Oct 22, 2009

Obsession confession.

I am going to share something sort of odd and insightful about myself. Yesterday, I began my Fall cleaning and organizing and let me just say that, despite what you're about to see, I am not a hoarder, I swear! Most people who know me call me a neat freak because I love cleaning and organizing closets or cabinets. I like order and structure and things all lined up. There is one part of my life that is a little out of control, though, and it's actually related to the fact I am a bit of a clean freak. I'm about to share my dirty (only really it's clean) secret with the world. Sit back and brace yourselves.

I love scents. I'm obsessive about scents. No, really, I am. See? This is my fabric softener collection. I love doing laundry and fabric softeners make me *very happy.


I love to mop, too. I have 5 mops but my favorite mop is an O-Cedar UltraMax mop. Yes, I have a favorite mop. So? Since I never know what I want my floors to smell like at any given moment, I like to have a variety of cleaners on hand.


Oh, you think the fabric softeners and floor cleaners are excessive? You've not seen anything yet. The air? Should match the floors and whatever I've softened things with. See?


In case you haven't noticed, I'm also a creature of habit and tend to take every picture I can in that one spot on my kitchen counter. I would stick Jake up there, if I could. Anyway, sometimes, when things are all nice and clean, I like to burn incense. I'm picky about it, though, and while I do like options (gee, you *think?), my favorite incense is from Moodstar. It's incense-y without being too smoky. You should try it. In multiples.


Of course, oils are nice, too. Really, really nice.


Now, I've got to stop and admit to something before I show you the next picture. It was at this point of setting things up on the counter that it really struck me that I just ain't right. *grins* No one, and I mean NO ONE, ought to be able to show what I'm about to show. Yet here it is...apparently, I like the refills for those plug in oil warmer thingies, too. A lot.


In fact, I not only like the refills, I seem to really like the warmers themselves. And yes, I *am just a little uncomfortable right now, thanks.



Oh, but my confession isn't quite done yet. I've not shown you the tarts and if I'm really going to own all this, I have to show it all. That think that looks like a bowl to the upper left? Is actually a 12" tall bamboo jar I tipped on its edge.


At this point, I was feeling a little weirded out by my own self and decided to not drag out all the candles. Just trust me, it's every bit as bad but for as weird as I know all this is, I don't plan on changing...it makes me happy and I can ignore those 3 families I could have fed for a week with the money I've spent here. Oh, in case anyone is wondering how I store my stash, much of it lives in my coffee table (this is only one side of it...lol) and no one knows my smelly little secret unless I share. Pretty sneaky, huh?


Soooo, show of hands. Who feels more sane now that you've seen this?

23 comments:

Lindsay said...

Yay - you are not alone :) Heck, I am not alone!!

Really Frugal said...

I just wrote about how I clean with vinegar, bleach and baking soda - your collection is much more colorful. I think I have the same countertop!

Anonymous said...

Oh you are so not alone, lol!

trudy said...

I thought i had alot of stuff. UMM your alittle over the top. I think my daughter is going to grow up to be you. She has bottles of fabrezze next to her bed and if anyone comes in her room she sprays. I have a thing for fabric softner. I have to smell them all before i buy any.

Anonymous said...

:) I try to keep on top of making the house smell good, because I LOVE it when it does. And I freak out when I run out of softener.

Jennifer said...

I love the black downey! Can I come over and just sniff things?

won said...

Intervention....NOW.

We're on our way. Hang on.

Robin said...

I am slowly headed in that direction. When we moved in this house, less than two years ago, I was determined to have it "smell good" all. the. time. So, I started buying the plug-in things and now have them all over the house. Hubby gets so aggravated with me because he's always asking "what's that smell?" "It sure is strong"

Whatever! LOL

{{{HUGS}}}

Robin :o)

Tina said...

Yes I feel so much better after seeing your stuff........LOL

lisa said...

*raises hand* phew! I thought I was bad but you are much much worse. hee hee

Anonymous said...

**Hand up!**

At least you are a hoarder of cleaning and smell-good supplies-there are worse things to collect! I bet your house smells great!

Erin said...

I laughed at this. I am a candle hoarder, and a fabric softener junkie. :)

laura said...

I'm an Allergy Queen and the polar opposite of you woth the scents. Although I do love to mop and I might just go and give your fav mop a try!

Shana said...

You are my new fragrant hero! I am not worthy, lol! I love the Moroccan febreze, don't you?

Karen said...

I love this! Do you feel better for sharing? LOL awesome!

Julie said...

LOL...I though I was OCD...I love it AP. I love a clean, smell good place,too. If you get that icky gummy stuff on top of the warmers you can clean it off with a cotton ball dipped in alcohol. Oh, and I love fabuloso, too. I just can't find the powder scent where we live.

Lisa said...

I can't believe it...I'm not alone! And no, I do not need an intervention. I need some good Glade and Febreze couons, thankyouverymuch.

RF, the countertop is a Wilsonart formica stuff. Goldish tan with a crackle-paint finish. Is that yours? I got frustrated and let Jake's 10 year old self pick it out. I still don't hate it, so I guess he did good.

Julie, I've never seen the Fabuloso in the powder scent. How long ago did you buy it? I once found it in vanilla and stocked up, but have used it all. I wish they'd come back with that one.

Shana, yes, I do love that one!

Lulu said...

OMG, AP...now I've seen it all! That is a LOT of cleaning agents you have. You post made me laugh..that's a good thing. Now I know where to find you at the grocery store!

Kim said...

You are definitely not alone. I am the same way. And hey, at least you aren't collecting garbage! LOL

Julie said...

LOL..Thanks AP for the blog comment on the blue raspberry, and cotton candy!! Thats SO COOL! I know I already commented on the "obssesion" with scents you have but I still had to just laugh when I saw your pictures.

Tee said...

AP- I totally respect your need to clean and make things smell good. When you're done with your house, feel free to pack up your coffee table and head to Louisiana. The only thing better than fun company is fun company that feels the need to mop!

Bec said...

I don't want to sound creepy, but I need your address. I've started making my own soaps and they smell AMAZING.

Lisa said...

Bec, it's not creepy. My email is anemonepie@yahoo.com...rmail me there and I'll give you my address. I could do another post on my soaps, bath gels and perfumes. ;-) Do you sell yours and do you have a site? I love supporting small businesses, especially people I "know"!

I'm so glad to know other have this same obsession, though! And Tee, I'd come clean for you in a heartbeat if I could. What fun!