I’m not one for cleaning. Sure, I like things neat, but I’d much rather be kayaking or meditating or doing anything other than cleaning. I even try to trick myself by saying that cleaning burns calories, so it’s good.
My dear Mom is a very traditional person. She believes in a thorough Spring and Fall cleaning. This includes washing windows. Now since she is 91, I don’t want her climbing on step ladders to wash the windows. So, I volunteered (or should I say was volunteered to take over this task.)
The windows looked fine to me. I’m very near sighted and don’t pay attention to details, but she claimed the windows were “filthy” (her words, not mine). There is also a process for cleaning windows, who knew? I thought all you had to do was spray a little Windex, wipe with a paper towel and it’s done. Wrong.
She has these fancy storm window/screen arrangement that go in different tracks. Each one has to be taken out to be cleaned. And then you clean the actual window. This involved getting up on a ladder to clean the outside. It was only a step ladder, but I am not good with heights. Plus, between my hip and foot issues, I’m not too steady on my feet. At least if I fell, I would fall onto something soft like the nicely spread mulch.
So, I’m on the outside and Mom is inside shouting directions. “Get the corners. You’re not wiping correctly. . .” Okay, breathe and count to ten. For her, I don’t think it was just about the window. She is really disappointed that she can no longer do things like this. I think it represents a loss of independence. If it were me, I would be celebrating the fact that I could no longer do windows.
So I carefully take out the storm window and screen and I clean them. I carefully put them back in the tracks. Except now, they don’t slide up as far as before and there is a big gap. What the h—? I take them out again, step onto a step stool and try to see what’s up. Nothing. Try putting them back again. Tell Mom, she’ll have to live with the gap since there’s nothing else I can do. Also notice there are fingerprints all over the windows from me trying to put them back in the tracks without dropping them. Ack.
Two hours and two windows later, I’ve had it for the day. My arms are killing me! I guess bicep curls don’t prepare you for housework.
I must admit the windows do look a lot cleaner. It’s as though there’s just the outside and no glass.
So my lesson learned from all this:
1. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and do something, even if you don’t think it’s important. Someone else might. If I can make my Mom happy by doing this, then I’ll gladly do it.
2. Laugh at yourself. As I was teetering on the ladder, I had visions of falling face first into the mulch. Mmm, I wonder if that would mean I wouldn’t have to wash any more windows?
3. Do something different. This experience served as a reminder that we all need more than gym routines to be healthy and fit.
So what about you? What can you do today?
Photo is courtesy of Alan Cleaver’s Flickr Photostream, under Creative Commons Licensing.
Our Life In 3D
October 16, 2013
Maybe then housework could prepare you for bicep curls? Vacuming is another aerobic workout sometimes. We are big on housework at our place either and the windows are always the last to get done as the glare free shine only seems to last minutes with 2 kids and a dog. Still, when its clean, it kinda makes it feel like it is all worth it.
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Nancy Loderick
October 16, 2013
Hi,
Yes, I try to tell l myself that housework is all part of being active throughout the day. And it is nice to admire a nice clean room or window, even if it’s only fleeting. 🙂
Nancy
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Professor VJ Duke
October 16, 2013
Haha! Oh dear! The professor can only imagine. I don’t particularly like cleaning windows either, or cleaning for that matter. But you handled it fine, I think.
I like point #2.
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Nancy Loderick
October 16, 2013
Hey Professor,
Okay, so I handled the two windows fine. Except there are about 20 more windows that need to be cleaned. Ack!
Nancy
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Ken Loderick
October 16, 2013
I like the kind of windows that are self cleaning. No, I’m not making this up. There really are some windows that have a special treatment to repel dirt and allow it to wash away with the rain. But it sounds like you did a great job working with your mom!
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Nancy Loderick
October 16, 2013
Hello Mr. Ken,
I love the idea of self-cleaning windows. I wonder though if they’re like “no iron” clothes, which you really have to iron if you want them looking half decent.
Nancy
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louisamayalcatt
October 16, 2013
Hi Nancy, we don’t want to be Debbie Downer here, but we got very concerned with you teetering on the ladder. No laughing matter, seriously. we won’t go into detail, but will suggest hiring a service in the future. worth every penny, especially your safety.
ok, enough of that, back to Louisa Lite. We’re glad you made your mom happy!
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Nancy Loderick
October 16, 2013
Hey Louisa,
I was half hoping that my dear Mom would be concerned about me falling off the ladder and this would excuse me from doing the windows. No such luck.
Nancy
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Ralph
October 16, 2013
Hi Nancy 😀
I am quite willing to pay my young neighbour about $20pw for a couple of hours cleaning work inc. the windows. She generally makes a good job of the windows. If there is a smear I say nothing as it will be gone the following week. Praise is so much better than criticism. Ralph xox 😀
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Nancy Loderick
October 16, 2013
Dear Friend Ralph,
I would gladly have paid a complete stranger to do the windows. But alas, Mom lives in a neighborhood that is pretty much empty during the day.
