There’s something about January 1st that makes me want to get organized. It’s almost as powerful as the nesting stage was in my 11th month of pregnancy. Organization will always be a perpetual challenge for me. And my family. Case in point: our son, Nick, asked me where a certain paper was. “In my office,” I said. Our daughter, Korey, quickly commented, “Mom, we’re trying to figure out which room in this house ISN’T your office!” Ouch. The truth hurts. “Pile management” is the term I give to all of those papers, clothes, laundry, and etc. Piles ‘r’ Us. It never ends and it is truly exhausting. However, I have been picking up tips here and there and applying them with fervor. A professional organizer friend, Mary Beth McGee, (Sidebar: Her business is called “The Orderly”. She is also a nurse. How clever is that?!) As linen closets go, she told me that all we REALLY need are two sets of sheets for each bed. Same goes for towels. I’m no Martha Stewart, but my closet is drop-dead beautiful! Never mind the pile of sheets that didn’t make the cut. What’ll I do with them all? I don’t even really know where they came from. They must be reproducing in the closet.
Next up: clothes closet. Korey sat on our Queen sized bed, like the Queen of Couture, rolling from laughter, rolling her eyes, and on a roll with her quips:
- On Asian influenced fashion: “….maybe if you’re going to China soon, Mom.”
- On elastic waist slacks: “The only ones wearing those are under age 8 or over 80.”
- On Chico’s Travelers fabric: “I do not understand your obsession with this fabric, Mother!”
- On ill-fitting blue jeans: “Keep one (1) pair for a time when you need bad jeans. ONE!”
- On anything sequined: (see #2 above)
- On anything from Casual Corner. “Mom, there’s a reason Casual Corner Closed ten years ago. You need a 10-year-rule.
And so I do. And so it went. I don’t know whether to have a yard sale or rent a U-haul to take this pile – which is the size of Montana – to the resale shop or just call it charity. Major props to me for buying good quality that has a ten-year, or more, life. Right? I must keep in mind that my direction is coming from a 23 year old grad student. Those young things look cute in everything which I do not. So in honor or the new year, my sparse closet, and my daughter, I shall look forward and not back. This means that I will shut the door to the room with the pile ‘o clothes until I (a) dump it, (b)delegate it, or (c)dig it back out to wear, one more time. Point (c) will be difficult, but if I am to move on and organized (c) it will NOT be! Wish me luck.
The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off. (Linda Larsen)
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