My mother is coming to visit for Christmas and I’m cleaning like crazy.
First, let me say that I’m not thirty-something anymore. And yet, it’s like I’m getting my house ready for inspection. I’ve rearranged my schedule so I have more time to clean out closets and drawers that I’ve been meaning to get to for awhile, but just haven’t. (Don’t we all have these?) And, seriously, is she going to look in them? Even my husband has been effected. He looks at the yard each time we drive in and says things like, “Really need to dig that up. Really need to trim that shrub.” Is it just me or do all mothers have this effect on their children?
My house is actually pretty clean. We do live in it, though. Junk mail accumulates on surfaces along with magazines that we’re going to get to one day soon. Dusting could probably get done a little more often. Clothes don’t always make it to their proper place the first time. Shoes seems to be mating around the house; I didn’t know we had so many. And where, exactly, did all these empty boxes and shipping “peanuts” come from?
I’m pretty sure this all falls into the “small stuff” category of life. Still, I’ve decided there are two questions I’d love answered. Will I ever outgrow the need to impress my mother with how great a housekeeper I am? And who am I really trying to convince – her or me?
