Bringing Home The Bliss
September 20, 2008 · Print This Article
Every Friday night at 7pm, an amazing transformation takes place sending me into an altered state of living. After 5 solid days creating domestic bliss through nutritious meals, organized linens, cataloging receipts and folding clothes…The Nanny clocks out for the weekend. The symbolic apron strings are ripped off, the hair is let down. I am now retreating from the scent of dinner on the table and neat counter tops, straight into my own disorganized ways.
There is a huge disconnect that appears to be growing between how I treat, love and manage the homes of my employers; to how I treat my own single woman’s palace off hours. Somehow between those two front doors, I have managed to exceedingly lose a sense of the practices that make their homes run so well.
They are eating off of a crock pot full of 3 bean chili with corn bread dumplings. I am eating a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos and all I have in the refrigerator is some low carb wheat wraps and a few bottles of Blue Moon. Huh?
I have recognized over these last few weeks that I need to harness some of the practices I employ in my own living space. I should be eating those healthy meals! My receipts should be ordered, tabbed and filed. Why do I tolerate that over flowing junk drawer that contains silly putty, a rusty hammer and approximately 200 feet of telephone cord?! I don’t even have a landline. No, I needed some help. I went to the only place that seemed fitting, The Container Store.
I must tell you, that the second I walked in, it was as if the glass doors blew out behind me into blinding glorious golden rays of light. As far as my current mission goes, I was in a heaven of sorts. I could have very well died right there, being lifted up on the voices of the Angel’s Choir I heard in my head.
Aisle by aisle, the cart filling at a steady pace, I saw my life coming together in product (or rather product placement) perfection. Immediately, I felt the pep in my step and my wallet trying to drag my ass out the door in the opposite direction. My wallet knows I am a sucker for packaging, and this entire place was dedicated to it.
Then it happened. It was an innocent small box with a lid. A clerk noticed my inspection and informed me it was for my tea bags. Apparently, I can put my tea bags in a box roughly the size of the box they come in when I buy them at the store. I’m now confused, but I have been reassured by the clerk I am simply misinformed. This box is clear and I can see my tea bags clearly! I don’t mention to him I can read, and my ordinary method of tea selection has done me no irreparable harm. I just politely put it back on the shelf.
Further down into the middle of the store, I encounter bathroom items. Excellent shelving, soap dispensers and a small wire mesh box with no description on the tag. I assume it’s for soap, but I am quickly approached by Happy Helper #2. Without a word she pulls a rubber duck off the adjacent display and pops it into the mesh box asking me, “Isn’t it great?”
Yes people, it is a cage for a rubber duckie! He might make bath time lots of fun, but after that you best shell out $8.95 putting that bitch on lock down. I came relatively close to a PETA like fist pumping outrage, but I held my tongue and whispered to the duck that I would be back for him.
Clearly this had gone too far. I glance down at my former cart full of wonderful and realize none of this shit is necessary. The problem isn’t the lack of empty containers, the problem is me. I can buy more junk to store and manage my junk; or I can simply choose to better manage myself with the same amount of respect I do for the people who afford me the luxury of On Line shopping and On Demand ‘Weeds’ reruns.
I’m worth my salt, and I am going to take some time to pinch some and toss it over my shoulder for good luck that I figure out my own domestic bliss…in the 10 items or less aisle.
How organized are you ladies and gents? Do you have aspirations of filing it all away neatly? Any professional traits you’d like to incorporate in your personal lives in order for some order? Do these home organization items make absolute sense? Or is it more junk for our junk? I am on a mission for palace appreciation so leave your comments and tips below! And if you missed it, check us out at www.thestream.tv for some great EVE-101 moments!
On 09/20/08 at 4:15 am
Dillon said:
It’s all about having drawers. Millions upon millions of drawers. In each drawer I can put something separate (shorts, pants, gym clothes, pencils, pens, sharp objects, objects that are shaped like an octagon, etc), creating hours of organizational fun!
On 09/20/08 at 5:25 am
Meghan said:
Millions and millions, Dillon? I have to go back and get drawers? I can’t keep up!
On 09/20/08 at 5:51 am
Vic said:
You’re walking around without drawers? Eerily frightening…
On 09/20/08 at 6:02 am
Meghan said:
I’ve been going commando, Vic. So nice to see your giant wood over in these parts. Had our estrogen levels been making you shrivel?
On 09/20/08 at 6:06 am
Vic said:
No, but they’ve been making me moody…
On 09/20/08 at 6:09 am
Meghan said:
I think we have inspired a hot flash or two…as always our advice is to masturbate. Does wonders for the mood.
