TresSugar

Handle This: Your Roommate Is Lazy

DearSugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0700

When you first moved in with your friend, you both decided it would be in the best interest of your friendship if together, you sat down and divided the household chores in two. With a firm schedule, nothing would be overlooked and you wouldn’t waste any time wondering who should do what.

But while you’ve followed through on your end of the bargain, your roommate has not. Though she’s managed to do all her chores each week, she does such a poor job, you end up redoing them each time. Yet she still manages to complain about them constantly. How would you handle this?

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Got Household Chores?

GiggleSugar — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 02:00:00 -0800

Have you been neglecting those much needed home repairs and around the yard responsibilities? The following spokeswoman knows how to get the ball rolling on overdue household chores. Take note.

You Asked: I Am a Slob - Please Help!

DearSugar — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 06:00:00 -0800

Dear Sugar,
I have this problem. I have had it all my life but it seems to be getting worse with age. I am ridiculously sloppy, unorganized, messy, whatever you want to call it. My car looks like I live in it and my house would look just as bad if my boyfriend didn't clean most of it or nag me to clean myself. I understand people can be unorganized but this is ridiculous. It's getting to the point where it's hard to get by everyday. I worry about losing my job because of my organization skills. I want to be neat, I just don't know what my problem is. My boyfriend says I am lazy and if I just got up and made myself do stuff I would change my tune, but I try and nothing! I constantly find myself drowning in clutter. Could I have a real problem? Is there anything to help? I was considering hypnosis but people tell me it's bogus. I feel stupid for having this be such a problem that seems like it could easily be solved. Hopefully you have some advice or someone else may. - Messy Melissa

To see Dear Sugar's answer read more

Dear Messy Melissa,

It sounds like you are in so far over your head that you just can't get the ball rolling. The only way you're going to fix this problem is by jumping in head first and cleaning up! Start small, with your car for instance. One afternoon take everything out and throw away anything that you don't need. Buy yourself a CD holder and car storage bags in order for everything to have a place. Don't use your trunk as a dumping ground either. It's easy for things to get lost in there and for clutter to accumulate so try to keep your car as sparse as possible.

The same things go when cleaning your home. Sort out what you need to keep and what is simply there because you're afraid to throw it out - don't be a pack rat and be realistic. There is really no need to keep your seventh grade textbook. Buy some plastic storage bins to file papers, off season clothing, shoes, etc. Once everything has a place, it will be easier to keep up with the order - when everything is already messy, it's easier to feed that mess than to clean it.

The trick is making it as pain free of a job as possible. Ask your best friend or sister for some help, get the music going, even pop open a bottle of wine if you want. Another good tip is to reward yourself when the job is done. Treat yourself to a massage, or have your boyfriend take you out to dinner.

It's no wonder you feel as though your job is in jeopardy. Clutter can cause distraction and if your living and working space is a mess, your whole world is sure to follow. I am sure once you see how much better you feel with a clean car or office space, your house will be spotless in no time. I hope these tips help and Good luck!

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You Asked: Can I Force Them to Clean?

DearSugar — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:00:00 -0800

Dear Sugar,

I live with my boyfriend and his brother, mostly for financial reasons. If I had the money, I'd live just with my boyfriend. Kris, who is 26, just moved out from his mother's house. He's a very nice guy but he is the baby of the family. His mother always cleaned up after him, cooked for him often, did his laundry, cleaned his room on occasion, kept the kitchen clean, did his dishes, the works. Now that we all live together, I find that Kris doesn't do a very good job of cleaning up after himself. I'm not perfect, believe me, and neither is my boyfriend, but when the trash is full, I don't think that it's common sense, or very nice, to just pile things on top of the lid rather than take the trash five feet to the garage!

I am the only person in the house who puts my dishes in the dishwasher, turns it on when it's full, and empties it when they're clean. I've avoided doing it occasionally to see who will do it without my asking, and neither of them will step up to the plate. The dishes will pile in the sink while the dishwasher is full either with dirty or clean dishes. If I ask my boyfriend to do it, he'll complain about my "nagging." Finally, the kitchen will get so disgusting that Kris will call their mother and she'll drive the 20 miles to our place and clean it up for them.

