Sound Advice

16 years ago

My mother, who is now 81, told me the other day that she had regrets. I asked her what she regretted and she said that she regrets having spent so much time on housework when she could have been out in her gardens. It's too late for her now. She has osteoporosis, scoliosis, arthritis, carpal tunnel......There'll be no more gardening for her.

DH and I have taken over the folk's yard work, eliminated some of the gardens, moved things into a new one she can see out her window, plant window boxes for her, put up seasonal decor. She always tells me that I don't have to bother with all of that, but at the end of the day, I don't want to regret that I didn't make the effort.

Don't have regrets. Fuss less with your housework and spend time in your gardens!

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Comments (14)

mayme
16 years ago
Amen!
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toomuchglass
16 years ago
I agree so much . My mom's whole life consisted of cooking and cleaning. ( Maybe she enjoyed it - I don't know ) She never had any outside interests . I live my life just the opposite ... My tombstone should read :

My house was messy , the dishes weren't done -
Housework could wait -
I made my life Fun !
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use2bcapecodr
16 years ago
I have a framed saying in my front hall that I bought at a craft show years ago that says:

If I should die before I wake,
please clean my house for heavens sake!

I have a different one by the same person hanging in my guest-bedroom. I love them!

There are more important things in life than work...and dusting!

If I think of it, every now and then, when I walk by an end-table...I blow the dust off! LOL Huh...just kidding!

{{gwi:76718}}

~Sandy~
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goldenpond
16 years ago
Oh this is so important! Thank you for reminding us all how short life is and how we NEED to have fun.
I remember when I worked for the VNA. There was an elderly man who was so lonely even though he had a wife. I would take care of him and she would ignore him and just clean. I asked her to play cards or board games with him and she would always have a floor to mop. I would sing silly songs for him and I remember she accidentally put his PJs in with the reds and they came out pink.So I belted out
I wear my pink pajamas in the summer when its hot
I wear my pink pajamas in the winter when its not and sometimes in the springtime and sometimes in the fall I slip between the sheets with..............................
OOPS! we both burst into laughter so hard we started to cry and his wife thought we were nuts!I decided then to never be so worried about my house that it made me and my life boring!
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dustyknees
16 years ago
yeah. enjoy something. do you really need to make your bed? shut the bedroom door. the dishes only have to be washed just before you reuse them. there are good paper plates out there now.guests showing up unexpectedly aren't always a good surprise. to either of you. tell the freeloaders to at least call first. you can suggest it with a smile.
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todancewithwolves
16 years ago
Bless her heart. That'll probably be me some day. I worry I'll be one of those old ladies with plastic flowers in the garden.

My house is a disaster but the garden is tidy :-)

Edna
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cindee11461
16 years ago
I totally agree. I spend as much time outside as I can(-: Besides your gardens are the first thing a visitor will see, you can always lock your front door!!! ROTFL(-: I think its great that you are helping keep your moms gardens going. It probably means a lot to her. It would to me.(-:
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countrygrl
16 years ago
You are a wonderful daughter to keep up your mother's garden for her. Yes, I've been known to let my house go, in order to work in the garden! But that's what doors are for! I'll go out just to get the mail, and come back in 2 hours later! The housework is not going anywhere, but the garden definitely needs tending!
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KaraLynn
16 years ago
It's good to hear that I'm not the only one who prefers to be out in the garden over doing housework!
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User
16 years ago
I like these two:
Welcome to our home. You can touch the house dust but please don't write in it.
And:
If you want to see me, come any time. If you want to see my house, make an appointment.
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primgal36
16 years ago
I agree. Life's too short, and I won't worry about if my house is totally spotless. I enjoy my time in the Spring and Summer. Marvel in God's creation, he made it for us to enjoy!!!
My family is more important than if things get done or not. It could be your last moment with them, since we're not promised tomorrow, I live for today!!!
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mssunflower
16 years ago
I, too, prefer to be outside rather than inside cleaning house. Just one word of advice (alright, so it will be several words) - Take time to smell the roses while they are blooming and before you pull the weeds because they aren't around for long either (as for that matter, the weeds will at least freeze in the winter time).

Love ya'll, your attitudes, your humor, your sensitivity, gee, just about everything. Thanks for letting me lurk on this site for the last month or so and share in the jois de vivre that is so prevelant on this site. Look forward to reading more of you guys and maybe next year I will participate in the Secret Santa. Those that have sound like they are having way tooooooooooo much fun and I don't want to miss out again.

Happy Holidays!!!!!
Ms. Faith
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FLYONAWALL
16 years ago
I really should have my hubby read this thread. He's always telling me I would rather clean my garden than work in the house. And he's right!
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cait1
16 years ago
Hmmmmm... "Bugger the housework..." works in this thread!!!! And Goldenpond bugger doesn't mean that!!! ;-)

I remember when my DD was a baby and I was juggling work, family, housework and my dear Mom said to forget the housework, that no matter how often you dust or vacuum they'll always be more to dust and vacuum but the baby is only a baby for a very short while. I took her advice.

SG, you are a wonderful daughter to that work for your Mom. Our parents have done so much for us and sometimes we forget just how precious they are. You're blessed to still have them around to share your life with, and they're blessed to have such a great daughter.

Cait
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mayme

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