Friday, April 4, 2008

Missing Persons Report

Thursday is my favorite day to come home to the house. That’s because my housecleaner extraordinaire shows up. She and her team are in and out of here in record time, and they even change our sheets…normally.

I landed at the airport yesterday, and called MLH. He said, “Have you heard from our housecleaner? Younger Son said her check was still on the hutch, and no one’s been there today.”

And then, he says, “Of course, if I were her, I might have a problem cleaning our house right now since Younger Son’s moved in.” I’m of the opinion that’s not the case – I mean, if the youngun’s in bed, and his door’s closed, that’s one less room she has to work on…and she’s not had to work on that room in four weeks, because I usually leave the house at 6:30 a.m. or 7 and I can’t make sure he’s going to be up and out by 8 a.m., though we faithfully discuss it every Wednesday night. And with his schedule of college and work, who knows what time would be better for her to come?

Oh, no! I wonder if something’s happened to her? I try to call her, and there’s no answer. I get home, sure enough, she’s not been here. I am devastated.

And I look around. There are an extra 4 or 5 cased guitars stacked up against various walls that weren’t here a month ago. The drawers are still out on the floor, from under the sink – from the last time we had the kitchen flood. MLH wanted to fix the runners on the drawers, he didn’t think they were working just right. And the fan he used to dry out the floor hasn’t been moved.

And the living room has been totally rearranged…to accommodate all the college kids coming over to play Wii, Xbox 360, and watch movies on a daily basis. Which also translates to about a million controllers, wired and wireless, stuffed on top of the entertainment center. No way could a cleaning crew dust that thing – they could pull one wire and the whole thing would come tumbling down. We have to do something about that. And there was nothing in our agreement about them having to move big furniture to clean…

Our house is very small, and any change can have big results. You add to that the fact that lately, MLH and I have been travel monsters (I saw him last night for the first time in 11 days.) I have flown 20 roundtrip Southwest flights since January 1, 2008. And 6 Crapinental - I mean Continental. Craziness.

Back to looking around. So, our dining room table currently has two shotguns in cases laying on it, as well as MLH's fluid level machine. It's a big table, they could just dust around them!! I just haven’t had time to put them up. Well, actually, MLH always puts up my guns for me...but he's not been home.

Younger Son and I met at 2:30 a.m. this morning (yup, I woke up thinking about it, and he was up.) We measured walls in his room, and talked about storage options for his 100+ albums, no telling how many CDs, and movies. I think we have a plan. Today, I’m going to buy him two new pieces of furniture, which should eliminate 100% (I know, I’m dreaming) of the clutter in his room. Maybe he’ll even put up his supersized suitcase. Who knows? I really don't care about the clutter, it's so cool having him here in the same house with his dad. And, after all, it's his room - he's the one that has to live in it!

Yup, I’m thinking since my house has been in a little disarray (not that it wasn't already in some disarray) for around a month, she just jetted me. A call would have been nice.

Anyone know a good housecleaner that might understand mi vida loca, and won't get their danged panties in a wad about it?

18 comments:

spookyrach said...

Ugh, I feel like a total snob for writing this, but -

I FEEL YER PAIN!

Our housecleaner had to quit after nearly 12 years. There was much weeping and gnashing of teeth and it's taken me almost a YEAR to find another. (I tend to be a bit picky about criminal associates and the like.) The new one is not as good as the old one, but thank GOD she's here!

Good luck with your search!

That Janie Girl said...

*(I tend to be a bit picky about criminal associates and the like.)*

Gotta love that, Rach...I bet you do have to be picky, what with your line of work, girlfriend.

Thanks so much. I'm in minor freakout mode here...

Jackie said...

Oh, my!! All I can say is "I'm glad it's you and not me!!" But that's just my age talking...

It will take some adjusting but you'll get it all worked out. Hang on!!

Anonymous said...

