When I was a kid and would finally decide I should clean up my pit of a room, I would pretend there was a reason I had to do it really fast, so I could get it over with. My favorite imaginary reason was that my mother-in-law was coming over. Obviously I wasn't married, but I was good at pretending.
Apparently I had noticed that a person cleans before their mother-in-law comes over. Or when anyone comes over, for that matter.
I don't think there many people who can totally refrain from picking up the house before someone comes over. I mean, unless they have no choice and absolutely no time.
I do it too. Even if it's my best friend in the whole world who could care less about the state of my home, I still rush around picking up toys and throwing dishes in dishwasher. Even if I don't really care if it's messy. It's like an addiction. This old dog can't teach herself the trick of keeping it messy for guests. I don't even really mind cleaning it up for guests. I kind of like it because it gives me some motivation to actually finish something, which always feels good.
I suppose that's why Miles always asks who's coming over when I'm cleaning. When I say "no one," he doesn't believe me. "But no, Mom! WHO is coming over?" Sigh. "Honey, I'm just cleaning to clean." Pause. "Is it Grampa Ken?"
I'm also a therapeutic cleaner. When I'm stressed, worried, sad, excited, happy, contemplative...
Well, I guess pretty much any feeling will make me want to clean. And yet, I'm a pretty lazy and scattered person who doesn't really ever finish cleaning. But I do have certain things in my house, like a random refrigerator drawer that's really sparkly. I'm a strange cleaning dichotomy.
So basically, whatever I'm feeling, to deal with it, I either clean or write random blog posts about nothing.
I think the cleaning thing might be wearing off on Miles already. He asks to clean. Then I get him an old rag with some water on it and he runs around the house like Dash on the Incredibles, scrubbing walls, floors, tabletops and even the carpeting.
The other day, I complimented him on what a good job he was doing and he said, "Yeah, I've got good cleaning skills."
True, true.
Can you tell by this post that I'm all out of sorts? Random cleaning information is weird.
I'm thinking about and praying for Baby Stellan while he's in surgery this morning. I chose to deal with my scattered thoughts over the matter by writing a post and this is what came out, which really makes no sense. I think I should just stick to cleaning while I
Orange for Stellan
34 clicked right here to comment:
According to cf husband, Stellan's family is asking people to wear orange today... Thought this might help you in feeling proactive in thinking about him. . . also thought it would be helpful for your children to spot you should you become buried by your mounds of cleaning piles...
See you later! (I'm bringing my white gloves! :)~ )
xo, crock
C-
Yes, I'm donning my orange shoes. Believe it or not, despite my love affair with orange, I have nothing but shoes and underwear that fall under that apparel description.
I promise not to show anyone my underwear, but I will proudly display my orange shoes.
I sent in a pic of Miles and Asher in orange sitting my the orange wall in the kitchen. Apparently, I'm over-doing the orange thing :)
I have to admit, my bathroom is usually disgusting. I had a friend stop in a few weeks ago, and asked to use the restroom. I was mortified. And yet, she still talks to me!
I do the hurry up and clean when visitors are coming. One time, our doorbell rang on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I looked at the window and it was MY DAD. I RAN around the house even while he was there, picking up...changing out of my PJs (it was noon)....throwing dishes in the washer, toys in the bedroom, straightening cushions...oh my gosh, I was mortified. My husband still, to this day, makes fun of me for that day. He and my dad get a good chuckle. I hope Stellan's day goes great.
I tend to pop from one thing to the next when I worry. I also talk to myself. You are the only person I've ever admitted that to.
ok, this is SO WEIRD!! i was cleaning my kitchen just a bit ago. and i realized that i have an obsession with "order". i hate clutter, can't stand to see it! anyway, while cleaning...who pops into my mind? YOU! what is that all about?!
by the way, i am sporting my orange shoes as well.
Praying for Stellan and loved reading just a little more about Heather! Even if it was your random cleaning skills! :)
I stop cleaning when I am worrying to death. Maybe that's why my house is such a pig sty lately...a lot on my mind.
I think it's hilarious that your kids think someone is coming just because you're cleaning. That does make me feel better. :)
I wish that when I got stressed I cleaned it would be better for me and my waist line b/c I am a stress eater.
i have a little routine i go through hurriedly every morning. if i don't get around to it, i am in a funk. it really only consists of making all the beds, tidying up, throwing in a load of laundry and unloading the dishwasher and emptying out the coffeemaker. those things make me feel on top of things. i try to just ignore the dog fur tumbleweeds and the dirty paw (boy and dog) prints everywhere. i like things neat, but not necessarily clean. that sounds gross, i know.
