Monday, November 30, 2009

You Might be a Southern Lady If...

~You clean your house before going on a trip, just in case you don't come home! Well, I have been busy cleaning and straightening up everything around the house, especially placing all my personal things in order...'cuz I'm taking a trip. Do y'all do that? Mama always did that when I was growing up. She would say she was cleaning up because, "Well, you never know what might happen!" {Southern talk meaning, you might pass away suddenly and then all the church ladies bringing over the food would come inside your house and see a big mess!} Lord have mercy, you don't want that to happen.

Well, I've been doing this since I lived in my very first apartment. In fact, I'm so OCD, I was always late for work at the Courthouse in Augusta, Georgia because I got up and cleaned up BEFORE I left the house for work...just in case! I mean, I know how Southern ladies talk...it would go something like this..."Miss Janice, bless her heart, she always dressed so nice, but Lord have mercy, can you believe the way she kept her house?"

So, I'm off on a trip...to visit my mama and my best friend! My Lilly thermo is set to go and full of Starbucks VIA.

Mlle Coco Chanel's suitcase is packed with all her cold-weather sweaters and her Louis Vuitton leash & collar and she is waiting patiently on her little bed on the front seat of my BMW.

I'm wearing...something y'all are NOT going to see! No ma'am, while I'm driving for eight hours, I'm going for comfort today...sweatpants, baseball cap, and tennis shoes:)

First stop: Augusta, Georgia--to visit my best friend Teresa Jane!
Next stop: Atlanta, Georgia--to shop, must-do Trader Joe's Grocers for all my favorite staples!
Next stop: Warner Robins, Georgia--visit with mama--Miss Pauline!
Last stop: Sarasota, Florida--take mama to visit her sister, Miss Ann.

I have prepared some posts to load automatically during my time away! Hopefully, I will be able to take some time now to visit all y'all's fabulous blogs!
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31 comments:

  1. Confessions of a Plate AddictNovember 30, 2009 at 8:15 AM

    Oh, I am laughing out loud, Miss Janice! "Bless her heart" is Southern for "I am about to insult her." I don't want to hear those words! Yes, I ALWAYS clean my house before I go on a trip...because, well, you never know...! I hope you have a wonderful trip!...hugs...Debbie

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  2. bjNovember 30, 2009 at 8:22 AM

    G'morning, Miss Janice...I do hope your trip is safe and......FUN!

    oh, yes, I ALWAYS clean house before leaving! My mama also taught me to do that. When I worked, I never left a bed unmade or a dish unwashed...JUST IN CASE!! :o)
    HUGS, bj

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  3. Designs on 47th StreetNovember 30, 2009 at 9:19 AM

    Oh boy! Did this post hit home. My southern Mama from N.C. is always saying this too. LOL! I got a real chuckle out of your post.

    Safe travels and do stay in touch. :)
    Donna

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  4. Mrs.GritsNovember 30, 2009 at 9:44 AM

    This is totally true! I always try to clean before leaving, just in case and because no one likes coming home to a messy house.
    Also, I didn't know you used to live in Augusta! I've lived here nearly my entire life and love it. I hope you have a fabulous visit through town and have fun at Trader Joe's in Atlanta!

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  5. Suburban PrincessNovember 30, 2009 at 10:00 AM

    Have a wonderful trip!

    We always say the same sorts of things and we arent Southern ;O)

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  6. Southern Living: Preppy StyleNovember 30, 2009 at 10:42 AM

    Have lots of fun and be safe! And, I guess I'm a Southern Lady too! I did exactly that for two days before we left for Thanksgiving. I cleaned the house top to bottom and put up all Christmas decor. Since we left before Thanksgiving and will not be back until the 5th, I wanted everything all out and ready for us back home!
    Safe travels!

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  7. QueenBeeSwainNovember 30, 2009 at 10:47 AM

    Laughing so hard but it's so the truth! One of my friends grew up in a house with a cute little pillow that was stitched with "A Clean House is a Happy House" and I completely believe it!

    LOVE the Nutcrackers btw :)

    xoox

    kHm

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  8. cNovember 30, 2009 at 11:06 AM

    a clean home is always nice to come back to, as well. have a safe trip!

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  9. AnonymousNovember 30, 2009 at 11:51 AM

    I must have a little bit of Southern in me! lol! My house has to be clean too!!
    sounds like a fun trip!

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  10. TardevilNovember 30, 2009 at 11:53 AM

    You are so funny! I use to clean up before I left...just in case. But then I figured, if I die, let someone else do it! LOL! Hope you have a safe trip and that you also had a happy Thanksgiving!

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  11. Black Labs and LillyNovember 30, 2009 at 12:05 PM

    Miss Janice,

    Even though we live way up north, my Mother ALWAYS cleans before leaving the house, for a short or long trip! I like to consider us southern in spirit!!

    Have a safe trip and enjoy all of your stops!!

