Reclaiming My Room

I don't remember ever playing in my parents' bedroom. It wasn't that is was strictly off limits. We were allowed to go in there. I remember laying on the bed with my mother as a small child, drifting in and out of sleep, listening to her heartbeat. I remember sitting on the bed as my father showed me treasures from his childhood he safely stored in there. My siblings and I went in and out to use the master bathroom, to get something, to put something away. But we never played in there. And it was always clean. The room had a sense of relaxation about it, of privacy. It was nothing like the master bedroom at my house.

Maybe this is because our bedroom doubles as a computer room, library, and sometimes even amusement park for the kids. We only have two bathrooms, so kids are tromping through to use the master bath quite often. Our room also seems to be a dumping ground for a lot of stuff we are going to get around to organizing and putting away. Needless to say it is not the serene place of escape and relaxation I dream it should be.

In preparation for summer, when I will need a place of refuge, I cleaned out the master bedroom today. I put all the books back on the shelves and told them to stop jumping off onto the floor and scuttling under the bed. I took the growing stack of items to be donated out the the garage and told it under no circumstances was it to migrate back into the house. I picked up school notes and papers and said, "The school year is OVER! GOODBYE!" I gathered the pictures, awards, etc. that have been waiting to be scrapbooked and whispered softly, "Don't worry, I'll get back to you soon," as I placed them in the closet. I cleared the desk of all unnecessary debris, I vacuumed, I dusted (even the blinds) and I apologized to my room for a long season of neglect. I "feels" so much nicer in here now. If only I could add a study onto my house and move out the computer and bookshelves!!!

Summer Vacation Countdown:

Reasons I Can't Wait For Summer

#6 Spending time away from the house. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the things I need to do at home I put off spending time with the kids. I am just too distracted by the pile of laundry or the dirty dishes or the bathroom that smells like urine. It is nice to have the time to take a break and get away from all the distractions, even if only for an afternoon, and concentrate more on being with the kids and having fun together.

Four more days 'till summer!