Our twice a month housekeeper is here now. She brings disinfecting sprays and wipes and always wears gloves. If either of us didn’t feel well we would text her to stay home but pay anyway. I greeted her from across the room and then retreated to the upstairs.
I sent my manicurist a check yesterday because I don’t want to spend that much time face to face with anyone but my husband right now. I really would hate for her to go out of business, she’s wonderful at her craft and such a hard-working person.
Our cleaning people come every other week. They were here last week, before we really cracked down and would be coming next Wednesday. I’m going to cancel and pay them anyway; will reevaluate for the following visits. I hate cleaning but it’s just the two of us now, so not too terrible to do it ourselves. But they need not worry - I’ll have them back as soon as I can! 
I have no problem having landscape people here outdoors.
My contractor called today. Reno on my laundry room/pantry scheduled to start late April. I told him we will discuss when it gets closer to start time and put off for awhile depending on what’s going on with CV19. I don’t want workers in and out of my house and I cannot be without my washer and dryer now, either. He said no problem.
Decades long housekeeper brings her teenage kid to help when she’s off school. They’re scheduled to come next Wednesday and since H is high risk I plan to pay her for a month but not use her service. Will also do more. Have a Visa rebate card I’ll give her. We have a ton of citrus trees and will let her take all she wants and full access to come back for more.
Gardeners come and go first thing Fridays and are on autopay so assuming that will continue on.
We had contractors tearing apart our master bathroom (essential work) when the shelter in place order came. Fortunately, the plumbing itself was still working. They aren’t going to finish the work for a few weeks, at the point where they know they have all the components lined up, and only if it is safe. They did what they could, came back today to work on the essential stuff they could (plumbers are essential workers under the order). After today, they won’t be back for a couple of weeks.
I am really ambivalent about the house cleaner - I think paying her in advance is a good idea.
Our every other week cleaning team came last Friday. I have already cancelled next Friday’s cleaning, but am paying with the stipulation that the team who cleans my house still gets paid (they are employed by a franchise of a large cleaning company).
I had a cut and color last Saturday and I’m glad my stylist was able to do my hair and get paid and a tip. The salon was pretty empty and I felt bad- it’s a small business.
H is home now (until mid April!) and he just had knee surgery in January so he hired some guys to spread mulch, trim tree and shrubs. Stuff he usually does, but it’s hard for him. I’m glad he hired these guys.
Just got a message from dogs’ groomer, friend of a friend was exposed to someone who tested positive so she has to close for two weeks. Ouch.
Still debating on whether to have the housekeeper come. She comes alone, so I was thinking I could hang out outside if the weather was nice, or go for a drive and just to get out of the house. While she wears gloves when using cleaners, I don’t think she does when vacuuming and dusting. I was think I would provide her with new gloves and a mask if she would wear one; does that make me look like I am worried about her germs? I don’t want to offend her, and this is assuming she still wants to come, I will have to call her.
My husband and I could clean ourselves, but we will only do a half ass job! He has always been responsible for the bathrooms and me with the other, but with my back, vacuuming and mopping will be slow. The biggest problem is the dog that sheds more than he should; I forget how much until I see it all in the vacuum!
I have two shedders so I still vacuum all the time. Plus, I swiffer.
If my cleaning person wants to come, I will either sit outside on my deck if it’s nice enough or just take a drive. If she doesn’t want to come or I change my mind, I will still pay her.
My lawn guy sent an email that he will be starting spring cleanup soon as long as he isn’t required to close. He can do everything himself if he can’t bring his small crew (2 young adults) along. He’s supposed to build me another bed along one side of the yard after spring cleanup and before mowing season starts, but if he can’t that’s ok. He’ll do it when he can.
I talked with my housekeeper Thursday night and she wants to keep her schedule normal at the moment. She always washes her hands and puts on gloves when she enters. I requested that her helper wash her hands equally well. They cleaned the downstairs while I stayed upstairs. As she left the housekeeper wiped (with disinfectant) all doorknobs, light switches, etc. and dropped the cloth outside. I remained upstairs till lunch and then went back upstairs. It was a good way to spend my day since I want to clean out some rooms anyway and needed a push to start me. I actually didn’t wander down till dinner, so hours had passed since the cleaners left. In “an abundance of caution” I wiped down the faucets, refrigerator handle etc again. Honestly felt like it was overkill. Anyway, it worked well. She kept her routine with a lighter job than usual. I have a clean house. I’m glad I let her come. It may not be an option in the near future. (I’m in Houston and, at this time, we only have 117 cases spread over multiple counties, such as Galveston which is almost two hours from my house.)
I am having my cleaning lady come today; she needs the money, I need a clean house! The dog and I may go for a drive while she is here as it is raining, so no walk. Otherwise, I will hang out in a room she is not.
Please don’t tell my 89 year old mother as I made her cancel her cleaning crew! Or my kids as they might kill me!
She just walked in the door with a mask with filter! Guess she is as worried as I am, and I am feeling better about having her here!
My cleaning lady cancelled today and wanted to come tomorrow or Thursday. But uh oh, Houston just shut down till April 3 - essential services only. Unfortunately the cleaning lady doesn’t fall in that category.
My cleaning lady sent a text to tell me she canceled for this week and next. I sent her a check (my D actually drove to the mailbox) for the cleaning.
My landscaping guys/gal usually don’t start until April 15–it snowed here yesterday.
The main problem with domestic workers is that they also work for other families, unless you are their exclusive employer. So your cleaning person is almost certainly bringing in germs from the other houses they clean.
I was planning to continue to have my cleaning person come. She is a one woman operator and I know the other homes she cleans. She called Friday and canceled for the time being. She said she wants to follow the rules. We are in a safe at home state. She also takes a bus from her city 45 minutes away and keeps a car in my community to get to her jobs. I’m sure the bus is a source of infection for people. She also lives with her elderly parents. I sent her a check for what I owed her and included an extra three weeks pay. I know many of her other clients paid her extra.
Our gardeners will continue to come. They are outside and just two of them in the truck.
Our cleaning lady called to tell us she was working from home, was ready to walk us through the steps to clean our house, and that we could just mail her a check when we finished.
Made me laugh.
My cleaning person just cancelled. She has stopped all cleaning for now. I am still going to pay her for time missed.
I’m glad she is not risking her health and those of her family.
Article in today’s NYT
I paid my hairstylist a bunch extra the last time I saw her. I’m happy she took my advice last year and didn’t pay off her mortgage. She said as a result, she has a lot of money in savings and will be fine. ?
You do not want to hire me to clean your house! Our dog sheds and hair is medium length, My husband likes to let him roll in the dormant grass outside, which means most of it makes its way inside! Why my cleaning lady or husband are in charge of vacuuming as it hurts my back, I figured I would use the lightweight Shark and at least vacuum the hardwood floors on the main level; how hard could that be?
I take one look at the rollers on the Shark and they are covered with black dog hair; I can’t even tell what color the rollers were! Spent 30 minutes cutting hair away so that the vacuum might actually work. Within moments of vacuum, I manage to go over my husband’s phone charging cord that is hanging off the desk. Another 20+ minutes getting the cord off the roller.
By the time I mess with the rollers for almost an hour, I am no longer in the mood to vacuum and my shoulders and back are complaining. I did sort of vacuum, but didn’t move chairs or go behind furniture; will save that for the next time, if there is one.
My cleaning lady is worth every dollar she is paid, and I can’t wait for her return!!