Friday, July 12, 2013

Just One Housekeeping Rule


I don't know whether I've passed this one on before. But seriously, I only have one housekeeping rule. I come from a long maternal line of non-housekeepers. There was, and is, always something far, far better to do than clean a house which, come to think of it, is like an avaricious beast and will want cleaning again before you know it. Like a heroin addict.

I live by this: "A clean house is a sign of a wasted life." And let me tell you, I proudly carry this banner high.

But there are matters of hygiene and manoeverability and not wanting to be the feature of the week on Hoarders Unlimited, right?

So I pass along the tip that has saved me:

Entertain once a month.

That's all there's to it. It encourages the pickup of the creeping book pile, the re-shelving of shoes, a non-disgusting bathroom, table linens hauled out and milk put into jugs and kinda-matching cutlery on the table. And oh yes, uncovering the actual table underneath another book-pile and the clean casserole platters that weren't put away from the last monthly fiesta. And the knitting put back into the knitting basket. And the placing about, casual like, of the pots of wild flowers and candles and a bit of that nice incense from Free Tibet Now! and a review of some recipes.

I clean up so good.

And yes, lunch today was absolutely lovely with my friends. Three hours of it. And I used (adapted) recipes from two of my blog-buddies and a couple of my own.

I pass this splendid tip along to you. Free.

Reactive housekeeping in its finest hour.




21 comments:

  1. I laughed in recognition the whole way through! What a wonderful tip! It's true nothing spurs the cleaning gene better than guests for dinner....or lunch.....or even breakfast!

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  2. Hmmmmm.....I wish I were more like you....I have to admit I am a pretty neat housekeeper. I believe it comes from a childhood that was so very out of control that the only thing I could tidy up was my immediate surroundings. You would think by my age I would have outgrown it....but not yet.

    I think you idea of having company is a great one though. For me....I don't have to worry about picking up....I just have to worry about my cooking! LOL LOL

    xo

    Jo

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  3. I love to clean :)
    and very organized
    probably too a fault.

    Love you
    take care
    from one who lives in the middle of nowhere by the edge of the woods
    and continually is cleaning, sweeping, cooking and then outside to tidy gardens...

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  4. I'm uncomfortable in a messy house, but since the big chores are done for me by a domestic help, it is easy for me to keep up with the rest. I have a chaotic mind, so I like for my surroundings to be tidy. I do like the fact that at any moment of the day, anyone can walk in and I don't have to be embarrassed about how the place looks. It soothes my mind.

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  5. Works for me, too! I finally decided to get cloth napkins for entertaining. I'd been using paper ones. Going upscale!

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  6. Totally agree with your philosophy on housekeeping! My method of keeping things a bit under control is to go on trips regularly. It started when my clean-freak neighbour used to keep an eye on things while we were gone so the place never looks so good as when we're leaving - and I know it will at least stay tidy for a while even if the dust settles again!
    Your way sounds more fun though....

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  7. I move. At first, I was forced to move at someone else's (!) need or desire. Then, trying to find something good in it, and quite used to it, I took it on myself, once alone.

    A friend who moved even mor than I have once called inviting me to come and help. I can't do anything I said, remember? Oh yes, she said you can sit and wrap. And she continued, everyone is coming, and everyone who comes gets to take what they want when they leave. Less to move.

    Come to think on it, it's about time again. But oh so many gone. That's the problem with the other side of 60. Fewer friends to take things home, and those still here are trying to get rid of their own not take on mine!

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  8. Works for me! Or, paint the interior - I found that once I'd moved the furniture I HAD to clean behind it before painting the walls. My place never looked so good!

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  9. Molly:
    And the thing is also that it creates fond and lovely memories of special times!
    XO
    WWW

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  10. MGS/Jo:
    I find my web buddies awesome when it comes to sharing their recipes, as I share mine. Simple and delicious. I could never make good cornbread until a southern blog friend gave me her recipe. Great for gluten free guests too.
    XO
    WWW

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  11. MGS/Jo:
    I find my web buddies awesome when it comes to sharing their recipes, as I share mine. Simple and delicious. I could never make good cornbread until a southern blog friend gave me her recipe. Great for gluten free guests too.
    XO
    WWW

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  12. Irene:
    Oh don't get me wrong, I have a wonderful woman who does the heavy work and I am NEVER ashamed of my surroundings, they are reasonably hygienic if at times drowning in books, knitting and other arty projects. I can have drop ins any time and if they don't like my house they can leave and gossip if they must, :)
    XO
    WWW

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  13. Linda:
    I totally understand. the only times my houses were spotless and tidy was when they were up for sale!!
    XO
    WWW

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  14. Anon:
    LOL. See above on what I said about moving. A dear organized and tidy friend, on my last move, came to my house for a whole day and wrapped and boxed every breakable in the house. I've never forgotten her kindness.
    XO
    WWW

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  15. Pauline:
    You are psychic. I need to paint my interior and will need to shove, move and offshore a lot of STUFF. not that I have too much now but the shells and stones and wee bitties given by loved ones has to get out of here. I am looking forward to it.
    XO
    WWW

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  16. When I was married, sometimes we'd get into a frenzy of cleaning and my older son would look around and say, "Who's coming over?" He was right every time!

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  17. SAW:

    Same situation when I was married, absolute frenzy and bad tempers flying....

    XO
    WWW

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  18. I would call a clean house an unlived in one. Anyway, I am blessed in that I live in India where help is still possible to hire and mine is not badly off though the book piles say otherwise. Ranjan however finds it awesome, yes that is what he calls it as he keeps discovering some book or the other of interest to him among them every now and then.

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  19. Ramana:
    I do have someone in to do the heavier stuff, it's just the creeping piles of, yes, books and other detritus that defeats me and entertaining forces me to tidy up.
    XO
    WWW
    PS I love how your son feels about the 'treasures'.

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  20. OWJ:
    Well then, we need to move in together. A perfect couple.
    :)
    XO
    WWW

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  21. I have the quote re the clean house thing, on my fridge. Totally agree. The garden, friends and family matter more. LOVE your writing!

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