Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Blue and White Beach House Decor and My View on Cleaners




When Ray, my cleaner told me in February that he was to retire and go where all good retirees go, the North Coast, I was devastated. Of course it was an over reaction, but I have told you before how Ray saved my marriage each week and that I would spend money on a cleaner before almost anything else in the weekly budget, including food.


Call me a Virgo, but I hate mess and I hate picking up after the other people who live in this house.  I am naturally lazy and have not trained them well, because it was always easier just to pick up their shizz, than spend hours nagging them to pick up their own stuff.



Ray's timing was way off.  We were going to go overseas for an extended holiday later in the year and for several reasons, mainly security ones and the need to put the new cleaner off for the 7 weeks whilst we were away, I didn't want to employ anyone else, until we returned in October.

So I have been cleaning the house since February myself.  Now I am not cuing the violins here, because you will agree, I am no martyr.  It's a job millions of women and a handful of men do across the country on a weekly, if not daily basis.  But it is a job I absolutely hate and I think life is too short to do something you hate more than a few times, if you can possibly avoid it.


So one of the first things I did when we returned to Australia, was to secure 3 quotes from recommended cleaners.  That was an interesting exercise in itself.  The first one was $90, the second was $80, but I was told in no uncertain terms by the lady, after talking very sternly with her husband in Korean before they gave me the quote "we charge you an extra $50 for the first clean, because your house filfy" .  I had to agree with her.  I had tried and failed to keep the house in ship shape order.  It's just not my thing.


The final quote was $65, so of course I decided to go with that one.  The down side is that although the day of the week for the cleaners to arrive at the Beach House, is set in concrete, there is no confirmed time of arrival.  I get a text about two days before and have to negotiate a time then.  It's a little unconventional, but I like that it's generally in the middle of the day, as it gives me time to clean up for the cleaner.

Sea Glass Gathered in France
That's the other thing about having a cleaner.  It forces you to tidy up, so you get your money's worth.  I feel obliged to throw out junk, that would normally accumulate when I'm not under any pressure.

So last week it was with great happiness to me, that 4 lovely ladies turned up on my door step and had the joint back in order after 35 minutes.  Note to self: rearrange the cushions, as those two look a little dull.


Having a clean house has not only cleared my mind, but freed me up to pursue other things.  Things I like doing, like filling orders for clients.  I had the time to make this chalk board for a client, which when you think of it, paid for the cleaners, so why the hell not?  Like I said, life is too short.

Chalkboard Surfboard made recently for a client's beach party.

What do you think?  Cleaners Yes or No?
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23 comments :

  1. I love the idea of a cleaner but cannot justify the cost just now. One day!
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me neither really, but it's like paying yourself first. It's really important to me, so I pay for it first.

      Delete
  2. Bonjour chère amie,

    Une très jolie publication... J'aime le mariage du bleu et blanc. Il apporte une belle note balnéaire.
    Gros bisous ☂

    ReplyDelete
  3. Laughing out loud about the "filfy"comment! I wrote a blog post today... I know... the shock! I will see if I can be a bit more committed to it this time! xx

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  4. I am yet to find a good one. I live near you , " newport neighbour" would you recommend them ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes they aren't bad. They do more than Ray did for similar money.

      Delete
  5. That's so funny about how brutally honest the Korean couple was. The English has so much more diplomacy. I have never had a cleaner and have always cleaned my own home. However, I said to my husband a few weeks ago that it is becoming glaringly obvious that with the passing of time, I'd spending less and less time cleaning the house. I used to make it my top priority but I'm so over it and just worn down by everyone else's shit and mess - nobody else lifts a finger and my fingers are all worn out. I think it's time for me to do like you and out-source xx

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  6. I wish I had a beach house to clean! I have not had the luxury of a cleaner and in a household of eight (two storey), that's a hard slog. Nobody helps me AND I am a Virgo! Oh the pain!

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    Replies
    1. That is a big ask and a Virgo too. Oh boy you must have nerves of steel.

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  7. 100% yes... !! And I'm with you in not whinging about tidying the house for the weekly (yes weekly) clean... I get a tidy(ish) and clean house every Tuesday... I love Tuesdays... AND I have been a cleaner myself, it's a noble profession and I'm a good boss to my lovely cleaner - yes I am!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so great to walk into a clean house that you didn't clean yourself. My idea of heaven.

      Delete
  8. Friday's are my days to clean the house. I wish I could afford a cleaner but I just can't at the moment and sadly as soon as my house is tidy and clean it becomes a mess again by my little people!

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  9. I'm working towards having a cleaner Carolyn, it's definitely on my list.
    And your work is just gorgeous xx

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  10. I hate to clean as well, actually there are few people who actually enjoy the process - most just like the end result.
    So every week I spend 2 hours dusting, vacumming, mopping and cleaning the dreaded bathroom - however the pay off is my partner is happy for me to be a stay at home mum. So do the maths 2 hours of cleaning or 38 hours of work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You gotta do what you gotta do. It's all about the journey isn't it? I agree that's a pretty good deal.

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  11. Oh I so wished I had a Cleaner - I am forever picking up, washing up, drying up and cleaning the floors - still can't work out how my motorhome gets so very dirty..
    I so love your house - and the decor is incredible {think that I have said that at least twice already!!!}

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I reckon the key to most untidiness is that we have too much stuff. I know we certainly do. Having too many things gives my kids so much opportunity to just leave them laying around. Not to mention myself.

      Thanks for your kind words re the house.

      Delete
  12. Chalkboard surfboard!!! LOVE IT!
    I had a cleaner.
    She broke up with me.
    Totally devo. Am cleaning the house myself now (which sucks)
    Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh breaking up with your cleaner. That sounds harsh.
      Thanks re the surfboard.

      Delete

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