This is my little public service announcement. I am afraid there are too many people out there that think I have it all together. When I was with a friend on Friday, I ranted on and on about the messes my children make in my wake. She said, “You would not believe how much of a relief it is to hear you say this. I always think you are the one who has it all together. You are my Martha Stewart friend.” I laughed for 15 minutes. Tears streaming from my eyes. Had to pick myself up off the floor and recompose myself in order to laugh even harder for her.
I do not have it all together.
More often than not, my house looks like this:
(yes, that is food crusted to the table. and lots of stuff on the floor)
(in my defense, this photo was taken after I had tidied and made the bed – this is to show the “messes in my wake” because my son literally walked into his room moments after I made the bed and cleaned his room and threw the blankets and his clothes around)
(can you say clutterific?)
So, the point? I don’t have it all together. My house is a disaster. A lot. And my only tip, to myself and to you? Do it right away. Clean the table right after you and/or the kids eat. No scraping, just wiping. I hate scraping. Fold the laundry before they have a chance to throw it around the living room. Put the dishes in the dishwasher before they pile up. Sort the paperwork and other clutter before it’s one big overwhelming mess. Don’t be sorry like me. Yes, it all got cleaned. Then messed up again, then cleaned, you know the drill. But it’s all a little bit easier if you do it sooner than later.
If nothing else, I will never again be accused of being the Martha Stewart of my group of friends.
Wow. My place can get like that too, and I don’t even have kids to blame it on. You may not be the Martha Steward, but you still win for having one of the prettiest houses of anyone in my acquaintance. You’re tied for the top spot with my aunt, who has the same passion for making things beautiful.
And I reserve the right to envy you that.
.-= Mrs. Micah´s last blog ..What Are Opportunity Costs? – Textbook Personal Finance =-.
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LOL you know Emily….as I looked around my house today I thought of doing a very similar post….I thought “I need to show some people that my house is no where near perfect ALL of the time!”…….. your home is beautiful, mess or clean!♥
~TidyMom
.-= TidyMom´s last blog ..Pink Week Giveaway {at Blooming on Bainbridge} =-.
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Oh, I love you. My house looks exactly like that right now!! I normally am pretty good at keeping it picked up, but due to other circumstances right now, I’m content to just lie here and look at the mess. Sigh…
And now, my husband is doing something at our kitchen table involving dark blue ink and a brayer. I don’t even want to know what kind of mess *that* is going to make.
.-= living with lindsay´s last blog ..Blessed. =-.
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Interesting how I’m never accused of being Martha Stewart! Tee Hee!
I just walked downstairs and it looks like a tornadic event has taken place. I’m not going to happy about it in the morning!
Love you sunny kitchen, btw!
-Lauren
.-= Mama Laundry´s last blog ..Winners of the First Little Laundry Giveaway! =-.
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Oh glory! This makes me adore you even more. I can’t tell you how often I’ve been tempted to show my messy pictures. I’m inspired.
.-= Kimba´s last blog ..Hope For Haiti =-.
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okay, this cracked me up. Your house looks like happy people live in it!! Or, maybe it is all the happy paint colors. do i even see a dog out that door? we’ve never been introduced : )
.-= Denise´s last blog .. =-.
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Emily Reply:
January 17th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
2 dogs! i will have to let you get to know them. i see a photo shoot coming
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Emily Yay! This is like putting *real* people on the cover of glamor magazines!
My house looks like that everyday. I tidy up as I go along but I don’t get stressed out anymore if there are toys, crayons and play-doh everywhere. It’s all a reminder of the fun day we had
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Emily… you have a dog? I am just surprised!
I too think your house is beautiful!
.-= Mrs. Money´s last blog ..Sunday Link Love =-.
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Emily Reply:
January 17th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
2 dogs! they are old. we rescued them from the humane society 10 years ago. apparently i need to post about this!
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Oh my awesomeness – you made my day!
Agreed on every tid-bit, too!
.-= heidi @wonder w oman wannabe´s last blog ..Re-Ignite Date Night {#21} =-.
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Tee Hee! I love this! My house looks like this more often than not, and I make myself look at the mess and admire it (apparently, I should take its picture!) Someday, our little ones are going to grow up and take their messes elsewhere, and as we can pick up a craft project without having to clear a path first, and sit down without little hands trying to shove a book under our project, we’re going to miss those messes!
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..What I’ve been working on =-.
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In the last photo, what is tucked behind the fabric??
Your house still looks great!
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Emily Reply:
January 18th, 2010 at 8:18 am
The fabric is instead of a door for that cabinet. Just lots of pantry items since we don’t have a pantry are back there. Even that fabric is messy because my kids are always pulling on it and climbing in there. Definitely needs re-doing.
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Love this post, Emily! It’s so liberating to know that other people deal with the same kinds of messes that exist in my house (though some here are WAY worse than yours!) Kids are such messy little buggers, aren’t they? I don’t remember anyone ever telling me how many messes they could make before we decided to have them
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Haiti =-.
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You call that messy? You should see my house! LOL
I agree I try to do things when I notice them, or as soon as possible, otherwise it ends up piling up like the laundry on my couch.
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I am SO GLAD that you posted this. I have just recently been subscribing to all these amazing blogs…yours included. And with 2 small children at home (even though i’m a SAHM) I have been feeling like such an underachiever. I have a big, beautiful home, nice furnishings, etc….but I can’t seem to get ahead. Whew. I feel better after seeing this. Haha!
THANK YOU!!!
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I heart Emily!
This is terrific! Thanks for sharing these pictures. . . my house looks just like yours.
.-= Beth @ Smart Family Tips´s last blog ..One Year =-.
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I think your home looks a lot like mine…lived in and comfortable. That’s a good thing! Thanks for keeping it real.
.-= Nancy´s last blog ..POM juice =-.
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This is sooo my house. I think people just get tiny glimpses with the blog and can’t imagine that your life can still be in chaos. Perhaps it is because I move all my clutter behind me when I take a picture
Ha! Thanks for being real, Emily!
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Oh, you haven’t seen cluttered and messy til you come to my house! Enjoy those little “messes” because the “empty nest” hits before you know it! Your house is darling. I just love what all you have done. Thanks for being brave to post your pics and show us what real life is. Wish everyone would do the same! Blessings!
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Loved the blackboard and list — it reminded me that my baseboards are still gross and in serious need of a wet cloth and soap!!!
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Thanks for the ‘real’ pictures! My house looks very similar on any given day.
-FringeGirl
.-= the domestic fringe´s last blog ..My Weekend Just Got Longer =-.
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You’re even neat with your messes:-) You would die if you saw my office! I’m lucky to see the floor on a good day. No matter how messy your house gets… you’re still my Martha Stewart friend too. ha!
.-= Amy @ Living Locurto´s last blog ..Week 16 – Free Printable Weekly Meal Plan =-.
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WELL…I’m still in awe of you, but it’s nice to know you’re human!
Actually, my mess could beat up your mess, ya know.
.-= Kimm´s last blog ..Trash to Treasure Tuesday—The Home Office Edition =-.
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I love that – clutterific!
That’s me!
Can’t wait to meet you in a few weeks!
)
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