Nancy
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CBurns
October 17, 2013
You’re a good daughter and a real trooper. I was with you the whole time with those windows! I’ve done them before, what a pain (literally). But it is amazing how nice everything looks after they’re clean. As for me I have some boxes to move 😉
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Nancy Loderick
October 17, 2013
Hi,
Yes, the windows did look very nice after all was said and done. Except it rained the next day and they are now back to being streaked. 🙂
Nancy
P.S. Good luck with those boxes!
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Pride in Photos Photography
October 17, 2013
Nancy, I am laughing so hard at this story because I thought you were describing my mother and me☺ Sigh…You brought back so many memories of storm windows..big ugh. I am SO glad they don’t make these anymore!
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Nancy Loderick
October 17, 2013
HI Laurie,
I wish they made real self-cleaning windows. Something rigged with streaming water over the windows so they really would self-clean. 😉
Nancy
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Yahobahne
October 18, 2013
Great story and so on point for me. You asked, “what can I do today?” Well, all’f this week I’ve been volunteering in the call center of my church. We receive calls and input data, amongst other things, for individuals in need of Thanksgiving baskets. I thought that if I did something for someone else, it could keep my attention on their needs, instead of mine. As you may know, I’ve been suffering with chronic pain. I literally am tired of thinking about it. And redirecting my attention has somewhat lessened the pain…so I like to think.
Nonetheless, this experience in the call center is very challenging. I come home almost every night in as much pain as before I left it. At the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter in comparison to satisfying others need. On their part, there may’ve been (emotional) pain endured prior to knowing they could receive a free Thanksgiving basket. Yet to me, it’s satisfying know that that need in their life was taken care of! 🙂
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Nancy Loderick
October 18, 2013
Hi,
I am so sorry that you are in constant pain. I love the fact that you are trying to distract yourself from the pain by helping others. Good for you!
It sounds as though your volunteer work is quite stressful though and that is probably why you have so much pain at the end of the day.
Is there some other volunteer work that you could do that would be less stressful? Perhaps volunteering to help put the Thanksgiving baskets together.
I will keep you in my prayers.
Nancvy
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Yahobahne
October 18, 2013
Actually, whether it’s walking, standing (especially for 30min or more) or sitting, it’s very stressful to my body. Degenerative disc disease, chronic venous insufficiency and arthritis (read my latest blog) are not the best combinations. Ughh!
The doctors suggested that I stay in the pool and exercise to relieve most of the pain/stress.
I enjoy the work at the call center. They make sure we break and then dinner is served. And as far as doing other volunteer work, on a couple of Saturdays per month, I participate in feeding the hungry. That entails preparing the food, bagging, as well as distribution. But during distribution, I stay inside the church van to assist. It’s less strenuous than walking up to the people. The outcome is the same as in call center. 🙂
Either way, this body (not emotions) ends up stressed out! I’m not worried though because I’m standing on God’s promise to me found in 1Peter 5:10. 😀
As for you lady Nancy, keep helping where it’s needed, whether it’s your mom or someone else. Your labor in your story was not in vain. Thanks for your concern for me and for posting your passage. God bless and enjoy your weekend! 🙂
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Nancy Loderick
October 18, 2013
Joanna,
You are such an inspiration! You inspire me and I’m sure that you inspire all those people you are helping.
I am so glad that you have found God and that he is giving you comfort and strength.
Nancy
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Bindu
November 4, 2013
Loved this post. You should have tried the Tom Sawyer whitewashing technique 🙂
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Nancy Loderick
November 5, 2013
Hi Bindu,
Good idea! I have plenty more windows to wash, so it’s not to late . . .
N
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Joshua Idemudia-silva
November 7, 2013
Window cleaning is one household chore many people shy away from, but you can’t escape it; not when you have some old folks around who want their windows looking bright. The best way around this is to keep a schedule so that when the day arrives you just do it even though it may still be looking clean in your own eyes. Interesting piece there.
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Nancy Loderick
November 7, 2013
Hi Joshua,
Thanks for your comment. I agree with you that it seems to be the older folks who care more about super clean windows.
N
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Jimmy vs. World!
November 13, 2013
Lesson 4: Next time, let’s all go kayaking instead!
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Nancy Loderick
November 13, 2013
Hi Jimmy,
I LOVE that idea! I would rather be kayaking than doing anything else. 🙂
N
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authormbeyer
November 14, 2013
My household jobs include washing food-encrusted dishes and chief-dog-who-wasn’t-properly-walked-and-made-a-poop-in-the-house-dog-poop-picker-upper. Nasty stinky jobs. I’d ask to go along in the kayak, but i’m afraid lingering odors might melt your boat.
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Nancy Loderick
November 14, 2013
Hi,
So I guess I shouldn’t be complaining about just washing windows then.
As for lingering odors, a dip in the water might take care of that. Although I’m not so sure that a dip in the Charles River (source of that song, “Love that dirty water”) is the best thing.
N
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