Let me preface this post by saying I am NOT a hoarder. I want to get rid of as much junk as possible. I can’t stand clutter. So you can probably understand why I almost have a nervous breakdown every time I go in here…
Need more? Ok…
Don’t even ask why we have all of those Christmas trees.
So yea, that’s our garage. Spray paint dust is on EVERYTHING. You think I’ve been able to paint in there recently? Umm, no. What’s sad is that we even have a big attic above the garage for storage. Our garage needs an intervention. And hopefully not one from A&E. Whenever we moved in here (ummm, 2 years ago), everything we weren’t using just went in the garage. And the rest is history. I want to just throw everything away. As much as I hate clutter, the garage stresses me out way too much to even tackle this project. Maybe I’ll get the courage one day. It would be cool to use the garage to actually store a car in. What a concept right?!
So since I’ve probably totally grossed you out for the day, let me leave you with a few of my favorite photos taken recently that AREN’T disgusting.
Ahhh she melts my heart. The garage on the other hand, well that breaks my heart. And please don’t judge me that she’s eating a cheeseburger from McDonald’s. It was a special picnic at the park with Daddy that day. :)
Do you need a garage intervention? Please say yes.
Is this a not-so-subtle invitation to make just one more fabulously useful garage carousel?
Um yes!! That will solve all of my dilemmas!
Um, Emily I wish I could say yes but ours is clean as a whistle and always has been. I have a *thing* about cluttered garages and can’t take it so out it all goes. I donate constatly and throw away clutter. I am the *opposite* of a hoarder. LOL! If I lived nearby I would come by and help you clean your garage. It will make you feel great when you do.
Your daughter is precious and gorgeous!
Happy day to you!
~Melissa :)
LOL, I am totally imagining you cleaning your garage to the tune of “Whistle while you work.” Well, I sure wish you were nearby too. Maybe it will be time to redeem myself and clean the garage, since I actually posted this post. :)
Our garage used to look like this too! Especially when my brother and I were younger, because it was like our playroom. Then when we got older my dad randomly started becoming OCD about the garage being clean, cause it’s his space now!
ps. You daughter is way too cute!!!
~Michaela
Haha funny!
Thank you!! :)
You are not alone…my garage looks the same way. I was actually going to do a post about it just like you did but when I looked at the picture I decided against it. It was just to darn messy to even let people think that it is like that. I’m with you…I toss a lot fo stuff. I’m afraid to think of some of the the things that I have trashed in the past that could have been put to good use by someone. I have been much better abpout donating to goodwill and such.
Adorable pics by the way. Love the one where she is looking out with her back to the camera. In my opinion, the ones where they aren’t looking at the camera are the best sometimes!
Haha I thought it would be entertaining to post about it. But I probably should have decided against it too like you. :)
Yes, those are my fav too. So sweet!
Our garage looks way worse! ;) With reno’s going on inside, a lot was packed up and put outside. We’ve done our best to try and keep it organized by building shelving, but there is just too much extra stuff out there… including some unfinsihed projects. We need to tackle it ASAP, as there is some stuff in the yard that needs to be moved in there before the winter hits!
Oh I’ve got projects galore out there. And the sad thing is that I don’t even know all what is out there anymore. :)
I have to confess our garage is crazy full right now. When we sold our other home way back in February we brought our storage unit to our garage…..we can get all 3 cars in, but it’s driving me crazy! Now that it’s cooler we should probably get back to it. I have a neighbor who sounds like Melissa, and I do get embarassed when she comes over to chat and we are standing in my garage. ha! Yours really doesn”t look that bad. How many Xmas trees did I spy? I have 3. Your pumpkin is adorable, and I love McD’s cheeseburgers also.
Haha, don’t be embarrassed. We should embrace what we have right? LOL. Yea right. It IS embarrassing! Thank you so much!
I don’t think it looks that bad! Really, most garages look that way. You don’t have any storage in there so of course it is all going to go on the floor! Put up some inexpensive storage racks along the sides, and fill them with the things you will for sure use and then donate the rest. I am sure a lot of families could use those trees this Christmas, so if you get them to the Thrift shops now they will go to a needy home.
Oh gosh Stephanie you are too kind. And I know you are just being nice! But really, it’s ok to say it’s disgusting. :) I have TONS of things to donate. The sad thing is that I have donated tons already!
Sorry Em, our garage stores our cars. Neither of us is willing to give up our spot for junk – so we have to keep it to the bare minimum for storage. But no worries – that just means that we clutter up our house even more.
Ha! Well I’d rather have a cluttered garage than house. :)
I’m just wondering when you snuck by our house and took a picture of OUR garage.. Oh my.. I know the feeling.. but I really blame my husband! :)
Haha, I secretly do too…but the garage has become my landing zone unfortunately as well. :(
Okay, have to admit…our GARAGE is clean…hubby can’t stand stuff around the cars! The BASEMENT on the other hand looks like a bomb went off at the moment…I am in decluttering mode, and everything is going down there to be sorted then sent where it needs to go (Goodwill, Consignment, Trash!).
