The thing about cleaning is, I don't like to do it. I mean, I'm anti-mold-growing. But I can happily go months without cleaning my shower. Know why? First, I usually don't have my contacts in when I shower, so I can't see the dirt. Second, I know it's only my own dirt anyway, so it doesn't gross me out.
Same goes for washing the floors. I really would rather not wash my floors. My apartment is all hardwood, so though it's just a one bedroom, sweeping and washing all the floors is an event. Particularly because I once cleaned houses professionally and will probably never again be able to bring myself to mop a floor. It's like going back to canned pineapple after you've eaten it fresh off the plant, still warm from the sun. Not really possible.
And so. There are some aspects of house cleaning that get a little (ahem) overlooked in my world. But this weekend my aunt and uncle are going to spend the night at my place, and so I have kicked myself into cleaning gear. Last weekend I cleaned the shower. That was a really good idea. And today I finally swept all the floors, and washed the bathroom and kitchen floors.
As I scrubbed, I was inspired to write this blog about why you shouldn't wait six month to clean your floors. I thought if you read it, it might inspire you to not wait six months to clean YOUR floors. If, in fact, there is anyone else in the blog-reading world that waits that long. I'd like to think there is.
Here goes.
Why You Shouldn't Wait Six Months Between Floor Cleanings
- Dust bunnies the size of your head are scary. Sort of mesmerizing, but scary nonetheless.
-After such a long hiatus, cleaning might make your beta fish look at you in shock. You might fear that the sudden flurry of cleaning could send him into fishy-cardiac arrest, which would make you feel really sad as you'd be alone in the apartment again.
-You're likely to have visions of your deceased mother closing her eyes and shaking her head in dismay at how terribly she failed to raise you to be a responsible, floor-sweeping woman. Then you might feel a little bit guilty. But then you might think about how your mom didn't like to clean, either. So that's a way you're similar. And that would make you feel happy.
-Scrubbing six months of dirt off the bathroom linoleum is a lot harder than scrubbing a couple weeks' dirt off the bathroom linoleum.
-Your thoughts might turn to that annoying Proverbs 31 woman. I bet she never went six months without cleaning her floors. Course, she had maids, so I'm not sure it counts. No, definitely an unfair comparison.
-Sweeping the floor should not always be an event meriting a blog post. As I planned this blog I realized that the last time I swept the floors, I blogged about it. You can read that post here. I suppose it really should be a little more common-place. Shouldn't it?
-You could have been using that tube of chapstick that rolled to the far side of the bed about four months earlier.
-The floors look satisfyingly shiny after their sweeping.
That's about it. Are you feeling inspired? Happy Sweeping!
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
New Inspired Article
Hey again! Just a note to let you know that my latest Inspired By Family magazine article is live now. It's about my mom. You can click on the link to the right to read it.
How To Make Cheese Hamburg
Tonight I was reading through some essays my students wrote for me. Their assignment was to practice with a process essay by writing a recipe. Since the majority of my class are guys who were raised in places where men don't cook, I clarified that the recipe doesn't have to be complex. My example recipe was a PB&J.
In honor of the season of burgers being upon us, and because I found it so delightful, I now present to you, "How to make cheese hamburg", unedited except for the sake of clarification.
It easy to make hamburg
1. go to supermarket. go to meat-selection
find the best beef burgers and cheese
don't forget burger bread
2. In the kitchen, turn on the ovan at 300 degrees to preheat
put the beef burger into ovan.
bake the beef for 20 minutes. then flip it. and
bake them for 20 minutes.
3. Take the beef out. open the hamburg bread.
Then, put some lettuce and a pices of tomato lettuce
and onions (optional)
After that, put some mayonnaise and some tichup
So you finish your hamburg and enjoy it. if you
went, you can eater it with juice.
Happy grilling, everyone!
In honor of the season of burgers being upon us, and because I found it so delightful, I now present to you, "How to make cheese hamburg", unedited except for the sake of clarification.
