Monday Moment - Cleaning House

Last week I hosted my book group for the first time since I became a member. Well, you know what that means, right? I felt compelled to work like a dog to clean my house within an inch of its life!

Generally I’ve always believed that my friends should and will take me – and my house – as I am. And generally, that’s been how it has been. People who like me understand that I’m a “stuff-person” and that I tend to place more focus on creativity than either neatness or cleanliness. I don’t see that as a bad thing – never have. I like my creativity – and I like that my house acts as a palette for said creativity.

And yet. I do recognize that I – and my stuff – can go over the top on occasion. I’m sure it’s a genetic thing. I can blame my pack-rat tendencies as squarely on my mother as I can my hips and thighs. I undoubtedly also got a dose of house-pride from Mom too. After all, I remember helping to clean our home place within an inch of its life when it was her turn to host her Club – theoretically formed so they could sew together until they found a lot more fun in playing cards.

House-pride is something I’ve seen in all our previous book group gatherings as well. Over half our group are either new to our community or have moved back after some time away – and live in immaculate new homes. You know the kind – where the original paint has yet to chip from corners or become scuffed from the daily traffic of living. Only one has children still living at home, and although a few have animals, they seem to be of the extraordinarily well-behaved variety with whom I can only claim only passing acquaintance. These are homes that sparkle and shine – and intimidate lesser house-keepers like me.

Hence my compulsion to show off my home in its best light – which required a sort of archaeological scraping through various strata of my life. There was stuff to dump, stuff to give away, stuff to put away, stuff to clean and lovingly display. Oy! And anytime I paused, thinking that maybe I was nearly done, there was something else that needed attention. Baseboards, cupboard knobs, picture frames, lampshades, it seemed like it would never end.

I kept thinking that next time they come it will be easier. For one thing, the house will be one more year cleaner. But for another, next time they’ll be content to sit in the living room without wanting a tour of the whole darn house!

The rooms we spend the most time in (all right – except for my office which is sadly a bit of a catch-all) stay reasonably clean and neat. It’s those other rooms – my office, sewing area, guest room (another catch-all until someone comes to stay) and all the nooks and crannies that don’t get a lot of regular attention.

And that – perhaps – has emerged as my goal. Perhaps, if I straighten, neaten, purge, and clean one room every week (oh cripes, for the rest of my life!) then the task of getting the whole house clean at one time won’t be so gut-busting. Oh that would be such a good goal. But I know myself – and it’s not likely to happen every week. Not when there are kayaks to paddle, gardens to work in, books to read, and any of the other myriad of more enjoyable things to do.

So then, let’s amend the goal. One of those lesser used rooms every month. Just an hour at a time. Seems doable. I’ll let you know – next year when it’s my turn to host book group again!

Oh by the way, there were oohs, ahhs, and wow’s when they came last week. So the effort was well justified, my house-pride emerged intact, and – at least momentarily – we live in a clean and still creative house.

May you accomplish some goal that makes you proud in the coming week!