Ever notice how one project can turn into a much bigger project?

I started dusting and de-cluttering the entertainment unit on Friday. The lower shelves weren't too dusty, but I can't reach the very top. I had to get out the ladder to clean the very top and the dust was quite thick up there.

While I was up there I took down Ralphy, my large Christmas cactus and watered him in the shower to get the dust off. Ralphy has been in the same pot for probably 8 or 9 years now, so he'll need re-potting before I put him back up. Ralphy has a whole story which I'll post at another time since my first follower knows it already -- she gave him to me :)

I also noticed that the transom window and curtains needed cleaning while I was up on the ladder. Of course cleaning the windows on the inside reveals how dirty the other side is.

To wash the curtains I needed to make up a full load. The kids had some stuffies that needed washing so I added them to the load. Some were too small so I had to put them in a laundry bag. Guess what? The laundry bag was coming apart so out came the sewing machine. I broke two needles before I figured out that the presser foot was loose and moving into the wrong position.

Now that I have a box of items cleared off my shelves, what do I do with them. Some things have to be returned to their owners (i.e my kids and husband). Others need to go into storage or be given away.

The original job still isn't finished. I have only done the open shelves, I still have to de-clutter the cupboards and wipe down the doors.

Why can't the house stay clean?

I'm wondering where all the bits come from, within minutes of cleaning the floors? I'm thinking it's a form of osmosis --  bits moving from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. Sometimes I just sweep up the bits that I see. Other times, when I do a proper cleaning -- moving furniture etc, I am amazed at finding more bits just shortly after. 

The regular cleaning and pick-up often get me down. It is so tiring to do the same things over and over again. What is worse is that as I'm picking up or cleaning in one area, my two youngest are undoing my work in another area. 

Getting my 4 kids to clean does not seem any more productive. They don't seem to grasp the time-saving tasks. Blocks are picked up and walked over to the bin one at a time instead of bringing the bin over to the blocks and picking up a whole handful of blocks instead of just one. They are easily distracted and start playing instead of cleaning and even the older ones require supervision to complete a task.  

I'm also trying to cope with the surprise cleaning tasks. It's one thing if I had planned to clean the fridge, but quite another if someone has spilled a large amount of juice or milk in there. Today's surprise cleaning was a bad packet of cookie mix from the supermarket, which was apparently buggy, and has now spread to some open containers in the cupboard. I'm glad my cupboard is now clean, but not happy about having to do it this morning. 

And the big question on my mind is WHY CAN'T MY KIDS CLOSE THE TUPPERWARE CONTAINERS IN THE CUPBOARD? I Would not have had to throw out the granola this morning if the lid were closed, or the cookies if the zipper seal on the plastic bag was done up! I wish my eldest two kids were here this morning to see the results of leaving unsealed food around. Telling them why they should seal up the containers is not nearly as effective as showing them why. Hopefully I can suitably gross them out with my description later. 

I'm trying to change my attitude towards cleaning, but it's hard when I'd rather be doing something fun. I try to think about rewarding myself with something fun. But often by the time the kids are in bed and I have time for myself, I am too tired to do crafts. I try to keep in mind that even the most menial task can be glorifying if it is done to honor God. I sometimes put music on, listen to an audio book or call a friend while I'm cleaning. It helps a bit.