It easy to make hamburg
1. go to supermarket. go to meat-selection
find the best beef burgers and cheese
don't forget burger bread
2. In the kitchen, turn on the ovan at 300 degrees to preheat
put the beef burger into ovan.
bake the beef for 20 minutes. then flip it. and
bake them for 20 minutes.
3. Take the beef out. open the hamburg bread.
Then, put some lettuce and a pices of tomato lettuce
and onions (optional)
After that, put some mayonnaise and some tichup
So you finish your hamburg and enjoy it. if you
went, you can eater it with juice.
Happy grilling, everyone!
Monday, April 16, 2012
From Russia With Love
I know. It's a world-record. Three posts in four days. Do try to control yourself.
So, when I was clearing out some folders and notebooks from times past (Dad, fewer things to move!!) I ran across this letter that I wrote during a class while I was in Russia. Yes, I would like you to think that I was always listening during those afternoon lectures, but I wasn't. :) I found the letter pleasing to read, and I decided to copy it here, and tag as many of the people mentioned as possible, so we can all reminisce together. I didn't date the letter, but it would have been written in the fall of 2001.
Dear Jooiee [Joy Huizinga; college roommate and close friend],
Sometimes listening intently to political convos is just not a realistic option. It is at these times that writing to a good friend is a good alternative.
I have now been in Russia for 61 days. I will be here for 45 more days. These facts seem strange. Please note that I just counted those numbers up- I'm not keeping track, so wipe that smug, "Leslie, you know Better!" smirk off your face, chica! :)
But anywho, I've been at my host family's house for almost 2 weeks now. Things are going reasonably well. They have two cats (one hates me) and a rat (which resides in my room). Masha (short for Maria) is 19, and my primary contact. Zhyenya (short for Yevgeny, Russian equivalent to Eugene) is 14, and your typical squirrelly baby-teen. Mama Vera is petite, smiley, and seems to have at least a small obsession with beauty or appearance. She's a good cook. Papa Zhyenya is kindof burly and a little awkward with me, in an endearing sort of way. We all get along alright. The parents speak no English, which is an interesting exercise for us, considering my pathetic Russian language abilities (or lack thereof).
This Thursday is a party for out group and the Russian students that help us. There are two bad things implied in the previous sentence. 1. We're expected to prepare talent show type things for the entertainment (singing, playing an instrument, skits, poetry, dances, etc.); and 2. the second half of the party will be a dance, wherein I will struggle to extricate myself from multiple, well-meaning Russians, who are trying to pull me onto the dance floor. I'm singing a Jennifer Knapp song. Sid, our student assistant, is accompanying me on the guitar and vocally. I think another girl (Maria) is going to do some harmony, too. We've yet to practice, though the party is day after tomorrow. No need to rush into these things... Oh, it's a dress-up in a costume party, and let me tell you how much I would love to shop at a second hand store! No resources!!
In other news, I now again have two new second cousins that I've never seen. Preston (born a couple of days ago) and Sarah (born the week I left). This seems to be a regular occurrence lately. Christmas is going to be so wonderful. Whenever I think about it, I smile inside. Warm, cozy home. Family and friends. Candlelight Christmas Eve service with church family. American Christmas food. Excitement and secrets. Relaxation and safety. My own culture. Whee!!
I wonder how you are. I wonder if you like your classes; if you're tried unsuccessfully to study in the Philathia lounge lately; if you've eaten a cheese popper from Alpha in the past week; when the last time you put on mascara instead of being productive was (sorry about the awkward syntax there). I miss you, Jooiee. I miss knowing what's going on in your life and talking for a long time and even not talking sometimes. You're a nice girl. IYQ.
Here's a list of people I miss and would like you to greet for me, ok? Jessica Gillet. Becky Monoit. Liz Sprankle. Renessa Rauch (if she hasn't left yet). Kristen Riddick. Kate Millin. Julie Galle. Megan Reeder. Katie James. There are more, but I don't want to overwhelm you.
