The War is Over

I got a "cleaning lady" today. It was fine time, mind you. I have been very politely waiting for Tim to come around on this issue for a long time.

I know there are woman out there that work full time, make babies AND keep the house clean. I AM NOT ONE OF THESE WOMAN.

For several years I told Tim that I would take on more hours or get a second job to pay for the house cleaning because THAT IS HOW MUCH I WOULD RATHER NOT BE CLEANING!

He tried to pull out some junk about how it is not about the money it is about the work ethic, blah, blah, blah. But then he bought a rock band, and I clearly showed -- as I supported Tim, our child and some other fools for a year -- that I have plenty of work ethic. Also, I do not believe that in the information era that anyone needs to prove their work ethic by scrubbing a bathtub. My children will know how to work -- just like I do -- with my brain and my heart because that is what my parents taught us. (Maid, Gardener and 3 master's degrees at Marne Drive, thank you very much.)

One time after a big discussion about the work ethic/we have no money issue, I was woken up my a nap by a crazy loud lawn mower. How on earth could the neighbors gardeners sound so loud? I thought. Oh, yes that would be OUR gardener that Tim swore he told me about. I am a good wife for not hiring the maid (and kicking him out) the very next day.

But as time went on I got at least a little better at cleaning the house when my friend Melissa taught me how to clean the floor and how to use vinegar on everything. I liked that, and I sort of dropped the issue.

Now we have mice, and Tim is taking it personally as if a few cleaning bathtubs are going to replace the work of a few traps and a fast cat. But whatever ... if this is what tips the scale for him, so be it! Bring on the mice because I got me a cleaning lady and clean bathroom mirror today!!

Sadly, I have to just give in to the fact that to have a cleaning lady in Utah cost about twice as much as it costs in Los Angeles, so I guess I will have to do some of the cleaning myself so we don't break the bank. Bummer.

Aside from suddenly having clean spaces that have never been cleaned, my two favorite parts about this experience today are that one of the woman who showed up is named Mariam -- which is the name of the wonderful woman who cleans my mom and sister's homes! Love it. And second, both woman gave me huge hugs and lots of Merry Christmas wishes as they left. See, I am not being lazy, I am adding to my Utah family. More people to love. What is so wrong with that?