Did you hand off the kittens, Matt?

OF COURSE THEY ARE!!!

Of course they are.

Basically, I resent that everything doesn't magically stay clean, I guess.

Wrod. Dishes need to be clean so that you can use them again and not poison yourself. Clothes need to be cleaned so they don't small and to get rid of stains. But tidying a table beyond making room to do something on/with that table seems counter productive, because that stuff is there for a reason, and it's all just going to get moved around again anyway. That sock on the floor can stay there till it's time to gather the laundry for cleaning. Those clean clothes can stay in that basket until you need to wear them.

Side benefit: fussy people you don't like won't come to your house because they're horrified. People who like you go "I love your house, there's always something to discover!"

My problem is I really love having a neat and organized house. I just hate doing it.

Did you hand off the kittens, Matt?

Nope, still have them. He has my phone number now, so I don't know it it's second thoughts, objections from the Mrs., or just massive disorganization. I'm fine with keeping them for now, but if I sink money into vet bills they're mine for good.

I am a slattern, but I came by it honestly. My mom was not a housecleaner, nor are my sisters. My mom raised me to hire someone to come clean the house.

Cleaning overwhelms me. I'm compulsively tidy, but unless it's something that gets noticeable immediate results, like vacuuming, I hate it. I hate dusting, when it feels like you're just moving the dust around.

Amy, let us trade. I loathe anything floor related. But I can dust.

Living so near Mom has improved my general tidiness. Really, with thirty minutes (and the blessings that shutting a dishwasher full of dirty dishes offers), I can make it clean enough for a majority of people. But my stepmom and ex-aunt-in-law in the area a few days ago? We met at a restaurant for a lovely lunch. Because no way was I cleaning to that level. I don't think it's even possible. I do appreciate that I default to one level up from where I kept my place in Portland with Mom around though. Even if my floors really need all the attention.

I need my floors to be pretty clean. And dishes done. Luckily, I don't mind vacuuming and mopping and I don't find dishes onerous. But clutter, oh god, I need to have no flat surfaces on which things can accumulate. I do a bucket-shove cleaning (put a bucket at the edge of the table, shove everything into the bucket. Anything removed from bucket must find a home) every so often, but...

Don't even want to talk about dusting.

I sent my sister the email to the article you linked to Jesse, with just a note that it's pretty spot on, and she sent me a reply that has me sobbing way more than the article itself. I don't know how recursively more I can feel like shit just by virtue of people not thinking I'm shit, but at least there's a sane part of me that's just touched and honoured by her regard. Otherwise I'd go bonkers.

But I definitely need a stimulation break before I can reply to that, and I'm so glad I didn't read it at the office.

Maybe my pie is done baking. Yes, that'd be good.

I'll vacuum for you anytime, Cass.

she sent me a reply that has me sobbing way more than the article itself

Aw, ita.