It All Started With a Fish Tank-or-How I Fell Off the Wagon

If you know anything about me, you know I have a small (well, maybe small is not the right adjective) cleaning addiction.  (See this post) Usually, the busy-ness of my life keeps this cleaning addiction at bay.  And the fact that I am working full time has really helped.  (Although in my opinion the cleanliness of my house has suffered.)  However, today, I kinda "fell off the wagon."

My friend Anjie and I were out for an early-morning run, and we saw a yard sale.  We stopped.  (Ya, we're "those" kind of runners-not too serious).  I seldom-ok I don't think I have EVER purchased anything at a yard sale.  However, strangely enough this yard sale had a large collection of 2 1/2 to 5 gallon fish tanks.  They were just two dollars each, complete with electric filters, lights, rocks etc..  Since I am going to be teaching 1st grade next year (a story for another post), I thought I might venture to have fish in the classroom.  (I'm not much of a "classroom pet" person, but fish don't seem too scary, and if I hate the whole thing-I'd only be out $2.)  When I got home I grabbed my wallet and headed back.  I ended up purchasing a 5 gallon tank which had some hard water marks on it.  I brought it home and immediately filled it with vinegar water to soak.  Then I remembered a Pinterest recipe for cleaning hard water using Dawn detergent and vinegar.  I actually bought both a while back excited to try this.  So I looked it up and began making the concoction to use on the lid of the fish tank.  However, while on Pinterest I also found a home recipe for cleaning the grime off  wooden cabinets, and then since I was going to be home all day, I additionally decided to set my oven for self-cleaning.  Long story short:  I have been happily scrubbing my wooden kitchen cabinets, oven racks, and everything in my house that has hard water marks  (sinks, tubs, and yes, of course the fish tank) for the last 5 hours.  My oven should "beep" any minute and then when it cools I can finish cleaning that.  I have enjoyed myself immensely, my cabinets look AMAZING, and all the fixtures in my house are sparkly....AND one thing about this addiction: I actually FEEL BETTER about life when I succumb to it. 

But, I've determined I should NOT EVER search "home cleaning solutions" on Pinterest unless I have a LOT of time which can be devoted to cleaning.

"What My Mother Means to Me" by Luke

"What My Mother Means to Me" by Luke Barlow-age 11
(5th grade school writing assignment)

What my mom means to me is....Hmmmm. Got it. No. Yes. She is gifted , awesome, and she spends time with me.

First, she is gifted.  She can make me happy when I'm sad.  She takes me to Wally's, which means a lot to me because I like food.

Furthermore, she spends time with me.  That says a lot.  She doesn't do what she wants to do like painting her nails.  She takes me to basketball and football games.

Lastly, she is awesome.  I mean everyone wants an awesome mom.  Besides the ones that want to grow up and be terrorists so they can say they had a bad mom.  She doesn't care where we eat when I pick.  That's why she's awesome. 

That's what my mom means to me.  SHE RULES!!!!!!!

*Now who wouldn't want an essay like this written about her?  Happy Mother's Day to me :)