On 09/24/08 at 9:26 am
The striped avenger said:
I prefer to get drunk and high before going to the container store, buy virtually nothing, get a bag of doritos, get high again, and proceed to the MFA… but hey… that’s just me.
On 09/20/08 at 5:26 am
Meghan said:
Morning all! I’ve got the whole Saturday ahead of me and I’m wondering how I’m going to come out of this a shade more organized?
On 09/20/08 at 5:47 am
cigarsmokinglawyer said:
Like a true lawyer I opted for the cheap and very efficient way to organize things - I use banker boxes. My closets are lined with them.
On 09/20/08 at 6:03 am
Meghan said:
Banker boxes? What the hell is a banker box? Like a safety deposit box? Do they come in fun patterns and colors because I need to spice up my closet with more than just Target bags of things I forgot I bought…
On 09/20/08 at 6:12 am
cigarsmokinglawyer said:
nope, white cardboard boxes come in letter ot legal size. they are used to store documents in banks, law offices etc. In my case, jeans, t-shirts, porn etc etc
On 09/20/08 at 6:24 am
Meghan said:
I actually have a large walk in closet complete with decent closet organizing crap. Yet just last week I found 3 t-shirts I forgot I ever bought because they fell behind my massive linens collection.
I might need me a banker box or 12. And now I know where you’ve got your porn, nice!
On 09/20/08 at 9:08 am
cigarsmokinglawyer said:
All you had to go is ask.
On 09/20/08 at 8:11 pm
Dr. Joker said:
Now there’s something I will never claim to have in my lifetime…
“Massive Linens Collection”
On 09/20/08 at 8:15 pm
Meghan said:
OMG I am so addicted to bed linens…I am all about the duvet cover my friend! It’s no joke!
On 09/20/08 at 8:18 pm
Meghan said:
I forgot to mention thanks for stopping by, good Doctor!
On 09/20/08 at 8:27 pm
Dr. Joker said:
You’re welcome. My estrogen level was low and I needed a quick pick me up.
That, and I thought this was actually a pretty good blog. It helped me avoid reading anything from Vic about how he likes drinks with umbrellas in them.
On 09/20/08 at 8:30 pm
Meghan said:
Oddly enough…I have an unsettled drawer that contains party drink umbrellas. Part of what I needs to correct!
Who buys drink umbrellas? Me! That’s who!
On 09/25/08 at 7:25 pm
Proph said:
Drink umbrellas are fine…as long as you by the little sandwich swords as well. No swords…no umbrellas…it’s only fair. Why should your drinks receive more attention than your food? (Biased mothafucka)
On 09/25/08 at 7:37 pm
Meghan said:
Thanks, Proph!
On 09/20/08 at 5:49 am
~Lori~ said:
“Organized Clutter” ;p, that is my rule of thumb… About once a year, I get on a kick and tear apart everything, it’s combo spring cleaning and tossing odds and ends. I will start digging and come across this and that. Ask myself why did I save this? If I can’t find a valid “EXCUSE”, or remember,in the trash it goes. I have recently been on this kick, right now I have even dumped everything in/on my desk, in a laundry basket, which has been sadly sitting there staring at me, waiting for me to dig and re-organize. *Sigh* not sure how long it will, I’m a little burnt out from the whole thing and losing steam… :/
(Best tip I can give you, do one room at a time, one section at time. Take a break, be pleased with what you accomplished, after a while it will get irritated and do another section. Rome or a organized house/room doesn’t happen in a day);)
On 09/20/08 at 6:05 am
Meghan said:
This is true, day by day.
And I am NOT a slob! Just to get that point down. I am clean and organized chaos is the name of my game, but it still seems like chaos compared to the household that pays my bills. I feel like I have the ability, just haven’t been putting it into action.
On 09/20/08 at 6:41 am
~Lori~ said:
You know what hon, neither am I. I did what you did for a living for good four years and they were over the top on the organization thing too. BUT…of course they had someone else doing all the work for them *wink,wink*, so of course they had the “perfect” home. At least in that respect, yet I saw them get rid of things, that I would never considered doing, I’m a little sentimental, tend to keep all kinds of little memento’s…like I said organize clutter is the way to go, at least for me.
On 09/20/08 at 7:07 am
Meghan said:
I never forget you walked on the Nanny road, Lori! It’s why what I do, and what you did truly is work - to all the doubters out there that think it is glorified babysitting.
My employer introduced me the other day as ‘the woman who makes this family possible’. A bold statement, but it was a huge compliment and I’d like to bring a little of that home with me.