The main problem is that I find it offensive that their mother, my potential mother-in-law, still babies them. I feel like this is our house, I live here too, and that the people who live here should take care of it and come to an agreement. I can't really put into words WHY I find it offensive that she cleans up after them, but in some ways I feel like she's looking down on me as a bad "woman" because I'm not doing a good enough job at keeping a clean house. My boyfriend thinks I'm crazy for feeling this way yet doesn't do anything to chip in. How can I convey to them how I feel? Am I really just acting crazy? Please help! - Living with Two Slobs Tommye

To see Dear Sugar's answer read more

Dear Living with Two Slobs Tommye -

When you share living space with someone, it's imperative to be respectful of your roommates, and it sounds like your boyfriend and his brother are just so used to someone picking up after them that they don't know the basic fundamentals of cohabitating. With that said, you need to lay down the law ASAP. Living together before marriage is a good way to get a glimpse into the future, so set your ground rules now before it's too late.

If I were you, I would call for a house meeting and suggest hiring a maid immediately. If you split the cost three ways, it can't be all that expensive and it will eliminate the "nagging" that your boyfriend feels and the frustration you feel about the boys being slobs. To maintain a clean house, I would also fairly assign chores and make sure they understand how important it is to respect each other's living space.

You are not crazy for feeling the way you do and I happen to think it's completely inappropriate that their mother still cleans up after them. She certainly isn't doing them any favors by continuing to baby them. Hopefully, once the maid comes on a weekly basis and everyone pitches in accordingly, you will be future mother-in-law free and living in a clean house before you know it. If they aren't willing to change their lazy ways, you're going to be better off living on your own. Good luck!

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Dear Poll: Who Would You Want to Join You for Breakfast in Bed?

DearSugar — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 09:45:16 -0700

When the sun isn't shining and you've had a late night, sleeping late, snuggling up with a good movie, the paper, a fresh cafe au lait and your favorite breakfast is great and all, but when you're doing it with someone you love - it's unbeatable! Having a lazy morning with the man of your dreams is the best, especially when it means more time between the sheets, so ladies, tell me, what leading man would you want to join you for breakfast in bed?

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Are We Seriously This Lazy?

GiggleSugar — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:00:00 -0700

Here's an ad for an automatic paper towel dispenser. Yes folks, someone came along and thought that tearing a pre-perforated piece of paper from its roll involved too much effort. The Towel-matic promises to "make your life a lot easier at home"-- because getting a paper towel really zaps the energy right out of you. The irony is that even after using the product, you still have to rip the paper from the roll yourself! Am missing something here?

You Asked: Why am I So Tired?

DearSugar — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 06:00:00 -0700

Dear Sugar--
I'm beginning to notice that I'm feeling tired all the time. I can never be bothered doing anything. Do I need to eat less or more? Exercise more regularly? I'm not nodding off to sleep like Sleeping Beauty, but I just feel, lazy and lethargic. Thanks for your help! -- Lifeless Leslie

To see DEARSUGAR's answer read more

Dear Lifeless Leslie--

There could be a multitude of reasons why you are feeling lethargic and tired all the time. One main thing that comes to mind is that you are missing something in your diet. You could be deficient in Iron -- one symptom of anemia is weakness and feeling lightheaded. Are you dieting? Eating enough protein? If you aren't giving your body enough fuel to do its job, it's not surprising that you feel so drained of energy.

Are you getting enough sleep at night? If you drink alcohol regularly, you might not be getting as good of a night's sleep as you thought. Alcohol is a major culprit of disrupting sleeping patterns so try to cut it out of your diet for a week and see if that helps. Exercise does rejuvenate you, it gets your blood pumping, so if you're feeling tired, try going for a walk or hitting the gym and see if you get a burst of energy. Are you emotionally struggling right now? Feeling blue can effect your energy level too and make you not want to do much of anything, so talk to a friend, a family member, even a therapist if you have a lot on your mind.

Since I don't know your daily routine or what your eating habits are, it's hard to put my finger on what's causing your exhaustion, so I advise you to see your doctor asap, just to be safe. Good luck!

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Men: Are They Really Necessary?

GiggleSugar — Mon, 21 May 2007 14:00:00 -0700

The following are the top six finalists for the "Man of the Year" award. And by "man," I think we mean selfish, lazy jerk. But that's just a guess.

"Dirty" Clothing

GiggleSugar — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 02:02:00 -0800

Or I got a better idea: Give it to the front door, cuz its job is to open for you and your baggage when I get around to kicking you to the curb...and turning your bank account "inside out" while I'm at it.

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Garfield: In The Flesh

GiggleSugar — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 15:00:00 -0800

This is what happens when you have nothing more to do with your life than serve as the object of your owner's affection. Either this, or call yourself K-Fed. Kudos to Britney for finally kicking that cat to the curb! Meanwhile, this is so going to be me this weekend...

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