Clean Sweep

I finally broke down. I hired a cleaning lady. I thought if she could just come once and pick up all the stuff off the floor and make everything look shiny, I'd be set for life. Now I'm addicted. The cleaning lady came with an assistant and tons of cleaning supplies of her own and went to work scrubbing things that I hadn't even realized were dirty. While the ladies were purifying and polishing, I was able to finish the laundry and organize the laundry room. Did you hear that? FINISH the laundry.

When Scott came home, he was dazzled by my efforts. The whole house was clean at once! Usually you have to really focus on the clean parts and divert your attention away from the clutter in other areas. After the cleaning ladies came, you could look anywhere and see crumb-free zones and clean, empty surfaces.

Now I'm thinking of ways to get more money to pay for more cleaning. My one-time deal is already an idea of the past. The ladies are coming back next month. I don't care what I have to do; it's the best money I've ever spent and I can't go back to partially clean. Maintaining a house sometimes reminds me of the guy from Greek mythology who spent eternity rolling a heavy stone up a hill, only to have it roll down again every time he neared the top. (Sysiphus?) That guy must have done something really offensive to get that punishment. I relate to him every time I hear milk spilling in the kitchen while I'm cleaning toothpaste off the bathroom sink. Sure, the kids help me clean, in the same way monkeys can be trained to do math. Lots of work for the trainer.

Now that I have two awesome women to help me push that stone up the hill, my muscles are quickly atrophying. I can't do it alone! Maybe I've become weaker, but I sure feel stronger and more empowered by my gleaming surroundings. And I'm happier. Just ask the monkeys.