That meant I had to clean the guest room.
The guest room. I should call it the upstairs storage room. I'm almost too embarrassed to say it or post it because I'm sure you have lovely rooms that never pick up the leftovers of life, that are ready for company on a moment's notice, that require perhaps only a spot of dusting or a whiz with the vacuum. In my guest room, things that belong elsewhere seem to park there. Well, that implies they park themselves. They have help. Old frames, linens that need to be hung up. The chest that holds the silver (when was that lunch, anyway?). Books to be shelved. The pile of Christmas gifts I've been collecting.
I will say I've needed to do this since -- well, at least Easter. Suzanne's visit was a great excuse! Ta da!
(OK, not perfect. But a heck of a lot closer. At least she could stretch out on the bed!)
There is something wonderful about someone who can remember your parents, who knows the people you know that no one else does. Our nights were late and filled with theatre. We saw a delightful musical at our university theatre's summer stage on a perfect night called "Amour."
Wonderful music and performances. It was terrific till the last 30 seconds and then had an ending that was so disappointing the audience didn't clap immediately because we thought how could it possibly end that way?
But that wasn't the fault of the talented actors or performers! They were delightful and the audience loved it!
Neither of us won the raffle but we sure had a great time!
The next day and the day after more theatre (a terrific community theatre production of "Spamalot" -- I had no idea it would be so good!). And of course, shopping, our favorite restaurants, good talks. When you go back five decades, there's lots to talk about!
We've had more than our share of rain and everything is green and growing. I may have to transplant some of the things in my potted garden, the pots are getting so full.
It felt sort of silent when Suzanne left. A quick clean-up and then time for the Tony Awards -- my favorite award show of the season.
All in all, a glorious weekend. It gets a little hard to come back to real life!
Linking this week to: Let's Keep In Touch
You did a marvelous job with the guest room restore! LOL.. kinda looks like my office. Only a lot more charming.
ReplyDeleteI refuse to show you my guest room -either one of them!! haha....great clean up job! Love the cement heart in the last pic. CUTE, something like that would fit great in my yard!! haha
ReplyDeleteHello, I am sure your friend enjoyed your company and guest room. The summer theater was a fun evening.
ReplyDeleteCute photos of you and your friend. Have a happy day!
Sometimes I´m lucky we only have 80m² (is that 98 squareyard?) - no guestroom for storage!
ReplyDeleteI like the plants and gimmick above the windows!
Great to see the weather is in for outdoor-activities again, sooo nice.
But sad the ending of the theatre-piece was not good.
Agreed, it must be just awesome to have old friends like that! From mine not one is left. Or... not one that I still have anything in common with.
You demonstrate how it's not just nature that abhors a vacuum -- it's human nature too! Who doesn't let things accumulate? Last time I had guests it was tons of paperwork that had to be cleared from the guest bed, which is in my study so it is even more tempting to pile it on.
ReplyDeletebest... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I love that you have a "drop-it-and-run" room. I suspect we all do but we all don't admit it in public. Love your quilts. Glad you had a good time this past weekend.
ReplyDeleteThe cool spring has been great for pansies this year! Mine need transplanting too which is something I rarely have had to do in the past.
I really enjoyed the Tonys. I can out-mess you at 40 paces in any room in the house. I think your guest room looks perfect,
ReplyDeleteDon’t worry I think every house has a room like that - ours certainly does.
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way when I spent time with my cousin Cindy. After she left...I felt 'low'. I had to decide to get out and mix things up this week. I'm glad you had so much fun! I am trying to imagine the ending of the performance that was disappointing! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a wonderful time with Suzanne!
ReplyDeleteI caught up on your other posts, Jeanie, and have to say I miss old fashioned blogging too! I'm in a state of flux over recent changes and almost considered ending my blog as I just dont have the time to sit and figure it all out. It is frustrating! I kow I'd miss it though. I've met so many niceff people, like uou, thTV ough my blog.
It sounds like you had fun!
ReplyDeleteGuest rooms are always junk catchers..you are not alone! I'm so glad you had fun with your BFF. There's nothing better.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun Jeanie, a girls weekend with outdoor summer theatre!
