Isn't it amazing the things you notice about your home the day before company arrives? Sometimes I wish I had a pair of 'company's coming' glasses that I could don on cleaning day. :o)
We have company right now! On Thursday, we're also having a small party, so I'm definitely seeing our home through 'new eyes'....
We keep our house in pretty good order, but all too often 'piles' build up in corners, under desks, on the counter top or in the closet...
How does this unsightly mess develop? Three simple words...'just for now'. I'll put this box in the corner 'just for now'. I'll put this mail on the counter...'just for now'.
How does this unsightly mess develop? Three simple words...'just for now'. I'll put this box in the corner 'just for now'. I'll put this mail on the counter...'just for now'.
It doesn't take too long before 'just for now' becomes forever!
The house was clean...but it didn't look 'wonderful' and I finally figured out why. It was all those piles..building up again. Along with that were many small home repairs that had been put off..but could be put off no longer. I had my work cut out for me.
I spent one whole day (with the help of Hubby and the kids) just putting things back where they belong. How silly is that? Some things needed to go to the storage shed, some to the office, some to the library..etc.
We cleaned windows inside and out and spackled holes in the wall left from moving curtains down three inches. I scrubbed baseboards and moved the fridge and stove to clean. This was reasonable of course. You have to do these things at least once a year anyway.
But it did bother me to think that we had gotten so sloppy in our habits that those many trips had accumulated into such a long day of work.
Would you like to join me in breaking the 'just for now' habit? It would make it a lot easier to get ready for company this holiday season...and the house would look a lot nicer!
Source: kimberlychapman.com via Lidia on Pinterest
As the Sidetracked Sisters once said, "Just remember that a S.H.E. is like an alcoholic when it comes to disorder. If you ever allow yourself to put that first book on top of the dresser, then all of a sudden it's going to have shoes and books and BANANAS on it again.
Knowing our nature, we are consciously aware of every banana we put down. That false convenience of temporarily setting something down to be picked up later is an open gate back to the pigpen."
I couldn't have said it better! Right before the holidays is the best time to do a little sprucing up around the house, don't you think?
Just as an experiment, why don't you go into one of your rooms and put away everything that is 'out of place'. Ask yourself, "Where does this belong?"
See if it doesn't 'transform' your home too!
Merry Christmas and ....
5 comments
Oh boy. You've been peeking at my house, haven't you? Hope you have a good week!
Haha, this is such a great post and awesome advice!!
xo
Maria
I found your blog a few weeks ago and I have sooo enjoyed it.I did the DEEP clean the first of Nov. We had a big get together here the week before Thanksgiving. My husband told me he hates having people over because I go crazy getting everything spic and span. I told him all this needed to be done anyway and having people over is a good excuse to get it done. He tells me I'm too clean.That there was no reaso to deep clean before people come over.I shoulsd just clean after they leave because it is going to be dirty then with all the kids running in and out. Men just don't seem to understand it's not the everyday things or the once a week things that needed cleaning. It was those things that you do a couple of times a year that I thought needed to be cleaning before we have 35 people over. My home is never not company ready but I like everything to be as perfecly clean as possible when the entire family are at my home. My husband doesn't seem to understand my need to make a good impression esp since I do not work outside the home. I'm not as picky when it is my family at our home but when it's his side I guess I do di a lot more cleaning.Am I crazy? Teresa
Teresa, This is such a good question..a timeless one in fact. It's so good I decided to post it..and my response as a post. Thanks commenting!
xo
Donna
Superb sharing !!!!!
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