Who Needs Windex?
Reflections on being the world's worst Housekeeper85 total reviews
Comment from Just2Write
Y'know, Brooke - every once in a while, we come upon an old chestnut that just resonates. I missed this post that you wrote in the pre-Sawyer era of your life. It reminds me of myself. I don't cook at all, and I don't clean any more than is necessary. I remember growing up in a home where my mom was away at work all day, and when she had a day off, the entire day was spent cleaning and cooking. As a result, I didn't really know her very well.
My grandmas on the other hand, took me places, and showed me stuff, like snakes and caterpillars, frogs and polliwogs. It's easy to see that you took care of your house, much the same way your dad took care of his lawn. And now, I see that Miranda is paying forward the bonding experience that you shared with her. I hope her house has as much dust in it as yours and mine. And no one would give a fig it did.
Rose.
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2014
  |
Y'know, Brooke - every once in a while, we come upon an old chestnut that just resonates. I missed this post that you wrote in the pre-Sawyer era of your life. It reminds me of myself. I don't cook at all, and I don't clean any more than is necessary. I remember growing up in a home where my mom was away at work all day, and when she had a day off, the entire day was spent cleaning and cooking. As a result, I didn't really know her very well.
My grandmas on the other hand, took me places, and showed me stuff, like snakes and caterpillars, frogs and polliwogs. It's easy to see that you took care of your house, much the same way your dad took care of his lawn. And now, I see that Miranda is paying forward the bonding experience that you shared with her. I hope her house has as much dust in it as yours and mine. And no one would give a fig it did.
Rose.
Comment Written 24-Sep-2014
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2014
-
thanks so much, Rose - she keeps a much cleaner house than I did, but it still has a lived-in look, and it also has a housekeeper who comes for six hours once every two weeks. LOL :-) Brooke
-
Wow - I wish I could get me one of those. For now, my only feather duster is my parrot, Tom - a rescued bird that has lived with my hubby and me for 34 years. R.
-
yeah, I never had me one of those either - Miranda married herself a guy who makes far more money than I ever did for being a creative guy on the internet - Google Honest Trailers or Screen Junkies or Men at Arms - they are all his babies :-)
-
Wow - Brainium. What a fantastic set of web-sites. It must take up a lot of his time to post/review items for these sites.
R.
-
He's the creator/director/head writer for the sites :-) Hence my daughter's ability to hire a housekeeper LOL
-
Awesome. I wish that I was part of the computer generation. It's wonderful to see a person making a successful career in this way. I sure won't be one of them. :o(
-
yeah, me either - when my daughter married him he was making his own movies as a hobby with the help of his friends, and then he got a job at a urine-testing lab. LOL But eventually his ability to write parodies and his ability to network got him into the business. It all befuddles me.
-
My father, whose first job after WWII was cleaning toilets in a fancy hotel, used to say - "It's a dirty job, but the money is clean." Working with urine may not sound like the greatest of jobs, but it was on the path that got him where he is today. Good for your son-in-law to press on with his dream and make it work. I hope he becomes stinking rich. Rose.
-
:-) Yep, my dad came home from work every day black with grime from working on construction sites, but nobody in the neighborhood ever saw the dirt because he scrubbed it off the minute he got home and then spiffed himself up :-)
His work was backbreaking, but it was noble - it paid for our lovely house on our tree-lined street. I've always had a soft spot for people who labor at "dirty" jobs.
-
Me too. This part of the world has become too clean. Not a dang thing ignoble about shoveling sh*t, or working in a sewage treatment plant. Someone's gotta do it. R.
Comment from Jean Lagace
I am glad I read this because you sound like me if I were of a mind to address the same subject. I like this little bit of Americana and being reminded that one can do pretty well with the food provided in a Publix store. I guess I have been lucky with the wife I have won and kept as she proves a wonderful cook and so much more in addition (Like you, she was a teacher). Two healthy kids then that love you. You have been blessed. What more can one ask out of life?
|
I am glad I read this because you sound like me if I were of a mind to address the same subject. I like this little bit of Americana and being reminded that one can do pretty well with the food provided in a Publix store. I guess I have been lucky with the wife I have won and kept as she proves a wonderful cook and so much more in addition (Like you, she was a teacher). Two healthy kids then that love you. You have been blessed. What more can one ask out of life?
