This is what the house looked like when we moved back in after remodeling five years ago. This is what I hope the house will look like again. The cleaning ladies never showed up--we hired them as a favor to a friend. Was it because I said "no copper polish, no Pledge on my furniture, and no scouring of the countertop?" Was it me? Was the floor too much? Too much dirt? I think I'm more relieved than disappointed (and a bit ticked off that I got out of bed early--8 a.m.).
Dave and I were not surprised when they didn't show; it's a common occurrence here in southern Virginia. Contractors and workers smile and take measurements and say "yes;" many never return or call. Later--when you meet at restaurants or parties--everyone pretends that all is well. I pitch their cards.
I am pleased that, after my frantic prep work, there's a chance the house will be ready for the Holidays. Tomorrow is art day at the YMCA--no cleaning.
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What a lovely home you have! How smart of you to take photos before you started 'living' in it. Too bad you had to get up early... I would have been a bear by 10am when it dawned on me they weren't coming. Early sucks!
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing the e-version of the painting over your sofa sometime last year. I still love it.
Set up the checkers, I'm on my way...
-Don
Hi Hallie, All that prep getting ready for the cleaning lady...your house must look pretty nice! We used to do something similar when we had a cleaning lady. Play and do art tomorrow..and enjoy! I liked your pears and cups from yesterday too.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing you cleaned in preparation for the cleaning help that didn't show up! My internet friend lives near Smithfield and she told me the same thing about workers coming, measuring, then not showing up! Your home looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteFrustrating! Your home is beautiful and I hope someone shows up one of these days to help you. I once made the mistake of hiring someone after I had installed white wall-to-wall carpeting in my large (24' x 26') living room. When I arrived back home at the end of the day I noticed that a piece of furniture had been moved to a rather strange place in the middle of the living room. When I picked it up to move it back to its rightful place, there was a big coffee stain on the rug!
ReplyDeleteNice house, nice stuff, nice colors. You sure put a shine on it!
ReplyDeleteWish I had a buck for hour I've spent cleaning before the cleaners get here. Theory is, I do it so they can get past the clutter to the dirt.
Hi Don. Bring checkers. I found that board at a thrift shop for $10. On the back it says "made by F. H. Van Sanford Sr., age 90." Checkers weren't included. I use the board to hold incoming mail.
ReplyDeletePeggy, I'm off in 10 minutes to play and do art. Vacuuming will come later; maybe I'll just sweep.
Hi Robin. I think people around here just hate to tell you "no." We realize it's iffy when we hire someone--it comes with the laid-back life, I guess.
Hi Kathy. My house is so small (but studio is large) I don't really need much help. An Admin Assistant would be great--paperwork is harder than housework. White wall-to-wall? My dog, Willie, would love it.
SmArtDog, you've hit the nail on the head! I'm inching towards the "hoarder" category. I even have those plastic bins with labels--all art stuff.
ReplyDeleteOh I do wish you lived in Michigan. Honey and I are so good at remodeling and so client oriented--never late, never messy, finish on time. We talk,the trades jump. They like working for us.
ReplyDeleteSorry I haven't visited your site more often. I've been busy trying to turn myself into a painter and it's going slowly. Your comment on Katherine"s site today just hit home--made me smile--for what you wrote, I was going to write. I sensed a philosophical kinship.
Thanks, Linda, but my remodeling days are over. My husband lived in our small guest house while I took an apartment up the street for nine months. The house was gutted--dirt floor to rafters--that was in 2004/5. I'll mention you to my kids; they might want something done after I'm gone. It was an experience--and a bit like sculpting.
ReplyDeleteI'm following your mice. Happy Hanukkah. I'll be making potato latkes (my once-a-year cooking) for a neighborhood holiday party next weekend--there goes my clean kitchen! I cook like I paint and sculpt--messily.
Beautiful home.....
ReplyDeleteare you renting any rooms?
its been a bit cold up here in the north.
I need some of the s. va. climate
Thanks JB. Too late this year. It's 36 degrees and snowing like heck outside. The climate--it's achanging. (Someone--me--has to go outside and bring in a carload of groceries.)
ReplyDeleteI think it's a riot that you were cleaning for the cleaning ladies - just like my wife. I'm a bit behind visiting (I hope you'll forgive me). I was blown away by the fruit in the cups - the tiles are not too wide. Also the alla Hallie (pears) are luminous! Great work! Even if it isn't as mysterious as usual, lol.
