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Madeleine

Madeleine

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Joined
Sep 29, 2011
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We have a housekeeper for the summer, yippee! The irony? I am now chained to the inn on the days she works.
I can't leave because she might need direction. Or something might need attention that she can't do.
Where right now we could clean zip-a-dee-doo-dah and be done by 11, it's now going to be 1 or so before I can do anything else.
That's the irony. I'm actually more stuck in the house now than before.
All will be good later on but now it grates on me. I'm already planning what road trips to take next week when she's off. Sad, I know.
 
That sucks. I imagine it is only a matter of time before you can trust her and use her time for your time off.
 
I hear you.
I just encouraged the one I hired to double check the wee wee in and around the toilets. I think she is fake cleaning. Already. I get mad, and want to say "Do I look like a schmuck?"
I cannot do this any more, I need someone to haul everything up and strip the beds and clean the rooms (even if it is only 75% clean). I am not even talking about not vacuuming properly or blankets not tucked into the bed, or one side longer than the other.
I have been doing this for 11 years, I need someone else to do the heavy work cleaning the rooms, I can't do it anymore. CALGON TAKE ME AWAYYYYYYYYYYY....
Back outside to vacuum and bring extra TP to the cottage...oh the innsanity, er the irony. Funny that root word, iron.
cry_smile.gif

PS and I stink, I am sweating and stinky and that is what the guests will get when they get here.
 
Joey Bloggs said:
I hear you.
I just encouraged the one I hired to double check the wee wee in and around the toilets. I think she is fake cleaning. Already. I get mad, and want to say "Do I look like a schmuck?"
I cannot do this any more, I need someone to haul everything up and strip the beds and clean the rooms (even if it is only 75% clean). I am not even talking about not vacuuming properly or blankets not tucked into the bed, or one side longer than the other.
I have been doing this for 11 years, I need someone else to do the heavy work cleaning the rooms, I can't do it anymore. CALGON TAKE ME AWAYYYYYYYYYYY....
Back outside to vacuum and bring extra TP to the cottage...oh the innsanity, er the irony. Funny that root word, iron.
cry_smile.gif

PS and I stink, I am sweating and stinky and that is what the guests will get when they get here..
Click to expand...
I have the glasses and special light. Get a pair, put them on and show her that you are checking. She'll get the hint soon enough :)
I actually hardly use them. I learnt from doing it repeatedly where people "miss". And the number one spot... the front of the bowl. YUCK!
 
TheBeachHouse said:
That sucks. I imagine it is only a matter of time before you can trust her and use her time for your time off..
Click to expand...
No. I cannot leave. I've done this 8 years now with help and if I go out there are all kinds of laundry problems or can't find something problems. (And, no dh does not know where anything is. 10 years with him and he still asks me where this or that is.)
No matter if they can work 4 hours without saying boo to me any other day, I go out and I have more work to do than the away time is worth.
But, I need the help so I'll deal with it. It's just very hard right now acclimating again.
 
Madeleine said:
TheBeachHouse said:
That sucks. I imagine it is only a matter of time before you can trust her and use her time for your time off..
Click to expand...
No. I cannot leave. I've done this 8 years now with help and if I go out there are all kinds of laundry problems or can't find something problems. (And, no dh does not know where anything is. 10 years with him and he still asks me where this or that is.)
No matter if they can work 4 hours without saying boo to me any other day, I go out and I have more work to do than the away time is worth.
But, I need the help so I'll deal with it. It's just very hard right now acclimating again.
.
Click to expand...
Two suggestions to make life easier....
  1. Buy a label maker and use it to label the shelves. Sounds stupid, but if the shelf is labelled, then people know where things belong and put them back there. They are less likely to use a space labelled for something else because they know what belongs there.
  2. Answer those questions, write it down, make a list, keep it in Excel, sort it, print it and then everyone can look at a copy in the closet on the wall as a guide for where to find things.
Harder when you start, starts to come down to very few questions later on. My coffee can full of powdered soap has a sign saying how much and a measuring device.
 
