On Christmas day, Art’s youngest, 22, dropped a bomb and it wasn’t Sonny, the 2-ton Golden Retriever. Who is getting along with all of us just great now, btw.
She. Wanted. To. Move. Home. Now, on a rational level, this totally makes sense. She had been working very little and her dad had been paying most of her bills anyway, so her coming home would actually save us money.
The thing is, the guest room is MY craft room. Never mind the fact that I don’t actually do any crafts in the room, it is the room where I store all of my crafting and creating stuff. You know, the paints, the fabric, the lamps that need a new shade, the 4 million frames for that great idea I had for the wall, etc.
The next thing is that I would have to share the bathroom. That room I do use and the prospect of sharing my little haven with 2 girls was not, um, exciting. (Oh yeah, did I forget to mention, her current roommate would be moving in too)
Don’t get me wrong, I love kids. Wait, that isn’t totally true. I am not a kid person, but I have tried my best to build relationships with Art’s kids and have been lucky.
Anywho, I was a woman on a mission to reorganize the whole house.
This
became this
Drawers became magically empty, closets became forces of organization. I was a demon with a purpose, a rebel without a clue, a woman on the warpath. If it hadn’t been worn, used, looked at or had been forgotten, it was getting donated. Everything was vacuumed, dusted, shined, etc. Alright, I am still working on the pantry. It is a work in progress.
So, everything is now ready for the invasion. The closest, cabinets and drawers are empty. I said goodbye to my bathtub and looked forward to the pile of wadded up wet bath towels to come.
Guess what? She now wants to move to Colorado and her roommate found another place. No one wants to live with me except the dogs.
What did I learn? Young adults change their minds faster than a speeding bullet, dogs are truly man’s best and many times, only friend, and I now have a whole new room to refill with crap.
On the bright side, I am totally organized, ready to start the new year fresh, and am totally sure that I made the right decision not to have my own kids. It has also brought me closer to my own mom and stepdad. I keep calling them to apologize and say thank you for putting up with me. (I was a royal pain of a young adult, my behavior makes Art’s daughter look like a saint)
I wish M the best on her new life in Denver and hope that she realizes that I am her biggest fan until I have to share my bathtub. Then all bets are off.
This picture has nothing to do with anything, but it scares me just the same. I just wanted to share my nightmares with you.
10 comments:
Wow; on the one hand I'm feeling the speed of the mind-changing was inconsiderate, but, looking at the benefits you got from the whole non-invasion, maybe this was a good thing after all. I'm sure you're now deriving fresh pleasure from the bathroom time you almost lost, too.
I don't know what to say, except that if she changes her mind AGAIN and wants to move in, just get yourself a Deer Clown costume and wear it all the time...it will help her clarify that she really wants to stand on her own two feet...far far away from your bathroom...
First I want to say what a great step-mom you are to readily give up your space for not just your step-daughter but for her roommate too. That was a very admirable thing to do. I know I could make room for my step-son if he ever wanted to move in with us but I would have to draw the line on the roommate thing (especially if they were going to be using my bathroom).
Well, now you have a clean, uncluttered space to call your own. I hope you find a lot of "stuff" to fill it up with.
Jane
Kudos to you for so graciously opening your heart and home to your stepdaughter. It sounds like you have a good relationship. And now to be going into the New Year with a clean slate of a house? Doesn't get much better than that!
So, a blessing in disguise, lol. My parents are begging me to stay. They say their home has never been so organized and orderly.
Well, at least some good came out of the situation and you got some cleaning and organizing done! Sometimes you just gotta go with the flow!
Wow, the start of this new year has already been a rollercoaster ride for you. Hopefully things will settle down now.
You are one gracious woman to not only allow one 22 year old back into your home (and bathroom!), but two! It sounds like you and your husband both have big hearts!
Yay for all of the decluttering you accomplished! There's always a silver lining isn't there!?!
But you got organized in the end and that is what matters :)
One of our favorite sayings around our house is..."It's not a life, it's an adventure!"
Mary Lou
Well, on the bright side, you're organized and have room for more crap, I mean stuff.
I totally do the same thing- buy stuff because of my brilliant idea and then will prob never use any of it and donate it back to Goodwill. Oy.
That picture made me laugh. Thanks for my morning giggle, hope you're recooperating well. PW and I send all our love.
And yes, dog's are truly man's best friend and children are evil. I think I'll just get another dog once we buy a house and design a kick-ass dog nursery for PW and Snuggles. (Yes, I have a name picked out)
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