Second Spring, Execute Cleaning

It’s that time of year again, we have gone through our first spring, second winter, are now into our second spring because where we live the weather is a fickle being. Today was the warmest it has been in a few weeks at a balmy 53 degrees so that prompted me to get my cleaning supplies out to start some spring cleaning. Now granted there wasn’t an appearance of shorts and tank tops but I got to at least wear a lighter set of jeans with an actual shirt, not a sweatshirt. I am starting to get hopeful that the cold is coming to an end, which was so encouraging that I decided to clean because that’s what normal people do right?

My family has a habit of scattering when I start to do the “mom cleaning”. Since I have clear memories of doing this as a kid I know this phenomenon is not something new. Now of course my way of thinking was that it wouldn’t take me long to get this deep cleaning done since the chores we give our kids include things like dusting, sweeping and moping. I now understand the scattering of the kids and the hubby. I found dust in places that if routine dusting was being done wouldn’t have had dust. The floor under the table had more dust bunnies than you would find in a bunny colony. The sinks had some type of film on them that came off easily with a little bit of “elbow grease”. Now in the defense of the family we are all pretty busy with school and work, but not so busy that chores couldn’t get done right. I guess this is why “spring cleaning” happens.

Ranting aside, it is so satisfying to have a clean house. It’s energizing, and there is a weight that feels like it is lifted off my shoulders when I get a handle on the piles and dust that starts to accumulate. I admit there are still places that I haven’t gotten to but there is also a part of me that doesn’t want to overstress about the fact that I have taken a whole Saturday to clean three rooms. So what is it that causes these energized feelings? Probably the fact that I have control again of my environment. I have pride in the fact that things are cleaned and organized. My stove top is white again and my black countertops don’t have a layer of dust behind the appliances that are strategically placed on it. My house smells clean and the white shirt I wore (yes, a pretty white shirt) is still white and there are not any weird stains on it. Now that most of the house is clean the family has felt safe enough to converge again in the living room. I can now work on other projects, without the stress of mess weighing me down. I love this feeling. Yes I could have gone outdoors and done something fun, but as I stated earlier I am hopeful that the cold is coming to an end, but that time isn’t here yet and 53 degrees is still cold in my book, so I will patiently wait for that warmer day to come. Until next time:

How to handle stress like a dog:

If you can’t eat it, or play with it, then pee on it and walk away

Unknown