Experiments

I make no secret of the fact that I hate cleaning. I have shared the story with most of you about the time I called a maid service just to find out what they did for how much money. As the man on the other end of the phone listed chores, "wipe down all base-board moulding, clean the kitchen window, wipe out sink," I had to fan myself. When I hung up all flushed, I felt assured that phone sex could not possibly be any better than someone trying to woo me into letting them clean for me. But I am a cheapskate. So, I did not hire them.

Seminary provided a very convenient excuse to not do more than perfunctory cleaning for the last two years. Much time had to be devoted to lesson planning and I was too tired anyway.

I'm out of excuses, though. The time has come. I've decided to try being an excellent housekeeper for one week. Details people. Cleaning windows, dusting the tops of the really tall things that I can't even see the tops of. Filing all those papers that I have been meaning to file for...well, a really long time. Getting out paint cans and touching up the little spots AFTER I wash down the walls in each room.

Obviously not every thing has to be done every week, but if I hate this week because it doesn't leave time for me to do the things that I love doing, then I am just going to embrace the messy house. It's not like creepy dirty, just a chronic mess. And while it's nice when it's clean, it's also really nice to sit at the playground and talk with my friends while our children play all around us. Or read a book all in one sitting. Or send and receive lovely emails from lovely friends. Or enjoy wonderful conversations on the phone. (I would say 'play with my kids', but realistically, I'm not invited into their world of play hardly ever. So, they're good.) These are the things I actually like doing.

We will see how much I get to do this week.

Wish me luck!