Monday, September 1, 2008

I'm Turning Into my Mother...

...but there is something deeply satisfying about a clean house. Maybe it's because there comes a point where I'm done. Really and truly done. There aren't any clothes to wash except the ones the husband and I are wearing. There aren't any more dishes to wash. The furniture is dusted and the floors vacuumed. There is nothing else I can do to clean without acquiring an obsessive compulsive disorder.

In one profession where it may be years, if ever, before I find out if I made a difference to my students, and in another profession where I have to honestly face the fact that I might never achieve my goal of publication, it is nice to do something and be complete, know it's the best job I could do, and that there is nothing more to do. In teaching, there's always a better way to teach; in writing, there's always another revision.

At least I can clean the house!

PS--Keri Mikulski's sponsoring another Yay for YA giveaway. Go to her blog and sign up for free books!

6 comments:

Rebecca J. Carlson said...

Oh Beth, if only you had five children! I had the place clean on Saturday morning, honest I did! For about thirty minutes!

That's why I crochet. When the afghan is done, the afghan is done.

Unknown said...

*shudder* I want a few, but not five! I have such deep admiration for you--reigning in five kids is more than I could do!!!!!

Keri Mikulski said...

I love the feeling of being done too. Thanks for posting the contest.. :)

PJ Hoover said...

Um, never even contemplate the idea that you will not reach publication!!!!! You totally will!
And anyway, in cleaning, there is always something left to dust. Or someone walks into the bathroom and ruins your nice clean toilet.

Unknown said...

True, true...as soon as I finished putting the cloths away, the husabdn threw his dirty pants on the floor! THE BASKET WAS RIGHT THERE!!!!!!!!!!!

PJ Hoover said...

Don't get me started!
This is one of those times you quietly say, "I'm thankful I have a wonderful husband to throw his clothes on the floor."