House cleaning is best done wearing heels

A few weeks back, AMC and I visited the quirky and lovable town of Austin, Texas, to visit AMC's Uncle Phil. While there, it was sweltering hot. Sweltering. I have spent a good amount of my existence living in Florida so I know heat, or at least I thought I did. Looking back now, I understand that the land of Austin was on the brink of some weather phenomenon, and I think we all instinctually knew it, but did our best in thinking that maybe if we were polite and didn't mention it, maybe Mother Earth would just decide to rain instead of burst into flames.... but as with all of life, we must trust that at this time, flames are necessary. So, on with the story here....

The purpose of this story is to give glory to HOUSEWORK. And, most importantly, the glory that housework can be had when one wears the appropriate accessories. While in Austin, I noticed a stunning vintage pair of earrings by the sink. Being the trained and skilled antique shopper that I am- I know a good pair of vintage earrings when I see them, and well, the temptation to touch and try on is always too hot to handle and so I tried them on and wore them. Phil, being the flamboyant lover of men that he is, saw them and enthusiasticly announced that

"doing dishes is always more fun wearing jewelry. and so is paying bills. And cleaning is best done in heels!"

And isn't this true?! A friend of mine growing up had a mother who kept a beautiful house. It was always perfectly clean. Her mother made cleaning into an event, and most events call for a cheers and a toast, so her mother cleaned and drank wine. And LL's Minerva Mommy opened all of the windows in the house and blared Madonna's Immaculate Collection tape (yes, like cassette:) and all of the kids in the neighborhood thought that LL's mom was "so cool."

Every so often we check the mail and something really really exciting happens. We notice a "fun" colored envelope in the mix, with real handwriting from someone we recognize (isn't it funny how we know someone by their handwriting?) and even sometimes, we open the mailbox and see MANILA!!!! Which was me, hours ago when I received a package from my Grams, my Patricia Grammie....my dear! And we all know when we get something from Patricia Grammie, we are in for a TREAT. She knows all about the tangible world- she knows the things that will make a girl squeal and just love this physical side of life. She knows that every girl who loves to be in the kitchen, dreams of aprons!

Along with the aprons came a note, explaining that my Grandma's Grandma (Eva) wore aprons, and so did my Grandma's mom (Grandma Church) and, since I've gotten the "baking itch" from my Grandma- I should be wearing aprons too. I suppose it's in our blood, which is a really good explanation of why on God's great earth my favorite magazine as a wee little thing was Better Homes and Gardens.

My senior year of high school I took a class where we created a vision board. We were instructed to cut out pictures from a magazine of the things we wanted in life. Oh, what I would do to see that board now, because all I remember is standing in front of the class, explaining the peaceful, beautiful home that I dreamt of. Remembering this dream of my 18 year old self makes me feel as if maybe I have accomplished something dear to my heart afterall... and maybe it isn't earth changing, but it sure is soul soothing, this creating a home. It turns out, that just want we've always wanted, is sometimes right under our nose....and is sometimes donned in an apron!