Sunday 23 September 2012

Clutter Sweet Clutter
#Monday Listicles

I missed last week’s Monday Listicles. I was away trying to do my part and give a little jump start to the economy in Las Vegas. Sadly I was unsuccessful…again!  *heavy sigh*  Heeeyyy...G got to go this time.

"10 Things in My Home" is this week’s topic chosen by the hostess with the mostest Stasha; similar yet different to an earlier list of "10 Things that Describe My Home". Now I admit our home would never be seen in the pages of Better Homes and Gardens or Good Housekeeping. If there were a magazine for clutter I am positive we would be on the cover of every issue.

So I decided to show you 10 areas in our home which seem to attract clutter like moths to a flame. Please don't think badly of me. Here we go...



Number 1:  Kitchen Desk

In an effort to keep our kitchen island clutter-free I had no choice but to move things to this area. I am pretty sure whoever thought to put a desk in the kitchen did not have this in mind OR maybe they did and I am excellent at utilizing every. single. square. inch. Yes…let’s go with that shall we? It is the dumping station “Command Central”. Need to know what is happening for the year? Check my handy dandy Family Calendar. Bills, bills, nothing but bills. Yup. They’re all there waiting to be paid. Recycling? Check out my fancy wicker basket with the checkered lining. Why yes that is a Laminator, a required piece of equipment in Riley World. AND storage for backpacks as well as two drawers filled with enough odds and ends for all seven seasons of MacGyver.






Number 2:  J2's Bedroom

I know what you are thinking…not too bad for a teenage boy’s bedroom floor right???  Oh. You weren’t thinking that? Oh. Ummm…this is a little awkward. What if I said he “cleaned” his room only…let’s see…I spot 4 pairs of underwear so that would mean about 3 weeks ago. Baaahaaahaaa. Kidding. Actually I just wanted to point out that apparently if you lay your work pants out flat and “ON TOP” of the pile, you are good to go for at least a couple more weeks. Oi.






Number 3:  Linen Closet

Not sure why it’s called a Linen Closet?!? 

I only have about one shelf of linens and the rest……









Number 4:  Family Room Fireplace

It is no wonder we have not turned on the gas fireplace in the family room for over 15 years. As much as I try and try and try to keep the area free from crap I can only do so much. I am not Wonder Woman people. OK. I admit the Christmas card tree holder is mine but that’s all!!!







Number 5:  Rec Room

Isn’t this what basements are for??? After you see the next few photos I am pretty sure we could qualify for an episode of Hoarders. 

Yes that is a turntable and receiver circa 1980 along with 3 crates of LP’s from the 70’s and 80’s. 

Three containers of Lego that have not been touched in almost 10 years not to mention a faux wooden lacquered bowl that my mother thought was too good to throw away when she moved. Yaaaaahhh right. 






Number 6:  Furnace Room

I want to say that once a year we go downstairs and weed through the junk that seems to accumulate throughout the year. I want to say we mean it when we vow to keep it clean. I want to say we really need those baskets, my mom's old steamer trunk and G's rear-entry ski boots. 

Truthfully...what I want and what is are two different things. *heavy sigh*








Number 7:  Back Door

FYI…those garbage bags do NOT contain “real” garbage. There are filled with non-perishables that need to be taken to the dump. Really. 

As you can see we need not worry about burglars breaking in through the back door. 





Number 8:  Under the Stairs



S.  O.  S.

Please call Hoarders 911 NOW!!!

I. 

Can. 

Not. 

Go. 

On.....





Have yourself a great week and don't forget to go check out everybody else's list!



38 comments:

  1. I do not even open my teens bedroom door. I am too afraid of it. A great listicle entry.

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    1. Unfortunately my teen keeps his door open. Thankfully he is downstairs. :)

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  2. I think there is one of those 1980something receivers in my garage, among many other things that need to go. My car being in there is the only reason why the entire garage has not been taken over. And the basement is only a partial basement that you have to go around and outside to get into. At first I didn't like that but now I think it's a good thing...prevents me from leaving items there to die of dust bunny consumption! It's not that I'm pack rat...I'd just rather be doing other more fun things (like blogging) than organizing!

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    1. "Dust bunny consumption"...baahaaahaa! Love it!

      Pack rat has such a negative connotation doesn't it? I much prefer "collector of antiques".

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  3. Under the stairs and furnace room I can totally relate! I don't have desk in the kitchen and I wanted one. Now I am rethinking...haha.

    However, I do most desperately want at your turntable and box of LPs!! And boy wants the Lego. See....there you go: several things gone. You should post this everywhere and by no time you'll be clutter free. LOL

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    1. I am not ready to part with the turntable and LP's just yet. :) I only let my arena-size speakers go so I could get one of those skookum speaker docks.

      The Lego is yours! D

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  4. My kitchen desk is a clutter magnet too! I hate it but can't get it under control...

