January 27, 2010

Clinging to the Clean

It has been ten days since we CLEANED our house. I'm talking about put away everything setting on the surfaces, pick up toys, put away laundry, organize kitchen counters, DUST, sweep, mop, vacuum, EVERYTHING downstairs. Upstairs? Not so much. Yes, we did have company coming. Why do you ask?

It was Josiah's birthday party. Nearly everything was done. With only two things left to accomplish, I decided coffee was a priority. Then people started arriving .... 15 minutes early. Really? When does that ever happen? Belinda, my sister-in-law, was the first one through the door and she asks, "Is there anything I can help you with?" I told her, "Well... everything for the party is set but I am about to go into the toy room and scoop up everything left on the floor and put it in a laundry basket." (I had already done some picking up, okay? There were pathways by this time.) Belinda says, "I can do that!" (Belinda rocks.) And soon everything that had not yet been picked up in that toy room was stashed away for another time. Success!

Ever since that time I've been clinging to the clean. Confronting the chaos head on. Defending my living room from the invasion of toys, blankets, coats, hats, shoes, dishes, and, yes, even popcorn. The battle is wearisome at times but the fight must go on.

OR ELSE

This could happen. again.

This is the "before" picture of the Playroom.

You see, my idea of clean and my boys' idea of clean is not the same. No. Not at all. I say, "Pick up your toys." They hear, "Stuff them into the toy room (and for good measure, dump them out in the process)."

Never, never, never, never give up! (I like to borrow quotes from Winston Churchill.)

Oh, yes. Get this. I was channel surfing and saw a glimpse of an organizing show on HGTV. The person was asking for help in organizing their spotless playroom. I had to turn to the channel. Obviously, they have no CONCEPT of a mess.

P.S. I'm sure that some day you will hear about Josiah's actual birthday party but I'm waiting for a quote from him which he may or may not deliver. Right now he said he's thinking about what he might want to say on the blog.

10 comments:

Bethany said...

Are you sure you didn't sneak into my kids toy room and snap a picture? I make them clean it and then I go in there and check it Mommy Dearest style.

Then I beat them with Barbies even if it's clean.

Laura said...

Haha I was going to say the same thing but Bethany beat me to it. So glad my house isn't the only one that looks like that. :)

Sturgmom said...

Girl, keeping my house clean is a losing battle. I've even been harder on the boys about helping out more. I'm in the market for a good chore chart idea... if I find something, I'll let you know!

Jules AF said...

Sigh, I cleaned my entire house and now I'm happy.

Marsha Loftis said...

LOL, my kids toy room always looked like that. I straightened things up to my satisfaction about once a week.

Confessions From A Work-At-Home Mom said...

I really love your term here "Clinging To The Clean". I tend to do one "big" cleaning every 4-6 weeks in my house, and then try (desperately, and fail, usually) to keep it as tidy as possible in between.

Oh, and thanks for your sweet comment on my blog earlier. I understand what you mean about the scrolling boxes-- I mainly did that to save space; it's stuff I feel like I NEED to have on my page, but am looking for a way to "organize". Got any alternatives in mind?

~Elizabeth
Confessions From A Working Mom

Jessica said...

I commend you. And am slightly envious. Having your house on the market means the clean clings to YOU. It wakes you up in the night. Sneaks up behind you in the dark. Stalks you through the shadowy ruins of New York City... wait. No, that's I Am Legend. But it feels similar somehow.

Lemonade Makin' Mama said...

Why is cleaning so very hard? I ask my children, "Don't you LIKE a clean room?" Apparently not. :)

Thanks for the blog love and for following me!

Blessings,
LMM

Unknown said...

Oh wow - We don't have a toy room, but that could have been a picture of our living room on any given day. I swear the toy box just throws up all of the toys in it at least 5 times a day!!

Marie said...

I have a hard time keeping things picked up with one boy. I cannot begin to imagine...