WHAT PEOPLE THINK

When my groomer came in to get her check, the kitchen looked even worse than its usual clutter. With Christmas over it was full of empty boxes, taken-down decorations, and been-read newspapers. As she tried to make her way over to the one available chair, I quipped that we had thought of moving but when the realtor brought a homeless person to view it, the customer said he preferred his cardboard box! Those I have plenty of. Becky laughed. I felt bad that I had a problem with the last grooming, since every other time it had been better than great. But we both agreed that something different had occurred and had to be fixed. I would watch. I would report. Hopefully Patches would not scratch.

After Becky left I took a careful look at the kitchen. I cringed. It looked dismally like the garage. If anyone did come to look at the place they might think it was an extension of the garage, perhaps the start of a multi-tier parking building. Both locations held many of the same items: boxes, cans, jars, furniture, tools, dishes, books, but no car. The new washer and dryer that I bought to replace the hopeless appliances that came with the place did not fit into the laundry alcove, so the double doors had to be left off. This allowed for a direct view of the detergent, fabric softener, and bleach that I used on the clothes. Since I am out with the dogs frequently I leave my hat, scarf, and gloves there, too. Add to this the original shelves filled with such things as plastic bags, my double electric frying pan, empty bottles that "had to be saved because they are useful", and various other stuff. Having doors that closed over the washing center was much better. No one could see anything but a set of doors that matched the walls. Fortunately we have very little company here. Yes it gets lonely, but I don't have to be embarrassed or make excuses. If anyone is put off by what they see, that is their problem.

Yesterday I mentioned to my husband that we might be happier with another table in the kitchen, one with more room to have coffee and read papers in the morning, especially Sunday morning. He barely listened as I pointed his glance to the short freezer that was covered with everything imaginable: papers, tools, mail, boxes, and other objects that were beyond identification. I feared that some of those "objects" might find their way onto the table with our coffee. At that point I dropped my idea for replacing the table. I did begin to think about how the breakfast nook area of the kitchen could be improved. A desk could be the answer, but I wasn't sure that I could get one in there. Just getting my chair in and out of the two end bedrooms is a challenge, and I didn't know how I was going to get into them, let alone move out any of the furniture. My husband no longer has the strength in his back to do any lifting, and I wouldn't even ask him. If my sons were still home, it would be simple. They are both large and strong. But they are also far away. Hmm…

I remember back home in New Jersey I always moved the furniture by myself. What's different now? The wheelchair, certainly, but that alone can't deter me. The biggest problem will be clearing away smaller objects and boxes to get to the desk. The two small rooms aren't carpeted, so the furniture could slide. This brings back memories of the boys' rooms after they left for college. I did a MAJOR CLEANING and rearranging then. Since I didn't have the strength to lift much, I just pushed things along inch by inch-literally-to put everything in a new place. The trash cans filled up rapidly as I got rid of crumpled papers, candy wrappers, dirty socks too holey to save, and donuts that had become fossilized. How did they live in all that stuff? When they were living at home I didn't go into their rooms much. They liked their privacy and I respected it. The downstairs vacuum was in the rec room and cleaning products were in the half bath and in the laundry area. They usually cleaned up whenever they felt it was necessary. When I was cleaning the rec room I could always peek in and do a quick run with the vacuum. Clean sheets were made available each week, and they took care of their own beds. I stayed away from their electronic gear!