A couple of days ago, I pulled out all the boxes and such to pack away my Christmas decorations. I’d gradually been putting things away, but suddenly today, I could not stand the disarray any longer and set to with a vengeance. Now my living room is clean and put back the way it was.
And it makes me feel good.
This need for no clutter is a new one for me. I never minded a mess, mostly because I lived in my head. I’d get involved in doing things and simply not notice my surroundings. But I have become something of a neatnik. The first thing every morning, I have to make my bed. The last thing before bed, I have to make sure the kitchen is clean and the counters empty. Except for the past couple of days with the Christmas clutter, the living room was always neat and company ready. It’s unnecessary from the company aspect, of course, because with The Bob, people seldom stop by, but still, it’s necessary for me.
The only room with a bit of clutter is my office. Papers tend to pile up on my desk, and because I am always doing something in that room, I tend not to let it bother me.
It does make me wonder, though, where this tendency toward non-clutter, neatness, and cleanliness comes from. Maybe being a house-proud home-owner (and proud of it!). Maybe having plenty of room — I’ve never had so many rooms, plus enough storage to keep temporarily unneeded items out of sight. Or maybe it’s habit from so many years of living in other people’s houses. Or maybe it’s the nearing of that “elderly” birthday. It’s easier to keep track of my errant thoughts when everything around me is in place.
Whatever the reason, I do find it amusing that I’ve turned into someone I never thought to be. This tendency toward neatness is convenient, that’s for sure! I don’t need to panic if/when the doorbell rings. When I was young, I’d have to peak out to see who was there, and then depending on the visitor, scurry around and scoop up my stray belongings. I think I was neat enough when Jeff and I were together, but since we were in business for ourselves, the storage tended to creep beyond the designated room.
But what once was is no longer important. Today, I put away the Christmas stuff and cleaned the living room.
Such a small thing, but a true joy!
***
“I am Bob, the Right Hand of God. As part of the galactic renewal program, God has accepted an offer from a development company on the planet Xerxes to turn Earth into a theme park. Not even God can stop progress, but to tell the truth, He’s glad of the change. He’s never been satisfied with Earth. For one thing, there are too many humans on it. He’s decided to eliminate anyone who isn’t nice, and because He’s God, He knows who you are; you can’t talk your way out of it as you humans normally do.”
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Bertram's Blog 
January 11, 2021 at 3:40 pm
Once you’re sure everything is organized there, if you get bored, I’ll fly you down to organize my closets, shelves and garage. If you’re up for it even wash my windows and deep clean the house. 😜
January 11, 2021 at 4:28 pm
I don’t do windows, not even my own, though I might have to change my stance on that when it gets murky in here. But I do love organizing! It’s keeping it organized that used to be my downfall.
January 11, 2021 at 4:29 pm
Lol! When I originally put things in the closets they were very organized. But 11 years later not so much.
January 11, 2021 at 5:25 pm
As for flying me down there — I don’t even know where the nearest airport is. Over 100 miles, for sure.
January 11, 2021 at 5:33 pm
Pat I am living in a big appartement it is not my wife’s and mine’s.
I didn’t touched anything her personal belongings after her departure. Even I didn’t touched her toothbrush in the bathroom.
I have physical strength but not mental.
One day I need help from somebody like you at least mentally.
“It is weird, though, how we accumulate things during the first part of our lives and then spend the rest of our lives getting rid of them, one way or another” – Pat Bertram
Yes it is its your words word by word.
At the moment I live day by day and one day I am going to react !
I loved very much your living room well arranged with less things. Clean and tidy easy for the maintaining.
Some how it’s look like your personality. (What I have learnt from your writing)
I wish you bon courage.
January 11, 2021 at 9:19 pm
I wish I could have left his things alone, but I my landlord evicted me after Jeff died. It was the absolute worst day of my life, getting rid of all his stuff. I am so glad I will never have to do anything like that again. I think it’s a good idea to put off such things until it isn’t as much of a heartache. Clearing out my dad’s house was a lot of work, but not a lot of emotional work.
January 11, 2021 at 11:30 pm
Thanks again Pat you saved me again. I respect your feelings. At the moment I have no problem to keep it. I was very much surprised how I can sleep in the same bed. Her things hurts me a lot and help me a lot. As I said already
I must respect her deuil as long as it is necessary. I don’t mind if it is until my death. At the moment It is not a headache to keep her things. I need my time to sort out. Honestly sometimes I don’t know who I am and is it worth to continue to live. But as a brave women she will never accept that I run away. And all the people who try to help me.
January 12, 2021 at 1:39 pm
You will continue to live, and it is worth it. Of course, you don’t know who your are. You are in a transition, no longer part of a couple, and not yet whatever it is you will become.
January 13, 2021 at 2:16 pm
Your accomplishment is joy & I can understand that. I am working on trying to clean out stuff myself. I always feel better when my project is completed.