Playing house-house with a confession

Sometimes I can't take two steps in the house without stumbling over something - the children's toys, a slipper sticking out under the sofa, books, the toy cycle,  books in some nooks, discarded clothing - sweaters and socks. One look at the carpet and you would be a Happy Poirot - yes, that is exactly what the kids had for breakfast. Making beds - the kids too small to make theirs and the husband's way is to drape the duvet over, huh! And all sorts of odds and ends land up on the kitchen shelves- hair clips, rubber-bands, empty juice carton, a lego block, pencils, G's drawings.....I never walk anyplace hands free, I am always carrying stuff around to put it in its correct place. Which believe me is an effort, since I am not too organised either:)

And there is the dust, which lovingly settles over every surface it gets. A hard swipe makes it rise gently into a small swirl and settle back without taking any offence back in place. Even in the bleak winters when we keep the windows closed, not airing the house everyday and going out smelling like aloo-gobi or tadka dal, whatever has been cooked for the day, dust has crept in and settled all over our predominantly black IKEA furniture.

So when I have guests coming, I see myself scurrying around doing a lot of things - stirring the onion-garlic paste in the kadhai, running to the living room to dust the furniture with a wet wipe, ignoring the small black fungus growth on the wall above, checking the internet for some details for the recipe, timing things right up to their arrival. I really wish I had the enthusiasm in being house-proud on a daily basis. No, but that's just not me. I put off things till I become very upset with the mess and start cleaning up. The smell of bleach and Mr. Proper puts me in a good mood actually. Which is also one reason I invite people over for dinner, so I have a whole day to prepare!!

Back in India, my maid would want extra for dusting, but it was never thorough. And I would end up finishing the job for her.  So much so that when I do pick up the various tools of the trade - sponge and wipes and the broom and vaccum, bleach et al my kids ask me who is coming over, Mama? They also know they should keep out of my way then. In spite of  my best efforts, I can never boast of a spotlessly clean house, ever:(

Comments

  1. Anonymous17 January 2013 at 17:56

    Hiya there!!been reading everyday but want able to comment. So hello! And thank you for joining in this blogathon fun :-)

    Reading this made me feel like i have written this post. I keep carrying stuff around with me to keep them in its place.also i keep teasing the husband that we need to invite people more often so the house gets cleaned. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chatty Wren18 January 2013 at 10:57

      Hey thanks LLT! The marathon has been fun:) He he, so true, but everyone with kids knows the rules of the game.

      Delete
  2. Unknown17 January 2013 at 23:35

    You pretty much describe the scene in my house too :) But honestly, I do wish get-together's were more just that - people getting together to chat and catch up. It turns into a "come to my house which I shall polish to perfection like I live like that everyday" + "Please eat the scores of dishes I've sweated out making, just so you know we were looking forward to meeting you" + "Oh! don't touch a thing to clean up - you've already paid for the food with conversation."

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    Replies
    1. Chatty Wren18 January 2013 at 11:01

      Lol, MwaD! One reason I go all out with new dishes is that it gives me a chance to try something new, otherwise my family has pretty set preferences I run out of cooking ideas:) And also if I don't know my guests that well, I wouldn't want them to enter my kitchen and help cleaning up, it's their day to take it easy. When I go over to a friend's place, I expect her to say she needs help, otherwise I'd be lost in someone's kitchen.

      Delete
  3. Aparna18 January 2013 at 01:52

    A spotlessly clean house is overrated, in my opinion. I used to be one of those clean freaks but for the last few years i've let it slide...who cares...? Now its the other way and husabnd says I'm very casual when people come over -can we atleast move the kids bikes away from the living room and put them somewhere else? :)

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    Replies
    1. Chatty Wren18 January 2013 at 11:02

      Lol, well I too don't aim for spotlessness, reasonably clean and lived-in warm look is all I aspire for:)

      Delete
    2. Unknown18 January 2013 at 15:31

      Way to go Aparna! Seriously, when did visitors turn into house-inspectors anyway?!

      Delete
  4. Anonymous18 January 2013 at 05:37

    LOL....Same here...sometimes hubby suggests inviting people just to get the big heap of laundry sorted.
    and my kitchen counter too is generally littered by different types of toys...
    though i don't blame Zini for that, even when i didn't have her, my home was never spic-n-span...

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    Replies
    1. Chatty Wren18 January 2013 at 11:04

      Laundry - I have a big bag for it, and once the cupboards are near empty and we are running out of options, I reluctantly empty it:)

      Delete
  5. Unknown18 January 2013 at 06:52

    ha! I actually used that technique for several years; invite people over so that I would be forced to clean!! :D

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    Replies
    1. Chatty Wren18 January 2013 at 11:05

      He he, looks like that's how I organize my cleaning schedule too!!

      Delete
  6. Anonymous18 January 2013 at 07:28

    Don't worry. you are not alone ... I tend to do that too... I am not a regular cleaner as well and one of the goals of this year is to be one.... to comfort you, I am failing..

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    Replies
    1. Chatty Wren18 January 2013 at 11:06

      That's nice to know, you can imagine the panic I go through if someone comes home with a 10-min notice!!

      Delete
  7. Anonymous18 January 2013 at 12:12

    Same story here. I tend to get too caught up in everyday life and chasing my dreams that the house gets neglected. *Gulp* I made a confession there that I haven't ever made before. :(

    ReplyDelete
  8. Chatty Wren18 January 2013 at 12:28

    It's ok, this is a confession post, check out everyone else above too:) Join the club!

    ReplyDelete

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