Where do I start?

Let's see ... Maybe it was the person who tossed their plate full of leftover sausage and gravy biscuits meal into my sink full of fresh soapy water I was going to use to clean the counters?

I'd already hand-washed all the biscuit and gravy pans in the dirty water, emptied that and then filled my sink up with fresh, clean soapy water, only to come around the corner and there floats a plate surrounded by dirty sausage pieces, greasy gravy and chunks of biscuits.

Last time I checked, that's why we own a dishwasher, conveniently located right next to the sink, so we can rinse our plates in the garbage disposal and place them in the racks. But I suppose it was easier and faster to just see a sink full of soapy water and chuck it in there under the assumption that I have no plans for that water, nor my time, and would love to hand wash a single plate with gravy water.

And sure, I don't mind wiping my counters down with some sausage droppings. No biggie! I mean, I just spent the last hour preparing the meal for everyone, and then cleaning it all up.

What's one more task?

Or I don't know, maybe it was the 427 potato chip pieces someone spilled or stepped on in the living room and then left for the rest of us to enjoy? Is it the fact that someone camped out with a bag of wavy potato chips on the couch for their after school snack instead of ohhhh, maybe an orange or a granola bar?

Or is it because they ignored their mess without even realizing that living room rugs don't get up out of the blue and go shake themselves off outside? Or, that vacuum cleaners don't automatically sense a mess and race out to clean them on their own? I'm just not sure ...

Perhaps it's the fact that no matter how many stinkin' times I ask them to throw them away, someone still leaves their used makeup wipes wadded up in the shower caddy after every shower? Maybe they feel so spent after their 20-minute shower, they just can't move another muscle and since I'm only left with enough hot water for a 2-minute shower, I have plenty of strength left to throw away their wipes? Or, I don't know, maybe it's because that same person, who has become quite the professional makeup artist, chooses to leave their eyeliner stained q tips and scotch tape pieces (long story) all over the bathroom counter and floors? Maybe they have SO much makeup on their eyes that it's impossible for them to see these items? Good news for them, I CAN see all their mess! And since I don't like pieces of scotch tape stuck to the bottom of my sock every time I leave the bathroom, please allow me to throw them away. The q tips are just a bonus for me to pick up since I'm already bent over gathering the tape anyway.

Oh, I just don't know, I guess it could be that or it could be the leftover flood someone leaves on the counter when she washes her hands?

I didn't know it was possible to transport a half gallon of water from the faucet to the soap dispenser and back in a 15-second hand washing episode. At least they're washing their hands, I suppose.

Please allow me to sop up the lake of water on the counter. Or maybe it's the leftover bowl of cereal that's been sitting on someone's nightstand for so long the milk is now almost curdled and some of the cereal pieces have permanently concreted themselves into the bowl? I realize the kitchen is really far away, even up a flight of stairs so I get it. It's late, you're tired, just leave your bedtime snack. I am all about science experiments!

I just can't decide. Just can't quite pinpoint it. When I'm asked last night, by the three lounging children sprawled out on the couches, what my problem is and if something happened to irritate me, I just don't know where to start?