Friday night, family off at a football game, and me in a funk, I tried to distract myself from my boredom by tidying up the house – starting with the kitchen. The fingerprints scattered across the face of the microwave were a telltale sign the kiddos had heated up leftovers. I cringed, fearing the mess I might find inside the microwave. I was right to be concerned. One of the kiddos had reheated the prior night’s taco soup and failed to cover the container. The inside of the microwave was a disaster with the splatter of tomato sauce and food particles.
My first reaction was anger, bordering on pure rage. A speech of microwave etiquette ran through my brain as I began to scrub the bits of beans off the rotating plate. Then I paused and tried to think of two positive things to counteract what I was feeling (a little trick I’ve been trying lately to curb my negative reactions to things that pop up in my day-to-day). My first thought: I’m thankful for my wonderful (clearly, independent) children. And the second: I’m thankful my children liked the dinner I made well enough to eat it a second time.
Okay, done. With these two thoughts, I felt less annoyed. I also started to think about the pieces (other than food particles) people in my life have left behind. I don’t mean the fond memories of the things they’ve said or how they’ve made me feel. Instead, as I continued to tidy up the house, I took inventory of the tangible items I cherish because they represent an event, a memory, an act of kindness, or even a loved one’s personality quirk.
While making my youngest daughter’s bed, for instance, I couldn’t help but smile at the soft, gray blanket pulled tight over the fitted sheet. Why does she need it? Because even though we went to three different stores so she could feel every bedsheet on inventory before picking out what she felt were the most comfortable sheets – she still finds the sheets “scratchy” and can’t sleep on them.
The bed in my eldest daughter’s room was perfectly made. This also made me smile but not for the reason you might think. She didn’t wake up that morning and responsibly decide to make it. Her bed is ALWAYS made because she and her little sister are two peas in a pod and sleep together in my youngest’s room (soft blanket and all). My eldest daughter’s bed serves as a table for clean laundry and school papers.
As I roamed through the house that evening, I thought about how every room embodies a labor of love from family and friends. The macadamia-colored walls represent hours of painting donated by my dad, two brothers, my sister-in-law, and a few close friends. On that same painting theme, in the guest bathroom hangs a floral plaque that holds a towel hook. My high school friend, Melissa, hand-painted it just for me (and it matches my bathroom perfectly).
Let’s continue with our tour.
Enter the master bedroom. In the corner of the room is a set of the coolest decorative shutters refurbished by my friend, Red. She gave the set to me as a housewarming gift. She’s always thoughtful like that. The master closet is sprinkled with shoes and clothing my friends and family have handed down to me or purchased as a gift for my birthday. Those who know me know I detest clothing shopping. Luckily those who love me pick up the slack and fill in the wardrobe gaps. My mother is the biggest contributor to my wardrobe. She’s taken to sniffing out sales, shopping online for me, and having the items sent directly to my house (she just tells me the damages, and I pay her back). The shelf in this same closet holds a digital camera with a zoom lens – one of my favorite presents from my hubby. He recognized I enjoy taking pictures and took the time to shop around and buy me a gift he knew I’d love. The drawers of the master bath are lined with Mary Kay products because my darling sister is a great salesperson and does her best to keep my skin hydrated and pretty despite my laziness and lack of give-a-dern.
In the living room you’ll find a ridiculously sized television above the fireplace. This is what happens when the Seahawks make the Super Bowl and you let your tech-savvy older brother accompany your hubby T.V. shopping before the main event (same tech-savvy brother who helped pick out the 3D-capable T.V. in the family room when 3D movies/channels were going to be “all the rage” about a decade ago). The room also holds an ancient leather recliner my hubby clings to (and that my dad on more than one occasion has tried to touch up with spray paint because it’s such an old relic). It is, however, a comfy spot for my husband to relax after a hard day’s work; so, while it’s not a beautiful “piece,” it is an important one (a necessary evil some might say).
Onward to the kitchen. In my kitchen cabinet are several coffee mugs purchased by dear friends who know of my love for these cups (funny sayings, sweet quotes, cool designs). I cherish these mugs so much that when I broke one during a moment of clumsiness, I burst into tears (I preferred it in one piece). Another kitchen cabinet is stocked full of beautiful, white plates and bowls – a gift from my fabulous mother-in-law because I’d mentioned I liked them. One of my kitchen cabinets has a glass front and this is where I display, in addition to the fancier cookware, a couple of the art projects the girls made me.
In the playroom is… Okay, too many pieces, we’ll just shut that door. The room is a MESS. But I know it’s a place where my girls are creating lasting memories.
Let’s go outside, shall we?
The garage is stuffed with plastic bins holding art projects, greeting cards, and school papers – all cherished memories. It also contains a bin of tattered t-shirts I can’t convince my hubby to get rid of, but those are pieces he holds dear and I have to respect that (even if I don’t understand it … I mean, these shirts are OLD – even older than the recliner). On the back patio is a beautiful rug given to me by my baby brother. He surprised me by laying it out next to my patio furniture while I was at work. It’s bright, pretty, and the focal point of my favorite hangout area.
I love all the pieces – even the ones that bring clutter or disorder. I adore the pieces that seem out-of-place, but yet somehow are the best fit. I’m thankful for the joy these pieces bring. That being said, to my kiddos, if you fail to cover your food in the microwave again, you’re losing cellphone privileges for at least a week.