No, Seriously. What are we doing?

Every year about this time, I look at the calendar and realize I have less than three weeks until…. Master’s Week. (Otherwise known as Spring Break around these parts.) If you are not familiar with Golf-related events, you’ve never been to the South, or you live in a hole in the ground (not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, but a hobbit hole of course.)– here’s a brief description. This year will be the 78th edition of the Master’s Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. Held every year at the Augusta National Golf Club, the Master’s Tournament is one of the four major championships in Professional Golf. For years, this was about all I knew about it. I had a husband who loved the game of golf and  for several years, a boss who was a great golf aficionado.

What I did not realize when we moved to Augusta more than three years ago, is that it is quite possibly the biggest deal in Augusta all year. Each year, beginning as soon as January 1, businesses and homeowners all over town begin preparations for the tournament. We have been involved the last couple of years, because we rent our house out during the tournament. It is a great opportunity for all involved, a) they get to rent an entire house for what they would pay for a hotel room for that week. b) we get to leave during all the hullabaloo and go somewhere fun (!) and 3) it gives us a yearly incentive to spring clean and spruce up our house. Win-Win!!! However. Right now, I find myself in the absolute THROES of pre-Master’s week prep. And I think I might just climb into bed with a book and forget my mile-long to-do list. But alas, I cannot. Because there are blinds and ceiling fans to be dusted. Base Boards to be wiped down. Sheets and towels to be located and freshly laundered. Closets to be tidied, cleaned out and rid of excess items. Floors to be mopped. Disney Princess Stickers to be peeled from the legs of our table. Windows to be washed. And every spare corner of this entire house to be.. put in order. I want my mommy. ( No seriously, Mom, if you’re reading this. Come quick. And bring an extra mop. ) Honestly, though it really is a WONDERFUL blessing to be able to rent our home and we are so thankful for the continued opportunity.

But in the mean time. I find myself.. overwhelmed. Overwhelmed and when I start doing “things” it only reveals more “things” that need to be done. Kinda like “If you give a mouse a cookie..” Except I’m the mouse and my cookie is a package of Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. 

It’s entirely likely these days, that when Lance gets home in the afternoons– what he finds is varied and somewhat strange. One day, he found me accumulating a gargantuan pile of plastic hangers while cleaning out my closet. Hello, with all the cardigans, by the way.

Last week He came home to a spotless office desk and me– emerging from the pantry, with a somewhat crazed look in my eyes and the faint scent of Samoa’s on my breath– looking well worn and yet suspiciously calm. I really can’t be held responsible for the total state of crazy that’s going on around here. But we will PRESS ON!!

But, if any of you happen to have a Pinterest-y tip for how to simultaneously clean your entire home and keep it that way for 2 1/2 weeks while a family of four currently inhabit said house– let me know. I’m trying to not go all wacky on my two sweet littles every time they drag out the games with 2000 pieces and dump them out while I’m precariously dusting the top of a fan blade.  (Hello, Mommie Dearest?!) After all– they could care less about how many rolls of paper towels and neatly folded washcloths we need– they just know we’re going to see Mickey Mouse soon! And, WAHOO we are!

But if anyone has any tips, I’ll be here digging twelve white pillowcases out of their 51-week storage spot. OH! and packing shorts for a sunny vacation while simultaneously cooking chili for dinner because it’s blasted FREEZING, I TELL YOU!!!