Comment Written 29-Oct-2013
Comment from wordsfromsue
Brooke, why don't you write more stories? You obviously have a gift for it. I'm having a time of many questions and not so many answers. I decided to read this because I occasionally wonder how badly I'm scarring my child by not being a cook and dishes are about the one thing I manage to do in my house, regularly.
This somehow makes me feel a little better, because I really do enjoy my son. We do a lot together. I foster his talents and hopes.
He listens to me.
I don't know at the end of the day and won't know until he's grown how I did as a Mom, but I feel better after reading this.
I think you sound like a great mom. And I wouldn't tell you that just because you're Brooke. You sound like someone I would have enjoyed having for a mom. If that makes sense.
Peace.
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2012
|
Brooke, why don't you write more stories? You obviously have a gift for it. I'm having a time of many questions and not so many answers. I decided to read this because I occasionally wonder how badly I'm scarring my child by not being a cook and dishes are about the one thing I manage to do in my house, regularly.
This somehow makes me feel a little better, because I really do enjoy my son. We do a lot together. I foster his talents and hopes.
He listens to me.
I don't know at the end of the day and won't know until he's grown how I did as a Mom, but I feel better after reading this.
I think you sound like a great mom. And I wouldn't tell you that just because you're Brooke. You sound like someone I would have enjoyed having for a mom. If that makes sense.
Peace.
Comment Written 28-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2012
-
Sue, thanks so much. The first year I was on site I wrote some personal essays, but then I just decided to focus on my poetry.
My lack of domestic skills has sure made me the ideal mother in law. My son never compares his quite domestic wife negatively to me. LOL And yet, I smile, knowing that if something political occurs in the world, I'm the one he calls to talk about it with :-) Brooke
-
I enjoy knowing you Brooke. You are kind and I appreciate that. I'm writing a story for a talk I'm doing at church and I'm anxious. I'm beginning the process of letting a skeleton out of my closet. Part of me shrinks into a very small child when I think about it. I'm tired of running. My talk is next Saturday.
Does anything ever scare you?
-
I totally forgot this is a public reply page. I'm so sorry.
-
If you have a spare hour or three, I can start to tell you about the things that frighten me :-)
Comment from Rain Chapman
I was surfing through the site trying to learn to navigate it better when I saw this. I knew you were an excellent poet, but I had no idea you were such a wonderful story writer. Your memories made me smile, made me want to put down my cleaning supplies and spend a little more time with my kids before they are grown and off on their own. Thank you for sharing such touching and happy memories.
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2009
|
I was surfing through the site trying to learn to navigate it better when I saw this. I knew you were an excellent poet, but I had no idea you were such a wonderful story writer. Your memories made me smile, made me want to put down my cleaning supplies and spend a little more time with my kids before they are grown and off on their own. Thank you for sharing such touching and happy memories.
Comment Written 25-Apr-2009
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2009
-
Lorraine, thank you for taking a look at this no-longer promoted oldie! I so appreciate your comments. Brooke :-D
Comment from AliSmith
Excellent. A very touching, heart-warming story. I am delighted that you found joy in your journey and am envious of the many places you went. The story is well told without any glaring spags. Keep up the good work.
reply by the author on 12-Dec-2008
|
Excellent. A very touching, heart-warming story. I am delighted that you found joy in your journey and am envious of the many places you went. The story is well told without any glaring spags. Keep up the good work.
Comment Written 12-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 12-Dec-2008
-
Ali, this is most kind of you to read this after it is no longer promoted! thank you so much. Brooke
Comment from Summer Falls
Truly a beautiful essay. I did not detect a spag, but I defiantly detected a tongue in cheek humor. I loved the story you told. The message of enjoying life with your children and not worrying about dust bunnies is one I believe in too. Life is too short.
