I HATE HOUSEWORK!
YOU MAKE THE BEDS,
YOU DO THE DISHES ---
AND SIX MONTHS LATER
YOU START ALL OVER AGAIN."
(Joan Rivers)
Okay, it's not that bad in my house right now. It's not pretty, but you know what? I don't mind so much anymore. I have so many other things I want to put time and effort and energy into. Housework is no longer a priority. It's something I've come to learn in general but it was The Blogging from A-Z Challenge this April that really solidified it for me.
During this year's Challenge, I was not only a participant but a Minion (Hi, Alex and fellow Ninja Minions!) My theme - a flash story of 100 words or fewer for every letter of the alphabet - pushed me creatively. I visited lots of blogs - regular and new ones. I commented and returned comments. I "followed" and was "followed." I entertained and was entertained. I learned so much about so many things by reading all of your blogs, I'm pretty sure I'm a lot smarter now than I was at the beginning of April.
I did less vacuuming, less dusting, less laundry, less cooking. Don't get me wrong - no one went unfed, no one went unclothed (except the tortoises, but they prefer it that way.) I was reminded that life is not about how clean my house is; it's about how full and creative and energized and interesting my world is.
And you all help make it that way. Thank you.
Your flash fiction was incredible! Seriously, your posts were one of my absolute favorites to read during the Challenge. Great job!!!!
ReplyDeleteJay, thank you so much! I really appreciate that. :)
DeleteHousework has never been my priority. But don't worry either. Nobody has ever been unclothed or unfed or neglected in any way. :)
ReplyDeleteGood to hear. :)
DeleteWhile Joan Rivers is a slug in my book, I do like the saying. Your the 2nd minion, maybe 3rd I've hit this am which confuses me. I made it a ritual to visit a host and those listed on the special list daily; but never made it here. Were you minions not listed on that list? The linky is so huge, that despite my making a LARGE number of visits daily, no one I've visited today listed on the reflections linky are among those I visited before. Someone good at math could perhaps explain the whole theroy. Anyway, congrats on finishing, and thanks for helping. Don't you wish you could use a leaf blower to re-arrange the dust bunnies! I'm continuing to blog a-z in May
ReplyDeleteEach co-host had a number of Minions helping them. I was helping Alex. I believe there's a page on the A-Z Blog that lists all the co-hosts and their Minions.
DeleteAnd I'm with you on the leaf blower idea. :)
I may miss seeing your 100-word stories most of all. I hope you still post a few.
ReplyDeleteDeb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com
Thanks, Deb! You never know what will appear here on the blog. It's all up to the tortoises…. :)
DeleteHousework is overrated!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being an awesome Ninja Minion. I couldn't have done it without your help.
And your flash pieces were really powerful.
Thanks, Alex. And you're very welcome. I enjoyed being a Ninja Minion. :)
DeleteThat quote is too funny.
ReplyDeleteYour stories were so amazing!!! I enjoyed each one and am so impressed with your talent. :)
When I first read that quote, I laughed out loud. :)
DeleteAnd thanks so much for reading my stories and for commenting, Julie. I appreciate it.
I love that quote. It's not quite as bad in my house either, but it's probably pretty close.
ReplyDeleteI know I missed the second half of the month, but I really loved reading your flash fiction. They were seriously impressive.
I'm glad you enjoyed the stories!
DeleteLooking forward to seeing you around the blogosphere again. :)
Congrats on completing the challenge. Sorry I didn't find you earlier in April, I have enjoyed reading back over your posts.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're here now and that you enjoyed reading those A-Z posts. :)
DeleteI had to forgo housework, too. Especially laundry. I found the Write 1 Sub 1 website a great idea, too. Thanks to you, I found that and got lost in the story of Ray Bradbury. Very inspiring. Writing 100 word stories is a big challenge. I hope you had a blast doing it.
ReplyDeleteCarey from abundance in the boondocks
W1S1 is a great motivator! So many of us do the "write" part really well, but then we hesitate when it comes to the "sub" part. :)
DeleteAnd I did have a blast with those A-Z stories - thanks!
Less vacuuming and dusting sounds good to me. That's how it is every month here!
ReplyDeleteHa! :)
DeleteI really loved what you did with the A to Z this year Madeline - the flash stories. I loved them all!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed them all. :)
DeleteI am delighted to have found you via the A-Z...and I was only a reader. But I looked forward to coming here, and I will continue to!
DeleteLiza, I'm happy you're here and that you'll come back!
DeleteWhat an accomplishment! And your work is fascinating!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Donna!
DeleteYour posts were awesome. The flash fiction stories were excellent. This is the zone I enjoy.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow I have named you in the reflections.
Thanks so much, Susan. I appreciate that!
DeleteYour stories were great. I'm a bit disappointed I didn't find you earlier, but I'll be popping back in to see what else you come up with.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Loni. I hope you do keep popping back in and that you enjoy what you find here. :)
DeleteI loved your stories and am so glad I found your blog. Bah, housework can always wait! ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you! And down with housework! :)
DeleteI loved your short stories. My flower beds suffered. The weeds are winning but I'm going to defeat them in May.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. And I have no doubt you will conquer those weeds.
DeleteI truly enjoyed your flash fiction. You're very talented. And yes, even this Type A personality is no longer a person who has to have a perfectly clean house. I'd rather write.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jolie. I would much rather write than dust, too. :)
DeleteTotally with you on this one-my house was in really rough shape by the end of April, lol. I'm playing catch up this week!
ReplyDeleteThat's the problem with cleaning - I can't seem to ever catch up. I think it's easier to give up instead. :)
DeleteCongratulations on your AtoZ journey! I loved all the stories you posted. Your imagination is out of this world amazing. I'll continue to visit here!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that so much! Glad to hear you'll continue to visit. :)
DeleteCleaning . . . pffft cleaning . . . April was the month of abstract arrangement in my house. lol But hey, everyone was fed and clothed as well while mommy enjoyed the creative buzz in the A to Z challenge. ;)
ReplyDeleteHa! Good for you. :)
DeleteOh my goodness, my house was a disaster through the challenge...which was not good since we just listed it for sale. Yeah, we hired cleaners this time around to keep me somewhat sane. I think my husband should show me how much he loves me by hiring cleaners every month. =)
ReplyDeleteIt was a blast, Madeline. I loved EVERY one of your pieces.
Thank you for coming by and reading every day, Crystal. I really appreciated it.
DeleteAnd cleaners, huh? Not a bad idea….
Congrats on finishing A-Z, and I'm pleased you gained a new perspective on life through it. Thank you for visiting me at Square Pegs, and for commenting. I enjoyed your little stories. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks, DA! Glad you enjoyed the stories.
DeleteHello there.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on completing the challenge! Thanks also for helping the regular hosts. I used to be a real fanatic about "having things done a certain way at this instant" kind of person. If I broke a glass, I'd have a complete meltdown...no kidding! Nowadays, I'm more relaxed and I have a new perspective on life. My standards have not changed, they are still very high, but if I break a glass, I just tidy up the mess and replace it with another one. Afterall, what's the value of a broken glass compared to the value of life? Thanks for sharing. I'm just stopping by briefly as I try to navigate the twists and turns of the 2014 Road Trip…don't forget to wave when you see me drive by. (lol)
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