Clutter

We're having a party this weekend and I'm absolutely frantic. It's not the party that's the problem. For once in our lives, we got organized, started early and preparations have been going along smoothly. I'm frantic because the cleaners are coming tomorrow. I always thought it was ridiculous when people said they had to clean their house before the maid service could come. Were they that prideful or neurotic? Now I think I understand. I've joined their ranks, if by cleaning they mean uncluttering. Having cleaners is a brand new experience for me. I always thought it would be wonderful, but we are perfectly capable of vacuuming and dusting. (I'm capable. The fact that I rarely do it is another matter entirely.) But I no longer have the energy to do a thorough cleaning all at once. Like before a party. And my husband is away too much to take up the slack. So we gave this a try a few months ago and were very happy with the results. We decided to have them come on a regular basis to keep the house from getting to the point where a DIRT-SWAT Team would be needed. We can do touch-ups in between. Can. Not necessarily will. The problem is that we have a lot of clutter. Seriously a lot. There are so many things we're in the middle of: paperwork, crafts and repair projects. And there are all the bits and pieces that I simply don't know what to do with. I'm constantly tossing or giving away things I don't need, so I'm amazed at how much still accumulates. I have the style of dresser that has a top part with a mirror and shelves that hold an amazing number of small keepsakes. In one corner were several boxes with necklaces that are too big for my jewelry box, glasses cases, and some cute letters to Santa the girls wrote when they were young. (Dear Santa Claus, What I want most of all is a Bouncing Baby Doll and a Dance Club Barbie. You may bring me some surprises.) As I continued excavating I found some old prescription bottles--why was I keeping them and why there? I disposed of the meds and put the rest in a box and put that on a shelf. I would need an entire wall of drawers to organize all the small items that accumulate. Of course, even with labels on the drawers, I'd probably spend forever trying to locate anything. I did have to do a bit of actual cleaning in that corner. Some of those things had been there for a long time and the dust was thick. Not just write in it thick. I could have done a bas relief sculpture. Even with my laid back attitude toward cleaning, my pride wouldn't let me leave that mound of dust there waiting for the cleaners. Now that the dresser is cleared, except for some decorative items, every time I walk by it I do a double-take. I can't remember the last time I saw that much wood. I wonder how long it will last? No. Better not go there.