Other than flying by too quickly, this has been a lovely week. We’ve had a nice mix of piddling around the house and going and doing fun things. I’ve had a few gifts to search out, but overall it has been great.
The kind of week after which I’ve heard normal people say, “It’s been so nice and relaxing. My house is actually clean!”
With me . . . . not so much.
Give me a relaxing week with plenty of time to randomly work on projects, and the house is in disarray.
Seems that while my slob vision can be caused by a hyper-focus on big projects, it can also be caused by a relaxed why-stress attitude.
The clutter just doesn’t bother me, until, of course, I get a whim to invite carolers in or take an impromptu photograph, and suddenly see laundry on the loveseat and considered-but-rejected gift boxes strewn around the living room.
See, we normally have extended family over for Christmas Eve, which means that I’m very aware in the week before that I can’t let clutter build up lest Crazy Christmas Mommy appear at the last minute and scare the children. But this year, we’re going to have Christmas Eve and Christmas morning here by ourselves. I’m planning a day of candy-making tomorrow and a special dinner for just us.
In my vision of the day, I see a house that is spotless and clutter-free. But it’s just so hard to be motivated when it’s just going to be us. Really? Would any of us even notice if the house was perfect?
So I’m making a list. I may not check it twice, but hopefully doing some of it will help.
- Do THREE 5 minute pick-ups. One makes such a huge difference, and surely three would get the house just-us-Christmas ready. And maybe if I plan to do three, I’ll at least do one.
- Empty dishwasher in the morning, so I can put dirties in it all day long. Dirties going straight into the dishwasher keeps the kitchen feeling clean.
- Keep the cookie/candy making simple, and enjoy the kids.
- Read the Christmas story at dinner.
There we go. The absolute basics. Sometimes that’s what I need to remind myself of.
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Hope you have a fabulous "just us" Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!!!!
Merry Christmas!!!!
Merry Christmas & a Happy Blessed New Year to you & your family! I pray that we will make it to the New Year and if so I will see U there….Lord's will! *smile*
Stay Blessed…
My house was in good shape…until Christmas morning! I have to take half the blame, though I'd much rather blame my kiddo and her pile of new toys and discarded wrapping. I cooked a bunch of stuff in a hurry on Christmas morning and totally trashed the kitchen. And, um, it's still not completely cleaned up!