A few days ago my aunt called to ask if I’d be interested in making a quick trip to my hometown. I have a bit of a reputation in our family for being the Completely Unsentimental Person Who Will Throw Out All The Junk You Don’t Need Anymore, and my aunt wanted to know if I’d give her a hand getting her closets under control.
OH. You do not have to ask me twice. The mere prospect of creating piles labeled “Keep,” “Mend” and “Donate” sends me straight into the happy dance. Plus, ever since school has been out, Alex has been chomping at the bit to see my parents and Martie.
So yesterday the little man and I jumped in the car and drove on over (well, he did not drive. I drove. I imagine that if he had been driving we would have been arrested or, at the very least, featured on some sort of syndicated real-life police drama with reggae music thumping in the background).
We got to Mama and Daddy’s right after lunch, and my plan was to drop off Alex, visit for a little bit, then leave the little guy with his grandparents while I went over to my aunt’s house and started the process of sifting through all those t-shirts and shorts I remember her wearing to their lakehouse in the mid- to late-80s, not to mention the pretty dresses I remember her wearing to church when I was in high school and college, not to mention her present-day Very Fab Wardrobe. I couldn’t wait. I mean, if you could somehow add a never-ending marathon of “House Hunters” and all-you-can-eat chips and guacamole to the cleaning out closets equation, I’d probably never go home again. I’d just call my husband and ask him to please come live with us here, and if he wouldn’t mind, it’d be real sweet if he’d stop on his way into town and pick up some organizational items at the Walmarts. You know, before we COMPLETELY UPROOT OUR FAMILY FOR THE SAKE OF MY CLOSET-PURGING OBSESSION AND ALL.
Because quite frankly I cannot accomplish my organizational goals without some super-cute baskets.
Anyway, when we sat down in Mama and Daddy’s den to visit for a few minutes, Alex walked over and snuggled up realllllly close to me on the couch. He rubbed my arm, smiled sweetly as he looked up at my face and pressed his head into my side. I was pondering the tenderness of the moment – he may be six, but he still loves to cuddle with his mama – when he motioned for me to lean down so he could whisper something in my ear. I rubbed his hair and quietly asked him what he needed to tell me.
“Mama?” he said, ever-so-softly.
“What, buddy?”
“Mama, I think I’m ready for you to leave now.”
Well, then.
FINE.
Duly noted.
FINE.
Could you make a trip to the Ozarks and help me clean out about 5 closets????! B/c I’m one of those sentimental keep everything kind of girls! It’s a sickness, I tell ya!
At least he delivered that line soooo sweetly! But flattery will only get you so far, young man. ; )
I’m glad to know there are people out there that love to organize! I’m pretty sure my closet looks just like her’s.. except maybe not as many years of clothes packed in!
I have the Closet-Purging Fever too. In fact, that’s precisely what I was doing before I stopped for a little internet break.
Oh, I love it. Kind of like stabbing a knife….RIGHT INTO YOUR STINKING HEART!!!!!
I have two closets you are welcome to purge at any moment.
Oooohhh. I love to clean out closets too! I don’t know what’s better–the actual purging or the sight of beautifully organized clothes and shoes…
I purged my closet last week – it felt good! Three huge shopping bags donated to goodwill. I am ruthless at it too. When I went home to my parents in April for a visit I helped mama purge her closets and my sister too – we ended up with about 10 bags of stuff to either donate or trash. They wait for me to do it because I am pretty cutthroat.
Can you please come to my house and purge my closets? I bet nobody’s ever asked you THAT before! They are complete disasters. Every.single.one. of them!! Spring fever, why didn’t you come this year?
And as for your little buddy? Don’t you just love the way they tenderly and gently break the news that they uh, want you to get out of their space?!
He’s SIX? I thought little man just turned five. That was a whole year ago?
Dear Time, Please slow waaay down. Thank you, Robyn
And they need to fix our WalMarts like YESTERDAY b/c that place is just flat out crazy unacceptable right now.
I’ve heard that one before!! Just makes you feel warm and fuzzy doesn’t it? Oh well, it does take the guilt out of leaving them sometimes!
And I have plenty for you to purge if you are in South Georgia anytime!
Jennifer G
Valdosta, GA
I have that same closet purge loving obsession as well. I’ve never been able to quite put that love into words but today you’ve summed it up well. Thank you and happy purging:)
Oh.my.word – umm, unfortunately the older they get the more space they want. Trust me, my DD is 14 and would much rather hang with just about anybody other than Mom. (She does tend to come around when there is food involved though!) SIGH – at least she still gives me awesome hugs and says I love you!
I hope you took before and after pictures. I love a good inspirational organized closet picture.