Jon Sable said:
Madeleine said:
TheBeachHouse said:
That sucks. I imagine it is only a matter of time before you can trust her and use her time for your time off..
Click to expand...
No. I cannot leave. I've done this 8 years now with help and if I go out there are all kinds of laundry problems or can't find something problems. (And, no dh does not know where anything is. 10 years with him and he still asks me where this or that is.)
No matter if they can work 4 hours without saying boo to me any other day, I go out and I have more work to do than the away time is worth.
But, I need the help so I'll deal with it. It's just very hard right now acclimating again.
.
Click to expand...
Two suggestions to make life easier....
  1. Buy a label maker and use it to label the shelves. Sounds stupid, but if the shelf is labelled, then people know where things belong and put them back there. They are less likely to use a space labelled for something else because they know what belongs there.
  2. Answer those questions, write it down, make a list, keep it in Excel, sort it, print it and then everyone can look at a copy in the closet on the wall as a guide for where to find things.
Harder when you start, starts to come down to very few questions later on. My coffee can full of powdered soap has a sign saying how much and a measuring device.
.
Click to expand...
You must think this is my first rodeo. ;-)
 
Madeleine said:
Jon Sable said:
Madeleine said:
TheBeachHouse said:
That sucks. I imagine it is only a matter of time before you can trust her and use her time for your time off..
Click to expand...
No. I cannot leave. I've done this 8 years now with help and if I go out there are all kinds of laundry problems or can't find something problems. (And, no dh does not know where anything is. 10 years with him and he still asks me where this or that is.)
No matter if they can work 4 hours without saying boo to me any other day, I go out and I have more work to do than the away time is worth.
But, I need the help so I'll deal with it. It's just very hard right now acclimating again.
.
Click to expand...
Two suggestions to make life easier....
  1. Buy a label maker and use it to label the shelves. Sounds stupid, but if the shelf is labelled, then people know where things belong and put them back there. They are less likely to use a space labelled for something else because they know what belongs there.
  2. Answer those questions, write it down, make a list, keep it in Excel, sort it, print it and then everyone can look at a copy in the closet on the wall as a guide for where to find things.
Harder when you start, starts to come down to very few questions later on. My coffee can full of powdered soap has a sign saying how much and a measuring device.
.
Click to expand...
You must think this is my first rodeo. ;-)
.
Click to expand...
No. Just telling you what works from my experience. Nothing helps more than damn labels.
 
Jon Sable said:
Madeleine said:
Jon Sable said:
Madeleine said:
TheBeachHouse said:
That sucks. I imagine it is only a matter of time before you can trust her and use her time for your time off..
Click to expand...
No. I cannot leave. I've done this 8 years now with help and if I go out there are all kinds of laundry problems or can't find something problems. (And, no dh does not know where anything is. 10 years with him and he still asks me where this or that is.)
No matter if they can work 4 hours without saying boo to me any other day, I go out and I have more work to do than the away time is worth.
But, I need the help so I'll deal with it. It's just very hard right now acclimating again.
.
Click to expand...
Two suggestions to make life easier....
  1. Buy a label maker and use it to label the shelves. Sounds stupid, but if the shelf is labelled, then people know where things belong and put them back there. They are less likely to use a space labelled for something else because they know what belongs there.
  2. Answer those questions, write it down, make a list, keep it in Excel, sort it, print it and then everyone can look at a copy in the closet on the wall as a guide for where to find things.
Harder when you start, starts to come down to very few questions later on. My coffee can full of powdered soap has a sign saying how much and a measuring device.
.
Click to expand...
You must think this is my first rodeo. ;-)
.
Click to expand...
No. Just telling you what works from my experience. Nothing helps more than damn labels.
.
Click to expand...
Everything is labeled. There is a set of instructions, both a short version and an in depth version. A list of things to do when all the usual tasks are done.
Because dh tells them to ask me rather than suggest they use the info provided only the gal who was in college to be a teacher has ever read any of it after the first day.
Seriously. It really undermines their ability to be independent workers. I have a sheet for every task for everyday. One sheet. All rooms. Do this.
He says, 'go ask Maddie.'
I'm surprised you can't hear me from there!
 
