Several years ago I got a sudden and intense urge to go all out in decorating my house for Christmas.  Being the researcher and planner that I am, I went to the library to browse through and check out some books on the subject.  There were plenty of options that absolutely thrilled me and I knew I would be busy for several weeks.

At the last minute, before taking my books to the counter to check out, my eyes fell upon one of Martha Stewart’s smaller books.  The subject was snowmen.  I don’t think the book is still in print – I could not find it on Amazon, at least.  Anyway, I grabbed the book without looking at it first.  When I did look it, several days later, I began to realize what people mean when they describe Martha as being “over the top.”  These were not snowmen, they were ice sculptures! If I am recalling correctly, one process involved a chain saw!

Do you know what would happen if my neighbors saw me in the front yard, in the dead of winter, surrounded by snow, with a chain saw in my hands?!

Now, don’t get me wrong, here – I really like Martha Stewart.  In fact, the older I get, the more I like her.  I don’t why that is, but it’s true.  If you’ve ever read any of Martha’s books, you know that excellence is not just something she strives for, but the bottom-line, only acceptable result.  I admire that paradigm.  I really admire that kind of thinking.

However, as someone who just fired her fifth housekeeper in ten months, (I know, I know  - but that’s another blog post), I’m thinking that not everyone feels the same way as Martha, my mother-in-law (Cynthia), and I do about a clean, tidy house.  Alas, I am beginning to understand why so many women are stressed out.

Therefore, my next endeavor is to write a housekeeping guide for the working woman.  I’ll apply my strategic planning skills to home maintenance.  So say tuned . . .

In the meantime, I want to share with you my own “over-the-top” interest in gardening.  In the summer, my flowers are my pride and joy, as the photo below shows.  I get that paradigm from my grandmother, although I’m sure Martha’s flowers would be something to see as well!

Enjoy my flower photos and have a joyful day!

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Posted under Inspiration, Motivation