
Well, tomorrow is Christmas, which means today is Christmas Eve. We are down to the wire in preparations. All my wrapping is done. I need to label and bow the presents, though I may not get around to bowing. Andy wants Nutella cookies, so we'll make one last batch before Mass this evening. My biggest project today, as every year, is getting the house clean enough for Christmas.
I was talking about this yearly endeavor with some friends of mine, who also partake in this yearly task. Yesterday, the kids stripped the beds so I could wash the sheets- and mattress pad,even. Then I set them to work cleaning their bedrooms so they could be vacuumed. That is the "v" word here in our home, always drawing nervous tears from Emma who is terrified I will suck up a Polly Pocket shoe, never to be seen again. I don't blame her, it's a real possibility. Those shoes are microscopic! The cleaning took 4 hours with all the playing and running around that took place in between my shouts of "You'd better be cleaning up there!".
Another friend of mine was sharing how she was glad she got the toilet cleaned yesterday so she didn't have to do it today and still another friend told how she had to steam clean the carpets because her daughter spilled a cup of milk and didn't want the whole house curdling. Not only that, but she had her kids cleaning their rooms under fear that Santa might not bring new toys to kids who don't take care of their old ones.
Amid all of this, one good friend was looking at us perplexed. "Why is everyone cleaning their homes before Christmas? Is this a Catholic tradition I missed in my RCIA classes. Why do you clean your house before the mess is made on Christmas day?" She was curious and confused.
Here is my response:
"Well, Kathi, hmmm, you got me thinking. I thought everyone cleaned their house like I do before Christmas. Yes, it must be tradition, but I don't know if it's a Catholic one. I can't have a dirty (not the same as messy) house on Christmas and it must be from childhood. It must be part of "making straight the path" so Jesus can enter and not trip on all the crap and see all the dust bunnies (and worse). My mom would always say things like, "Is this house clean enough for the Pope?" (No, it never- NEVER- was with 6 kids in a 3 bedroom apartment!) So that must be where it comes from for me. My house is just this side of "cesspool" most of the year, but on Christmas it ABSOLUTELY must be clean, no matter how much my legs are swelling or sciatica in my back. That kind of drive, for me, can only come from tradition. Too bad it will only last until breakfast the next day when milk and cereal once again begin a committed relationship with my kitchen floors.
By the way, the sheets got washed because Renee had a diaper leak, so I figured that was a sign from God that it was time to wash my poor kids' sheets. (I won't tell you how long it had been since they were last washed, but if I needed prompting from God, that should tell you something.)"
Of course the most important preparation-and it must be said- is preparing our hearts for Jesus. If the house doesn't get cleaned, that's unfortunate, but not critical. Our heart is the home Jesus wants to enter. A clean home can be the outward sign of an inward preparation, or it can be a smokescreen. First things first. In the midst of cleaning, let's be sure our hearts are turned to Him and that all the work we do is for love of Him.
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday, Jesus.
Great Blog Mary! The Tyler family wishes you a very merry Christmas and Happy New year!
ReplyDeleteAnd no it's not a Catholic thing with us either cleaning our home before Christmas. It is just nice to have it clean!
Funny, Mary! Thanks for the post. Our tradition is we clean the day BEFORE Christmas Eve because Christmas Eve is our family day before mass exodus to Christmas family parties the next 4 days. :-) I don't know, something about having your house clean on Christmas day (now, I didn't say every toy was picked up!), but CLEAN, makes all the smells and sights of Christmas just a little brighter and yummier. Just call me crazy. :) I love you. Give the Kids and Kevin big hugs from all of us and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!! OH, thanks for the Christmas card...but...where is the PICTURE!!! ;)
ReplyDeleteOH, the Top one is from Brandon....the bottom is Christi
ReplyDeleteDear, Sir
ReplyDeleteIt is really helpful article about the topic of 3turkeys.net.This site to keeping contribute many matters.I think that it site is the driving force of modern civilization.Truly,I select this site. I so much interest about your article. I know it is not any simple information. This is very nice post! I will bookmark this blog as I have AAA Miracle Furnace and Carpet Cleaning Vancouver is the leader of customer service and leader of the cleaning industry for Vancouver, BC Metro. Our Expert carpet cleaning and furnace cleaning services are offered to residential and commercial. We set the standard in customer service. We are voted the highest of carpet cleaning Vancouver
Many many congratulation for your Article.
High pressure industrial pump in simple terms is an elementary machine that possesses the capacity of generating extreme pressure in the system it is being used. These pumps can generate extreme pressure, much over 800 PSI anything between 3000 PSI and 5000 PSI.
