Relationships {Spring Cleaning}
Written by Julie Kohl of Eggs and Herbs

Anyone who knows me could tell you that I am not a housekeeper.  Well, at least not a good one!  The last thing I ever want to do, especially in the spring, is clean.  We live on a farm so the battle would be never ending anyway and there is a reason that there is not a single square inch of carpet anywhere in my house.  To me, spring cleaning is about opening windows, letting in the light and the air, breathing new life into the things we love.

As humans we often seem so preoccupied with how things look on the outside.  The “American Dream” is more about a look than an actual way of life.  We want perfect hair, manicured nails and taylored clothes that fit just right.  We want the trendiest car parked in front of the prettiest, largest house with the greenest lawn in the nicest neighboorhood.  And when one of the neighboors pops in unexpectedly we want to usher them in to our perfect kitchen where a pitcher of perfectly chilled lemonade and freshly baked cookies awaits.

GET REAL!  Who really lives like this outside of the “real” or “desperate” houswives?

Here are some examples of my REAL life!

A Southern Living worthy flower bed:

A Pinterest perfect entry way:

Why do we even have the tray????

A Good Housekeeping approved laundry organizer:

Yes, that is the middle of the living room floor.

Now that, my friends, is REAL.  We can make our lives look perfect to the outside world but what about what happens when no one is watching?

Yesterday I overheard two grown men talking about their wives.  Neither was saying very nice things.  I was shocked and saddened that the men were saying these things but I also understood that part of the reason they were saying them was because thier wives hadn’t given them any reason to say anything nice.

Sometimes I think we are so worried about cleaning up all the messes we can see that we forget about taking care of the ones we can’t see.  We get so caught up in the “job-like” duties as wife and/or mother that we forget to nurture and cherish the rewards of being wife and/or mother.

Whether you are married, dating or just haning out with your friends there are so many things you can do to {Spring Clean} your relationships.  Taking a moment here and a moment there to STOP nagging and complaining and to thank our husbands, kids, parents, best friends or other significant people in our lives for the things they do that make us happy.

I have been married to my husband for almost 12 years.  We have certainly had our ups and downs but I adore him and try to do things to build him up rather than break him down.  It’s not always easy and sometimes hurtful words and actions come easier than the good ones but when has anything truly good ever been easy?

So this spring – instead of worrying about spring cleaning your house – perhaps you will consider someways to {Spring Clean} your relationships.

Here are a few links to help you get started:

8 Ways To Maintain A Good Relationship Using Effective Communication

Love, Actually – Creative Ideas for Romance on a Budget

50 Ways to Inspire Your Husband

You might want to consider making a “Smash Book” to collect all of your memories during the year.

You can find detailed instructions for making the Smash Book on my blog Eggs and Herbs.

You may even consider taking a day to forget about yard work, school work and even ‘gasp’ blogging to spend a day with your family and the ones you love.  There are thousands of wonderful attractions here is Arkansas.  The Arkansas Tourism Website has tons of ideas.  Additionally ARWB’s Managing Editor Fawn, writes a weekly column on her blog Instead of the Dishes called ‘Free Fun for Families’ where she highlights lots of free things going on in Central Arkansas.  You can check out her list of this weeks activities by clicking here.

So this spring, instead of cleaning windows and mopping floors I will be spending time with the love of my life letting him know how much I love and appreciate him.

I mean, look at this guy! Can you blame me?