So yet another event is happening at my house. But it’s only with family….
And in honor of this event, I’m going to do something unique….We are going to play a little Q and A today…..
Q. Why is it only with family? Do you ever invite “outsiders”?
Well, let me tell you…. Every time we have people over, we go into the “cleaning frenzy” and make sure everything is in order. And the process is NEVER pretty! It starts with telling the kids we need to clean so we can have people over. After this simple sentence, all hell breaks loose. The kids get cranky and start complaining about every little thing I tell them to do and it just gets exhausting!
Q. So, why don’t you just clean as you go?
A. Well…in THEORY, that’s a GREAT idea. However, my children have taken MY stance on things which I have labeled the “cut and run” or “I’ll get right back to this”-itis. (Itis is “Inflammation of”). So our house is diseased by “I’ll get back to this in a minute”. Followed by “It’s been there so long, I don’t really see it anymore”
Q. So why don’t you JUST get a cleaner?
A. Well….in THEORY, that would be great but there are two issues. ONE is it costs money which I don’t really want to spend. And TWO, to have a cleaner means I have to clean my house before they come and as they only come every other week, there is a lot of damage done in those short amounts of time!
Q. So, why don’t you input a system or “Chores” for your children to be responsible for and in turn (if you want to be nice) you can offer them a small stipend for their services?
A. Well….. In THEORY that is a great idea! HOWEVER, with their schedules being what it is throughout the year; it’s enough for them to go to school, dance and do homework and (get food in between all that) and be able to have them in bed at a decent hour (which usually isn’t before 10pm). To throw in a few more tasks throughout the day would put them to bed later, making them crankier and less effective the next day and this carryover would be more than even I could handle.
Q. Okay, I see. But what about the summers?
A. Well, in THEORY to train them over the summer would be great. But at this time I am still waiting for my summer to start. And to create any sort of good routine, which would be GREAT over the summer, would require someone to micro-manage them to be consistent in their chores. If you have questions about that, please refer to question #2.
Q. So, if you clean for family, why wouldn’t you clean for friends?
A. Well…that’s a great question and I have a couple of answers. First, my house is so far gone and most of my friends have “model-type” homes and therefore I’m way too embarrassed. Second, I HATE the idea of inviting people and leaving someone out! You are talking to a person who forgot to invite her own Mother to the Mothers Day brunch we were planning! (no, I’m not kidding!) I am literally crippled by the fact that if I leave someone out and they find out I will feel like and idiot and stew on it for weeks!! SO…. I usually leave the list to my husband and/or children if and when we have any gatherings! Which is practically never (I miss my friends).
We used to have great bbqs. We’ve had over 60 ppl here for a Bday party and I loved it! But those days are pretty well passed….. At least for now.
Q. How clean will you get your house for your family members?
A. Well…in THEORY, it should be white glove clean. However, being who I am and under the time crunch I’m usually under, it simply means they will have a path to walk through and a place to put their plate!! (Okay, not THAT bad, but sometimes that is what I feel like!)
Q. Do you have aspirations of a cleaner more consistent household?
A. Every-Stinkin’-day…….
Q. So, do you block people at the door if they just show up?
A. It depends on who it is. My close friends will come and enjoy my messy house because they are more interested in my divine conversation and my husbands good cooking. My close friends are invited any time they want! Other people need to make an appointment….. (or sign a waiver).
Q. So….shouldn’t you be cleaning right now instead of writing this blog?
A. Well…..In THEORY….YES! But please refer to question #2.
Happy Saturday
Mom of two grown ass girls and married to a short guy who is funny and cooks really well! I’m a photographer by trade, so you can say I’m a bit “peopley”. My favorite sessions are the one on ones where I just get to chat and find out about my clients. I’m blessed with what I get to do every day! Blessed by the support of my husband and kids, and blessed by the ongoing support and encouragement of my friends who are always lifting me up.
In Theory, if you spent half as much time cleaning as you did blogging about your tangents; your home and kids would be clean. – just sayin’
ps – when did it become cool to belly ache about your husband and post that online
Steph, you clearly LOVE me!!! If my posts bother you, then why do you read them? It’s always fun to see what people respond to! And I don’t recall belly-aching in this post about my husband. I believe I mentioned his good cooking.
I simply write my own reality. It doesn’t have to be your reality. My readers who have followed me understand where I am coming from and therefore my words are read in a lighter tone.
Maybe I’ll start taking my 20 minutes a day and applying them to my home. Not sure if it will “clean” my kids, but maybe in time…..