Emptying the nest

How I became a renter in my own home

Shelley

One of the things I’ve learned over the years, especially now that I’m an empty nester, is the lazy side of my cleaning efforts seems to take precedence as we let go of the structure of a full family life.

Who the hell am I kidding?

It was tough when there was a full house – but then I had minions to delegate to, or interns to learn the tools of the trade.  Every good parent should teach their kids how to clean.  Let me tell you when they don’t know how to clean, they are not good tenants.

Now, with the empty nest, there’s a sense of detachment versus ownership in my home when I don’t give a f*ck if there is dust everywhere or undone dishes left on the counter and in the sink.

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I came by this naturally, I was raised in a house where cleaning wasn’t a priority.  I was doomed from the start.  I was beaten down by being the neat freak of the house and the only one (except for a whirlwind, “Oh shit company is here”, cleaning frenzy by my mom) who enjoyed a clean house.

I still do actually prefer the clean look, but the thrill of the process has simply lost its luster.  I no longer sit for hours reading “how to keep your house clean in 10 minutes a day” type of books.  I have a great library shelf full of them to hand-me-down to my kids someday.  Then they can read why I was such a drill-sergeant when they were growing up.

I learned all the cleaning tips, I know how to use what to do whatever type of cleaning, and frankly, “I’ve been there, done that” enough to be a pro.

Hot tip #1 – It is important to leave your clean up tools out and readily available.  Just in case there is something to wipe up.

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My first paying job was assisting a landlord to clean houses, my second job was filing and cleaning corporate offices, my third job was cleaning a mattress and home furnishing showroom.  I did all before the rightful old age of 16.  And, I’ve been cleaning ever since.

So yes, I know my shit about how to clean and how the messy people who aren’t responsible for the maintaining of it can be.

And now…I’m finding that Oh Shit…I’m becoming kind of like that.  The situation has been growing ever since the last kid moved away.  The freedom of not having to yell at someone (other than myself) to clean, is refreshing.

It didn’t help that I’ve had the rib injury for six weeks or so.  Any type of lifting, twisting, vacuuming, etc., hurts like hell.  But that excuse is getting close to lame (I’m getting better and it doesn’t hurt so much), so not sure how long I can milk that anymore.  I haven’t hired a maid either.

I made some efforts this past weekend to get caught up on my cleaning to test out the old cleaning twist moves.  I quit after an hour or so when Mr. invited me to go out for a late lunch.  Yay – no dishes!  You bet I took the offer.  I haven’t gotten back to where I left off yet.

As a landlord, along with Mr., together we have seen our share of renter cleaning mentality.  The horrors we’ve seen causes me nightmares occasionally.  I’m not as bad as our worst setting we’ve ever seen yet.  Thank goodness for that!  I still have some PTSD going on from that place which prevents me from letting our house get to that extreme.

So, Yay Me, I’m not a lost cause!  Each turnover in renters causes me to re-evaluate our own home and my renter versus owner status.

I do tend to let our pet renters rule the counters.  Which is helpful for creating more work.

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Obviously, that doesn’t help the clean factor, but, you know…what the hell, I’m happy she’s not bugging me for more food and I can blog about how I’m not cleaning.

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Hot Tip #2 – Photograph in black and white to hide the dust.

But…the days when I simply walk by the dust, debris, cat puke (which, by the way, when dried on the carpet is easier to clean off the carpet), dirty dishes with that familiar 30-year-old Corelle pattern that I’ve washed a few times over the years, dog drool spots on the floor, piles of papers, unmade bed, dirty toilet ring(s), did I mention dust?…yeah, all that sh*t that needs to be done, may be getting out of control?

PS – There you have it…I’ve become a self-proclaimed renter in my own home and since I’m too cheap to hire help, now that the free help is gone, I’m wondering if anyone knows any good cleaning therapists to help me recover and get back on track?

Post Inspiration:  Linda Hill’s One-Liner Wednesday:  Settings 

Published by Shelley

Letting my quirk out one post at a time.

34 thoughts on “How I became a renter in my own home”

    1. LOL – glad you enjoyed seeing another side of lonely, my house misses my cleaning efforts, and I miss my kids! 😉

  2. This comment is completely about me and probably has nothing to do with you..but I find when I don’t feel like cleaning my home it’s because I’m feeling some kind of underlying sadness. It’s not a permanent feeling, it comes and goes. On the other hand, if you do relate to what I’m saying, maybe ask yourself if something is making you sad or something is emotionally out of order, and that’s making you feel it isn’t worth cleaning up your living space. I hope this doesn’t sound too intense. 🙂

    1. LOL – No, not too intense, you’re right, I have been feeling sadness in a way. That is mostly due to a future post about a renter situation…! But, it is also due to it has become incredibly boring to clean my own home. I can’t think of any creative way to make it fun anymore. I also had a nightmare about toilets and not being able to find a clean one! Have you talked to a dirty toilet before that I can read about?

