…And ordinarily that would make me feel better. I’m not sure that is so in this instance.
I am in the midst – no, “throes” is a much better word – of getting my house ready for a) picture taking for on-line real estate listing, and b) open houses. In the environment these days that means you need to pretty much need to make it look like you – and no one else – live in the home. The garage is filling. Soon I will not know where I have stashed the things I need in spite of the fact it’s supposed to look like I don’t live here…you know, essentials like the dog and cat food…
I have conversed over these recent weeks with several people about the “aha” I have tripped over (and sadly, not for the first time): when I really clean the house it feels soooo good, and yet my habit is not to invest in doing so. To one friend I proposed that I regret that I am not a better house keeper; her take was that she too was not a thorough house keeper, but attributed it to laziness on her part. Another friend suggested that there are better and more fun things to do. I continue to bang my head against the wall that I do not respect myself enough to keep my home in a shape that does indeed, make me feel better, lighter.
Today I took down the light fixture over the dining room table and cleaned it. I cannot recall when I last did so. This coming week I have someone coming in to do a thorough cleaning but trust me, I do not want to reveal ALL of my dirty underwear – so to speak. By the time Friday rolls around (that’s photo day) you will be welcome to stop by, on into the following week which will see several open houses. My home will be clean; the dining area will be bright; the dog and cats will have been “spoken to” about maintaining the new status quo.
And in the meantime, I will continue to pray that God’s abundant love includes looking beyond the dust bunnies (maybe even distracted by the real bunnies outside playing leap frog!), mindful that She too, is not so big on house cleaning, instead more focused on building relationships.
I am in the midst – no, “throes” is a much better word – of getting my house ready for a) picture taking for on-line real estate listing, and b) open houses. In the environment these days that means you need to pretty much need to make it look like you – and no one else – live in the home. The garage is filling. Soon I will not know where I have stashed the things I need in spite of the fact it’s supposed to look like I don’t live here…you know, essentials like the dog and cat food…
I have conversed over these recent weeks with several people about the “aha” I have tripped over (and sadly, not for the first time): when I really clean the house it feels soooo good, and yet my habit is not to invest in doing so. To one friend I proposed that I regret that I am not a better house keeper; her take was that she too was not a thorough house keeper, but attributed it to laziness on her part. Another friend suggested that there are better and more fun things to do. I continue to bang my head against the wall that I do not respect myself enough to keep my home in a shape that does indeed, make me feel better, lighter.
Today I took down the light fixture over the dining room table and cleaned it. I cannot recall when I last did so. This coming week I have someone coming in to do a thorough cleaning but trust me, I do not want to reveal ALL of my dirty underwear – so to speak. By the time Friday rolls around (that’s photo day) you will be welcome to stop by, on into the following week which will see several open houses. My home will be clean; the dining area will be bright; the dog and cats will have been “spoken to” about maintaining the new status quo.
And in the meantime, I will continue to pray that God’s abundant love includes looking beyond the dust bunnies (maybe even distracted by the real bunnies outside playing leap frog!), mindful that She too, is not so big on house cleaning, instead more focused on building relationships.
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