Haha, no telling what our basement would look like if we had one!
Ha! No judgement on the garage or the cheeseburger! We don’t have a garage, so can’t comment on that. Our shed is so-so and our basement is the focus of our labor this week. Hubby is on a “stay-cation” and we are working on it….that’s a start, right?
Ah yes, well good for you! I hope you make some good progress! :)
I would LIKE to have a garage to declutter! :) Meanwhile, I know my basement is on par with your garage….sigh….sometimes just seems overwhelming! We will both get it done! Your daughter is beautiful AND Dad’s always give the best treats!
I would LIKE to have a garage to declutter! :) Meanwhile, I know my basement is on par with your garage….sigh….sometimes just seems overwhelming! We will both get it done! Your daughter is beautiful AND Dads always give the best treats!
I would LIKE to have a garage to declutter! :) Meanwhile, I know my basement is on par with your garage….sigh….sometimes just seems overwhelming! We will both get it done! Your daughter is beautiful AND Dads always give the best treats!
Aw thanks for the encouragement! Get er’ done!
Yes, they do. My husband always adds a little strawberry nesquik powder when he fills her cup up with milk. Something mommy would never do! :)
I think my garage is worse than yours. Not only our things, but some of my son’s things too. Yes, putting my car in the garage would be really unique. Hugs, Marty
haha, yes, unique indeed. :)
Em…Mine is exactly the same way!!! Glad I only showed pics. of my living/dining room and stairs ;D The garage is horrible I even have a few spiders in it!! Ewwwwww grossssss…Hope to do a makeover of it this weekend or next !
Kerry
Oh gosh, there is no telling what is living in mine…Ughhh!
Yeah, I’m pretty sure I want to know why all the Christmas trees….
Hahaha…
I am dying to know why you have so many Christmas trees!
Haha, I said don’t ask! lol. :)
Don’t feel bad about your garage, we have all been there! LOL We are moving in 3 weeks, so my attic was recently emptied into the garage, it’s a disaster and driving me crazy too. My hubby calls me a “reverse hoarder” because I hate clutter and will just get rid of things :)
Ha, I am known for that too! Thanks for the encouragement. :)
ah.. your garage isn’t that bad. mine is worse.. so much more. i do get in there every few months to try to organize, but then one day, i’ll remember that i have something & go search for it in the garage & it’s a mess all over again!!
but i am really curious about all the christmas trees. if you can share your “messy” garage, surely you can tell us about the trees. ;-)
and adorable pictures. i miss my daddy/daughter dates with my daddy.
Worse than mine?? Wow, I am calling A&E on you. :)
I said don’t ask! lol.
Aww I bet those were sweet memories. :)
Ummmmm, yea…that’s clean compared to ours. A normal fight around here…WHY IS MY (his) GARAGE FILLED WITH ALL THIS (my) CRAP?!?!?! Seriously…we have to make paths to walk through it. It’s embarrassing really.
Oh gosh I hear ya. Such a shame!
no worries on the garage… i wish i lived close to you- i’d take the fpink totes off your hands for my college girl- lots of creative people have places in their lives like this… i just had 6 ladies over for lunch and fput some stuff out in my hallway- half of it is gone! put the christmas trees on craigs list along with the micro..teh white desk has many possible uses- craft table, desk for your kids room- to hold atv in front of an excercise spot- painted a different color as a sofa or dispay table for christmas decor… 2 hand trucks? one goes on craigs list- paint? stacked inside in your laundry room or heated overhead storage room. paint cant handle temp changes so unless it’s new- id fill a plastic screw top jar( like a washed out peanut butter jar) witrh the paint color so you can do touch ups- very necessary with kids- using q-tips for nicks and sponge brushes for bigger touchups – then throw the q-tips or brushes away- throw the rest of the paint or donate it to habitat- it wont be any good when you go to use it if you store it in the varying degreed garage. get a couple of plaseic shelves at menards for everything else. since i don’t live near you- use the pink bins for kids outside toys and put on the shelf.
stuff should go inside, garbage, good will, garage to keep, and project pile… good luck-
Okay, I just have to ask even though you said not to. Why do you have so many Christmas trees? Do you really use that many trees each Christmas? My husband was annoyed when I brought a 2nd one home. lol
And one more thing. Can I please have your table saw? I’m so envious right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
~Allison @ House of Hepworths
Umm, I said not to ask!
And…NO!! :)
The first thing (literally) that my husband did when we moved into our house in June was to go to the hardware store, and make that garage ORGANIZED. He built shelving, a ski rack, a bike rack, and a workbench. Everything has a really specific home. It’s quite impressive really. But I think it had something to do with the fact that he did it instantly, so we never had time to gather clutter. If we had, I think I’d be exactly in your boat!
