Our pastor asked what we wanted for Christmas last Sunday. I couldn't think of much. Until Tuesday. You see, I had tried my LAST attempt at cleaning our carpets. It didn't
work. I almost cried. But instead I went online to have Sears come and
do it professionally. I signed up for this afternoon. And I was going to have clean carpets for Christmas. I know, I should get out more...
"Mom, why are you taking pictures? Are you posting about this on your blog or something?" AC13 asked.
"Oh, yes, Son," I replied. "I'm thinking of my blog post as I clean this up!"
Clean what up?
Well
So I began this morning at 7:30. My bedroom was not as hard as I expected. As my children woke up, we did normal morning things, including our "meeting." I laid down the 11th Commandment. THOU SHALT NOT EAT UNLESS YOU AND THE FOOD ARE IN THE KITCHEN!
And then, they saw why. It was a super learning opportunity. And I hope it spoke louder to them than any words I could say.
We had people picking up salvageable items. I was picking up big garbage items. You name it, it was under or in the couch. Try me: pens, pencils, Skittles, M&Ms, bagels, crackers, staples, markers, crayons, paper, toys, barrettes, blocks, Cheetos, crumbs, Twizzlers, cars, Barbie clothes, wipes, rubber bands, sunglasses, books, Scrabble tiles, flashcards, Boots, wrappers, pen tops, batteries, dice, hairbands, nail clippers, Chuck E Cheese coins, raisins AND the dreaded mouse poop I feared from round 2 of Mouse vs. Sarah.
I was at first secretly afraid I would find a dead mouse somewhere near the couch. Under, in, behind... Each time I escaped not finding one, I \0/ the Lord. Right then. There. And then it wasn't a secret that I was afraid. MK4 spent a lot of the morning saying to anyone who would listen, "You don't have to be afraid. God is always with you."
I have no idea when was the last time a person slept on the sofa bed mattress. But I do know that I will not allow anyone to sleep on it ever again. And the sheet that was on it is in a garbage dump. I didn't find any holes or stuffing missing or anything like that. But it was still unpleasant. And it could have been worse.
As I was cleaning up pretty much anything that could fit in or under a couch, I got a chance to say, "At least I'm not carrying around a bag 'o rats!" AC13 thought it was a good opportunity to say it, even though I've been overdoing it lately.
AC13 bargained with me that he could get school minutes for helping. Heck, if he had asked for $100, I might have done that! He was an incredibly helpful helper. And I know he won't eat away from the kitchen soon. I'm happy he wasn't stabbed by the spiky floor mat that we carried out to the garbage and lay on top of our black rugs at the curb.
That picture is my poor arm. :(
After we finished the family room job, which turned into jobs, I was pleased that it was 10:30. And then, of course, I realized we hadn't gotten to the office yet! That was when I went into panic mode. I knew, knew, knew that they would now show up at 11 since I wasn't going to be ready. And I knew if I was ready at 11, they'd show up at 2. I was hoping for 2!
At 11:16, after declaring the carpets cleared enough AND vacuumed multiple times, I announced I was going to take a shower. My quick-thinking mind helped me come up with a plan in case the carpet cleaning men came while I was in the shower. Because it dawned on me that that might happen. The plan was that AC13 would answer the door. AG9 would run as fast as she could up to my bathroom to tell me they were here and would keep announcing it until she got a response from me. And then I'd get out immediately and deal with the bad timing somehow.
I was putting my pants on, when I heard the distinctive, "beep, beep, beep" of a van backing up. And I almost couldn't put my pants on because I was laughing so hard at the timing. I flew down the stairs and opened the door just as they stepped on the porch.
I won.
So Dan and Bob cleaned 6 rooms, the stairs AND our dining room chairs. They were humorous, entertaining, interesting and between them had 45 years of carpet cleaning experience. Dan thought it was funny that I was so embarrassed about the family room carpet's mess. To him, it was really under-par. Nothing. Not the worst he had ever seen. Phew.
