Day 307...The State of Our House"

"You should see my house" has been my compliment comeback of choice for some time now because first, it's true--some area of my house is, at any given moment, likely to be in shambles--and secondly, I've wrongly assumed you're always supposed to shoot back compliments with some stupid self-deprecating statement. Just because someone tells you they like your shoes doesn't mean you have to cancel it out with how disgusting your kitchen counter looks. It's okay to own a compliment and not everyone needs to be spoonfed the fact that if a woman is pulling it off in one area, there's another area falling apart. I'm now assuming this is a given, and from this day forth, any success in my life comes with the disclaimer that somewhere, something looks like hell. And if, by chance, it doesn't, don't say anything 'cuz, God forbid, you'll jinx a miracle.

The thing is, I'm not a good housekeeper, and snapping back with a forced laugh and a "you should see my house" is getting old. I'm tired of using heaps of wrinkled laundry for toss pillows and tripping over race track pieces scattered like shrapnel across my living room floor. And I'm ready, when complimented on my red shoes, to smile and reply simply, "Why, thank you. Red's my favorite color."
But the house thing has gotta change. Sunday, Uncle J watched the kids while both of the parental units worked.  When I returned home I noticed a slight baby powder scent in the air but thought nothing of it...

"Holy S@#t, what happened?"

Two bottles of baby powder dumped on every surface in our bedroom.  Lipstick artistically applied to the 3 month old baby portraits...and each one blamed the other. 
And I say this all for two reasons. I feel like I get a lot done.  Therapist, cupcakes, craft projects, doctors, preschool...but there's always not-so-fun stuff that gets left out here. Cleaning house is one of many. But also, sometimes writing about something helps me overcome it, and it feels good in that proclaiming-New-Year's-resolution way to publicly sign a declaration of Hey, I have a problem and Hey, I wanna fix it.


I will never regret letting the house go to spend important time with my kids and that will never change. I couldn't care about fingerprints on windows if I tried (in fact, I kinda like them). But, there has to be a happy medium, and a sofa slip cover made of wrinkled t-shirts is not it. I'm confident in the fact my kids will grow up in a relaxed environment knowing we chose Candyland over dishes, but I also want them to feel the security and comfort that comes from order and the beauty of aesthetics. Besides, clutter in the home inevitably interprets to clutter in the mind, and I'm a better mama when I make efforts to avoid chaos and attempt simplicity.

Now I have to get these two on board with me, that is once the baby powder settles.
 So, I'm going to try really hard to change this problem. This week, I'm weeding out, tidying up, and reorganizing some priorities. For my family, for my kids, but mostly for me. Because I'm really good with new challenges.

But oh, you should see my house...it smells baby fresh!