The other day I turn around to see my son standing suspiciously by the fireplace. Upon further inquiry this is what I discovered:

Since my fireplace is "in progress" one of the boards merely leans on the fireplace frame (please note that I am not going into my mans project addiction at this time).



Titus discovered this leaning board and now has a secret hiding place.



When I looked closer this is what I found.

Good thing there's no late fees.

NUTS???? So here's a little something for those of you who don't know. I HATE clutter. Next to Fake People and Filth it's in my top three. So here's the problem...My house IS clutter.

My house looks 1/3 daycare, 1/3 design to sell (before they've sold), & 1/3 laundry day.
So I've decided to do some Fall Cleaning.

I could act disgusted over needing to do this but truly I'm pretty excited. I love to tidy. I'm lame I know. So there you have it: Clutter drives me nuts. What about you?

After much turmoil we selected a company to give our home a needed "lift". We got our roof. I spent 3 mornings waking up to the spanish morning radio show, unexpected, yet enjoyable.
Things I learned;
- My child can sleep through anything, when he wants to.
- I don't like anything at 6am.
- There's a reason people don't like popcorn ceilings.
- Roofers are often decent singers.

I'm losing it (my mind that is). Ants love my home. I have a serious uninvited guest issue. I had photo ops galore but I refuse to further humiliate my loving kitchen...I must have the Green Beret of ants marching into this house. I'm caving and calling the ant terminators tomorrow. There is a day for reckoning and it's near. after my sons desire to eat Cheerios out of the dirt pile consisting of dead ants via raid the line was drawn. and yes, my child still lives. but the ants, the ants must go.

I have been in turmoil (internally) recently and its manifested in my attitude toward my home, but rooted deeper than just the structure itself. Perhaps it was brought on by my recent bedrest or the coming addition to mi familia or my consumerism, for whatever reason I have an attitude problem and I'm projecting it on my house. It started with a simple statement "we need MORE space" and has perpetuated into some very enlightened conversations/dialogues. Thus far I am still processing but have concluded the following: 1. I have been cursed with the American dream to which I have the "RIGHT" to certain desires. 2. These desires are defined subconsciously and consciously by people, organizations, and companies I don't know and who don't know me. 3. These rights look like the newest, the biggest, and the best. 4. 1-3 only further pull me and distract me from what my soul needs and longs for. 5. My rights expressed in my attitude are rooted in my values and beliefs. 6. I do not want to admit these are my values and beliefs. 7. My children will follow me. 8. I'm rich.
It's time that we took a moment to realize just how much STUFF we have. The wonderingwomen link (here) is a good reminder of just how rich we really are.

If any part of this is a road you've walked, known, wrestled, ran, or never even contemplated I invite you to join the conversation.

I just spent two days and a total of six hours ridding the front of my house of cobwebs and spiders. Yeah I was that crazy lady in my front yard in cut off sweats, an oversize tee, and a baseball cap from 1996 (literally) aiming a hose at my house and mumbling under my breath about being a home owner. Do you know how frustrated I was when I opened my door and saw this?! Pretty darn frustrated. I fear no spider and obviously no spider fears me!!!