I love to wear scarves in my hair. It creates a dramatic look for when I’m in an artsy-fartsy mood. I have three main choices: a hot pink one with polka-dots that can only be worn with a few outfits, a white one that I rarely wear because it makes me look like either I just had brain surgery or have a wad of toilet paper stuck on my head, and finally, the basic black scarf. I love the black one and go through phases of wearing it several times a week, creating a signature look that lasts . . . until I lose it.
I lose lots of things, since I am, you know, a slob. I don’t stress too much since things always turn up eventually. It’s here somewhere, either in a pile of clutter in the bedroom, the office, the van, or somewhere else. Too many piles for me to actually dig through, so I just wait.
Anyway, I wanted to wear the black scarf today, but it’s currently missing. So, I thought of a great alternative. I used to make baby bows for my daughter by putting a bow onto a headband made from a trouser-sock-pantyhose thing that you can get at walmart in little plastic balls for about 33 cents. So, I took a pair of my black pantyhose, and cut off one leg. Wrapped it twice around my head, and there you go! A perfect solution that stays in place better than that slippery scarf ever did. I don’t know that I’ll ALWAYS wear pantyhose on my head, but it’s great for when I can’t find the scarf!
When people find out the big scary secret that I’m a slob, they sometimes ask things like “How can you live like that?” First of all, it’s not like I want to live this way. I don’t enjoy not being able to find things. Hence the blog.
But one thing you can say for slobs is that we can be creative and resourceful and flexible! No, I didn’t think to buy soy sauce at the store this morning even though I bought every other ingredient for our stir fry tonight. No problem, I’ll just use the Asian tasting salad dressing. No I don’t know where the glue is for your project is, but did you know that the pioneers had to make their own paste out of flour and water? Let’s try it!
I survive, but the glimpses I’ve had into organization show me that I can thrive if I get this mess cleaned up. I could use my creativity for beautiful things, rather than last minute scrambling.
Check out lots of other Works for me Wednesday posts at We are THAT family.
This is an extremly old post… But I am commenting anyway because I am trying to read your blog from the beginning. I just have to say you are a wonderful inspiration…. Simply because you admit it’s a struggle… It’s not a normal thing to you… To clean the kitchen everynight, or pick up the living room or clear the clutter. This is something I am working on. To be constant in my clutter fighting/cleaning… Instead of Ack! The in-laws are coming… Must clean… Cranky mommy/wife for the next two day while I frantically get the house together. So it’s nice to know I’m not the only one … and leopards can slowly change their spots…. I would continue reading but sigh … I have to get to bed … The whole getting up before you children is currently the habit I’m working on….
THanks for commenting! And thanks for your encouragement!
And I’m so happy this post finally has a comment, because it was one of my first faves!
“When people find out the big scary secret that I’m a slob, they sometimes ask things like “How can you live like that?” First of all, it’s not like I want to live this way. I don’t enjoy not being able to find things.”
I cannot tell you how many times I’ve told my mother this! Seriously, this blog is balm for my soul.
OK, I started reading at your first blog and am moving forward. I thought many times to leave a comment but I so enjoy your blog, I’d be commenting at almost every post. But this time, I just have to. Your make do, pantyhose scarf made me laugh and I thought, my gosh, she really is just like me…. my sister often told me that I had no shame. Well, I’m just me, don’t ask for more.
I want to send you a cyber hug for your sooooo interesting and encouraging blog. I’m so much older than you but still struggling with clutter (I’m 61 yo). I’m trying to better our home in this new year. I had taken on a new habit a week ago which was dealing with the dishes daily. Thanks to you, I’ve now incorporated another habit, cleaning the table and counters once a day. Baby-stepping away…..
Thanks for commenting, Andrea! And welcome!
I can totally relate to the losing-things-but-not-worrying-about-it-because-I-know-it-will-eventually-turn-up thing. One of my worst habits is that when we are expecting company, I will take my piles of clutter and load them up into my reusable shopping totes to hide away in the guest room or master bedroom. So what I lost (since early November when we were having a baby shower at our house) was my vehicle registration sticker! I didn’t even notice until a few weeks ago when the parking ticket for having expired tags appeared on my windscreen. This incident is part of what has been fueling my recent decluttering efforts (plus Baby #3 being due a week from tomorrow!), and I cleared out a lot of clutter piles to try to find it. Finally the day before yesterday, I happened upon a reusable grocery tote – perhaps the last one in the house that has not yet been emptied and bundled in the trunk of my van, I hope? – and thought “hmmm, I wonder what’s in here.” Well, thank goodness my vehicle registration was in there, along with several other items that should have been handled by now, and I will hopefully not be returning to this bad habit!
I too am a slob, I live with 3 slobs too, my husband and my two children (8 and 10) I can definitely relate to your blog. I appreciate reading that there are more of us out there. I really get discouraged sometimes and just throw my hands up and quit but you inspire me to get up and just get it all done. Thank you. I also like your hints and secrets to get it done and not feel like work.
This one cracked me up because: 1. I’ve used a knee-high stocking as a ponytail holder. 2. I saw your missing glue in your game cupboard in an earlier post. 3. Waiting for some lost object to turn up. Sometimes, it’s like a game of concentration – that old matching game where you turn up a card from all the face-down cards, then try to find its match. You KNOW you’ve seen it, but where? 🙂
Hi Dana!
So, I am Really late to this party! I think Rachel Hollis mentioned your Podcasts and blog, so I had to check you out! I so wish I would’ve known you existed 11 years ago when I really struggled! I am currently divorced and in an apartment. I have my kids every other week who are 13, 12, and 10. I have already implemented a lot of your strategies and printed all of your checklists from your website and I’m so excited to start my deslobification process! Thank you 🙏
“I could use my creativity for beautiful things, rather than last minute scrambling.”
This brought tears to my eyes. I have rarely read a blog so relatable. I unloaded my dishwasher and swept my floors today. Thank you so much for sharing your journey. 💕