Housekeeping help

February 26, 2014

I have always had a fantasy about having household help. A housekeeper at the very least. Maybe a cook, a gardener/fix-it/all-around handyman. If I really start dreaming, someone to do my hair every morning. I once told my husband I could employ six people, no problem!

"Your tea, milady." (If I had staff, that silver tray would be polished.)
This is one of the reasons I love all those British period pieces. The Jane Austen books made into movies, Downton Abbey, Jeeves and Wooster . . . Such luxury, to read, write, and walk in the gardens (if I had some) while someone else takes care of the household tasks . . . I tell myself I would get bored, but I really don't think I would.

I don't mind organizing. In fact, I get a real satisfaction out of making things tidy. But cleaning the shower, mopping, dusting ceiling fans . . . I do it because I love a clean home, but even after all these years, I still get a little irritated when I clean. The more I do, the more I see there is to do. The never-ending-ness of it gets to me. 

When my children were growing up, I had chore charts, and they did a lot of the housekeeping with me. We were homeschooling, and we all had to pull together. It was a way to teach them responsibility. And it sure was nice having help with vacuuming and dishes. Now, it's all back on me.



I always thought I'd like Aunt Bee from the classic Andy Griffith Show and Jeeves, from Jeeves and Wooster. To have Aunt Bee busy in the kitchen, making food for us, and Jeeves making the fire and serving me tea . . . I love both of these characters, but I do wonder whether they would get along under one roof. They're so different. I have a feeling Jeeves would hurt poor Aunt Bee's feelings with his upper-crust ways.

So I have another thought. What about Carson and Mrs. Hughes from Downton Abbey? They get along very well. Seeing them hold hands Sunday night as they waded into the water together proves that. They are both extremely capable, and I'm certain that they would take very good care of us.

What do you think? Who would be your fantasy staff?

*******

Look what sweet Lori from Morning Glories and Moonflowers sent me the other day for winning her Grow Your Blog giveaway drawing. A book, some lovely pencils, a fun dish towel (featured in the above picture as well), and a Starbucks gift card, all wrapped up in pretty packaging! Love it. So generous and kind of Lori.


And here's another Waterlogue picture . . .


Have a beautiful day sweet friends.

30 comments

  1. What a fabulous giveaway that you won!
    I think we have the same dishwasher...like you I want things in the house to be neat and tidy.
    Rubber gloves and cleaning products are never far from my reach and I get into the mood by donning my apron and playing some music.
    We have a gal who comes once a week for 2 hours to clean and it is my husband's wish that we keep her on even though I am retired because he feels that it is his way of helping me keep on top of all the housework.

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    1. sounds like you have a keeper w/ that husband of yours! For two hours, I would definitely have my bathrooms done first. Least favorite job. 40s music is what I put on to get moving.

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  2. So glad you're enjoying your goodies, Deborah.:) I'd love an Aunt Bee or perhaps an Alice (Brady Bunch) to round out our household. It would be delightful to be able to homeschool my girls without worrying about cleaning/cooking. You never know what the future holds.;) Lori

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  3. So glad you stopped by! I'm with you on the housekeeping. My kids pitched in too. So much so that now I find it hard to work alone. No fun! And nobody to talk to. Well, not quite. My husband loves to cook, and I clean up. Mrs. Hughes and Carson would work fine for me. My husband and I bet a week of doing dishes and cooking (respectively) on our differences in who we think will end up with Mary. I think whatshisname, the one who gave up his fiance, and he thinks the pig pen man. I would really like to see her pick Evelyn Napier!

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  4. Lord Gillingham? The pig guy? That could get complicated w/ Edith's baby in the mix. Mary is something, just walking off, airily saying, "let the battle commence." I'm not sure. I think she's going to fall for someone who is not so easy to get as her current suitors.

