There was a Clean Base

So, here I am. One week before Christmas, having so much to do, but not wanting to do it over and over. Does that sound familiar. You clean up a room for a party the next day and it's a mess in about 45 minutes. Sometimes being on top of things does not pay.......

That is how I came up with my life saving motto of "there was a Clean Base!!!!!!!" Yesterday I went and wrote a list of Household chores that needed to be done, hopefully only once, before Christmas:

Strip and Wash sheets
sweep and mop bathrooms
wash tubs and sinks in bathrooms
clean out van
wrap School Gifts
Deliver friend gifts
clean and vaccum downstairs
Wash downstairs rug with carpet cleaner-----Santa's coming after all (clean Base Concept)
Make Cookies for Santa

Now some chores are everyday occurrances and can't be sufficiently "Christmas" done until Christmas eve, especially when you have 5 kids ages 10, 9, 6, 4, and 3 running around.

Clean rooms---under beds too
Vacuum
do all the dishes
garbages
sweep and mop floor
pick up all toys -- especially ones in Santa's possible path--we'd hate to be responsible for maiming Santa.

Now, those who know me, know that patience is not one of my most noteable strong points. In fact, I'm one who likes to know what needs to be done and just do it. None of this dilly-dallying. Especially if it is unpleasant. That way, I can get past it and bask in the knowledge that the deed is done.

So needless to say, the week before Christmas is bitter sweet. I love the anticipation of the gifts, the songs, the decorations, the good food and company. I also love the clean house once all thkids are asleep and we are waiting for Santa to arrive. There is only a one day that the house if ever Christmas Clean. And then it becomes Christmas Dirty with wrapping paper, twist ties, cut zip ties, and boxes everywhere. But just knowing that there was a "Clean Base" makes that mess all the more pleasant.

I guess I should thank my mom for all those Christmas Eves spent cleaning our rooms--even under our beds, while she mopped the floor and listened to Santa's travel report on Tom Barberie's radio show. I now also better appreciate her frustration and last minute vaccuming downstairs before Santa comes. It did make for a more peaceful, calm, fresh, and clean morning to see all the wonders that Christmas brings.