Cleaning for the Cleaning People

Today is our postponed cleaning day after being out of town for a week. It's time to clean up before the cleaning people come to the house. It's a wonderful feeling walking into a clean home after work.

I've had several people ask why I have to "clean" before they come. "Isn't cleaning what you pay them to do?" Clearly, these people have never had children and do not understand the sheer amount of mess children can make in a short amount of time! I give you:

Exhibit A: Great Room Playing Area

We don't have a playroom in our house, so the space near our TV watching area is where most of their toys are stored. I usually try to have them clean up their toys every evening before bath time, but if we skip even one or two days, the area quickly turns into a disaster. 

This morning's picking up of their toys was complicated by my cat leaving me a "treat" nearby. Ugh. And, yes, I know my daughters have a lot of toys. I don't really allow them to play on my iPad or phone, so I suppose we've compensated with toys...though not on purpose! Believe it or not, twice a year I donate toys to our daycare or our local women's shelter. Looking at these pictures is making me think a clean out is in order soon...

So, if you've ever wondered why people have to "clean" before the cleaning people, now you know...

Love my van, but hate...

THE GAS MILEAGE!! Okay, so don't get my wrong. I'm not about to give up my van. I've had it two years now, and am still loving the space, sliding doors, auto rear door, etc. What I'm not loving is how much I have to spend on gas every two weeks! 

My van averages about 17 miles to the gallon in the summer when I'm running the AC at its max what feels like constantly. And, while living in California may have its perks, the high cost of living is not one of them. 

I'm especially feeling the pain in my wallet after going car shopping with my husband since his old car was totaled. We got a great deal on a hybrid that averages 39-41 MPG in the city! My van's mileage is looking pretty pathetic right now. 

Of course, that begs the question as to why anyone has not created a minivan hybrid??? Obviously, people who drive vans want them for both comfortable everyday city driving and extra space for long trips. While my hubby's car will be great in the city, my van is definitely going to continue to be our go to vehicle on long trips.

So, if you are out there and reading my blog auto-makers, please make a hybrid minivan! I'll be first to trade in my lovely when they come out😀. 

July 2015 Stitch Fix Review

It's that time of the month again and as usual, I was super excited to get my fix. I did my usual sneak peak when my email arrived and couldn't find two items online. I like that Connie sends me pieces not out there yet, so I was interested to see what they were. I asked for more maxi dresses since I got a great one last month. This month's review has fewer pictures of me in the items because my hubby was out of town and I had less time to take photos with my two young children afoot.

Market & Spruce Embroidery Detail Blouse

I was unsure what to think of this blouse when I first looked at it. The blue is a good match for me, but Boho isn't my usual style preference. It is very pretty on the hanger.

Much better on than I expected! Since my hubby wasn't around, I sent the pic to a friend, my youngest sister, and my mom. They all liked it on. I'm wearing it today with a pair of Margaret M pants.

Pardon the close up of our bathroom haha! I was rushing this morning to leave for work! I think I like the blouse better tucked in since it's not fitted to my waist.

Kut from the Cloth Jamy Maxi Dress

Okay, so I asked for more maxis, but, to be honest, I hated this dress. It's so busy and the pattern did terrible things to my waist and hips. It fit my height of 5', 3.5" pretty well, though. I didn't take a picture of me in it because I hated it so much. It does have some interesting details, though.

Pixley Dot Print Cross Back Knit Top

If you are a blog reader, you've seen this shirt out there. I received it last month, but it was too big, so Connie sent it to me in a smaller size. I was very happy to see it back in my fix.

I REALLY wanted to love this shirt. It's so comfy! Unfortunately, the fit around my waist is terrible. And, when my sister told me it made me look pregnant, I knew it was going back. Sigh. It was so comfy and I do love me some polka dots. You can probably guess that given my oldest daughter has a polka dot themed room😀.

Pixley Abstract Chevron Maxi Dress

You've probably seen this dress out there, too, if you read blogs. It's very pretty. Alas, the elastic around my waist did not fit me right. So, back it went.

Market & Spruce Aaliyah Terry Knit Dolman Top

This shirt definitely fits my style preferences. I like red. I like stripes. I usually like Dolman tops. The problems with this shirt are that it doesn't really fit like a Dolman and the inside of the shirt is not very soft or comfortable. Plus, I just didn't like the fading that coincides right with my bust.

All in all, I only kept one item this month. As sad as I was to only keep one item, it was probably good timing since I was on vacation for a week in Europe. I'm already looking forward to next month's fix!

When your Husband is Out of Town

My husband left yesterday on a trip to Europe. I'm meeting him next week. My parents will watch my children for about a week. I'm looking forward to the trip, but I have to confess, I hate when he's out of town. I'm one of those women who is blessed to have a husband that helps a lot with the children. Most mornings, he wakes them up first and then me. We head to the kitchen and he'll start breakfast for the girls and then get ready for work. I finish breakfast, get girls ready, and send them out the door with him to daycare. Then, it's time for me to get ready...

If you are a parent, you know that life with kids is a hectic combination of joy and exhaustion. So, when one parent is gone, the chaos increases exponentially! The day before my husband was leaving, my youngest spiked a fever. That means no daycare. Time to call my mother in law to see if she can help. Luckily, she's available! Then, my husband gets in a car crash on the way to the airport. Thankfully, he's fine, but the car is probably totaled. 

This morning, my youngest spiked a fever again. I spent my first bathroom trip with her collecting a urine sample to take to her pediatrician because she refused to pee yesterday when there with my mother in law. Then, I race through the house getting both girls dressed, my youngest to my mother in law's again, my oldest to daycare, the urine sample to the doc's office, and, phwww! I am lucky to make it to my office by noon! It's only day one of my husband being gone and I'm missing him already. 

I have the utmost respect for single parents who do it all. Parenting is the hardest thing I've ever done, and that includes getting my Ph.D. So, when my husband is gone, I think I appreciate him even more because it reminds me that I'm very lucky to have him in my life. And, it also reminds me to be grateful for the blessings I do have.