Today turned out better than expected. I was the Calm Cleaner. I think it has to do with Swiffer WetJet, Zwipes Folding Super Duster and the new longer brush attachment for the vacuum. All three of these are making gruesome chores less gruesome. Even kinda fun...did I just say fun??

Well, it's true, the Zwipes Folding Super Duster is the end all, let me tell you. Just try to find a particle of dust left behind after you Zwipe. You will not, dat is da twuth. I am so Super Impressed that I emailed my compliments for a superior product that actually does what it says. I was pleasantly surprised to get an immediate reply, personally written by Steve. He thanked me for my kind words about Zwipes Folding Super Duster and said to have a good weekend. Honest, I could stand on the street corner and shout to passers-by, Get a Zwipe and start living! TODAY!

I was also pleasantly surprised to get a precious thank-you note in the mail. It was from DTD'S best friend growing up, the one we went to her graduation party a couple of weeks ago. So few young people write thank-you's anymore that not only was I pleased she took the time, but what she said was so sweet and loving that I think I will get it framed for my bedroom. It was heartfelt and validating for Mike and me. Mike just about choked up. It will serve as a reminder of that period in our lives, when the children were young. I long for those days. At the party they flashed pictures on a screen of all her growing up days. Good way to get me to cry.

Then we went to the ice cream shop, a little Mom and Pop number, and I had the best malt ever. Not only that, it took my headache clean away. This has happened once before, so I'm glad the little golden nugget popped up in my brain.

Oh, and the Rays won.

And tomorrow all I have to do after church is clean the downstairs bathroom. Oh yeah, and change out the tablecloth. My Dollar Store very think plastic tablecloth served me well, but we might get stuck up and employ cloth this time. And my house is cleaner than the last time MIL came. And with less effort (which Mike predicted since a month ago we did this same exact routine). Now if I can utilize all my free time I want to work on a project while MIL is here. And finish some cleaning I didn't get to. I had a friend who said something doesn't need to be cleaned unless it's REALLY DIRTY. Then I read about a poor woman in the newspaper who was brutally murdered in her own house. She was 80 years old and had been sort of an icon in Brookesville, had taught school her whole career, beloved by all except the person who slew her, or maybe it was random. SO SAD. Anyway, she was known for her cleanliness, both in personal appearance and with her home. Her friend said she cleaned things that were all ready clean. Not a pebble strayed from her pebbly pathway. In fact, cleaning was her hobby.

Then I had a friend who said intelligent people don't clean their houses. I also have a friend who is not particular whose husband said that he heard a clean house is a wasted life. Of course, I think he was saying that in resignation or desperation or something.

Interesting, isn't it? All the different views on housework. Personally, I like a clean house. A dirty house does nothing for me, when it's mine, that is. My non-particular friend has the warmest personality. She always has people over on Thursday night or the weekend, after her cleaning woman has been there. A lady told me once, I love going to C's house, it's so inviting and relaxed. Well, that's hard to beat, isn't it. Her MIL lived in the house behind her and she was from the old Southern school where you didn't invite company over until your house was in perfect shape. That DIL and MIL couldn't have been more diametrically opposed, but you loved them both, they are (were, the MIL passed away and she is greatly missed) both perfect in their own spheres. But can you guess who entertained more?

I read in my Food Network Magazine (that a friend was kind enough to give me a gift subscription) that Paula Deen, when asked, said her favorite late-night snack after a long day of work is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, can't be beat. Since I just had a long day of work and am ready to keel over, I think I will go have a PB&J, my white bread is thawed on the counter. With milk.

Zwipes Spokeswoman,
KEM