I went to Moscow this past weekend. I had an awesome time. When we go back at the end of the semester, I'm going to take a picture of me running toward the embassy, like the girl on The Saint. [this didn't happen because of 9/11, which occurred during my semester in Russia; I decided it wasn't worth the risk of running frantically toward the embassy with everyone on high alert, even at the cost of a super-cool picture]
I miss you and will see you in a couple of months.
Love,
Leslie :)
So, when I was clearing out some folders and notebooks from times past (Dad, fewer things to move!!) I ran across this letter that I wrote during a class while I was in Russia. Yes, I would like you to think that I was always listening during those afternoon lectures, but I wasn't. :) I found the letter pleasing to read, and I decided to copy it here, and tag as many of the people mentioned as possible, so we can all reminisce together. I didn't date the letter, but it would have been written in the fall of 2001.
Dear Jooiee [Joy Huizinga; college roommate and close friend],
Sometimes listening intently to political convos is just not a realistic option. It is at these times that writing to a good friend is a good alternative.
I have now been in Russia for 61 days. I will be here for 45 more days. These facts seem strange. Please note that I just counted those numbers up- I'm not keeping track, so wipe that smug, "Leslie, you know Better!" smirk off your face, chica! :)
But anywho, I've been at my host family's house for almost 2 weeks now. Things are going reasonably well. They have two cats (one hates me) and a rat (which resides in my room). Masha (short for Maria) is 19, and my primary contact. Zhyenya (short for Yevgeny, Russian equivalent to Eugene) is 14, and your typical squirrelly baby-teen. Mama Vera is petite, smiley, and seems to have at least a small obsession with beauty or appearance. She's a good cook. Papa Zhyenya is kindof burly and a little awkward with me, in an endearing sort of way. We all get along alright. The parents speak no English, which is an interesting exercise for us, considering my pathetic Russian language abilities (or lack thereof).
This Thursday is a party for out group and the Russian students that help us. There are two bad things implied in the previous sentence. 1. We're expected to prepare talent show type things for the entertainment (singing, playing an instrument, skits, poetry, dances, etc.); and 2. the second half of the party will be a dance, wherein I will struggle to extricate myself from multiple, well-meaning Russians, who are trying to pull me onto the dance floor. I'm singing a Jennifer Knapp song. Sid, our student assistant, is accompanying me on the guitar and vocally. I think another girl (Maria) is going to do some harmony, too. We've yet to practice, though the party is day after tomorrow. No need to rush into these things... Oh, it's a dress-up in a costume party, and let me tell you how much I would love to shop at a second hand store! No resources!!
In other news, I now again have two new second cousins that I've never seen. Preston (born a couple of days ago) and Sarah (born the week I left). This seems to be a regular occurrence lately. Christmas is going to be so wonderful. Whenever I think about it, I smile inside. Warm, cozy home. Family and friends. Candlelight Christmas Eve service with church family. American Christmas food. Excitement and secrets. Relaxation and safety. My own culture. Whee!!
I wonder how you are. I wonder if you like your classes; if you're tried unsuccessfully to study in the Philathia lounge lately; if you've eaten a cheese popper from Alpha in the past week; when the last time you put on mascara instead of being productive was (sorry about the awkward syntax there). I miss you, Jooiee. I miss knowing what's going on in your life and talking for a long time and even not talking sometimes. You're a nice girl. IYQ.
Here's a list of people I miss and would like you to greet for me, ok? Jessica Gillet. Becky Monoit. Liz Sprankle. Renessa Rauch (if she hasn't left yet). Kristen Riddick. Kate Millin. Julie Galle. Megan Reeder. Katie James. There are more, but I don't want to overwhelm you.
I went to Moscow this past weekend. I had an awesome time. When we go back at the end of the semester, I'm going to take a picture of me running toward the embassy, like the girl on The Saint. [this didn't happen because of 9/11, which occurred during my semester in Russia; I decided it wasn't worth the risk of running frantically toward the embassy with everyone on high alert, even at the cost of a super-cool picture]
I miss you and will see you in a couple of months.
Love,
Leslie :)
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