Running Thru Life- A Clean House

I had previously blogger on how I am was making a big step and hiring a housekeeper to coming in once or twice a month.

With Joe in school and working full time and me starting to work close to 12 hour days in September, I just knew I was going to need help.  Last semester, I did it all and Joe could tell it was wearing on me and in turn us.  

Thanks to my mother-in-law who told Joe that I need help - Joe gave me the ok to find someone.

I contacted a couple people in my neighborhood who I know had a housekeeper.  They both responded with the same name:  Lisa. 

Lisa owns  LMC Cleaning Service. 

I contacted Lisa and after about 15 minutes of talking to her on the phone I could tell I was going to be happy.  She came by the house a couple weeks ago to do a walk thru and go over what I would like done.  She played with Clemson and even told me that she would walk him on the days she was here- MONEY!!!

She found dirt places in our house that I did not even know existed- i was a little embarrassed because I do like to think that we keep our house pretty clean.  

So I scheduled our first cleaning for yesterday, I came home and was in heaven....

I only wish I took pictures before so I could compare them to.....

I walked up to the main level with all the hardwood floors waxes, the carpets were vacuumed as well as the sofas, dusted, etc

 Then up to our room.....

 

But the best was our bathroom....

 

The counters were rid of toothpaste stains and makeup stains.

The shower was so clean....

Even Clemson was happy.

Lisa left me a note telling me how Clemson did and some recommendations that she had for next time, which will be in a month.  

So today I have spent the day with my husband and my puppy....working out, spending time at the pool, napping....

Happy Saturday

Running thru life... A new challenge

Lately I have not been motivated to run. 

Maybe it is because it is a million degrees!!!

Maybe because work has been kicking my butt lately.

I do not know why...

That being said- I need to work out. 

My mind can tell.

My body can tell.

So Wednesday night I headed to Oak Marr Rec center for some quiet alone Laura workout time while my hubby was out doing something with friends. 

I enjoy working out by myself.

I walked in to the rec center and purchased my passes- 25 total. 

My plan had been to start going to the rec center at least 2-3  times a week to either swim or eliptical first and then run. 

I was pleasantly surprised when I walked into the gym as they added more elipticals and more treadmills!!

Yes!!!

Nothing annoys me more than going to the gym and having to wait for someone who is walking slower than molasses to get off the treadmill.

So I started my workout with 45 minutes on the eliptical. 

Followed by 35 minutes on the treadmill. 

I love their treadmill because they have fans build in to them! 

Finished with a series of weights and stretching.

When I got home I was exhausted- I slept amazing.

I miss working out and know I need to make an effort to get back into it.

So tonight it will be a short 3 mile run on the treadmill when I get home and off to the Gym tomorrow morning for another hard workout.

=0)

Running Thru Life... A busy Sunday

This Sunday we headed to Lowe's with a couple tasks:

1) Storage bin for our new cushions on our Patio.

2) Power Washer 

3) Look at lighting and mirrors for our up coming project

4) Tools to fix our backyard gate.

After approximately an hour from start to finish we were in our driveway with everything we needed.

1) Our new Storage Container for our cushions.

Up to this point I was storing them in the laundry room which was very frustrating because they were in the way.  We were waiting for them to go on sale which they did for the 4th of July week.  

I love the one we got because while it matches our patio furntirue set and appears that it is wicker but it is actually plastic with not slits in it so it will keep everything dry.  It is big enough to fit all the cushions in and some more.  

Love it!!!

2) Powerwasher

We are now owners of a powerwasher. 
Since we have lived in our home we have had to either pay someone to
powerwash something or borrow one on three separate occassions.

So we decided just to purchase one because in the long run it made the most sense and was also cheaper-  

Purchased on sale of course!!

We opted for a gas because of the reviews.  
Gas machines are a little bit more expensive but the reviews are much better.
We have had three friends now who have purchased electric ones that have broken down after 1 year of use.

I will let you know how it goes

3) Mirror and Light fixures.... future post

4) Fix the Backyard door.

The people who lived in our house before us were stupid.

Yes stupid. 

They installed the backyard latch that is not level- i.e it did not line up and was very hard to open.

Joe fixed it and I am so happy!!!

Added bonus.... Look at our garden!!!

From start to finish... everything took us two hours!!!
1 hr to and from HomeDepot
1 hr to assemble and update everything.
Happy Sunday!!

Running thru life... Keeping Cool

 This Summer has already been a hot one!

I hate heat!!!

Our townhome (because of the way the staircase is designed) acts like a chimmy.... 

i.e the basement is freezing and the 3rd floor is hot.

So Joe and I decided this summer to purchase some fans.

We were at Costco one weekend and saw a great deal:

Seville Tower Rotating Fan + Mini Rotating Fan 

Normally around 70 dollars on sale for $50.

The fan had everything we wanted- different speeds including a eco friendly speed, a remote, it rotated and was nice looking.  

I was sold.  

So now we have the large fan on the main level near the kitchen. 

 

The mini one we decided to place on our dresser in our room.  

We have been using them for over two weeks now and I can tell a difference. 

Running Thru Life..... Managing Guests

I love having people visit us.

I know from when I travel sometimes it can be hard being away from your house.

You miss the little things or you forget things at home when you travel.

Because of this I have made a routine whenever we have guests (as we did last weekend).

Step One:

Making sure they have everything they need

 

Towels are out in the bathroom clean and waiting for them.

Bed is clean and made.  Extra blanket is out.  Fan is available.  

Guest room is clean.

Step 2: The little things.

I make sure that I have available little things that they might have forgotten.

In a basket in the bathroom I place shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, soap, etc.

Under the guestroom bathroom, I have extra razors, toothbrushes, and a hairdryer. 

Friday morning my friend woke up and stated "I need to run to Wegmans, I forgot my razor."  

My answer "Look under the sink, there are extras'"

SWEET!!!

I actually stock pile most of this stuff from hotels we have been at on trips, 

freebees like the razors, etc.  

I like that my friends refer to our house as "Hotel Laura." 

After all if you are going to be away from home you still want to feel a little at home. 

Running thru life.... Presents from Greece

Every time we go on vacation we like to bring a little something home that reminds us of where we have been.  We try to purchase things that are native to where we are visiting.  We do not purchase touristy stuff and junk.

For Madeira is was

Madeira Wine, a handmade beautiful doily, and a ceramic spoon that is hanging in our kitchen. 

Napa was wine...

Greece was  

Christmas Ornament from our walk to Oia

This has become a tradition of ours.

Ceramic Spoon from Mykonos which has joined our Madeira spoon.

Ceramic Hand painted plate which is on display in our kitchen from an world know Artist in Santorini

Bottle of Vinsano (Wine Santorini is known for).

 

So now I can think of being in Greece even when it is a cold rainy day at home.