Paradise at Home

I am the mother of four adults.  When they were young (ages 2 or 3 months, 2, 4, & 5).   I read a book titled "SideTrack Home Executives".  It revolutionized my life and our home.  The book was absolutely hilarious.  Plus, their personal accounts of how chaotic their homes and their children were filled me with a sense of pride.  I was no where near that bad.  At the time I believed that no one else in the world was that bad.  Seriously - do you know anyone who stashes dirty dishes in their ovens and refrigerators when unexpected guest arrive?  .Who do you know who buys clothes constantly to keep from having to wash what they have?  Do you know anyone who is always working hard to keep their home and family in order but always seems to fall short?  Then the book, "Sidetracked Home Executives- From Pigpen to Paradise" may have the answers they have been praying for.


The Sidetrack sisters developed a home organization system that was incredibly practical, easy to follow, and easy to stay on top of.  Within two weeks of following their example and their lead - our home was amazing.  It was always neat (not immaculate) and orderly (functional).  I was always  able to find anything I needed when I needed it.  I was also able to welcome unexpected guest with open arms and without racing to hide things.  Dinner was always ready on time, I rarely needed to rush to the store to get a few items.  We were normally 15 minutes early for everything.  Most of all - I had time to do all of the things I needed to do AND the things that I loved to do.

That system was heavenly - until my oldest son became a teenager.  I fell off the wagon without noticing it.  One thing led to another, and before long I had become one of the worse time managers in the world; the the decline of our orderly home was not far behind.  By the time my youngest son became a teenager I had thrown my hands up in the air and resolved that, as a full time student and working  single parent, it would be impossible for me to have order in my life without help.  So, I did what I could and didn't worry about the rest.  My children were happy and I was almost always joyful.

Now, as an empty nester making decision that will effect the rest of my life, I noticed that I need order.  It's just two of us now and at this juncture in our lives are no so busy that we need the services of an organizational consultant.  However, our lives mean enough to me that I want our home to always be neat and orderly, and I want there to always be enough of everything we need on hand - (I'm growing weary of my quick runs to the store for this or that).  Most of all, my husband and I love to entertain friends and family members.  I'm looking forward to the the when once again I can happily welcome surprise visitors, without locking myself in the bathroom to clean it; and have a fully prepared home cooked meal or two and healthy snacks on hand - ready to be served in 30 minutes or so. 

I found a used copy of this old favorite book of mine on Amazon .com.   I'm merely days away from paradise at home.  When I'm ready to celebrate, I'll post some pictures of our home to this blog.

In joy,

Andrea