What is it about a clean house that feels so fantastic? I love the feeling of walking on the carpet just after it’s just been vacuumed (by someone else) or being able to look in the bathroom mirror without huge spit marks! I love washing my hands in the sink, finally clean from all the globs of toothpaste left behind by the “younger” faction of my household (allow me to complain for one second: what’s the deal with kids leaving toothpaste remnants and clipped nails around in the bathroom? Seriously, it is like a new concept every time I complain about this issue … ok, for another day, I suppose).
I have a thing about a clean house (yea, the control thing again). I hate to admit this but I once ordered and read the guidebook, “Secret Confessions of a Clean Freak.” It said that if I just spent 15 – 30 minutes a day (weekdays only – BTW) I could always have a clean house! It’s this whole system with schedules and checklists! I’ll send you my well-worn copy if you like! It sounded great. Yet, like the infomercials for the ab machine … use it for 5 minutes each day and you will have a 6-pack abs … my house was clean for less than two weeks.
Look, I like my kids’ room to be clean. I don’t want dirty underwear under their bed or used Kleenex all over their nightstand (really, I am tired of that one). I want to be able to find things in my closet (not happening yet!). I want the kitchen cleaned up before I go to bed.
This week our garbage bin was overflowing. One of the boys said, “I bet Mom was cleaning closets again.” He was right. Maybe this is yet another metaphor for a flaw about me. I suppose it could also be a basis for some freudian therapy. I like order, not chaos. I like certainty and clarity. I think less is more (except when I go out for dinner!). I think maybe I should work on my own closet today.
Have a wonderful (and organized) Saturday!
theyearof50 