For the Neat Freaks: Can You Afford to Get Sick?

Relationships

by Lamar Tyler | on January 2nd, 2009 | 6 comments

This is not going to be an article about the affordability of health care. No, this is an article about whether or not your home can stand for the neat/clean freak to get sick.

I don’t have any little helpers in my home. My son is three, and he knows how to clean his room, pick up his clothes, etc., but he can’t quite reach the stuff I really need him to use, like the washing machine, the kitchen sink, the stove and the like.

I have been sick for the last four days. Not with the common cold, but with some virus from hell that has me throwing up out of both ends. It is not a pretty picture, let me tell you. If I move the wrong way, I’m rushing to the toilet. If I smell the wrong thing, I’m rushing to the toilet. I’m starting to think the “P” word is in my future, but my cycle isn’t late yet, so I’m not about to waste any money getting a test done.

At any rate, in my husband’s defense, he’s been working some crazy hours lately, so when he gets home, he’s tired. But for the past four days, I haven’t been able to move. What was once a little clutter is now threatening to cause our home to spontaneously combust with mess! I can’t take it, but the way I’m feeling right now, I can’t clean it up, either!

The fitted sheet on the bed is still there, but it’s bunched up in the middle of the bed like a stuffed animal. If I move to fix it, it’s a guarantee everything will have to be washed because the last set of dry toast and ginger ale I ingested will more than likely end up on it. The kitchen…Lord, have mercy! How did two dishes turn into a mountainous disaster of almost every dish in the kitchen? The bedroom is an obstacle course, full of open drawers, envelopes, electronic gadgets plugged all over the place and not put away after they’re no longer in use…Jesus, keep me near the cross!

So my question for the neat freaks is, can YOU afford to get sick?

God bless!

~ Harriet

Harriet is a hilariously joyful married woman who resides in northeast Louisiana with her husband who is a restaurant manager. She works for a local University and along with her husband is the proud parent of a 3 year old son and a 10 year old stepson (who lives in NC).

About the author

Lamar and Ronnie Tyler are the creators of the award-winning blog BlackandMarriedWithKids.com . They also are behind the Amazon.com bestselling DVDs Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage, You Saved Me and Men Ain’t Boys that explores manhood in the African American community. The Tylers are also the proud parents of four children.

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Comments (6)

Tara Pringle Jefferson Friday - 02 / 01 / 2009 Reply

You poor thing! And I know once you finally recover, you won't want to tackle that mess! Just take it one room at a time.... Tara http://theyoungmommylife.com Tara Pringle Jeffersons last blog post..Stay on track in 2009
Harriet Friday - 02 / 01 / 2009 Reply

Hey, Tara! I actually wrote this a couple of weeks ago, and thank God, my home is back to normal. One room at a time...that's how you have to do it without breaking down. My husband even stepped up and cleaned his office/studio up (which I never touch anyway, but it felt good that more than just the rooms I'm responsible for were clean). I know if I were sick more long term, my husband would step up and help out. In fact, I was out of town for a week in November, and I came home to a clean house. Imagine my pleasant surprise!
TheMom Saturday - 03 / 01 / 2009 Reply

Tara is right...one room at a time. Also that sounds like a group effort...unfortunatley for your child is young. When my house gets like that, everyone has to chip in and help. TheMoms last blog post..Pigskin Loving Lady Presents: NFL Playoffs- Wild Card Weekend Preview
Anna Tuesday - 06 / 01 / 2009 Reply

Harriet, I know exately what you are typing about. To not keep anything down or in. I know I am late on this post, Can a neat freak be sick and not make themslves more sick, by thinking the house is quickly crumbling around them? The best thing to do when the "head female" in the home is sick is to make sure they are ok and leave. Don't make noise flat ironing hair or cooking a 4 course meal, no vacuuming or clinking dishes. There is a soul food resturant or a fast food resturant, along with family members in a 3 mile radius, to leave is ok, but do not make a louder noise or a bigger mess for us to clean up(when we get well)-that would be your gift to us. If they quickly and (quietly) disinfect all surfaces so no one else gets sick that is ok. Nothing worse than sharing "germs". Men are big babies when they get sick.
Claudia Tuesday - 06 / 01 / 2009 Reply

What a great post! You've read my mind because I'm the exact same way. Being a neat freak for me means that I actually enjoy tidying up, because a nice, clean house makes me feel great. Unfortunately when I'm sick or unable to do my usual routine, it is disastrous. My husband tries... but the piles of dish and clothes just keep in growing. (I love it when I open the dryer to find that he has washed and dried a single shirt and some boxers for the next day: "what about the rest of the laundry?" "oh, well, I forgot about that...") In any case, I think the best you can do is take time to rest and heal - the clutter will be waiting for you when you're better! Claudias last blog post..“You Know I Don’t Mean You”
Christina Monday - 19 / 01 / 2009 Reply

Harriet, I think in being a neat freak is also organization. I, too enjoy this. I feel everything has a place. When everything is in place neatly I not only feel better but can think clearly and rest better. I don't get sick often but when I do my husband helps out greatly. We have been together long enough for him to know how I feel about certain things. It's not perfect but I am apprecative he tried. It affirms just how much I am needed around the house by my family. I am glad we have that understanding no one can do it all. We have respect for each other's lane(position)and changing lanes with mutual consent allows us to have respect for what the other does to contribute to bulding a solid foundation. My oldest daughter is awesome too. She's a lot like me and she cleans like I do. She knows how I like things. This organization is necessary in my household since we have busy lifestyles.