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Managing the housework

Posted , 9 users are following.

IngeniumSingula
IngeniumSingula

Does anyone have any good tips for simplifying the housework?  I have no one to delegate to so it's a simple choice; do I have the energy or not to do any.  outside, I've gravelled over two flower boarders and am getting rid of any plant in a pot that doesn't look after itself, in order to reduce the work outside. 

1 like, 31 replies

31 Replies

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  • bronwyn97278
    bronwyn97278 IngeniumSingula

    Posted

    Hi tired-physio;...know exactly what you are saying;  I thought i was going to "do what had to be done" on Thursday, as we had new blinds installed on Friday, and the curtains had to be taken down, as no-one here at present (hubby working away...and all the others are out of home, and always busy with their lives), so yep, I did the job...and today's Sunday, and have only got three curtains back up...just the usual....no energy left...and yes, I am upset/frustrated...and the fact is I'm too b....stubborn to ask for help (feel that if they wanted to help, they would come and do so).....I Have Not achieved what I preach...delegate the work....it is hard living on your own, and knowing these things need to be done....but how?   Let it be said that I DO understand, and feel for you and each other who is in this position....but don't really have any answers.....as was said, apply for help from the government....but I don't qualify for that, and if I did, I couldn't even bear the thought of having to sit down and fill out the forms (the way I feel at the moment)....yep, having a good old whinge today......cheesygrin Bron
    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS bronwyn97278

      Posted

      When my son lived here it was so hard to ask for help because he didn't believe I was ill, even after the diagnosis. And I felt that because I was his mum I should be looking after him so I'd force myself to cook his tea etc and burn myself out even more.

      Having ME has taught me how hard it is to accept help but that it's even harder to get it!

    • georgeGG
      georgeGG bronwyn97278

      Posted

      Not because of ME but because of arthritis we have rearranged how our duties are distributed. The key thing I have found is that I am not doing my wife's duty for her nor is she doing mine for me.

      i do my (new) range of duties at my schedule and to my standards and by my method. The same applies to my wife's range of duties. That way disappointment and nagging are minimised and the pleasures of achievement maximised.

  • artistmike
    artistmike IngeniumSingula

    Posted

    Like with many of the others, most of the time only the important things get done an I manage to find most things not very important.. cheesygrin

    One thing I do on days that aren't as bad as some of the others is to cook large batches of meals and then freeze them in portions. It takes very little more time to do six portions than one, and then I know that on bad days I only have to heat something up to have a decent meal, rather than cook from scratch.

    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS artistmike

      Posted

      I can't have a fridge or freezer because the gases give me headaches and nausia when I open the doors, but when I'm able to I cook a stew in my slow cooker and add preservatives, i.e. rosemary, lemon and olive oil and it lasts for days.

      For me everything else can be neglected apart from eating.

    • IngeniumSingula
      IngeniumSingula GeorgiaS

      Posted

      Sounds lovely, I didn't know about rosemary (got some of that outside in  a pot, also sage and thyme, do they have special properties?) lemon and olive oil. My freezer is in an out building, so i switched it off months ago!  I eat a lot more veg when it's in a stew.  Thanks
  • IngeniumSingula
    IngeniumSingula

    Posted

    I like the steam cleaning idea, not heard of that before.

    I don't have care.  I manage to work part time but then I'm done and spend the rest of my time resting.  Those are my priorities with very occaisional socialising.  Most of the time that suits me.  I stay away from social services and the medical (i originally typed 'madical', freudian slip??) profession, but that's the choice i've made for me and not what others would chose. 

    So, it's glasses off, burn essential oils to make the place smell nice and view the mess from the inside of my eyelids!  Simples!

    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS IngeniumSingula

      Posted

      Madical!!!! lolcheesygrin I'm in hysterics!

      I had care through direct payments, first my sister then when she got another job (she already had one), I found another carer who turned out to be a friend of my mums but she got cancer.

      The complex care team are  trying to get some care in place. I wish I could do without it but I really can't believe me.

    • bronwyn97278
      bronwyn97278 IngeniumSingula

      Posted

      Hi tired-physio;  Yesterday when I first read re the Water in Oven piece, was thinking of adding "that if you add Washing Soda to the water", it does an even better job....it is the cheapest and best way to remove any built-up grease....and then I just wipe over with a cloth/paper towel....no offensive odours, just plain clean oven....good luck and keep up your part-time work, as we all know that is what this Fibro/ME does to us....it seems to take away a lot of our social life too...and we all need other Human Contact......Bron
    • IngeniumSingula
      IngeniumSingula bronwyn97278

      Posted

      Thanks Bron, i'll definitely try that. human contact is very important.  I'm so greatful for the internet, to be able to communicate with others without all the usual social effort.
    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS bronwyn97278

      Posted

      Great idea about washing soda; I'm going to try it with bicarbonate of soda.
  • tina58520
    tina58520 IngeniumSingula

    Posted

    Hi there, 

    I have just in the last two weeks employed a cleaner for a couple of hours a week.  I live with my husband but his work sees him up early and home late and my daughter is at Uni, so the housework was just piling up.  If you are on PIP then this money is for making your life easier.

    Good luck and don't over do it.

    Tx

    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS tina58520

      Posted

      That's so great! I've had help in the past on and off with cleaning and housework and it makes such a huge difference. Brilliant. razz
  • beth97678
    beth97678 IngeniumSingula

    Posted

    Housework= try to keep the kitchen and bathroom clean when you have the energy.Try to keep the bedsheets laundered.Pace yourself.The dust in the rest of the house will wait -indeed ,I have it on good authority (Quentin Crisp) "There is no need to do any housework at all. After the first four years the dirt doesn't get any worse".LOL.

    Seriously though, accept any help that is offered-and if none is, then ask.Neighbours often have young lads willing to do a bit of gardening tidying for a few quid and a cleaner costs £10 per hour .If you can afford either, even if it's for a short time, then do it.

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