Cottage Opening: Preparations!

Since I have the objective of not wasting a minute of beach time running Route 1 errands, for weeks I have been gathering the beachy-cottage "must haves" to last until October 31st!

I've gathered the basic items for the laundry, outdoor shower, bathroom, and the kitchen.  I've not yet shopped for the basic pantry items.   I'll do that the week before opening.

I've shopped for the entire season's needs of lip balms and sunscreen!  A fortune!

I collected the season's worth of skin care creams and lotions, and cosmetics.

I collected the hair demands: shampoos and hair pins/clips and such.

I've shopped for swimsuits, clothes, and jewelry, ...... but my new beach hat hunt still eludes me.  I'm after "Slogger" hats, the soft-woven ones...... but my usual stores this season refuse to re-stock!!!!!

This week I also set the dates for the De-Winterizing, for Spring Cleaning, and Spring Lawn Clean-up!

Last season's arrival was a bit upsetting as the refrigerator had died...... and woah, did it take some doing to make the replacement.  Three weekends without a refrigerator, living out a cooler with melting ice, is not something I want to repeat.

I'm ready Beach-Cottage!  I'll be there soon!

Beach Blessings,

Cottage Opening Begins! Preparations!

This morning I have the good news that the De-Winterization is complete and successful!  I always request the same Plumber...... And Bless Him for his good work.  He now knows this tiny place very well!

Hearing this news, my heart always jumps a beat!

Last year was also a successful opening but a 60 year-old outside water valve needing replacing.  And that was quite the project coordinating the water shut-off with the Town of Dewey Beach and the plumbing project with the plumbing service.

Today the Spring Cleaning begins.....and Bless my Housekeeping Lady.  Spring Cleaning is her thing!  In late Fall, I leave the cottage all covered in sheets......so this helps.

The fans will have to have the blades cleaned otherwise splats of dust balls fly here and 

everywhere once the switch is on!

I'm gathering my linens, clothes, and stocking the larder groceries.

I attacked the grocery challenge before the clothes challenge.  Grocery needs are a defined list........clothing needs...... that is a work in progress!

I shopped my own pantry first......and was happy to only buy one grocery bag of items to complete the job.

Beyond the usual needs of Mayo and Mustard......basic needs, I include condiments for Japanese meals: sticky rice, rice wine and vinegar, sesame oil, tamari sauce.

Today I'll finish gathering the clothing wardrobe!  I'll muse about that next.