My Hobby

It's at times like this that I think there's something wrong with me. I REALLY enjoying cleaning. When the girls were little I remember cleaning all day while they played. When we first started homeschooling my main concern was: "How do you find time to clean?"

I remember a veteran homeschooler laughing at me (or maybe with me?) at this question. It took me a couple of more years to realize that I HAD to let go of the perfect house for the sake of homeschooling. And so I've let go but internally it hurts my eyes to see clutter. And I've been known to go into organizing fits in the middle of the day. When I'm having a bad day my dh will take the kids out while I stay home and ...... CLEAN!!!

And although I could care less how someone elses house looks (REALLY!!!) I can't stand clutter. So today I'm in happy land because I get to do real cleaning as opposed to superficial cleaning. And I'm happy!! Which makes me think there's something wrong with me!

Just to clue you in on how sick I must be, growing up whenever I would go to a friend's house I liked to play "let's clean up your room." And in college I used to clean my roommate's side of the dorm. I couldn't study until everything was picked up. I wonder why I went through 3 roommates in 2 years? Finally, my last roomie (she was a dear friend) told me to leave her clutter alone and go to the library if it bothered me. I honestly never realized I was making a pest of myself. So, I started going to the library and we stayed friends.

And yet, I've FINALLY learned that I don't live in a museum. I live in a REAL house with REAL kids who make REAL messes. And I can't be mad all the time because everything isn't perfect. They need to be educated, not sanitized. And so now school starts at the same time everyday (whether their beds are made or not) because just like real school kids are on a bus no matter what, my "fake" school kids need to be at school too.

Still, I have to admit that I like cleaning my house and I'm enjoying today. But I also know that this won't last forever (maybe through the weekend) and that's okay.

And I can't even say that when they are grown and gone my house will be "perfect" clean. Only because my mother-in-law is ALWAYS reminding me that that's not necessarily true either. Not if the grand kids are visiting. ;-)

Maybe in Heaven (God willing) I will be the cleaning lady for those people who don't like to clean! Win-win situation!