i'm not nesting

I had a toddler, and I was about 9 months pregnant.  My friend called and asked how (and what) I was doing.  "I'm scrubbing the grout," I explained as I cradled the phone between shoulder and ear.  Obi-1 was taking a nap, so it seemed a good time to take care of spring cleaning.

There was silence on the other end of the phone.  My dear friend, newly married and enjoying a new promotion at work, paused for a cautious breath.  "Um... do you think you might be nesting, MamaToo?  I mean, not that cleaning tile isn't important, but... you're scrubbing grout with a toothbrush?!"

Nesting?  Surely not.  I just wanted to get this floor clean before I was too uncomfortable (or too busy) to do so.  I was tired of seeing discolored grout.  So, I had an old toothbrush in hand and cleanser in a jar, and I was scrubbing the tile.  No more to it than that, I assured her.

A little less than a week later, Obi-2 arrived in our lives.  I think back on that moment and think maybe, just maybe, I was nesting. 

Today, I went into the bathroom and looked at the tile.  Life has not been kind to that grout, quite frankly.  The boys were happy and busy, so I grabbed an old toothbrush and set to work.  Folks, I know it sounds like I'm living in a notably clean, organized house, but let me assure you that I am not.  That said, I figure the bathroom is the only place where my housekeeping has a captive audience.  

As with last week, my tip is finding a new use for an old thing.  An old toothbrush gets into grout easily - along with any other tight spot for cleaning (hinges of the toilet seat, anyone?).  With the recent wave of sickness in our house, we replaced old toothbrushes, which means my cleaning supply got a new boost.  Baking soda and water form an effective, safe paste to scrub all your bathroom's history away.  It sounds awfully domesticated to share this tip, but an old toothbrush and a jar of baking soda bring a little dose of order into a joyfully busy household.

I'd like to say it's perfectly clean, but that may never be the case here.  It is, however, much cleaner than it was earlier! Whether you are nesting or not, a little bit of clean can make you smile.  It may also, as I've found, give you a chuckle at yourself.

Happy Wednesday, and check out other tips from Shannon's list.