ReplyDeleteWe've quit using our upstairs and all the rooms have turned into storage rooms. I'll clean them someday, probably at Christmas when our daughter comes to stay.
ReplyDeleteJeanie, you got that room ready for guests in no time. I think the getting to it is the hard part. I have a craft room that is that way right now and hubby wonders why I am doing crafts on the dining room table. I love it when my sister comes to visit as we have long talks like that. Such fun..Happy Tuesday..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the pic of the “guest” room I laughed out loud! It’s perfect.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is a single spotless room in my house. The office and my "studio" are the true hot spots though - quite awful in my opinion. So rest assured, you are not the only one!
ReplyDeleteIt is so nice to have such a long time friend staying with you. That is the challenge living in a foreign country - no one here really knows my life before the US, whopping 40 years. And of my old European friends only my Paris friend (who now lives in Lyon) knew my parents. We are always traveling down memory lane when we see each other.
I had a similar “old friend” moment this past weekend . . .
ReplyDeleteIn a looooonng phone visit . . . instead of an in person visit.
We go back to the late sixties . . . when our kiddies were wee tots.
Old friends . . . nothing else like them.
(And I had no worry about cleaning up my spare room !). smile, smile
What a fun time you two had, Jeanie. It's wonderful that you were able to catch up with an old friend. Oh well, I have piles that need to be cleaned up in several rooms. The lack of storage in this house doesn't help.
ReplyDeleteYou cleaned that guest room within an inch of its life. Well done. Mine is always clean and just needs dusting, but my office often gets papers and junk all over it. Guess that's why I'm the only one who goes in it (except the two cats of course).
ReplyDeleteThe guest room looks wonderful after the clean up. I tend to pile things I don't need into my bedroom which often looks similar to your 'before' picture! Glad you enjoyed the time with your friend. Your flower are looking fantastic. Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeletetheatre, shopping, eating good food, spending precious time with an old and dear friend....sure sounds like a great time to me!
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrific way to spend a visit! I saw "Amour" at Goodspeed Opera about ten years ago - and loved it. I agree the ending is a little too abrupt and cruel to be the final note of this frothy and magical little chamber piece. I"m sure it was a delight outdoors!
ReplyDeleteI thought the Tonys had the best presentation ever ... well, except for the deNiro outburst that was a total waste of time since nobody watching on television had any idea what he said. But, that aside, it was a delight from beginning to end. I especially appreciated the musicals putting up their shows' individual highlights, rather than truncated versions of the entire shows as happen quite often. Certainly, when we saw Carousel, Blow High Blow Low - which is not my favorite song! - was one of the showstopping moments. And it only whet my appetite more to see My Fair Lady later this month!
No need to be embarrassed by the condition of your guest room - before we moved to our current home, we had TWO guest rooms in the same condition! LOL
Thanks for sharing your visit with us!
Glad your friend was able to come for a visit. Sounds like you had a lovely weekend with her.
ReplyDeleteWe don't even have a guest room. Our second bedroom is the office/study/computer room (whatever you want to call it).
I have a neatnick problem..one of my grandsons nicknamed me Danny Tanner:)
ReplyDeleteSo fun to have your girlfriend w/ you..The best of times for sure when you can share memories:) Looks like you had a ball!
You did a great job on the guest room. I have a room like that too. I really do try to keep it ready for guests. Presently the bed is covered with birthday gifts I need to wrap. It's so nice to have a close friend like Suzanne. Looks like the visit was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Jeanie!
ReplyDeleteYour guest room looks like my upstairs loft bedroom. Today is my first official day off for summer vacation and I guess I better tackle that room so I can enjoy the rest of my summer! As I can see here in your room, it just takes some arranging and maybe even some purging. For sure in my circumstance, some serious vacuuming and washing of floors! Have fun with your pal!
Nothing like guests coming to get you cleaning! It looks like you girls had a lot of fun while catching up on life. Time with sweet friends is always a wonderful weekend. Your smiles say it all.......
ReplyDeleteJeanie, this post touched my heart strings! Old friends that we grew up with are the best! My best friend that went all the way back to grammar school passed away at the young age of forty two. I still miss her terribly! I am so glad you have a friend from so long ago that knew your parents, that is special! Your plants are thriving!
