Monday Inspiration: Cleaning up

Hi Folks, I wasn't going to post today, I am caught in the middle of a huge cleaning/cooking/shopping working streak preparing for the Babe's Birthday Bash, but my clean office is calling to me so here I am. My Mother in Law and Sister in Law stopped by today and were ever so helpful, I had to get over my fear of letting the in-laws clean my house of course- which is a hard one. I get along great with my in-laws, we bought their house from them, even, and it's fine-(mostly) really fine- which is unusual I think.

Something about allowing my husbands mother to clean my house though makes me crazy. I can't figure out what it is- I don't hesitate to ask my father in law to help out with handy-man stuff. Plus this house is giant, with mouldings and doors that need dusting, it's a ridiculous amount of work- and I have other things to do that take my priority away from vacuuming.

I allow my mother to do alllll sorts of things around the house when she comes out, but I have a block when it comes to my In-Law. I know she wouldn't think less of me if she knew about my dirty oven, she lived here herself and knows how hard it is to keep this place clean( it was her full time job). For some reason I guess it feels I'm letting things slip, I'm not living up to my responsibilities -which is hard to think out because I don't really think my job is housework, do I? I am a card carrying feminist who believes in equal (if different) work loads in the household, my marriage is a partnership, and my husband is not mine to look after or 'mother' any more than he is expected to 'father' (hmmm...father used as a verb has a totally different connotation... interesting...) me, but for some reason this whole idea of my husband's mother helping my clean gets to me, makes me feel inadequate or something.

To be clear my MIL is totally cool about cleaning in our house, she is discreet and awesome, and in no way causes me to cringe, or feel bad, also she does a bang-up job, way better than I do, it's honestly a total treat for me to have her vacuum. Also, she cares about me, and genuinely wants to help me, so why can't I allow myself just to enjoy that? hmmm? That's something I need to work on, how do you all manage with your in-laws? do you let them clean?

with a cherry on top

Hi Folks- I haven't been around for a while- things have been busy here- still are-but are promising to quiet down a little- I think. My Grandmother passed away last week- after a short illness- that was tended to so lovingly by her children. We heard about it while my nieces and nephews were out visiting us, and so we had a little toast to her the adults with a shot-( a tradition with K and I) and then I made cupcakes- gramma style- with maraschino cherry juice in the icing and a cherry on top- for a cupcake toast.

My grandma was wonderful- she was strong and true to herself- she always spoke the truth and never hid the things she did that other grandma's maybe wouldn't tell their grand kids. We all knew that grandpa was engaged to another girl before grandma went walking by in her tight sweater- that she manufactured their meeting by asking him for rides home, When her future mother in law said that she thought maybe Sy (my grandpa) was too tall for her, my grandmother famously responded with "I think he's just right". She was sassy and fun and told us all that she hated school too, she made the most mouth watering desserts, and was the life of the party.

Our family sings happy birthday crazy loud- with extra choruses of 'for he's a jolly good fellow', and loud trilling whistles- because of her- we say 'bingo' when something is exciting- or someone says something really true- because of her. We party late into the night- dance-and all know the words to 'the ants go marching' because of her. She was the glue of our family- our identity-our bond to each other- and we will miss her.

Things my Grandmother Taught Me

1. It's important to be yourself- always- no matter who that is.
2. You can turn a day around with a little candy.
3. Cookies taste better when you make them a little fancy- with a cherry on top.
4. You can make a 5 yr old feel so special just be letting them be the boss for an hour.
5. You feel better when you take care of yourself- and your appearance.
6. Even if you fight sometimes- your husband can still be the love of your life.
7. The excitement of stirring the pot is not worth the trouble.
8. Everyone shows love differently.
9. Singing and dancing are fun- even if it makes you feel foolish at first.
10.It's important to pay attention to children.

All of these things I've learned through her example- and I can't be more thankful to have her in my life.