Webster’s dictionary defines “spinning” as:
3 to revolve rapidly : gyrate b: to feel as if in a whirl : reel
Can you relate?
As you finish up the last minute details from your dog days of summer, and prepare for your fall programming, are you feeling that whirlwind effect?
I addressed it in an earlier post – Finding Margin in the Rat Race of Life
and yet here I am again.
My head is spinning.
I have so many things to finish up,
and school must get started….
someday, someday, someday.
BUT I have to clean out the school/dining room.
Now I am going to show you what is awaiting me.
It is a bedlam moment for sure, or multiple bedlam moments if we’re talking literally.
But this also comes with a WARNING!
If you are a TYPE A, “everything in its place” type of person,
you may want to leave the room immediately.
Get away from the computer and run for the hills.
I am not kidding.
I have explained the situation to one of my blissfully organized best friends…the kind of friend that can’t go to bed until EVERYTHING is in its place.
I can’t quite remember what her exact wording was, but it vaguely resembled
“I’d go insane, coronary, heart attack.”
You get the picture.
I SO completely understand. I am there…living it…setting a bad example for my children, and I would go screaming for the hills myself, if I could.
You see I decided to tackle my dining room, which is now really more like my school room. Instead of tackling it bit by bit like intelligent people do,
I decided to just pull it apart all at once.
Big mistake. I know myself better than that.
With every book that I pulled off the shelf, I had to hold it and smell it and love on it.
I heart books.
Books to me is like fabric to most of you designer types.
I see my mistake now, but its a little late to go back.
I should have remembered the hall closet fiasco…learn from your mistakes, Jen…LEARN!So without further ado, this is what is I am fleeing from, and this is only a small portion of the book shelves…seriously.
So instead of doing what I am supposed to be doing, which is organizing my school room, I am pretending that it doesn’t exist, and I am doing this…..sigh…
and this…bigger sigh. I heart to read!
(my kiddos keep taking pictures without my knowledge. Thought I would use them…they had just finished building a fort by the coach. At least that IS now picked up 🙂
And then (seriously, I am not exaggerating this AT ALL…that’s the scary thing), my daughter begged me to cut her hair again…short. I asked if we could do it tomorrow, and she said, “No.” Note to self, never ask a question if you intend for it to be rhetorical.
So instead of attacking my disarray with orderliness and diligence, I nervously cut her hair, and you can see it here, since no one read my blog way back then..in July…hee hee.
It’s just shorter…AHHH! Then as a much needed stress relief,
remember this…
I spray painted the ugly gold brass pineapple, destined for Good Will, into something I now proudly display on my new buffet….as of this afternoon.
And then, I spray painted this ugly yard sale find from Saturday. Can you imagine a white 80’s style sponge painting job? Oh, makes me shiver just remembering it.I couldn’t even bring myself to take a picture.
(Total lie…I forgot…such a bummer)
It makes me HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY just pondering its loveliness. I think I even twirled around in circles when I was done.Total cost…including simply fabulous flowers and spray paint – $4.
Anything to keep my mind off the devilish details at hand.
THIS..AGAIN!!! I did make a bit of progress on this side of the floor.Are you proud of me yet?
And my last bit of distraction was making this yummy granola. I was hungry and the kids were asking for a snack. I flippantly through out, “let’s make home made granola.” Well, you can’t make a statement without falling through on it. Especially when it comes to making a vow to your children, and keeping it.We must model for them dependability, right?
So we did it, and it was YUMMY, and SO EASY!
And in less than an hour, we had this….well, we had lots more than what’s being shown, but the 5 kiddos ate it. And the great thing I have learned is that this recipe will be my very next post.Why?
Because I am learning that I must shorten my blog posts, and it would be entirely too long if I added the recipe. (Chuckling to myself at the irony there).
So again I ask “WHY?”
Because anyone can make it. Even your preschooler. It’s easy, cheap, and SO VERY HEALTHY ….but they’ll never know it (unless they’re picky…hee hee)
Oh so now I have no more distractions. No more excuses. The kids are all outside.
The Beast of Bedlam…meet her here and dogs are behaving. My post is finally finished
(of which my teen age son assured me that no one is going to read a post this long, so thank you if you are still with me:).
I must descend…down my stairs to the dangerous dungeon, and pray that I make it out alive.
Because It’s ALIVE, I tell you, and it’s calling me, calling me, calling me.
