[soneal]

My dear Mother who is now passed, was a major clean freak(she got it from her mother who is still a clean freak at 87). She was always so stressed out over the house, and you know it is said that stress can cause a lot, I often think that is one of the causes of her Cancer. We lived in a huge house, my Mothers dream house, 3 levels and about 4,000 sq. ft. so it worked her to death to keep it to her standards. No walking on carpet after vacummed(which was everyday), wipe the sink after washing hands, do laundry at least 3-4 times a day, no food anywhere but kitchen, no laying in bed with bedspread I could go on and on. We loved her dearly, but it was very hard dealing with her addiction as we called it. To this day my brother, Dad and I remember her for that the most. We had a hard time bringing friends over because we didn't want to mess something up. I always swore I would not make it that way on my kids, and when we first built our house I could see myself becoming that, so I now make a huge effort to not be that way and life is so much more relaxed. Don't get me wrong I like a clean house and organized like no dirty dishes in sink or laundry on the floor and beds made, I just don't make it my main concern. Although I do sweep every day, I think it is relaxing, but I clean the rest once a week. Life is too short and my kids are only young once and I want to remember my time with them not driving myself or them crazy over cleanliness like my Mother did. This was a huge part of my growing up so sorry story is so long, it is a pretty emotional subject for me. I don't want anyone to take it the wrong way, this is just how I feel about it for me and my family. If you can be a clean freak without it stressing you or anyone in your house out, I am all for it.