I'm glad that is done. I am thinking we should do it before another four years pass, huh?
"Mom, why are you taking pictures? Are you posting about this on your blog or something?" AC13 asked.
"Oh, yes, Son," I replied. "I'm thinking of my blog post as I clean this up!"
Clean what up?
So I began this morning at 7:30. My bedroom was not as hard as I expected. As my children woke up, we did normal morning things, including our "meeting." I laid down the 11th Commandment. THOU SHALT NOT EAT UNLESS YOU AND THE FOOD ARE IN THE KITCHEN!
And then, they saw why. It was a super learning opportunity. And I hope it spoke louder to them than any words I could say.
I was at first secretly afraid I would find a dead mouse somewhere near the couch. Under, in, behind... Each time I escaped not finding one, I \0/ the Lord. Right then. There. And then it wasn't a secret that I was afraid. MK4 spent a lot of the morning saying to anyone who would listen, "You don't have to be afraid. God is always with you."
I have no idea when was the last time a person slept on the sofa bed mattress. But I do know that I will not allow anyone to sleep on it ever again. And the sheet that was on it is in a garbage dump. I didn't find any holes or stuffing missing or anything like that. But it was still unpleasant. And it could have been worse.
As I was cleaning up pretty much anything that could fit in or under a couch, I got a chance to say, "At least I'm not carrying around a bag 'o rats!" AC13 thought it was a good opportunity to say it, even though I've been overdoing it lately.
AC13 bargained with me that he could get school minutes for helping. Heck, if he had asked for $100, I might have done that! He was an incredibly helpful helper. And I know he won't eat away from the kitchen soon. I'm happy he wasn't stabbed by the spiky floor mat that we carried out to the garbage and lay on top of our black rugs at the curb.
That picture is my poor arm. :(
After we finished the family room job, which turned into jobs, I was pleased that it was 10:30. And then, of course, I realized we hadn't gotten to the office yet! That was when I went into panic mode. I knew, knew, knew that they would now show up at 11 since I wasn't going to be ready. And I knew if I was ready at 11, they'd show up at 2. I was hoping for 2!
At 11:16, after declaring the carpets cleared enough AND vacuumed multiple times, I announced I was going to take a shower. My quick-thinking mind helped me come up with a plan in case the carpet cleaning men came while I was in the shower. Because it dawned on me that that might happen. The plan was that AC13 would answer the door. AG9 would run as fast as she could up to my bathroom to tell me they were here and would keep announcing it until she got a response from me. And then I'd get out immediately and deal with the bad timing somehow.
I was putting my pants on, when I heard the distinctive, "beep, beep, beep" of a van backing up. And I almost couldn't put my pants on because I was laughing so hard at the timing. I flew down the stairs and opened the door just as they stepped on the porch.
I won.
So Dan and Bob cleaned 6 rooms, the stairs AND our dining room chairs. They were humorous, entertaining, interesting and between them had 45 years of carpet cleaning experience. Dan thought it was funny that I was so embarrassed about the family room carpet's mess. To him, it was really under-par. Nothing. Not the worst he had ever seen. Phew.
Oh my goodness - I have been disgusted by my carpets this month, too. That is NOT on my Christmas list. I'm not on par with you. ;)
ReplyDeleteGood prep if you decide to get a dog. Puppies will eat anything (anything!) they find on the floor as long as they are puppies and until they are taught otherwise. This might be a way to reinforce the 11th commandment if the kids really want a puppy. Having a puppy means things have to be picked up--all the time. Anything left out is a potential snack. Some dogs never learn--Dale the dog ate one of Maya's doll shoes off the floor when we were there Tuesday night.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, the rug looks great.
My carpets need cleaned too, but my husband is stubborn and just rents a machine. He likes to do it himself. Only the bedrooms are carpeted so it's not too bad.
ReplyDeleteDon't you love the fresh clean carpet smell.