I never really intended on this blog turning into my personal journal wherein I chronicle my every doings. Somehow, though, it keeps sneaking in. I can’t help myself.

 

I apologize in advance, but I feel compelled to tell you about my cleaning once again.

 

If I had a more exciting life, I would write about it. I’m headed to Las Vegas this weekend, trying desperately to add some zing to a week of purging and organizing. That’s exciting, isn’t it?

 

Right now, though, we must break down my 2012 cleaning revelations. Every year it is something new. Here is what learned this time…

 

1.  My children’s school may have single handedly killed a forest

 

The amount of paper I get home each week could wallpaper a bedroom. I must have collected and tossed 5 pounds of school papers. Unfortunately, everything is precious, even the pathetic color by number worksheets, so I have to sneak them into the recycling. THIS IS WHAT I COLLECTED IN JUST 3 DAYS!

It is suffocating me.

 

 

2.  If you clean hard enough, you will find 67 Nerf bullets

 

Behind the couch, under the chairs, in the pencil holder, on top of the hot water heater, behind the toilet. I have a 1 month moratorium on all Nerf gun activity so I can enjoy the cleanliness.

 

 

 

 

3.  I do not need the Turtle Wax containers from 1992

 

Because I don’t wash my own car anymore. I haven’t in years. Yet, I found it painfully difficult to toss the car cleaning products from when I was in college. I think it’s because I have a fantasy about making my kids wash my car, but I know better. The inside of my car would be soaked and I would have to listen to fighting over the hose.

Sometimes you know when to pay for help.

 

 

4.  I refuse to deal with my pant cans

 

I inherited a couple dozen paint cans, some I’m sure that are so old they contain lead. I have added another couple dozen pain cans. One entire wall in my basement are paint cans. And, its just going to be that way.

 

I draw the line at paint cans.

 

 

 

5. Having carpet squares isn’t helpful when your kids ruin them all

 

I started to replace the stained, finger paint junked, water warped carpet squares in our basement, but after I replaced one, realized I would have to place about 2/3 of them. So I quit.

 

As you can see from the massive discoloration, I am stuck with that area rug, whether I like it or not.

 

 

 

 

 

6.  Board games cannot be played with 3 pieces

 

Our Candyland guys have ben kidnapped, our Jenga pieces used as blocks and lost, Operation has only the spare ribs and wishbone left, and the Hi Ho Cherry-O fruit has been eaten. Toss. Toss. Toss. Oh, that felt good.

 

 

 

 

7. I have a head start on Christmas!

 

The mini Foosball table was supposed to be for Christmas 2011, but I totally forgot about it. I do this every year. I hide things all over the house and can’t remember where I put them.

Good thing foosball never gets old, because its coming Xmas 2012. Now, where should I hide it?

I hope you all have started digging into your own closets! It really is cathartic. Maybe you can start this weekend? Pick a room, closet, or even one drawer? Don’t worry if you find it hard to throw some things away. After much deliberation, I realized I still couldn’t part with my DeWalt hand sander from when I dabbled in furniture refinishing in 1995. And I’m ok with that.

Have an amazing weekend! I plan on having one. Vegas here I come!!!