Hurricane Lily duo.
This is going to be fast because I just got home from MerMer'ing wherein two boys were picked up at school and taken to gymnastics and I just got home...to a very clean house.
I hired one of Lily's best friends to come clean for me and although it was quite odd in many ways to have someone doing what of course I feel like I should be doing, I think it is just time for me to get help with this. It's not so much that I can't do it myself. I could. And I have been. For almost sixty years.
But. I have never liked housecleaning. In fact, that is putting it most mildly. And now I am at the age and stage where I really do not have to do it all myself and so I have hired C. to help me. She can use the money, I can use the break. And she is sort of like family. She calls me "Mom" and Mr. Moon "Dad" which tickles me.
So that is good. I just have to get over myself and my Grandfather's Puritan work ethic although I will point out that my grandmother had a cleaner her entire life, even in Roseland in their little cottage.
Which honestly doesn't mean shit but there you go.
The pine cone lilies by the old kitchen.
It was good to see August and Levon. They both hugged me when I picked them up and of course wanted to know what treat I had brought them. Did I remember they wanted Kinder Eggs? I did! But that was for after gymnastics. I had gotten them some fruit and Publix fried chicken for a before-gymnastics snack. This plan was approved.
I really enjoyed being back in that giant gym with the little guys. Coach Tai (Tye? Thai?) is their coach again this year and I just love her. She is so tiny. By the end of the year, August may be taller than she is but she is amazing with the little guys.
I need to ponder this.
YES! You did it! As in......have dear C clean your house! I hope you are pleased with the results thereof........ and you have had a full day of boys and fun.... hope you can enjoy a quiet evening after all that!
ReplyDeleteSusan M
I did have a quiet evening and I went to bed early. I was so tired that I felt as if I'd cleaned the house myself!
DeleteThat puzzle 🧩 was a walk in the park for those boys!
ReplyDeleteThe boys have not had what you, as a child, went through! They have no reason to feel anything negative about their bodies!
Glen thinks you are beautiful and that's what counts!!!
Oh, I hope he still does.
DeleteA clean house that did not involve you is priceless. Today is cleaning day here. I was out all day and came home to clean sheets, clean bathroom and kitchen, and best, the very best, the vacuume run. Give yourself a little time. You'll get used to it.
ReplyDeleteI know! It is truly sweet. Of course, I still very much want to do my laundry.
DeleteI am SO glad you have somebody to help you clean. My housecleaner, who is now my friend, was here yesterday and I love having the house clean all at once, which I would never do on my own. Plus it forces me to pick up.
ReplyDeleteYour grandsons are adorable. The whole body/spirit thing is interesting. I think society and being female has something to do with that. Although your situation would make it much more complex.
Yes! And now I really want to start getting rid of things so that she can more easily clean and also, I can better see her work.
DeleteI think you're right about the female body thing in our culture. How COULD we develop a positive body image when society makes what we "should" look like unattainable except for a few obviously alien models.
It is not just the unachievable looks. It is how to sit properly, walk gracefully, not be too loud, wear uncomfortable foam curlers on Saturday night before church, and just be super aware of how we present ourselves to others. Aargh!!! My parents were some of the best ones in terms of letting us be ourselves and be strong and smart and independent, yet the message still came in.
DeleteMy house cleaners came today, too. It's lovely to come home to a clean house. Why not? Someone's earning money for honest work. You don't have to do everything! I'm very glad you did it. How often will she come?
ReplyDeleteI've been reading a book about Weight Watchers and learning a lot about some women's issues with their bodies.
So you, Joanne, and I all had our houses cleaned yesterday! I feel like we're in a special club.
DeleteI used to WORK for Weight Watchers. Sigh.
Well, they made quick work of that puzzle and I can only imagine the ability to be one's body. I learned from yoga how to appreciate mine but also to accept limits. Both are important I think.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right about appreciation and the acceptance of limits. Very much agree.
