Sunday, December 19, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Why Do I Do What I Do?
I was over at a friend's house the other day, and she asked "Are you crazy? You are so weird Care! Who loves organizing and cleaning??"
I do!
I've been a bit OCD apparently since I was quite young. Cleaning my mother's stovetop, or clearing out the cupboards and organizing them. Organizing my father's office ( and no, he wasn't happy about it!), alphabetizing my books, records and paperwork in my room. I was one of the weird kids that didn't have to be told to clean up her room :)
Over the years, I have had friends call me to ask me over for a cup of tea, only to realise once I'm there, that their true intention was to complain to me about their lack of space in this child's room or their kitchen and would I mind helping them out?
Well of course I didn't mind! lol
When I started doing it as a business in 1981, organization was a small part of what I did for clients. It wasn't until the late 90's that I included it as a full service in the business, and I just loved it.
Having a client call me after I had been in their home, thanking me for how much better they were feeling about their child's room or their closet or their kitchen cupboards just makes me feel happy. (I've also had calls from clients who thank me but moan that now they can't find anything! lol. Fortunately those calls are far and few between!).
There's nothing better to me, than knowing that a client is feeling happy, clear headed and relaxed. That when they walk into their room, they aren't tripping over the piles of shoes on the floor, their husband's clothes, or their childrens' toys in any room. That when they go to find something in their pantry, they aren't having to wade through packages of noodles or half used jars of too old spices to get to what they want. Or by labelling their shelves, that their teenagers know where to put things back!
That feeling of being organized, everything in it's place and everything clean, and I mean CLEAN. Not just what other people can see, but knowing that corners are clean, under the carpet is clean - everything is just clean :)
I still on occasion get roped into helping a friend organize - but over the years, it has become less and less because they are now organized! Oh, and they don't want to face me if it isn't :)
I will be giving tips and tricks on how to organize the various rooms in your home, garage, workshop and how you can economically achieve this! One need not spend a fortune to have a well organized closet or set of drawers. I lean more towards re-using/re-purposing and recycling items before purchasing anything, and I hope that you will find some of these ideas useful.
After over 30 years of being the home care business, I want to share what I've learned with all of you! Please do not hesitate to let me know what your tips 'n tricks are for re-purposing or re-using items in your home :)
oxo
DG
All for now,
oxo
I do!
I've been a bit OCD apparently since I was quite young. Cleaning my mother's stovetop, or clearing out the cupboards and organizing them. Organizing my father's office ( and no, he wasn't happy about it!), alphabetizing my books, records and paperwork in my room. I was one of the weird kids that didn't have to be told to clean up her room :)
Over the years, I have had friends call me to ask me over for a cup of tea, only to realise once I'm there, that their true intention was to complain to me about their lack of space in this child's room or their kitchen and would I mind helping them out?
Well of course I didn't mind! lol
When I started doing it as a business in 1981, organization was a small part of what I did for clients. It wasn't until the late 90's that I included it as a full service in the business, and I just loved it.
Having a client call me after I had been in their home, thanking me for how much better they were feeling about their child's room or their closet or their kitchen cupboards just makes me feel happy. (I've also had calls from clients who thank me but moan that now they can't find anything! lol. Fortunately those calls are far and few between!).
There's nothing better to me, than knowing that a client is feeling happy, clear headed and relaxed. That when they walk into their room, they aren't tripping over the piles of shoes on the floor, their husband's clothes, or their childrens' toys in any room. That when they go to find something in their pantry, they aren't having to wade through packages of noodles or half used jars of too old spices to get to what they want. Or by labelling their shelves, that their teenagers know where to put things back!
That feeling of being organized, everything in it's place and everything clean, and I mean CLEAN. Not just what other people can see, but knowing that corners are clean, under the carpet is clean - everything is just clean :)
I still on occasion get roped into helping a friend organize - but over the years, it has become less and less because they are now organized! Oh, and they don't want to face me if it isn't :)
I will be giving tips and tricks on how to organize the various rooms in your home, garage, workshop and how you can economically achieve this! One need not spend a fortune to have a well organized closet or set of drawers. I lean more towards re-using/re-purposing and recycling items before purchasing anything, and I hope that you will find some of these ideas useful.
After over 30 years of being the home care business, I want to share what I've learned with all of you! Please do not hesitate to let me know what your tips 'n tricks are for re-purposing or re-using items in your home :)
oxo
DG
All for now,
oxo
Correction :)
The company involved in the preceding article is actually:
COSCO not Costco.
My apologies for that error and a bit of whew ! that was close :)
Please write to COSCO and call them out on this reprehensible behavior!
oxo
Care
COSCO not Costco.
My apologies for that error and a bit of whew ! that was close :)
Please write to COSCO and call them out on this reprehensible behavior!
oxo
Care
For anyone who writes a blog! BEWARE!
I had read about this thru a tweet this am. Costco suing blogger for domain use.
Please read what this issue is about, please support her and let Costco know what you think!
http://www.temporarilyme.com/2010/05/17/sued/
This is beyond disgusting! I do love Costco only because I can purchase cleaning products such as long handled dusters that I can't find anywhere else - but I will be doing my research now and not supporting Costco.
