September 3rd, 2007
Neat Versus Disorderly
Is it incongruous that I am challenged in the department of housekeeping and tidiness but still crave neatness, cleanliness and order?
It seems that I was a messy child; I had an older sister who was neat and organized like my mother. Then I came along and had the two of them in a quandary! My sister was six when I was born, and far along into the growing habits and preferences of a tidy little person.
They told me that as a child I was slow to replace objects and toys to their respective area of housing. I was very slow with doing dishes, sort of daydreaming as we went along, and distracted by the need to use the bathroom. I would always want to bake cookies or other treats and then not “feel” like cleaning up. I still don’t feel like cleaning up, but I cannot start any other meal until I have a clean slate to begin with. I love a neat and orderly home, and clean rooms.
My favorite room to clean is the bathroom, because it is fast and small, and also because with a small area there is an instant gratification. The chrome is easily made to sparkle brightly; the other objects in the room respond very nicely to a clean rag as well.
After the bathroom I deem the kitchen to be of the same high importance as the bathroom for being neat and clean. After all, at least two meals a day are made and eaten in there, and aside from the hygiene needs of a food prep area, no one wants to begin an intricate recipe with old dishes or cereal boxes cluttering up the counter.
What have I learned over the years around the idea of going from a sloppy child to messy adult all the while surrounded by neat relatives? I have learned to hand out the dust cloths as they come in the door, and I have learned some little tricks to help me with my desire to be living in neatness.
I will continue this discussion next week to share some of my tricks.
Until then,
Lorraine
