Every once in a while, the housework bug bites me. Not very often, but here and there I can get myself into a house-cleaning frenzy. Sometimes it's a way of relieving stress, seeing my accomplishments materialize before my eyes. Sometimes the clutter and nastage just mounts up and horrifies me (because, you know, I just do the bare minimum to get by between bites). Other times it's truly inexplicable. I do, of course, go into the typical cleaning frenzy when there are people coming, but that's different.


Well, today is one of those days. I think it's a combination of stress-relief and admitting I have a problem. So, I threw all of Punk's toys hap-hazardly into bins (we'll talk organization later--we have to purge the toy-collection with his birthday and his sissy coming soon) and vacuumed the whole family room--including underneath the couch cushions! I don't have a regular laundry day--I just do it when it needs to be done (which is roughly weekly) so I've got laundry in both machines. I'm even planning on taking the covers off the couch cushions and washing them (Punk spilled oatmeal all over one recently and goodness knows what else is embedded in, or worse yet, living in those things!). I got out the SpotBot and tackled a couple of carpet stains. And, I swept and mopped the kitchen floor. All before 1 PM (I'm not dressed yet, but what's the point when I'm just getting sweaty and gross and all the clothes are in the laundry anyhow).


And, who says kids don't appreciate what you do for them. I was sweeping the kitchen while Punk was finishing his lunch. "Wow Mom! You are really good at that! You are doing a really good job sweeping!" Uh, thanks little dude. Maybe I've been a little overly generous with the praise lately?!


So, where do you register for a housekeeper as a shower gift?! Really, I SOOO wouldn't be insulted. I'd be really thrilled. She (whoever she might be) might be a little chagrined at having to work here, but me, I'd be thrilled.


And lest you think I'm overstating the condition of my home, here's photographic proof. First my sweep pile ("EEW Mom! Look at that carrot! It's all dirty! Hey--there's my straw--from my cup! Can I have it?!) and then the mop bucket.



Oh, and by the way, I didn't choose the flooring. And, yes, I know that is bathroom linoleum throughout my entire kitchen. And, yes, that raspberry jello carpet runs throughout the entire rest of the house (with the blessed exception of the bedrooms). But, hey, it makes a really nice compliment to the cottage cheese ceilings.

Well, I'll keep chipping away at the laundry, but I'm pretty satisfied otherwise. I think I'll go take a bath now. That's what I usually do during Punk's naps. And, smart me, I'm washing all the clothes in cold so I'll have a nice warm bath. Mmmmmm. I deserve it! (this once anyhow)