March means spring cleaning, right?
- Vacuuming
- Polishing furniture
- Laundering curtains, drapes, bedspreads
- Ironing
- Bleaching grout
- Shampoo carpets
Nothing compares to a job well done–the satisfaction of sparkly tile and a well ordered linen closet…the sweet perfume of bleach, Pine-Sol, and vinegar.
And it’s great exercise, too.
I don’t understand why housecleaning is the victim of such visceral loathing. I’ve always found it to be a source of –well, not quite mindless activity– but rather a Zen-like state.
I’ve come up with some of my best ideas while vacuuming.
It’s ‘cos of my mom. When I was growing up, she made chores fun— not drudgery to be avoided. Whether it was washing the crystal in the china cabinet or ironing scarves and handkerchiefs, we always had a great time. A time to joke and chat, working on a project together.
“Good morning, Rosebud, guess what we’re going to do today?”
“What, mommy. what?”
“We’re going to take ALL the books out of the bookcase, wash the shelves, and dust the books! Do you think we should put them back by size, or subject, or alphabetically? Doesn’t that sound like fun?”
“Oh, mommy, that sounds like so much fun!
If a job has to be done, why not enjoy doing it?
I think that’s a wonderful gift for a mother to bestow upon her child.
I’m all for equality; equal pay and all that, but cleaning and organizing is deeply satisfying.
Even my tugboat man enjoys the virtues of a clean garage and he’s a great window washer, so it’s not a gender thing.
When I’m cleaning, I love Cow Cow Boogie by the incomparable Ella Fitzgerald.
Do you have a favorite song list for cleaning?
MY BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES
This would be “during”, more than “before”
After…much nicer, don’t you agree? I’ll sleep good tonight.
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Not sure about the whole situation in the US. In my place here,women dislike housework. Whether they work or stay at home, they employ domestic maids and all of them are from foreign countries. To me,this is an unhealthy dependence on foreign maids.
That is so very interesting! My neighbors have a once a week maid, but I never wanted one. I’m definitely a micromanager, no one cleans as good as I do, and I don’t find it distasteful at all.
On Sun, Mar 3, 2013 at 8:54 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
I have a housekeeper because I haven’t the time to do it. With three businesses and homeschooling, my days do not allow for a few hours to scrub anything other than the living things in the house.
xxx
I so admire you! and homeschooling too, I have often said if my son was still in school, I’d be HS him for sure. I can understand not having time to get out the old toothbrush and bleach that grout! PS I wish I had a thriving biz or two…
On Sun, Mar 3, 2013 at 9:06 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
I’d love to get back to my “Spring Cleaning” (which will also entail finishing some painting), IF SPRING WOULD COME BACK!
Stinking, lying groundhog!
That’s why I’m glad I don’t live back east anymore!
On Sun, Mar 3, 2013 at 9:23 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
I like having a clean apartment and most of the time keep up with it. Lately has been a challenge though with our business. Been sewing more than cleaning. You can visit anytime..lol
Ha! I always say that unless I’ve given birth to you or married to you, I’m not cleaning for you! That’s what I tell your neighbors.
On Sun, Mar 3, 2013 at 11:12 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
You and I are of the same mind. Cleaning is very therapeutic and meditative
Exactly. Well said. It frees up the mind to think!
On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 6:02 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
Absolutely! When I declutter the place,I can get so much more done, since it unclutters my mind, as well.
It really does It’s funny how that works!
On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 7:16 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
I enjoy cleaning house once I get started. It’s the getting started that I procrastinate on. And, oh yes, I’ve got to have music; preferably some good 70′s tunes.
I tackle one room at a time and that helps! 70s music sounds great, too!
On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 6:29 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
I’d rather clean than cook, I’ll tell you that. And anything to music is better.
I don’t understand why you don’t like to cook. I mean I get tired of it sometimes, but it’s so lovely to combine ingredients and create!
On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 7:21 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
cooking is overrated
Baking bread is sexy.
On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 7:36 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
Baking is different than cooking in my book. I love to bake hate to cook cause I just have no taste..bland and boring. (like me, smile)
I don’t buy that. If you have a taste for baking, you have those same taste buds for cooking. I use a lot of ginger, cayenne, grow my own herbs, lemongrass too. And, you’ll like this…since I’m a control freak AND a micromanager (could you guess?) I have TOTAL CONTROL over what everyone eats! Every ingredient/nutrient they ingest, I control. I’m planning all the menus for my son’s visit next week. Plus a birthday cake (he gets to choose that) LOL
On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 7:45 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
yay on the visit
I know, right? He’s interviewing for a job at Stanford, fingers crossed, then he’d be closer to his MOMMY! He has a 2 year contract at Yale, so no pressure, not yet.
