Wednesday 9 July 2008

The Fixer Fixes It For Me

The first day of The Fixer's summer holiday passed in such a whirl of activity that I have been too shattered until now to write a post.


She appears to have taken on the mantle of housekeeper for the duration, and believe me, she could give that woman in 'Rebecca' a run for her money.


Boy, is that child organised. She has made us a spreadsheet, outlining various cleaning tasks, and we have to tick little boxes which say things like 'sweep floors', 'clean kitchen tops and table' and 'dust and polish living room'.


I was slightly concerned at one point that I appeared to be doing all the work while she ticked the boxes, but I suppose that's what makes a good manager. Anyway, over here, she tells a rather different story.


To nobody's surprise, The Singer hot-footed it round to Nana's as soon as she got a whiff of Windowlene and once The Football Fanatic had done her stint at work she retired to her room. (These two don't generally sully their hands with anything domestic. In fact, it's about the only thing they agree on).


So with The Peacemaker and The Noise still at school till next week, it was just a mother-and-one-daughter bonding session.


I quite enjoyed it. And we've got a clean kitchen. And a very tidy living room. And the hall doesn't look too bad either.


I just don't know if I can keep up the pace.


24 comments:

meggie said...

I can never understand people who like doing housework! I would be off to Nanna's too, I think.

Sarah - Kala said...

My kiddos have been helping about the place to spruce up for my sis and niece to come. They're stuck in San Francisco right now as their flight to Baltimore was canceled. They'll be here on another carrier by 7:30am tomorrow. Well, I have a bit more time to scrub that last toilet bowl and dust some more shelves.

I'll do it myself, 'cos I ate out today (and it was a fattening lunch)!

Cheers,
JOT/Sarah

Renae said...

Oh, Jackie, take that poor child to the beach! ;-)

gigi said...

I wish I had 3 just like your Fixer! What a blessing she is!

Amrita said...

This is right out of Little Vimen (all the letters on my keyboard are not vorking)

The Fixer should go in for Business management, she ' 's got the right apptitude. My Baby sister too is like that.

I notice that schools in UK close in July. In North American they close in June. In india v have hols during May-June.

Maggie May said...

Well make the most of it while it lasts & then send her over to my place. Still trying to clear the muddles from the family!

Ally Jay said...

I love spreadsheets and tick boxes. Are you sure she isn't mine?

belle said...

Do you hire her out?

ChrisB said...

I wonder if she would like a trip to Bristol to organise me~ I certainly need it!

Cath said...

I'll check out her version, but for now I am happy with this version and wonder if you could spare her and what the going rate is?

I live with 3 males - she would be horrified at the task. I am. Daily. I gave up years ago. :0(

Mean Mom said...

Well, at least the fixer recognises that housework needs to be done and takes an interest. I think that you should have your turn at ticking the boxes, on the spreadsheet, however!

My lads simply insist that cleaning isn't necessary and that I waste my time doing it. OK - they're certainly right about the last bit.

There are awards and a silly post at my place, although I suspect you probably already have all of the awards!

I saw your comment at mob's place. The funny lady award was definitely the one for you and I don't know why you would doubt it!

Jeni said...

I can definitely relate to the issue of "keeping the pace." I'm too old for this crapola of bending over, getting into corners, crevices, stooping. Can't straighten up for days afterwards. Gotta be an easier way -like maybe everyone picking up one thing off the floor from time to time, just for openers!

Daryl said...

Jackie .. would you please pass the 'Just Plain Fun to Read' award on to the Fixer please .. her blog is delightful and a lot of FUN

:-Daryl

Kitty said...

Could I borrow her for a week? Please? Pretty Please? Thanks. x

Suburbia said...

You are just too lucky!

Although when I feel bout of housework coming on I try to remember my Granny who said, in the last few months of her life, that she had spent far too long doing housework!

Gone Back South said...

I hope my daughter turns out like that. Not much sign of it. However my son is showing more promise - there's nothing he likes better than disappearing away into the house with a damp cloth, a (very diluted) spray and some kitchen roll. Trouble is, he finds odd things to clean and never cleans anything that actually needs doing.

Jennie said...

Can I borrow the Fixer after Kitty please. I'll feed her well! And send her back to you with cake! :D
xxx
Mine don't break up until next week! I doubt either of them will help with the cleaning.

Anonymous said...

I'm with gonebacksouth...

Spud would do anything to help around the house. The girls... Forget it!

I'm plucking up the courage to tell them all to go upstairs and get dressed (taking their duvets up with them)

Then when all has calmed down, I'll tell them to tidy their bedrooms...

Misslionheart♥

Emma in Canada said...

Can I borrow the Fixer for the summer? Or at least her speradsheet? Because me and mine? Not organzied at all.

Coming from mscellania.

Anonymous said...

You have her well-trained Jackie! I seem to be doing cleaning over-time in the MinL's house...her weekly polish cleaning lady has mysteriously been away for the last 4 weeks and guess who has taken her place. Personally I think she's gone on strike because of the extra 4 people and the dog and the cat that we've produced...I have to admit that the house is dirtier with us here than it was with just the 2 of them.
I'm expecting a letter of resignation to drop through the letter box any day now.
Meanwhile, You don't fancy a trip over here with The Fixer do you? You'd get a fantastic welcome, I promise, and I could really use some help. Besides, I fancy myself in your apron.
bella x

Sandi McBride said...

And lucky you, those two horrid old harrigans from How Clean is YOUR House won't be trudging through shouting out all your shortcomings as a housecleaner...I think I'd like to thump (is Kim her name?) the hoity toity one...like I could eat off her bathroom floor...well, nice rant you put me in...scuse me, gonna go take a valium and lie down...
Sandi

Amrita said...

I have a challenging video on my blog and some links you might like.

Working Mum said...

I've offered her a job at mine. I'm sure the no 99 runs between us; it'll get her out from under your feet! He he he!

Mrs. Fox said...

A girl after my own heart!