ID: Welcome To Packrats Anonymous

Last night it took me just over two hours to pick up and put away every toy, game, puzzle, doll, crayon, pillow, blanket, cup, rock, and book strewn about on every floor in every room of the house. This morning it took the kids about 15 minutes to make it look like I hadn’t done a thing. We are suffering from that popular American malady known as Too Much Stuff, and it’s really starting to bug me. There’s a line from a Crowded House song that goes, “My possessions are causing me suspicion.” I keep hearing that in my head as I look around at the piles of toys, books, knickknacks, and things that defy categorization. The clutter gets in the way of my desire for a simpler life. I’m a recovering pack rat, and it looks as though my kids have inherited that particular gene from me/ Idaho Dad , A Family Runs Through It. More here .

Question: Are you a packrat?