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  5. Oh, I would so love to have someone to clean my house...a girl can dream! Oh, and a personal masseuse would be fabulous!
    Debbie
    www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com

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  6. Deborah: I have said many times if I could pick one person to help just me, it would be a daily hairdresser. I would gladly do any housework if I had my hair the way I wanted it each day (lame, but true!) My second pick would be a handyman to do all the things I ask my husband to do. Then my husband could get a break!

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    1. Yes to both! I could think of plenty of odd jobs for a handyman to do.

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  7. Just thought I'd introduce myself. This is my first visit to your blog. I found you through, I think, "A Delightsome Life." Like you, I am a retired homeschool mom. Although raising kids and homeschooling them had been my life for over 2 decades, I worked myself out of a job. My kids are grown and largely independent, so I am now in a new season of life.

    Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes holding hands the other night was so sweet. I've loved that this season has brought both of them more and more to the forefront. I'm sad that the season is over, and we will have to wait many months before another episode...a new episode, that is. I own the first 3 seasons so I'm not completely in Downton withdrawal.

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    1. this season started on a horrific note with poor Anna, but I have loved watching it. There's so much detail in the set and costumes too that I could watch all the episodes over again to see what I missed. Thanks for stopping by and I will visit you at your blog soon!

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  8. Great post. I would love to have Carson around. His facial expressions and comments alone would keep me entertained. I'm thinking Anna would be awesome as a friend and a ladies maid. Having someone in charge of my hair and clothes would be super nice and she just seems like someone I could be friends with.
    Angela

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    1. Yes, Anna would be a lovely ladies maid. So awful what happened to her this season.

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  9. I always think that if I had a house cleaner that I would feel like I needed to clean before she came. lol! But I do love watching those movies. That scene of Carson and Mrs. Hughes touched my heart too! They can come to my house any time they please. And please bring sweet Anna. Hey, I might even wait on them. lol! I actually don't mind house work. My kids all tease me because I like to do laundry and wash dishes. Something about the clean fresh smell and having my hands in that warm soapy water.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. that's funny, you waiting on them! they surely deserve it for how hard they work!

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  10. Congrats on winning that fab giveaway! I grew up with maids, not like in castles nevertheless, I never had to do anything. How I wish that time....Christine

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    1. Yes, I really think I could keep someone busy. There's always so much to do!

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  11. How fun to win a box of lovelies! As much as I hate housework, I would hate having people around all the time, I like the house to myself! I am astonished at what the servants do when I watch Downton Abbey, such a different time!
    Jenna

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    1. I, too, like the house to myself, so that would be a problem. But since it's unlikely to happen, I don't have to really worry about it!

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  12. I am with Jenna - I don't want people around all the time. We have had a maid at Cabo and she stayed about 4 hours of the day. I always felt like I was walking around her - we said no thanks - we will do our own dishes and the floors don't need to be mopped every day. Now if I owned Downton - I would have to surrender to help - I do love how they scamper in early during the morning hours and get out of the way before everyone is up and going.

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  13. I really wouldn't want a cook or a cleaning woman but I would love a full time gardener/handyman...come to thing about it, that's what I seem to be!

    Thank you for visiting me and leading me here.

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    1. A gardener would be great! I just have to get some gardens first!

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  14. Oh yes, definitely a gardener and someone who would do a little house cleaning and window washing! Also, someone I could call to help me when I just want to try the furniture in a different arrangement. Great prize you won. Congratulations! Your watercolor is so pretty. laurie

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    1. Thanks for visiting Laurie. Yes, I'm having fun with that Waterlogue app!

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  15. I like the way you think! Yes, Carson and Mrs. Hughes would be lovely. I could use Mrs. Hughes just for the "there, there, dear, everything will be all right."

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  16. I too love all of those period movies and series. And I love the old D.E. Stevenson books. I have collected them from used book sellers over the years. There is always a sort of genteel woman who is tired or poor or something or other, and she ends up in a situation with a cook or housekeeper that just lives to take care of her, leaving her free to rest up, roam the hills on long walks, have leisurely teas, and meet the man that she was always meant for.

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  17. Love it!! great summary there! I've read D.E. Stevenson too.

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