Friday, January 09, 2009

Let's talk Housework!


I know there are a lot of people who don't like Housework and I'll admit that I went through that stage too, I honestly did not want anything to do with it. I felt like it was torture and just boring and annoying LOL

But as I got married and had children and became a Stay at Home Mom, I came to realize that housework is a part of my life, it's simply a part of making my home comfortable and cozy for my family.


Like making the beds. Do you know how many friends I've had over the years who have said "what's the point, you just going to get back in there again and mess it up" LOL Well yeah, if you think about it that way, it's true, it's kind of pointless, but I see it as putting together a wonderful comfy area for our bodies to rest after a hard day. For me, there's nothing better than climbing into a clean and tidy bed.


Laundry couldn't be any easier if you think about it. I remember from my childhood, having to wash clothes and scrub them on the washboard, and forget dryers, the baskets of wet clothes was hauled outside to hang on the clothesline. I think that's where I developed my love for air dried laundry.
Nowadays, you chuck them into the washer and then switch them to the dryer and most don't even iron them anymore....whereas I remember from my childhood, everything was ironed, including underwear.
So yeah, laundry for me is not hard to do at all, time consuming because it seems to multiply by the hour, but not a difficult job.


Cooking and baking, well I don't think I even need to explain do I? LOL I think everyone and their mother knows what I feel about being in the kitchen and making food for the family. I feel like I'm contributing to their well being, being able to produce a homecooked meal and having my family enjoy it and appreciate it. The fact that my children tell anyone they meet that mommy makes the best food, makes me happy, and it's worth all the time spent in the kitchen.

Then there are the chores that I could do without but it still doesn't bother me to do them. I mean, scrubbing toilets and bathtubs are not on my list of enjoyable things to do, but yet they're an integral part of homemaking and creating that wonderful place for my family.


But like I said in the beginning, I know there are those out there that dislike housework and I'm not going to tell anyone that you have to enjoy it and embrace it, I'm just going to say that maybe you could look at it as something you do for yourself and your family, just remember that all it takes is a change in your way of thinking. That's how it worked for me, I stopped fighting it and hating it and going into it with annoyance and negativity because when I did I found that everything went wrong and it was pure torture to get through the day of cleaning, now I just pop in some music, or turn on the TV and actually enjoy housework.

So now you tell me, where do you fall in the housework category:

  • You enjoy it
  • You don't enjoy it but it doesn't bother you
  • You would rather have a root canal than do any kind of housework, it's torture
  • You refuse to do it at all

Let's chat shall we.

And before I go, let me just show you my Library Book Basket, I just refilled it this morning with some titles that I'm really looking forward to reading.


Here's a closer look at the books, if you see one you've read, let me know what you thought ok?


34 comments:

Lara said...

Hi Sandra,
I'm back from our wonderful holidays at Madeira, though I'm worried with my Mum's health. It was nice to see your blog and, as for housework, I just love doing it. Some days I feel a bit lazy but usually I love doing it.
Have a wonderful 2009!

Anonymous said...

I love doing housework.. that does not mean I want to do it all the time but when I do it there is such a satisfaction of seeing the end result, even if the end result (clean house) only lasts so long with 3 kids.

Anonymous said...

I understand the importance of keeping a clean and tidy home. I certainly enjoy my home more when it is clean and tidy. But I will admit, with both of us working outside of the home- there are days when all I can muster the energy for is making sure the kitchen is clean and doing a general tidy of the living areas. I'm happy with that though. My home is lived in, but definitely not dirty. I remember not so long ago being a teenager with one bedroom in my parents home that looked like a tornado had come through. So I've made marked improvement.LOL

Jennifer said...

Oh Sandra... I wish I could see it the same way you do.

I HATE laundry. I do not like to fold it. I do not mind putting it in the washer and dryer.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE a clean house. With 2 kids running around after me making a mess it is rather hard.

I often say... The house will be clean when they go to school. I have to have a semi clean living room and kitchen or I go nuts.

The room the kids sleep in HAS to be clean. They now share a room, with NO toys because I can not have them go to bed with a messy room. I just can't.

I can close the door in the playroom and I do not see it. That is easy to deal with.

Now being tired all the time it is really hard. I will get over it and take on the challenge once again.

