A Single Homeowner’s Friend: A Cleaning Lady
I sometimes feel guilty for having a cleaning lady … a splurge basically because I’m lazy.
When I feel that way (or when I feel the need to justify it to others), I go back to the reason I did it. My third spring on Kit Drive was approaching and I was starting to feel the same stress I felt the two springs prior … the stress of trying to keep up with the yard, the cleaning, the laundry, etc. all by myself. A cleaning lady or a lawn helper were the obvious solution (although as much as I hate doing laundry, I really did give a lot of thought to getting out of that). I decided I much preferred being outside and getting the exercise of mowing (a decision I only question when I have to mow on 98+ degree days).
Yet, as the economy has tightened, I often wonder if I should have her come less frequently or not at all. The past week or so has cured me of that. I was out of town the entire week of Thanksgiving so I had her skip her regular cleaning time that Friday after Turkey Day. Fast forward a week and my house looked like a tornado hit it. Being out of town for week meant there was less dirt in the tub, the sink, etc. … but what I think is just as important for me is that her coming forces me to straighten all the clutter. When I get busy (which is typically always … and particularly so this time of year), it’s easy to let the crap pile up. The every-two-week cleaning schedule keeps me in line … the week after she’s been here, I’m reluctant to mess it up … and I know if I keep it relatively uncluttered the next week before she’s back again, I won’t have to scramble the night before she’s here.
I’m looking forward to getting back on track after she cleans tomorrow … now off to finish cleaning for the cleaning lady.