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    1. Hard to believe we are trying to be a paperless society when you look at that desk isn't it??? Ha!

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  5. I am feeling you. Really. But here is a tale that you can totally use as your excuse. Our garage is a mess, BUT periodically we clean it out. One morning when I was driving the kids to school, we had a break in through the people door in the garage. We had just cleared the junk out from in front of it, otherwise they would have never gotten in even if they did jimmy the lock! Let's just say right now, there is nobody entering my house through that door. So really, it is just wise to block those extra doors.

    Ellen

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    1. I <3 you Ellen! :) Who needs an alarm system when you have ummm "stuff"??? Well at least on some of the doors. Ha!

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  6. O.M.G. I am laughing so hard. There are no words. Your number six was spot on..."I want to say..."
    Love the kitchen desk though! I could really use a little area like that. All my bills and junk spill over into my bedroom and the computer desk area. It's not pretty.

    Maybe we could to the show together? I bet they would at least give us some decent wine. We could drink and get to know each other while complete strangers clean out our clutter...for free.
    Win win!
    LOL
    Fun post!

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    1. YES...you said the magic word "wine"! I think we should definitely do a show together. :)

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  7. My linen closet is mostly filled with non-linens too! I'm glad it has a door so I don't have to look at it all the time. If only my kitchen counters did too...

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    1. I think you just might have something there (kitchen counter doors). I'd definitely get some installed.

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  8. I actually am very impressed with how organized your cluttered spots are. That is my problem. Our clutter is too clutter to find anything. Thanks for the smile.

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    1. Why thank you Jamie! I am going to take that as a compliment as I'm sure you intended it to be. Please don't burst my bubble. =D

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  9. I was thinking...I love this house, it looks like mine. Then I kept going...wow! You do have a lot of stuff. But, I've only acquired six years worth of stuff from kids, so I still have time to catch up by the time their teens/moving out and taking it all with them - they better! Love the record player...And I couldn't even find the back door in that picture! LOL! Great list!

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    1. What if I told you it was like this BEFORE the kids??? Baaahaaahaaa. Not entirely untrue. ;P

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  10. After seen this I wrote on my Kitchen calendar for this weekend "Drop Off Donation Clothes". I make it my job to always put in a bag the clothes that I don't ware anymore. And so I do for my husband (knowing or in secret LOL) and now for the toddler. I feel soooooooooo fresh after. Equals shopping.

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    1. Glad to see that my post has motivated at least one person to do a good deed. Perhaps you can stop by my house and drop off a few bags of extras for me too. :)

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  11. I like the idea of a magazine on cluttered houses. I bet ours could make the cover, too. :) Clutter is such an uphill battle....I wonder if there will ever be a day when I'll feel like I have it under control. Thanks for sharing yours with us. It's nice not to feel alone. :)

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    1. I've pretty much given up on ever getting it under control. Ha! As long as there is paper or things that aren't nailed down...I'll have clutter! Oi-vay.

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  12. Ok, so now I don't feel so bad about MY CLUTTER! I think it means we spend so much family time together! Not! It means life keeps getting in the way! I'll organize and de-clutter tomorrow! But tomorrow never comes at our house! (Don't feel bad about the albums, it took me YEARS to finally go through my parents' album collection!)

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    1. Ummmm...those albums are uhhhh mine. *awkward* Baaahaaahaaa (about being awkward cuz the albums are really mine). ;P

      Clutter is my middle name. D

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  13. Oh thank god! I see those stupid pins on pinterest about organizing and super nice homes and then look at our house and cry. Our kids aren't really even old enough to contribute.... ok minus the 10476 toys that are theirs!

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    1. I'm glad I could be of service. :) The thought of ever having to move makes me cry.

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  14. I just blame everything on my children. And you have a teenager. Double bonus. And what a great Anti theft system!

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    1. Two teenagers and one husband (although not sure that's a bonus...baaahaahaa). ;P

      I often wonder why we still have an alarm system myself. Ha!

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  15. I happen to think the kitchen desk, though full, is pretty neat!

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    1. It would be even better if it had a roll-top or something to hide the clutter when company comes over. Hmmmmm...now that's a thought. :)

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  16. My kitchen counter looks just like your desk. Identical!!! Love this, you made me feel a little more human. Also I will happily take those Legos off you. Let me know, I will send you money for shipping :)

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    1. There's a reason I only took a picture of the kitchen desk...baaahaaahaa! Our house definitely has a "lived-in" look. Tee hee.

      If you are serious about the Lego, send me an email. Really.

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  17. I wish my clutter was as organized as yours!

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  18. At least you only got to #8 - I could have listed at least 10 places that are cluttered, so don't worry! ;-)

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    1. Truthfully I had to stop...it was making me cry! :( Ha!

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  19. Love the honesty in this post!!

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    1. Thanks Marie! I like your comment much better than my husband's...he was how shall I say uhhhhh...horrified. :D

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