It’s breath is gently swaying the tree tops, an undertone of warmth creeps into the air.
Spring is coming.
While we will certainly have a winter relapse, this week is predicted to be spring-like, with warmer temperatures and abundant sunshine. Though it may be too early for me to spot most signs of spring, I hope to notice some of my favorite sights and sounds of the season – the whirring of the vacuum cleaner, the soft swish of a dust rag across the blinds, the smell of pine-scented cleaner.
Yes, I think spring cleaning fever has arrived!
As I prepare to do some major house cleaning and reorganization, I’m reminded that there are several different cleaning “personalities.” See if you recognize your personal style in one of these.
- Whirlwind Wilma whips through the entire house and is completely done in three hours.
- Distracted Diane starts, stops, starts, stops, starts again. She is well-intentioned and begins with a will, but then comes across a stray photo album or a file folder of old papers and pauses for a stroll down memory lane.
- Methodical Mollie has a schedule; she tackles one room a day and does each task in the same order and in an identical manner every single time.
- Urgent Ursula determines what area needs the most attention, gives it a lick and a promise, and moves on to more exciting parts of her day.
- Thorough Theresa devotes an entire day to cleaning the house from top to bottom. She is meticulous and takes her time; no speck of dust escapes her watchful eye.
I can actually exhibit more than one of these styles, depending on the day, although Methodical Mollie rarely puts in an appearance here!
Do you recognize yourself on this list? Are you brave enough to share your cleaning style with us???
photo courtesy public domain pictures
I believe that I lean much towards Mollie 🙂 Those are fun descriptions, I've not read them before. Happy day to you!!
Eek! I recognise myself in a few of them, but, sadly I think I'm more of a Distracted Diane than any of the other. Hence…..my house!
Aurie,
Oh, I so admire "Mollies"!! In my pre-children days when I was working full-time, I always did my house cleaning on Saturday mornings. That's as close as I've ever come to having a true cleaning schedule.
I actually came up with these names/descriptions awhile ago, but left the post sitting in my drafts folder for months. The inspiration was running a bit dry yesterday, so I decided to put it to use. 😉
Homeschool on the Croft,
I identify mostly with Distracted Diane when I'm trying to do just a quick straightening up of the house. My intent is to breeze into a room, tend to the most obvious faults, and move on. I open the closet to hang something up, see that the shoes need rearranging, gather empty hangers to return to the laundry area, wonder if we still need that box up on a shelf, etc., etc., etc.
And definitely don't ask to see my kitchen at the moment!! 😉
Oh my, I definitely used to be a Distracted Diane! Now, I'm more of a combination of Whirlwind Wilma, and Methodical Mollie. I try to zip through my predetermined list of to do's. This works well for me.
The days of Distracted Diane are over thanks to my new cleaning outlook. Thank goodness! Now instead of Distracted Diane, it's more like Contented Colleen, or Jovial Jennifer, who comes out to enjoy the walks down memory lane without the guilt of undone housework. 🙂
Thanks for the giggle!
Jennifer @ http://justpeachyindixie.blogspot.com
Jennifer,
Glad to hear you've found a cleaning "personality" that works well for you! 🙂
I'm #3 and sometime #5 but with 3 kids very young in age I get a mix of all the other style. or maybe I have my own style
#6 survival Suzanne: try to keep the house to become a disaster area all the time,carry a rag for spill, Kleenex for runny noses, and s apron with large pockets to put random things that does not belong anywhere and needs to go to the garbage LOL
What a fun post! I so wish I could report being a Methodical Mollie, but I'm afraid I'm much more of a Distracted Diane!! I maybe was a Whirlwind Wilma before the last two blessings arrived in our family ~ ha!
Have a great day, Tracey!
Mrs. Stam,
Survival Suzanne – love it!!! Definitely been that style before, especially when my girls were younger!
I'd love to report that I'm a Methodical Mollie, but unfortunately I'm a Distracted Diane most days!! I maybe was a Whirlwind Wilma before our last two blessings arrived in the family! 🙂 ha ha
Blessings on your day!
Ok…blogger was acting funny…and my comment didn't take…or so I thought….now I see two of them! Sorry!
Katie,
I think a person's number of blessings does have an impact on one's cleaning style. The good news is that we get to help them develop a cleaning style, too!
I'm definitely Methodical Mollie, although I do have the characteristics of Distracted Diane at times.
I'm Whirlwind Wilma! I love it!
Nikki,
Yet another Methodical Mollie for me to admire!!
Melissa,
I used to be more of a Whirlwind Wilma when I was trying to get all of my cleaning done on Saturday mornings. I'd fly through the rooms, leaving a wake of cleanliness in my dust!
I was just thinking about spring cleaning today as I was folding laundry. I love having the windows open while I clean. I think we'll have a winter relapse, too. But, I've seen trees blooming and crocuses coming up!
I think I'm a blend of all these ladies. Once I start, I'm on a mission.
Hope you're having a great week so far..
Erin
I think I am a mixture of all except Mollie. My husband agrees but thinks I lean most towards being a Wilma – there's no point making the work stretch on all day or over several days when it can all be done in a few hours!! Isn't it amazing how we get the cleaning fever in Spring?? I love it, you get a spring in your step and actually enjoy making the house all fresh after a cozy winter! 🙂
Clara,
Yes! As a previous commenter said, I love when it's warm enough to have the windows open while I clean. Somehow I think it makes me work harder!
What a fun post! I would like to be a Mollie, but Ursula is usually about all I have time for these days, lol! Thanks for your kind comment on my blog – I enjoyed your blog as well & am looking forward to following your posts :0)
Blessings,
Collette