{pretty, happy, funny, real}

I think I have done it! A weekly photo challenge that seems *just right*. 

 ~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~ at Like Mother, Like Daughter

I won't commit just yet (you know how overzealous I can be) but we'll see how it goes.  Post a pretty, happy, funny, and real photo every Thursday.  This might be just the ticket for my yearly photo goal.  (In which case, I'll stop with the sporatic Sunday posting- probably a good thing anyway.)

 {pretty}

My hibernating orchid finally peeks out its' pretty head.

{happy}

The older children helped me bring wood in before the "Big Storm" hits this weekend.  It is Papa's job normally, but he has been out of town all week and if we wait on him, we might have to dig 3 feet down to get it!  10 large wagonloads in all- and they were still smiling.  Good children.

 
{funny}

Boys.  They do strange things.

{real}

The Spare Oom exploded.

This week I have tackled and finished several biggish projects that I am SO glad to have (finally!) done.  But, in the business of tackling- other areas are neglected.  If I have an extraordinary school-week, the house goes to pot.  If I buckle down and get the house how I like to keep it, the schooling suffers.  I can't simultaneously have a clean house and well-educated children.  (Is this a universal phenomenon?  Please say yes.)

So- we fluctuate from clean-as-a-whistle fools to dirty, rotten smarty-pants.  It SHOULD all even out in the end, right?

Add to this, biggish projects and everything gets out of control VERY quickly.

When Matt finished flooring the upstairs hallway, it looked so lovely that I hated to put the dollhouse back in it.  Plus, the hallway is so dark-with zero natural light-that the children can only ever play that it is nighttime in the dollhouse.  But where to put a HUGE, practically life-size dollhouse in a home nearly its' size?  (I exaggerate only slightly.) 

Bedrooms are full.  Downstairs is a ain't-happening.  I am considering keeping it in (the only other option than the hallway) the nice and bright Spare Oom, where interest in it has obviously been renewed, but to do so will mean some serious changes to the room.  Where those "changes" are to be put is the question. 

With Matt being out of town all week, I have been happily working on projects and schooling and avoiding cleaning- so if you want to be REALLY real, you must know that pretty much every room of the house looks rather like that above photo.

Time to turn my attention to the house.  I have four hours to make things right, because Matt is coming home TONIGHT!  (hallelujah!)