What is housework??

We have dial up internet at home and sometimes it is particularly slow, some functions more than others. As a result, I don’t usually browse through new blogs from home because the pages and photos take so very long to load.

But last night I did manage to browse through a couple. One that I came across, http://modernretrowoman.com/, made me think.

What is housework?

I’ve been trying to see if there is an “inner housekeeper” in me somewhere who can restore some semblance of sanity to this chaotic household of two. You’d think with just two people it wouldn’t be so tricky, but, well, what can I say ….

I’ve been rather pleased with myself that my “inner housekeeper” (I may have to try and find a name for her) has been keeping up with the dishes and the laundry, and making the bed every morning. My sink even shone when I went to bed last night!

Then I read this blog. Is housework just keeping the place tidy, the laundry done, and the icky muck at bay? Or is it something deeper, something that cleans deeper. Do I even know, after so many years of scraping by in the homemaker department, how to really clean my house? Am I really capable of this? Can I really make a house a home?

I’ve also been reading Jitterbug’s blog (www.destination1940.blogspot.com) and thinking about her 1940s house cleaning schedule. Oh boy, it sounds exhausting!!

Let’s just look at the bedroom.

My cleaning of the bedroom involves stripping the bed and putting on clean sheets, picking up the clothes, stuffing them in the closet if I can’t find anywhere else to put them, or piling them on top of the dresser if there is no room in the drawers. Once in a while I pick up the piles and dust underneath them, and Kathy vacuums the bedroom more than I do.

Jitterbug, on the other hand, has this schedule for cleaning her bedroom:

THURSDAY
Evening
· Thorough weekly cleaning of my bedroom:
· Remove all bed covers; stretch over end of bed, or over chairs, off the floor. Remove soiled bed linen; place near door to be taken out. Place mattress pad over chair near window to air.
· Collect lamp bases, bric-a-brac and dressing table fittings that need polishing or washing, and dresser scarves to be laundered.
· Bring in cleaning equipment: vacuum cleaner and attachments, dust mop, cleaning basket, dust cloth, damp cloth. Bring in fresh bed linens.
· Turn mattress top to bottom one week, and end to end the next week. Make bed.
· Dust high mouldings, door and window frames, window shades and Venetian blinds when necessary. Dust high objects if necessary (mantels, high shelves, window sills, tops of bookcases, etc.). Brush draperies (or use brush attachment of vacuum cleaner). Dust mirrors, pictures, lighting fixtures, lamps, woodwork; wash any of these articles if necessary.Dust radiators (covers and coils) or registers. Brush baseboard or use brush attachment of vacuum cleaner.
· Remove cushions from upholstered furniture. Use brush attachment of vacuum cleaner on furniture (getting into all crevices) and cushions. Replace cushions. Straighten covers. Plump up pillows.
· Dust furniture. Rub wood surfaces of furniture to polish. Wash glass table tops.
· Use vacuum cleaner for cleaning of rugs and carpets.
· Polish or wash accessories and return to place with other objects removed during cleaning.
· Final touches: Straighten draperies, shades, curtains, etc. Take out cleaning equipment and waste basket. Bring back clean ash trays, accessories, flowers and waste basket. Close windows if desired.

Exhausting, right!!!! And so far from my attempt and cleaning my bedroom.

I have a long way to go. I’ve got to remember what housework is. I’ve got to start to care about my home. I’ve got to put my money where my mouth is. I talk about the importance of my home and how I want it to be a sanctuary from the mad crazy world, but what kind of sanctuary can it be when there are piles on clothes on the dresser!

I can made excuses for myself till the cows come home: I’m tired after working all day; I’m not happy at work at the moment and I’m emotionally bankrupt when I get home; there’s something good on TV; DH is just sitting there so why should I do it all; it looks fine; and so on ….

But I have to buck up my ideas. I have to start to look at my home as the haven I want it to be. I need to do more than just the basics.

I need to find the time and the energy to do it! Oh boy ….