What sort of things have you just...... - Page 2

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

@Mominohio wrote:
decided aren't worth the effort any more?

And I mean this in relation to the home.

Do you decorate less? Are you not as picky about housecleaning or maintenance as you once were? Have you reached a place in life where certain things home, decor entertaining etc. wise, just don't hold the same priority (or fun or excitement) that they once did?

And why?

Physical limitations, time, change of perspective, change of finances, changes in family size or relationships?

I have found that with age, and more limited mobility, I have had to adjust my idea of what is clean, and what is 'clean enough' in some areas of my house and property. Same with the outdoor work. Just don't have it physically to to what I once did, and have had to readjust my definitions a bit.

Also, with kiddo grown up, I don't find quite the joy in holiday preps that I once did, the anticipation and joy are not gone by any means, but diminished somewhat.

Anyone care to share how their priorities have changed in relation to the home over the years?

Sure, now that I'm retired, I can do things around here when I want to. That was the thing that was major I used to say about "when I retire". So momma's happy.

Nomore · ‎09-09-2010

@Mominohio wrote:
decided aren't worth the effort any more?

And I mean this in relation to the home.

Do you decorate less? Are you not as picky about housecleaning or maintenance as you once were? Have you reached a place in life where certain things home, decor entertaining etc. wise, just don't hold the same priority (or fun or excitement) that they once did?

And why?

Physical limitations, time, change of perspective, change of finances, changes in family size or relationships?

I have found that with age, and more limited mobility, I have had to adjust my idea of what is clean, and what is 'clean enough' in some areas of my house and property. Same with the outdoor work. Just don't have it physically to to what I once did, and have had to readjust my definitions a bit.

Also, with kiddo grown up, I don't find quite the joy in holiday preps that I once did, the anticipation and joy are not gone by any means, but diminished somewhat.

Anyone care to share how their priorities have changed in relation to the home over the years?

You described how I feel these days. It started a few years ago when we fought the drought and keeping the yard green, so we put a lot of rocks in to limit the green sections, back and front. We told ourselves we our being eco friendly, nah, we just were tired of mowing the huge spaces. Then, we made gardens of perennials, instead of having to do the annuals. We don't want to spend all our free time tending to the outside.

Now, we're getting rid of furniture, in addition to paring down drastically. We are bone-tired literally, I need knee surgery, and my husband has some back issues. My daughter still lives at home here, but this is her last semester (2nd degree), so she can't help much right now since she is at school or work. (sigh of relief for us on the school bills!)

My husband tries to help me out with the house more so now because of my knee problems, but he works full-time 13+ hours 4 days a week.

My motto now is Good Enough.

This is coming from a perfectionist from better days.

It's the 3 of us here, my son has moved away. We both have siblings galore, but we live far from all. So the holidays are a little quiet and I think lonely. You'd think I'd be used to that, with us living far away all the time while my husband was in the military, now retired, but it hasn't changed. He works many holidays, just like my kids do, too.

This is why I'm all for less decorating, it does make life easier.

And if I don't want to pull out Christmas decorations, I won't.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

I retired early 3 years ago, due to my husband's declining health. My focus is to enjoy every minute of every day that we have together, and not sweat the small stuff. I clean both bathrooms daily, keep my kitchen clean, swiffer twice a week, and dust weekly. I declutter as I go, in an effort to not let anything pile up. Most of my cleaning is done when my husband is out and gone, so things are done quickly, but as efficiently as possible. We like things to be very basic and simple, so I don't decorate except for Christmas. All the house plants had to go when asthma and COPD issues worsened. My windows aren't cleaned as often as they once were. We have done all we can to simplify exterior maintenance, as my husband becomes more limited. I have lowered my standards somewhat, and accepted the same clean enough for me attitude that you mentioned. Our home is as relaxed and comfortable as we are, and all are welcome---just don't bring your white gloves!

traveler · ‎03-09-2010

Funny how this just came up. We just donated our 6 ft Christmas tree and I'm sorting out all the "girly ornaments like teacups, dolls, lace or tassel things to go with it. I used to have a kitchen I could decorate but have galley style now so no room. Donating that decor. I am tired of trying to sell on ebay. Oh, and VPH beaded fruit. Just me, DH and son now. All adults, no kids.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