Madeleine said:
Jon Sable said:
Madeleine said:
Jon Sable said:
Madeleine said:
TheBeachHouse said:
That sucks. I imagine it is only a matter of time before you can trust her and use her time for your time off..
Click to expand...
No. I cannot leave. I've done this 8 years now with help and if I go out there are all kinds of laundry problems or can't find something problems. (And, no dh does not know where anything is. 10 years with him and he still asks me where this or that is.)
No matter if they can work 4 hours without saying boo to me any other day, I go out and I have more work to do than the away time is worth.
But, I need the help so I'll deal with it. It's just very hard right now acclimating again.
.
Click to expand...
Two suggestions to make life easier....
  1. Buy a label maker and use it to label the shelves. Sounds stupid, but if the shelf is labelled, then people know where things belong and put them back there. They are less likely to use a space labelled for something else because they know what belongs there.
  2. Answer those questions, write it down, make a list, keep it in Excel, sort it, print it and then everyone can look at a copy in the closet on the wall as a guide for where to find things.
Harder when you start, starts to come down to very few questions later on. My coffee can full of powdered soap has a sign saying how much and a measuring device.
.
Click to expand...
You must think this is my first rodeo. ;-)
.
Click to expand...
No. Just telling you what works from my experience. Nothing helps more than damn labels.
.
Click to expand...
Everything is labeled. There is a set of instructions, both a short version and an in depth version. A list of things to do when all the usual tasks are done.
Because dh tells them to ask me rather than suggest they use the info provided only the gal who was in college to be a teacher has ever read any of it after the first day.
Seriously. It really undermines their ability to be independent workers. I have a sheet for every task for everyday. One sheet. All rooms. Do this.
He says, 'go ask Maddie.'
I'm surprised you can't hear me from there!
.
Click to expand...
I think folks are just trying to suggest a way to make it better. No offense intended, but you sound a little burnt out, so the natural inclination is to help come up with a solution to make it easier.
 
happykeeper said:
Madeleine said:
Jon Sable said:
Madeleine said:
Jon Sable said:
Madeleine said:
TheBeachHouse said:
That sucks. I imagine it is only a matter of time before you can trust her and use her time for your time off..
Click to expand...
No. I cannot leave. I've done this 8 years now with help and if I go out there are all kinds of laundry problems or can't find something problems. (And, no dh does not know where anything is. 10 years with him and he still asks me where this or that is.)
No matter if they can work 4 hours without saying boo to me any other day, I go out and I have more work to do than the away time is worth.
But, I need the help so I'll deal with it. It's just very hard right now acclimating again.
.
Click to expand...
Two suggestions to make life easier....
  1. Buy a label maker and use it to label the shelves. Sounds stupid, but if the shelf is labelled, then people know where things belong and put them back there. They are less likely to use a space labelled for something else because they know what belongs there.
  2. Answer those questions, write it down, make a list, keep it in Excel, sort it, print it and then everyone can look at a copy in the closet on the wall as a guide for where to find things.
Harder when you start, starts to come down to very few questions later on. My coffee can full of powdered soap has a sign saying how much and a measuring device.
.
Click to expand...
You must think this is my first rodeo. ;-)
.
Click to expand...
No. Just telling you what works from my experience. Nothing helps more than damn labels.
.
Click to expand...
Everything is labeled. There is a set of instructions, both a short version and an in depth version. A list of things to do when all the usual tasks are done.
Because dh tells them to ask me rather than suggest they use the info provided only the gal who was in college to be a teacher has ever read any of it after the first day.
Seriously. It really undermines their ability to be independent workers. I have a sheet for every task for everyday. One sheet. All rooms. Do this.
He says, 'go ask Maddie.'
I'm surprised you can't hear me from there!
.
Click to expand...
I think folks are just trying to suggest a way to make it better. No offense intended, but you sound a little burnt out, so the natural inclination is to help come up with a solution to make it easier.
.
Click to expand...
happykeeper said:
I think folks are just trying to suggest a way to make it better. No offense intended, but you sound a little burnt out, so the natural inclination is to help come up with a solution to make it easier.
Click to expand...
Jon knows me. No offense taken. I've been burned out for 10 years but this is my job and my home so I keep going.
 
