When my kids were small, I tried to think of a way to make some extra money. Their father was home for two weeks, and away at work for two weeks. He was a merchant seaman on an oil boat in Lewes, Delaware. Our relationship was strained, and I wanted to find something I could do for the two weeks he was home, and then, be off the two weeks he was away. A “normal” nine to five daily job for me was not feasible, besides, what did I know how to do? What would people need? Could I run errands for people who worked? Grocery shopping? Laundry? They could drop off their smelly clothes, and pick them up, clean and fresh as a summer’s breeze. Would I really want to reach into a bag of dirty clothes, and pull out someone’s underwear? I didn’t want to take kids in, my three were quite debilitating on their own! Ironing? I hated ironing, and wasn’t so good at it, but it was a thought. Of course, burning someone’s favorite pants suit never entered my mind. I placed an ad in the local paper for ironing. Hey, what could it hurt? If nobody answered, I’d be no worse off. I guess I forgot about the dry cleaners in town.
As the bills piled up, I was becoming more and more frustrated. One day, I got “the” call. Only the woman wasn’t looking for anyone to iron. She was interested in someone to clean her house, which was right up my alley. Everyone told me I was a clean freak, and I was good at it. Thorough, careful, not afraid to put my whole body into the job at hand. I could do that. We set up an appointment to meet at her home the next day. After we met, I had the job. She would work with my schedule. I would clean the two weeks my husband was home, and skip the other two.
Perfect.
Built in 1829, her home was a beautiful Victorian, with one hundred and fifty years of memories. And one or two hundred and fifty year old spirits floating around. She gave me the whole tour, while I looked around in wonderment. White laced curtains adorned every window. Oak pocket doors in the dining room and living room, with large beveled glass windows. A huge porch that started in the front, and wrapped around the side. Wide oak planked floors throughout, with exquisite oriental rugs in each room. All the furniture was antique, and I had never seen such intricacies and designs. Mahogany tables with claw feet, a tapestry couch, frames with ornate wood carvings. Mirrors that were so old, you couldn’t see yourself in them. A huge shiny black piano filled a corner of the front living room. All walls were painted white, and the family room had built in closets with glass panes in the doors, and old fashioned locks. The small galley kitchen had a steep and tiny set of stairs going up to this woman’s bedroom and bath. The main staircase was second only to the one in Gone with the Wind. A huge, dark wood column at the bottom, with a round swirling top and spindles all the way up the banister. A plush pink rug hugged the stairs.
There were 4 bedrooms and a bath on the second floor. Her daughter’s bedroom was big, with a fireplace, and an adjoining room for guests. In that room, there was a daybed and a carousel horse, with a golden pole. It was whimsical and enchanting at the same time. The next room was used as an office, with antique trinkets adorning yet another mantle and fireplace. Dolls, and clowns, and rabbits, and old pictures in old frames. A beautiful wooden desk with a piece of glass lying on top. And the woman’s bed had a white puffy down comforter, and pink flowery wallpaper that looked old fashioned. There was a claw foot tub in the bathroom, and a white pedestal sink. A wooden closet with shelves was a makeshift medicine chest. We weren’t finished our tour yet. There was a third floor, the attic. It was one big room, with a rocking chair that had a habit of rocking on its own. Sometimes it was used for an art room, all the materials left for the next impulse to create. Brushes and paints of all colors, and plenty of big white paper, and an easel. Other times it was used as a workout room. A round window let the sun shine in and warmed the whole area.
I was in awe of the majesty of this home. I had never been around so many beautiful antique pieces of furniture, and knick knacks. All the windows had magnificent wood moldings. I appreciated the round swirls in the top corner squares. My home was new, and had no moldings at all. There were three massive fireplaces in all. Grand and welcoming. The original wooden Indian shutters kept the cold out of the front living room. I couldn’t imagine that I would be cleaning this historical piece of art. I started the next week.
I had the home all to myself, and I enjoyed every minute.