      1. No, I haven’t met up with a toilet Over the Hill on the Yellow Brick Road, but I never know who I’ll meet up with next. It’s usually based on my neurosis and something I’m struggling with. As for cleaning up, I hate it too. 🙂

          2. You’re welcome – always happy to refer readers your way! I completely understand the moody feeling with humidity! Hope your day is great despite the heat!

    1. LOL – I’m guessing that knowing the routine of how you carry out the tasks would be beneficial! I’ve only delivered papers twice in life with a friend who had that job – it was a lot of work!

  4. About 50 years ago, Mom hired a woman to come in on Saturday and do some of the cleaning, but all she did was cook. Which wasn’t so bad, and she cleaned up after herself, but it wasn’t getting the vacuuming or floors done, and we couldn’t wash the floor in the kitchen until after she left. That didn’t last very long…

    We also take a very casual approach to cleaning the house.

  5. LOL I’m not such an immaculate housekeeper either. Dishes get washed, laundry gets done, dusting and vacuuming occasionally and it’s all good, just don’t look at the cobwebs in the corners.

  6. I have a basic cleaning routine that I MUST stick to no matter what. I’ve been known to get out of a sick bed just to do my daily cleaning routine. I stick to it because I know if I don’t I won’t be able to catch up. I don’t do any heavy cleaning. Hubby does that (like scrubbing the shower walls) but I must vacuum each and every day. I must clean the kitchen up every single night, including wiping down all the counters. Once a week I windex all glass surfaces. Once a week I polish all wood surfaces. Once a week I wash the sheets and all towels. I tidy up the bathroom several times during the day (only because my hubby is a slob in there!) I make my bed and clean off my end tables every single day. I wash the wood floors down once a month. I comet out the tub once a month (in between I spray scrubbing bubbles in the tub, which is super easy). I comet the toilet only when it needs it (I have my own bathroom. Hubby has his own, which BTW is a total mess. Do NOT go in there….ever!)
    I have two daughters who grew up with me being this way. They both have their own apartments now.
    One is an extreme clean freak with absolutely no clutter.Everything is alphabetized.
    The other is a hoarder….but to be fair, she is very neat about her hoarding.
    Go figure!

    1. You’re my ‘when I get to retirement Cleaning Hero’! I’ve read several books that recommend exactly what you do, never have I gotten around to doing so, there’s always something I find more appealing at the scheduled moment. Isn’t it funny how the kids turn out differently despite having the same parents? My two are similar, yet different enough. I could tell you’re neat by this post you shared, a goal for me to aim for someday! https://diaryofamadretiree.wordpress.com/2018/06/15/the-bedroom-reveal-before-after-photos/ Thanks for sharing your thoughts!!

      1. Shelley, I start cleaning the moment I get up in the morning, while having my coffee. My house is smallish, 1120 sq feet, so I can get it done within an hour or so. Two, tops! I’m out the door by 11 or noon with the whole rest of the day to myself. I do the night kitchen cleaning at 11:30PM after the news. Takes about 15minutes to half hour. It’s become my way of life and if I don’t do it, I feel like something is missing out of my life. Reality check: I enjoy it! I know. I know. I’m strange…..LOL!

  8. One thing I learned when moving to our condo with the hardwood floors I never had before: never glance down at the floor when the late afternoon light streams in via large windows. Why? Every single crumb, piece of lint and tiny scrap of popcorn hull that I vacuumed up hours earlier reappear. It’s the low angle of the sun or something like that. Tiny pinpoints of reflected light at your feet. Sounds picturesque, but it isn’t. And once you see them, you can’t unsee them.
    So, if you have hardwood floors, don’t look down when the sun is low in the sky and your shades are up.
    Except maybe once per week.
    That’s my cleaning tip.

    1. I love that cleaning tip! I shall think of you every afternoon – I’ve noticed and unnoticed the floor at that time of day many days! It especially frustrates me if I’m trying to capture a photo of the pets being adorable in the sunshine…the dust bunnies join in uninvited! LOL!

  9. lol I love your attitude, if it’s not going to cause the bubonic plague let it be 🙂
    One good reason for the tiny home is limited cleaning … I’m plain lazy and it’s not a huge priority in my life 🙂

    1. Thank you, Kate! LOL is right :-). I can see the advantages of small living when it comes to only having essentials and a smaller area to keep clean! It’s so great you understand that about yourself!!

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