She kept a good house...
I remember growing up, my mother would make a comment about a neighbor lady and say something like, "she keeps a good house." It seems that woman's status in the community was judged by the way she kept her house, cooked, or baked. You know, the ultimate housewife and homemaker. I used to think it was so funny, but not so much when mom would have me doing the spring AND fall cleaning. This wasn't the usual dust and vacuum. Nope. This was the all out get on the hands and knees scrubbing of walls and floors. And lest not we forget the turning of the mattresses, washing of bed linens, and polishing till I was blue in the face.
I try and keep up with the fall and spring cleaning, but in truth, I admit that I get at it only once a year. That deep down, crevace, actually MOVE the furniture and vacuum, polish and shine and wash everything down. I feel good that I do it, but chastise myself that I don't do it like "mom used to do it."
Then in a moment of clarity, I slap myself on the forhead and mutter loudly , "but she did not work outside the home." Not that this is an excuse mind you, but I work a full 8-9 hours at my day job outside the home, I teach yoga 2-3 nights a week, and I exercise (to combat the genetics given to me by my parents) 2-3 nights per week.
I do what I can. I'm not living in a pig-pen by any means - it's clean, just a little cluttered. I like to think that my house has the inviting, warm, lived in feel to it I don't care if people take their shoes off when they enter the house, or sit down on a chair with their dirty clothes on. I'm just happy that people come to visit me. I have been know to say, "please excuse the mess" as I'm shoving old newspapers to the opposite side of the table so we can sit down, have a cup of coffee, and catch up on life's happenings.
Mom, bless her heart, lived for family. Though I know she didn't mind the messes we all made, she was right there with a rag in her hand cleaning up spilled milk, or wiping the grease from the stove as she was frying pork-chops for a crew of 8 or 10 (depending who was home for the weekend).
No, I'll never be known for "keeping a nice house" but that's alright. You want a cup of coffee and stimulating conversation with lots of laughter......don't mind the mess and you're welcome any time.
I try and keep up with the fall and spring cleaning, but in truth, I admit that I get at it only once a year. That deep down, crevace, actually MOVE the furniture and vacuum, polish and shine and wash everything down. I feel good that I do it, but chastise myself that I don't do it like "mom used to do it."
Then in a moment of clarity, I slap myself on the forhead and mutter loudly , "but she did not work outside the home." Not that this is an excuse mind you, but I work a full 8-9 hours at my day job outside the home, I teach yoga 2-3 nights a week, and I exercise (to combat the genetics given to me by my parents) 2-3 nights per week.
I do what I can. I'm not living in a pig-pen by any means - it's clean, just a little cluttered. I like to think that my house has the inviting, warm, lived in feel to it I don't care if people take their shoes off when they enter the house, or sit down on a chair with their dirty clothes on. I'm just happy that people come to visit me. I have been know to say, "please excuse the mess" as I'm shoving old newspapers to the opposite side of the table so we can sit down, have a cup of coffee, and catch up on life's happenings.
Mom, bless her heart, lived for family. Though I know she didn't mind the messes we all made, she was right there with a rag in her hand cleaning up spilled milk, or wiping the grease from the stove as she was frying pork-chops for a crew of 8 or 10 (depending who was home for the weekend).
No, I'll never be known for "keeping a nice house" but that's alright. You want a cup of coffee and stimulating conversation with lots of laughter......don't mind the mess and you're welcome any time.
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