Stuff and nonsense

With a baby on the way, my partner and I are currently trying to declutter our house.

It goes something like this.

Me: OK, this weekend we really have to get this place sorted.

Partner: Yep. I suggest we start with the guest room.

(We stop just inside the door, which is basically as far as we can get without climbing over stuff.)

Me: *swearword*

Partner: Let's just work our way through it one pile at a time. You start with those papers and I'll go through the contents of this box.

(We squeeze into the room and set to work.)

Me: Do we really need these bank statements from ten years ago?

Partner: It's important to keep your financial information in order.

Me: But it's not in order, it's all over the floor.

Partner: Put it in a pile of its own and we'll file it later.

(Silence.)

Partner: Do we really need this clump of multi-coloured ribbons?

Me: Ribbons are useful.

Partner: How about these foil wrappings from the chocolates we had three Christmases ago?

Me: They're perfect for making cards.

Partner: But you haven't made any cards since the Great Card Disaster of 2008.

Me: Well, maybe I'll have more time after the baby is born.

(Silence.)

Partner: How about –

Me: Hang on a second. I've just found a story idea I wrote on the back of a napkin and it's actually pretty good.

(Long silence.)

Me: Yeah, turns out it's not so great after all. What were you going to ask me?

Partner: Hmm? Oh, can't remember now. But look! Here's the dinosaur comic I drew when I was twelve! I thought I'd lost this years ago!

Me (catching sight of what was underneath): And there's my first ever diary! Wow, I remember those days … I was so young …

(Longer silence full of companionable reading.)

Partner: Huh. It's getting dark. Better get the dinner on.

(We survey the room.)

Partner: I think we made pretty good progress.

Me (doubtfully): There seem to be more piles than when we started.

Partner: But at least now we know what's in them.



The A to Z Challenge continues tomorrow.