Jim called today. He wanted to know if I would be offended if a friend of ours paid somebody to clean our house. Offended? OFFENDED!! What does he think I am, crazy!

Of course I’m not offended. I offered to kiss this person’s feet, but Jim said that wouldn’t be necessary.

Now I do admit, there was a time I was offended. When Brett was born, my mother-in-law came down to meet Brett and help out. I remember very vividly when I realized that Donna had cleaned the window of my toaster oven with windex! I was appalled! How dare she!! Was she trying to imply that I didn’t keep a clean enough house for her son and granddaughter!!

Ok, I now realize I waaaayyy over reacted. I can blame it on hormones and pain medication (Brett was a c-section). But honestly, I admit that I had never windexed my toaster oven in my life. The thought that you would do such a thing never even crossed my mind. And since I’m airing my dirty laundry (of which there are piles), I’ll also admit, even after I was aware you could do such a thing, I never did. I no longer have a toaster oven, so I don’t have to feel guilty about it.

Actually, I have grown up a LOT since Brett was born. I now happily let ANYONE clean any part of my house that they wish. My mother-in-law has since cleaned many parts of my home that do not see much attention. The one I remember best was after Indigo’s birth. Donna was sitting on the floor, having moved the refrigerator, cleaning out underneath and behind it. (I think she also vacuumed it as well). I can happily report, Donna, that we just did it again about 3 weeks ago – although I did assign the job to Fletcher and Greyden. They did a marvelous job. 

I remember when we lived in New Jersey, a bunch of the ladies from the church came and helped me clean once. It was after some sheet rock work had been done, and there was a fine layer of white powder EVERYWHERE. It would have taken me weeks to remove all that dust by myself.

More recently, some friends came and cleaned when I was 9 months pregnant with Jade. On that occasion I particularly remember Koreena scrubbing the mildew off the shower curtain in my bathroom. Yes, I do admit, I let the mildew build up (hangs head in shame). It had been on my to-do list for weeks, but there just never seemed to be time to get to it!

And then there was the time Julie brought her 6 boys and they all got on their hands and knees and scrubbed the kitchen, dining room, and bathroom floors! (I handed them each a knife to scrape the food off first, of course.

So back to the original question: Would I be offended to have somebody clean my house???? All I have to say is, “No way, bring forth the cleaners!!”