ReplyDeletehttp://bestelectricpressurewashers.com/
I use ammonia in my homemade cleaner for my carpet cleaning machine. carison
ReplyDeleteEach mechanical site should be cleaned, as things get grimy and if this soil is permitted to heighten, it can prompt the hardware separating rashly. To keep things running easily you will need to ensure that it is as spotless as could be allowed. eco-dumpster
ReplyDeleteMaid services companies are the preferred ones when it comes down to house cleaning. When you are hiring the maid service then you are making sure that quality is going to be the excellent one as such organizations are insured and have proper license, which means they are very reliable.click over here now
ReplyDeleteAll the trash cans have been emptied, the restrooms sparkle and the floors are clean. When you open the door, you are greeted with a fresh clean smell and not overwhelmed with the odor of cleaning chemicals.bt carpet cleaning
ReplyDeleteSome cleaning administration organizations additionally offer crisis cleaning and end of the tenure cleaning administrations. searchmaid
ReplyDeleteThe main period of cover cleaning includes the pretreatment of your cover. This may appear to be a superfluous cover cleaning step, yet in all actuality, this is the most vital cleaning step. When you’re looking for top-notch customer care
ReplyDeleteWe ought to be mindful, keeping in touch with a cleaning organization. No one but experts can make our floor spotless and safe. The other way, we will squander our time, cash and cover. Just qualified cleaning measures can spare our cover, expanding its administration period.Chat Support Available in NYC
ReplyDeleteThe vast majority of the cleaning administrations are engaged to utilize earth benevolent cleaning operators for embodiment, which is an extraordinary headway. rug cleaning manhattan NY
ReplyDeleteCover organizations currently additionally offer an extensive variety of administrations which are comprehensive of cowhide cleaning, grout and tile cleaning, air conduit cleaning, water harm rebuilding, hard wood floor employments like resurfacing, floor establishment and deals. Worry-Free Pricing
ReplyDeleteSpills ought to be tidied up at the earliest opportunity to keep recoloring and scent from leaking in the weave. The more drawn out the stain or spill is left in the floor covering the harder the stain is to expel or potentially the smell to disperse.Oriental Rug Cleaning in Manhattan NY
ReplyDeleteA standout amongst the most well known and flawless stylistic layout things you can buy for your house is an oriental carpet. These sorts of floor coverings can be over the top expensive and in some cases hard to discover. Area Rug Cleaning in the New York City
ReplyDeleteOther more fragile carpets don't avoid fire, water, stains, and bugs normally. They are harder to deal with and keep clean. Clean fleece zone floor coverings last more and hold their common look a lot less demanding than some other sort of mat. Thus they are the favored floor covering in numerous homes. Rug Cleaning Brooklyn NY
ReplyDeleteYou may enlist cover cleaning gear and arrangement from any market. Be that as it may, in the event that you can't do the cleaning individually, you can, swing to an expert more clean.
ReplyDeleteGreen Choice Carpet Cleaning NYC
In the past embodiment has been related with brush and hood cleaning or dry froth however with late advances in the science you will likewise discover exemplification being utilized with heated water extraction techniques. CARPET CLEANING NYC
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThere are some different variables that ought to be considered while doing this assignment. You should be additional wary if there are pets in your home. There are diverse strategies utilized in keeping up and cleaning. It is vital to pick the correct choice for cleaning and take out earth and residue from your home. CARPET CLEANING
ReplyDeleteAt the point when this happens the dirt in the cover turns out to be progressively instilled, which after some time has a grating impact and can wear the cover heap out more rapidly. carpet cleaning Brooklyn NY
ReplyDeleteOn the off chance that while during the time spent vacuuming you find a stain, stop what you're doing and evacuate the stain on the double with a proper cleaning arrangement. carpet cleaning Manhattan NY
ReplyDeleteI discovered your site ideal for me. It consists of wonderful and useful posts. I've read many of them and also got so much from them. In my experience, you do the truly amazing.Truly i'm impressed out of this publish Carpet Cleaning Fayetteville NC
ReplyDeleteThe move in or move out cleaning service is accessible to the two inhabitants and proprietors. Landowners could book this service before another occupant moves into a house to keep the property respectable during survey and on the genuine move-in day for the inhabitant. part time cleaner
ReplyDeleteWhen hiring a professional cleaners it's best to know all the services they offer. Why hire a bunch of cleaning companies when you can hire one to do all the jobs you need?Pressure Cleaning Brisbane
ReplyDeleteWhile you are spoilt for decisions when choosing carpet cleaning organization for your home or business, it is essential to comprehend the various sorts of carpet cleaning techniques utilized by various organizations as not all strategies work for your carpet.carpet and rug cleaning fayetteville nc
ReplyDeleteThis is extremely pleasant one and gives profundity data. Much appreciated and continue posting! Much appreciated again for the blog article . Much thanks once more. Awesome.
