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01.12.2005 :: Raise your hand!

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About a week ago, my family had a heart to heart about cleaning. Yes, that's right. Cleaning the home. It started with one saying how such and such bugs them. And then I admitted that I can't do it all anymore. I need help. Then they pledged their undying support and all volunteered to do tasks. You know....
"I'll make sure the trash is taken out and the floor around it kept clean!"
"I'll vacuum when it needs to be done!"
"I'll fold the laundry!"
"I'll do the dishes!"
and then there's this one..
"I'll wash the kitchen floor!"
mmmmhmmm. Raise your hand if you believe this story.
Hogwash!
That's what it was. Although a half hearted attempt was made once in which a vacuum did actually touch a floor and a swiffer did mop up a kitchen. So, I'm grateful for that anyway.
Soon enough, floors started to appear dirty again, clutter reined.
Back to normal, I guess, it was good while it lasted!
Knitting?
Instead of knitting my fingers off, the last two nights I have been reading my eyeballs out. I can't put Life of Pi down. I couldn't pick it up for a year as it sat on my nightstand and now that I've started, I can't stop. The Latvian/Estonian/Massachussian mitten begs to be finished. And tonight it will.
Perhaps I will knit while the family cleans up around me.
Pshaw!

Posted by Sandy on 01.12.2005 AT 07:03 AM

Comments

Here are just a few of the tricks my mom used:

If a toy was on the floor after we went to bed, it went to 'toy jail' until Saturday.

She would put Ajax cleanser (the powder sink cleaning stuff) on the bottom of our tubs so that we had to at least rinse it to be able to take a shower or bath.

She would put our clean, folded clothes on our beds so that we had to move them to sleep. If they were moved anywhere other than the correct drawers, she would hide them for a week. This lasted until we turned 13 and then we were on our own in the laundry world.

Yes, Mom ran a tight ship but because she did, she had time to knit, sew, read, and belly dance!

My own trick is to occasionally lock the computer keyboard, game controllers and remote away until chores are done! Mean Mommy!

Posted by: Sharon on 01.13.2005 AT 02:59 PM

I finished Life of Pi yesterday and loved it. Let me know what you thought of the end. I have been recommending it to everyone. Enjoy the reading. BTW-audio books + knitting needles and yarn = a happy knit/reader!

Posted by: Teresa C on 01.12.2005 AT 11:52 PM

My chins said to tell your chins "hi." Go see them in all their "trying to be covered up in a Lands' End turtleneck" glory over at my blog today.

Posted by: Laurie on 01.12.2005 AT 11:13 PM

Yeah...let's dream on. Seems like you live at my house! Oh well, we're happy if not uncluttered, right?

Posted by: LeAnne on 01.12.2005 AT 12:26 PM

I also just loved "The Life of Pi." Gave away copies for gifts I liked it so much. Had a hard time with the first 40 pages, then couldn't put it down.

Family cleaning --- go to www.flylady.net. Control Journals for everybody!!!

Blessings, Kim

Posted by: Kim on 01.12.2005 AT 11:05 AM

It seems like more work to GET them to clean, rather than to just DIY!!

Posted by: Mary Beth on 01.12.2005 AT 09:52 AM

I really enjoyed that book, too. I went to the Bronx Zoo over new year's and saw their Siberian tigers up close and personal (the people are in enclosures with giant windows, the tigers walk right up to you). Magnificent creatures!

Have you considered a housecleaning service? My sister has a weekly visit from a woman who she has come to adore.

Posted by: June on 01.12.2005 AT 09:47 AM

Yes. Knit while the family cleans up around you. I am sure that will happen! I'm optimistic anyway! Mwah!

Posted by: Norma on 01.12.2005 AT 09:32 AM

i really enjoyed life of pi. interesting discussion followed at our book club. have fun finishing it!

Posted by: lisa on 01.12.2005 AT 09:19 AM