours in the day! I follow your Pinterest boards and my favorite at the moment is Home for the Holidays. It inspires me to create something different, often using what I already have at home.

  11. Heather{Our Life In a Click} says

    You are busy and organized but that's how you accomplish so much!!! I am following all of your boards. Can't wait to have a good look at them!

  12. Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME says

    Ok, I just got up and now I am tired! Woo! What a busy day!
    I follow several of your boards.

  13. Linda says

    I look at your boards but I don't follow because I don't to Pinterest – just one of the things I eliminated once because of being too busy. 😉 So technically I'm not eligible for this giveaway and that's okay, I'll comment anyway.

    You're very busy. I'm not really -I feel like it at times, but I purposefully do not overschedule or get involved in too much because I'm not happy then. I'm one of those that's always saying everyone is in too big of a rush. I'm the person driving slowly on my way to work because I'm never running late, and I like to take my time in case there's a good sunrise to photograph. I just don't like rushing. Life is rushed enough. So, I'm pretty good at taking things slowly and enjoying the moments, which for me, revolve around homemaking and my family, and I'm not too career minded even though I do have a paid job.

    Love, Linda

  14. Mary Steinbrink says

    I love your blog and I follow all of your boards! Thanks for celebrating with all of us!

  16. joyce says

    I just followed your Tablescapes Board on Pinterest. I think a handsome vignette on a table, mantle, or console draws the eye and gives us something pleasant to dwell on.

  22. Mari says

    Wow your a busy little bee…lol…
    Thanks for dropping by and your kind comment, I love pinterest 🙂 I follow a couple of your boards, but if I have to pick a fav it's Christmas 😉

    Please count me in on your great giveaway 😉

    Hugs~
    Mari

  24. Pinky at Designs by Pinky says

    I follow all of your boards. I also am tired just reading about your day. I thought I got alot done in a day….HA! You run rings around me. But then I am WAY older than you. That's my excuse and I'm stinking to it;):)

  28. Jen says

    What a busy day! But you handle it so well and keep your schedule so organized. Sounds like you have a full plate right now.

    I already follow all of your Pinterest boards. I so enjoy what all you have to share!

    Jen

  29. GSGreatEscaper says

    I follow all of your Pinterest boards! Loving the Christmas houses today and re-pinned the hot British actors for my DD's delectation.

    Give Tristan and Siegfried my love…

  32. Tammy's in Love says

    We got hooked on Netflix with Foyle's War! Your day was fun to read thru; no kids at my house anymore but the bonus round (grand-littles) will be here again in January when the newborn is 4 months and Mama goes back to work!

  34. AnnaZed says

    I follow you on Pinterest where I am Margot Core (all borads). I think I like Nautical Niceness best though. I want to make a nautical themed day room out of a grim brown not much used day room in my house.

    margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com

  38. The Quintessential Magpie says

    Pinterest is something I don't do yet. But I do follow your wonderful blog! I know that doesn't count for this, but I just wanted you to know how much I enjoy it.

    xo

    Sheila

  39. Karena Albert says

    Dear Laura I follow all of your boards; faves are Tablescapes and I've gone to the dogs!! My son and DIL have a pair of Doxies as well!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Feature:”In with the Old” Jennifer Boles

  40. Barbara F. says

    Hi Laura, I love Target. Thanks for hosting this fabulous week of giveaways. Congratulations on 1000 posts. I follow your cleaning tips, laundry room and Easter Boards. xo

  41. Heather Sebastian says

    I follow all of your board! Cheers! 🙂 (kaizenfashionproject)
    heatheranne99 at gmail dot com

  48. Grammy Goodwill says

    I follow all your boards as Patricia L. Thanks for the chance to win this gift card.
    I've decided that multi-task is a bad word and am trying to slow down and “be in the moment” more. It's hard to change my ways though.
    (I loved the jack-o-lantern cookie, by the way.)

  49. Jennifer I. says

    Thanks for another great giveaway opportunity! I am following your scrapbook board. And target is one of my favs too!

  50. Mihills Family Blog says

    I follow your boards about things you've made and organization ideas. Always looking for inspiration!!

  53. Shayna Arrington says

    I followed all of your boards, but the Ryan Gosling “hey girl” board definitely gives me the most smiles. While I love a good craft and some wow-factor home decor, he's got nothing on them 🙂

  54. Carrie from Carrie This Home says

    At the end of a busy day I also love to browse Pinterest for some inspiring ideas! I'm now following all of your boards–the “Walls With Wow” one might be my favorite! Thanks for sharing the opportunity to win a $20 Target Gift Card! I'm hopping over from Giveaway Directory. I'm giving away a beautiful personalized sign & I'd love it if you'd enter!
    http://carriethishome.com/2013/11/personalized-signs/
    Thanks!!

  55. Jessie says

    I follow all of your boards! I particularly love the “hey girl” board!

    jess.alora[@]gmail[.]com

  56. Kathy Bruner says

    I like all of your boards, but the one I'm into right now is the “Out of Africa” one. For some reason, that one sticks out in my mind–maybe because it looks so exotic and tropical, like a vacation paradise!

  58. Laura R says

    I follow all of your boards @mommy2kidsnc You are so busy! I hope you get a brake every once in a while!
    mommy.2kidsnc(at)yahoo(dot)com

  60. Shooting Stars Mag says

    I follow your crafts board! Love finding new things I can hopefully make. I'm lauren becker on there.

    lauren51990 at aol dot com

  66. DREAMS ON 34th STREET ~ French Bread & Family says

    Whoa! Laura! You are SO busy!
    You know that I pop in and out of your life! I have followed all of your boards for a couple years!

    Congratulations on your 1000th post!
    w/L

  67. Tanya Bright says

    That's busy but it looks fun! I follow crafts, home for the holidays and yum under brightbird

  68. openid says

    Laura,
    Stop the glorification of busy! (I had that on my Facebook page last holiday season.)
    I wish you could bottle and sell your energy in your Etsy shop!
    Congratulations and THANK YOU for all your posts.
    Your Friend,
    Deborah
    FairfieldHouseNJ.com

  70. stoneleafandcompany.com says

    I follow all your boards now! Especially love the “Hey Hey Good Lookin' board – I have posted several of those kitchens myself. I also found the Hey Girl board very entertaining.

    You may get this post twice – if so, you can feel free to delete one. It didn't look like my first on posted.

  76. Dee says

    I follow all of your boards as DeeG131. I love the Rustin Designs one!

    🙂

    deeg131 at gmail dot com

  78. Heidi says

    I'm now following all your boards, but my favorite one is the Hey Girl board 🙂
    colorvibrant[at]gmail[dot]com

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