When my child says, "You're the best mom." I know it is not because they are admiring the stack of clean dishes.
Good luck in the contest!
summergirl
reply by the author on 07-Dec-2008
|
Truly a beautiful essay. I did not detect a spag, but I defiantly detected a tongue in cheek humor. I loved the story you told. The message of enjoying life with your children and not worrying about dust bunnies is one I believe in too. Life is too short.
When my child says, "You're the best mom." I know it is not because they are admiring the stack of clean dishes.
Good luck in the contest!
summergirl
Comment Written 07-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 07-Dec-2008
-
You are most kind and perceptive - yes, much tongue in cheek. Thanks so much, Brooke :-D
-
I really enjoy reading your postings, Brooke.
-
thank you.
Comment from Mischief's Momma
This was a very enjoyable essay Brooke with no spags that I could see.
I am in line for the worst housekeeper of the century, but I do enjoy cooking - well baking really :) Here in Georgia it's too danged hot to bake all year, so my kids get used to it being at the holidays and when the whim strikes me.
I'm with you on this - a very wise old woman in my village in North Wales, just a month after my daughter was born, told me that my kids would never remember whether or not the floor was clean or their rooms pristine, but they would always resent a mother with no time for them. She was right, so no self-flagellation here.
MM
reply by the author on 26-Nov-2008
|
This was a very enjoyable essay Brooke with no spags that I could see.
I am in line for the worst housekeeper of the century, but I do enjoy cooking - well baking really :) Here in Georgia it's too danged hot to bake all year, so my kids get used to it being at the holidays and when the whim strikes me.
I'm with you on this - a very wise old woman in my village in North Wales, just a month after my daughter was born, told me that my kids would never remember whether or not the floor was clean or their rooms pristine, but they would always resent a mother with no time for them. She was right, so no self-flagellation here.
MM
Comment Written 26-Nov-2008
reply by the author on 26-Nov-2008
-
Thank you for sharing your own experiences and reflections on them with me. I've helped my sister bake when she tells me what to do, if that counts LOL Have you baked for tomorrow?
Happy Thanksgiving, by the way! Thank you, Brooke
-
Not yet, but I did buy the stuff to make an apple pie with my 11 year old this evening, we'll see maybe in the morning before the turkey goes in he oven. Abby loves to make bread rolls, so we'll do that for sure. I bought a frozen chocolate cream pie too though, just in case we spend longer serving at the homeless shelter than we planned.
Happy Thanksgiving :)
MM
Comment from Maurice WA Johnson
I loved this story Brooke. You have obviously given your children many happy memories. As you will no doubt, with your grandchildren. Thank you so much for sharing this.
reply by the author on 26-Nov-2008
|
I loved this story Brooke. You have obviously given your children many happy memories. As you will no doubt, with your grandchildren. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Comment Written 26-Nov-2008
reply by the author on 26-Nov-2008
-
Maurice, thank you for this most kind review, Brooke
Comment from peggysis64
Brooke,
Very well written with no spag. I was fortunate enough to have a mother like you, one who taught me the value of life and living life, how to stand up and be strong and to heck with the spotless house. There are more important things in life. kay
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2008
|
Brooke,
Very well written with no spag. I was fortunate enough to have a mother like you, one who taught me the value of life and living life, how to stand up and be strong and to heck with the spotless house. There are more important things in life. kay
Comment Written 25-Nov-2008
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2008
-
Kay, what a sweet thing to say - thank you, Brooke
Comment from fayesh
I think this mini autobiographical fully expressed the meaning of motherhood. It is not the superficial tidiness of a mother that makes her a great Mom, but the love and devotion to her children, not to a physical structure called a house. A warm, cluttered home is so much better than a tidy house.
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2008
 |
I think this mini autobiographical fully expressed the meaning of motherhood. It is not the superficial tidiness of a mother that makes her a great Mom, but the love and devotion to her children, not to a physical structure called a house. A warm, cluttered home is so much better than a tidy house.
Comment Written 25-Nov-2008
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2008
-
you are most kind - and most generous! thanks ever so much, Brooke :-)
