I wrote a few days ago about being June Cleaver. I wrote about how I was going to start bucking the norms of society. The norms that say I have to spend all my time cleaning my house and my body. The norms that say the professionals of HGTV is the standard for not only decorating but cleanliness for me. I am most definitely not a professional home decorator. Not even close. I know what I like and what my family likes and that is how we decorate.

The norms also that say I have to be able to cook and entertain on the same scale as Bobby Flay and Rachael Ray, Paula Dean and the Neelys. Yeah like that would ever happen. I just can’t cook like that. I can’t even try.

When I got married almost 17 years ago, I could make macaroni and cheese as long as it came in the blue box.  Canned veggies were really beyond my cooking ability. I have come a long way since then.

Last year (2010) for our church’s staff Christmas party I used my Julia Child cookbook and made French food. It was delectable. So very tasty.

I cooked for days and days and days. By the time the party rolled around I was too exhausted to enjoy it. I did wow every one, and really how could I not? While the wow factor was definitely my desire, it backfired in a way I wasn’t prepared for.

This year I made it much more simple and enjoyed myself. Instead of French food, we had roast, potatoes, veggies and I asked others to bring a salad or dessert. We all had a lovely time.

I am known far and wide for my distinct ability to completely digress….

I thought I might write a quick run-down of my cleaning week, you know a “what will be done on what day”. For my benefit as much as yours.

Monday. Monday has long been laundry day at my house. I don’t know how it got started but it is. I probably wanted to start the week off with clean clothes. So the logical choice for laundry day would be Saturday. But Saturdays at my house usually don’t happen. I mean we have Saturdays but they aren’t free days, rarely are they spent at home. We can say on Thursday or even Friday, “We have blessedly nothing to do this weekend!” and find ourselves busier than ever.  Hence, Monday is laundry day.  I know for some of you, having just one day set aside for laundry is laughable and seems downright impossible because of your family size. You might be thinking, “Easy for her to say. She only has 4 people in her family. I have more people therefore more laundry.” While that might be true, it doesn’t have to be. I know more people = more laundry naturally. But who says your clothes are dirty after one day? For those of you with infants, how dirty are their clothes after one day really? How dirty does a baby get their clothes sleeping? Now, granted if they explode the diaper, yeah that’s dirty. Ditto for spit ups. But really? Without those, why do we think their clothes are dirty?

Tuesday. Tuesday would be a general clean up day. The day to make sure the house is generally picked up. This would be the day I sweep, mop, vacuum the floors.

Wednesday. Wednesday is a No Cleaning day at my house. I have Bible study in the mornings and we have AWANA in the evening. Which leaves the afternoon. At my house afternoons are sacred. The girls have quiet time and I have time to relax some. I usually end up contemplating what we’re having for supper. I might work on some craft project. Or I might just sit on my hind quarters and do nothing more strenuous  than flipping through channels.

Thursday. Thursday is another general clean up day. And after a do-nothing Wednesday I have my work cut out for me. Now before I started this whole “I’m bucking the norms of society” campaign, I would also do a load or two of laundry, because the basket would be full and overflowing. Because we would wear our clothes for one day and declare them dirty. Or even wear them for part of a day and they were dirty. Not anymore.

Friday. Friday is well Friday.  Another day to to general clean up, with a view to looking forward to the relaxing weekend I’m hoping to get.  Again, I might sweep, mop, vacuum the floors. I might dust/polish the furniture.

You might notice I didn’t mention things like the bathroom. That is because I am a delegator’s delegator. It is my children’s job every day to make sure the bathroom is clean. Monday – Thursday they take turns using a disinfecting (but not antibacterial) wipe (just typed “wife” ) on every surface. On Friday my 11-year old using baking soda to scour the sink, tub and toilet.

I also didn’t mention the kitchen. My kitchen is cleaned every day. Not scoured but cleaned. The counters are washed off, often with a vinegar water solution, after every meal. The dishes are done every day, and often a few times a day.  I scour the sink once a week, but not on any particular day.

I am definitely not Martha Stewart. I have no desire to be, but I do enjoy reading her book, The Homekeeping Handbook. Mr. FullCup gave it to me a few years ago for Christmas. I love reading it because I can see the most efficient way to get things done so I can have time for myself.  For example, I read last night about film on glasses after washing them in the dishwasher.  I have been rather surprised to see just how little she suggests doing every day. If you don’t have this book, I highly recommend it. It is a little pricey, definitely the most expensive book I’ve ever purchased, but well worth it. If money is an object (and really when isn’t it?) check your library. I checked it out  couple of times before we purchased it.