The Bookcase and Some Pictures

It took me forever today to do a couple of simple projects, which doesn’t surprise me one bit. When I heard about the party last week, I knew I would have to do as much as I could Monday and Tuesday because by Wednesday I would start to feel burned out, by Thursday I’d maybe have the will to toss a bent paperclip in the trash, and by Friday I’d want to call the whole thing off. Predictable.

Every family has their habits, and my family loves a flat surface. There used to be a hermit crab tank in this area; I knew it would become a clutter magnet once we got rid of the tank.

Some items are from the last couple of days of organizing. As I moved from room to room, I dropped what I could on the shelf, knowing I would get to it Wednesday (my to-do list/mini clipboard, the vase, the water bottle, and the coins). The rest of the stuff is clutter or items that should have been put away, but weren’t (kid artwork, puzzles, birthday cards, and the empty Lego box).

This project should have taken me 10 minutes. Instead, I dawdled for hours. I needed to charge my battery. I had to stop for lunch. I replied to texts. I spent way too much time on Instagram. I changed out some frames. I wasn’t into it. It’s done now, which is all that matters.

This is one of those projects that looks more cluttered on camera than it does in real life. Most of what is in this bookcase is for the boys. The top shelf is full of the paint-your-own ceramics they’ve done over the years. The middle shelf has their Harry Potter wands, their map, and Nico’s bird collection. It will also have a phone charging station on the left. The shelf below that displays the many, many rocks and branches they have carried home after hikes and walks over the years. On top of the bookcase are two school projects of Mikey’s (wolf, 4th grade; “Native American” pot; 5th grade). I guess it’s my shrine to their childhood, and I’m good with that.

When I was done with the shrine, I tackled the new family room/old living room/I have no idea what to call the rooms in my house anymore. Basically, I framed a bunch of pictures. I have more pictures to hang, but buying good frames is expensive. I limited myself to my favorite six pictures. I’m really pleased with the room overall. I can’t wait until I can afford to recover the beagle-brown 1970s chairs (6 years and counting, according to that link–and look at Buddy and Buster!). They’re super comfortable and the perfect size, but really, really brown.