"Since when did you like to sit there?" and other discoveries

Last night while blogging Husband came into the bedroom and remarked, almost shocked, "Since when did you like to sit there?" 

"Since I cleared it off," I responded. This seemed to have made perfect sense to him. He probably thought about it and recognized that this indeed was probably the first time since we've moved into this home that our window seat has been empty for more than 2 days. No laundry, no books, no pillows. Just me and my laptop. In fact, since I cleared it off, my son has taken to reading his books here. Every time he comes in he remarks, "Isn't this a great place to sit and read, Mom?"  The funny thing is he has a window seat in his own room. And it's usually cleared off. There must be something about sitting in this room that makes ours more of a novelty experience. 

And so I sit in my window seat again this evening. It's lovely. And it got me thinking....what other places do I have in my home that keep getting covered and cluttered and aren't getting the use out of them that was intended?  I'm going to let that one simmer... {laundry room, shed, garage...those are the big ones that come to mind...but I am sure there are smaller areas that could use a clearing out}.

On another note, here's your proof that I was not kidding about my reason for  moving out of the home office:

Would you want to work in an office with this thing staring at you from behind all the time?

I don't think so.

ugh.

Anyway, let's end on a happy note, shall we? Remember my secret desire to have home grown food on my table? Well, I have made another wonderful discovery... If you don't have your own garden, you should live by people who do! This is just a fraction of the love that continues to be dropped off on our doorstep by wonderful neighbors:

Clearly I need to make some tomato soup or bruschetta or something soon! Husband mentioned to me he might be ready this spring to plan a garden after all. This is huge. He even said the reason he killed the section of bushes along our fence was to prep it for planting. He had actually picked out our spot for gardening! He sheepishly confided that as much gardening as he did growing up, he doesn't remember a whole lot. So, I guess he and I will get to take the blind plunge into gardening together. I'm excited. I mean, spring's kind of a ways off, but still. There's a chance I will get to grow something besides basil and parsley after all!

Now here's your motivational cheer: Go and clear off that proverbial window seat of yours so you can enjoy it! :)

Tuesday Letters

Dear RealSimple,

Every time I see your magazine, I want to order it. I know you have fabulous ideas. You have great style, taste, and ingenious contraptions that simplify and improve daily life. Perhaps one day I'll purchase a subscription. I think I would quite enjoy it.

I was at Bed Bath and Beyond, excited about finally getting my shoe situation under control.  If you care to know, I like shoes. I have limited space in my closet for them to be stored properly beautifully. My shoes were making themselves at home in random areas around my bedroom. They were becoming a health hazard.  While perusing my different shoe organizing options, I discovered that you have created these darling, cream colored with blue trim canvas shoe organizers that got my heart pumping. I couldn't believe I had found a shoe organizer that matched my bedroom decor!  I couldn't wait to get home and try them out. I purchased two. As with a lot of projects though around here, it takes me some time. Finally one evening after tucking the little ones in bed, I unwrapped your under-the-bed shoe organizers and began assembling them and sorting my shoes. 

It was a disaster. Why would anyone want to buy a shoe organizer that every time they pull it out, this results:

Really, this could be a simple fix. Just go to the home improvement store and have the nice guys there cut out some particle board that covers the entire floor of the shoe organizer. That way it wouldn't fall apart every time I tried to pull it out from under my bed. 

But who wants to FIX something that's supposed to already be FIXING a problem? Not me.

Fortunately Ikea has a better, cheaper solution. Not nearly as darling, but ooberly more functional. Here's my proof:

Shoe organizer under the bed:

What happens to the shoes when you pull them out from under the bed?

nothing.

Get your think-tank crew together and fix this problem. Make your sides more firm or go the extra mile and include a floor for your organizer. Just my opinion anyway.

Sincerely,

Dissatisfied Customer Michelle.