Madeleine said:
happykeeper said:
Madeleine said:
Jon Sable said:
Madeleine said:
Jon Sable said:
Madeleine said:
TheBeachHouse said:
That sucks. I imagine it is only a matter of time before you can trust her and use her time for your time off..
Click to expand...
No. I cannot leave. I've done this 8 years now with help and if I go out there are all kinds of laundry problems or can't find something problems. (And, no dh does not know where anything is. 10 years with him and he still asks me where this or that is.)
No matter if they can work 4 hours without saying boo to me any other day, I go out and I have more work to do than the away time is worth.
But, I need the help so I'll deal with it. It's just very hard right now acclimating again.
.
Click to expand...
Two suggestions to make life easier....
  1. Buy a label maker and use it to label the shelves. Sounds stupid, but if the shelf is labelled, then people know where things belong and put them back there. They are less likely to use a space labelled for something else because they know what belongs there.
  2. Answer those questions, write it down, make a list, keep it in Excel, sort it, print it and then everyone can look at a copy in the closet on the wall as a guide for where to find things.
Harder when you start, starts to come down to very few questions later on. My coffee can full of powdered soap has a sign saying how much and a measuring device.
.
Click to expand...
You must think this is my first rodeo. ;-)
.
Click to expand...
No. Just telling you what works from my experience. Nothing helps more than damn labels.
.
Click to expand...
Everything is labeled. There is a set of instructions, both a short version and an in depth version. A list of things to do when all the usual tasks are done.
Because dh tells them to ask me rather than suggest they use the info provided only the gal who was in college to be a teacher has ever read any of it after the first day.
Seriously. It really undermines their ability to be independent workers. I have a sheet for every task for everyday. One sheet. All rooms. Do this.
He says, 'go ask Maddie.'
I'm surprised you can't hear me from there!
.
Click to expand...
I think folks are just trying to suggest a way to make it better. No offense intended, but you sound a little burnt out, so the natural inclination is to help come up with a solution to make it easier.
.
Click to expand...
happykeeper said:
I think folks are just trying to suggest a way to make it better. No offense intended, but you sound a little burnt out, so the natural inclination is to help come up with a solution to make it easier.
Click to expand...
Jon knows me. No offense taken. I've been burned out for 10 years but this is my job and my home so I keep going.
.
Click to expand...
its not the staff you have to train darl its DH - no its not "go ask Maddie" its sort it out yourself!
I am on a long standing battle with mine - am letting him pick out a bathroom - it may be a monumental mistake.
 
