I had a friend in graduate school who was well-enough off that she had a woman come in and clean one day a week. Candace was very talented, so my friend would have her come help when she was painting or doing wallpaper, etc. Lots of odd jobs and things where executive decisions might be called for.

I arranged to have her come over to my house for a half-day every other week to take care of the baseline stuff--moping, vacuuming, bathrooms, the stuff that helps you feel better about the house, plus it meant I always picked up the stuff sitting around so it was back where it belonged and not in her way to do the work I needed her to do. Sometimes I would include other stuff, like ironing or cleaning blinds, etc. It was a huge help and money well-spent.

I might still have her helping me except that at age 49 and seemingly as fit as anyone and more than most, she collapsed due to a massive stroke. She has never recovered and is now in a nursing home. She was an independent woman who worked partly for an agency but gradually ended up working for those clients on the side, and it allowed her to set her hours, raise her two children, and put them through school. I didn't try to find someone new to do the same job, because while there might well be someone who can do the work, the independent spirit of the person who worked with me for a couple of years was as valuable as the skills she brought to the job.

SRS