Does It Ever End?

In the midst of this thankful month...I'd like to share a few thoughts on housework. 

I don't like laundry and dishes.  Mostly I don't like the fact that they never end and stack up so quickly.  A few weeks ago we had a really busy week.  Along with being busy doing things other than laundry and dishes, we were still eating and wearing clothes.  This is what I saw one night:

dirty dishes

clean clothes

I eventually got everything cleaned up and put away.  But in the meantime, there was even more...it just never ends. 

So, what do I want to share with you about chores...I'm thankful that I have them, that I have the ability to complete them, and that Scott never judges when I don't.  I know some of you have probably had clothes piled high on the couch too and would never admit that out loud.  If that's you, you don't need to tell me, but try to hear what I'm saying...there's nothing wrong with that.  Life is about priorities and finding contentment, among other things, perhaps.  During that crazy busy week I still read to the kids and relaxed in front of the computer after they went to bed.  I could have taken those minutes to empty the dishwasher or fold clothes, but I didn't.  I'm good with that.  No guilt. 

Also, I'm not always so positive, but I try to be.  The gifts and blessing that have been given to me come with responsibility.  I like to think that anything worth doing has an upside and a down side.  My favorite example is sledding.  It's a thrill to go down that hill, with the crisp, cold wind in your face.  Then there's the walk back to the top.  Totally worth it.  It's the same with raising a family.  I'll gladly, although not always with a smile on my face, climb that hill again and again.  And again.

Good, Clean Fun

In a little over a month I'm going to be moving out of this house. The kids and I will be staying someplace else in Georgia for a few weeks and then weaving our way up the coast, eventually landing in New York for a while. After visiting there we'll be convoying cross-country with my husband until we make it to Washington state where we'll be moving into someone else's home and making it our own.

I know most of you think I'm crazy, but I'm excited about this! I think it's going to be a wonderful trip...a great way to see a lot of different people and places.

And tonight I found something new to be excited about. Wilderness Childe posted this week about spring cleaning. Normally this isn't something I'm giddy about, but since it's in conjunction with all the other fun we'll be having over the next few months...I'm ready for it. And now, with Wilderness Childe's suggestions, I really am ready. She's got some great ideas to clean the gunk and grime from all the nooks and crannies of your house with products you probably have or can buy cheaply.

Here's one of my favorites:
"Dislodge gunk from your can opener by mixing 2 tablespoons of baking soda and
1 teaspoon of water. Scrub with an old toothbrush."

Old toothbrushes are so helpful. I also like the motorized toothbrushes. I don't mean the expensive ones, but the under $10 ones that you're supposed to get rid of when they wear out. My kids got some from Santa a couple years ago and when they got replacements 6 months later I kept the motorized ones to save myself some elbow grease. They're great. My favorite place to use them is in the shower. We have a stand alone shower with a glass door. The toothbrush gets into the texture on the bottom of the shower and into the grungy spots where the screw heads are...everywhere and really gets the schtuff out.

So, take our ideas and add your own (feel free to add them in the comments section) and go have some good, clean fun cleaning your home this spring!