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Post by ohblondie on Feb 22, 2009 18:18:22 GMT -5
Well, I figured it was about time I posted my long overdure intro.I have been a member and active reader (lurker) of these boards for many many many years. On occasion I post, then I disappear. Sadly, my clutter does not disappear as well!!
I grew up the daughter of an ocd cleanie. My problem was and always is- I don;t always put stuff away after I use it. I would prefer to drop everything and read a book or watch tv. Over the years I have learned tht 5 mins of preventive maintainence can save hours of picking up. lessons learned.
When I got married I was usually pretty clean. I got up every saturday morning and cleaned the apartment (2br) top to bottom. I scrubbed and mopped and vac'd. Sunday night I did laundry and gorcery shopping. Everyhing went well. We had a second bedroom that we could shove stuff into that we did not immediatly need.
We bought a two family house. 3 br, bath, LR DR kitchen. The kitchen had a sinkand a stove- no cabinets. So storage was anissue. By the time we finally redid the kitchen- my life had started spiraling out of control.
We had Dson#1. I was able to keep things fairly organized aqs he had his own bedroom, and the third room was storage. Every night his toys were picked up and neatly put away. His laundry was in his own basket and we had enough clothes that it was done weekly. I was able to clean the apt every week. Except dishes. I was never able to keep up on the dishes. As I look back- Inever had any help from not so dear husband. He would put dear son to bed so that he could lay down and sleep too! He would rock dear son so he could watch tv.
By then I was pregnant for dear daughter#1. I told DH that he needed to start helping with household chores- so hebought a portable dishwasher. I appreciateed his thoughts- but I would have appreciated him cleaning the bathroom or ca the floor or something! Not providing a tool for ME to load and unload!!!!
Around this time- (maybe earlier) papers and stuff would start accumulating on the DR table. We would shove them aside to eat. Then- when company came- they would get shoved in a box and stowed out of the way. Before I knew it- I had 10 such boxes. Then 20 such boxes, and on and on and on. I could never toss the boxes as I had no idea what was in them. As I have sorted through them I have found important statements, impt and missing items (jewelry) and MONEY!!!!!! I will not toss theseboxes and I will go through them- because it is amazing what I am finding.
At this time I was a CPS worker for my county. Yes- my deep dark confession. iAt this time I was still keeping the house pretty celan- just lots of stuff slowly piling up and getting out of control. I NEVER REMOVED ANYONE FROM TEHRE HOME FOR HAVING A MESSY HOUSE> I did facilitate a removal when there were esposed wires hanging out of the walls and a floor was missing and the kids were crawlingin and out of a hole in the celing to sleep in the attic. I went head to head with a departrment head who wanted me to remove kids from a home because they had no running water and they were financially challenegd and they did not meet the community standards. I probably almost got fired over that one but no way was I going to allow a travesty of justice. This mother was so nice, and was trying so hard to provide for her kids. She had food and a place to get water and wash her dishes. I used to bring my son to her trailer so she could see him. As far as I know- the kids remained in her care til they turned 18.
Fast forward many years and now I live in fear of CPS being called to my home. Ironic huh.
OKk- that is enough for now. I am feeling compelled to do soemthing inthis pigsty of a home.
I will try to write Part II tomorrow night. Jules
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Post by notsomessyshell on Feb 22, 2009 18:55:36 GMT -5
Welcome!! Wonderful to meet you. Your house sounds like mine. Papers in boxes. Boxes stacked on boxes.... Looking forward to seeing more of you around here.
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Post by messymimi on Feb 22, 2009 20:18:13 GMT -5
Welcome, Jules !
From another person with a never ending paper pile, you have come to the right place!
It's good to have you here.
messymimi
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Post by CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity on Feb 22, 2009 22:53:16 GMT -5
- hi Jules ! I remember you! Nice to have "theblondone" here. Welcome! -
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Post by dayeanu on Feb 22, 2009 23:23:11 GMT -5
Welcome! Glad you've introduced yourself!
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Post by eatingbonbons on Feb 23, 2009 12:28:22 GMT -5
Welcome, Blondie!
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Post by valor on Feb 26, 2009 4:25:42 GMT -5
Hi Jules, welcome
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Post by lorrainemondo on Feb 26, 2009 14:40:16 GMT -5
Welcome!
Lorraine
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Post by crazycatlady on Feb 26, 2009 21:40:21 GMT -5
Welcome, Blondie. Whether you post much or not, it is good to have you here.
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Post by creativechaos on Feb 27, 2009 3:13:53 GMT -5
hi jules, welcome!
i can SO relate to your method of cleaning up by swiping stuff off surfaces and into boxes for sorting later. that is how i clean before inspections. then those boxes go into storage. used to do that with papers and never go through them. the papers i have down to just a few boxes now, and have a 2 drawer file which really helps. but like you, i have boxes and boxes to go through. these boards have helped me more than anything.
i look forward to working with you on the boards and am glad you lurk here, whether you post or not! you are among friends here.
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Post by ohblondie on Feb 28, 2009 21:27:39 GMT -5
Thanks to everyone for their kind words of support and encouragement! They are much appreciated. I know so many of us could be twins seperated at birth! I am so encouraged that there are people out there that think like me, process things like me, and respond like me! My not so dear hubby thinks I am the only one in the world that has a messy house! I know I am NOT the only one in the world that has a husband that does not help! I can;t seem to get him away from teh TV....it has sucked his brain!! OK- back to my laundry!
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pigstyblogger
New Member
Fighting my own little war on grime, one insurgent at a time.
Joined: February 2009
Posts: 45
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Post by pigstyblogger on Feb 28, 2009 23:58:56 GMT -5
Thanks to everyone for their kind words of support and encouragement! They are much appreciated. I know so many of us could be twins seperated at birth! I am so encouraged that there are people out there that think like me, process things like me, and respond like me! My not so dear hubby thinks I am the only one in the world that has a messy house! I know I am NOT the only one in the world that has a husband that does not help! I can;t seem to get him away from teh TV....it has sucked his brain!! OK- back to my laundry! I often believe that husbands like that are the same guys who tell me that to get my place in order I just need to "find myself a good woman". The fact is, he's just as much a survivor of squalor as you, and all of us here, are. He's just not willing, capable, or ready to admit it. I do hope that for his sake he gets wise, and chooses to help you out.
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Post by ohblondie on Mar 3, 2009 21:04:54 GMT -5
Thanks Pigsty...I liked your words and your perspective. I do hope he gets wise and helps me out or I am going to be helping him out....right out that door!!!!!
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Post by ohblondie on Mar 5, 2009 22:35:40 GMT -5
oh pickles....You understand!!! I wish you were my neighbor!
I am very neat and organized....just not in my house. I can clean anyone else's mess. But I fear I am preaching to the choir
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