Dog, I must be hum dinger of a Mom! My house isn't nasty, just lived in!! But I'd rather go and play ball with the grandbaby than sweep any day!!
Junebugg | Homepage | 05.08.05 - 2:40 am | #

I have a similar poem on my kitchen wall:

Come on in, but don't expect to find
the dishes done, the floors ashine
we've crumpled rugs & toys galore
cluttering the yard & living room floor
the little ones we shelter here
don't thrive on a spotless atmosphere
they're more inclined to disarray
with carefree, even messy play
some future day, they'll fly the nest
and we'll have time to tackle the mess
but until then, what matters more?
Happy children, or a polished floor?
Zen Angel | Homepage | 05.08.05 - 3:00 am | #

lol, I knew there was a reason I keep my house like a sty.... Happy Mother's Day honey, hope you have a beautiful day.
Mongakim | Homepage | 05.08.05 - 8:51 am | #

Happy Mother's Day
Melonie | Homepage | 05.08.05 - 8:54 am | #

Happy Mother's Day to you, Mamacita! I continue to enjoy your blog every day.
Thanks so much.
Vicki | Homepage | 05.08.05 - 10:36 am | #

Happy Mother's Day!
MoMMY | Homepage | 05.08.05 - 10:59 am | #

So THAT'S why the house is always a wreck! I knew I was a good mom, but wow! I've been upgraded!

I'm with you Mamacita. The tornado that goes through daily has a name, and it's name is loved kids.
Kris | Homepage | 05.08.05 - 12:00 pm | #

I love this poem, and always try to keep it in mind. Stopping by to wish you a Happy Mother's Day!!
Christine | Homepage | 05.08.05 - 12:28 pm | #

Happy Mother's Day, Mamacita. I hope it's simply glorious. And even a little dusty around the edges.
Jennifer | Homepage | 05.08.05 - 1:20 pm | #

I read that poem when I was a teen, and it stuck with me. I wanted to PLAY with my kid, not follow him around like a human dustbuster. My house was always a mess...but my kid isn't.

My house is STILL a mess...I guess the Clean It Up Now gene never kicked in once he was grown...

Happy Mother's Day!
Thumper | Homepage | 05.08.05 - 2:33 pm | #

My mother gave me this same poem with my baby son's handprints at the bottom.

Have a wonderful Mother's Day!
rugdesigner | Homepage | 05.08.05 - 4:37 pm | #

The back of my daughter's bedroom door bears the faint pencil marks: 'i do not like my mom'

I'm hoping that she wrote that when I sent her to her room for acting naughty.

Happy Mother's Day to one of my favorite mommies.
aka_monty | Homepage | 05.08.05 - 6:15 pm | #

My mother always said she wanted to live in a home, not a museum.

Then she made me clean my room.

Happy Mom's Day!

-G
Garrison Steelle | Homepage | 05.08.05 - 6:50 pm | #

I hope your day was wonderful.
Beth | Homepage | 05.08.05 - 7:52 pm | #

Dull women have immaculate homes. Happy Mother's Day, Mamacita!
bonnie | Homepage | 05.08.05 - 8:24 pm | #

My father always wanted my mother to "Sit down and watch the news, Pauline!" He said the people in the house were more important than the furniture in the house.
atmikha | 05.08.05 - 8:44 pm | #

Happy Mother's Day sweetie!
Hula Doula | Homepage | 05.08.05 - 9:39 pm | #

My youngest is at school all day. It's the blogging that keeps my house so dirty!
Bluegrass Mama | Homepage | 05.09.05 - 8:04 am | #

I thought that was why you were supposed to have black carpets and wipe-clean walls with chalkboard paint patches
Kitty | Homepage | 05.09.05 - 12:24 pm | #

Whew, we're vindicated. Thanks for confirming that spending time with the kids amidst chaos beats ignoring them in the pursuit of a house that sorta looks like a museum.

When I think of my late aunt's living room, all perfect and sealed in plastic, I cringe.
Carmi | Homepage | 05.09.05 - 4:35 pm | #

I'm a few days and several dollars short-- but that is my fav poem! My daughter is 24 years old, and that was given to me, hand-stitched in a frame, when she was born.

I rocked her a LOT!
Kathy | 05.11.05 - 11:25 pm | #