When I was at my mom and dad’s their dishwasher broke. So I spent an hour handwashing their dishes in spite of my arthritis. I love to handwash dishes and have ever since I was a kid. It’s kind of a peaceful, meditative exercise.
I’ve also really been enjoying folding laundry.
It occurs to me that I do like housework, but only if I can make some noticable difference. With handwashing dishes and folding laundry you start with a pile of stuff and work that pile down to nothingness. It’s the most immediate feedback possible.
I also like to mop. On our dark green kitchen floor you can see where the mopped part is shiny and damply clean. You can easily see how much is clean and how much remains.
I think I’ve discovered that I like cleaning only when I feel like I’m accomplishing something.
I find vacuuming to be relaxing, as long as the room is easily navigated (not a bunch of crap all over the place getting in the way).
I realized a few months ago that I do my best housecleaning when I’m upset/stressed. When I went to two funerals within a week of people that I was close to, my house was So. Freaking. Clean.
Well, if you ever want to “accomplish something” at my house let me know. I hate house work.
I am oh so nicer than Dolphin because even though I was thinking that I didn’t click Submit.
How much can I pay you to come live with me? Believe me, you can feel like you’re accomplishing something for probably YEARS.
Or at least until E. and I get married, seeing as how he’s practically OCD about cleaning. Which is why we will never ever get divorced. I’m not stupid!
Kat–
If you ever feel like you need to accomplish more, come on over!
Like you, however, I do my dishes by hand even though I have a dishwasher. I don’t think I’ve ever used it.
Now the floors and tub are another story. I can’t get them clean like I like because of my hands. I’ve got to find a reasonable housekeeper.