And I suddenly realized the cleaning family comes tomorrow, so I have to organize a bit today. I don't want to waste their time tidying before they can clean. They really keep me going, so I take care of them. Including a Christmas boost in their check.
We have this weird little thing going. They've been working here for about fifteen years, and have never raised my rates. So I raise what I pay them every January, fair's fair.
And I paid them for six months of lockdown when they couldn't attend, to help them stay in business. I mentioned it to other clients, to encourage them to do likewise.
Anyway they come tomorrow so I will be out of the house most of the morning. Related, more or less to the tidying, is the decision also to tidy the knit jacket by binding the edges and getting it DONE, finally. Then by tidily wearing it tomorrow. This does work, oddly.
It also reduces the TBD area of my life
They're all handmade, some by me, some by friends, some folky little wooden bobbin ones from craft bazaars. There's wood, cloth, porcelain, fiber.
One's an antique porcelain, original boots, with an amateurish repair on a leg, for whom I knitted clothes. One's a modern porcelain I made from a kit and dressed about fifty years ago. Her red silk dress has deteriorated and needs to be replaced. The peasant lady has her own hand basket. They range in size from a couple of inches to maybe 6".
Here's a gangshot
They can be Freecycled if I don't hear interest from blogistas, but I thought you'd like first chance.
So that's where we are on a wet Monday.
With a bit of good news from my home state
Happy day everyone, stay dry, hang in there.
Photo AC
Love the color of that jacket! Have a good day.
ReplyDeleteThe jacket looks nice. I like that you looked after the cleaning family during the worst of Covid. I did the same with someone and he was very grateful.
ReplyDeleteThey're not demonstrative people, but they said I had no idea what it meant to them. That was completely over the top for them! They're hardworking Eastern European immigrants who are totally reliable and actually clean better than I did, and I thought the least I could do was keep them going.
DeleteThe knit jacket looks lovely. Really very nice of you to take care of the cleaning family. That news from your home state is absolutely wonderful. I love it. Take care and have a lovely week.
ReplyDelete-Soma
Great news from New Jersey. What a fun collection of dolls. I love the “modern” one that’s 50 years old.
ReplyDeleteHooray for New Jersey prohibiting bans on books! The tiny dolls are cute.
ReplyDeleteWe're a good blue state in many ways, under this Gov.
DeleteYou are a good soul. I know people here w/cleaning services who have also been with them for ages, and I don't believe they do any of these things. (I'm positive they didn't pay during the Covid shutdowns.)
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised people keep working for them. Usually people stay where they're respected and cared about.
DeleteI think that Florida leads the nation in book banning and our schools have the worst test scores, too. Okay, we're not the worst. I think there are three other states that have worse scores.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the jacket! The color suits you.
I bet your cleaning crew adores you.
Those dollies are so sweet.
They were so good to Handsome Partner especially in his last days, that we all got off on the right foot. I think a lot of them and they know it.
DeleteI'm glad NJ has shown some common sense.
ReplyDeleteThe miniature dolls are a delight. I hope they'll find good homes.
I'm glad I live where I do. Justice tends to happen here more than some places.
DeleteGlad you got rain and it wasn't the freezing sort like we got yesterday. I was very glad to stay home.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your dolls will find good new homes but won't the Dollivers miss them? Mind you, I suppose they'd look at it that there won't be as much competition.
The Dollivers, long retired to their cosy shelf, pretend they're the only game in town.
DeleteYou are absolutely right -- when you find a good, reliable, self-employed cleaner, treat them like gold! Because they are worth their weight in it.
ReplyDeleteSelf employed is key. They get the fee you pay, run their own business schedule, and do much better than people stuck with an agency.
DeleteI need to get a cleaner too, a family sounds great. I'm glad you have the help, we all need it as we age.
ReplyDeleteTry to find a self employed cleaner or family. It's a much happier arrangement than an agency, for everyone.
DeleteYay, New Jersey! Banning books is a huge step into the past. It is good to see some states stand against it!
ReplyDeleteYes, better to get ahead of attempts. We have had book banners trying to get onto school boards, with little success, I'm glad to say.
DeleteWhat a shame I'm not in your area! Fantastic job NJ!
ReplyDeleteIt's heartening news especially now.
DeleteThe weather is anything but gentle here so far this week.
ReplyDeleteIt’s nice to see my old pic pop up now and again.
Ohio hasn't banned any books yet, that I know of. They're too busy regulating sports teams.
ReplyDeleteWell done NJ!
ReplyDeleteThat jacket looks very elegant. What a transformation.
I love, love, love the way you take care of your cleaning family. They've taken good care of you, too.
That getting-out-of-chair exercise is a very good one. So effective and so practical.
Chris from Boise
The cleaning family keep me in my home. I could never keep it up to my needs without them. So yes, I take care of them, seems right.
DeleteThe chair exercise is so simple. It keeps your legs strong enough for walking and stairs and general purposes, standing to shower, etc.