I have a cleaning service.

Those among you who know me, know that I am by no means a man of means. I, too, assume someone with a cleaning service is someone wealthy, or at least someone important who hasn’t time to be bothered with such minutiae of house cleaning. But why should this be the case? Why should only those people who have wealth (and therefore time) be allowed the convenience of a maid?

I am not the first to think tis, obviously. I have a full-time job, several freelance jobs at once, a teaching job at the local university, and a personality that requires downtime. When I came to the realization that a service should save me some time and energy, I also realized there was an affordable company aimed at just that audience. So, I hired the service.

Strangely, though, instead of simply leaving my home in their capable hands, I find myself scarmbling to tidy and clean the house before their arrival. So, I pay for a bimonthly cleaning service, then clean the house in anticipation of their arrival. Why? Is it because I am embarrassed that I use their service? Partially. But I think there’s also a bizarre sense of courtesy. I don’t want their job to be difficult. I just don’t want to do it myself. Regardless, the dirty underwear is off the floor, the dishes are done, and the flat surfaces in the house are clear of sundry items.

I’d like to believe that I’m doing it for this courtesy in the majority, but I think it is equal share embarrassment, courtesy, and guilt. I feel guilty that I’ve hired the service. I try to hide it from people. But I hired them to relieve me of the hours of work necessary to properly sanitize my house. They are affordable, they are quick and they allow me to do more important things like finish MHG’s online store or write diary-like LiveJournally things on my website (actually I’m writing this at work.) Why should I feel guilty?

I guess I’ll try not to in the future, but in all likelihood, the night before will continue to be a whirldwind of dust bunnies and old bank slips.