A Clean House is a Sign of a Life Misspent

So says a magnet on my frig which I need to reread once in a while. Especially during the myriad times I get down on myself and family because our house isn't "just so." There is always something amiss whether its the deteriorating grout of our kitchen counter tiles, the leaky faucets, the water damaged window frames, the cluttered dining table, the clothing left hither and yon, yadda, yadda, yadda.

My aging aunt shared with me a few years back that she wished she had spent less time keeping her house clean and more time playing with her kids. Her "kids" were all grown up and she didn't have good relationships with any of them. My aunt then began to reminisce about the times she used to stop by to see Mom only to find the house a complete mess and my mom sitting playing games with us kids. She remembers there was always lots of laughter and enthusiasm amidst the piles of laundry, clutter, and dirty dishes. Needless to say all six of us "kids" have good relationships with Mom. Of course there are many other factors involved but, I think my aunt had it right: Relationships with one's children are far more important than the state of one's house.

"Clean Enough to be Healthy, Dirty Enough to be Happy"  That's my motto, and I plan to keep it that way.

Me, Old?

I was leaning down fiddling with my locker in the dressing room at the pool after doing a hefty workout, dripping wet and feeling good about all my physical exertions when behind me walked a couple young(er) women. As they passed me I heard one state emphatically "I don't ever want to get old!" Well, I was feeling pretty good about my physical condition up to that point. Was it the varicose veins of my 54 year-old leg resembling the Amazon River or was it the dimples of fat on my thighs that set them off? Maybe it was the slightly sagging muscles in my upper arms or...no we won't go there. Whatever!!! Those young women will have to face aging just like the rest of us. I am hoping to "go the distance" with swimming. I know it is not a panacea or a "Fountain of Youth" but it has been very good for me over these past four years. I lost nearly 75 pounds those first two years of swimming and have mostly kept it off and I'm in nearly the best condition of my life. Dream on you young chicks! I hope you look this good when you're 54.