HOUSEWORK .... No Thanks!

Well as you may have noticed ... Bessy is back!  And I am totally embarassed (actually I'm not, but I think it's what I'm supposed to say), that her major problem and the reason for her bad behaviour (oh, if you didn't read my last few posts, I'm talking about my computer Bessy) was caused by ............ drumroll here ............... "a build of up of dust inside her"!!!!!

The upside was that we didn't have to pay for her to be fixed, or any other new part was not needed - we've known our computer guy for nearly 20 years, so a coffee and a chat was payment enough.

I'm thinking that I now need to look into how to stop this happening again, you see housework and I are not the best of friends.  I was brought up in an EXTREMELY tidy and neat home, so I think I just rebelled when I moved out.  And then one day I found this poem in a quilt store called "Sandlyn House", the author is listed as anonymous, so I'm sure it's okay to share.

MY QUILT

My neighbour is washing her windows, and scrubbing and washing her floors ...

But my home is all topsy turvy and dust is behind all the doors.

My neighbour she keeps her house spotless and she goes round all day at a trot,

But no one would know in a fortnight if she swept it today or did not.

The task I am at is enticing,

My neighbour is worn to a rag,

I am making a quilt out of pieces

I have stowed in a pretty chintz bag.

And the quilt I know my descendants will display with great pride in their heart ...

"So lovely O my grandmother made it An example of patience and art."

But will her grandchildren remember her struggle with dirt and decay?

They will not ... they will wish that she had made them A quilt like I'm making today!   

Anonymous

Do you think it is wrong to live "somewhat" by these rules?  I know that when I do get the tidy bug that I do become "slightly" stressed when anyone leaves anything out, or forgets to put things away off my nice clean surfaces - or, how dare Farmer Rowe bring in wood to keep us all warm when he has dropped little bits of wood on the carpet that I just vacuumed?  Personally I think the Janet that is a little forgiving of the mess, but we are snuggly warm, wrapped in comfy quilts, with our feet up on the couches just makes for a less stressed household.  I have also discovered that GOOD friends will overlook the clutter and the odd cobweb and instead enjoy a laugh, and I'm slowly starting to say sorry for the mess a little less often.  More than one dear friend has told me "I've come to visit you, not your house", those friends get great hugs.

So my dilema is now with this computer, do I break my rules and start to regularly dust???  I can only think of one good reason why I should, to all my lovely blog friends who I am only able to chat with on Bessy I will need to do this for you, so this dilema doesn't happen again.

So until you come for a cuppa (and kindly avert your eyes from my cobwebs and clutter) I shall keep dusting Bessy, it's the least I can do for my blog friends.

Oh, by the way, if you do get hold of the new copy of Australian Country Threads, there is a shout out to my blog friends - plus a few cryptic messages for other special people.

Enjoy your evening, especially if you are snuggled under a quilt, Janet xxx (and the clean and shiny Bessy)

Comments

[Sandie]

Hi-
Just found you through Irish Quilting Magazine. Very disappointed to read they are not able to complete the series quilt you were doing for them. Had done the first two installments and was really looking forward to the rest. I hope all is well in your life and it is not something like that which has brought the series to an end. Really liked your work! Take Care and thank you for the patterns you were able to provide!

[Carol McSherryz]

Have you forgotten your password???????

[Tina Dillon]

Hi Janet,
Congratulations on your piece in Country Threads magazine. The article and photos were fabulous - you must be pleased.
Cleaning isn't creative, so don't do it !

[clare bower]

Housework is overrated ! Congratulations on your magazine piece it was really well done !

[SuzK]

I promise never to look at your dust bunnies, if you promise to never look at mine! :o) I don't get hyper about cleaning - it will always be there!

[Elizabeth McMahon]

Hi Janet, dusting is such a waste of time, you do it today and tomorrow you have to do it again and again and on and on. We do dust a little in the winter, with a wood heater for warmth and a wood combustion for both heating and cooking, can't be helped!
I have a serious allergy to housework and luckily married a man who is addicted to his vacuum cleaner, he has in the past been know to re clean the floor after I've done it because - I don't do it properly ;o). Believe me it didn't take much persuasion to let him have his way. My son pointed out a while ago that dust can destroy my beloved computer, so I do dust that too. Priorities are very important.
Loved the article, just read it over a cuppa this morning in my dusty lounge room,
Big hugs, lizzie

[Lynda]

Hi Janet - forget the dusting - throw a cloth over the computer each night before you go to bed.

[Leanne]

Morning Janet! I have had this poem on my fridge for many years now & read it often! Have a lovely day!

[Nell Ward]

Janet, have you read "The Gentle Art of Domesticity"???? It was a happy find at the library recently and so sums up what you are saying. The thing is we are "thoroughly domestic" but only "mildly domesticated" - I think fresh flowers and home baking and crafty yumminess go a long way towards hiding dusts and cobwebs. Unfortunately today my house is more of a crumbs and spilt cereal mess which no amount of delicious quilts will hide. Ho hum - I'm off to be grudgingly domesticated (but only because I get to go to lunch with dear friends to eat wicked things afterwards!)
Keep smiling,
Nell

[Julz at Simple Stitches]

Hi Janet,
I'm with you....what's a few cobwebs between friends....blogging is too much fun to worry about the housework!
Keep snuggly warm,
cheers Julz