This is because I am starting to feel like a maid, and I am not one. I am happy to keep things running smoothly and do things for people, but I feel you are all starting to take advantage. Since everyone in this house is past the age of diaper changes, here are some new rules that, as responsible, strong, well-educated people, like those living in this house, should be able to handle.
- LAUNDRY:
All dirty clothes need to be placed in the hamper in your room if you want them washed. No clothing should be balled-up or inside-out (e.g. underwear or shorts intricately entwined in your pants - NOT OKAY!) If you can't handle this rule, you will be in charge of your own laundry washing/dying. If you happen to notice clean laundry folded in the livingroom, please put it away as soon as it is noticed! I should not have to remind you to put away your own things; especially when I have already cleaned, dried, folded, and separated it into each individual's own pile in an effort to make each of your lives easier! If you think that this isn't a lot of work, please feel free to do it all on your own. If clean laundry isn't promptly put away, you will do it all! - LIVINGROOM:
If you open a reclining chair, close it when you get up! If you throw pillows on the floor to make room for yourself, pick them up when you are done in the room! If you use a blanket, fold it and put it away when you are done with it... none of these actions are difficult! Small room = looks dirty easily. Please help me to keep our home looking good! - DISHES:
After using any dishes/bowls/cups you are to rinse them out and set them on the counter to the right of the sink or in the dishwasher. When rinsing, you are not allowed to rinse directly into the bowl that I keep in the sink with soapy water for soaking silverware. I'm sure you can all handle dumping the rinse water to the side of the bowl, instead of into it. Speaking of which, the only thing allowed in the sink is this bowl with soapy water with any other silverware you have used placed in it. No more dishes on top of dishes in a huge pile, with who knows what sticking to them and smelly. If that is to continue you will each be in charge of washing your own dishes dishes as soon as you are done using them! - RECYCLABLES (bottles, cans, boxes, etc):
There are only 2 places recyclables belong - in the blue bin or in the can return bag. Both of these are in the garage. Recyclables do NOT belong in or by the kitchen sink, they do NOT belong on the counter or by the garage door and they do NOT belong in the trash. They are recyclable, not garbage and only belong in one of the 2 places listed above EACH and every time you have one, not occasionally. EVERY FREAKING TIME! - BATHROOM:
A) If you pee on the toilet seat wipe it up, if you pee ANYWHERE other than the giant hole filled with water, WIPE IT UP!
B) If you cut/shave/brush your hair - CLEAN IT UP! All of it! You are responsible for each and every little strand! This probably means wiping down the entire sink and vanity, including the lifting of items on the vanity, because I'm sure your hair is under and between it all.
C) When you brush your teeth make sure all your spit/phlegm/grossness and toothpaste is rinsed down the drain. If it doesn't easily rinse down the sink, it is your job to wipe it out of the sink... DUH! Toothpaste and toothbrushes should always be put back in the drawer when you are done with them, and the drawer should be CLOSED. This is to prevent all those nasty bathroom germs away from and off of the items we put in our mouths multiple times a day. Rocket science!
D) After a shower make sure the plug is pushed down after, so that the next person to take a shower doesn't get soaked by an automatic shower as soon as the water is turned on. Clean any hairs out of the drain filter and rinse any dirt or bubbles down the drain when you are done.
E) If you clip your nails you also must remove the clipping from the vanity, sink, floor... actually, remove them from absolutely everywhere they may land, except the trash can, which is pretty close to where the clippers are kept so it shouldn't be all that difficult. - ANIMALS:
Make sure all animals are fed and watered daily. If you make a mess in the process of doing this you need to clean up the mess you made. They are unable to take care of any of this on their own and we are responsible to make sure they have what they need every day. Just because you took care of your animals doesn't mean someone else should be taking care of your mess. (e.g. cat food overflowed to the floor or a trail of water from refilling water bowls.) - SNOW STUFF/SUMMER STUFF:
A) WINTER: There are 2 containers in the kitchen. The bag holds little things like gloves and hats, the basket holds big things like snow-pants and coats. When you go out do not tear apart this system, leaving the mess for me to clean up. Find your stuff, put back what you don't need, and move on. When you come inside from the snow put anything that is damp/wet in a pile for the dryer, and put anything still dry in the storage container it belongs in.
B) SPRING/SUMMER/FALL: Flip-flops, sneakers, peeled off socks, wet towels, toys, yard tools - all have a spot to go in! This 'spot' isn't littered all over the yard and house. Socks do not belong balled up and lingering on the trampoline, or in the yard, or by the backdoor. Then I hear complaints of "I don't have any socks", you are the reason for this and I will not buy new ones. Wet towels should be hung on the deck. All toys/balls/etc. should be put in the tote on the deck when you are done with them. Yard tools (shovels, rakes, etc) should be put in garage or at least brought up to the door and leaned against the house. Absolutely none of these things should be left all over the yard, creating a mad rush to clean up when it is time to mow the lawn.
We have a small house and one mess can easily make it look disastrous! Please do your part to keep our home clean and comfortable. When we take care of the little things as they happen, it means no one will have to spend hours cleaning up a huge mess of multiple little messes all piled on top of each other.
End rant... for now. :p
End rant... for now. :p
