Here it comes, the first day of fall is in a few days. I’m not sure where the year has gone. Vacations are over and glued up in scrapbooks, kids are off to school,  my plethora of summer petunias have been eaten up by the pervasive petunia plague. So I guess that’s it. We can put our feet up and relax for a while but don’t get too comfortable, those holidays are lurking and ready to pounce.

I’m the kind of person that likes  to get things done (that can be done), in advance of events. The more that gets done before, the less stress  to deal with during. I thought I’d make a “to do” list to get me geared- up for year end festivities. Feel free to add to it if I missed a few… 

“Things that can be done in advance of the holidays if I can get motivated and off my tush to do them”….

1. Have furniture cleaned, slipcovered (or throw an afghan over the dirty spots).

2. Get rid of faded “pancake sofa pillows” and break down and buy new ones or restuff and recover old ones.

3. Wash windows before it gets too cold, rainy or hot  (then you have a good enough excuse).

4. Get carpets, area rugs and drapery cleaned (or turn the lights down real low and spray Febreze all over).

5. Polish the silver now, wrap in soft cloths and place in plastic bags  (or use the stainless and say the silver got stolen).

6. Rearrange the furniture to cozy up to the warm fireplace (you’ll probably have a heatwave).

7. Clean out the refrigerator and toss out all the old salad dressings  and pickled herring  from 2004 (whew, don’t open that jar).

8. Clean the chandeliers and sconces  ( cobweb” swags” don’t add to the intricate detail of the piece).

9. Touch up any wall painting or woodwork that the dog chewed or was used as a canvas.

10. Outside, pull up all of the dead or dying “songs” of summer (goodbye patunias). Replace with fall friendly fronds.

11. Change the summer, “Gone To The Beach” wreath on the door,  to “Autumn Welcome”.

12. Look now for good buys on things you’ll need for entertaining during the season…tablecloths, napkins, casserole dishes, turkey pans, candles, cooking spices, room fragrances, guest towels, holiday cards, wrapping paper, a cheap ticket to the Bahamas.

It’s a love/hate relationship I guess,  but if you can get a jump on the holidays then you can relax and enjoy them more.  Can you think of any other things that can get done before the holiday hustle happens?  Yawn, I’m already tied just thinking about it, time for a nap.

Welcome Autumn (I think) !