Sunday, July 5, 2009

Scrub a Dub

Well, I had an eventful Sunday--if your idea of eventful is banishing dust, dirt, and debris. Let's just say it involved microfiber cloth, extension cords, my versatile EnviroVac, a step stool, and tons of elbow grease. I'm worn out, but today resulted in a feeling of accomplishment.

As I cleaned my way through our more-cluttered-by-the-day house, I realized two things. If you don't stay on top of dusting and editing, things have a tendency to get away from you...and quick. Also, my mom is way too sentimental and holds on to too many tchotchkes. Empty space means nothing in this household. Here are a few of said trinkets:


These are some of her porcelain dolls. She's thinks they're precious and valuable. I think they're creepy. Plus, I don't care what anyone says; their eyes follow you. One is actually a Christmas tree topper. See if you can pick her out.


Another doll. This one is a clown. How funny. She's guarding a golden scroll glass shelf thingy last seen on the set of Dynasty. Notice that every inch of space is covered.

And speaking of things from the 80s...it's one of the two now infamous geese that patrol the kitchen. I have been pleading with my mom since the first Bush Administration to take these down. No, she argues. They're from Home Interiors. They're expensive. I can't disagree with the first point, but I always have to highlight the fact that they were expensive. 20 years ago. And yeah. That's wood paneling. Be jealous.

In light of a charity yard sale that my sister is involved in, I finally convinced our clingy mother to part with the geese. Of course that does leave two empty spaces on the walls, and I just don't know how we're going to deal with it. But it's a start.

12 comments:

  1. Is the tree-topper the one in the pink? That would be my guess. I'm waiting in suspense for the answer.

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  2. aw. i feel bad for mom. :) seems like she loves her items around her.

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  3. No the tree topper has GOT to be the one with the stylish muff!

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  4. These really bring back memories. Good for you for trying!

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  5. ps - I'm with Jason. The doll with the muff is the tree topper. She's smaller than the others. That one OR the mint green one.

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  6. Jason and Liz are correct! The be-muffed one is a tree topper, but oddly enough, we don't put up a tree these days.

    The mint green one is actually an all-occasion friend. Thanks for the comments!

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  7. This cracks me up! At least you didn't have to take a picture of that oil lamp! ;) Did Barb ever notice it was missing?

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  8. Pretty much anything can be a tree topper. That's how we roll at my house. A Christmas Miss Piggy was tied to the top of my tree last year.

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  9. I want you to post that awesome picture of Bar from the living room that I love so much! :D

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  10. I thought for sure you were speaking of Steve's parents house. Not only does every table top and shelf have to be covered, but there must be wall to wall furniture too. It still baffles me how much furniture they can stuff into a house.

    btw...Dolls freak me out.

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  11. I love the fact that you used the word tchotchkes. Every time I use it I have to explain what it is. Also that picture of the dolls creeps me out beyond belief.

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  12. I'm just reading this. I know. I'm behind. Catching up now. Those dolls could be part of your Halloween blog cause they are scary! Throw a clown in there, and you've got a recipe for this gal to have a nightmare. Barb!

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