I will get it one day... The key word... ONE DAY!!! lol

Michelle said...

I have to repeat what nothing too fancy said ,not a fan of housework,But it's lovely when it's done..

Anonymous said...

Nope! Didn't see any books that I've read.. currently reading "Women of the Wind" kind of sort of a romance with a lot of history.
I really don't mind housework.. I tend to be a clean freak but it's because i really love to rearrange the furniture, clean under them, wash curtains etc. it's a good feeling to have a clean looking and smelling house..
as far as bed making goes.. I make my side when I get up and my hub makes his when he gets up so I never have to return to the room and do it.

Anonymous said...

I have a love hate relationship with housework...sometimes if I am working in the right spirit it's lovely and I really enjoy it, if I'm being negative and I really dislike it. It's all about how we look upon it.

I've fallen into bad habits and disorganisation recently and slowly, little by little, hopefully I'll get back on track.

Love & hugs

Sarah x

Leya said...

I have a love/hate relatioship with housework. I love, LOVE, a clean house, and I don't particularly like cleaning. But I do find it very rewarding and at times relaxing and cleansing.

Allie Z said...

As a full time wife, mom, friend, sister, etc, it's rather tough for me to keep up with everything. I work full time and have a bit of a commute.

I don't enjoy it but it doesn't bother me. That's where I fall. Specifically because of time. I want to spend time with my family, not slaving while others look on! :)

I love to do laundry. I've never hand washed, I've never line dried, but I do find it fulfilling to wash, dry, hang, and fold. It's a great feeling to know my husband and kiddos are taken care of. I enjoy tiding up the house, mainly keeping the dishes and kitchen spotless. My kiddos have a chore chart and are expected to pitch in on Saturday mornings to do a one over on the house. Without the teamwork, I wouldn't have any time to just "be".

~Allie Z

Steve and Eden said...

I'm right there with you, Sandra.

Barbara said...

I'm halfway between the first two... I wouldn't say I enjoy it, but I do enjoy the results of it. I'd enjoy it just as much to have someone do it all for me ;) There are things I hate doing... washing the floors for one. But it needs to get done and I like clean floors... make sense?

Cheri said...

I enjoy doing laundry except the white load- hate matching up all those socks.
I like vacuuming and dishes- not so much the other cleaning duties.

Christy said...

Hi, I just stopped by to let you know that I have fallen in love with your blog. I found you through a carnival, I think, and I find you very inspiring. Thank you for sharing your life and philosophy (as well as all of the recipes) with us!

Mari said...

I don't mind doing housework and love the way I feel when my house is clean. I love organizing things and cleaning out cabinets...

JMRCH said...

I actually like housework! My tough spot is trying to do a nice job while finding ways my 2 year old can help and feel important. It's tough to do when I have to entertain him at the same time. He enjoys helping which is a blessing. He is learning to do a nice job and I can't wait until he is able to help a bit more. His favorites are sweeping/mopping/swiffering the floors and wiping down the table and chairs. Anyone out there with little ones, it's a non-stop job keeping up with them but your house really can be (somewhat) tidy most of the time! :)

Misty said...

this REALLY put things into perspective. Really it did... Thanks!

Our neck of the woods said...

I love the way I feel when my house is clean, that is what motivates me to clean. I follow flylady.com and that helps me stay on track.
If I had to chose my least favorite chore it would be folding and putting away laundry.
Sandra what is your least favorite chore. You must have one?

Lulu said...

i love a clean space, i cant stand clutter...
have a good weekend..Happy reading..

Elizabeth said...

Love those vintage photos you found to go with this post! I smiled at the shorter lady who stood upon the stool to wash dishes. Now THAT's commitment!

My reaction to housekeeping varies, but I have found that a good music with beat helps me to get through with a smile most times...my favorite?? Greatest Hits of ABBA. Right now, since I'm still unpacking, I get frustrated with trying to find the right place for everything...I have to make myself step back and see the good steps I'm making, otherwise I push until I'm frustrated and cranky and think that my life is chaos squared!

My new home has a nice kitchen with a good light over the sink, a nice window, too, and that's where I clean dishes...this is funny, because when we were looking for a home I was adament about a dish washer and I have used it once!

