Creating the Perfect Guest Room

I love having guests,
and I love being a guest!
Lately, I have found myself away from home quite a bit.

Coastal Living

Do you love spending time in your bed
all snuggled up with comfortable blankets & pillows?
Especially after a hot bubble bath?
I do.

Being away from my own comforts made me really think about
how I want my guests to feel when they
come to visit.

source unknown

Now that the bedrooms are vacant.
(hey, I can say that now without breaking into a sob! Yay me.)
Now that the bedrooms are vacant...I did it again.
....I can make up the bedrooms to suit each guest as they visit.

As I work to make each space special
I will consider the following:

Source unknown

HOW DOES THE BED FEEL?
First, is the mattress comfortable?
I have a twin bed that needs a new mattress!
I realized this a few months ago when my honest brother in law woke up exclaiming
"That was the worst nights sleep ever, I need the chiropractor".

EEEEEK, All of the pretty blankets and pillows in the world won't matter if
your guest needs a chiropractor and a pot of coffee the next day!
Sorry Doug :)

Secondly, nobody wants to sleep on scratchy sheets and deflated pillows.
I have to admit I need to buy some new pillows for my guest rooms...they are flat!
I realized this when I slept in the guest room one night.
I tossed and turned trying to adjust the worn out pillows.
Its a good idea to sleep in the guest room once in awhile to get the guest experience!
It opened my eyes...all night long.

Third, Blankets.
Along with soft sheets, and quality pillows, include a blanket and a light bedspread.
A comforter or heavier blanket folded at the foot of the bed
is perfect in case your guest gets chilly in the night.
If your guest is my age...
she could be sweating and then cold many times all night long...

Pinterest

Cute hanging basket found on Pinterest

WELCOMING EXTRAS
A basket or tray with a
  clean bath towel, washcloth and hand towel
lets your guest know that they are welcome to use your shower without searching your bathroom for the necessities.
Its also nice to include a "help yourself" basket with travel size things they
may have forgotten such as:

 Bar of soap or shower gel
Q-tips
Toothpaste/toothbrush
Shampoo & Conditioner
New Razor
Deodorant
Tylenol or Ibuprofen
Cough drops
Kleenex
Lotion
Feminine Hygiene products

Great small space idea!
(by bebookbound.blogspot.com found on Pinterest)

MIRROR
A mirror is so helpful in a guest room.
Especially when the bathroom is occupied. Your guest can fix their
hair and make up in the privacy of their room without worrying about inconveniencing you or your family.

by blueroofcabin blog via Pinterest

CHAIR, LUGGAGE RACK & HOOKS
Usually, even the smallest room can fit a small wood chair.
If you have the room, an upholstered chair is ideal.
Having a place to sit and put on shoes,
or read a book is helpful.
If you have a dresser, keep the top fairly clear for personal items.
Ideally, a small bench or fold able stand is perfect for a suitcase.
And don't forget...like I did...to give your guest a place to hang their clothes.
While peeking in on my visiting friend, I noticed she had clothes
hanging on every corner and surface. I felt so bad that I hadn't thought
of that ahead of time!
Sorry Sheila!

You can find these hooks here

LIGHTING
This may seem like a weird thing to address, but I have woke
up in the middle of the night so many times
forgetting where I was while traveling.
I laid there trying to remember where the bed is in relation to the door.
ha ha ha.
Most of us like to close the bedroom door when staying somewhere away from home, and so a nightlight is very helpful!
Also a lamp on the bedside table, within reach from the bed,
is important for late night reading.

Here is a fun nightlight idea!

This room is warm and the lighting is perfect for a guest room.

Here are a few other ideas that will make your guests feel special...

*Books or magazines with your guests interests in mind.
*Brochures and maps of your area for sightseeing can be helpful!
*A basket with a few apples, bottled water, and granola bars or packaged snacks.
*Fresh flowers or a nice plant (in case of allergies)
*Seasonal decor to bring a smile!
*A note with the wireless Internet code for their laptop.
* A place to plug in their phone charger/laptop.
*Lint roller, iron & ironing board on back of door
*Toys if your guest has children

Macarontown Blog via Pinterest

But the best way to make your guests feel welcome is to greet them in the morning with a cup of coffee or tea 
and a generous SMILE.

