Posts Tagged ‘chores’

I’ve always known that vinegar was a rock star when it comes to cleaning. Here’s a great list of other uses. Thanks to Jamielyn Nye/I Heart Nap Time on BabyCenter Blog. If you click on the link there’s a slideshow of all the uses.

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I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the bellow of someone in my family yelling out in exasperation that they couldn’t find what they were looking for. This proclamation is accompanied by a not so subtle insinuation that I, personally, am responsible for their inability to find this one particular item. According to the offended party, in each and every case I did something to make this item incapable of being found. The items I’m talking about run the gamut from food items to pieces of clothing to homework and on and on… Why they come to the conclusion that I am the culprit, I will never know.

It is my regular routine as far as housecleaning goes to be pretty darn easy-going about the quantity of clutter and filth I will tolerate. It is only at a time when I’ve reached the threshold of utter disgust that I will explode into action and move everything in sight. There is usually a fair amount of hints and cajoling prior to my unleashing my one-man cleanliness brigade. A once cluttered countertop is now open for business. A pile of clothes is now sorted and in the proper drawer or on a hanger. The canned goods are stacked. The refrigerator is now organized. The random stuff that spreads out in every room has either found a home or is waiting for its owner to claim it and put it away. You would think that people would appreciate the effort. No, that is not the case. Instead I hear whining and moaning that this or that is now missing.

It goes something like this: Read the rest of this entry »

It doesn’t matter how big or how small your family is, it should be obvious to each family member that they are part of a unit and therefore liable to share the burden of chores and such around the house. Kids are taught to participate from an early age. I think when it comes to what you’re asking of them – they get it pretty quickly. Now compliance with those expectations is another matter all together. We’re all familiar with the expression, “knowing is half the battle”. Sometimes knowing is the beginning of the battle.

Over the years it’s become pretty obvious to me that I am responsible for every gross thing that occurs inside and outside of my house. I did not aspire to hold that position in my family – it was awarded to me by my spouse and children. I know for a fact that I’ve made it perfectly clear to them that I am not flattered by this designation. So, it comes down to two things: 1) they know what’s expected of them and chose to ignore that obligation or 2) they know what’s expected of them and just don’t feel like it. You’re thinking… that sounds pretty much the same. It really isn’t. For me, if you chose to ignore something you are deliberately saying “no”. If you just don’t feel like it you’ve given it some thought and decided you just don’t feel like this time. Maybe next time you’ll think differently, but for now, I don’t think so. And this is the reasoning I think I am facing most of the time when it comes to gross stuff.

What exactly is gross stuff, you ask? It is comprised of a myriad of things, all disgusting in their own way. A nasty odor is often involved. A particular texture or oozing gooey consistency can be part of it. A direct connection to germs is another possibility. Would you like some examples? I’ll share some with you now. Read the rest of this entry »