clean less, camp more

[wiininkwe]

DirtLayers of dirty film on windows and screens provide a helpful filter against harmful and aging rays from the sun. Call it an SPF factor of 15 and leave it alone.

Cobwebs
Artfully draped over lampshades reduce the glare from the bulb, thereby creating a romantic atmosphere. If someone points out that the light fixtures need dusting, simply look confused and exclaim "What? And spoil the mood?" (Or just throw glitter on them & call them holiday decorations.)

Pet Hair
Explain the mound of pet hair brushed up against the doorways by claiming you are collecting it there to use for stuffing hand-sewn play animals for underprivileged children. (Also keeps out cold drafts in winter.)

Guests
If unexpected company is coming, pile everything unsightly into one room and close the door. As you show your guests through your tidy home, rattle the door knob vigorously, fake a growl and say, "I'd love you to see our den, but Fluffy hates to be disturbed and the shots are SO expensive."

Dusting
If dusting is REALLY out of control, simply place a showy urn on the coffee table and insist that "This is where Grandma wanted us to scatter her ashes."

General Cleaning
Mix one-quarter cup pine-scented household cleaner with four cups of water in a spray bottle. Mist the air lightly. Leave dampened rags in conspicuous locations. Develop an exhausted look, throw yourself on the couch and sigh, "I clean and I clean and I still don't get anywhere." As a last resort, light the oven, throw a teaspoon of cinnamon in a pie pan, turn off oven and explain that you have been baking cookies for a bake sale for a favorite charity and haven't had time to clean...Works every time.

[angelsmom10]

Gotts frame this... it explains it all!!!:p

[tlhdoc]

DirtLayers of dirty film on windows and screens provide a helpful filter against harmful and aging rays from the sun. Call it an SPF factor of 15 and leave it alone.

Cobwebs
Artfully draped over lampshades reduce the glare from the bulb, thereby creating a romantic atmosphere. If someone points out that the light fixtures need dusting, simply look confused and exclaim "What? And spoil the mood?" (Or just throw glitter on them & call them holiday decorations.)

Pet Hair
Explain the mound of pet hair brushed up against the doorways by claiming you are collecting it there to use for stuffing hand-sewn play animals for underprivileged children. (Also keeps out cold drafts in winter.)

Guests
If unexpected company is coming, pile everything unsightly into one room and close the door. As you show your guests through your tidy home, rattle the door knob vigorously, fake a growl and say, "I'd love you to see our den, but Fluffy hates to be disturbed and the shots are SO expensive."

Dusting
If dusting is REALLY out of control, simply place a showy urn on the coffee table and insist that "This is where Grandma wanted us to scatter her ashes."

General Cleaning
Mix one-quarter cup pine-scented household cleaner with four cups of water in a spray bottle. Mist the air lightly. Leave dampened rags in conspicuous locations. Develop an exhausted look, throw yourself on the couch and sigh, "I clean and I clean and I still don't get anywhere." As a last resort, light the oven, throw a teaspoon of cinnamon in a pie pan, turn off oven and explain that you have been baking cookies for a bake sale for a favorite charity and haven't had time to clean...Works every time.

So we don't really want to come to your house?  :p  

[debbiedee1957]

Just received this from a dear friend-

Philosophy on Housecleaning


I don't do windows because...  I love birds and don't want one to run into a clean window and get hurt.

I don't wax floors because...  I am terrified a guest will slip, hurt
themselves, I'll feel terrible and they may sue me.

I don't mind the dust bunnies because...  They are very good company, I have named most of them, and they agree with everything I say.

I don't disturb cobwebs because...  I want every creature to have a home of their own.

I don't Spring Clean because...  I love all the seasons and don't
want the others to get jealous.

I don't pull weeds in the garden because...  I don't want to get in
God's way, he is an excellent designer.

I don't put things away because.  My husband will never be able to find them again.

I don't do gourmet meals when I entertain because...  I don't want my guests to stress out over what to make when they invite me over for dinner.

I don't iron because...  I choose to believe them when they say
"Permanent Press".

I don't stress much on anything because...  "A Type"
personalities die young and I want to stick around and become a wrinkled up crusty ol' woman!!!!

[vjm1639]

These are both great!!!!  :>

[wiininkwe]

So we don't really want to come to your house? :p
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------During my young married life, I wanted to make sure that everyone knew what a good wife I was, and obsessed over every aspect of housecleaning.  I was busy all day, every day.  But, as the kids and pets came along, I realised that I wanted to enjoy spending more of that time with them and with my husband.  I reassesed my priorities, and found out that a little dust on an end table didn't hurt anyone, laundry could be done any day of the week, not just monday and friday, and if there is a footprint on the kitchen floor, no one will really be affected by it.  I started a new philosophy.  It goes like this...
 
"If ya don't slip, trip or stick, it's clean enough."
 
Now that the kids and some of the pets are gone, I have more time available for cleaning.   But, I don't let it control my days, I am the one who decides what's important.
T

[angelsmom10]

Remember...a layer of dust protects the Wood beneath it.
 
Dusting
 
"A house becomes a home when you can write "I love you" on the furniture."
 
I can't tell you how many countless hours that I have spent CLEANING!
 
I used to spend at least 8 hours every weekend making sure things were just perfect - "in case someone came over". Then I realized one day that no-one came over; they were all out living life and having fun!
 
Now, when people visit, I find no need to explain the "condition" of my home.
 
They are more interested in hearing about the things I've been doing while I was away living life and having fun. If you haven't figured this out yet, please heed this advice.
 
Life is short. Enjoy it! Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better to paint a picture or write a letter, bake! a cake or plant a seed, ponder the difference between want and need?
 
Dust if you must, but there's not much time, with rivers to swim and mountains to climb, music to hear and books to read, friends to cherish and life to lead.
 
Dust if you must, but the world's out there with the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair, a flutter of snow, a shower of rain. This day will not come around again.
 
Dust if you must, but bear in mind, old age will come and it's not kind. And when you go - and go you must - you, yourself will make more dust!
 
It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.

[tlhdoc]

So we don't really want to come to your house? :p
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------During my young married life, I wanted to make sure that everyone knew what a good wife I was, and obsessed over every aspect of housecleaning.  I was busy all day, every day.  But, as the kids and pets came along, I realised that I wanted to enjoy spending more of that time with them and with my husband.  I reassesed my priorities, and found out that a little dust on an end table didn't hurt anyone, laundry could be done any day of the week, not just monday and friday, and if there is a footprint on the kitchen floor, no one will really be affected by it.  I started a new philosophy.  It goes like this...
 
"If ya don't slip, trip or stick, it's clean enough."
 
Now that the kids and some of the pets are gone, I have more time available for cleaning.   But, I don't let it control my days, I am the one who decides what's important.
T

I feel the same way about the house.