House cleaning

"If you want to see me. come on over. If you want to see my house, call ahead."

I read this somewhere on the internet and really liked it. I need to remember this because sometimes I can get the "Martha Stewart Syndrome".

A house with kids and parents, who'd rather do other things than clean, can get messy. I continually fret that I haven't taught my kids to pick up after themselves because I never have the patience to work with them on it. I can do it much faster and there is no yelling involved (except at hubby dear for not pitching in) so peace for all.

Now that the kids are getting older and bit more capable, I have started to ask them to pick up. Hopefully they will learn. Oh, I have occasional what my kids call "crazy days" where I grab a box and throw all their toys in and head out to the garage. Then they pick up in a hurry. I just wish I could do this more calmly rather than like the "crazy lady"!

The second best cleaning tip I have heard is "have someone else do it" and I usually do leave everything for the cleaning lady. I wish there was a similar service for picking up toys off the floor. sigh.