Cupboards, Drawers and Closets, Oh My!

This particular posting is dedicated to two of my closest friends, Amy and Lyn, who are not completely anal or obsessive-compulsive.

Have you ever been at a friend's house and opened a cupboard to be taken back by the categorical positioning of each color, shape and theme of dishware? Now, as many of you know, I'm absolutely at-ease with my cooking deficiencies. But I'm starting to wonder if I suffer from something opposite of OCD. Maybe it's called Closet Clutter Disease, or Shove-It-All-In-A-Drawer Disease.

On the outside, my house appears fairly well in order. But after visiting my aforementioned friends this past weekend, I took pictures of my cupboards and drawers. The first step in therapy is to admit you have a problem, right? So that is why I'm sharing my mess with you all.

I could make all sorts of excuses, like I work too much or both of my kids take too much time. But everyone has kids. (Amy has four, Lyn has three.) Everyone works too much. (Amy helps to run a nursing home while working toward another degree. Lyn is a social worker, works part-time for an orthodontist and sells skin-care products on the side.)

One time, while taking a week off from work, I determined to organize my house. I spent a week in one bathroom and said screw it. I never got back on track.

My family spends a fair amount of time looking for stuff. You try to find something in those drawers! But in a way, it helps to develop each of our problem-solving skills and spurs even more creativity. Can't find the tape? Let's figure out a new way to wrap a gift! There's no safety pin to be found? What about a paper clip! Or this rubber band! You get the picture.

The other day, I was trying to figure out where to shove a basket I received for my birthday.(The fresh flowers finally died and were getting stinky.) I opened the nearest cupboard I could find. It was, of course, full of stuff (a serving plate, candles, Christmas decorations, plastic cups and one of my ice buckets). But much to my pleasant surprise, I also found an over-the-door wreath hanger! Totally forgetting I had one, it was just like I received a new gift.

So, perhaps my disease is more indicative of my love of surprise. The next time I need a little pick-me-up, I'll just open a drawer. And if you ever have a need to add the element of surprise to your life, stop over. I'll give you a cupboard.