One month ago while the two older children were visiting with my parents for a few days, Sam and I cleaned this entire house from top to bottom. It has never been as clean as it was for those...few hours...before my kids got home. Over the course of the month, little messes have shown up here and there. A stray power cord here. A pile of plastic dishes there. A random bath toy in the living room floor. A beaded necklace on Ben's bedroom floor. And of course, there are those paths and paths of mysterious sticky drops all across our tile floor that I find myself constantly following with a dishrag and spray cleaner. And each of those things is a common byproduct of life as a family of five, three of whom are elementary age and younger.
One thing, though, that we have been vigilant about since The Super Amazing Housecleaning Caper is keeping our [former] catchall free from shoes. Underneath those bar stools is the most tempting place to stop when we enter the house and mindlessly free our prisoners (feet) from the bondage of their oppressors (shoes) as we scatter our random papers, keys, purses, diaper bags, what have you on the kitchen bar.
Most days, it requires a reminder. But some days, like today, it's just empty - free from princess flip flops and tennis shoes and leather sandals.
And that, friends, is one of my life's simplest pleasures.
Linking up today at...
8 comments:
Look Ma, no shoes!! Our shoe catchall-place is (luckily) in the garage, since we all love to kick them off and be barefoot most of the time inside! I agree that you have to find these simple pleasures to appreciate, because the house will never be totally clean all at the same time!
Jennie, this is a wonderful example of a simple pleasure, and what a pleasure to see you here today.
I totally "get" this! We have a catchall spot too, and I blame myself as much as everyone else for the clutter pile. When I walk into my kitchen and see it clean and empty, I feel all organized and in control.
Amazing what simple pleasure a little tidy spot can bring!
BTW, we're near your neck of the woods moving the first one into school. If you pass an overstuffed Toyota named Ebenezer, give him a toot.
I wish my husband, Sam, would not think that every chair in the living room or that the dining room buffet is a storage place for all his shoes. I am constantly putting them away and then he wonders where they are! Hello! Where they are supposed to be. :) Thanks for stopping by my corner of the world. Tammy P.S. I gave up years ago trying to keep everything clean and orderly :/
Oh my goodness - I would love love love to have no shoes all over my house - and I mean all over. lol
sandie
Oh, but I needed to see this tonight ... what a hoot you are, Jennie! ... and yes, tho DH and I are 60+, I can sooooo relate to footwear here n' there ... and everywhere!
Hi Jennie,
I love your blog and plan on coming back to see what you are up to! I agree with your "Simple Pleasure" of keeping shoes where they belong!
~Jean
This is a great picture. And I can appreciate your simple pleasure. I drove myself crazy cleaning while my children were little. But when they started school, I gave up. Not enough time and I was going nuts.
Hang in there. Soon they will be moving on.
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