On the eve of Ming’s 22nd birthday I asked him to vacuum the house.
I had already given him a pre-birthday present of some money, but told him that he would only get the rest if he vacuumed the house.
He grinned, pointed out that the vacuum cleaner needed a new bag, asked me if I remembered how to change the bag, then tested my memory of how to change the bag. I have no idea why I have a reluctance to change the bag; Ants always did that, then Ming. But, in my defence, I am the one who does most of the vacuuming.
Well, having passed the ‘change-the-vacuum-bag’ examination, Ming dismissed me to my newly air-conditioned writing room/office, still grinning (him, not me) and I waited with bated breath for the sound of the vacuum.
I didn’t expect the sound to be so loud. Anthony was always a quiet, careful, gentle vacuumer; he didn’t want to upset the skirting boards. Ming, on the other hand, is a rather violent vacuumer. The BANG AND CRASH sounds were a little alarming so I decided to stay put in the hope that he would forget about this room where I was hiding under my desk.
Finally the sounds of mad vacuuming ceased. The silence was so abrupt that I wondered if the vacuum cleaner was all right. After a little bit more silence I realised that I should have been wondering about Ming.
I emerged from underneath my desk just as Ming entered my writing room. A great big grinning presence.
Ming: Well, I’ve cleaned your house!
Me: OMG that is exactly what Ants said after vacuuming! Every time he did anything domestic, he would make it known that he had done if for me, and I would argue that it was also his house.
I can’t wait to tell this story to Ants tomorrow. I know he will remember his obsession with vacuuming and Electrolux. And I know he will smile at Ming’s vacuuming efforts.
jmgoyder 
hahahahaha
He is a funny one, this kid-man.
What is it about men and cleaning? They live in the house too, I don’t get it. I’m glad you have a clean house now 😉 Hugs Jules lol
I don’t get it either!
😀
Precious! I loved that he said what his father always said. ❤ Gloria
Me too!
Like father, like son!
Absolutely!
That kid cracks me up! 🙂
Yes he is quite entertaining!
Hahahaha…he’s a pistol that one! And I say the same thing that you do when told by my husband that he cleaned the bathrooms for me. “Really? For me? So…those are not YOUR pee droplets on the seat? Wow…I think we have a stealth pee-er breaking into our house then, ’cause I know I don’t dribble when I piddle!” That seems to shut him up for a bit (at least until the next time 🙂 )
You crack me up Rhonda!
Good 😉
Sounds like with all that noise – you had to “suck it up!” I used to hate learning things like changing ink cartridges on my copier and printer. But then I felt much more independent. I’ve learned to do a few more things like that on my own since my divorce (not too many handy things). There’s a sense of freedom that comes with that. But I totally understand how it is when I try to gett one of my children to help out. It’s a well thought out plan, just like yours. It’s annoying to have to be that way – that’s why I said my first line!
Haha – he just made me a coffee reluctantly, muttering, “It’s MY birthday!”
You have to “bean” him over the head. He must know if he does nice things, there will be less trouble “brewing” for him!
Men, in all their glorious variations, share one basic characteristic: they crave the attention of women. Not just Mom’s attention, though it starts there; they need the approbation of teachers, wives, and women at the gym. And if they do something they consider part of the woman’s domain (like vacuuming or picking up their own socks) they crow like a bantam rooster. Our job is to notice, appreciate, and generally let them know what good boys they are. Works for me.
You cracked me up describing the noises of mayhem when Ming applied himself to the task. I think they do that so you won’t ask them to do the job again, I think. My boss calls that “learned helplessness”.
Aha – this explains everything!
LOL! Funny story and funny Ming!
You are brave letting him vacuum. I would be afraid to turn my boisterous son loose with the vacuum. I can just see the curtains or the cat’s tail ending up in the bag!
Luckily we don’t have curtains or a cat!
A good thing, from the description of that violent vacuuming! 🙂
Don’t worry. Daughters are the same.
Oh!
What is a vacuum cleaner?
Very funny.
I have always been a clean-a-holic, so love to sweep!
Come on over!
I would help you out with pleasure!!!
I have a bagless vacuum and it is a bitch of a thing to empty ok empty is easy but putting it back together after it’s been empty is a bitch and I end up telling Tasha to do it
lol!
Love it! 🙂
Haha! judyrutrider hit the nail on the head. Amazing how universally male it is too!
be careful what you ask for, you just might get it. famous quote for a reason my friend!