Sunday, February 22, 2009

Creating a Haven

I have been very honest with you all about my housekeeping abilities. I have been home full time for a year and a half now and I've come a long way. Before that, I worked full time and we weren't home much and not that much got done. Actually, before children, our house stayed pretty OK since we were never here!

My room growing up was always a disaster. And I shared that room with my naturally organized sister. Yes, it was just like The Odd Couple. I still struggle with learning to keep every single room in our house neat and orderly and clean....while we are home using them every single day. It's very hard!

But I have a good sense of humor about it all. A good friend came over this weekend and she wanted to see my house. Since she is a good friend I even took her into the laundry room. And ya'll...when she saw it, in all it's glory, she hugged me. She was so over-joyed that someone else's house gets like that. It really cracked me up. So..I'm an encouragment to others. Good to know.

Friday I woke up with one goal in mind: to get the living room in order. We were having friends over for Bible study that evening so I had a deadline to keep me on track. I vacuumed every corner, dusted every surface, cleaned the ceiling fan...everything. It looked really good when I got done. And we've done nothing but try to maintain it since that evening. I cannot believe the amount of stuff that gets put down in this room!

So of course I want to keep going and get another room really and truly clean. But I have to keep that living room in order at the same time. I can always do this for awhile, but let someone get sick, let it rain for a few days, let our schedule get busier than usual....and it all goes to pot...REALLY FAST.

But I will keep trying. The reason? I want to create a place for my husband to come home to and relax in the evenings. I want a room where I can not die of embarrassment when folks show up at the door. I've decided that since my kids have their own rooms, and I no longer have big plastic things in the living room (exercauser, swing, playpen, etc. etc. etc.) that there is absolutely no reason why we cannot have the living room stay free and clear of children's belongings. Oh they are welcome to play in here, but then that stuff best go back to it's own home!

If we are to use this house in ministry to others, if I am to have a place for my husband to unwind at the end of the day (and me!), if we are to have one island of calm amidst all this chaos...then I MUST keep this one room nice.

It is my mission.

So if you come over anytime soon, you are welcome to come on in. Just don't ask to use the bathroom, OK?

9 comments:

  1. Brenda,

    I really love this post. so honest. I am the same way! I want so bad to be "better" at all that stuff and I have plans to start fresh with the new house! We will see how it goes!

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  2. So, I would be more on the born-organized side of the coin, yet... having a family makes anyones housecleaning skills questionable, lol. I recommend (although most know of her already) flylady.net - getting organized, staying sane, all with a good, loving attitude is possible. ;^) check it out for a couple of days (it grows on ya), and let me know what you think ;^)
    Blessings, Sheri

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  3. I "flew" for awhile at our old house. I agree Flylady is wonderful. Eh...I don't know. Maybe I just don't want a "system". We have decluttered pretty well and I keep that up. I just think it should be easier than all this. My grandma certainly did everything without a website to guide her! Is there a "getoffyourlazybutt.com" I could look up? :)

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  4. I think it is important to have at least one room as a "haven" for your husband and guests. The rest of my house may be a wreck, but my living area (which is an open area with the kitchen and dining area also) stays pretty clean. The kids bring their stuff in, but they know that as soon as they leave their stuff goes with them. Sometimes we use a laundry basket to haul it all to their rooms.

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  5. I struggle with this as well Brenda. It is much more fun to go to the park than pick up the house. Luckily I have a husband who likes the park too. lol.

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  6. Brenda I thought of you this morning. Check this out. http://wobblingbetweentwoworlds.blogspot.com/2009/02/kids-and-their-toys.html

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  7. That exactly is my Lenten project!!! It IS so encouraging to know other housewives who have the same struggles I do - those of us with messy homes tend not to let anyone in, and so since the only homes ANY of us see are those that are picture-perfect, it's very easy to feel that we're the ONLY ONES whose homes are not clean and organized. Thanks for sharing!

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  8. So great! It's funny because I didn't know you did that, and I just did the same thing to my house this morning! I made a Keepin' It Real post out of it. My kitchen- it was ugly. But now it smells fresh and clean!

    If only I could convince the kids not to come back in...hmm...LOL.

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I don't get to talk to a lot of actual grown-ups during the day, so your comments make me really happy! :)