For my birthday I wanted my daughter, Lauren. to help me get rid of stuff and get organized. I'm a bona fide pack-rat. Nowhere near hoarder level, but I was working my way up there. It's hard to throw anything away because I know that I'll have some use for it someday. It's not what you see in my house, it's mostly what you don't see - in drawers, closets, cabinets, shelves. Even when I try to clean out my junk drawers - I end up putting 97% of it back. That's what I needed Lauren for - she has no such compunction. "Have you used this in the past year?" "No, but I might need it." GONE!! I came home Friday to find furniture moved and her car was loaded and locked (so I couldn't get in it). Tim (my son-in-law) came over he got off work and organized my shed, helped in the house, fixed closet doors, etc. I had to beg to get my Louisville Stonewear chip-n- dip platter back. I try not to think about whatever else was in that car....On Saturday, more of the same. Timmy pulled my fridge out so that I could get back there (I never could get it to budge!) and clean (it was horrible!) but then, either he took pity on me or I was too moving too slow, he said "I can do that." and scrubbed it himself. Then he worked on my computer - cleaned it up, added protection & plugged it in behind the fridge so that we don't have to step over the cord a hundred times a day.
Then Lauren mentioned getting rid of my two $5 Henredon chairs that I found at the Ruckriegel Senior Citizen's Center yard sale. I LOVE those chairs! They are so comfortable for reading and relaxing. OK, it's true - they're really ugly to look at, BUT they are in great structural shape, even the cushions are like new in loft and spring - it's just the fabric! I had to negotiate a 2 month reprieve. On May 20th, if my chairs are not slip-covered, I'll come home and my chairs will be gone. See what I mean?
Thank God she gave me a chance to sort the cookbooks that were in my kitchen - I thought that was very nice of her. On my own, I went to the bookshelves in the living room to clean out the books that we'll never read again. Some I'll take to Half Price Book Store, the rest to GW. I cleaned out my linen closet so that the 2 shelves of half used paint are sitting in the driveway, opened and drying out ( I kept those - also just in case), my painting tools, supplies & accessories are out in the shed. Got rid of some linens that I didn't need and now, well, it looks nicer. So much space in there...
Saturday night, after working our butts off, we went to celebrate our birthday's at Oma's (Senior). Rochelle had cooked a nice dinner and made a pistachio cake, Olivia made an almond fruit tart and there was the traditional birthday cake. I dozed off when I got there, ate dinner, talked, laughed, dozed off some more - sang happy birthday, blew out candles, ate cake...this time fell sound asleep, mouth hanging open & all - woke up and talked laughed some more. Now this is "Normal" for me. I sleep best at my mother's surrounded by animated conversation & the clinking of coffee cups and forks on plates. Don't ask me why.
Today is Sunday. Lauren & Timmy are staying home today to relax and take care of their own house. I'm glad - for them. I was given homework to clean out my pantry (which is in the laundry room & also holds my desk and computer). OK, I do have a shelf of things like a box of glass mosaic tile, a brand new industrial stapler still in it's box, cans of spray paint, camping lantern, contact paper, etc. Lots of small appliances, pots and pans, kitchen towels but less than half a shelf of actual food items. So I'm going to sort these items out and move them to the shed as well.
Thank you Timmy and Lauren - for everything! I can breathe easier. I needed a strong push in the right direction and I knew that you would be the right people to ask for help. I'll even throw away the box of magazines that I hid from you in my bedroom closet last night. Because the bottom line is ...What's the point of asking for help and not following through?