    MMC

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  12. Julie LeahNovember 30, 2009 at 1:12 PM

    I can definitely relate to this! My mama has raised me to never leave the house a mess. I remember every vacation growing up we had to clean the house before we even thought about packing! Have a safe and wonderful trip, Miss janice! Can't wait to hear about when you return! xoxo

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  13. AshNovember 30, 2009 at 1:22 PM

    I told my mother about the "clean your house before leaving" rule because I remember her doing this when I was young. I thought she did this because she liked coming home to a clean house but after I asked she said it was for the same reason as you!! So cute!

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  14. Tammy BNovember 30, 2009 at 1:38 PM

    First of all, I love the Nutcrackers. Yes, I always clean before I go on a trip. You never know who may come over, plus I like to walk back into a clean house. When I broke my foot, I was trying to clean as best I could so that it won't be too bad when I am able to go back home. I dread what nine weeks of not cleaning is going to look like.

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  15. Miss JaniceNovember 30, 2009 at 2:18 PM

    Preppy 101...I clicked "Reject" to your comment by mistake {Oooops, shouldn't read blog comments on iPhone while driving}

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  16. Southern SavvyNovember 30, 2009 at 2:21 PM

    Have a safe and wonderful trip Miss Janice! Isn't that Starbucks Via wonderful? We ship a regular supply over to my Husband's best friend who is currently serving in Iraq. Sometimes it's the little things like a decent cup of coffee that can help our soldiers make it through the day!

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  17. Mallory AnnNovember 30, 2009 at 3:09 PM

    Yes ma'am! The apartment is always cleaned before leaving, not just in case we dont come back just so there is nothing stress full when we arrive home! Safe travels and coco channel is so so cute!!

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  18. Marilyn *Pink Martinis and Pearls*November 30, 2009 at 3:22 PM

    I thought I was the only one who did this! I even clean out my closet before going on a trip. I think about what I don't want my sons to come across "if"...

    You are a gem! Have a lovely trip.

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  19. MonaNovember 30, 2009 at 5:12 PM

    Yes ma'am I ALWAYS leave the house clean! No OCD here. None at all! ;)
    Have a safe trip.

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  20. Leslie @ A Blonde AmbitionNovember 30, 2009 at 6:19 PM

    How true this is! As an Arkansas girl, I always make sure to clean my house before I leave, just because my mom always did : )

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  21. Belle (from Life of a...)November 30, 2009 at 7:03 PM

    And after we clean we also put on fresh undergarments just to be on the safe side in case we have to go to the hospital while we're gone. By the way, we have the same picture that you have hanging over your sofa...my mother-in-law had it in her living room for the longest.

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  22. UnknownNovember 30, 2009 at 7:18 PM

    We collect nutcrackers too! We have the cleaning lady come even when we're on vacation.

    And the Semi-Slackers live right next door to Warner Robins. Small world.

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  23. LisaNovember 30, 2009 at 8:44 PM

    'Southern talk meaning, you might pass away suddenly and then all the church ladies bringing over the food would come inside your house and see a big mess!}'

    Well I hate to destroy the image BUT that is exactly what happens north of the Mason Dixon line too. I grew up with it. My husband (who's from the the south) made the comment years ago (he's since learned the art of an "unexpressed thought") that our house was cleaner right before we left for some place than 'normal'. He's learned over the years (33) that he should, prior to a trip, leave a few minutes early to fill up the gas tank, get snacks etc. so that I can have my 'last minute fixin time'. I'd positively DIE if I died and my house was a mess and the church ladies showed up. Sincerely, Lisa

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  24. CeCeNovember 30, 2009 at 9:10 PM

    I'm a nutcracker collector too and I love to go and see it every year. It really puts me in the Christmas mood.
    And I also and a crazy cleaner before a trip...I'm not a Southerner, I attribute it more to me being a control freak!

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  25. Mid-Atlantic MarthaNovember 30, 2009 at 9:21 PM

    My husband used to get frustrated when I insisted that everything be straight when we left town -- but who wants to come home to mess? A clean house just feels good to come home to! Hope you have a great trip!

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  26. UnknownDecember 1, 2009 at 1:33 AM

    Oh yes! I always clean my house before going away on trips. My mom always taught us that but her reason was, it would be clean when we got home. Because who really wants to come home to a filthy house? (Of course my house is never filthy, because I'm also a fellow OCDer). Landed me in the hospital last year from an anxiety attack..LOL

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  27. Princess FrecklesDecember 1, 2009 at 9:18 PM

    Have a great trip! Lots of fun, but be safe driving all that way!

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  28. SuzanneDecember 2, 2009 at 9:05 AM

    So funny...and so true! I always clean before a vacation...always! Partly so I come home to a reasonably clean house and the other part...so my dog sitter will have a clean house to visit. Yes, I clean for the dog sitter!:-)

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  29. Amanda MichelleDecember 2, 2009 at 11:10 PM

    Oh I love Sarasota!! You have fun Miss Janice!

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  30. Amanda MichelleDecember 2, 2009 at 11:11 PM

    And every lady knows you must clean your house before leaving for vacation. It's like making your bed everyday when you leave your room. Just the thing to do!

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  31. LeahDecember 3, 2009 at 11:42 PM

    Oh yes, I clean my house before leaving for a trip! My mom taught me the same thing.

    I grew up in Warner Robins, GA. I hope you are having a great trip!

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