Spring Cleaning

My finals were finished last week and I've got a break from school until the 15th so I decided to do something constructive with my time - the dreaded spring cleaning. I did take a couple of days off just to relax and rejuvenate but, on Saturday, I began the process. My usual house cleaning is a once-a-week affair. On Saturdays I clean, top to bottom and then enjoy the scenery. I do straighten up every night, don't get me wrong, but nothing is more satisfying than seeing the house in it's, somewhat, pristine condition after it's been completely cleaned - furniture dusted, floors vacuumed, and all the rest.

On Sunday, though, while I was doing laundry, I got the idea that the kids' dressers needed to be raided for any and all clothing that no longer fits, or that they don't wear. I started with the boys, and, with their assistance, we gained three plastic grocery bags of clothing that I will take to my parenting group to let my comrades fish through in case their children are in need of whatever.

My daughter was a different story. I did her clothing alone. She's only two and would keep everything if I let her. She had nine bags of clothing that no longer fit. NINE bags. Good grief. There is a girl at my parenting group with three girls all under the age of three so she'll get those. I had a friend with two daughters my boys' ages and he was always donating his girls' stuff to my daughter. Once I got rid of the 18mo - 2Ts I began going through the rest of what he donated to me for Lettie. She's got one large drawer stuffed with 5s and 6s; another whole drawer and a shelf both stuffed with 4s; and there were so many 3s - which she now wears - that she's got an entire new wardrobe for this year. There was so much in size 3 that I had to put some of it in the bags to be donated to my friend. My daughter has more clothing than any child should have. She's got more than I've got. :)

Once that was finished I felt a twinge of satisfaction. I accomplished something that I can stand back and admire. YEA! Then I looked around to decide what needed to be done next. My desk, inside and out, was a must. My filing cabinet just off the kitchen is also needing some organization. I tend to just take papers, bills and whatnot and just shove them in drawers and piles until I've got a serious case of organized chaos. I can live with it, but, after a while, it tends to grate on my nerves. So, today, I got started.

The top of my desk was a complete mess, even though I knew where everything was. Pictures the kids make for me just keep piling up so they all got put in a keepsake box. I had another pile of stuff that actually needed to be filed but I couldn't really file them until I cleaned out the little filing cabinet. That was the fun part. I went through it, file by file, and tossed nearly everything. I had booklets saved from electronic items and kids' toys I'd once bought, but no longer have; resumes that haven't been used in over eight years; car repair receipts for vehicles that were sold long ago; and much more. I laughed at myself for keeping so much that I would never use again.

Part of it is because I'm just lazy about that kind of chore. It's tedious. Part of it is because, whenever I throw anything away, I inevitably need it a short time later. It never fails. Now, though, if anyone calls me about a replaced exhaust system for the 1990 Chevy Cavalier, or the instructions for the Fisher Price Kick and Play, they're out of luck. Everything has been thrown in the dumpster and I will not, under any circumstances, fish it out. They'd have to pay me some big bucks to get me to go dumpster diving for paperwork that's over four years old.

With that done, tomorrow I embark on yet another endeavor - the big filing cabinet: the one just off the kitchen that I mentioned previously. That, I know, is crammed with old bills, kids' artwork, magazines from who-knows-when and I can't even guess what else. That's a chore in itself but, once it's done, I can actually use it for filing. I'm excited about that prospect. More room is always a good thing.

I'll save the best for last, though. It's Friday's job. My bedroom closet hasn't been cleaned out in a very long time, and, rather than asking me what's on the floor of it, it's better to ask me what's not on the floor of it. I can't wait to find out what sort of forgotten treasures are lurking beneath the blankets and sheets that won't fit in the linen closet. Maybe I'll find something worth money - like a genuine Picasso, or something of that nature. I seriously doubt it, but, you never can tell. The excitement and anticipation are growing by the minute. I just hope I don't let me down. :)