Spring Cleaning, Part 2

A huge thanks to Dan and Deanne for watching Sammy and Riley Friday and Saturday. It was the most fun I've had cleaning house in a long time--very few interruptions. Zeke was quite good all day. He slept in, took long naps, and watched us clean blinds, light fixtures, walls, and all the other stuff we never clean. And, lucky you, cleaning all day makes me wax philosophical.

Cleaning is satisfying. Most of you have felt that. I've decided that's why it's smart to let my whole house get really dirty, not cleaning it very often. Much more visible satisfaction. After all, what fun is mopping a white floor that just stays white. I prefer mopping a dingy gray floor--instant gratification.

Cleaning is depressing. Especially deep cleaning. Because no one notices when you do it. They only notice if you don't do it. No one will come to my house and say, "Wow, you must have spent hours vacuuming your blinds! And look at your clean cupboards!" Not to mention, the constant clutter of four boys and a messy mom tends to be more noticeable than clean windows.

Cleaning is addictive. Once I get the momentum going, I want to keep going and going and going. This is why it's so hard to clean with kids around--the interruptions keep me from getting in the groove. Right now I have big plans for more deep cleaning, a project a day. But one lazy Mother's Day with Bruce cooking and doing dishes might destroy all my initiative. Anyway, it seems like most things are addictive, for example Kathryn and exercise, Bruce and BYU football, me and eating chocolate (also eating veggies, gardening, reading, and even scripture study). So I guess I'd better do a little more of those things that are good for me, hoping that they will become things I also love to do.

By the way, hats off to my wonderful husband who took me to the opera last night (Don Giovanni, kind of a cheesy soap opera). It was fun, though next time I want to dress up a little more--it was fun seeing some of the getups people were in. He and Sammy also made me a fabulous Mother's Day "Funny Lunch"--it's me lounging on a beach of meringue and blueberry pie filling, in case you can't tell. Sammy and Riley were too tired today to be very fun--Sammy refused to go up to sing with the Primary in Sacrament Meeting, which he usually loves. And Riley was excited to go with me to see Great-Grandma Payne tonight, but then was shy and wouldn't talk or sing to her.

Finally, love and appreciation to our wonderful mothers, who got through the ups and downs of raising us with patience and good sportsmanship, and still love us today. We are so grateful for all you do and all you are. Thank you!