Madeleine said:
Jon Sable said:
Madeleine said:
Jon Sable said:
Madeleine said:
TheBeachHouse said:
That sucks. I imagine it is only a matter of time before you can trust her and use her time for your time off..
Click to expand...
No. I cannot leave. I've done this 8 years now with help and if I go out there are all kinds of laundry problems or can't find something problems. (And, no dh does not know where anything is. 10 years with him and he still asks me where this or that is.)
No matter if they can work 4 hours without saying boo to me any other day, I go out and I have more work to do than the away time is worth.
But, I need the help so I'll deal with it. It's just very hard right now acclimating again.
.
Click to expand...
Two suggestions to make life easier....
  1. Buy a label maker and use it to label the shelves. Sounds stupid, but if the shelf is labelled, then people know where things belong and put them back there. They are less likely to use a space labelled for something else because they know what belongs there.
  2. Answer those questions, write it down, make a list, keep it in Excel, sort it, print it and then everyone can look at a copy in the closet on the wall as a guide for where to find things.
Harder when you start, starts to come down to very few questions later on. My coffee can full of powdered soap has a sign saying how much and a measuring device.
.
Click to expand...
You must think this is my first rodeo. ;-)
.
Click to expand...
No. Just telling you what works from my experience. Nothing helps more than damn labels.
.
Click to expand...
Everything is labeled. There is a set of instructions, both a short version and an in depth version. A list of things to do when all the usual tasks are done.
Because dh tells them to ask me rather than suggest they use the info provided only the gal who was in college to be a teacher has ever read any of it after the first day.
Seriously. It really undermines their ability to be independent workers. I have a sheet for every task for everyday. One sheet. All rooms. Do this.
He says, 'go ask Maddie.'
I'm surprised you can't hear me from there!
.
Click to expand...
Tell "Stonie" that if he sends them to you instead of to the list, you are going to send them back with a copy of the list, saying that he knows better than you.
 
Leave the lists and tell her when she is done that she's to go to the list, not to go to DH. What I actually do is make a list each morning of everything she is to do that day - dishes, clean dining tables and reset, names of each room to be cleaned, name of each room to be touched up (with notes next to each as to what car belongs to what room, if they're already out for the day, etc.). When she's done with that, vacuum great room, and then go work on laundry. I leave her a list longer than she can accomplish in the order that I want it all done. If she has questions, she's to text or call me. I can direct her from my smartphone and I get to leave and have a fun day. I hope she comes along soon. But even after 3 years of having help, I still look forward to the days when they aren't here because I'm not interested in hearing about her niece who is in a mental hospital or the nephew who is in alcohol rehab, etc. That's why when she's here I give her lists and go out -- that way she works, I don't have to listen to her family issues because I'm not here and I'm happy. GOOD LUCK, I TRULY HOPE IT ALL WORKS OUT FOR YOU QUICKLY, EVERYONE DESERVES A GREAT HOUSEKEEPER.
 
MtnKeeper said:
Leave the lists and tell her when she is done that she's to go to the list, not to go to DH. What I actually do is make a list each morning of everything she is to do that day - dishes, clean dining tables and reset, names of each room to be cleaned, name of each room to be touched up (with notes next to each as to what car belongs to what room, if they're already out for the day, etc.). When she's done with that, vacuum great room, and then go work on laundry. I leave her a list longer than she can accomplish in the order that I want it all done. If she has questions, she's to text or call me. I can direct her from my smartphone and I get to leave and have a fun day. I hope she comes along soon. But even after 3 years of having help, I still look forward to the days when they aren't here because I'm not interested in hearing about her niece who is in a mental hospital or the nephew who is in alcohol rehab, etc. That's why when she's here I give her lists and go out -- that way she works, I don't have to listen to her family issues because I'm not here and I'm happy. GOOD LUCK, I TRULY HOPE IT ALL WORKS OUT FOR YOU QUICKLY, EVERYONE DESERVES A GREAT HOUSEKEEPER..
Click to expand...
That sounds like my list. I may just go and let them fend for themselves. We leave the keys for her so she knows what rooms to do. Can't do the car thing because the cars get parked for the duration o r even if the guests have checked out the cars are here while they go out for the day.
I like the idea of having more to do than is possible. DH is already chafing because I expect her to do all the rooms. Not right away but within a couple of weeks. Then I add folding sheets and towels. I'll do the actual running of the machines which also ties me here. But having someone who's never done this work before I don't want her standing around waiting for the dryer to stop or anything. Plus, the laundry is no where near the rooms so it's extra running around.
First day the health inspector comes. I'm making sure she's done by then and gone. Do not want him asking her questions she can't answer. Heck, I'M leaving, too! Let DH handle it.
 

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