On 09/20/08 at 8:14 pm
Dr. Joker said:
“About once a year, I get on a kick and tear apart everything…”
I know many women that do this once a month. They don’t call it Spring Cleaning….they call it Menstrual Cycle.
On 09/20/08 at 8:16 pm
Meghan said:
You are a sensitive bastard!
My menstrual cycle doesn’t make me want to spring clean. It makes me want to masturbate and eat ice cream. But that’s just me.
On 09/20/08 at 8:59 pm
Karri said:
I am now thoroughly convinced that you Meghan, have a spy cam somewhere in my house!
That’s twice today…you’re starting to freak me out!
On 09/20/08 at 9:08 pm
Meghan said:
Let’s just chalk this up to great minds thinking alike!
You, K…are incredible. So glad to have found the site! So glad to know you ladies…impressed.
I’m lovin’ your attitude towards life.
On 09/20/08 at 9:50 pm
Karri said:
Right back atcha’ girl!!
On 09/20/08 at 5:50 am
Vic said:
The thought of Julie Andrews in trashy lingerie simply gives me wood.
I try to be organized, but there are times I feel like I’m doing it simply for organization’s sake. I feel like I”m just sticking my finger in the dyke, trying to stem off the tidal wave of chaos that is the outside world… when all I really want to do is pick my nose.
Eh.
It’s worked out so far…
On 09/20/08 at 6:07 am
Meghan said:
You totally just wanted to type ‘dyke’.
My life works for me…I hate that feeling that I am trying to box it all in. I do think I need to start treating my home more like a sanctuary I retire to, not a pit stop.
Julie Andrews in nothing but an apron…I’ve been gifted with that friend request message more than once.
On 09/20/08 at 8:03 am
Carol said:
Maybe it’s similar to the landscape master who makes every one else’s yards look magazine perfect. By the time his work week is complete, it is simply the LAST thing he desires to do. I’ve seen it time and time again.
You’ve seen my closet. I have thirty-some odd pretty shoeboxes that I got off a clearance rack of some home store five years ago. For less than $20, I will always have a colorful sign of SOME organization in my master bedroom closet. That is, until my daughter is old enough to scam them off of me.
I used to be that anal retentive about everything. Over the years, I’ve become comfortable with a bit of chaos. I do what I can, creatively. However, I allow for life to be life, too. Ironically, this weekend is the weekend we will be cleaning out drawers and giving away the clothes that no longer fit in the kids rooms. Care to guess how long it’s been since I’ve had time to do my own? Let’s not and say we did.
I loved this article, M. It took me back to my first orgasmic then sickening reveleation in a similar store here.
On 09/20/08 at 8:12 am
Meghan said:
Thanks, Carol.
I have a pretty good handle on the major points of home organization, and I hate the idea of constricting everything into it’s own patterned box. It does need some work.
I agree about my week not following me home. I have so much time invested in making their homes something they never have to worry about so they can simply enjoy their time together. Makes the question ‘You’re a Nanny - what do you DO all day?’ mildly offensive.
Still, the second I get home the mail gets tossed into a pile and the next day you can bet your ass I won’t be able to find either, keys, wallet or bluetooth on the way out the door.
Life be life, but mine could use a little more focus
On 09/20/08 at 10:32 am
Carol said:
For me, down time from day to day responsiblity is BEST spent rejuvenating MY spirit. Some weekends without the kids, it’s time with friends. Some times, it is time for ME. Then, there are those appropriate times where doing things around the house are FOR all of us and they are a joy and not a chore. Then again, that is just what works for me. Would I like to be more efficient and organized, yes. Would I like to accomplish that without compromising my sanity….absolutely. When the time, is, you know, right.
On 09/20/08 at 10:47 am
Meghan said:
Absolutely…
Although my mind tells me I could rejuvenate my spirit even easier if I could get past my peripheral sightings of recipes not filed and CDs out of their cases ready to load into my computer.
Maybe today is a day to head over to my sanctuary and read a book in the sun.
On 09/20/08 at 2:34 pm
Carol said:
LOL…I would have loved to read a book in some sunshine today.
I would have also loved to have gotten the doggone dressers cleaned out in my kiddos rooms. Alas, it was the day to snuggle on the couch and just….be. They only stay little a little while. My little man has already informed me at this rate he will be taller than me next year.
*giggles* THAT won’t happen, but he is getting closer by the day!
On 09/20/08 at 8:07 pm
Meghan said:
Glad you snuggled…on a note of domestic inspiration, I just got a b-day gift card for $250 at Williams Sonoma…that aught to inspire some bliss!
