I found myself 5 minions and one bum yesterday. It was time for some major deep cleaning around here and these six just happened to get caught in my line of vision. I’d love to say they volunteered out of the goodness of their hearts or that they worked tirelessly with nary a complaint, but that would be lying.
The truth is . . . I bribed them.
Of course that is a real no-no amongst child-training gurus, but I was desperate. And desperate people do really desperate things. I promised them we’d raid Daddy’s coin jar after we were all finished and they were delighted with the prospect of some spending money.
My house looked so dirty, so big, and so gross that I felt close to tears when thinking of doing it myself. Besides, he who makes the dirt should clean it! Walls needed washed, ceiling and elk dusted, and my windows had the screens still in them when there was already snow on the ground. I was afraid things were growing underneath the couch and inside the cushions as it had been so long since I’d cleaned inside them. And of course we confiscated some of the things we found under the boys’ beds, including their dried up corn stalks. What mama in her right mind lets her children keep corn stalks under their beds?!! I was told that at least one particular stalk was being saved for a muskateer outfit. Who knew…..
So I hired myself some devoted employees for about 4 hours who turned my house into a much better place to live in. Oh, and let’s not forget the little bum who did nothing but partake of snacks and stuff items down my vacuum wand.
Daddy did the jobs requiring a ladder while the minions scrubbed up the wall as high as their heads.
Here’s the “bum” taking break yet again – my door scrubber – and mass confusion on the stairs.
When they were all done, they felt like little misers taking their hard-earned coins upstairs to their banks and dropping them in. Sad to say, but some of it had to come back out again today when someone’s knee went through the drywall on the stairway. A hard fact of life – you pay for your mistakes – and there’s not a better time to learn it than when you’re young.
Daddy is getting paid in blackberry/blueberry cobbler which is baking as we speak. His side is the blueberry and mine is the blackberry. All we need is a little ice cream and maybe some popcorn and we’ll be happy folks indeed!
By the way, don’t forget to visit our Giveaway Closet for the 7 Gourmet Popcorn Giveaway by Sharon’s Country Store! She’s also got some yummy toppings to go on your bowl such as white cheddar seasoning, nacho cheese popcorn seasoning, and Brewer’s Yeast. Happy eating!
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Anonymous says
I thought sure you were going to say that Lowell was the bum. (Sorry, Lowell. I just wanted to get entered into the drawing…) 😉 janice kauffman
Twila says
wow, that is an impressive bunch of workers. And how DID you get Lowell roped into helping? (You’ll have to share your secret with me! 🙂
The Muskateers says
way to go!!!
Deb says
I love reading your blog, Kendra. You always make me smile! My house needs this bad, too! Love ya, Deborah Boone
Living in the shoe says
Jan, Lowell was actually surprised when he read it and found out he wasn’t the bum! Wonder what that says for my character? 🙂
Twila, have you tried batting your eyes while holding blueberry pancakes in front of his nose?
Deb, I miss you!!
Carolyn says
😀 Feels good to have a clean house, doesn’t it! Now I need to go clean mine!
Anonymous says
Aw! Think I’ll have to copy & send this one to my dear Aunt Vie, too. Just talked to her tonight & she said how much she & Uncle Pauls enjoyed the other blogs of yours I sent her.
You were likely kept busy running along behind your family, picking up the pieces 🙂
~~~Mom G