I was reading Kim Yeager’s interview with Mrs. Meyer (of the Meyer’s Clean Day products) and had visions of a sparkling, squeaky clean house that smells all aromatherapuetic and lavender-y.

I can’t complain too much. I married Mr. Clean. He likes to decompress after a tough day by doing the dishes or wiping the counters. This makes him happy.
I will gladly oblige. In fact, he asked for a 6-pack of sponges for Father’s Day. The good scrubby kind. Okay. I can do that.

But even Mr. Clean has come to terms with this fact: when it comes to balancing priorities between a clean house and caring for two little ones. Hands down: Two little ones win.

Although both of us are working on trying to keep on top of it; we are currently residing in a sticky-floored-house-of-crumbs-and dust bunnies. Crummy-dog-hair-dust bunnies actually. They blow around like tumbleweeds underneath the furniture and we could probably fashion ourselves a litter of crummy Golden Retriever puppies if we packed them all together.

Then there is the phantom smell. I know I’ve talked about it before - but I am certain our house smells like wet dog and diapers - but it’s hard to tell. We think our nostrils are burned out and acclimated to the odor. No matter how many windows are open, no matter how many scented candles are burning - we just know there is some “busy family” scent hanging in the air.

Peter honestly asked some friends when they came over last weekend. “Does our house smell? Did you get a waft of something kinda doggish or diaper-y when you walked in the door? Seriously. ‘Cause we just can’t tell.”

They politely said. “No.” but I know they were lying. Then they told us they were certain their house smelled of litter-box and sweaty socks. (they have a cat and two boys).

When it comes to keeping house - it seems like it boils down to how much mess can you tolerate before you crack, go on a cleaning spree or call in the maids.

(But maids would stress me out too much. You have to pick up before they come.
Is that what you pay for? The incentive to clean, to pay someone to clean?)

We just reached our “I can’t stand this mess anymore meltdown cracking point.”
After working hard, Peter and I gazed at one clutter free sparkling clean room in our house last night. The living room.
Just one room reflecting order.
We marveled at it took it all in, gazed proudly upon it
and wondered how long it would stay that way…..

I know we’re not alone on this one. How do you manage some semblance of order in your busy household?

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 at 11:27 am and is filed under Family Life. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.