Book Review for Eternal on the Water

Title: Eternal on the Water

Author: Joseph Monninger

I participated in the Barnes and Noble First Look Book Club for the book Eternal on the Water by Joseph Monninger. Here is my review:


After reading the description of this book for the BN First Look Book Club, I had to read it. I thought it was going to be such a wonderful and touching love story; however, I just couldn't get into it. The writing style didn't bother me (although I felt like there was a 'he/she said' written after almost every line of dialogue, so I had to make myself ignore those endings), I thought it was pretty good actually. The story itself didn't capture me. I never felt like I wanted to read more of the story when I would have to put it down. The love story between Cobb and Mary seemed almost 'too perfect' and it was unbelievable, to me anyway. I did read this through to the end (once I start a book, I have to finish it) but I never really felt connected to any of the characters and I never yearned for more. I would be interested in reading more of his books and suggest that you read this one for yourself as you may enjoy it. After all, this is just my opinion, yours could be completely different.

Noisy Neighbors

I have some very noisy neighbors. Unless you've ever had them, you truly don't know how annoying and frustrating it can be. I don't understand why they have to blast their music so loud that it's to the point where their neighbor's (that would be me) bed and floors vibrate.

Let me explain a little. My husband and I own a townhouse. Our home is on a corner lot of a row of 5 houses, so thankfully, we only have one house connected to ours (the noisy neighbors). When we moved in this past September (2009), the house beside ours was still for sale and vacant. The only other house that was occupied in our row was the house in the middle.

About 6 weeks or so ago, the for sale sign in the yard came down, and 2 college aged kids moved in. My husband and I were under the impression that they were renting since their plates say they're from a different state. However, a couple weekends ago we saw them outside in the yard doing some yard work (digging up old stones and replacing them with new ones). Now, we're not so sure if they are renting, or if "daddy" bought the house as an income property. Either way, it doesn't really matter because they should be respectful and considerate of their neighbors no matter if they "own" or not.

The day they moved in is the day the music started and it hasn't ever stopped. Every Friday and Saturday nights (sometimes on the week nights too -- oh lucky us!) they have a party, and a loud party at that. The street fills up with cars by around 8PM, as well as our drive-through, which is a fire-zone (and no parking is allowed). Once it hits 10PM, if they are still loud, my husbands calls the police. Since my state doesn't have a noise ordinance (again...lucky us!), all they can do is ask them to turn the music down. Most of the time this works, however, there have been a couple of times where the music will start booming through our walls again and the cops have to be called back out.

As of a couple days ago, the HOA has sent two letters to them telling them to cease and desist, which means they've had one extra warning than they should have had. The next time the HOA receives a complaint about them, they (or the owner) will get fined.

Well, this afternoon the neighbors decided to blast their music and play their drums so loudly that I was able to feel the floors vibrating in the living room. I could also hear their music over my t.v. I'm anxious to see what the HOA is going to do about this problem. I really hope that they fine them this time. I'll post an update as soon as I find out what happens with this situation.

Annual Tasks

Annual Tasks are the tasks that I feel need to happen only once a year.

Here is my list of my Annual Tasks:

* Check Fire Alarm/Carbon Monoxide Batteries
* Check and re-apply caulk as needed
* Clean out filing cabinet

To integrate these tasks into my cleaning routine, I like to pick one day out of the year (usually a Saturday) for each of these tasks to be completed. I write it down on my master calendar, which will then be transferred over onto my monthly calendar (dry erase that I keep on my fridge). By doing this, I'm able to see a month in advance when each of these tasks are scheduled.

Monthly Cleaning Tasks

Monthly cleaning tasks are tasks that don't need to be done, daily, or weekly, but need to be done more than once or twice a year.

Here is my Monthly Cleaning Tasks list:


* Change Furnace Filters (or as needed)
* Organize Storage Room (or as needed)
* Wash Pillows and Comforters
* Clean Washer and Dryer
* Check Stock Pile

I like to add one monthly task into my Daily Cleaning Schedule. This way, I don't have to spend one weekend each month making sure these tasks get done. By adding them into my Daily Cleaning Schedule, I'm able to divide them up throughout the month, and by the end of the month, all of my monthly tasks are done.

Weekly Tasks

When I was trying to come up with my weekly tasks, I tried to think about everything in my home that needed to be cleaned often, but not every day, such as changing the bedding and paying the bills (my favorite thing to do...gag).

Here is the list that I came up with for my weekly tasks:

* Laundry - Changing sheets on bed and crib, blankets
* Dust - baseboards, furniture, blinds, fixtures, door frames, stairs, fireplace
* Weekly Kitchen Tasks - clean out fridge (throw away last weeks leftovers that weren't eaten, food that's expired)
* Update calendar - I have a master calendar and I have decided to purchase a dry erase calendar for the fridge)
* Trash - I go around and collect all of the trash from the bathroom waste baskets, diapers, etc. and put them in the garage, ready to be taken out on trash day
* Vacuum - all floors, furniture
* Pay/Schedule bills
* Plan meals
* Couponing
* Weekly Bathroom Tasks - Clean Mirror, mop floor, organize closet
* Zone cleaning
* Paper Tasks - File, shred, trash, letters, Thank You's
* Clean out purse
* Grocery store
* Errands - Post Office, Library, buy presents, etc.
* Clean out car
* Sweep porch and deck
* Yard work - I live in a neighborhood that has an HOA, therefore, I don't have to do much yard work, but we are responsible for trimming our bushes.
* 1 Monthly cleaning task


I know this looks like a lot(and it is),but, if you break these tasks down and do a few a day (include them in your daily cleaning schedule), then it won't be as overwhelming, and they will all get accomplished by the end of the week.

Before Bed Routine

The following is my Before Bed Routine:

* Load dishwasher
* Vacuum kitchen floor
* Clean Counters, stove and sink
* Straighten up

I always do these right after dinner. And luckily, my husband helps me. These tasks hardly take any time at all to do, and once they're done, the rest of the night is mine to spend with my family.

By diving my tasks up throughout the day, I'm able to take breaks and I won't burn out. At the end of the day, I'm able to go to bed with a peaceful mind because I accomplished what I set out to do, and I have a sparkling, shiny and clean house to show for it.

Afternoon Routine

The following is my Afternoon Routine:

* Fix lunch (11ish)
* Put meat out to defrost (if having meat for dinner)
* Prep dinner
* Sort/recycle mail
* Zone cleaning (Thursdays)

I never do my Afternoon Routine while LM is taking a nap - that is my "me time" and I spend it doing whatever I want to do (unless we're having company over and I have no choice in the matter). Therefore, I usually don't start my Afternoon Routine until 2 or 2:30 (except for fixing lunch).