HOUSE and HOME

I am a bit spaced out today.

Partly because of sleep deprivation and partly because I feel as though I'm not in my own home.

Although I am.

With the sale of our house in mind, I have started the great "de-cluttering" process.

After all, it is common knowledge that you have to show pristine surfaces to prospective buyers, isn't it?

And anyone who has visited this blog for any length of time, knows that piles of 'stuff' routinely gather on surfaces all over my home.

Well, yesterday I got seriously into my stride with finding a place for all the stuff that accumulates every time I turn my back.

Honestly. . .

I thought 'clutterbug' was just a word for a messy person -

I now believe there are actual bugs that come out at night and make piles of newspapers, mags, letters, accounts, lists, notes, on every surface they can find.

And that's just the paper stuff!

Anyway, I worked like a beaver last night - till 1.30am!

Not even one TV programme for me.

Like being on TV diet.

Does anyone else have huge quantities of 'WHAT THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THIS STUFF' stuff?

Things that cannot be thrown away because you KNOW you need them -

But where to put them?

Where you will find them again?

I have shoved papers and other stuff into drawers and cupboards all over the house.

Its a real possibility I may never find them again

Ever.

Something fantastic happened though -

I discovered a whole PILE of mother's day and birthday cards that our kids have made for me over the years.

I thought I had lost them

Or got rid of them in a previous manic purging session.

I sat on my posterior for a while and roamed down memory lane

Getting all sentimental and misty eyed.

(See, your kids don't have to be toddlers to affect you like that!)

But - back to the "a place for everything, and everything in it's place" scenario.

Some of the kids arrived to day - Dee, Lisa and Sam to chat, bringing us chocolate croissants for coffee.

(Yup - told you I have special children!)

Lisa was pretty unnerved at the rooms I had finished - specially the kitchen.

It was like:

"But Mom, where IS everything?!"

"Where's the KETTLE!"

(I had cunningly placed it where it was well camouflaged).

"This looks weird - not like home"

(After all my efforts!)

But they are right - I will have to mess it up a bit.

Far too clinical looking -

But that's another day's problem.

Right now I'm going to make tea and see what's on TV.