Damn. I hate sudden problems.

[ThomCat]

I have a roommate. The deal is that I pay her rent in exchange for housework. I can't physically do housework anymore, and I don't mind paying someone to do it for me. She's a poor graduate student who was interested in trading housework for rent.

She's having some personal stresses because of grad school and her boyfriend. So she's going home to Pennsylvania "for a few weeks." I hate to be thinking about me while she's obviously having a hard time. But I now have a large apartment that I can't clean. :(

I can't push a vacuum on crutches. I can't stand at a sink and wash dishes. I can't even hold the dishes to wash them. I can't mop floors. I can't scrub parts of the bathroom. I can't carry laundry. I can't haul kitty litter. I can't even cook without assistance anymore.

So now I'm feeling helpless and sorry for myself. Fuck! Right before the holidays, there's no way in hell any of my friends have time to come over and help. I think I'm in a bit of trouble. :(

[momophile]

1. if I lived closer, I'd help

please take care of yourself.
:hug:

[ThomCat]

4. I need to find someone who does housework

as a side job, off the books. The agencies charge $450 per visit, for a 4 our vist, and that doesn't include the expected tip. I can't afford that, and I certainly can't afford that more than once. :(

The only person I've found who cleans apartments in this neighborhood has a phobia of cats, so she won't come into my apartment. I have 3 cats.

I guess I'll have to put an ad up on craig's list. But that means weeding through all the crazy people who are going to respond.

[From The Ashes]

2. If I was closer...

...I'd be there in a flash. :hug:

[ThomCat]

5. I appreciate that.

:hug:

I wish I wasn't so damned broken. :(

[From The Ashes]

21. If I wasn't house and dog sitting...

...I'd come up anyway. :hug: I hope you solve this problem. Maybe you could ask a neighbor to help?

[ThomCat]

23. In NYC?

I've lived here 12 years and I don't know the names of any of my neighbors.

I'm not even sure that my immediate neighbors speak english.

This really isn't the type of place where neighbors talk to each other and cooperate. The super is amazing, and he loves me, but he's the only person in this building who's social. If a stranger tries to talk to you (even if it's a neighbor) people here get nervous. :(

[Gormy Cuss]

3. Aw crap. Like the others, I'd be there in a flash if I lived closer.

Sorry that you have this added stress right now.
x(

[ThomCat]

6. Thank you.

:)

I'm open to advice and suggestions.

I'll try not to complain or whine about this too much. :P

:hug:

[Clintonista2]

8. Put up signs around nearby universities

Jobs like that are PERFECT for students. I don't know how much you would be willing to pay for a job like that, but even if you were to pay whatever the hourly minimum wage is (I don't know how much that is in the U.S), the flexibility of such a job would be well worth it for students. (As a poor student myself, I would LOVE a job like that).

[ThomCat]

11. We figured out that I was paying her $20 an hour

for the number of hours per month it takes to keep this place clean. But that means I was paying her her to do my share, and her share too. Or, it works out to $40 per hour to do only my share of the housework if you assume she's doing her share for free. Either way, it's high above people make as commercial cleaners. But far less than what the commercial services charge.
:shrug:

I'd happily pay someone $15-$20 cash per hour to come in here and do housework. Unforuntately, I can't afford that On Top of paying the full rent, which is why trading the housework for rent worked out so well. :(

[Gormy Cuss]

24. If you can find someone to come in and help, then it will be well worth it.

Just to get rid of the dishes!

[ThomCat]

26. The dishes are my first concern.

This is a NYC apartment building. I don't want to invite any bugs into the apartment. :(

[KitchenWitch]

7. Thom, I would be there in a heart beat to help you!

:hug:

I would rather do YOUR housework than mine...go figure.

[ThomCat]

13. Back when my extremities all worked

I used to organize "cleaning parties" for friends. If someone really needed the help (baby in the house, big family event coming up, whatever) I'd show up with whomever I could drag with me. We'd all tackle housework in exchange for pizza.

We turned it into a party atmosphere, laughed, joked, and had a good time. :)

So I understand being more willing to clean someone else's home than your own. :P

:hug:

[fizzgig]

9. i'm sorry, thom

i wish to hell i were closer :hug:

[ThomCat]

19. I wish you were too

but mostly because that would be cool. I'd get to hang out with you. :)

:hug:

[fizzgig]

28. awww

that would definitely be the best part

[rug]

10. You might call around to local churches and see if they know someone looking for parttime work.

[ThomCat]

14. That is an excellent idea!

Thank you. :)

[rug]

15. I used to live on Westervelt Avenue and there were always people looking for some local work.

Good luck.

[ThomCat]

17. I know there must be people available. I just need to find them.

:P

I'm remarkably disconnected from my own neighborhood. I've been here 12 years, but I spend all my time either at home or in Manhattan. :shrug:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

12. when does she leave when does she come back?

how many times do you need the apt vacuumed between then and now?

i know i am ultra busy. but if we schedules some specific days and times, i will help.

sorry i have been such a shitty friend lately.

[ThomCat]

16. She just left.

I don't know when she's coming back. I don't know if she knows. She seems really stressed out. :(

You're not a shitty friend. You're wonderful. But you're also crazy kinds of busy, and you don't have the time or energy to schlep all the way out there just to do more work. :hug:

Edit: If, somehow, you really have time and can help at the same time that SA and InfoManiac are available then very little help might go a long way and I'd happily take you all out to dinner to thank you.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

18. Can I help?

I figure I could drop in at least once in the next few weeks. :hug:

[ThomCat]

20. If you're available, and you can make it out here

I'd gladly accept the help.

If Pri is stuborn and wants to come too we can have one of those "cleaning parties" I mentioned and I'll also make sure there's a lot of good food. If InfoManiac has time I know she'll offer to help too, because she's always awesome that way. :)

[Starbucks Anarchist]

27. Definitely.

Let me know when's good, and I'll let you know when I can come over.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

22. I wish there was something I could do to help

I can help you while I am there for the holidays....

[ThomCat]

25. I would never impose while you're here on a trip.

I'd never forgive myself. :(

While you're here, I stop worrying about my problems and help you have a good time in the city. That's how that works. :)

[Tuesday Afternoon]

29. ThomCat --

It would not be an imposition. It would be an honor :hug:

I will get it done in a jiffy and then we can have some FUN ;)