Ha! My Mother used to tell us when we were small that the estate agent was bringing some people to view the house so we better go and clean our rooms. Then after half an hour she'd take a call and say they'd cancelled.
This worked until my sister and I were old enough to work out whether the house was actually on the market or not, and started asking which estate agent was coming!
Yeah, my son figures either company's coming or it's almost time for my husband to come home when I start picking up. There just doesn't seem to be a point to doing it any other time when you've got a toddler though, you know.
My prayers go out to Stellan. For the surgery and the recovery.
i have that phobia that someone is going to pop in and see the real inside of my house. but do i do anything about it? not usually. i guess i can say i'm a lazy worrier!
the post today for stellan is beautiful! have you seen it? what a moving testimony that sweet family has. waiting with you on the results...
I wish I had the urge to clean more and blog less....
I am always in a state of mild anxiety over wondering if someone is going to drop over to say hi. Because my house is rarely clean enough for me to feel like guests are an option.
Growing up my parents would get so aggravated when we'd ask who was coming over when they cleaned!
I don't clean when I fret. I wallow.
I admit I'm exactly the same way when it comes to cleaning...I need some sort of external (or internal) stimuli. This applies elsewhere too--like when I'm trying to keep going during a long run, I make up fake situations about how I have to rescue my kids or generally save the world from impending doom. I know, weird.
So today there was no cleaning of any kind, but I am praying for that sweet little boy and his faithful parents.
I too am a therapeutic cleaner and have been thinking lots about Stellan today!
I really wish I had this problem. I hate, hate, hate to clean.. no matter the reason!
I also clean when people are coming over. Then the family says, Man, the house is so clean. And then I quietly feel a little defensive. And then I realize they are right. And then after the company leaves it is back to normal again. :)
Oh, your writing is so awesome!! I can totally relate and boy did I laugh over that sparkly 'frig drawer. Love it!
Oh, and lots of good thoughts for Stellan.
I'm praying for Stellan too. *crossing fingers and winging a prayer*
One of my kids said the same thing to me about cleaning and guests. I suppose I should do a better job....*sigh*
Heeeey Heather,
Okay, so I read your blog OFTEN, but hardly comment, because most of my comments would be, "I totally agree". I'm tracking you with the whole cleanin' thing, sister, though I have to say, I never thought I was Type A until I had kids. Then, all of a sudden, wowza, I am! Oh well.
Random cleaning - not so much. Random blogging - yeah. Definitely. Especially when I'm stressed about the house not being clean.
It's amazing how this blogging world has become a family of sorts - especially when tragedy hits. I've been following Stellan too.
Do you whistle while you work????
and then birds and baby deer look in your windows and give you the approval nod. Cooool
cleaning can be theraputic
I turn into a crazy lady when company is coming, so imagine how *lovely* I am to be around when people just drop by. ugh! And when I'm stressed, I decide to organize the entire house. It stays that was for about a day. Anyway, all that to say, I understand what you're saying.
I want to see this orange wall of yours!
I was all out of sorts today too, waiting to hear news about Stellan.... I didn't realize just how much it was affecting me until I heard that he was out of surgery and suddenly, I felt lighter. Somehow, my house didn't get cleaner in the process though... is that skill contagious by any chance?
I am not always sure what I love more when I come to your blog...reading your posts or reading your comments. Case in point: Heather of the EO has orange underwear.
I do not have orange underwear. I must be shopping at the wrong stores.
My orange support for Stellan is limited to my socks.
They count too!
-Francesca
you can come clean my house... :) I get on really intense cleaning sprees when I'm angry and I haven't been angry lately - which is really, really good but at the same time my house really, really needs a good cleaning!
Been thinking about Stellan a lot too myself.
I could use some to those cleaning skillz at my house. Can I borrow him? Is that even leagal? :o)
I finally tackled some much need spring cleaning yesterday and it feels so good to have it completed!
I totally clean to feel better too. It's therapy- when my life is a mess at least my kitchen can be clean. I like how Elizabeth Eliot says in the midst of turmoil sometimes all you can do is "the next thing." I think of this a lot, when I don't know what to do . . . sometimes cooking dinner is what saves me.
Cleaning is pretty good therapy.
And I love that Miles associates it with guests...
So funny...it's like that at our house too.
I'm choosing to think of it in reverse...
"If we clean it, they will come"
whoever they are...
My mother in law NEVER EVER EVER comes over (she refuses to come here) so I never clean.
It is perfect really.
Hugs to you Heather!
T.
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