Passover Cleaning Update

Here we are, post-Purim, and the cleaning has begun in earnest.  I don't generally go into this here because this is a cooking blog.  This year, I want to share why a lot of my recipes are on the simple side this month.

My first project was actually cleaning behind and under the California king bed.  I've never done it, and the layer of dust has bothered me for years.  One day, I finally realized how to make it light enough to move.  I had to take off the mattress, which probably weighs more than I do, and put the headboard feet on pieces of wood which could slide on the carpet.  Yes, that was the easiest way.  After wiping down the walls, cleaning the baseboards, peeling the dust off the back of the headboard, and emptying the Dyson four times, I was happy with the results and put everything back.  This is not going to become a yearly thing.  If I'm still strong enough to do it in five years, maybe.  I definitely now appreciate how easy it is to roll the other bed on the hardwood floors.

The next week, I worked six days and also threw out my back somehow, so I barely did the basic cleaning.  That was frustrating.  I mean, it's a big list.  I just couldn't scrub three bathroom floors with a lower back spasm.

The week after that was Purim, and time to really start focusing.  All I did Tuesday was sweep out the garage and start my tomato seeds.  One cherry tomato has sprouted so far.  I was so behind on routine things that even that and making dinner felt like an accomplishment.

Wednesday of last week, I buckled down and made the calendar.  Yeah, I'm not getting to everything I wanted to.  More went on it after I took the photo.  The cabinet painting and organizing the office will probably happen during Passover week.  I simply don't have enough buffer days.  The ones I left blank are because I have closing shifts and know I won't feel like doing any cleaning.  At best, I can catch up for 15 minutes after dinner.  I also have to squeeze in a couple of hours one day to do my taxes, since I'm a huge procrastinator.  This also presumes that I stay in good health and don't have muscle spasms, tired days, or catch a cold.

Some of the things on the calendar I really do only once a year, like checking every corner for cobwebs.  If I notice any at other times, I clean them up, but the full check is once a year.  I rarely hose down and clean the outside of every window except during Passover cleaning, because it's a lot of work for something you don't notice.  I put routine bathroom cleaning on one day just so I don't forget to do it shortly before the big night, but I obviously clean them more than once a year.  Dusting is on there twice, because dust.

I love how clean the house is on Seder night.  For a few hours, everything is perfect.  It also gives me motivation to do deep cleaning projects weekly for several months afterward.  I just hate getting it done.