There's a fine line I think between clutter and clean. I verge mostly on the cluttersome side of the street. I just forget the thread of what I'm doing and discover the hand cream on the log basket (why) and my slippers reading a couple of books (again no clue how they got there). Half an hour later I'm reading the book wearing my slippers, having forgotten completely what I'm up to. That's a normal kinda day, sometimes it surprises me that I can actually function. Now don't get me wrong I'm pretty OCD when it comes to certain things and where they go but 'stuff' and cleaning, meh, not so much. And, taking a lateral leap here, when it comes to friendships and relationships, I have a similar disposition. I like to see people, but I prefer notice, its not that I'm fussy, I'm generally busy and it puts me out of kilter when folks just 'decend', so a text is lovely thank you. And, its only manners after all to call or text ahead these days. Or even better, make an appointment :) Now, I've a lovely ramble of chums and I'm lucky, mostly folks I gel with are positive sunbeams. Sadly, I haven't much time for negative folks, their 'soorness' and defeatism, sucks the very marrow out of your bones. And, I need my bones. So happy visitors, with an artist's eye for the winsomness of eclectic clutter is who I'm happiest to see. Is that you? Oh good, please introduce yourself.
So do I clean and ploomph when folks come round, I've mulled this one today, visitors due in less than an hour? Is that what's conventionally required? Do I scamper around shoving my life into cupboards, just to be tidy, taking my slippers away from their preferred reading? Erm no, to be honest I'm only OCD with cleaning if I'm not very comfortable with the folks who are 'arriving', puts me on edge and a cloot firmly in my paw. However, if I'm not comfy with 'them', those hard to get along with folks, arriving, then why are they coming I'd ask myself? Life's too short to worry, and please folks you're not sure of, or to worry about every wee leaf, wee speck of dust and random clutter being well, randomly cluttersome. Don't get me wrong Mr McFlowers, being a very tidy sort (odd for such a scruffy bugger), does like a wee nice hoose, so the chores get done in tandom once a week. So, if you're OK I'll not tidy when you pop, but like the visitors due today (hello dear mother) you'll probably be asked to bring something, today it's milk. We don't use it, so don't normally have it in. Yes, I could have remembered yesterday and bought some special, yes I could have popped out for some. But, lets face facts, I'm sure they'll pass some on their way here. Isn't life far nicer if you can openly say what you think (like 'Bring Milk!') than spend time fussing for folks. And, honestly driving a round trip of 6 miles for the nearest pint of milk, think of the carbon footprint that will create in itself.
So if you pop round (and I'm expecting you) and the hoose is a cluttersome mess, I hope you enjoy the beauty of it. It means I'm very happy to see you, wonderfullly comfortable in your company and I'm also enjoying my own life too. So, I'll likely be nicer to talk to and I'll wear my best smile and mean it. Although I might still be reading that book in me slippers.......
I am amazed at the things I am still learning (at MY age!) and one of them is surely the point you make about not freaking out pre-visitation. Who needs freakout-provoking visitors? Or maybe more importantly why be afraid of that or anything. To conclude, cluttersome messes make me feel at home. But Max and I will text first --I get that part.
ReplyDeleteHello Linne, I'd 'seen' you about but with moving and new garden frenzing I'm afraid I'm merely read and not posted, very rude of me. Hello I hope you're well. Freakout-provoking visitors are not a good thing are they. I'm becoming less afraid (sometimes) to say when things (or people) simply don't suit me. I like your conclusion. I think you need to take up golf, or Mr O does then you can come visit my cluttersome mess when you do the pilgrimage to Golfland nearby. Max and you are very welcome, text when you set off and I'm sure by the time you arrive we'll have the place properly messed up for you.
DeleteI quite agree about cluttersome messes! I do go into a cleaning frenzy when some people are due, but have no idea *why* - I never worry about or even notice what anyone else's house looks like! I shall try to stop being a fusspot immediately. I confess I don't mind an impromptu visitor though - possibly because we don't get many of them! Love the idea of your slippers reading to themselves :) xx
ReplyDeleteCheery lovely to see you lass. I do the same, I think its that OMG folks might find out we're actually, you know, living like humans do. I never worry either and I'm actually happier when folks have dishes in the sink, laundry on the table and 'life' around them, its means we're friends and not just invaders. My slippers enjoy a good horticultural read, they're often found looking longingly out at the garden, but not often in it, as they don't like the wet and its Scotland afterall. Although at the moment, this place feels like the Med.
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