First your daughter is a sweetheart, myself I love McDonalds cheeseburgers just don’t eat them alot:)
Our garage is where we come into the kitchen so Stush keeps it neat and tidy!
Rondell
So sad, mine is worse. I would love yours in comparison. Unfortunately I have two sons out of the country and I am storing their stuff as well as my husband is a pack rat and I really can’t get rid (or even sort) his stuff. My stuff is pretty contained but perhaps when my sons return and take away their stuff I can pull the rest out and get rid of it. Parking a car in a garage, do people really do that?
Adorable girl ~ love the pic of her eating the cheeseburger!
Best,
Gloria
We have lived in our current home for 2 years and we have had 2 garage interventions. We had a mini one the other day, and now the mess is just an organized one! ;) It never ends!!!
And your daughter is beautiful!!! I love the pic of her looking through the wood! I love those “in the moment” pics! And don;t be ashamed about her eating a cheeseburger! If she is anything like my 3 year old son who is a picky eater, I would just be glad I found something else he would try!! haha
I’m totally with you! My garage looks terrible right now! I have way to many projects going all at once and really no great place to do them. My poor hubby has to suffer through with his once clean and organized garage being a disaster area all due to his trash digging, project doing wife. Poor guy. Maybe someday I’ll release his garage from my clutches (:
YESSSSS!!!!
Well, our garage looks a LITTLE bit better than yours- but only because we have a separate shop we cram all our crap into! My advice- small increments- 10 to 15 minutes a day working on the garage. No more, no less. If you do too much at once you’ll have to ignore your sweet daughter and you’ll burn out and never want to return to the scene. If you do less… Well, we’ve seen what happens if you do less. :)
E is lovely lovely precious as always.
We don’t have a Christmas tree! *hint, hint*
Now I need to know why you have all those Christmas trees! ;D
Girl! Your garage looks fine…mine on the other hands looks like a local landfill. It is full of sporting equipment, blankets, coats, tools, machines, etc….You get depressed because of the mess and don’t have the gumption to clean it and the mess is what causes the depression…Vicious circle, eh? What is important are the beautiful babies. They aren’t sweet and innocent for long so enjoy them while you can. Seems like yesterday I had a sweet little boy following me around and giving hugs all the time and today I have a fourteen year old that rolls his eyes and would rather not have to deal with mom! The garage can wait, enjoy the gifts that God gave you!!! Every time the garage stresses you out, go hug a child, it will be all better after that! :)
The 500 Christmas trees kill me! Hahahaha:)
I had a basement that looked like that. I made a small goal of going down there and doing ‘something’ with 5 things a day. I either threw it out, donated it, or found a place for it. Doing a small chunk at a time took a while… but to look at the whole job was too overwhelming! It is under control now and it has made me really think before I say, “Put it in the basement.”!!!
Hahahaha I needed a good laugh this morning!!!! Hey, I’ve seen way worse garages so in my opinion you are in pretty good shape : )
YES, I need a garage intervention. I would even welcome A&E…That way it could be organized and set up for future accessible storage of thing I need to get at from time to time.
I do go out and take stabs at straightening things and discarding what’s no longer needed. But i don’t last very long at the task!
Honey, think back to my “old” garage–then, thank your lucky stars!! LOL!!
(Just HAD to bring it up!) Happy to say, my new garage is now a small personal gym. :)
T.bird
YES! We need a garage intervention and a basement intervention. It is pitiful how these two areas of our house look. I am with you on feeling like it is too much to even deal with and want to throw it all away. My hubby who has some hoarding tendencies won’t allow that though. One day we will overcome our secret/shameful areas! :-) Good Luck! ~Iris~
I hear you! My garage is scary too. :) I think the hardest part is that it’s not completely organized, which means that when I have to put something out there, I just don’t know where it goes! There is definite value in the phrase “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” Now, overcoming the anxiety to start is the biggest issue right? Start by planning on paper. Draw a square for your garage, and walls with shelves, what belongs there? Label it! Take everything out of your garage, and only put those things there. Anything left over needs to go in your attic, in its “right place” or sold/given away/thrown away. I’m talking about this in reference to kids’ rooms on my blog today and next week, but you get the idea! :) Come over and join the conversation. http://www.creatingbetterhabits.com
I’m so glad you posted those photos of our garage … it’s my garage’s twin. I’m also not a hoarder at all – in fact, I’m constantly reorganizing and tossing – but the garage is out of hand. I like to blame it on the other people in the family.
Umm, I like to do the same thing. :)
Lol, I looked at the picture and thought…whats up with all the trees?? Then I read what you wrote, so i won’t ask, even though I do want to know! Ours was like that but we cleaned it recently, well sort of.
Your daughter is so darn cute, love her pink polka dots!
Hahaha thank you Anita!!