School started yesterday, so for the first time in three months, I started cleaning.

My daughter’s room alone took the whole day.  I’m convinced she is destined for an intervention on a future episode of Hoarders.  I lugged 2 garbage bags FULL of TRASH out of her room. I have NO idea where she gets this tendency to stick used band aids into the backs of her drawers.  I found empty water bottles, scrap paper, cut Barbie hair (oh, that bugs me!) – and lots and lots Barbie clothes stuffed in corners.  When she came home she was ecstatic!  In no time, it will look like it did before, and I will have to devote another marathon day to de trash her room.  C’est la vie.

I find my cleaning episodes are made far more manageable by the selection of music – anything from Shostakovich to Led Zeppelin.  Yesterday was an NPR day – something about the monotony of daily news and Diane Rehm was what I need to persevere.  It’s amazing what I learned about bedbugs– I guess they are infesting the country – offices, movie theatres, college dorm rooms.   Makes my battle with lice last fall look like a carnival.  I learned that if I am ever infested, if I heat my house to 140 degrees – that should take care of it.  Nice to know. 

Today, I tackled my boys’ room.  It was not nearly as bad as my daughter’s.  Race cars, Bakugans and dinosaurs only needed sorting into their requisite baskets.  No used band aids shoved under their mattresses in their room.  But it did require U2’s Vertigo to get me thru.

The first day of school also marked my first day as PTA president.  Actually, I’ve been working for over a month – state conventions, PTA training, student registration, new student orientation, teacher supply checks, newsletter, website updates, Facebook account, Twitter – this really is a full time job.  Yesterday, I put on my best happy face and welcomed students to school.  I felt like a politician seeking re-election.  Except, they were happy to see me too!

I have a confession – for all the times I wanted to quit – for all the anxiety I have felt leading up to this job – it has completely evaporated.  Once I made the decision to preserve, I’ve felt like Queen Esther, like I was supposed to be in this position.  I made my husband “set me apart” about three weeks ago (OK, it was a priesthood blessing, but it felt like I was getting set apart) – and I had the calmest, most serene feeling come over me.  I can do this.  It won’t be easy, parents will get mad, teachers will want something I can’t give, but I truly feel like I can handle anything that comes my way.

Next Thursday is my first PTA meeting – I’m preparing budgets, agendas, fundraising committees – and practicing my Robert’s Rules of order – anyone want to make a motion?! Can I get a second?!

Hope you are preparing for a great school year (yes, Wiz, we know you are already back!).  When you see you PTA president, please don’t run from them – take the time to at least ask her (or him) how she is doing. 

Also, I hope you are getting your house in order after months of children infestation.  At least you won’t have to heat it to 140 degrees to get it back to normal.

What music will you be listening too?