How do you make your guests happy?

The Boy, His Car...and the Empty Nest

Jordon was born with a hot wheel in his hand.

Every letter to Santa included something with wheels

that went fast.

When he was 2 years old he would drag the big wheel up to the top

of the hill in our culdesac.

Not even big enough to reach the pedals, still in a diaper and a "paci" in his mouth,

he would sit in the big wheel and fly down the hill.

He stopped it by running up the curb and into the landscape.

Thankfully, he never hit the fence or parked cars!!

He had a bright yellow helmet with bumble bees all over it.

And a bright yellow "paci" to match.

The helmet was pretty much strapped to his head whenever he went outside.

I knew if he found something with wheels, he would be on it.

One day, when he was about 5 he came into the house with

road rash and blood on his bare chest.

"Jordon, are you alright!!?" I exclaimed.

Brushing off his chest he said

"Aw, this? I'm fine mom! I just have to pee".

For the next 13 years we listened as he 

daydreamed about snowmobiles, dirt bikes, ATVs, and a cool car.

Santa never delivered, much to his disappointment.

So, when he came to us last Fall 
wanting to attend Wyotech after graduation, 

we were not surprised at all.

It was a natural fit for the boy who loved everything with wheels.

Knowing Jordon needed a car for school, 

and that the 15 year old car he had wasn't reliable enough, 

we worked out a deal with him.

Santa finally delivered!

He has worked hard turning

it into his dream car.

Three weeks ago we drove up to Bellingham to say goodbye to his

older brother Jarrod.

Then a few days later we loaded up the little blue car and headed out!

I sat in the passenger seat while my son drove us

from home to Laramie, WY.

We took our time and enjoyed the sites.

We talked about his future plans, his excitement and his concerns.

We laughed and laughed in between 

my panic attacks at 80 mph.

"Honey, there are guard rails for a reason..."

We stayed in several hotels,

ate at many restaurants,

stopped to let Buffalo cross the streets,

and took a ton of pictures....

of his car.

Once there, enrollment took hours.

I tried not to be "in the moment" because I knew

the reality of leaving him there would come over me like a tidal wave.

So I made a lot of small talk to anyone who'd listen.

Then... it was our turn to sit down and talk to the lady who explained the 

little "mommy" details like what to do if they get sick,

or need emotional support...and

WHERE THEY WILL HAVE THANKSGIVING IF NOT GOING HOME

*gulp*

and then it happened.

My eyes started leaking. 

Thanksgiving here without his family?

Without ANY family?

"We have a big dinner here in the shop and many people volunteer...."

and then she handed me a tissue as she started to tear up.

Her only child was 12, and I made her cry.

And then we hugged like two moms do when they think of leaving their baby.

I had a permanent lump in my throat and random crying spells the rest of the week.

At Walmart buying him food and toilet paper and laundry soap...

making up an emergency kit to keep in his car in case it breaks down in the snow.....

and the worst of all...

dropping me off at the airport to come home.

I am an ugly cryer.

Blotchy face, bloodshot eyes, snot.

with the occasional snort & sigh.

Not cute at all!

But I survived....and he is thriving!
He has made many friends and loves the classes.
After all, all the students have the same interests!
CARS

He has even adjusted to having to shave again.

Although my nest is empty, my heart is full of joy!

We are so proud of you Jordon!

As my dad would say...

"All is as it should be"

This is my favorite shot just coming out of Yellowstone in WY. The evening light
on the Fall color was breathtaking!

*****

PS. It only took me a week of being back home before I needed a hug,

so I made another trip up to Bellingham to see my oldest son, Jarrod.

He treated me to lunch, shared laughs,  and I hugged him tighter than ever.

We are so proud of him too!!

He graduated in August from WWU!!!

PPS.  Congratulations to our daughter Janelle & Justin for celebrating their

one year Anniversary last week!!!

I can't wait to see them again. 

PPPS. Riding fast runs in the family...My mom is in her late 60's and just

got her motorcycle license!! And that's her sweet PT in the background.

Yep, loud and fast, its how we roll!