Holmes on Homes

If you watch even 15 minutes worth of any show on HGTV, you'll likely see a promo for a show called "Holmes on Homes."  It's star is a big muscular blonde Canadian named Mike Holmes and he comes to the aid of people who have been totally screwed by contractors.  After assessing just what went wrong with their home improvement project and just exactly how bad the situation is, he brings in a trusted team of people with whom he has worked for years and fixes it.  He always talks about "making it right," and "doing it right the first time."

He is both comforting and foreboding--the sort of man you'd like to have alongside you in a dark alley and the sort of man you would not want to be up against if you were a shady character.  An unethical contractor for instance.  With those muscles, this guy could beat the snot out of you.

I love Mike Holmes.  He is my hero.  He has this kind of crazy work ethic that makes me wonder what sort of person he is.  How did he come to be this sort of person?  Who taught him all these great qualities?  He is smart, he knows everything about the business he is in, he is dedicated, he cares about people, and he gets things done.  He gets. things. done. 

And he makes me wonder about myself.  About my own work ethic.  About my own inability to focus on any one project for an extended period of time.  About the amount of unfinished craft projects that are loitering in this home of mine.  He makes me want to be a better, more devoted person.

There is a quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln:  "Whatever you are, be a good one."  It makes me wonder if clutter isn't the problem here, but commitment.  Commitment to the task at hand, to finishing the work of cleaning things up.  I'm good at committing to my husband, our daughter, my friends...but when it comes to actually finishing an actual project...my follow-through could use a little work.  Okay, a lot of work.  Or so the 53 boxes tell me.

Company this weekend for my husband's birthday.  So, boxes and tote bags go to the hiding places once again...but the summer could be an excellent jumping off place, and it is just around the corner.  A good clean slate to spread things out, organize, and make things right.

I wonder if Mike Holmes does organizing.  I would seriously watch that show.