My Imperfect House

My Imperfect House Website

2009-07-24T18:33:00.000-07:00

The website is finally live! Check it out at http://www.myimperfecthouse.com.

Where's Your Attic?

2009-07-12T18:16:00.000-07:00

For me, one of the main steps to conquering my clutter was to designate a space where all the stuff goes that doesn't have a good home -- kind of like my own pound, just for stuff instead of animals.

For me, that space was an extra room. I know most of you don't have the luxury of devoting a whole room to unsorted items -- but I probably have more "stuff" now that I am older and have been the recipient of various parents, aunts, and uncles treasures. Setting up a whole room was the only way that I felt I'd ever be able to make it through the "search and destroy" missions necessary to conquer clutter.

So, here's the current pic of my "attic" room. I'd love to see some from my readers.

Working backwards

2009-06-14T16:00:00.000-07:00

One of the things I have struggled with is cleaning supplies -- they never seem to be where I need them, when I need them. Today's task is to collect them all into one area, then make "mini-kits" to keep in other areas for quick cleanups.

Step one is to find a space. I used to keep them all in the kitchen pantry, but with the new rolling cart taking up space there, I can no longer get to them quickly. This is a old house without too much closet space, so I'm going to make space for them in the upstairs closet where the vacuum is stored. That's going to mean relocating some luggage, but since the luggage is only rarely used, it doesn't deserve prime closet space.

So, luggage, off to the third floor with you.

Now that I have some space in the closet, it's time to gather the cleaning supplies from the rest of the house and put in one place. Here's a sampling of what I found: one duster and one window cleaner on the sleeping porch, two bottles of Amway dishwashing liquid and 3 different stain removers in the basement, one blind duster in the bedroom, rag bag in laundry room, wood cleaner on the windowsill in the stairwell (not my fault -- but that's another story), extra spray bottles in the bathroom.... Well, you get the idea. Once I get everything into the closet, I can determine what duplicates need to just go out the door, what needs to be relocated (like stain removers to the laundry area), and what might be missing or low in supply that actually justifies a shopping trip (not likely).

Will post a photo of the finished area once I get it done.

A place to sit, a bite to eat...

2009-06-13T12:06:00.001-07:00

Midst the clutter, I try to always keep a place for guests to sit, and something quick to fix to eat in the frig or freezer. And of course to drink -- but somehow that has never been a problem around here.

Yes, there's a bit of clutter around, but I've found that by just keeping those two things readily available, those people I call "friend" are still comfortable dropping in unannounced, knowing that they'll get a warm welcome. And, after all, that's what it is all about, right? Good friends, good food, good drink.

My secret for girlfriends is chocolate banana shakes -- covers both the eating and drinking. Just peel any bananas that get too ripe for eating and freeze 'em in a freezer bag. They'll keep for months (but mine never last that long). I can whip up a shake in less time than it takes me to make tea. Give it a try -- this recipe makes 2 small shakes.

1 1/2 cups soy milk (or use regular, but I prefer the soy)
2 frozen bananas
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp cocoa (I prefer Hershey's or Ghiradelli's)
1 tbsp maple syrup or sweetener of your choice

Blend in blender on puree until slushy and all the banana is crushed. Note: if your bananas are hard-frozen, you may have to start the blender on chop to break them up.

Serve, preferably in metal glasses for full effect, and with straws. Yum!