god bless mother nature

A winter storm was just what I needed.

When starting a new job, the stress level is high and time off is scarce. Just when my fingernails were bitten to the bare cuticles and my complexion was nothing short of a before shot for a Noxzema commercial, Mother Nature blesses me with a snow day. For others, a snow day may entice a lazy day in front of the boob tube but my day was filled to the brim with cleaning, laundry, and, of course, shoveling lots and lots of snow. It's days like today when I wish there were an 8th day of the week. One where I could get all my chores done, leaving my weekends for sleeping in, hanging with my girlfriends, or watching a Dog Whisperer marathon with my hubby.

Which brings me to a recent concern: Should I feel guilty for wanting a cleaning service?

The very thought makes me feel lazy, irresponsible, and, worst of all, like a wasteful spender. But the idea of my weekends free of dusting, vacuuming, scrubbing, bleaching, and mopping is, well...heavenly. With our careers stretching us as thin as an Olsen twin, my hubby and I are left with very little time to tend to the pesty dog hair, dust, and bathroom mold. Is it so terrible that I want my time off spent doing things I love, rather than chores I am obligated to?