omg happiness

[verbicide]

She came. She saw. She conquered!

Maribel rules. She was so nice and thorough. Since I couldn't spend $1000 on house cleaning, we agreed to tackle things slowly. But I mean, she reorganized my kitchen and bathroom. She's cleaned everything except the few areas I wouldn't let her clean (to her eternal sadness), like my desk and bookshelves.

Everything smells clean and nice and happy. All the trash is tossed. The floors are immaculate. Well, except for a few kitty puke-spots on the carpet that I need to spot treat tomorrow. My bed is even made except for the duvet cover which I've developed a sort of issue with.

I busted my ass all morning and the 6 boxes next to my desk were finally dealt with. My desk is still covered with books but I plan to come home tonight and organize my shelves. And I need to buy a filing cabinet which I am geekily excited about.

She was so funny. She left saying that she felt bad because she wasn't able to do a really complete job, but she understands that I can only spend so much on this (her price is $25/hr and that adds up pretty fast). So she's going to come back in a month and we'll deal with the blinds and the closets next time.

Must send thank you note to Meghan for recommending her.

Omg my place is so clean and happy and just...omg YAY! *shrieks*

Sarah's coming over now to pick me up for movie/dinner with Judy & Co. Then we're going to hang out here. And tomorrow Sarah is going to come with me to Swanson's Nursery and we're going to pick out some winter-friendly plants for my balcony garden and clean up that area. And possibly my car. If I have any energy left, I'm going to deal with my two hall closets. Linen and coat because they need reorganizing, too!

My life runs so much better when my flat is tidy. I can't believe I let it lapse into such a mess for so long!

Things I need to buy:

cd organizer
more bookshelves, though no idea where to put them
lamp for living room
1 inch quiche pan

And there was something else, but I can't remember it now *frown*

And I forgot to post this earlier. Loved Sideways. Sarah loathed it, as predicted. Indian food was fabulous. Great to see everyone tonight. And we came back to my place to watch some really weird X-files episodes. And now I am so so so tired that I need to go fall into bed.

Comments

[artemis77.livejournal.com]

I've been very interested in your recent posts about getting someone to clean your flat. I hate cleaning... when I get a "real job" and have kids someday I'm totally getting someone to clean.

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

It took me a long time to convince myself, which in retrospect seems so silly. I thought I was being lazy or excessively spendy (I can be cheap about some things).

But then I thought:

I work hard during the week.
I don't want to spend all my spare time cleaning.
I paid Maribel what I've paid for a really nice dinner (for 2) out.
And I am so freaking happy in my scrubbed clean flat. I never clean this thoroughly.

I highly recommend it!

PS

[artemis77.livejournal.com]

I just bought a paid account (because that's the best possible choice one could make while unemployed... not), and I'm thinking about customizing my journal some more. Are you using one of the premade LJ-styles in your journal?

Re: PS

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

The paid account is worth it to me just for being able to have more than 3 icons!

And I am using a pre-made style, but I customized it with colors and options.

[euphrasie.livejournal.com]

I should've recommended my cleaning woman to you! She charges by size of the house, and she is here for 2.5-3 hrs for $80 per week and ours is just shy of 2k sq. ft. Yours would definitely be a lot cheaper than ours!

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

You know, I really liked Maribel, but I'd be willing to try her out. Because my place is tiny --500sqft-- and it would make better sense.

You're obviously happy with her work if you're recommending her. And wow, $80 for a 2k sqft house with 5 people! I paid $100 for four hours, but she worked really hard and in pretty intense detail (moving furniture, dealing with cupboards). She also said the first time is the most expensive because she sets up a clean foundation and then the subsequent times are cheaper because it's not as messy as the first time. She said the next time would be only a couple of hours.

When I clean my flat, even when it's super messy, it never takes me more than 2 hours (including floors). I'm not really that much of a slob and most of the time is putting things away, not cleaning-cleaning.

Get me her contact stuff? (here is fine or email)

[euphrasie.livejournal.com]

The only issue I have with Sandra is that she has to change the schedule somewhat frequently, but really that isn't a big deal because she cleans while I'm not here anyway heh... I just get psyched because it's cleaning day and then I have to wait an extra day. She is a single mom trying, I think, to juggle cleaning around her daughter's school schedule to avoid childcare costs, so she isn't 100% reliable. That said, she's a good 98% reliable, and she's really nice, and leaves us little gifts for holidays... plus, you gotta like helping young single mom business owners!

Anyway, her email is eastsidepink@yahoo.com, she uses all eco-friendly supplies, is licensed and bonded, and will meet with you to review your space and provide you a cleaning estimate. Her rates are VERY reasonable, and she does a really good job. She can also help you organize stuff too, if you need help with that.

I referred my co-worker to her and she LOVED her, so she comes highly recommended on two fronts (and Emily is psycho about everything, and I'm psycho about cleaning).

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

I wonder if she has time to come out to Ballard if she's based on the Eastside and trying to juggle a tight schedule. But I'll email her and see what she says!

Thanks, Jody. I'll let her know you recommended her. :)

[euphrasie.livejournal.com]

She's been coming out for Emily, who lives in Seattle, so it seems to work out ok. The schedule issue probably impacts me the most since she comes on Mondays and those tend to be school holidays... I wouldn't worry too much, she is really great. And she takes paypal!

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

I don't need a cleaner for another month, but I just emailed her and will see what she says!