My approach to cleaning house is a lot like going on and off a diet. Just like extra calories, little things pile up in stray corners and on ends of tables until before Ive realized it the entire house has amassed this huge amount of clutter that simply overwhelms every room. When it gets to this point, I come to grips with the fact that Ive let it go far too long and I decide Im gonna get my rear end in gear and do something about it. I think to myself, hey I need a plan. If I just had a routine I could get into then I could keep this place up without it ever getting to this point. And so for a few days I stick to a strict regimen of washing at least one load of laundry a day and I empty and fill the dishwasher at least twice and I keep soapy water in the sink for wiping counters. I bark at my children to pick up pick up pick up, and yall are not too little to help me around here! I put junk baskets in heavily trafficked areas and circle endlessly around them putting things in and putting things up. I even manage to get excited when I make some progress and I almost believe I can keep this up. I think, Ill make lists! Ill check off chore charts! Ill sweep every day at the same time and make the bed every morning and then I wont be embarrassed when I have unexpected company drop in! And just like with any fad diet, after about three or four days of super-motivated dedication I start to slip here and there. Those old exhausted mommy procrastinator thoughts creep into my weary head and I easily give in. Ah, I can do two loads tomorrow. I can fold those tomorrow. Ill wash the dishes tomorrow. One day wont hurt. Or the kids pitch a tantrum over a chore and because Ive been listening to whiny screaming little people all day I choose a little quiet over winning the battle. And just like that, the clean house dream is done and the clutter comes back with a vengeance. And I redress my tired mind with the if you cant beat em join em attitude until the mess gets so massive I cant stand it anymore and the whole cycle begins again. This merry-go-round of motivation and lack of care is a ride Id like to get off, but I just cant seem to find the magic switch that turns it off and turns me into a better housekeeper. I suppose it just must be in my nature to have a mostly damage control attitude to cleanliness, but I have to admit how much I yearn to keep a lovely house like some of my friends do. I go to other peoples houses and just drop in and it smells nice and the floors are spotless and not even a stray fork is left out on the counter. I peep in the bathroom and theres not a wadded piece of dirty clothing anywhere to be found, or a single spot of toothpaste on the sink. And how in the world do these people find time to wipe all the little white dots off all the mirrors everyday?? It makes me feel like a failure when I return to my house and have to shove toys and shoes out of the way just to find a place to put my foot to get in the front door. But I am glad that success is not measured by the cleanliness of my home. And I have to note my children and husband seem pretty much oblivious to the awful disorder of things, and relatively happy as well. I suppose its permissable for books to be strewn about the floor if that means each child is read to each night. And I suppose its acceptable for dirty dishes to linger on the countertops if it means everybody is fed. And I guess it means little that clothes pile up on the floor for what really matters is we have them to wear. And even though its like tiptoeing through a minefield to get out of the kids rooms at night, I think its okay their rooms are messy as long as they know theyre loved and kissed goodnight. One day I will have a beautiful house with everything in order and in its place. But the sound of little feet running through the halls will be long gone and Ill miss every minute we spent making memories in our messy house. The sticky fingerprints will have been long washed away but Ill miss holding the little hands that made them. And when I think about that, I dont really care anymore about the dirty dishes in the sink, or the fact that I step on about twenty pointy little lego pieces to sneak into my childrens rooms again. I just praise the Lord for the awesome gifts He has given me and for all the precious time I get to spend with them and I kiss my babies sleeping faces one more time.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 01:56:17 +0000
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