House cleaning, who does it? [OT and controversial]

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Melissa

Gym climber
berkeley, ca
Sep 6, 2011 - 04:30pm PT
J does a lot more on a regular basis, and I do the big overhaul and spit shine efforts, mostly only when company is coming. We're both pretty good at ignoring housework and allowing filth and piles to accumulate without worrying about it a bit.

He puts things away more often, but often does it by cramming bits and bobs into cardboard boxes and hiding those in closets. I hate putting things away "wrong" so, I leave them to accumulate in plain sight for months at a time. (e.g. I de-pile my work desk once a semester.) He does the garbage and yard most of the time. The laundry is my exclusive realm. (Hint for men still stuck with this chore: Turn a load of laundry pink, and you will be relieved of this duty at least where her clothes are concerned forever.)

I shop for dinner most days. He's the chef, and I'm the sommelier. (i.e. I visit with him from the couch with a glass of wine.)

Over the summer I bought a Roomba, and for the first time ever, my wood floors shine. I love emptying Roomba and seeing what its daily catch was when I get home from work. Since it auto-deploys, it runs when if someone were to ask me, I'd say that there wasn't a speck of dust to sweep. When it comes back daily choked with cat fur, I get a good self-awareness check re: just how blind I am to messes.
Seamstress

Trad climber
Yacolt, WA
Sep 6, 2011 - 06:15pm PT
Hey - I do the leads, and I pay the bills.

Who cooks? 50/50 The best meals are the ones he fixes while I prepare the desserts, always with homemade whipped cream.

Who shovels the snow? We don't get any in the maritime environment. However, I do drive to the snow and play in it more often.

Gathers, cuts and splits and stacks the firewood? And brings it into the house? I earn the money that pays for the heat pump.

Who maintains the yard? He cuts the grass - irregularly - and leaves stuff on the grass so it dies. I weed the flower beds and landscaping irregularly. It works out much better when we have a summer drought so nothing grows. That didn't happen this year, so it is a bit out of control.

Who maintains the autos? He does the minor maintenance, and the cars go to a local mechanic when they need the kind of work he "simply doesn't have the tools to do efficiently". You can never have enough tools. All jobs require specialty tools.

Who maintains the sporting equipment? He cleans the cams, I mark the gear. He tunes the skis, and I detune the skis.

Who maintains the house, ie plumbing and such? See the chapter on tools. He does it provided he has the right tools, and there is no time limit for a honey-do project. If I have any expectations that it must be done today, then we discuss hiring someone - or he hires a friend to help him.

Who takes care of the pets/kids? I don't want a pet. I have a husband and children. That is more than I can take care of properly. He takes care of the pet, and I won't let the cat into the house if the litter box has not been cleaned. He took care of the chickens, but that wasn't up to standards, so we won't replace the chickens recently consumed by local coyotes. He transports kids to their sundry appointments and activities. I was the schoolbus for high school since the school was 3 miles from my office. I water plants from Memorial Day to Labor Day. They die shortly thereafter from neglect as Fall is the best climbing season.

Who fixes the computers? He fixed the computer once. Now the rule is - I take care of mine, and he takes care of his. There is clear responsibility for viruses and issues.


Laundry - We each do our own. That way I can be responsible for all inadvertant shrikage or melting of my "delicates" or hi-tec fabrics.

It isn't a perfect division of labor. We do have very different standards of cleanliness. He has no idea what a toiletbrush is or how to clean a refirgerator. The self cleaning oven is beyond his mechanical ability. THese issues matter to me daily and only enter his mind when under attack by mice or ants. I see no reason to take my shoes off in my own house.
Anastasia

climber
hanging from an ice pick and missing my mama.
Sep 6, 2011 - 06:21pm PT
Bill usually works seven days a week so it's logical that I do most of the cleaning. I don't resent it, instead I feel useful and needed. I also clean better than most which is useful.

I also break things. He fixes stuff.

I take care of my Dad's house, which is my responsibility since the old man isn't doing well.

Bill oversees my Dad's health care.

I think we make a great team. :)

AFS
Ed Hartouni

Trad climber
Livermore, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 7, 2011 - 12:42am PT
Melissa: (Hint for men still stuck with this chore: Turn a load of laundry pink, and you will be relieved of this duty at least where her clothes are concerned forever.)

actually, not forever, about 5 or 6 years though... and what happened after about a year or so, all the dirty clothes in the hamper on "wash day" were mine...

now fully forgiven, about 10 years, and expected to do my share of all the laundry, and not turn things pink...

so not forever...
apogee

climber
Sep 7, 2011 - 01:15am PT
Melissa +1
adam d

climber
Sep 7, 2011 - 01:41am PT
^^^^^^
Yup...Roomba in the mail. No really. It was my 3 year old niece's idea. She's a smart cookie. She said now that I have a cat I ought to have a Roomba.
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Sep 7, 2011 - 01:47am PT
Don't girls like pink clothes any more?
Anastasia

climber
hanging from an ice pick and missing my mama.
Sep 7, 2011 - 02:01am PT
Our Loki does a good vacuum impression when you drop food. As for everything else, she happily sheds over it...

:)
apogee

climber
Sep 7, 2011 - 02:06am PT
DT, didn't you leave for the day?
Anastasia

climber
hanging from an ice pick and missing my mama.
Sep 7, 2011 - 02:22am PT
Bill just doesn't separate colors, uses the dryer on everything including fleece and washes in one temperature, HOT... That keeps him away from all clothes including his own.

He is in charge of money, booking flights, and purchasing all of the expensive items. I just do the grocery shopping and I get small things for myself.
Delhi Dog

climber
Good Question...
Sep 7, 2011 - 03:23am PT
"Who does the bulk of the house cleaning?"

Uh...wait for it...








































our maid.
She also does all the cooking, laundry, and buying of food...pays the local bills, and, and...

I love that part of living in Asia!
Haven't done any of that for like 12 years now-well except when I come home for summer, then the house goes to sh*te.

Cheers,
DD
Anastasia

climber
hanging from an ice pick and missing my mama.
Sep 7, 2011 - 03:56am PT
I want a man maid with a pool boy. ;) It's not ever going to happen but heck the idea is wonderful. :)
Spider Savage

Mountain climber
SoCal
Sep 7, 2011 - 10:12am PT
^^^^^SPAMMER^^^^^

By all means, continue the thread, but do not click on the link above.
Stewart Johnson

climber
lake forest
Sep 7, 2011 - 10:49am PT
how clean is your shitter?
Messages 41 - 54 of total 54 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
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