On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 8:02 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
I absolutely LOVE cleaning my house. I’m pretty sure it’s genetic too. I clean here and there during the week, but Saturday mornings are expressly reserved (if possible) for a good multi-hour clean. First I run, then I come home and get down to business.
I also love to listen to old-school music – Beatles, Simon and Garfunkle, Rod Stewart, etc. and such siiiiinnngg.
Great post! x
Yay, another gal like me! It’s a good feeling, not that I’m not a womens rights advocate, equal pay and all that, but cleaning and organizing is deeply satisfying. Even hubs likes to clean the garage and sort through stuff so it’s not a gender thing.
On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 8:22 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
well, someone has to do it, and if you do it cheerfully all the better
Don’t you think most things go better with a positive attitude? Plus, complaining and whining makes wrinkles, and I’ve got enough of them!!
On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 8:35 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
I adore cleaning, I just feel like I never have the time to do it the way I want. I tend to be a “deep cleaner”, washing/dusting/cleaning every inch that hits the air. But because of this, I very rarely can clean to satisfaction… I wish they could invent an 8th day of the week solely for cleaning!
Oh, I so agree! Even tho I’ve been known to use toothpicks, toothbrush, qtips, there’s always another degree of clean that I aspire to that I never attain! (but that’s another blogpost about my OCD, ha ha!) Sometimes I just have to say to myself, this is very very clean and move on… thank you for stopping by!
On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 9:02 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
I wish I enjoyed cleaning. I enjoy having a clean house, so I do it, but I’d much rather curl up with a book than scrub the floors.
That’s my reward! Or a glass of wine or a couple cookies, a reward is good-or hubs takes me out for dinner.
On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 10:41 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
I don’t love cleaning but I do love a clean house and I realise I can’t have the latter without doing the former, dammit all. Once the work is done, it’s unbelievably satisfying to look around at shining surfaces, until the first spill occurs and we start over again. As for cooking, I love it. Like you, I think baking bread is an incredible experience and easier than most people think, too.
W.
You are a kindred spirit! Now if I could only be patient enough to knit–well Im just no good at it!! Hugs to you!
On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 1:04 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
I love to spring clean but I get distracted like when I find a package of photos that I meant to put in a photo album under my dresser, I stop and look through the photos…then I fill the photo book…then I look through all of the other albums that are on the shelf because I haven’t done it in forever and then I realize that it’s time for a snack and a glass of wine and whoops…now it’s time for the Real Housewives of whatever. Guess I will have to start spring cleaning tomorrow!
You sound exactly like my son. Cleaning with him is partly helping him to stay focused on one thing. But then he tells a story, “Hey mom, remember when we used to…” and then I go all gooey and remember when he was a baby and then I get sucked into his ploy cos he knows how to work me! Stay on track, girl!! Eyes on the prize! And there’s always tomorrow, no worries!
On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 1:56 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
If it’s just a normal cleaning day – any of my normal playlists will do (all of which include Springsteen, Blink 182, The Killers, Green Day, Foo Fighters, and U2). If it’s a full on taking all of the DVDs, albums, and books off their shelves and reorganizing them by genre and release date then it’s time for something with a bit more beat to it – that’s when I’ll throw on one of my old mix tapes and let the dance rhythm carry me through the chore.
Awesome. Where would we be without music?
On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 6:07 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
Sad, sad days… It’s best not to think about these things.
i know, right?
On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 6:56 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
I think I may need to do another Q and A around music…
Music is always a good subject and you’re definitely an expert. Are you thinking of the kind of music that will be good for soothing/calming/stimulating/fun. (you know) My son’s dad (not tugboat man) was really into music, also a musician (bass clarinet) and played tons of classical music, jazz, bluegrass, so much music, it was great.
On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 7:29 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
Not sure what music I have in mind yet… But, yes, soothing/calming could deifnitely be on tap. Maybe something classical. Maybe something blues-y. Hmm….
It really helps to instill a love for music, I believe that, and music is so important for the brain’s development.
On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 7:59 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
Well, since the kiddo has spent the first 8+ months of their life, 8 hours a day (at least) 5 days a week (at least) at a dance studio hanging out with mom… they are getting plenty of music time already.
But, yeah, I grew up around music and that is definitely the plan.
what kind of dance?
On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 8:08 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
She manages/teaches at an Arthur Murray – so, it’s all “couple’s dances,” but it’s mostly ballroom.
That’s amazing!!!! Do you dance, too? Hubs and I used to take ballroom and Lindy Hop. When we had our own nonprofit, every year we’d have a swing dance and everyone’d dress in 40s clothes. Hundreds would come, it was fun but a lot of work! That’s super cool.
On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 8:17 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
I learned… It’s a good story for a post someday. Oh, you want a preview? It inolves fake names, and lessons in secret, an unsuspecting teacher, and a proposal… How’s that?
