Real Life

I like to have a bunch of posts that are deliberately written with photos that are carefully enhanced. Who knows if I succeed with that, but the perfectionist in me comes out that way. But those of you who REALLY know me - those of you who happen to drop by or have caught me screaming at my kids (how embarrassing) can attest that I'm far from ideal. I try lots and by trying lots - I get it right sometimes. But in the interest of keeping it real - let me give you the tour that you would NEVER see in a real estate listing.

I began my day greeted by 7 loads of clean laundry. It's tough to fold on the floor with Baby Jay crawling. I don't like to stand while folding because of my feet drama, so this is the place. I wasn't completely done with all of this before the timer went off to bake the chilled cookie dough (Wonderful Wednesday project with the kids). I did, however, finish eventually and even got some of it upstairs.

When all the folding was done, I was reminded that all THIS was still left in the laundry room.


Here's my pretty kitchen. I love the window that overlooks the backyard (Jayson was recently introduced to the sandbox). I love how the light spills in. There are always dishes in the sink (preferably RINSED dishes - I don't mind them being there as long as food isn't attached to them). It appears that we need to run our dishwasher 1 1/2 times daily.

Veggie/Rice steamer on counter - I use this nearly every day. Filtered water pitcher - never fits in fridge, so always on counter. High chair demands attention multiple times daily. Tupperware on table was a child's stacking project.


Other side of kitchen - Items have to be on TOP half of fridge - Jayson pulls all magnets and attached papers off. He also gets the broom and dustpan out EVERY time he crawls through here. Perhaps it's laying on the floor behind the island. Big huge 6 gallon buckets - aren't they attractive decor? That's what we store lots of our oats or white flour in. The oat bucket was recently refilled and I finished off the white flour baking cookies with the kids - now what do I do with those giants? See the big brown bag on the counter - it's been there for a couple weeks. It's COCONUT - 50 lbs. Do you want to come get some???? It was purchased for homemade granola, but it can't be safely stored in cans - freezer is best option. Ours is full of wheat germ and sunflower seeds (also purchased for homemade granola making). Behind the fridge is the pile of everything (bills, school projects, and whatever else filters into the kitchen).

Jessica saw me taking pictures and wanted "IN." That's a rare thing - her wanting to be in pictures. I probably haven't been in a picture with Jessica since our day at Sea World when I handed Jon the camera.

Family Room - the frames are filled with pics from July that Sara did. Fireplace mantel - full of Jessica collectibles. She puts them up high so Jayson can't get them. I wish she'd just bring them to her room. The overflowing blanket basket - this thing gets emptied daily even in high temperatures. Blankets, blankets, everywhere. Oh, I spy MORE 6 gallen buckets. I think those are filled with rice and pinto beans. They are strategically placed in front of the fireplace because Jayson likes to get in the soot. Now we have extra space in the pantry :)


So the pretty ledges along our stairs are supposed to have nice photos or plants on them. They were never put back together properly after the Christmas stuff went down. Instead they've become a dumping spot for bills, books, items to go upstairs, and MORE spots for Jessica's stuff.

Our front room/entry with the nice leather couches is supposed to be a serene beauty that guests can be greeted in. Instead, Jacob's homeschool desk has overrun the place. James likes to do him homework in here too. So backbacks, pencils, worksheets, reading books, etc. are regularly strewn.

THIS is where I blog. The little corner on the right. My office/baby nursery/guest bedroom are the staging area for everything. I don't have enough desk space or drawers, so the bed serves as countertop. PLUS I dump all the clean laundry on the bed or lined on floors until I can do folding. Truthfully, I don't get the ironing board out but once a year. Jon takes on the task of ironing his own stuff. I had it out to iron on the boys' cub scout badges (have a nasty burn on my arm to prove it).


Evidence of baby is everywhere - the gate, his walker, misc toys that have been tossed or dropped everywhere.

Apparently nobody know that there is a coat closet across from the stairs. And that ONE pink flip flop - I haven't worn it in several years, but Jessica thought it would be nice to bring it downstairs for us all to trip over.

End of day - recliner still buried with need-to-be-folded kitchen towels and need-to-be-hung up jackets.

And stealing a line from the Gosselin family, "it may be a crazy life...but it's OUR LIFE."