ReplyDeleteHi Dan. Yes, every time I hire cleaning people, I clean before they arrive. I do it to force myself to be neater. Of course, when they didn't show, I quit cleaning. Thanks for the comment on the fruits--the wider tiles make the sketch less busy. The discrepancy between reality and what I believe is the fun part of drawing from memory (and no one can spot the mistakes).
ReplyDeleteYou have a lovely home!! We have this problem in our area too. Even for the estimates, they sometimes fail to show and you never hear from them again!
ReplyDeleteHappy Hannukah to you too!
ReplyDeleteHallie, what a lovely home you have. Just like you, I clean for the cleaning lady. All the years I worked, I never had a cleaning service. Now that I'm retired, I am way too busy having fun to clean (except when the service is coming). It's my way of keeping from getting totally buried in our stuff. Bob has his office/music room and he very cleverly just closes the door when they come.
ReplyDeleteI like the pears and cups and marvel that you can make these things up! The pears remind me of the drawings you did of the blue person on catalog pages. You never know what the fruit is up to while we sleep.
Hi Raena--thanks. I have to say that when we finally found a builder willing to remodel, he and his crew showed up every day at 7:30 a.m. (I showed up, too.)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Robin. Today, I'm working on Christmas cards--hope to get them in the mail before the 25th! Holiday work seems endless.
Hi Mary. I did have a cleaning lady when I worked for FEMA in the 80s. I was late to work every Thursday--getting the house in shape; my co-workers laughed. I tried it again in 2002--it didn't last. The pears are a bit like the blue people. (Or like Kathy if she were alone with those great pieces of art!)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beauuuutiful home! Well...I have had similar experiences here in Portland with service-industry people. It took me months to find someone to take out our hedge. I kept wondering....don't people like to get jobs?? When I worked I thought that was the whole idea! I am sure you'll get this all straightened out. I actually did get the hedge removed! What happens at the Y on art day? Do you take a class or teach one? Our Y seems to only be good for swimming.
ReplyDeleteHi Celeste. We were once waiting for a tree to be taken down; we called & the tree cutter's wife said he was "right busy." When he showed up (and did a great job) he said he'd taken his kids to the beach for fishing. Not a bad thing--family first. For $2 on Thursdays, two to four people meet to draw or paint and laugh--we use the Y's card tables. A new Y was built recently and our art room has no windows. (We liked the old place better--it will be the police station.) No pool yet.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful home and decorated so tastefully. I AM a cleaning lady but here in the Northeast, we don't blow our customers off :D
ReplyDeleteHi Mary. Welcome. My daughter and her family live in MA--they agree with you. It's cold up there, though.
ReplyDeleteP.S. to Mary. Nice paintings on your blog.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. It gleams. It is perfect in every respect. It, if you'll pardon me for saying so, wants living in. I take it has been lived in since. I'm sure it has mellowed somewhat.
ReplyDeleteMM-It has really mellowed. I gave in and allowed my husband to buy a (yuk) recliner to replace the two-seater (he has a bad back), and we have a young dog, Willie. Book cases are overflowing--this house is definitely lived in and comfortable.
ReplyDeleteWill you clean my house before the Amish girl comes to clean? (in this area we hire the Amish for cleaning) Your house is gorgeous! In fact while you clean, maybe you could help with some interior decorating!
ReplyDeleteHi Indogomar. You disappeared for a while but I see from your blog you've been playing in the snow with Larry. The Amish and Minnonites live in the next county and are known for their baked goods--mmm, great chocolate pies. Thanks for the compliment--I like comfort & easy-care; nothing frilly, and I hate lamp shades and drapes. Put your money in art and books and art supplies and red boots!
ReplyDeleteIndigomar--sorry for misspelling your name! I must have been thinking of Larry.
ReplyDeleteOh Hallie...I think you must've been Charles Eames in a past life...way to arrange an environment...inside n' out.
ReplyDeleteMy eyes are ever happy visiting you.
Hi Donna, thank you. I do like modern with a touch of mission oak. I bring out the stackable molded plywood chairs when we need more seating. Small homes need versatile pieces--I left the Barcelona chair with my son in MD; it was too large. I'm too old to have been Eames but, as a Pisces and a No. 22, I may have had many past lives (I do have lots of books on furniture-making and love tools).
ReplyDeleteHallie,
ReplyDeleteYes to art, art supplies, books and red boots and I'll add dark chocolate and red wine! (oh, and Great Lakes Christmas Ale, only available at this time of year.)
Yes, Indigomar. You enjoy the ale and wine; I'll be eating my fruitcake and green jello; maybe some dark chocolate w/nuts. I tried--but never acquired the taste for wine or beer.
ReplyDelete