Spring Cleaning by Maureen Locher

Spring Cleaning. What do those words mean to you? I remember every single spring my mom would clean everything. To me everything already looked clean to begin with. But walls would be washed (?!!!) and baseboards scrubbed and cupboards cleaned out. Who knows what else my mom did? She did it all.

And then there’s me. They say the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. Well, this apple must have experienced a force of some magnitude because I went a-rolling! Housework has never been my forte. When the kids were little I tried…kinda…sorta. We weren’t slobs or anything, and when people visited the house looked decent.

But then we moved out to the country. The country – now doesn’t that evoke thoughts of rolling hills and picket fences? We bought a house which was built in 1823. One remarkable man built this house. It took him three years without benefit of power tools. Contemplating this fact continues to boggle the mind. Every single thing was done by hand. It’s a big federal style house. We all had such high hopes. I remember on moving day my brother jokingly told me I didn’t need any hobbies because this house was a hobby in itself. I responded that if it took 10 years to fix it up it was worth it. It’s been 10 years. It’s nowhere near done. I am less than hopeful for its completion. Can you tell?

How did our moms do it? Dinner on the table every night, dishes washed immediately after, everything had a place and everything was in its place. Different priorities? I realize many moms stayed at home without benefit of a paying job. But they did not have all the modern conveniences we have, so chores took longer for them to do. Why is it that they seemed to accomplish much more? It’s true they were not running here and there ferrying children to sports practices and dance classes but I think our moms had a better work ethic; I really do. I think our moms worked so hard all their lives to make our lives better that we daughters have lost something along the way. And I REALLY worry about this next generation of daughters and sons who are given cell phones after they utter their first words, and video game systems to keep them occupied.

I have definitely jumped into the older generation in my thoughts and concerns. I do not view the word with rose-colored glasses as I once did. I am more of a realist now. This house will probably never ever get done, at least not by the current owners. Perhaps we bit off more than we could chew, but 10 years ago I still exhibited traces of idealism. Watching “The Money Pit” isn’t funny anymore.

So even though my house will never be featured in “House Beautiful,” I shall find solace in the fact that this day I got down and dirty; I spring cleaned my dining room – and company isn’t even coming. Who knows? Today the dining room – tomorrow the kitchen? Stranger things have happened. This little golden delicious is rolling her way a bit closer to mama.

Maureen Locher

MWLM’s copy editor and Just Another Manic Momday columnist

When Maureen’s not scrubbing walls (Ha!) she’s writing here or there, and “there” is at http://maureenlocher.blogspot.com/ ~ To Give God. Maureen is the mom of four boys-to-men aged 19-22 who all live at home juggling their own crazy work and school schedules, yet still they manage to find the energy to drive their mom over the proverbial edge quite often!

   

Comments

[Karrie McAllister]

You never know...I may come by to visit one of these days! (Your old house sounds really neat!)