Cleaning frenzy

[sabrinamari]

I must go to bed, even though I have belatedly realized that my kitchen is a pit. My parents will be here, probably early in the afternoon tomorrow, and my place must be neat and tidy by then.

Mom and dad said "Don't clean". Ha! Ha! You can't take 18 years of ground in programming, firmly set into a person's psyche by the repeated applications of emotional shock therapy, and tell them to just disregard it. Plus, I know that mom is going to examine the floor of the kitchen carefully and look under the microwave while she is here for clues about my life. I just can't face her in that moment when full comprehension of the filth I have completely failed to correct washes over her face.

I can barely believe I tolerated this. Of course, I have had very very good reasons to do so: my spare time has been spent with a sweet bunny man who loves me dearly and a lovely little boy.

Joy with them vs. cleaning the kitchen to my usual specs---it's no contest.

But I have been scrambling tonight and will scramble tomorrow, too. Must drink, must rest, must clean clean clean.

Comments

[marccarlson.livejournal.com]

You'll do fine. I like the picture.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Thanks, my dear!

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

Erm, how are you to recover and recuperate if you do this?

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Can I borrow your vacuum, love?

[methastra.livejournal.com]

Err, I think you missed this part of her post (in actuality, her ENTIRE post):

> Erm, how are you to recover and recuperate if you do this?

Seconded.

- Brian

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

yes, I was being foolish and trying to be funny as well. silly of me.

[quiet-wyatt72.livejournal.com]

Mom and Dad will understand if you don't clean because you've been sick. I've been sick before when they've come, and they were pretty understanding. It will do you no good to lose the gains you've made by overexerting yourself here, love.

Believe me, I know its hard to not scrub everything down. I'm sure we will here too. But they'll be even less thrilled if you take a turn for the worse =)

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

You're right, of course. : )

[elphaba-of-oz.livejournal.com]

Aw, honey! Go back and re-read this post:

http://www.livejournal.com/users/faedaughter/62465.html

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Good point.

[methastra.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, let's review:

Which of these is (hypothetically, of course) more important:

1) Following doctors orders in treating an illness that had you writhing in pain in order to avoid a trip to the hospital for a UTI that threatened to become a kidney infection, or

2) Cleaning the house for parents:
a) who said don't clean it
b) who your brother said would understand based on experience
c) who are no longer in a parental authoritarian role in your life
d) whose approval is truly not required for you to respect your own life

Just providing a bit of perspective...

- Brian

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Yep, I was being foolish.

Just to drive the point home....

[methastra.livejournal.com]

From http://www.answers.com/frenzy&r=67:

fren·zy (frĕn'zē) pronunciation
n., pl. -zies.

   1. A state of violent mental agitation or wild excitement.
   2. Temporary madness or delirium.
   3. A mania; a craze.

Note definition #2, related to previous days of biological torture and instructions from physicians.

Don't Overdo It

[ingridsummers.livejournal.com]

I used to freak the same as you. No matter how much I cleaned, my mother always ended up doing more. Then, I realized, the cleaning thing was her issue. Not mine. The fact that she cleaned was not a reflection on whether I was a good person or not. It was a reflection on the fact that she didn't know how to relax. I have made different choices with how I spend my time. She still loved me, even though I'm a bit of a slob.

STOP CLEANING. REST. Do what I do. Make a list of tasks you know needs to be done and give it to your mom when she comes. Seriously. It acknowledges that you know about good housekeeping. It also acknowledges that you've been busy and sick.

Re: Don't Overdo It

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

This is a great idea! Ultimately, she wants to help me, and this way I can tell her what I need and let her do so.

Thanks for idea.

[jasminewind.livejournal.com]

" I just can't face her in that moment when full comprehension of the filth I have completely failed to correct washes over her face."

Shall we get a medical textbook out and show her what the inside of your bladder looks like?

GET BACK IN BED!!!!!

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

This thought actually scares me. The inside of my bladder is probably inflamed and horrible.

I am resting now, and will keep on doing so. : )

[onyxtwilight.livejournal.com]

I love you. I am jealous of this answer. I came late to this party, but I'm not even going to try. You win. :-)

[jasminewind.livejournal.com]

FWIW, she seems to actually be resting now (tho' I am many hundreds of miles away and can't independently confirm it).

Were I closer, an additional part of my response would have involved breaking into her house and sitting on her chest until she agreed to rest. Some people are so good at taking care of others and really struggling to give as much love to themselves (speaking in the broadest terms, not of anyone specifically, of course).