On 09/20/08 at 9:08 pm
Carol said:
What a generous gift. I would be a lost puppy in a butcher store in that place!
On 09/20/08 at 9:11 pm
Meghan said:
I’m thinking Sunday will be a great day to browse my options!
On 09/20/08 at 8:59 am
Trista said:
“Why do I tolerate that over flowing junk drawer that contains silly putty, a rusty hammer and approximately 200 feet of telephone cord?!”
Oh my gawd…I too have this drawer.
On 09/20/08 at 9:23 am
Meghan said:
It’s a lovely space waster that also includes multiple dead batteries I’m afraid to touch because they look so old they may in fact leak acid onto my fingers.
If anyone is looking for their Sony Discman manual, look no further, you can borrow mine.
On 09/20/08 at 8:21 pm
Dr. Joker said:
“Why do I tolerate that over flowing junk drawer that contains silly putty, a rusty hammer and approximately 200 feet of telephone cord?!”
I have the same drawer, too, except I call my drawer the “Homemade Sex Toys” drawer.
I use silly putty on all my dates because…. (wait for it)…
I LIKE TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION.
On 09/20/08 at 8:23 pm
Meghan said:
Glad I waited for it. And I can use the extra phone cord for a little auto erotic asphyxiation! Everyone wins!
On 09/20/08 at 9:14 am
Kiki said:
I would LOVE to be that person, with the neatly folded, prettily boxed, drawer and shelved closet. I aspire to it. But between the semi-orgasmic daydream of such aesthetically pleasing order, Real Life gets in the way and buggers it all up. I too spend my day ensuring another family runs smoothly. I get home and the last thing I want to do is carry on. The hardest task I want when I walk into my apartment is to lift a cold blue moon to my lips and sling on my pjs!
But one day…. One day I will go to Ikea and buy one of their closet organizer systems with the shelves, drawers, baskets, dividers, etc and I WILL dedicate a week to making one of my dreams come true. And then I will quit my job, stop going outside, and just stay home and stare at the divine order.
Yup. One day.
On 09/20/08 at 9:29 am
Meghan said:
I’m over IKEA. Yeah, I said it. If they aren’t going to cooperate and just let me live in one of their floor modeled showroom retreats they can all go to hell. Nobody looks good in that shade of yellow anyway!
You obviously know what I am talking about here, K! It’s something we both strive to do because with all they have on their plate the harmony of their homes isn’t something I want them to worry about. I wouldn’t feel I were doing my job properly if the big picture weren’t immaculate.
Just noticing my ‘Countdown for Dubya - His Days Are Numbered’ desk calendar is on 9/14. See! I have missed 6 whole days because of my lack of dedication to my desk area.
On 09/20/08 at 9:48 am
Kiki said:
LOL at living at Ikea. You really could. The foods great, the storage awesome, decor funky. I’d get a tad pissed at people staring at me when I take my afternoon kip on one of the many comfy sofas and beds. Plus I’d want them to hook up cable and running water. But other than that yeah.
The phrase of the weekend here is “I never have time for ANYTHING now I’m the mother of twins”. I would LOVE to swap places!!!!! Luckily everyone knows I’ve been with them from practically the start so there are lots of sympathetic smiles going my way. But it’s sad really that we put 110% into our employers homes and families and neglect to do the same for ourselves.
On 09/20/08 at 10:41 am
Meghan said:
It would be nice to hoard in on all their funky fabric boxes and settle up with my small piles. Like IKEA, my life seems to be some assembly required.
I would however discontinue the Billy line of storage because it reminds me of some twat up in Maine.
Bless you for allowing them the time to celebrate up there. I think P is in the middle of a constant battle with herself now that the little ones are poking out of the next. She just seems to be besides herself, but hang in there!
On 09/20/08 at 9:24 am
Karri said:
Are you spying on me?!
Most often I get by with organized clutter…neat little piles properly in their place that would make no sense to anyone else but me. Now that I’m sifting my way through 40 years of the parentals things my cottage has become complete and utter chaos!!
Thanks for the inspiration to make another pot of coffee, turn the speakers up and dance my way through this nonsense that has become my life.
p.s.
And thanks for the support last night, too…YOU ROCK!
On 09/20/08 at 9:35 am
Meghan said:
My iTunes is currently set to Shuffle over here.
I think I have done well in terms of masking the overall disorder. Rooms are clean and cozy, but someone could definitely go through with a finer tooth comb and pull it all together.
Last time the cleaning lady came, I sensed some serious judgment on her part.
I can’t even imagine the task you have laid before you in your little cottage. One gal’s things were enough to throw me $500 deep at The Container Store.
