We are leaving bright and early in the morning for a little getaway to the beach. As a result, I spent ALL DAY today washing every single article of clothing we own, cleaning house, packing, and scrubbing.
I have this hang-up (actually I have a lot of hang-ups) about leaving my house clean. I try to tidy up and make beds before we leave the house each morning, and a trip out of town is an invitation for serious organization. I feel like I have started out behind when I have to come home to a mess. I must leave things in good shape if I want to relax while we are away.
Honestly, I think I also equate it with the age-old 'wear clean undies in case you are in a car accident' advice always attributed to Southern mothers. I actually told my husband recently (as I was sweeping the kitchen while he & the children waited in a running car) that I needed to know that if we were in an accident and someone else had to come into our house to retrieve belongings they wouldn't exclaim, "Wow! They lived in this mess?"
I told you I have a lot of hang-ups.
While I packed and cleaned and organized my neurotic heart out, Grandmother & Grandaddy Scott came in town for individual dates with the children. They started with a trip to a local tea room with K. I am told she dressed up, sipped strawberry tea and had a grand time as their singular object of affection.
After an interlude of ice cream with all three, the grandparents ventured out to Barnes & Noble with R. He apparently provided a tour of our fair city as they drove.
"This is where we go to gymnastics."
"This is where Mommy buys the groceries."
"That's the way to preschool and church."
And as they passed TJ Maxx, "This is where Mommy buys wallets."
After reading for a bit and playing with the trains, they returned home for their final date.
P chose a trip to the mall's indoor playground, where he "showed them all his tricks" on the slide. (and talked their ears off, as any good 3 1/2 year old would do!)
After I put the children down for their rest time I watched as the grandparents walked back oout to their car. I couldn't help but think they would be enjoying a long nap upon their return home, too!
6 comments:
Oh I am the same way. I try to leave our house as clean as possible when we go out of town because I always think if we are killed - I want people who come to our home to see that we were clean.
Actually I need my house to be showcase ready at all times "just in case" anyone ever happens to drop by.
No one ever does that. But I can't stop. I have not had an unmade bed in 25 years. :-)
My friend has to clean her house before walking out the door too. The thing is,she is late everywhere she goes. My hang up is punctuality, so I tend to leave the house a little messy to get somewhere on time, which for me is 15 minutes early.
I'm also a compulsive cleaner. The beds must be made, the dishes put in the dishwasher, etc. Leaving for a trip takes the cleaning up to a whole new level.
Hope you have fun at the beach. It sounds wonderful.
Oh, I'm exactly the same way about the house. I'm actually trying to learn to be messier because my constant picking up drives my husband crazy. But, the messes drive me crazy!
I thought having to have your house clean when you leave, especially on a trip, was normal! Who wants to come home to a mess?!!LOL!
i too have a multitude of hang-ups and one of my biggest is that when leaving town the house must be spotless. there is nothing worse than coming home to chores. I enjoy returning home, promptly unpacking, and then resting.
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