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21 August 2016

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I have a new lady cleaner. Ooops! I don’t mean a gadget to clean ladies with, I mean a new helping hand who happens to be female. I’ve had cleaners before but none were as thorough as this one. Her name is Hannah and I swear if I got in the way she would clean me as well.

Paola, my previous cleaner, went into the fingernail business and I think her heart was always in that rather than her cleaning duties. In order to give herself more time for fingernail work she wanted to change her hours. Her idea was to clean for three families in one day and I was the third. This meant cleaning for me would take place in the evening. No, thanks. Evenings are for relaxing in my house, not shifting from one room to another to accommodate the cleaner. So it was with regret that we parted company. Little did I know that she was actually doing me a favour.

The same day that Paola left I got in touch with an agency and had a new cleaner within two days, a young lady called Hannah. The agency arranged for me to interview her which was not only a surprise but it made me feel that the agency was both reputable and considerate. I save money as well. Paola worked one and a half hours and Hannah works two hours for less. It’s a win-win situation.

Hannah knows all there is to know about housework. She works on the basis that she likes her own home to be clean and wants the same for her clients. She thinks nothing of moving outside her role in order to help in other areas and even offers the services of her husband. It was he who recently shifted two chairs, an exceptionally heavy armchair and a recliner, from one room to another.

I caught Hannah cleaning the oven the other day and you have to admit that isn’t a job anyone relishes, especially when added to a million and one other jobs. Charlie is beginning to feel comfortable in her presence (it takes him time to relax with people) and he benefits from her caring nature. She has his feeding corner spotless and welcoming.

Within minutes of her arrival the house is turned upside down, or rather the furnishings are. Her first job is to pull all the chairs, tables etc. into the middle of each room. This is so that she can whiz round with the vacuum cleaner without having to stop and start. After that she replaces all the furniture and whizzes round again with the vacuum cleaner. Polishing comes next. Now if that was me I would do one item at a time. Chair out, vac, table out, vac, etc. The mop bucket comes out at the end. The new wood effect floor and the kitchen and rather long laundry area are all washed.

One thing is certain, she is efficient and thorough and a nice person to boot. What a pity she won’t be with me much longer! Yes, she’s taking a break from doing other people’s housework. I know I will miss her.



14 comments:

  1. Aw, Ron, that's a shame Hannah is taking a break from doing housework after finding such a GEM. She sounds absolutely wonderful! It's hard to find people who take their job responsibilities so efficiently and is a nice person to boot.

    Perhaps her break won't be too long before she'll come back. In the meantime, hopefully you'll find someone else to replace her temporarily.

    "I have a new lady cleaner. Ooops! I don’t mean a gadget to clean ladies with, I mean a new helping hand who happens to be female."

    HA! That made me giggle!

    Hope you're having a splendid Sunday, my friend!

    X to you and Charlie

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  2. Some women I've known have to clean the house BEFORE the cleaning person comes. I get it, but I don't get it.

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  3. Ron, the advantage of registering with an agency is that they supply cleaners at short notice, that is if they leave, go on vacation or go sick. But it is easy to get used to someone and then miss her when she leaves. Still,I have a few months before Hannah goes so I can enjoy that.

    Thanks, today (Sunday) is quiet but Charlie and I are enjoying a sunny day after a week of heavy rain.

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  4. Joeh, yes, you're right. I don't understand it either. Someone told me it was a matter of pride though I fail to see what that has to do with it. I mean, everything needs cleaning - does it matter who does it?

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  5. Everyone could use a Hannah in their life!

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  6. Awesome that you found someone so good at house cleaning--and who enjoys the job! I tried cleaning for a little while for a couple people, but it wasn't exactly my cup of tea! It can be hard, especially when people have a lot of treasures around their house that one has to be very careful not to break! Hope your next house-cleaner is as good as Hannah!

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  7. kden, if I could keep Hannah I would, and never want to share her. I'm selfish, you see.

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  8. Hi Bethany, its been a long time! Hope you are well. I was okay cleaning my house when I was younger and fitter and enjoyed it but I wouldn't like to do it for other people.

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  9. Isn't is annoying when you find someone/something you really like only for it to change? Hope you find someone else as good as Hannah. xx

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  10. Pearl, my fingers are crossed that the next cleaner will be a good. Since they come from an agency that has it's own rules I imagine there won't be much to complain about.

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  11. Hannah sounded like a great find. Hopefully your next lady will be just as good. The cleaning agency will probably see she is.

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  12. Denise, I hope so too. Hannah was a gem but I imagine more gems will be working for the agency, least-ways I hope so.

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  13. Enjoy Hannah while you can, Val. Maybe you can continue to charm her and she will decide to stay with you. Take care.

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  14. We had a large dog once who was frightened of lightening and thunder. He jumped through the neighbor's screen door and terrorized the cleaning lady. Not good!!!

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