Thank you for always making me laugh! :o) I understand your stress. I’ve learned in the last month (thanks to FlyLady – http://www.flylady.com) that I can do anything in 15 minutes. So in 15 minute increments over the last 3 days I have finally made my living room livable again! :o) If that is the only room in your house that is that messy than you are a better woman than I! :o)
Oh, and yes I want the granola recipe plus I would love to know that machine you used for the flour when you made bread. I think you ground your own flour but I had no idea what machine that was and where I can find myself one (or can I just use my blender?) Talk to you later!
HAHAHAHAHA!!! I understand… I understand. That is life. While I want my house in order and as good as it can possibly be, I have come to learn that we LIVE in our house and it isn’t a museum. Life… that is what it is. 🙂
Hi Jen 🙂
You really made me laugh!
I can’t wait for the recipe. Cheap good and easy sounds good to me LOL
rue
TOO funny….and there is now way you could put me in a room with that many books and expect ANYTHING to get done but READING!! I’m with you there…whats a little mess when there are books to read!!!
It is nice to know that there are other people LIVING in their houses! LOL! Gotta love some good granola…
You saw how nice my school room turned out but I had the exact same mess in mine too! I even took a video on our “school room makeover” post. I pulled out everything and that was a big No No! I wish I could come help you. I would take some of those books off your hands. LOL 🙂 I heart books too!
I have found for history it helps to box up the year in a clear container to make room for more. He He!
I still have 10 Huggy Boxes full of books in my garage that I need to go through and sell. There is just no room!
If I could I would have my very own library room with soft cushiony chairs.
I think I need to go pray for you!LOL
I hate those kind of projects ~ I mean messes. At least you are laughing your way through it. Right!
Thanks for showing us the “funny” side of life!
Thanks for not mocking that non-post of mine. I knew you guys would let me guilt you into it lol. Of course…you need to be supportive of my mental block…I am TOTALLY supportive of your need to read instead of organizing!!! Have a wonderful day!
You are so totally cracking me up! I would do anything but that room, too! I have so many places in my house that need to be decluttered that I meant to get done before we started school. Sigh…maybe next summer. : )
I read it! I read it all! I love your black flower thing you painted. I’m such a dork, I don’t even know what to call it. But my favorite photo is of you curled up in your comfy chair reading with all that junk on the floor.
I think that is great to do sometimes…just kick it on back even though all is not done. Yay Jen!
poor jen, what a terrible mess you’ve put yourself into with that dining room/school room. i am like you, i love books. we have lots (correction: i have lots) i just can not think of getting rid of any (though i do make sure pefore i purchase a book that i want it…we heart the library big-time at our house!)
that is a huge mess, and i, like you, would have just tackled it head on (type A in the house) luckily i don’t have a house big enough tohave that huge of a mess (apartment)…good luck with getting that taken care of in time for school to begin…i feel for you, really i do!
p.s you had BETTER put your granola recipe in your next post. i had a roommate in college that would make granola and i LOVED it, and i’ve been thinking about it b/c granola to buy in the store is just so expensive…please, please, please share!
Hey! Did you sneak over to my house and take a picture of my office?
By the way what were you reading?
I heart books too! You know, I take that back…I heart anything with words!
My husband even caught me one time reading the back of the toothpaste tube. If it has words I feel compelled to read them. In fact, I can’t not read them. Either I’m extremly curious or OCD about words. Either way, reading makes life fun. So, I had no problem reading your post. In fact, I was a little disapointed when it was over…just like a good book!
Thanks I needed that!
Pamela R.
Hi, Jennifer!
Thanks for stopping by my blog…and I am delighted I have stopped by yours. I am feeling right at home looking at your pictures…I have a few rooms calling out my name right now “straighten me up!” Enjoying a meaningful and fun summer with the family has caused me to temporarily put some household chores off.
The granola looks great, and I’d recognize that Pampered Chef stoneware anywhere!
Your post has lightened my heart. 🙂
Enjoy your day!
Oh — did we meet at P31 She Speaks??
Blessings,
Sharon
Jen,
You need to PURGE!! I just had to do this in my homeschool room, too! I pulled EVERYTHING off of my bookshelves as well. It all either went into a give away pile or a back on the shelf pile. Then I decided how to organize the shelves.
We took so many books to goodwill that we stressed out the receiving lady! She just kept saying, “wow, that’s a lot of books!” I felt sorry for her. But I am so glad we did it. For years I held onto every book thinking that the next child might want to read it. I finally realized that each child wanted to get their own books. That’s when I PURGED!
Life is better when it’s not cluttered.
God bless and good luck! I want to see pictures when you’re done!