ReplyDeleteyogaburn.healthhubreview.com
Wow! Such an amazing and helpful post this is. I really really love it. It's so good and so awesome. I am just amazed. I hope that you continue to do your work like this in the future also Furnace cleaning Calgary
ReplyDeleteLike floor covering cleaning, keeping up the upholstery is similarly significant. They are great rearing justification for dust, germs and microbes and look terrible when secured with nourishment stains, dust and different blotches and imperfections. carpet cleaning Brooklyn
ReplyDeleteYes i am totally agreed with this article and i just want say that this article is very nice and very informative article.I will make sure to be reading your blog more. You made a good point but I can't help but wonder, what about the other side? !!!!!!THANKS!!!!!! best budget toilet
ReplyDeleteThank you for some other informative website. The place else may just I get that kind of information written in such a perfect method? I have a venture that I am simply now running on, and I’ve been at the glance out for such info. ceiling shower head
ReplyDeleteThanks for the blog loaded with so many information. Stopping by your blog helped me to get what I was looking for. San Jacinto Hydro jetting
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here keep up the good work best aircon servicing singapore
ReplyDeleteYou there, this is really good post here. Thanks for taking the time to post such valuable information. Quality content is what always gets the visitors coming. Clogged drain Menifee
ReplyDeleteThanks for a very interesting blog. What else may I get that kind of info written in such a perfect approach? I’ve a undertaking that I am simply now operating on, and I have been at the look out for such info. Comercial Cleaning Services Michigan
ReplyDeleteWhen hiring a professional cleaners it's best to know all the services they offer. Why hire a bunch of cleaning companies when you can hire one to do all the jobs you need? Commercial sanitation company arizona
ReplyDeleteI found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! keep up the good work... 花蓮獨木舟
ReplyDeleteGreat job for publishing such a beneficial web site. Your web log isn’t only useful but it is additionally really creative too. air duct cleaning
ReplyDeleteHello I am so delighted I located your blog, I really located you by mistake, while I was watching on google for something else, Anyways I am here now and could just like to say thank for a tremendous post and a all round entertaining website. Please do keep up the great work. biohazard cleaning
ReplyDeleteFor instance, apart from just cleaning your home, cleanbysteam.ie they will also improve the fragrance. A neat look house filled with a nice aroma can give you more comfortable and get peace of mind when you are at your home.
ReplyDeleteAuto specifying centers around keeping auto insides' carpet and upholstery looking like new and invigorated; the best carpet cleaners, carpet steam cleaners, upholstery cleaners, and carpet and upholstery cleaning synthetic substances are basic to accomplish remarkable cleaning results. https://spotcarpetcleaners.com/reviews/bissell-crosswave-1785-review/
ReplyDeleteA wide range of organizations, establishments, business and non-business offices, and so on requires the utilization of phenomenal business carpet cleaners and carpet steam cleaners to cause offices to show up clean and smell new. Resources
ReplyDeleteTo start off your vacation cleaning, stroll through your home with a guest's eye. Make notes of any flaws you may be utilized to however visitors may see, like houseplants with dead leaves. Then, make an arrangement for transforming cleaning for these special seasons into a collective endeavor. Accumulate relatives, go over the arrangement, and appoint tasks. Keep in mind: numerous hands make light work.
ReplyDeleteOn the off chance that you commonly keep your home clean, you shouldn't have to begin so far ahead of time. This speedy occasion cleaning agenda just requires an hour to finish and functions admirably for spaces that are now fit as a fiddle. Accumulate relatives to help and mark off these fast tasks for last-minute sparkle.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYou have worked pleasantly with your bits of knowledge that makes our work simple. The data you have given is truly genuine and huge for us. Continue to share these sorts of article, Thank you. commercial cleaning services toronto
ReplyDeleteYou possess lifted an essential offspring..Blesss for using..I would want to study better latest transactions from this blog..preserve posting.. https://carpetcleaningedinburgh.co.uk/
ReplyDeleteBefore beginning any stage of cleaning, you should quickly stroll around the house and make a list of the tasks that need to be completed in each room. Cleaning will be quicker and easier if you do this. Since you already know what to do, there is no need for you to waste time trying to figure out what to do. You may also make a list of who will be responsible for each duty if you have help with the cleaning. Spread up the cleaning operation over a few days rather than doing it all in one day. You may organize your cleaning and make it more productive by making a Christmas cleaning list.
ReplyDelete