Friday is usually my cleaning day – or at least our attempt at it. Most of the time the guys can’t help out until Saturday, but my aim is to do the work on Friday – just in time for weekend, drop-in company.

This weekend is Randy’s birthday, and of course, the house is a disaster! Part of the reason it’s so cluttered is because I’ve been trying to de-clutter certain sections of the house, and we all know that when we get ready to toss stuff, we inevitably end up with a pile of things that are too good to throw out so they end up in the donate pile. But donate piles just add to the clutter until we actually drive to the Salvation Army or other charitable place and drop them off. Sigh. Five people make a lot of clutter. My sister says we need to move. :)

Well, that would do it, because moving forces you to get rid of stuff. We’ve lived in this house a long time. But since we really have no reason to move – other than an excuse to throw things out, it’s time to put on my ruthless, de-cluttering hat, and get to work.

The trouble is, we have three adult sons with their own clutter. Then there is that “stuff” that they might want to take with them when they move out and start there own place to store more stuff. :) Then there are the collectors in the family. One collects computer parts, another collects car parts (all for good reason, of course!), another collects musical instruments (all put to good use – with the possible exception of two drum sets), another collects books (who shall remain nameless!)

And don’t even get me started on the paper clutter! If ever a law was needed regarding the mail service, it would be to outlaw all of the unsolicited credit card applications. Even after “opting out,” all five of us still receive weekly-monthly mailings for credit cards. Capital One is the worst offender. You’d think their TV ads would be enough!

But enough ranting. I’m stalling, in case you can’t tell, because there is this part of me that loves a clean house, just doesn’t enjoy the work it takes to get it there. Sigh. One step at a time. The clutter didn’t get there overnight. It’s going to take time to sort through it all. My goal? That when I die my children will not have years of junk to get rid of because I was too lazy or busy or sentimental to do so. We can’t take it with us – and I sure don’t want to dump it on those who will inherit it all!

Now where is my dust rag? (Anybody know of a good non-toxic tile cleaner that actually works?)