On a day when I was feeling particularly discouraged by the futility of it all (cleaning, that is) I took this photo:

I mean, seriously. What is the point of cleaning a floor that will look just as bad as this (or worse!) the next time I let the dog outside and then back inside? In an effort to save my sanity (and our floors) I decided to teach my dog a new trick: Stop at the door and let me wipe his paws BEFORE getting too far inside and tracking in his muck.

Living in the beautiful PNW means 8 months of mud…or at least it does in my rural area.