A coworker was talking about a book she read, which is titled something like "What Your House Says About You." One section of the book, she says, encourages you to role-play and pretend that you're the house talking, and then pretend that your house is talking to you. That's not the kind of book I'm much interested in reading, but the premise kind of intrigues me. My house has a lot to say to me. My house has a lot of complaints.
My house wants to know why I haven't planted shrubs out front like I said I would. It wants to know why there are maple trees growing in the gutter. It's unhappy that the previous owner put 1970s decking on a 1929 farmhouse, and it wants to know why, in the 14 years that we've lived here, we haven't taken it off. It's wondering if I noticed there are a couple of places on the clapboards that need to be sanded and primed and painted before the cold weather sets in. It says it would feel better if I gave the windows a good washing - a really good washing, the kind that involves a ladder and lifting the old-fashioned wooden window frames off the hinges. And while I've got the window frames off, maybe I could give them a fresh coat of paint? And that's just for starters, on the outside.
Inside, the litany of complaints continues. In fact, I think my house is no longer complaining. It's whining. Why are your kids such slobs? Why do they leave a trail of food and clothing wherever they go? Why, no matter how many times you do laundry, are there still piles of laundry all over the place? Why does the dog shed? Why do the cats shed? Why haven't you painted the kitchen cupboards? Are you ever going to paint your bedroom?
And here's what really upsets me! my house says, and it's no longer whining. It's sobbing. Why do you have so much stuff? Where did it come from? What are you going to do with it? I can't stand it! And I saw you this morning (snuffle, snuffle - my house is wiping its nose) and you were looking at the garage sale ads, and I know you're going out to buy more, aren't you? Aren't you? (My house is now hysterical.)
Oh, house. Poor, poor house. I'm sorry. You know what? I'm feeling the same way. (I'm patting the house affectionately right now.) I went to the thrift store yesterday, and all I could think was yuck. I don't want to look at this stuff. And I know, I was looking at the yard sale ads, but I don't know if I'm going. I can't imagine anything I really want to buy. I'm kind of at my limit.
You remember how I spent last weekend? (The house weakly nods its head, which I guess is, I don't know, the roof?) Upstairs in the attic, sorting through all that stuff I bought? And thinking about why I bought it, and what I'm going to do with it, and where to keep it? (More nodding.) Well, I really have to give that some thought. Because I'm feeling weighed down by it, too.
So I guess this would be the part where my house and I embrace, except I have my limits when it comes to role-playing.
But that is how I've been feeling. Too much chaos. Time to get it under control. I'll be interested to see how long this lasts, and where it takes me.
And yet, your house tells me that it has character and that it has had some very interesting people living there. It says that it is a friendly farm house with a creative and kind owner. I love the style of your farmhouse and the front porch. Susan
Posted by: susans at black eyed susans kitchen | September 04, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Oh sister! You are playing my song! This fall I have promised to get this house under control. I was actually happy to see the kids go back to school so that I could devote more time to my decluttering process. This time I REALLY mean it! No estate sales [I have lost my taste for acquiring more} No junk stores, thrift,garage or rummage sales,either. I am hoping that this is it....that I can stick to my non-shopping guns. So far,so good. They went back to school yesterday and I exercised and made dinner and DIDN'T go shopping. Day one completed.....day two half way thru....we'll see.
Posted by: julie | September 04, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Oh my,...I can't even begin to imagine what my house would say to me. It's always messy too..so much junk everywhere. Not enough room to put everything I thrift..yikes! Maybe I should stop going to sales...hmmm, nah!
Hugz,
Michele
Posted by: Michele | September 04, 2008 at 10:28 AM
I have a fairly large clean out once a year. I find that as I am interested in collecting new things, the old things don't matter to me anymore.
I also try (it's a bit hard with Jack under foot), to weed out current collections as I find newer pieces. I parted with a few quilts earlier this year, and I need to part with a few more! LOL
Posted by: Sarah | September 04, 2008 at 10:52 AM
My house and your house could be best friends. When your house is done whining (and all middle age houses do) I think it will say thank you for letting me shelter this family. I am happy they are here. Your thrift store treasures probably thank your house for giving them a home (even if it is in the attic). You've inspired me to have a talk with my house and see what it has to say. I hope it is kind.