At one time I could very comfortbly dance Salsa, Rumba, Cha-cha, hustle, swing, waltz, tango, and fox-trot. Now, I could still get by in most of those, but I’d say I’m really only any good at Waltz, Swing, and Cha-cha.
I’d love to read that post! And see a vid of you guys dancing.
On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 9:05 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
Oh dear! A dancing video?! I’d have to get permissions from the boss for that sort of thing. I’ll see what I can do.
There are lots of us who love dance. I took ballet for most of my life, and up until I was about 7 mos pregnant, too, and of course, after. Hubs is actually a better partner dancer than I am, I tend to want to lead ha ha! True.
On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 9:41 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
Yeah, my wife likes leading too for some reason.
She also did ballet for a long time. I think she stopped when she went to college, but I’m not entirely sure about that (she may have taken a course or two and my tired brain isn’t working fully tonight to remember.)
You did great, what a lovely room. When I was a kid, you could eat off my Grandma’s floor anytime. I’m not like that…I wish!
That’s so funny, that’s the joke around here, that you can eat off the floor. Not all the time, tho, Im not THAT compulsive!
On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 11:23 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
Wow for a moment there I was feeling the thrill you have in cleaning. It seems to have passed but next time I clean I am going to sing and dance through it! I love your bedroom…gorgeous!
You are on a humorous roll today, my friend! I do love to clean, I admit it! Not all the time of course but when I get the itch, it’s sooo satisfying! Again, I’ll only clean if I’ve given birth to you or I’m married to you, so don’t ask
Thank you, I love my bedroom colors, too! Very happy.
On Tue, Mar 5, 2013 at 4:28 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
I really enjoy cleaning too! It is great exercise!
i’ve even watched birds clean out an old nest in the spring and fill it up again with twigs and grass, so it’s not just a “human” thing!
On Tue, Mar 5, 2013 at 5:26 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
The reason I hate cleaning? You turn around & it’s dirty all over again! It’s an endless job! No sooner do you finish the dishes than someone eats something & there’s a dirty dish in the sink! Plus my mother kept her house in immaculate condition which meant we could never have any fun because we might mess it up.
I think it’s more about your mom than actual cleaning in my opinion. Kids have to play and get dirty and be messy. but if you make cleaning fun and a team project with a reward at the end, then it turns into less about drudgery and more about working together. I like the house to be very clean, esp floors, that’s my thing, but lived in is just fine. If I was back there, I’d clean with you and we’d have a blast!
On Fri, Mar 8, 2013 at 8:46 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
Many decades ago when I was trying to conform to what religions and society thought I should be, I dated a woman for two years. I decided to ask her to marry me, so I took her to the most romantic place I knew of, a restaurant in Houston surrounded by a lake, swans, peacocks……….. I asked her to marry me and she said, “Let me think about it.” Depression. Whenever I get depressed, I tend to clean. So the next day, a Sunday, I was cleaning the house. I had the house torn about cleaning every nook and cranny. About noon Michelle showed up. She walked in and said, “What the he!! are you doing?” “I’m cleaning,” I said. “See!” she exclaimed. “That’s why I could never marry you. I’d never get to do anything!” We broke up.
That is definitely one of those “meant to be” moments. LOL, Her loss, may I say, but someone else’s gain. Anyone who loves animals like you do is a wonderful human. BTW, cleaning and gardening are great prescriptions for depression, I think, or lonliness or being happy, too!
On Sat, Mar 9, 2013 at 9:32 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
I enjoy cleaning once I get into it and have the time to do it right. But I pretty much procrastinate it for as long as possible. Sigh. And, um, pretty sure that taking all the books out and dusting would never feel like “so much fun” to me, but maybe I should try it more often!
Sometimes it’s a way to be zen; keeping occupied with one thing to let your mind be creative or rest or whatever, sometimes it’s fun to do with hubs or son, good chatting time, and a lovely cuppa after or wine–some kind of reward!
I enjoy the rewards of cleaning more so than the action of cleaning. There’s nothing greater than a shiny bathroom that smells so good. But cleaning the black gunk off the shower floor and the who-knows-what out of the toilet. Not so much. But you’re right – it’s a great calorie burner, especially vacuuming. I can work up a real sweat!
Coming in from Hump Day Hook Up. cheers!
Nice to meet you! I’ll go check you out too, I’ve been in and out for the last couple of days. I don’t find the shower/tub so bad, but I agree with the toilet. yuck!
I understand the workout part and the job satisfaction. Occasionally the mood will strike but I do not love to clean. There I said it
Thanks for linking to the Hump Day Hook Up
Hump Day is fun! Thanks for visiting. I get it, not everyone loves to clean. That’s OK!