DeleteI have never felt comfortable in my own skin. Once I tried to figure out why. I never did pin it down on any thing specific really.
ReplyDeleteProbably because you're a woman who grew up in America in the sixties and seventies. Or are you younger than that?
DeleteI have never felt my body was my enemy. Not so long ago I still felt as one with it as August and Levon do with theirs. Since I retired and sat on my butt for hours each day it has become less so and the aching of lower back and other joints doesn't fill me with joy, but on good days, I still feel like I could dance all day.
ReplyDeleteOh, River! That makes me so happy! That you can still feel that way and yes- that you have spent most of your life feeling that way!
DeleteYou have succinctly put into words what many women feel about their bodies. I would like to say this will change but I fear the sexualisation of young girls and (anti)social media will prevent this. Boys always seem at one with themselves and the universe. Until they get sucked down the path of self-loathing.
ReplyDeleteYay for the cleaner. Win win for everyone.
I don't think it's going to change anytime soon. Especially with girls constantly seeing pictures of other girls and women on social media that have been photoshopped and altered in various unreal ways. It will probably get worse.
DeleteDo boys really go through a period of self-loathing? I need to learn more about this.
Oh they do, Mary. Adolescence is really hard on them.
DeleteI hadn't been retired too long when I got myself a gardener. My lawn isn't that big and I can probably cut it in 45 minutes BUT it is on a slope and the heat nearly kills me - so I retired the lawnmower and hired someone. Now tell me why I felt guilty for that - I have no idea. I don't have a cleaning lady (yet) but that gardener is worth his (considerable) weight in gold. And as soon as I hired him half my neighbours did the same. And why not? As you say, someone is making money for good honest work!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! I love that your neighbors jumped on the gardener train after they saw you do it.
Deletethat's why childhood is usually a happy time. good to see them enjoying it
ReplyDeleteI have heard that many people consider childhood to be a happy time. I think a lot of people had dreadfully unhappy childhoods. I hate that.
DeleteThat's an interesting observation, your feelings about your body -- and definitely something to ponder. I don't blame you for hiring a cleaner! I think that's a great idea! I probably could stand to do the same, at least for some tasks. I almost never do floor-mopping or windows, for example.
ReplyDeleteAnd I could never ask this lady to do windows! Ha. I'm so bad about things like that.
DeleteBut yes, in a way, I feel slightly liberated. I'm going to have to get used to the idea though.
I wonder if Coach Tai runs gymnastics classes for women who are approaching seventy? You will need a sparkly leotard and some Dutch courage. It's never too late.
ReplyDeleteHa! That's a great idea! I will ask Coach Tai! You know- I've never done a cartwheel or hung by my knees in my life.
DeleteMy oldest daughter learned to do one-handed cartwheels. I have a photo somewhere....
DeleteIt's great that you have a cleaner! I bet your house smelled so nice and clean when you came home. I'm jealous!
ReplyDeleteI wish you could send me that jigsaw puzzle as my grandsons love construction vehicles! I'll have to watch for those puzzles...
I've never been thrilled with my body either. Maybe it is the age we grew up in!
The smell thing was a bit odd. Some very primal part of me was not happy to be smelling the results of someone else's work in my house. As I was falling asleep I thought, "Either I get used to this or I'm going to have to start peeing in the corners."
DeleteI should look into someone coming now and then. we tried having a cleaner before but they always had us late in the day on their schedule and they would still be here at 7 and the last thing we wanted was a basic stranger cleaning house when we wanted to relax.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm sure you could find someone that could come earlier. I would not want someone still at my house at seven p.m. either. Or seven a.m. for that matter.
DeleteI have a lady come clean every other week and I love it so much it could bring me to tears. I've had someone do this since I was 45 and I'll never stop. As I tell my friends and loved ones abouttreating oneself, you're worth it Ms. Moon. You're worth it. Let yourself have this little luxury.
ReplyDelete