Reminds me a little of the time I asked my cleaning woman (who is fanatical about keeping her own house clean) if she'd clean my non-self-cleaning oven. "I don't think I'd really know how to do that," she said. Yeah, right. She just didn't want oven cleaning to become part of her job description (and I don't blame her one bit!).

Anonymous said...

Reminds me a little of the time I asked my cleaning woman (who is fanatical about keeping her own house clean) if she'd clean my non-self-cleaning oven. "I don't think I'd really know how to do that," she said. Yeah, right. She just didn't want oven cleaning to become part of her job description (and I don't blame her one bit!).

That Janie Girl said...

In_spired - I know. I don't really know what I'll do. I'll figure something out, hopefully.

That Janie Girl said...

Betsy Bird - I don't know yet what her problem is, for sure. Hopefully, I'll get down to it. I haven't written any hot checks yet, so that can't be it!:)

Lori said...

I hope your housecleaner is OK. That just stinks to look forward to comin' home to an ordered, sweet smelling house and it didn't happen. Fooey!

Snooty Primadona said...

Janie, Janie, Janie... *Sigh* You have no idea how much I know about furniture being rearranged to accommodate gamers. The trick is to make sure that all the furniture is very uncomfortable. Oh wait, then they just drag pillows off the beds. Well, sorry I couldn't be of more help. Been there, done that, glad they're gone, lol. Well, except holidays but I'm usually ready for them to leave by the time they go (if not sooner). That's just the hard cold facts, Mam. I also know the heartbreak of coming home to find the maid's check & the house dirty.

However, the GOOD NEWS is: I have a goup of 6 Latino sisters that clean for me (No, not all at once) but they are from a nice Latino family & they are all legal and they clean like little chattering wizards, usually two at a time. Of course, they aren't cheap, but nothing worth acquiring seldom is. They are honest & more dependable than anyone that's ever worked for me. They also make the most delicioso tortillas and hot tamales any time you like. So, call me and I'll hook ya up.

I don't really need cleaners except for the fact I'm lazy when it comes to housework, so I think that would in reality be more of a necessity, right? Right? Like for health reasons maybe?

i beati said...

I must clean my garage have been putting it off and now it flooded - no more delay . I know I'll be aching and tired but may have to walk thru there sometime- Boy do I understand your post do I ever!!

Sisiggy said...

You don't have "Clean for the Cleaner" syndrome?

I've decided I'm not cleaning this house until all offspring have a government job and a 30-year mortgage.

Then I'll just raze the whole thing and move.

scotte said...

Sis, those same college kids that are raiding the cupboard and fridge are also in dire need of funds. See if you can't inspire one or two to take it on a weekly basis. They will also be less likely to help or tolerate the trashing of said household. Love ya muches,
Scott e.

Foo said...

Okay, maybe it's little funny. I can just see your housekeeper showing up, walking in the front door with feather duster and Electrolux in hand, and stopping dead in her tracks. She takes one look at the challenge ahead, mutters under her breath, "Aw, hell no...", and walks herself back down the driveway.

Anonymous said...

My cleaner quit a little over a year ago. I didn't even look--there will be no one that could equal her! I really need to do it myself--my kids are all gone, and I had "clean for the cleaner syndrome" myself! I had a couple of others, but they always managed to break something. I do miss Becky though! All my sympathies!

That Janie Girl said...

Presbyterian Gal - I finally got her to answer the phone, so she's okay.

Snooty - I may take you up on that!!

Sandy - that so totally sucks!!

Sisiggy - I do have the clean for the cleaner syndrome...on Monday. Then, I go out of town, and then my younguns have 3 days to wreck until she gets here.

Scott - quit being so freakin' logical!!!

Foo - just for that, next time I'm in your area, y'all are buying drinks and paying for the hotel!! Thanks for your sympathies.

That Janie Girl said...

Terri - yeah, I understand. It's just I got so used to her in the last 4 months!

I might try someone else, I don't know.

Rae said...

Good luck with the cleaning lady aye!

That Janie Girl said...

Thanks, Rach!!!