I’m A Clubwoman

My dear young “Domestic Goddess” I have a sign in my house that I live by–”Dull women have immaculate homes.” Relax, enjoy your children and your husband.

Callie, back in the 80’s when my children were very young, I was in a perpetual state of physical crisis from joint dislocations. I spent most days on my “command couch” lying down. CHAOS was just barely resolved every 7-10 days. I had a wide push broom and hardwood floors. I started at one end of the house and pushed it all into huge piles in the living room. I lay back down on the couch and directed my children and spouse in the sorting out and throwing out. Organization is just a theory, survival is the priority. My children turned out quite well, though they have some odd notions about housekeeping.

Am I the only one who wants to hear more about the miniature horse??

Your house sounds just like mine 20 years ago, except I only had 3 children, one dog, a few fish, etc. But I did work while the children were young and THE ONE thing I had to have if I worked was someone to do the cleaning! For most of those years, I had the definitive asset of a “housekeeper” (translate cleaning lady!), who took care of the dust bunnies and various related duties for PART of the house. This included the most used rooms – kitchen, dining room, living room, playroom, adult bedroom and 1 or 2 of the bathrooms. The children were required to “pick up” before this miraculous person arrived.

You and I know that “picking up” is NOT the same as “cleaning”! My kids, now in homes of their own, are beginning to understand the difference! The kids had to help “clean” their own room at least once a month. Other than that, there were few demands on “cleaning” for them. I decided even before the children arrived, my time with them was too precious to waste, yelling at them to make their beds every day or clean their room every week, etc. I wanted them to remember other things about me. So we did as many chores together as we could and the rest got done when needed.

As we entered retirement, my husband wanted me to be free to travel with him, take off on the spur of the moment, spend time with the grandchildren. Yep, I STILL have that wonderful woman (not the same one though), who comes twice per month, cleans the same rooms, leaving time for me to be involved where I can do more good – our church, local school events, women’s club, quilting and other crafts, and reading every chance I get!

And yes – I would also like to hear more about that miniature horse!

How is it that they only notice when the, excuse my french, shit is not picked up? Do men and children have broken limbs. I mean constantly because we off course all have accidents. We also entertain CONSTANTLY. Luckily my dear husband has agreed to a cleaning person two times a month. Really, if you can skimp on something else and afford it, go for it. I can go without a dinner out out for a night or two to have someone wash my tubs and organize my stuff for four hours. Oh and the way the economy is these days, you may me able to find a teenager or two to “stoop” to a small wage to clean/organize, whatever.

Oh and I do want to hear about the horse!

How is it that they only notice when the, excuse my french, shit is not picked up? Do men and children have broken limbs. I mean constantly because we off course all have accidents. We also entertain CONSTANTLY. Luckily my dear husband has agreed to a cleaning person two times a month. Really, if you can skimp on something else and afford it, go for it. I can go without a dinner out for a night or two to have someone wash my tubs and organize my stuff for four hours. Oh and the way the economy is these days, you may me able to find a teenager or two to “stoop” to a small wage to clean/organize, whatever.

Oh and I do want to hear about the horse!