Tuesday, September 09, 2008


Kitchen Sinks and Unmade Beds

I don't have a housekeeper. Do you? I don't have a cleaning lady either - no budget for it and frankly, when I have had one, the stress of cleaning the house for the cleaning lady and then feeling guilty that someone was cleaning my house while I was in it always made me feel terrible. Then again, I made my bed in hotels so the chambermaid doesn't think I'm a slob.


If you come to my house you can count on two things. 1) The beds are made. 2) The sink is clean. Today I went to make the beds a little later than usual - I was busy blogging and writing early today. Mia's bed was complete. And I have no recollection of making it. I guess that makes it a real habit of mine!


My Mom always cleaned out the kitchen sink after the dinner dishes were finished. She used Comet. Not Bon Ami. Not Ajax. Not Bar Keepers Friend. (Though I've used all of those.) Remember Josephine from the old old Comet ads?


My life might be upside down at any given time. Half my house might be inside out. Politics and the state of the world might occupy my mind. But my beds are made and my sink is clean.


Where do you find your comfort or ritual/sanity?

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Karate chopping throw pillows... it's a sickness really. Hi-ya!

Kim Rossi Stagliano said...

Well I hope you place them neatly on your bed with finished....

The Anti-Wife said...

My living room is always neat - in case of company and everything else is in order - not perfect but passable. However, my closet is my obsession. Everything is arranged by type of garment then by color - except the skirts. They are on a long bar and the most recently worn one goes to the back so I rotate through them. Even the shoes are arranged by color. It keeps me sane and makes getting dressed for work at o-dark-thirty every morning easier.

Amy said...

Um, there's always wine in the pantry? That makes me feel safe and as though all is right in the world.

I'm not a neat freak. I want everything to be neat and clean and organized...but I am way too distracted. My sink is usually pretty clean.

But thanks for reminding me I need to update my to-do list!

Amy said...

And no, I don't have a housekeeper, maid or cleaning lady. Another thing I can blame on *the* German.

Anonymous said...

I like making sure the laundry is done and put away. Something very organizing about it and not seeing piles of it makes me feel better. Of course as soon as it's done more laundry piles up so the feeling doesn't last long!

Kim Rossi Stagliano said...

Laundry - yes! We just moved into a ranch and I'll tell you, it's a joy that my washer and dryer are IN my linen closet - fold and put on shelf! And just steps from the girls' bedrooms and my own - no more laundry stacked up the staircase or on the washer.

Do I need a life?

Amanda said...

I am verging on anal about towels. They MUST be folded EXACTLY and hung ACCURATELY on the rail OR ELSE. They MUST be folded and stacked in the linen cupboard - a fact that may well be the undoing of my sanity until we get a lock on the door seeing as Bear has decided the linen cupboard is the in place to hang out and make camps.

Wine is good....

Anonymous said...

I'll third the wine... definitely.

The pillows are on the love seats and chairs... I'll walk by 50 times a day and... hi-ya! Ahhh... now THAT is comforting. Maybe even a little cathartic.

No maid here. I'm not sure I'd have one if I could afford it, I'd clean before they/she came too.

Cyndi said...

You know how f'cked up I am?...I can't even look at your ad for Comet without thinking: there is mercury in that!!! In case you guys missed the list: http://www.talkaboutcuringautism.org/vaccines/containingmercury.htm

LisaL said...

I sort my daughter's thousands of Polly Pocket clothes and accessories. Then I organize all her books by subject, series, or size. The rest of the house looks like a sty, but her things are organized and that's all that matters.

Anonymous said...

Oh, wow...I am so your people! Yes, the beds must be made and there are never dishes in the sink! My towels also must be folded just right, and the hand towel always sits on the right of the sink (yet, after 6 years of marriage my husband still dumps it on the left side- unfolded). I also have to have my living room picked up a few times a day - just in case someone stops by - including straightening the throw pillows on the couch. I do not karate chop them, but now I may think about it! Picking up and dealing with the pillows are a must before going to bed - I hate waking up to a messy house. I do have a house cleaner who comes twice a month. I cleaned houses to put myself through college and swore I would not spend my time doing that if I could afford it. It is a sacrifice, but it is worth it! I am a neat freak with two kids under the age of four - talk about needing wine or Paxil - or maybe both! Just kidding...kind of!