June 3, 2007
Dirty little secret
It’s no secret that I’m in a never-ending struggle with clutter. For the most part I keep it behind closed doors where it can offend no one other than myself. You would think that, with three sheds on the property, I should be able to keep all of my storage and outdoorsy stuff stowed neatly away. You’d be wrong, of course. You can see one of my sheds to the right in this photo. It sits just a few feet away from the fence on my property line. My builder stretched a tarp across the top of the gap and stored lumber there while he was working on the house. He also took a bunch of stuff out of the shed so that he could store his tools and some of the more delicate building materials in there. He promised me that he would put things in order when the job was done. It’s part of what I paid him for, but he never quite got around to it. I’m sutbborn and refused to do it myself because, well, because I paid him to do it and he should do it.
So here we are a year and a half later, and this little part of my yard is still a mess. When Irwin was here in January to repair the roof he told me he’d send someone over soon to finish up all of the little odds and ends that were never completed. This eyesore is on the list, and, of course, remains as he left it. I finally relented today and decided that my hardheadedness was never going to accomplish anything. I’ve been working in the yard most of the day doing various tasks and decided I don’t want to look at this anymore. This is the before picture. I’ll be back later to share the after, and maybe a couple of photos of some things I found in the clutter.
[tags]clutter, just stuff, junk, mess[/tags]
Posted by skeet @ 2:47 pm • Just stuff, Home & Family
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June 3rd, 2007 at 5:40 pm, jon Says:
It’s hard to get rid of clutter when you’re used to finding uses for lots of random items that no one else would ever deem useful! Once I decided to move I was putting everything i could into the trash can. I couldn’t sort through it all so out it went.
June 3rd, 2007 at 9:55 pm, Captain Lifecruiser Says:
It’s way too easy to collect all sort of things. We might have some squirrel-manners in us won’t you agree? *giggles*
I’ve finally learnt after all those years and now I’ll keep it to a minimum instead. We’ve just got rid off all the clutter in our apartment this winter. Phew. We sold lot of it too, so we did get some extra vacation money which wasn’t bad at all
We’ve even done a bit of the basement, but there is still things left to get rid off. Then, we’re ready to move. somewhere we haven’t decided yet. some place warmer anyway. At last!
I’m soo looking forward to it. It certainly helped to live through this last winter. I hate winters because it gives me more back pain and make me so darn tired.
So, now I’m a real happy mood, the summer stands in front of the door
June 3rd, 2007 at 10:19 pm, Racquel Says:
this is different.. while most bloggers post beautiful photographs, you took the unconventional route and posted a… uhmm.. unique one! haha! don’t worry, we have the same problems.. the same scene can be seen at our backyard. =)
June 3rd, 2007 at 11:43 pm, skeet Says:
I’ve been working on my clutter problem for over a year, Jon, but most of what I’ve done has been inside the house. I’ve gotten rid of piles and boxes and bags of stuff that was merely occupying space. Still have a way to go, though!
June 3rd, 2007 at 11:49 pm, skeet Says:
Hawaii is nice & warm, Cap’n! Though I probably should mention that the weather is not a cureall for ahes and pains. I worked outside for about six or seven hours today & I’m having very painful back spasms now.
I’ve given away what feels like tons of stuff to a local charity, including extra TVs, old computers and all the winter clothes I kept from when I lived in Northern california. Still, I fear I became my mother somewhere along the road and let a ridiculous amount of clutter to build up before I was aware of it. I’ll just keep plugging away at it and hopefully someday it will all be gone!
June 3rd, 2007 at 11:53 pm, skeet Says:
I know I’m not alone in my clutter-keeping Racquel, but somehow that thought brings me no comfort at all, lol! I never wanted to become my folks, surrounded by useless stuff, kwim? I’m working on it!
June 4th, 2007 at 2:44 am, JVT Says:
oh, man, we must be related! My husband and I both have ‘clutter monkey’ genes and struggle to deal with our stuff.
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
June 4th, 2007 at 5:05 am, Anne Says:
Haha, I was going to post a picture of the junk yard well hidden at the side of my house a few weeks ago but I felt too ashamed .. I feel a little more inspired now
June 4th, 2007 at 9:52 am, Charlotte Says:
It’s bad enough when you make the mess yourself and don’t clean it up, but when someone else does it’s worse.
June 4th, 2007 at 11:30 am, Whim Says:
I’ve seen much worse. Good luck with the clean-up!
June 5th, 2007 at 10:34 am, skeet Says:
JVT, I get it from my parents, but that doesn’t feel like a very good excuse, lol! I swore I’d never become them and then somehow … I did!
June 5th, 2007 at 10:36 am, skeet Says:
Anne, posting the picture provided me with the impetus to do something about it. Try it! Shame is a powerful motivator!
June 5th, 2007 at 10:37 am, skeet Says:
Yes Charlotte, I think I should just blame Irwin and quit feeling guilty, don’t you?
June 5th, 2007 at 10:38 am, skeet Says:
Whim, the sad fact is that I have much worseright here on my property. Baby steps … but at least I’m working at it again!