Monday, May 16, 2011

The Attic Diaries

I have made an attic video. It is, as videos go, pitiful, but it should give you an idea of the state my attic was in when I started cleaning last week. You can view it below.

So far I have gone through all the clothes I'd "stored" (i.e. threw onto an ever-growing pile of outgrown and worn-through garments) in the attic and now have two huge bags to take to Good Will. I've donated three boxes of picture books to the library. I've hauled out boxes of my books (i.e. books I've written) and put them in my study, where, for a fee, Jack is going to organize them and shelve them on the bookshelves I bought for $15 today at our local ReStore store.

The attic, I'm sad to report, looks worse than ever.

But that's how it's going to be, isn't it? It's always darkest before the dawn. It's always messiest before the Attic Fairy comes and waves her magic wand over the world's largest collection of Scooby Doo jigsaw puzzles and makes it disappear.

Before I post another video, I promise to learn how to use iMovie so I can properly edit my videos. Until then, this trainwreck will have to do. Enjoy!

13 comments:

Pom Pom said...

You have such a pretty voice, Frances! I think the attic clean out is a job for The Man because he stacked the Christmas decorations so expertly.

Left-Handed Housewife said...

Pom Pom, You are a genius. The Man did do an amazing job with those Christmases boxes, didn't he?

Tracy said...

Ahhh, how nice it is to actually hear your voice, Frances. Now I have a 'voice' to listen to in my head when I read your posts!

As bedtime, post-study entertainment goes, this is fantastic. I was going to make the same suggestion as PomPom, The Man has to get involved. He is obviously organisationally gifted in some way! And I still think Will and Mr Busy are mess twins. Epmty Lego boxes and all.

You're right, it's always darkest before dawn. I can't wait to hear and see what victories and triumphs you have in your attic!

Susan said...

The only wait out is through! Solier on, my friend, solier on.

Angela said...

Oh I feel so much better now, knowing I am not alone in my attic messiness. I still have lego - and my youngest left home years ago, she is nearly 27.

The Christmas stuff stays neater because it has an annual sort.

Great to HEAR your voice too. I didn't spot the bat though!

blessings x

GretchenJoanna said...

Oooh, this makes me think of so many things. Might it be that The Man is able to organize his area because it is a smallish defined part with not so many decisions to be made? My man would be incapable of even that, however.
And I think it is a tribute to us women that we can carry on with teaching the children their manners, writing, cooking, carpooling, gardening, et al, *at the same time* having these rooms or attics draining out who knows how much life force with the weight of the burden of unfinishedness.
My Everything Room, which used to be Play Room, and is a "great room," is an ongoing project looking very much like an E.R., even though within the last year boxes and boxes of stuff have been moved out of it. It is looking its worst right now, just because the sorting is messy.
Thank you for this boost to you and us - The video is lovable.

Sara Padrusch said...

That was the very best video of a messy attic that I have ever seen! It was thrilling! Exciting! Mesmerizing! I cannot wait to see what happens next! Will the boys agree to throw away the lego boxes? Will you develop an unlikely friendship with the bat? Is pie the answer to all of these questions?

Stay strong Frances! I just cleaned out my attic- for the moment it is acceptable, but it requires constant vigilance!

Yours in squalor,
Sara

The dB family said...

I have to confess. Your attic looks a little more daunting than my basement. Take it in small chunks. Read a chapter of a good book in between, and keep at it. It'll look great in no time! Just think of all the room you'll have up there again ;o).

Blessings!
Deborah

Leslie said...

You DO have a pretty voice! I loved hearing it.

It just dawned on me that if all goes according to plan with our house situation I will be cleaning out an attic soon, too. Yikes.

Leslie said...

Oh, PS...thank you for the book recommendation. My library actually has it! Canyoubelieveit? So I am making my summer reading list. I love getting recommendations like that!

Gumbo Lily said...

I love listening to you. And I have to tell you that I was chuckling all through the video. It was kind of evil, in a way. I'm sorry. You are so brave to take on the attic and I agree with Pom Pom that The Man should help you.

Jody

victoria said...

I had to watch the video with no sound and that made it kind of funny and scary at the same time.
I throw out lego boxes only when there's no chance a kid will see me do it. Sometimes I throw out lego instructions although I wouldn't tell my mum that. Actual lego should be kept forver. Okay, good luck with the next stages of attic overhaul!!xxoo

debbie bailey said...

You do have a nice voice, although I'm surprised not to hear a southern accent. You must not be a NC native. You're a brave soul to video your attic and then show it internationally! Don't try and tackle it all at once. Just do a little bit at a time. Now that the boys are out of school, you can enlist their help. Of course, if they're anything like mine were, they aren't going to want to get rid of ANYTHING! Be tough! Be ruthless! Get it gone! Keep us up-to-date on your progress.