The last few years I was working I was just too tired to care about just doing what I had to do to keep us going. However, since retiring and moving to Florida I once again enjoy doing some lightweight decorating. Unfortunately, my HOA does NOT appreciate outside decor and so they severely limit what we can do, and how long we can have it up. They even had the gall to complain about some residents having flags out but my DH pointed out to them the place in the Constitution where it says we are to fly the flag at all times.He quietly, but strongly really put them in their place.

vermint · ‎04-05-2010

I decorate a bit for fall...mostly just sit a few pumpkin and fall leaf things around...because we host a large family Thanksgiving dinner, and because I love fall! We never had children, so I Christmas-decorate just for us---tree, Nativity, some sit-around things, no garland, village, outside lights, etc. Also do a tiny bit for Easter, again large family dinner. I don't know if we'll be able to continue these dinners when we retire...everyone brings food, and lots of it, but it's still very expensive. I'll start in October buying some things that are frozen or canned, just to spread it out some.

I've always worked full-time, 40 years now, and hated housecleaning so I pay someone to come in every 2 weeks. I keep things reasonably neat between times, but I'm not a "clean freak" by any means, lol! My knees are bad, so what I do has to be done standing up. I used to sit on the floor and polish furniture legs sometimes! A few years ago, I boxed up all the family pics that were sitting on my bookshelves, and am trying to make myself get rid of books I will never read again, and knicknacks that just collect dust.

We used to entertain more when our friends were childless, or their kids were very small. As "kid activities" increased, there was just less & less time. Now they're all involved with grandchildren, and some have to travel to see them, so their socializing time is still limited.

Pook · ‎03-20-2010

Cooking like I used to is what I've cut back on and I use paper plates. When I do cook, I very rarely make anything that requires several pans, etc and is messier. Just not worth it to waste time and energy cooking and cleaning up like I used to. Also, since I retired, I clean way less. I worked hard trying to get it all done when working and now that I'm retired I'm just going to relax and enjoy myself. I was never compulsively driven to keep a spotless always in order house anyway.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

@vermint wrote:
I decorate a bit for fall...mostly just sit a few pumpkin and fall leaf things around...because we host a large family Thanksgiving dinner, and because I love fall! We never had children, so I Christmas-decorate just for us---tree, Nativity, some sit-around things, no garland, village, outside lights, etc. Also do a tiny bit for Easter, again large family dinner. I don't know if we'll be able to continue these dinners when we retire...everyone brings food, and lots of it, but it's still very expensive. I'll start in October buying some things that are frozen or canned, just to spread it out some.

I've always worked full-time, 40 years now, and hated housecleaning so I pay someone to come in every 2 weeks. I keep things reasonably neat between times, but I'm not a "clean freak" by any means, lol! My knees are bad, so what I do has to be done standing up. I used to sit on the floor and polish furniture legs sometimes! A few years ago, I boxed up all the family pics that were sitting on my bookshelves, and am trying to make myself get rid of books I will never read again, and knicknacks that just collect dust.

We used to entertain more when our friends were childless, or their kids were very small. As "kid activities" increased, there was just less & less time. Now they're all involved with grandchildren, and some have to travel to see them, so their socializing time is still limited.

I too have resorted to having a housekeeper every 2 weeks and I don't know what I would do if I didn't have her. I have such bad arthritis in my legs, hips and back that it takes me 3 days to do a through cleaning of my house, and I am way too unstable on a ladder to get the tops of the high furniture, and the ceiling fans. Like most Florida homes I have very high ceilings and so we have a lot of high cabinets and furniture that requires a ladder to clean. i am thankful that we can afford help.

vermint · ‎04-05-2010

@151949 Thankfully my DH is still able to do the taller stuff when necessary, because I would have to pay extra for that. We have 21 ft. and 15 ft. beamed ceilings in the LR and MBR. I can reach the bedroom one from the floor with a special pole DH put together...pop an old tube sock over it and it's awesome for cobwebs (and knocking down spiders and other bugs to where we can kill them, lol!).

I'm just hoping I can continue to afford my housekeeper when I retire...and trust me, I'd cut spending severely in other areas to keep her.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

When i hired my housekeeper I explained to her that primarily I needed her to do the high up and down low areas, like under the furniture. If that means she misses a tabletop or so I could take care of those easily. However, she manages to do everything for me. She has a system and as long as we don't disturb her she is very efficient. She goes through a 4 week rotation of certain extra items she cleans like the tops and fronts of the kitchen cabinets one time and the top of the entertainment center and the ceiling fans another time and the lanai furniture another etc. she keeps a calander so she knows what she is going to do that week.