Monday, December 22, 2008

"Living" in Our Living Room

I've had a few people ask me, "How does your house stay looking like that?" or "Does your house always stay that neat?", or "Where's all the clutter like shoes and papers and such?"

About a week ago, you saw pictures of my living room looking like this:



And that's really nice and I have to admit that I do like order. But....actually "living" in our home, it just naturally doesn't stay like that all the time. Sometimes I just tell myself that if I can have one room in order, I'm fine! Other days, I just pass by and tell myself tomorrow is another day!

When the kids were little, you might find kitchen chairs in here with blankets thrown over them as a tent, or baby dolls lined up across the floor in "school", but really I wouldn't want it any other way!

Now Colt is older, and although he doesn't bring the chairs in the living room to make tents and hideouts and clubhouses for his little friends, he does still rearrange a little bit. The other night (just a few nights after the nice neat decor pictures were taken), Colt had one of his buddies, Matt, over for the evening. They were playing the Wii (wrestling game). They needed comfortable chairs, so my living room got a temporary teenage boy makeover:



Notice Joy over on the couch! She was their audience laughing at every silly thing they did! Colt can make her laugh like no one else (he tells her she has a dolphin laugh so her nickname from him became Flipper). She laughed and hung with them as long as she could, bless her heart! She goes non-stop until she falls asleep where she is and this is a favorite spot....perched on the end of the couch next to the wall heater.



As much as I love decorating and having things in place, I know I'll cherish these memories and I don't mind the temporary mess! After all they are only THINGS and the kids grow up way too fast. So I'll take the clutter....and hang onto the memories! :)

17 comments:

Dawn said...

Tammy, I know what you mean about the house not always looking so clean. Many people think you could eat off my floors. Ha! Somedays, I should say most days, there are shoes and coats, cups, books layimg all around. My kitchen bar is a catch all. Most things are dropped there until Mom cleans it off. And as we all know that is when someone drops by for a quick visit. But we do live and enjoy our home like you, so enjoy your holidays and live well in your home! Dawn

Sue said...

Your post hit home. I love a clean house, but I'd much rather have good memories with kids and know they love to be at home any day! Merry Christmas!!

Yankee Ridge Primitives said...

OMGosh, it doesnt look messy to me! Even with the temp chair arrangement it still looks wonderful!! You should see what my clan can do to a room in a matter of secs!! As I am off cleaning up that mess, they are in another room destroying it! Wanna trade? Ha

You all have a wonderful Christmas

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Tammy---It's being able to live in and enjoy your home which is important. Seems like your family both enjoys the decorations as well as being able to relax and 'live in" their home. That's exactly the way it should be!!!!

Merry Christmas.
Hugs,
Betsy

Farmchick said...

Well glad to know others get things rearranged...we have chairs moved around a lot--mostly barstools for climing on and we have lots and lots of farm machinery scattered around the floors! Have a Merry Christmas.

Tania

Birgit said...

Hi Tammy~
I'm glad to hear that your home has the "lived in" look during those times that you're not taking pictures. I feel like I can't even keep up with ours sometimes between two active teenagers, a dog, two cats, my hubby who never takes his shoes off and thinks the back of the chair is a coat rack and ongoing crafts that never seem to stop.
I'm so glad your home is loved and lived in!
I really enjoyed looking at the pictures of your new kitchen too!
I didn't realize it had been so long since my last visit. I'll try to be better about that.
Hugs & blessings to you all this Christmas!
Birgit

the said...

I too have people say "your house is always clean", I laugh and say its because I knew you were coming by !!
Christmas memories are always the best in a cozy home :)

Shelley said...

A cozy home is meant to be enjoyed! Especially as one as beautiful as yours!

Anonymous said...

Tammy, it really is the memories that count the most in my book! There will be lots of time for picture perfectness in one's home once everyone becomes empty nesters! I have always liked my home to look neat and inviting, such as your home always does, but I have also liked our friends and our kids friends to be comfortable in our home too, such as Colt and Joy's friends do when they come over to visit at your home. That means alot!

I've been in homes where I was afraid to step away from the front entry for fear of messing something up! I wouldn't want anyone to feel like that when they come to visit us at our home..I want our home to feel warm and inviting to people..but still portray neatness and orderness..but not being picture perfect, and especially on each and every day.. I like the comfortable, neat lived in look..

I'd take having the good memories over a picture perfect home on a daily basis anyday.... :)

Love & Blessings,
~Lynn

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

If you don't enjoy the beauty, it is wasted and usually lonely!
Enjoy all these moments. They grow up far too fast and there is a wait time for grandkids!

Never So Simple said...

Tammy I love it, love it, love it! A real home that's what I love looking at. I love all the beautiful homes and decor but they never look lived in. Like you said they grow up so fast and then there gone. The house might stay clean but it sure does feel lonely and look empty after all the children have grown and gone. Thanks for the post it's one of my many favorites. At my house you will be greeted by shoes and book bags in the foyer and probably a coat hanging on the banister. I can promise there is usually a blanket left on the sofa and cup left on a coaster but it's a home and it's loved and lived in.

Donna

Zaroga said...

A great post. I do admire though how clutter-free your home is. It is just me and hubby now at home and there is so much clutter. Mostly his, but I just grin and bear it. It is a trivial thing to get upset about.

Merry Christmas!
Zaroga

Cat Nap Inn Primitives said...

Have a very merry christmas and a wonderful new year!...take care...
Gina :)

Colleen/And Baby Makes Five said...

There's no place like home, Tammy!

I hope you and your family enjoy every moment of your Yuletide celebrations. Merry Christmas, my sweet friend!

Mandy said...

So true - We just have to find that nice balance!

Mandy

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

I get the same questions all the time and we do live in our rooms all the time! There will always be time later to pick up and restore order, but we like to be in the moment with family and friends while it is happening. Have a great weekend!

Farmhouse Blessings said...

I'm the same way, Tammy! I love order but with 3 boys by the time I get one room all organized, I walk through and wonder what happened to the rest of it. But you're right, wouldn't have it any other way! Someday I'll wish they were here just to mess it up a bit!

Your house looks warm and cozy even when its lived in. Its the love that does that!

Smiles,
Lea