I'll take that challenge!

No sooner did I announce that Lillian would never clean up her room and make space for the new pink nightstand, than she did it!  She put her lamp with it's funky yardsale lampshade on top, temporarily relocated some cute accessories and books, and even snapped the picture with her iPhone.

But in the spirit of truth in reporting, she backed up a step and took another picture.  Lillian is a saver--and she has a lot of things to save, because she also collects a variety of treasures--from books to vintage accessories.  Her room is small with a lot of furniture in it, so it's difficult to keep tidy.  She also telecommutes to one of her jobs, in there--on the phone and her laptop.

When she was little and would leave for a weekend to visit her dad, I'd go in and clean it all up because the cluttered mess was so frustrating for both of us, and she was always sincerely determined to keep it nice.  Now, though, Lillian is an adult and I have to accept that it's her decision to have her room however she can stand it, even though she (like most of us) appreciates a neat room, and often cleans it [most of the way] up.  I only ask that no leftovers or dirty dishes stay in there, and we agree to disagree on the rest.

She certainly won't live here forever, and although she will eventually move away, I'm not in a hurry to see her leave.  She's good company and we have a lot of fun together.  When she's gone, will I be happier because that room is empty and clean?  Hardly.

It's just stuff.  Who cares?