ReplyDeleteI’m so sorry you lost your friend, Pam.
DeleteThere sure is something about publishing that commits us to ownership, isn't there? That, and company. It looks like a win any way you look at it!
ReplyDeleteYou think none of us has a room like that? I wish my spare bedroom was as tidy as yours'. I dread opening the door to mine. I know what has to be done, and 'one day' I might have the energy. LOL Blessings
ReplyDeleteWhat fun you had! That's so funny (well okay sad) about the play. I felt that way about the movie La-La-Land but I won't say anything else in case you haven't seen it haha! Thanks for you visit to my blog and comments on the desk pad. That's such a GREAT idea to use them to protect the work space! They're so cheap but they seem like they're a good quality so should last a long time!
ReplyDeleteFun!!!!! I have a room like your guest room, and though cleaning it wasn't a fun thing, I bet you are happy it is done. And what a great way to have some company while Rick is gone. I love going to outdoor summer theater. It was a good visit I think. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteI can just imagine how you would miss your friend after she left. It looks like the visit was wonderful. You did a great job with the guest room too. My guest room is my office and I use the bed as a staging area for whatever I am working on. Right now it is covered in china, teacups, and spoons.
ReplyDeleteJeanie it is always wonderful when you get a visit from an old childhood friend. I have a few of those but they live on the other side of the pond and it is so hard for us to see each other. At least you got the room cleaned up.
ReplyDeleteThat’s the penalty for moving, I can relate.
DeleteGood job on the guest room spring clean - I love it when we have friends to stay, it's an excuse to do the whole house! I get a bit carried away in my pretence of presenting some semblance of order in my chaotic life! All I can say is it is a good thing we never need to put people up in my study! But your home is wonderful, and thank you for your encouragement in seeking a new home in BK.
ReplyDeleteYou have described the wonders of old friends perfectly, the joy of shared history, even old jokes and things that make you both giggle, and continuing to enjoy the shared interests that brought you together in the first place, even with the unsatisfying ending!
Wren x
Our spare bedroom is exactly the same Jeannie! It is basically a storage room for whatever. Every now and again we clean it up, but it isn't long before it looks bad again. You are right having company is a great impetus for clearing it out. Looks like you have had a lovely time with your friend! xoxo
ReplyDeleteHello from Australia.
ReplyDeleteWell I felt I was there from your post. How lovely that you had your friend all those years. Due to bringing up an ADHD /gifted son , I became a stranger to most old friends and family. My husband worked in restaurants too for some years. That industry keeps antisocial hours, so we missed lots of milestone parties. Nowadays we live far from most of them. I’ve had to make new friends as I’ve gone along, since my son left home. Before that it was mostly parents at school and women in my street. Then we would move again.
The leftovers of life... I think any corner of a home has that potential, Jeanie! So no need to be embarrassed! ;) We have a funny little "room" that's hardly a room at the top of the stairs, and unfortunately it's the leftovers spot. But my goodness, what a spectacular tidy up you did, and cozy room for Suzanne's visit. LOVE that pink & pastels quilt! 5 decades of friendship--what a treasure... And some treasures days you shared just now--so happy for you, and fun to see! :))) Happy Days ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful weekend. You are right when you write, "There is something wonderful about someone who can remember your parents, who knows the people you know that no one else does." I find that kind of pleasure with my nieces and cousins now. It is so much fun to sit and talk about people we know or used to know. Some are gone now, more with every year that passes, and talking and turning over old memories with others who loved them is so nice.
ReplyDeleteThe before and after photos of the guest room are so great! Looks like a lot of work! I think everyone or most people have a room in their house that accumulates things. For us it’s our office. I try to go through it occasionally, usually at Phil’s urging because it drives him a little crazy when things pile up in there.
ReplyDeleteHow fun to host a dear friends. Sounds like you had the best time together. There’s nothing like seeing a friend who knows you so well!
We have rooms like that too. Thanks for sharing at Keep In Touch. It sounds like you have a great weekend.
ReplyDelete