Haven't read the books in your basket, but they look like good titles.

Peace.

Michele said...

I really don't like to do housework. I do like a clean house though, and since it is now mostly just me and the dog (with a 19 year old supposedly living there, but I rarely ever see her). My least favorite chore is doing dishes... especially if they aren't mine. For example, my teen decided to cook for her and her boyfriend... spaghetti... while I was gone for a few nights. I left the house very clean, show up to a spaghetti nightmare! After an evening of harsh words and a few shed tears she now realizes how important it is to take some extra time to clean up after herself. I did not raise her to be a slob, but at times I don't know where her mind is at! Yes, I helped her clean up the mess.....Why is it SO hard to be a tough parent?

I love the Library book basket idea. I think I am going to use that one.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sandra,
I love housework. I so enjoy feathering my nest.Thanks for your visits. Thanks have been crazy here. We are still cleaning up from Hurricane Ike.
Hugs,
Elizabeth

Grateful Gramma said...

Love your library book basket! I have one too.

Not sure if I've read those particular Yada Yada books but I have really enjoyed all the ones I've read so far. I rarely re-read books but these are the exception. Enjoy!

Susanne said...

I love the results of the effort of housework. I once told my Dad that line about why make the bed cause you're just gonna sleep in it and he looked at me and without missing a beat said, "why eat your dinner, you're just gonna get hungry anyway." LOL.

I haven't read any of those books, though I did try one of the yada yada prayer group ones before and I just couldn't get into it.

P. said...

I'm crazy for housework, everything related with home and homemaking, I like.
I'm dreaming about being a stay at home woman.

Alfazema

The Frugal Apprentice said...

I've read "The Queen's Fool" and really, really liked it a lot.

Of course I've read the "Yada Yada" books and they are wonderful! I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Housework. Blech. I tolerate it.

Sherry

Frugal Domestic Goddess

Barbie @ Mamaology said...

Your such and encouragement in home making to me:) I like house work too...most of the time. Just getting myself going is the hard part.

I've read The God I Love. It was great. Joni has had an incredible life. It helps to keep it all in perspective.

Enjoy you Sat.

Jen said...

I dont mind housework. I dont like it. But I do like the house to be neat and look good. So that is why I dont mind it.....

Barb said...

I bought Knitting School several years ago at Michael's with a 40% off coupon. It's a great book, but expensive if you pay full price.

The Queen's Fool was an excellent book.

I don't mind housework at all - I only wish I had more time to stay on top of it. Honestly, I'd love it if I could completely empty my whole house and clean it and then every single thing in it, before I moved it back in. At this point, that would be easier than constantly just trying to choose spots to clean. LOL

mom2triplets04 said...

You don't enjoy it but it doesn't bother you. I almost picked the one about root canal but I just hate dentists more so than I hate cleaning so I chose the one above it. I hate house cleaning. I only do it when it absolutely needs to be done. I do like your basket for your library books. I too just made a place to put my library books. I am using an organizer from a company called Thirty-One. I keep it in my laundry room where I can quickly bring into the car to swap books.

heidi @ ggip said...

This is such a great post Sandra! I love having a clean house. It isn't often clean though! I don't love housework but it's not that often that I despise it.

And I have to share that I'm totally in agreement with you about the bedmaking. Even if for some reason we don't get the bed made in the morning, I always make it before we retire. I find it so much more comfortable when it is made!

threesidesofcrazy said...

There are some tedious chores, but for the most part I actually like Housework. LOL - I HAVE to make the bed - I like neat and tidy! No matter how cluttered the house gets like on a snowy weekend, at least I know that underneath it all it's clean to begin with.

Christina said...

I like cleaning. I love my house to be clean. I am not fanatical and I have clutter and kids toys all around, but the basics I like. Making the beds, laundry, dishes, these are things that keep the house running. I really enjoyed your pictures and it sure goes to show you how far we've come.

The Bookworm said...

I'm in the "don't enjoy it but it doesn't bother me" category. I don't do as much as I should, though :(.

Elizabeth F said...

In browsing some of your older posts, I came across this one. I agree that housework is a mindset. But, I really wanted to ask about The Secret Life of Bees. Did you read it? I started it, but due to the language couldn't proceed.