Yesterday was probably the most surprisingly gross Martha task for me, thus far. My oven was definitely a very nasty place to clean (we were also supposed to clean our microwave, but that wasn't too bad). Six years ago (the February before Zoe was born) we self-cleaned the oven. We had no idea the smell was going to be so intense, and I guess I just didn't want to go "there" again. Fast forward to yesterday.
The day was jam-packed with other outside-of-the-home obligations. So the oven's self-cleaning process didn't begin until 4pm. This meant it was "family nite" at our home = take out from a local eatery. I chose Salad Wrappers because of my hope to continue to adhere to the Weight Watchers program started a little over 8 weeks ago.
At 7:30 I was using steel wool to remove gunk from the oven racks, but it wasn't until I began cleaning the drawer that I almost lost my lunch. I wipe down the cook-top of the oven, but there was 6 years of gunk...6 years! In the end of this process, I really felt liberated. It was a very cathartic process for me.
The Mary challenge was again introspective. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Mary challenge each day. Do I have a home others feel comfortable in? I certainly hope so. When I was in high school, my parent's home was the hang-out place of all my friends. My mom had a wonderful way of making everyone feel at home. My grandmother was the same way. All the neighborhood children sat on their porch and drank Coke-a-cola and ate cheese crackers. Ask any of these children (all adults now) and everyone remembers Ardis and Ray and the warm hospitality they offered all.
I sincerely hope that I have inherited that warm and inviting ability.
I have a dear friend coming over on June 1st, whom I have not seen in almost a year. I cannot wait to show her a warm welcome in my home that afternoon. :)
1 comment:
It was always a good time at your folks' house in high school :-) Ah, the good old days...
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