If this can happen to this blogger, think what can happen to you!
oxox
Care
Please read what this issue is about, please support her and let Costco know what you think!
http://www.temporarilyme.com/2010/05/17/sued/
This is beyond disgusting! I do love Costco only because I can purchase cleaning products such as long handled dusters that I can't find anywhere else - but I will be doing my research now and not supporting Costco.
If this can happen to this blogger, think what can happen to you!
oxox
Care
Hello from the West Coast and a new Blogger!
Hello :)
My name is Care, and I have owned the 'Domestic Goddess at Home since 1981.
After living in England for a year at the age of 19, and returning home just before turning 21, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do for a living. I called my Dad at work, and he suggested I grab the telephone book from his desk (I was in his home office whilst he was at his office in town), open the book to a random page, close my eyes and just stab at the page.
I did so. "What now" I asked.
"That is the person you are going to call to tell them you offer housecleaning services," he replied bluntly.
"I can't do that!"
" Yes you can. Just call them, tell them what you offer in the way of house cleaning services and how much you are charging,".
My father was a life insurance broker, and he was well acquainted with the skill of 'cold calling' potential clients. I, on the other hand, for being as friendly and out-going as I was and am, am very shy when I first meet anyone.
"Weelllll ok," I said with an unsure tone in my voice.
So, long story short, that is exactly what I did. Within the week, I had a full schedule of clients and I've never looked back.
The business has been wonderful in many ways. I have met so many wonderful people, and some not so wonderful people.
In 2005 I moved the business to a small resort town, and it grew by leaps and bounds. However, what I experienced there, was not something I had experienced anywhere else. I kept getting ripped off!
Now, personal clients never did. But anyone associated with the real estate world, vacation rental companies or construction companies, on a regular basis would simply not pay me, lie through their teeth or just outrightly be dishonest.
I have now a rule that I don't deal with anyone without a contract, and I will investigate a potential client quite thoroughly before doing business with them. I ask for a healthy deposit, and they balk at paying same, I simply do not do business with them.
In 2007, after working 10 - 16 hours a day, quite happily, I was informed by my doctor that I would no longer be able to continue working long hours, and that I would have to face the fact that I would have to let the business go. It seemed that I had suffered a back injury when I was younger, that had now decided to manifest itself in a very painful way, which will only continue to get worse, as there is nerve damage as well. (hence the horrible pain).
I have come to terms with it, after holding onto my paddle tightly for that trip down the river of 'Denile". I still work with one client as it's not every day and my back can cope with a bit of work now and then.
I had been thinking of writing a blog for several months, and I just decided, NOW or never :)
The content of this blog will range from simple tips (how to remove a stain from your faux suede sofa cushion) to where to purchase furniture/appliances to what to look for when purchasing a home.
I hope you will all enjoy my blog and please feel free to comment, to follow me, and to share some of your tips and tricks! One of the joys of my business is that I never stop learning! and if I can share this with you, then that makes me happy:)
oxo
Care
My name is Care, and I have owned the 'Domestic Goddess at Home since 1981.
After living in England for a year at the age of 19, and returning home just before turning 21, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do for a living. I called my Dad at work, and he suggested I grab the telephone book from his desk (I was in his home office whilst he was at his office in town), open the book to a random page, close my eyes and just stab at the page.
I did so. "What now" I asked.
"That is the person you are going to call to tell them you offer housecleaning services," he replied bluntly.
"I can't do that!"
" Yes you can. Just call them, tell them what you offer in the way of house cleaning services and how much you are charging,".
My father was a life insurance broker, and he was well acquainted with the skill of 'cold calling' potential clients. I, on the other hand, for being as friendly and out-going as I was and am, am very shy when I first meet anyone.
"Weelllll ok," I said with an unsure tone in my voice.
So, long story short, that is exactly what I did. Within the week, I had a full schedule of clients and I've never looked back.
The business has been wonderful in many ways. I have met so many wonderful people, and some not so wonderful people.
In 2005 I moved the business to a small resort town, and it grew by leaps and bounds. However, what I experienced there, was not something I had experienced anywhere else. I kept getting ripped off!
Now, personal clients never did. But anyone associated with the real estate world, vacation rental companies or construction companies, on a regular basis would simply not pay me, lie through their teeth or just outrightly be dishonest.
I have now a rule that I don't deal with anyone without a contract, and I will investigate a potential client quite thoroughly before doing business with them. I ask for a healthy deposit, and they balk at paying same, I simply do not do business with them.
In 2007, after working 10 - 16 hours a day, quite happily, I was informed by my doctor that I would no longer be able to continue working long hours, and that I would have to face the fact that I would have to let the business go. It seemed that I had suffered a back injury when I was younger, that had now decided to manifest itself in a very painful way, which will only continue to get worse, as there is nerve damage as well. (hence the horrible pain).
I have come to terms with it, after holding onto my paddle tightly for that trip down the river of 'Denile". I still work with one client as it's not every day and my back can cope with a bit of work now and then.
I had been thinking of writing a blog for several months, and I just decided, NOW or never :)
The content of this blog will range from simple tips (how to remove a stain from your faux suede sofa cushion) to where to purchase furniture/appliances to what to look for when purchasing a home.
I hope you will all enjoy my blog and please feel free to comment, to follow me, and to share some of your tips and tricks! One of the joys of my business is that I never stop learning! and if I can share this with you, then that makes me happy:)
oxo
Care
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