Last night! But of course!
On 09/20/08 at 10:34 am
Carol said:
<—feels bad that I can’t hear the show on this computer!
On 09/20/08 at 10:50 am
Jessica said:
When I was nannying I did the same for my employer. Keeping things organized and tidy. She’d always comment that my house was probably organized and spotless. Little did she no, I was in the same boat as you, Meghan. You do this for the families because it’s your job and their expectation. You look to please, no different in any other job. Yes nannying IS a job! I was more into taking care of other people that by the time it came to taking care of myself, the energy or enthusiasm was long gone.
You have to be in the mind set of getting organized and make yourself put time aside to making it happen. If this organized clutter works for you then odds are you won’t want to change it! Good Luck Mary Poppins
On 09/20/08 at 11:03 am
Meghan said:
Yay Jess! I so need more of you around!
It’s definitely a job, and not the glorified sitter. I am not sitting cross legged eating microwave popcorn waiting for Bobby First Stringer to come over and feel me up on the couch… although it wouldn’t hurt my motivation
Being someone that has moved far too many times in the last few years, lady - you get way more of a pass that I do. Next time I visit I will dive into one of your piles and treat you to some of that bliss for a change!
XOX
On 09/20/08 at 11:32 am
Jessica said:
Well that’s the thing, we were moving around so much that I got tired of packing stuff that I hadn’t used within the last year. So got the trash bags out and said adios to the collectables! Now I have to figure out how to organize the things that managed to pass the junk pile!
I gotta plan…I should make a special trip out there to Mass and have a clutter free party and make use of those empty containers! lol
On 09/20/08 at 11:44 am
Meghan said:
If my lack of home organizational skills gets you back to Boston than this has all been an elaborate ruse to see you!
On 09/20/08 at 11:09 am
Karl Rove said:
Every once in a while I get a major OCD attack and just clean everything. Usually it’s when I’m anxious for something.
As for organizational bins, I find that they’re good for storing things that you don’t need all the time, but other than that, I just put things in drawers or on tables. My place isn’t really that organized. I take care of garbage and stuff, but documents and papers just keep piling up. I’m always afraid I’ll need a paper even if it’s the most insignificant thing (like a receipt at Burger King).
On 09/20/08 at 11:23 am
Meghan said:
‘I give you the money, you get me the doughnut. End of transaction!’…loved him!
I have a problem with things like bills seeing as how I pay for almost everything online, event my rent. So after a few weeks I am faced with a pile of envelopes next to my paper Onion subscriptions I never open because I read those online too.
I’m cleaning out some drawers right now, note to self…stop buying god damned hand cream! You have enough to lotion up the Patriots Cheerleaders and force them to wrestle for money.
On 09/20/08 at 11:35 am
Jessica said:
OMG speaking of all those damn Victoria Secrets lotion!! I had to start recycling those gifts to me for x-mas presents to the next lucky person! Oh wait, I didn’t give you lotion for a gift did I! lol.
On 09/20/08 at 11:47 am
Meghan said:
No, and you best not this year! I don’t always understand toiletries as gifts. I have one friend who is guaranteed to send me something from the Bath and Body Works collection…
Sugar Plum Cinnamon Maple Fig Pie Vanilla Melon Dreams.
No less than half that crap just smells awful.
On 09/20/08 at 11:59 am
Cassie said:
Am I the ONLY one that actually ENJOYS the clutter??!?!?!?!?! just askin
why? B/C it is MINE. I do not like when other ppl come over and clutter my house! hahahahahahah
On 09/20/08 at 2:36 pm
Carol said:
<—fully intends to visit and bring shit to create clutter in your Louisiana abode.
On 09/20/08 at 3:35 pm
Meghan said:
I do not like guests who clutter! I understand and speak only one clutter language. Everything needs to kindly find a proper home.
We are so very particular about our piles!
On 09/20/08 at 2:52 pm
Missygail said:
Well, we shop online and we can get on demand weeds, but we mostly end up using the on demand channel for old DIY episodes.
I can help you get organized. I’m still living with mom and dad (or rather back with them), and I’ve adopted my old teenage routine of organization, which is mess upon mess. I wasn’t that neat when I was married, but I was a ton neater than I am now. I think that I’ve regressed to my un-neat ways. My children have inherited this messiness as well.
It sucks and once you become messy it’s so hard to become neat again.
On 09/20/08 at 2:52 pm
Missygail said:
That should be I CAN’T help you get organized.
On 09/20/08 at 3:39 pm
Meghan said:
Hahaha! I was a little confused! Wasn’t sure if that was a typo or you pointing to your ass and