It's that time again. Company is coming for Thanksgiving so, you guessed it. I'm cleaning the house, top to bottom. My husband says, "Why bother? They'll just mess it up the moment they walk in the door." While he's right--They drop off purses, coats, extra shoes, dolls, coloring stuff, games, suitcases, dog food, dog leashes, beach chairs, coolers, etc. Any surface I've cleaned is pretty much covered up. Still, the idea that those surfaces are germ, grit and gravel free, to the best of my ability, is a point of pride for me.
So while I was running the sweeper, a flash from the past entered my mind. I don't remember where or when I heard it, but here it is. A less than kind mother-in-law was playing got-cha with her daughter-in-law. Her ultimate test of a good housekeeper was to run a gloved hand on the underside of the toilet tank to check for dust, dirt--whatever might collect there and be less than desirable. As I think back, I can honestly confess, I don't recall ever actually cleaning the underside of the toilet tank. Around the tank, beside the tank, yes. But under? Nope. Go ahead, call me a slob. I guess that means I'm not as great a housekeeper as I should be. Guess I never will be...
By the way, this mother-in-law, could be named Aunt Noreen, the mean-spirited yet still beloved character in my historical series, The Goodbye Lie. Her evil characteristics are timeless. Once a meanie, most often forever a meanie, huh?
