We have a 'housekeeper' coming in this morning to clean our house. She will wipe down everything, dust, sweep and mop and even does windows. Not sure what this one will charge, but I expect will be close to what we paid the one we had before. I sometimes felt 'shamed' by the other one we had because she would sweep and of course it was a LOT of dog hair.. and would sweep it all together and make a point of showing us how much she swept up. She was thorough, though, and the house smelled good and clean when she was finished.
My daughter got a new housekeeper and shared how good this one cleaned her new house and asked if I wanted her to come clean ours. I said 'sure' and she is scheduled for this morning to come. We have a two-bedroom place, but still almost 1800 square feet, so it won't be too bad to clean as pen spaces in most rooms. I've kind of pushed this one off on the hubby to pay. In the past I have paid either the entire bill (which wasn't bad, really) or hubby would write me a check for 1/2 and I'd pay 1/2.
I actually took a lunch break yesterday and heated up chili and sat down with hubby at the table for me to inhale. (Yeah, I eat fast). Hubby asks me...'what do you think she will charge for cleaning?' I don't know, but I am pretty confident that it won't be more than what we paid before. "How often do you think we should have her come over to clean?" I just looked at him and responded...."no more than once a month at the most. After all, cleaning is YOUR job. This is to HELP YOU, because you aren't doing your job." I could not believe it. He didn't get defensive, he didn't get angry, he got silent.
Why? Because he knew I was right. He argues with me when I try to clean, saying that it is his job to do the cleaning because I work. Unfortunately, over the years he has gone from keeping the house clean enough you could eat off the floors to where dust and dirt are prevalent everywhere and let's not talk about dog hair! I have to ask him to run the sweeper most times. Daughter got us a roomba for Christmas. It is still sitting there. I took it out of the box a couple weeks ago and put on charger. I have even turned it on a few times and let it go do its thing. He hasn't touched it. I told my daughter it wasn't a gift for US, it was to be a gift for HIM because he is supposed to clean. Supposed.
So after our conversation I got up, rinsed my dishes off and put in the dishwasher. Washed the pan and wiped off the cabinet. When he finished and was still just sitting there watching me, not saying a word, I took his bowl and spoon, rinsed it and put in the dishwasher. And went back to work.
Just remembered that earlier in the week we had the little leaves from our tree in the back all over the carpet and kitchen floor - thanks to Sheeba who brings these wet leaves in when she goes out to do her business. I couldn't find where the broom had been put so grabbed the little broom and dust pan from the trash drawer and got on my knees to sweep them up as they were scattered all over. Hubby stood there and watched me, never saying a word. Not a 'let me do that and you get back to work' or 'I need to take care of that'. Nope. Not a word.
See - I can do some things too. He just refuses to let me, usually. Interesting that the past couple weeks, as I look back at the different things I have done and he either didn't notice (like dusting) or just watched and never said a word.
So what did he do after we had that conversation yesterday? I had also commented about how shaming it was for someone to find all that dog hair because we didn't sweep it up. He got up, got the sweeper, and went through the entire house, running the sweeper. And picked up a lot of dog hair. More will come up today, I'm sure, but I can't stand the dog hair laying on the tile floor and it feels like I'm constantly picking it up.
So - not being negative, just finding something to write about. I still can't get over he never said a word and I wasn't being mean. I am surprised I said it because I usually just keep it inside. But I spoke it and just said, "it's your job. This is to help you." Perhaps reality hit that he wasn't doing his 'job'.
Yes, I'm a clutter-er.... I have things laying around. I am guilty of that. In fact, I have books and yarn stacked in many places. And I plan to go around before the housekeeper comes and try to put some of them away so she can dust.
Makes me think about how our lives become cluttered with 'things' and with 'dust' that we allow in. We fill our minds with things of no value and sit more than we move around at times. I'm guilty of sitting way more than I should. After work I fix dinner, then on to the couch I go to either read (if the TV stays off), listen to a book (finally got audible so that I can still put something good in my mind while hubby watches TV), and crochet (while listening to audible or watching a movie). But I sit all evening - which isn't good for my 'spread' either. Sure will be glad when it stays light longer - would like to get some walking in.
So what are you cluttering your mind with? Is it things that are beneficial, helpful, or just entertaining? Are you learning anything?
Have a great Thursday - wow, this week has flown by!
No comments:
Post a Comment