The Cleaning Lady Heist

My wonderful husband did something so sweet.  He planned for me to have a cleaning and organizing helper for the day! 

Let me first say, I've never professed to be an exceptional maintainer of cleanliness--I blame my ADD.  And, since child number four came along, our house has taken a complete nosedive.

I'm not content with the condition of our residence, but I've accepted it.  I can close the door on the laundry room mountain.  I can throw any random thing into our overstuffed miscellaneous drawer.  I know things will get better.  Apparently, my husband was more anxious to have the "better" come sooner.

I should have been grateful!  I was not.  I could think of several alternative uses for that money.  Also, if I have someone to assist me with cleaning and the house is still not beauteous, then I am extra responsible...uhg.

So, the hour of the cleaning lady was nearing and I was stressed.  I can't have a messy house when someone is coming to clean!!!  Yet, I just couldn't get it lovely enough in time.  The lady arrived.  I had a sudden moment of panic when she inquired what she could do.  I didn't want her to start with anything too disgusting.   I ended up having her help with some deeper cleaning, then mostly work on the kitchen.

 I also cleaned while she worked and got to know her a bit.  My helper turned out to be quite amiable.  She mentioned that several of her former employers had commented on what a slow worker she was.  "I'm just thorough." she told me.  Now that she brought it up, I noticed, she was slow!

Luckily, my kids were there to help.  My 7-year-old started smearing window cleaner on the windows with her hands.  The baby made numerous attempts to dive into the woman's cleaning bucket.  My 3-year-old sporadically sprayed the walls with water.  All the while, my stranger-wary 5-year-old daughter stared the cleaning lady down.  We needed to get out of the house!

With a couple hours of cleaning assistance to go, I told her I had a few errands to run and asked if she could help with the pantry while I was gone.  "No problem," she cheerily replied.

I had a little trepidation about leaving her alone in my house, but we just don't have any exciting stuff to steal.  I payed her in advance with a generous tip and left. 

Upon my return, the amiable woman and her check were gone, the pantry untouched.  When my expectant husband arrived home the house looked, remarkably, about the same as he had left it.  No miracles today.

Thankfully, I doubt we'll be investing in more outside cleaning help anytime soon.   Though, I think I'll start charging.

Grumpy Mom Goal of the Day: Continue teaching my children the joys of cleaning.