That’s Hubby and me.
Pre-blog, that’s the reaction we always had when I’d say “I really think we should keep it this way!” after cleaning out the master bedroom, the garage, the living room, the closet . . . whatever.
We rarely react that way anymore. This deslobification process is working, and even though my kitchen sink is currently full of Easter dishes, it’s no longer a total joke to think we can maintain a livable space for more than three days at a time.
But when I said it about our Suburban . . . we laughed.
Heartily.
I know how it gets so bad. I know how other people keep their vehicles from getting to this point. Many times, I’ve nodded knowingly when sitting around with other mothers who were discussing how annoying it is to ALWAYS have to remind kids to take their trash out of the car when they get home.
But I guess that’s the problem.
I don’t remember.
And I’m the mama.
I can’t tell you how many times, while sitting in a drive thru, I’ve had to roll down my window and empty melted-three-days-ago-ice from one fast-food cup, so I can have a place to put my new drink.
A trash bag hung from something-or-other is a nice thought. But when I try that, it soon blends in with all of the other plastic bags strewn throughout the vehicle.
Yeah. I know these are all excuses.
Lame ones.
It’s incredibly frustrating that even though I’ve made quite a bit of progress in my home, the car is still such an embarrassing wreck. And it’s harder to hide than my home! We live in a small town, so the whole let-me-stop-here-along-the-road-and-gab-with-so-and-so-who’s-out-on-a-walk thing isn’t an uncommon occurrence. I see their eyes wander and I hear their brains whirling as they take in the incredible mess.
I choose to pretend that no one we know is behind us when the boys have to throw falling items back into the Suburban when I drop them off at school. If I don’t see you in my rear-view mirror, you don’t exist.
And my kids are at that wonderful age where their friends suffer from adorable-when-its-about-someone-else/irritating-when-it’s-about-me honesty. I can’t tell you how many of them have asked why our vehicle is so messy.
Actually, I can tell you.
All of them.
But, right this very minute . . . it’s cleaned out. And as long as my slob-brain can remember, I’m going to ban all toys and games and food and such.
And I plan to thoroughly enjoy the ability to open two doors at once on a windy day.
What did we clean out? Six Wal-mart bags full of trash, one paper-sack full of toys to be donated, and lots of random items to be distributed throughout the house.
Oh, and thankfully, what appeared to be a jumbo-sized brown crayon . . .
. . . was, in fact, a jumbo-sized brown crayon.
Whew.
I am a new follower to your blog and I enjoyed this one. I can relate to the fact that our vehicles become so messy. I hope you can keep it clean long enough to enjoy and you can remember to ban all said items from your vehicle as well.
Love this post! Kindred spirits!!!! I feel all of that pain. Oh how many times have I flinched when something fell out of the van when the kids opened the door. And I'm just as bad as they are at leaving stuff in it. But I'm getting there!
I could have written this post!!! HA HA HA HA!!! I actually had the kids clean the car out YESTERDAY MORNING and by the end of the day it was A PIG STY AGAIN!!!! What in the world????? Oh well…. I thank you for writing this so I know I am not the ONLY one who can't get it together enough to clean my car and keep it that way
Semalee @ Nailing Jello to a Tree
I LOVE!! getting your blog emails every morning. This reminds me of last Wednesday when we pulled in the driveway and my son and I opened our doors at the same time. The wind was blowing and everything on the dashboard and front floorboard went flying.We jumped out and had to chase down all the papers because I didn't know what I had stored on the dash.My mother in law chews me out every time she see's inside my van.My son put a BEWARE BIOLOGICAL HAZARD sign on the front door of our house and after the long weekend with the kids home, I believe its right but we need one on our van as well.
In Feb, I saw a friend of mine and his children walking home. My first instinct was to offer a ride. Then I looked at my floorboard. My embarassement got the best of me and I turned the opposite direction. I don't believe he saw me, but I felt extraordinary guilt. Since then, I have kept the Explorer fairly presentable. I do a major cleaning when I get gas once a week. After that, whatever you bring in, you have to take out.
I know the feeling. We are finally getting on top of our house, but at the same time, our car is just as bad. We try to clean it out at least twice a week, but there is still stuff coming out all the time! I'm going to take this challenge to try to clean it out once and for all, and to keep it that way (hopefully). Thanks for all that you do! It makes me feel better that I am not the only one!
Too Funny!!! Considering we occasionally have the same problem at our house with our van. Thought we were the only one!!
Your hubby made it to your blog!!! Picture and all!!! Is he so happy?
I get so discouraged when it comes to my vehicle. I try to ban everything once we get it cleaned, but I rarely stick with it. Hope you do better at it than I do.
You crack me up! Ha! AND I can totally relate. Where we park for church is all depending on the condition of our van. LOL.
Love this post! I can totally relate. Lots of clutter going on in my van. I ban everything for a few days and then give in again.
I LOVE your blog!!! Perhaps you can relate to this: My son's cub scout leader forgot the glue he needed for a project at the meeting. So I said "Oh, I have a hot glue gun in my car. I'll go get it!". This was followed by blank stares and the question "Why do you have a hot glue gun in your CAR?" Apparently, most folks do not "keep" hot glue guns in their cars. Who knew!?!
My husband is the same way. We always had to take my car places (when we were still in the States with 2 cars) because he had empty Monster cans everywhere. I would have to clear space to sit and put my feet down. I finally started checking his gas guage and I would put a post it note saying "GET RID OF THE TRASH!!!" on his gas cap so when he opened it, he would see it. Problem solved. Well, kinda, still have to nag him from time to time.
I'm like you, but have become crazy organized, he is like the old you. The new me has to fight the old him so often, it makes your blog so much fun to follow. I love recognizing me in so many of your stories.
Oh I'm SO glad I've found your blog!! It's nice to know I'm not the only one. I'm getting better, though! Recently moved from a regular apt to a studio & downsized a LOT. My main problem was having too much stuff. Now I'm tackling my truck. I cleaned it out last month & when my boyfriend saw it he said, "Look Honey!! There's room for me to sit!!" Lol
I found your blog when I sat on the Internet instead of tackling my laundry room – tried reading from the beginning but my 'stuff' stayed 'stuffed' so I check in now and again when I need inspiration – I keep going back to this post just for the LAUGHING photo – brings tears of joy to my eyes and lifts me up so I want to keep going – thank you to the both of you for that photo – what a wonderful relationship you have! When you get that down in the dumps feeling remember this photo – thanks again
My car is always so so bad. I would venture to say disgusting. But we bought a new-to-us car a few months ago, and I really want it to last 10 years without being disgusting, so what works for me is…
to take it once a week to the car wash and actually spend 10 minutes throwing away trash, filling bags of stuff to take inside, and then spend 50 cents and actually vacuum it. It is amazing how CLEAN it feels! And how much more likely I am to remind my kids to take things inside, and how much difference it makes to get into a clean car!
I happen to have the perfect opportunity between picking kids up from schools that get out 45 minutes apart.
Children who wrinkle up there nose and comment on messiness can really get to me. Then I remember it’s karma since I was ONE OF THEM. Payback is so painful. I make a point to talk to my daughter that can understand not to do this, since I realize most kids are just stating an obvious point not making judgements.
That photo of you and your husband is priceless and adorable! So are YOU, Missy!
I can relate all the way around. I crindge when I drop the kids off at school and the teacher opens the door to let them out. Maybe thats why they always slam my car door. Hum I can relate to the church thing too. Try to park where people are not going to park right next to you. Not a problem when you are always running late.