Purging, baskets, and chips and guac??? We should be best friends. I am just saying that the thought of helping your aunt get rid of the stuff she has been holding onto forever just made my heart go pitter patter. My family won’t let me rifle through their stuff while exclaiming, “WHEN did you use this last?!” Nope. They want to keep it so I can do it when they are long gone and they won’t have to see their “precious” stuff in the DISCARD pile.
You crack me up!
As for your son…yeah, I’ve been there. Kind of breaks your heart, doesn’t it?
Mrs. Nurse Boy
Well gee, the spoilin’ can’t get started good until Mama leaves!
SERIOUSLY. I NEED YOUR HELP. I would love to have you help me reorganize my house! Any thoughts on starting up a side business? :)
The thought of cleaning closets out does not make me want to do a happy dance. It makes me want to head for the hills and eat quacomole and chips.
You are a girl after my own heart. Few things make me happier than purging unnecessary items from my home. I’m getting excited just thinking about it.
You could come to California and help me with that!
Sounds like you have a little business starting here. I’d be happy to supply all the chips and guac you’d like!
My favorite: “Mama, I’m gonna miss you when you die.”
One of the children I teach (4 years old) said that to his mother last weekend.
Oh break my heart the day that comes. I’m still secretly happy when Harper throws fits if anyone holds her but me.
You and me are kindred spirits – I’m not a “keeper” and I think it drives my husband crazy. I take great pleasure in getting rid of stuff.
Have fun!
I have never felt closer to someone that I do you right now…
Sometimes I want to put junk back in my closet just so I can reorganize it again. Some call it a sickness… I call it a productive hobby that makes me giddy :)
I love nothing better than buying color coordinated hangers. I have my clothes divided by type and then as I wear something I hang it to the far right of that section. That way when the seasons change I can tell right away what I haven’t worn all season long. All my shoes are labeled and arranged according to color. I LOVE my closet. Sometimes I walk in there just to see the neatness.
It is a sickness and it is getting worse as I get older. But I love it.
That is awesome. My boy is a bit clingy right now (almost 2) if I am in the room, but if I leave, he’s a regular little party animal. Go figure.
And the closet purging obsssion? I just did my own closet last weekend. And for having NOTHING to wear, I sure did get rid of a bunch of stuff!
Ahhh. Youth. But admit it: this was better then having a little one clinging to your ankles as you crawled out the door toward your Organizing Job. Any pictures of the clean sweep?
I am trying to imagine my 2 yr old Bubbalu saying that to me…then realized he does it every single Sunday, practically clawing the wood off the door to get INTO the nursery.
Girl! I hear ya on the organization! If I could parlay that into a bonafide career…I would! My poor husband is the most unorganized person and constantly can’t find anything cause I have “put it up.” Wait til my nesting kicks in (i’m 3 months pregnant). Poor guy!
~Meredith
I don’t blame him… let the sugar fiesta begin.
I’m sure he was in dire need of some yes answers to everything he brought up:) How fun for you to be able to help your Aunt and fun for him to have time with the Grandparents!
Blessings today and always,
Kaye
Matthew 21:22
This is too funny! I told my toddler that when the grandparents arrived, mommy was going to the store. The minute they walked in, she held the door for me and said, “GO MOMMY!” Sheesh. These kids know where their chocolate chip cookies come from…
Listening to BIG BOO podcast 16 right now and giggling myself silly. Bring on #17!!!
Oooh, I love purging closets, especially when they aren’t mine! I’d have been doing that happy dance with you.
Imagine my surprise when, standing in a lobby on the other side of the world, a young woman commented on my husband’s Southern accent. Being very careful not to say more than we should, we discovered the nice lobby lady was from the same church you go to and she knew you. Seriously, what are the chances of that happening? It is what we call a “kiss from the King” when God simply blesses you just because He delight in you and He is eager to remind you such a glorious truth! Blessings.
Just a little insight I gained from my now-23-yr-old daughter. She likes to go visit her grandparents without me – she says they talk to her more when I’m not there. She’s not having to share the attention.
So, when she comes back home to visit, I make sure she has that “alone time” with her grandparents.
i am a purger also!! i do not like clutter and my son has recently begun to hide things so that way they do not mysteriously find their way to good will or a kids resale store! :)
Sweet baby! I have learned. Don’t go inside. Meet in the drive way. Drop off the luggage or what ever they bring. Leave quickly. Come back when ever and then stay as long as you or they like! Have a great weekend!
I don’t really know where Kelly came from because I’m sure I have the valentine my 5th grade boyfriend gave me in 1959 somewhere…. if you will entertain yourself for a minute while I go look in the closet!!!!
Kelly’s Mom
Six is fun, I’ve got twin boys (they’re 8 now) and I remember back to six as being somewhere between adorable and the attitude of “i’m a big boy now I don’t need you!” Yikes!