Non-Op

When my house was "a mess" and I didn't seem to have enough time or energy to "clean it up," somebody labeled me dysfunctional, a buzzword that seemed to imply a permanent disability of some kind. In the old days it was called a major cop-out. I, personally, take exception to being labeled dysfunctional. I may have been non-op, but I didn't want to believe I was lazy (unwilling to work, characterized by idleness). I just had more to do than I could. I didn't know how to manage the demands on my time and energy.

City Dump

If your crystal sparkles, your silver shines, the kitchen sink glistens, dust wouldn't dare land anywhere in your entire house or even float in the air, then STOP reading--this blog isn't for you. If thinking about cleaning your house is about as appealing as opening a can of worms, read on.

Maybe you believe the only difference between your place and the city dump is the squawking of the gulls. If you're sure it would take a bulldozer to dent the pile in your son's room but you aren't sure how to get a bulldozer up the stairs, believe me, I know what you mean! But don't panic! With a little effort (Okay a lot of effort!), some tricks of the trade and a new perspective, before long the place will be in such great shape you won't recognize it. I know, I know. You haven't the energy or time to even think about cleaning the house, let alone do it. The magnitude of the task may be so overwhelming you've become non-op. That term comes from my husband who worked in the electronics field, and whenever something malfunctioned, quit working or broke down, he called it "non-op" (non-operational). No one ever meant to imply the equipment was lazy. It was just unable to do the job it was meant to do, so he would troubleshoot until he found the problem and then he fixed it.