Well, We're as Ready as We're Going to Be

I had the incredible good fortune to be driving back from the kids' school this morning (trash day) in time to see one of our newer neighbors setting out a bazillion boxes for the recycling. She and her husband have lived on our street for more than a year but they have been remodeling which means they only just now unpacked their kitchen. I scored all of these great boxes--with lids (how much do I love those lids!)--and so I set about filling the dang things up in anticipation of our move to Long Island in March. (Well, okay, actually, I was really making a last ditch effort to declutter our house before it goes in the market tomorrow.)

(TOMORROW!)

[Brief Interlude while I do my "oh-please-oh-please-oh-please-let-it-sell-fast-and--for-a-lot-of-money-oh-please-oh-please-oh-please" dance. Join me, won't you?]

I know I have been trying to declutter for about a month or more now but today I unleashed my secret weapon: my mother. Dudes, you just won't even believe it. We worked like freaking bar-backs --I am not even kidding. My injured foot is completely fried and my back hurts. But my mom? She went off to have her hair done. The woman is unstoppable.

I'm so proud of how my house looks right now. I know it's just impossible for us to live this way on a daily basis--especially since I've stashed away the toaster oven and the bread basket and the--HELLO--coffee grinder for these pictures, but honestly, I still think it's the prettiest house. It amazes me that in the 7.6 years we've lived here, I have never for one instant had a sense of buyer's remorse or of anything other than this being HOME. That's a pretty awesome thing, in this day and age.

Okay, pictures. Note the fresh floral arrangements my mom put together. (Click to see larger versions open right up in new windows. Because I ROCK that way.)

Living Room:



Dining Room:


Kitchen:


Den:


I think the biggest difference is in this room because Cynthia told me that my wall of books was way oppressive to people walking into the room. So, although I grumbled about it, I decluttered the freaking Wall of Oppression, muttering to myself the whole time. Just look at how great it looks though, especially after my mom sort of arranged things in that way that only people with real taste can.

I don't know. I think a big part of the lesson I am learning is about holding on to too much STUFF. And I'm learning how much more at peace I am when I'm not surrounded by all of that crap --er--stuff. So, tonight, I think my parents are going to take my kids out to eat and I'm going to sit here in my beautiful house and count my blessings. And maybe I'll watch that HGTV show, "My House is Worth WHAT??"

Comments

Anonymous said…
Way to go, Barb!

(Try Designed to Sell, too!)
Ei said…
Way to go MOM! Do you want to lend her to me for a weekend? Yowza.

Wall of Oppression (snicker)
Less is more. Doesn't it feel great? I've been semi-depressed ever since we moved because the new house doesn't feel as relaxing as our old one did once we got it ready to sell. Because now I have to live with all this crap again.
Sarahviz said…
It looks fabulous. I'm dancing here for you!
Amanda said…
wall of oppression! Walls of books rock! I don't trust a house where I can't see the books.

I'm sending you a separate email with a cool picture javascripty thingoe that JEff discovered today. Way cool!
DK said…
Wow. That house so doesn't look like you anymore.

Was that the wrong thing to say? It kind of makes me sad, even though I think NYC is going to be just the ticket for the Coopers and I so very love that you're going to be like 20 hours closer to me.

It's very pretty, though. I'd buy it. Especially if you threw in Scout (both ends, thank you).
MadMad said…
Wow - it's a beaut! Congrats - it's gotta sell in a heartbeat, don't ya' think? Love it!
Corrine said…
That is awesome ( I got your link from Randi's) Anyway you and your mom feeling up to helping a stranger out? I have been working for a week on my house and want to get it up on the market end of Feb...lots of work, four kids not sure how to do it!!

Love your blog! Hope Ana's collar bone heals soon....can you just tie her arm in a sling or something, or trap it in her belt?