I’ve been daydreaming about my imaginary housekeeper for most of the day. Her name is Rosarita and she takes very good care of us. Each morning she let’s herself in and fixes us a most wonderful breakfast. “Goodbye, Miss Sina. Goodbye, Mr. Drew.” she says and waves to us from the front door. Rosarita then begins laundering our clothes and embarks on her daily clean-up. Since she comes every day, there’s not too much to clean, but even if there is you’ll never hear her complain.
If we’re home for lunch, she makes us the tastiest paninis. But dinner is where Rosarita continues to outdo herself. She always prepares a grand meal and then takes off her apron and says her goodbyes.
Our son loves spending time with her. When he asks if he can help, she teaches him Spanish and the proper way to fold a t-shirt. She’s a multi-tasker and we love her like family. And she adores us. Ahhhh, I long for you, Rosarita.
I tried to take a nap today, mid clean-up, and thoughts of Rosarita surfaced. She’s been a fixture in our conversation for years. Any time there’s a sink-full of dirty dishes I’ll tell Drew, “Rosarita, will get to them.” The donation boxes will start overflowing in our entryway and Drew will ponder, “When is Rosarita supposed to take that to Goodwill?”
If left to my own devices, I will generally clean once a week and be able to keep everything looking reasonably great. I do a load of laundry daily and spot clean the bathroom here and there. When someone is coming over, a more thorough cleaning/organizing is performed. It’s worked for years.
But now the game has changed. With Drew home full-time and Ronin off for the summer, we’ve been getting behind in the daily “chores”. And by “we” I mean ME.
Instead of being able to casually fold clothes while I peacefully watch my “stories” during the day, I now have to out maneuver Batman chasing the “bad guy”. The bad guy likes to run through the apartment stealing things. (things which usually remain left out)
Instead of keeping the sink somewhat empty and hand washing the dishes after I eat breakfast and lunch alone, I am now enjoying three meals a day with two others. And none of the people involved likes to do dishes.
And with an additional adult at home, NOT out in the work-force wearing suits daily, there is DEFINITELY more laundry to do. Moreso, because this adult recently joined a gym. (and got me to) Christ, there’s so much laundry.
Rosarita can handle these kinds of changes in the climate of housekeeping. I cannot. The last thing I want to do when Drew & Ronin are playing Scooby Doo is spend 5 hours (like I did two weeks ago) cleaning the friggin bathroom. It’s ridiculous.
Either we’re going to adopt some fun “family chores” to do daily or Miss Sina is going to make everyone’s life miserable. And by everyone, I mean Mr. Drew.
While I appreciate Ms. Sina’s hard work and dedication, I think she misjudged just how “mostly empty” the sink really was when I wasn’t eating all three meals at home.
I have also washed dishes every day for the last week, though they do build up at a fascinating rate. I also never, ever leave my cereal bowl, coke can, or any other food dish anywhere but properly rinsed and in the sink. Who else can boast that claim in this house?
I will concede that I never do laundry if the prosecution will concede to allowing food to dry in coral-like growths on dishes in the living room and dining room.