Tuesday, March 3, 2009

It's a Clutter-Full Life

Sunday we had a nice visit with my husband’s Aunt and Uncle.

Before their arrival, we cleaned the house. Everything got shoved in a drawer, put in its proper place.

We have a counter that is just in the perfect spot to collect important things clutter. Despite our best intentions of keeping it clean, it always has something on it.

It was empty and sparkling clean on Sunday.

But then the guests left.

Within, oh, maybe an hour or so this is what the counter had turned back into:

IMG_1950

Exhibit A: Partially assembled fire alarm, in the process of being installed.

Exhibit B: My son’s pacifier.

Exhibit C: Hand soap and a candle. Gift from our visitors.

Exhibit D: Sunday paper, removed from its hiding place and brought back out for reading at some point later in the day.

Exhibit E: Latte.

Exhibit F: Library books. My husband and daughter had just returned from getting fire alarms, library books, and a latte.

Exhibit G: Behind latte cup, stack of magazines and catalogs that I will eventually “get to”, brought back out of hiding, because how can I be expected to remember to look at something if it’s not right in front of me?

Today? Some of the exhibits have moved to the trash, but I can assure you, we have found plenty of other replacements to take up the space.

I can also assure you that if you ever come to visit, you will find this counter sparkling clean and clutter-free.

But the drawers and cabinets?

Avoid at all costs.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I say the SAME thing! My house "appears" clean, just don't look in any cabinets!

And why is it we have to clean before guests arrive and then clean after they've left??

Three Js said...

Every house has to have them. It's some sort of requirement for being a home-owner!!

Anonymous said...

What you don't see, can't hurt you. I have a friend who actually stores things in her oven. What?

Dee said...

HAHAHAHA!!!! I have NO CLUE what you're talking about..my cabinets and drawers are spotless!

Lori said...

oh i am so glad i am not alone! this is normal around here! my husband always says "are we having company?" when he catches me cleaning!

Country Mouse, City Mouse said...

Clutter seems to have a way of sneaking up on you!

Kelli W said...

I have a counter just like that at my house too!!

Cathy said...

We have the clutter counter too, and yes, it magically is clean (shoved into drawers) when the guests arrive! too funny.

Megan said...

Looks like most surfaces in my house, too! :0P

Jenny said...

Oh how I can relate to this! We will have had 8 weeks of house guests by Easter. I am SO happy to hear that we are not the only ones with this issue!

wife.mom.nurse said...

I am glad that I am not the only meticulous housekeeper around here ")

Patricia said...

You bet I have clean counters but lots of "junk" drawers. It's getting so bad I don't want my daughter going into it until mommy gets a chance to clean it out again. Why is there never enough places to put things?