The only problem I have now is that since the house is staying picked up, I'm noticing "dirt" more 
and how shabby and worn some items are 
. But, that will pass as I do this longer, I'm sure. And the shabby and worn, as we have the money to replace. I'm considering opening a bank account for the express purpose of it being a "fix up the house" fund. I prefer to save and make do until then rather than just buy on credit. Life-saving surgery--sure, credit, deal later. A big-screen flat panel TV--the old-fashioned CRT TV we have is functional for the few months we save.
I just think of it as a scaffold that I can use to build on. If my son smeared play-doh all over the windows, I'm cleaning them, regardless of whether or not it says "clean windows". I like that it gives me permission to "stop" when I've checked everything off--rather than doing 1 more thing and then I get resentful that no one else is doing a darn thing and enjoying the evening as I'm slaving away...after I put in a full day at the office. My husband also likes it because he SAH and writes novels. I ask him to do certain things--such as make sure the laundry is washed--throw it on the couch to fold in the evening for all I care, dishes get put in the dishwasher, maybe the floor swept and all I get is "when would I have time to write?" This gives a list and the whole thought of "done is done" even when you can see other stuff that needs doing, it can wait--unless it is a health hazard.
and how shabby and worn some items are . But, that will pass as I do this longer, I'm sure. And the shabby and worn, as we have the money to replace. I'm considering opening a bank account for the express purpose of it being a "fix up the house" fund. I prefer to save and make do until then rather than just buy on credit. Life-saving surgery--sure, credit, deal later. A big-screen flat panel TV--the old-fashioned CRT TV we have is functional for the few months we save.I just think of it as a scaffold that I can use to build on. If my son smeared play-doh all over the windows, I'm cleaning them, regardless of whether or not it says "clean windows". I like that it gives me permission to "stop" when I've checked everything off--rather than doing 1 more thing and then I get resentful that no one else is doing a darn thing and enjoying the evening as I'm slaving away...after I put in a full day at the office. My husband also likes it because he SAH and writes novels. I ask him to do certain things--such as make sure the laundry is washed--throw it on the couch to fold in the evening for all I care, dishes get put in the dishwasher, maybe the floor swept and all I get is "when would I have time to write?" This gives a list and the whole thought of "done is done" even when you can see other stuff that needs doing, it can wait--unless it is a health hazard.
I too am noticing some things more now that my house looks better... spots on the walls, scuffed corners of furniture, that sort of thing. My husband has noticed too how much nicer the house looks AND how much less stressed I am which is always a plus. I also like that I can relax knowing I did what was on the list and things will come around that need to be done but I can still do them if they really need to be done 
For the first time my house is completely clean with almost no effort. It's so easy to just do what is on the list. And of course, it is always easier to keep things clean then it is to let them get completely out of control and then have to start from scratch.
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