Purim! (And Pesach cleaning)

First of all, I want to wish everyone a very Happy (and safe) Purim.  This is a fun holiday for me, even with all of the hamantaschen baking and costume making.  The part that I am not a fan of (and never have been) is the drinking.  I know, I know, the whole mistake Haman for Mordechai thing is supposed to be important.  Pardon me, but I just do not think that guys have to go out and get smashed.  I am still a product of a community that had a tragic death because of drinking on Purim.  Ok, preaching done.  Purim is such a fun chag and all of the bloggers have different crafts for you to do.  Masks, costumes, you name it, all of the Jewish Martha Stewarts of the world have ideas for you. 

 I knew someone once who told me a story of how she became frum and it was quite inspiring.  She thought that Judaism was depressing and was joyless.  You know, you can't do this, you can't do that and guys are always davening and wearing black.  One day, she was walking past a shul and heard music and laughing.  Unbeknownst to her, it was Purim.  She became interested in finding out what exactly the people inside of this shul were so happy about.  She went in and got caught up in the festivities.  In the end, she realized that there was more to our religion than meets the eye and that  the spiritual joy inside of yourself is unseen, but still very powerful and omnipresent. 

Of course, once I get to Purim, the next thing that comes to mind is - drumroll please - cleaning for Pesach.  Yes, everyone is just jumpimg up and down with excitement and can't wait to attack those bedrooms and toy boxes.  We tend to (because homeschooled means, at home all day) loosen up the learning a bit so that I can have more help.  Gasp!  Kids cleaning?  If they didn't, how would I get it all done?  Especially in a year when the first Seder falls on Friday night - oy!  There are those who are far more organized and prepared than I - this could be 99% of the population, I think.

 Have a very freilichen Purim!