Frugalicous Domesticity - Freaky Friday Edition

I've got some pictures!

I took the memory card out of the camera before shipping it back to Canon, took the disk to Walgreens and put them on a disk.

Voila!

Here is my livingroom.

A bit uninspired in spots, but I'm just not going to do any decorating until I'm 'inspired'.

Forcing decorating is a sure fire way to waste money and time.

Decorating, although I love to do it, hasn't been on my mind lately.

See that door to the right, that leads to the upstairs.

You can see how simple I keep things.

I hate how our TV is too small for the entertainment center.

We had the tv before we bought that Sauder 'putittogetheryourself' entertainment center.

Glenco says Sauder is German for 'sawdust'

Now that's funny. I don't care who ya are.

We won't get another TV until this one dies though.

We only have the one tv.

Pray that it dies soon.

You can also see how small my rooms are, and by now, should have an idea of how small my house is.

I believe the smaller the house, the more vigilant you have to be about clutter, the more creative you have to be with storage. Just a few dirty dishes in my kitchen makes it look like a mess. I'm surprised at what a small space I can live in. Maybe it's from growing up in a tiny apartment in Chicago with six people. I shared a bedroom with my three sisters. I like small, nesty spaces over large open areas. I truly believe I could ive in a one room log cabin blissfully.

And now, the bedroom.

Stark isn't it? See the coats peeking out from behind the door?

Hooks.

That's Glen's dresser there. I also store the sheets in that dresser.

It's been in my family since before I was born.

I'm not sure, but I think my great grandfather may have made it.

This is my dresser.

And my hook.

What doesn't fit in the drawer, I don't own.

Now, today was 'supposed' to be the upstairs.

I was frustrated that I wasn't able to take pictures to show you the upstairs.

It has a nice 'feel' to it.

I'll get right on that when I get the camera back.

Guess what?

I didn't clean it today.

Glenco was off, so we opted to drive to Kalamazoo, Michigan and get loom supplies.

So, today, my chores took me about 10 minutes.

The upstairs of my house is barely used. It consists of one large guest room, my workout room, and a man cave for Glen. It's not heated, or air conditioned, so the dust is at a minimum. There is a space heater up there. Other than dusting once every couple of weeks, and a weekly ladybug carcass vacuum, I really don't do anything up there.

So, see, I'm not that big of a cleaning freak, am I?

I blew it off today.

I've got all my supplies now to start weaving, and a book on how to do it!

It was an early birthday present. I like to celebrate my birthday for at least a week.

We also stopped here:

The Chocolate Garden, in Coloma, Michigan.

I've never in my life tasted a better piece of chocolate.

Ever.

Orange Milk Chocolate Truffle.

It was indescribable.

This little spot in Michigan has been featured numerous times on The Food Network, and in many many magazines.

Wonderful story about a woman tired of the corporate rat race, developing this company.

I've read all of your comments several times, and I've also received your emails.

I've been gone from the house way too much this week.

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and tomorrow is a Garden Show that I'm attending.

I'm feeling very anxious because of it.

I may have to pull out the Clorazapate.

As I sit here right now, I never want to leave the house again.

I'm so behind in all of your blogs and responding to your comments and emails!

Give me a few days to catch up.

I do hope, in the deepest part of my heart, that all my crazy ramblings on about cleaning and de-cluttering your home has helped in some way.

Last night I watched 'Clean House', and in the show, this little old grandmother's things had been all packed away, and cluttered up in her son's home. They were in the biggest mess. Once Clean House was done, they had her things beautifully displayed. She wept. I wept. It dawned on me that when we live in such a disarray, we cannot truly give honor to our possessions, especially the ones that have true sentimental value. Our memories remain cluttered, our hearts overwhelmed with 'what to do first' and 'how', so we run from our homes and do nothing. I know first hand how that feels.

Now that this week of 'Frugalicious Domesticity' is over....shall we talk about how to conquer the clutter in the first place? Shall we talk about how to cut that grocery bill down? I would love to make this an interactive blog, where we could all help each other.

If you are interested, please email me your ideas on decluttering. What's worked for you? Where do you need the most help? Please email me your best frugal recipes, and tips that have helped you cut down your bottom line at the Piggly Wiggly.

Or I could just put Helen back in a diaper and take some photos.

Your call.

:-D