Posted by: Rabecca G | September 04, 2008 at 11:32 AM
My house is an old house(its my age),and its complaining too , needs new windows and what about a new front door?? Painting the living room would be wonderful.It keeps asking for a patio,but hubby has deaf ears when it comes to more work..sigh.... my house is a lovely house, it just needs some love now and again.
Diane
Posted by: Diane ( Crafty Passions) | September 04, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Hmmmm -I am very afraid to ask my house how it feels. You have really got me thinking - about the stuff. The stuff that surrounds me everywhere I turn.
Way
too
much
stuff.
Posted by: HeidiAnn | September 04, 2008 at 12:27 PM
This kind of post is exactly why I always think "oh, good!" whenever my google reader has something new from your blog. Love it!
Posted by: julie thompson | September 04, 2008 at 01:18 PM
I fell like a good cleaning here would be in order too! Too many estate sales :) Gosh if my house could talk........
Posted by: Susan | September 04, 2008 at 01:36 PM
I think I'm happy my house doesn't talk. I'm afraid of what it would say to me...
Posted by: Lera | September 04, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Your house is beautiful, especially all the gorgeous flowers. May I ask where you live? Those gazebo and pictures of the docks in your town are amazing and it looks like somewhere I'd love to visit... Love your blog!
Posted by: The Wickmans | September 04, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Methinks your house has been listening to my house....
Lalalalalalalalalalala; I can't hear you.....
Take the Declutter Challenge. It was supposed to be a week of getting 100 things out of your house, but I've extended it to a few months. It's all good....
XOX
Posted by: sue | September 04, 2008 at 11:17 PM
Wow, you have such a beautiful house!
I have gone through the same thing lately. I used to buy something every time I visited a thriftstore, restraining myself from buying too much. But lately I come back empty handed, whenever I go there. And I do go almost weekly to drop off things. I've been in a decluttering mood all summer, it feels great to sort through stuff and clear out cupboards.
I don't want to think about the things my house would say. It probably would be something like: please finish the things you've started working on! (like some tiling in the kitchen, skirting (? english?) in the living room and ceilings (!) in the spare room and the hallway in the back...)
Posted by: Geertrude | September 05, 2008 at 03:50 AM
Oh my, what a concept - a whining house! LOL! Among other things, mine would scold me for overfeeding it - I have it stuffed so full of things right now. Makes me want to hug it and apologize...
Posted by: Sher | September 05, 2008 at 08:43 AM
Oh goodness! I enjoyed reading this post very much, as I've been hearing many of these same complaints from my ordinarily sweet little house. I think many of us who love collections and crafting reach a point when we, (or our houses)say enough is enough, and we decide to edit, if not entirely change our ways. I think that is how a great many wonderful shops have started. It's hard to resist beautiful old things, even when we don't need them. Now, I tell myself to think about how happy it will make someone else to find that wonderful treasure that I've left on the shelf. That helps....a little bit! LOL!
I'm looking forward to seeing, and hearing more from both you and your house!
Take care, Barbara.
Posted by: Lena | September 05, 2008 at 12:05 PM
I've been purging clutter from my house for 3 years now. I'm ALMOST done. My secret is that for every 2 items I get rid of, I only bring in 1 new one.
Posted by: Connie | September 06, 2008 at 03:27 PM
im sorry you are feeling so weighted down by your things. i think putting away the summer bits will help. maybe you need to start getting rid of just a wee bit?? maybe sell some?? heck, maybe you should become a dealer and then you can buy all you want but it doesnt have to stay with you!! you could just do flea markets on weekends!! (oops did i just let out my dream job???)
Posted by: susan | September 06, 2008 at 07:04 PM
This post brings back wonderful memories for me! I grew-up in the same style home, only it was light green with the old, primitive-type siding. My dad installed a swing there on the porch. :)
Posted by: Ann | September 09, 2008 at 05:37 PM