One of my all time favorite movies is "Mommie Dearest". Forgetting all of the emotional and physical trauma that she inflicted on those around her, I watch in fascination as Joan Crawford cleans everything in her path to within an inch of its life. And, she does this while wearing high heals and shoulder pads.
Whenever Aunt Chrissy and I attempt yard work, we invariably call each other that evening and start the conversation with "Well, I just Joan Crawforded the bushes out front". (You need to remember the infamous rose garden scene here in which Joan yells (quite dramatically, by the way)...."CHRISTINA! Bring me the ax!", and then she proceeds to hack away at a ten foot tree.)
Anywhoose, I thought of Ms. Crawford yesterday as I sprinkled the Comet Cleanser all over my bathroom and then proceeded to scrub and scrub and scrub until the shine on the faucets was blinding. And when Stewey was silly enough to poke his head in to see what the hell I was up to, I said "Stewey, Mommie's not mad at you....she's mad at the DIRT!", much like Joan did when she inspected the living room and discovered that the maid had not moved the potted palm.
Please don't ask me to explain why I am in this hyper-diligent mode of taking my house apart. I'm trying not to think about it too much so that I don't scare away whatever it is that's making me motivated. If this keeps up, I might actually get the entire house done before dropping dead in a sweaty pile of mess.
I am stitching a little in the evenings. I started "Blooming with Inspiration" by Blue Ribbon Designs a few days ago and am really enjoying it. I am leaving blank areas in each section on purpose so that I can tart this thing up with a ton of beads once I've finished stitching it. Methinks I'm channeling the "Joyful Summer" piece that I did last year.
Stewey has decided that the best way to spend his summer is napping in a little patch of sunshine, so I'll leave you with my Annie Liebowitz-ish contribution of the day:
I know what you mean about the Mz. Crawford cleaning thing! I go in wild spurts like you have been lately and clean everything within an inch of it's life (I think I scare DH when I get like that...LOL). Don't worry...like a good bowel movement, it'll pass :)
ReplyDeleteOMG. Can you come to my house, please?
ReplyDeleteThings always look better tarted up with beads......
ReplyDeleteJust keep writing posts like this and maybe I will get the cleaning bug!
ReplyDeleteDid Stewey move his bed in front of the window or did you force him to sleep there by moving his bed there for him?
ReplyDeleteI won't ask about the cleaning bug, but you go girl. Love the idea that you have to "bead it up" I am sure it will be great. Stewey is playing my trick, when I was a young pup. If you are quiet and still while the others are cleaning, you may not get asked to help. CJ ok;-)
ReplyDeleteCara & Mia agree with Stewey's approach to cleaning, & often utilize that method themselves. I, on the other hand, prefer to leave little notes for my cleaning person, saying, "this needs to be scrubbed, not just wiped."
ReplyDeleteHasn't helped. Perhaps I need a translator for my post it notes.
You go!
Denise
Me thinks that whilst everything in Hoosierville is sparkly and lemon-fresh, there has never been a better time for one to invite all of one's blogger friends over for a "spot o'tea" (i take mine shaken, not stirred), a stitch-in and or sleep-over! My bags are packed!
ReplyDeleteHi Coni,
ReplyDeleteOh, yes would you please come to my house?
With all of the summer projects I am sooooo far behind. But we are having fun! :-)
Love the new start and I'm be watching to see what you do with this one. I had looked at it but I think I'm going with the two new patriotic ones. Or at least I'm planning on adding them to the stash. LOL!
Cynthia
Windy Meadow
Mmmmm, all that cleaning - you're not pregnant by any chance??
ReplyDeleteSandra...you may just have it. The last time I cleaned like that I was pregnant...but that was 39 years ago!
ReplyDeleteSeriosly Coni...I'm only down I69..
Oops, did I say that...that road is only in my dreams!
Wire hangers. No more wire hangers. That will stick with me for the rest of my life. My mom hated/hates wire hangers and I'm afraid I've gotten that from her as well. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful start on Joyful Summer! Can't wait to see more! :)
Oops!! I meant Blooming with Inspiration, not Joyful Summer. Duh! :)
ReplyDeleteYou stitch AND clean house? You ARE amazing!!!! :) (Shhh....don't let word get out - it will be expected of all the rest of us!!)
ReplyDeleteI love your new start - this piece just screams "happy"! Gotta love the phrase, "beading it up" - sounds like something you'd do after a REAL cocktail! :)
Question - I'm an AVID cross stitcher who has fallen head-over-heels in love with the LJP designs you create - is there a "beginners" piece of her's (or anyone else's)that you'd recommend to make the transition from XS to canvas work? Is it a challenge that needs to come with a bottle of vallium to figure out? Thanks for any advice (encouragement? kick in the bottom?) you could offer to this crafting coward...
Have a lovely week-end!
I've kinda been in the same mood. It took me two damn days to clean my closet!
ReplyDeleteI love what Colleen said about the urge passing ... lol.