Love,
Sonya
Oh dear, I think you have your work cut out for you. I am a reformed type A. That kind of thing does make me feel alittle nervous…yet my desk looks just like it! How did that happen.
Hehe! I do the exact same thing! I pull everything apart, make a huge mess trying to organize all at once, and it usually stays that way for a while till I muster the energy to then put it all back together! 🙂
So glad that you like the glass snack/luncheon sets! They are fun, aren’t they? 🙂
Hi Jen ~
Do you remember that old saying … How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! :o) I have to tell myself to put one thing away at a time, you would be surprised how much I can accomplish when I do that. Otherwise, I am like a deer in the headlights! One of the posts said that you should purge your books. I have a box that is in my attic that I add to and it is labeled “Grandma’s Books.” I plan to have them around when I have grandchildren. I also keep my favorite books on the shelves and supply our children with theirs on their book shelves in their own rooms. I found a homeschool store that sells books, games, etc. that I have used. I receive a percentage that goes back into my pocket. Just a suggestion if you are thinking about downsizing. :o) Your granola looks yummy!! Your painting is awesome!
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne (also a type A personality who is addicted to organizing things…)
Ps. Thank you for asking about a tag, if it is still available, I would love to do it! :o) I am funny like that, I like questions!
I am cracking up at your post! Love it! Thanks for visiting my blog! You will love working with Kelly! She’s wonderful.
Your sideborad is gorgeous! Is it a family one or did you purchase it? We got one for the hallway from an auction! It’s originally from England–I just love it!
I want that granola recipe too!!!
Blessings,
Susan
It’s Sunday! Did you make it out okay? I’m just like you. When I have overwhelming things like that to tackle I can find all sorts of cool distractions. But… you’ll feel so much better when it’s all done so just do it!
i read all the way through 🙂 and i cannot believe how many books you have. you should open a library from your house!
heehee! LOVED this post! I cannot keep my schoolroom clean. We clean it and in a couple of hours it looks like it was never touched.
Don’t cha just love a can of spraypaint! Your stuff turned out beautiful!
With the weather starting to cool down a bit let’s try to get together soon. We’d be more than happy to take a day off from school.
Good Morning, Jen,
I tell you if I need encouragement, I just come over here. You definitely keep it real!!!
I am at a loss of words over that school/dining room. I don’t consider myself Ms. organized but I may need to reconsider that now.LOL Just joking!! I think I would be reading too or just shut the door and never go back in. Either one would work.
I can’t wait to get that granola recipe. We love granola and yours looks scrumptious. Have a great day!!!
Jen, you have made me feel so much better! You’ll have to see my post I just put up this morning to understand why. We must surely be related! Everything always comes together in the end for people like us, right?
Hi Jen,
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Comments really do mean so much to me. I like your blog! I love your green family room and I love that urn you spray painted black. I am not allowed to spray paint around the house anymore. I decided to spray paint one day when the wind was blowing a little to hard and I ended up turning my black patio furniture into more of a black with flecks of white color. The husband was mad. But I was pregnant at the time, so you can imagine that I was in NO mood to take much complaining from him anyway!! haha, as I’m sure you know, you can get away with alot more when your pregnant!! And that’s the way it should be 🙂
Have a great day,
Angela
Oh girl…That is funny!
I wish I had one of my speaking messages taped for you to hear.
The title of it is Pack Rat Unpacked!
You are not the only one…I personally can relate to your scenario!!
I do encourage you in the process to pray and set reachable goals. It didn’t get that way overnight and it will take a little time to get it the way your heart desires!
You Can Do It!!
Cheering and Praying for you!
Oh and one more…ok two more things…Please – when you have time…give us the granola recipe and do your blog tag so we can learn more about you!!
THANKS!
haha, you are too funny! Thanks for the laugh at the end of my day. That granola looks yummy, now I have to go have a “right before bedtime snack.”
There is always something to distract us! I love the way your black flower pot turned out and I’m looking forward to the granola recipe.
Hi Jen,
Thanks for the good laugh this afternoon. You are so funny. I don’t feel so bad now about my dining room table covered in crafts. I had to start working in there because I can’t even walk in my craft room anymore until I clean it up. And since I can’t get in the craft room anymore, and my dining room table is so messy, we have to do our homeschool at the kitchen table. So, with all the school books on the kitchen table, that means dinner is eaten over the kitchen sink! LOL! NOW my head is starting to spin! Have a great day!
See! There you go again being all real and stuff. Making me feel better about being human and not perfect.