We usually do house cleaning and maintenance on Friday. We never had a formal talk about who does what. Over our years together Wanda and I developed a routine that works for both of us.
Washing belongs to Wanda. It's not because I'm a man and real men don't do ladies undergarments. It's because I don't understand the fifty or so buttons, dials, and switches on the machine. Yesterday I reached up into the shelf above the washing machine and my belt buckle inadvertently clicked off the power button. A minute later the lights looked like the a stealth bomber cockpit. It took both of us five minutes to figure out why the machine stopped and what to do about the half washed clothing in it.
I vacuum but never empty the dust sucker upper. I dust the family room furniture and clean the front bathroom. Wanda dusts our bedroom and cleans the back bath. I do most of the cooking but Wanda is responsible for pasta. She replaces ink cartridges in the printer. I clean and polish the stove top. This morning I folded and put away laundry. I usually forget, but the hamper was sitting on the lap top. Sometime I need a reminder.
Back in the "can't find my ass with both hands" days, I looked into a surgical technician training program. I passed the aptitude and manual dexterity sections but failed the interview. I was asked, "Where do you see yourself in fifteen years?" I've always believed honestly is the best policy and said something about living on a tropical island. I was sure I would be retired at 35 living off the royalties from my books. Oh yes, I actually said my life's goal was authoring best selling books.
A few years later when I looked back on that chapter of my life I know I did the right thing. I would have been miserable spending eight hours a day in a surgical suite. Finding the right career path is difficult to be sure, even if you have a GPS.
Today job seekers can get help using the power of the Internet. There are thousands of web sites devoted to all phases of the search and the interview. One thing they all agree on; never discuss politics or religion when meeting with a potential employer. I guess religion would be OK if you're looking for job as a priest or nun.
All of these others are common sense.
"Sorry I'm late." Late for an interview is not good. If you're late for the interview will you be on time for your job? Sometimes there is a good reason for tardiness. If the line was really long, bring an extra coffee with you. Coffee and a doughnut, even better.
"What's your annual leave and sickness policy?" It doesn't look good if, before you've even been hired, you're planning your absence from the company. Wait until you are hired and call in sick the first day.
"I'll just take this call." Turn off your phone. Many people think it's OK to take a call or a text during an interview, and it's not. If you forget and do get a call say your grandmother had a stroke and is in the hospital. If you get the job you'll have a funeral day off when you want it.
They always ask the where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years question. I messed myself up with living on a tropical island. Think of where you'll be after accumulating those years of experience. Never say. "Doing your job."
"My previous employer sucked." Never speak ill of anyone, it's unprofessional. Even if he had body odor, never changed his socks, and wore the same tie for a month. Don't burn bridges. You may need to cross them again.
Do not swear. Even if your interviewer uses profanity stick to the high road. You may want to hide a recorder and tape the interview. You never know? It may come in handy.
If you are required to wear a uniform don't complain about it. Remember this, no one looks good spinning a sign and dancing while wearing a big yellow hot dog suit.
Honest...saw this over the week end. A commercial for a flea and heart worm dog medicine. This is a liver flavored chewable tablet that has this warning: Observe closely. If vomiting occurs within two hours give your dog another full dose.
What The Hell...The poor dog has puked up it's guts and you're going to give it another pill?
I read an article that said coffee beans shouldn't be more than a few weeks old. I told Wanda I needed to roast my own beans. I was thinking since Avie lives in Costa Rica she could get some great beans and send them to me. Wanda mumbled something under her breath, did a massive eye roll, and left the room.
The pantry holds a food processor, a gravy separator, several measuring cups, a digital meat thermometer with a 15 foot probe and a saute pan I had to have when I went through my cooking phase. I can't remember the last time I used any of them. I don't think I'm going to swing a coffee bean roaster. And that's fine. For now I'll do whatever I can to improve my drink.
I always make my coffee with bottled water. Last week I cleaned the machine with a water and vinegar mixture. Then I ran three clear water cycles through it. I didn't want to waste bottled water so I used tap. I wonder if I accomplished anything?
Wanda just called and told me this story.
She always gives the cats a small amount of milk after she eats breakfast. This morning when she got the bowls down Casper was sleeping on the end of the couch. Steve, who was under her feet, left the kitchen. A second or two later she saw him mewling to Casper who woke up, jumped down off the couch and followed him into the kitchen where they both had milk.
Anthropomorphism?...Wanda swears Steve was telling Casper the milk was served and she needed to get up or she'd miss it. I'm sure Wanda is right.
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