I will start this blog with two caveats. First, I am very grateful that after 22 years of marriage we are finally getting a new kitchen, the construction of which starts a week from tomorrow. The second is that my husband, Brian, is a very nice guy.
Let me set up the scenario for you. Today started out like any other normal Palm Sunday. We had a lovely breakfast and then attended Mass. Lunch would be the leftovers from the birthday party we held last night for our now 17-year old and our exchange student, who shares the same birthday. Brian was in the kitchen helping to get lunch ready, or so I thought. I entered the kitchen to find him emptying the cabinets and packing everything in banker’s boxes. It was apparent to the children that something was terribly wrong. Number 2 and Number 4 told their father outright that I was stressing out. It may have been the fact that I was holding my breath en route to hyperventilating that gave them a clue. Number 3 didn’t notice, but his friend did agree that his mom would be a tad disgruntled if his father took over the kitchen.
Please keep in mind that I cleaned out the entire garage by myself last week. The pile of contractor bags was so high that our carting company made a special trip to haul it all away. Brian arrived home at 11 pm on the evening of my garage event and stood outside with a flashlight in his business suit examining the damage. I escaped with only two broken surround-sound speakers from the 90’s coming back into the garage; the whole purpose of the purge was to make room in the cabinets for the stuff from the kitchen.
I don’t recall telling anyone that I wanted piles of boxes in the hearth, which is also my office. Think of the dust!!! Moreover, why did no one think to check the family calendar to see that the official kitchen purge day is not until Wednesday and packing was to commence on Thursday?
(Note from Brian, who just finished packing a box and is now reading this over my shoulder: “There is no upside for me, so I am going fishing.”) Bye, honey.
So, now I sit alone in the kitchen, staring at a bunch of empty white boxes. I guess I will start with the spice drawer.
Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all!
While we are on the subject of organizing, the last room I have to do in my house is the playroom. Accepting that my sons are now a bit old for most of the toys in there was the first step, but now I need a space that actually suits their pre-teen needs. I recommend Karri Bowen-Poole, a local mom who will come in and reorganize your playroom. Karri will combine her aesthetic skills with her knowledge of educating children to create the perfect space for your needs. Find her at www.facebook.com/smartplayrooms.