I love it when things are clean and neat, but I've got to say that PERFECTLY clean and neat is kind of a different thing.

And the only people I've ever known who had those "perfectly" clean homes were either very, very unhappy (read: privately miserable) or rather fascist in their world views (always telling everyone else what they should be doing, and when, etc.).

OR, they can employ an army of youngsters to do all the chores, several times a week. I'll admit, sometimes, I do fantasize about having that option. Or employing a regular maid service, and/ or a cook! (wahoo!, whatta treat that would be.)

My home is tidy, and hygenic. That is to say, I am certain no one will contract dysentery or develop horrible skin rashes, should they use the upstairs bathroom. But it is also COMFORTABLE, and that means I am not running a vacuum to the dismay of my cats and my husband, endlessly dusting, re-arranging furniture every second week, doing 4 loads of laundry a day, everyday, etc.

Some people I know behave that way; and for the life of me, I don't know what they actually get out of it. (Feeling superior, perhaps...I'm not sure.) And I don't want to sound insensitive to considerations regarding anyone with OCD. I am a handwasher, and pretty fastidious about certain things in my kitchen and bedroom, so I get it better than you might think.

All of this aside, it DOES feel great to conquer a chore that has been hanging over you for a long while, doesn't it??