We've had bad experiences with cleaning people in the past. They don't actually do what they are paid to do and they steal stuff. My dad actually hired a lady to clean back in the 80s (because my mother always hated cleaning) and she would have her boyfriend come over without our permission. She was married and was going off with the boyfriend somewhere to hook up but claiming she was cleaning at our house and they stole stuff. She quit working for us when her husband called to check on her and Mom said "What husband? She just left with her boyfriend".
On a happy note, I found my floor cleaner.
Body still hates me though. LOL.
Then you are hiring the wrong people. What happened to your dad in the 80's needs to be left in the 80s.
Hire a bonded and insured company from the big city or somebody who cleans real-estate. You need a crew, not just one person. Yes it will cost, but use some of the money that people are mooching off of you and that you spend replacing stuff that gets lost or damaged.
You are always trying to help others, but you need to take care of yourself as well.
You need big bins set up up in the yard plus a dumpster and
you direct what goes in each bin or sack. Every thing needs to come out of that house and get cleaned. It has become a health Hazzard for you with all the cat pee, cat dander, rodents and insects that have invaded. Your carpets need cleaning as well and that cannot be done at this stage of the game.
All clothing, curtains ect.. need to be brought to a laundromat for cleaning and sorted for use or donation.
You have no idea if stuff is stolen or merely lost. It doesn't really matter. It is of no use to you either way.
I am not saying you all need to become neat freaks. I like a house that looks lived in, but you are letting us all know that yours has become unlivable and that the effort to fix it cannot be done by you alone. That place is killing your spirit.
I apologize for the tough love, but your posts make me feel that you are drowning and that everyone around you that you care about, is just using you as public servant #1.
If you don't start letting go, you aren't going to be of any use to them or yourself. Your descriptions of your health issues indicate the situation is approaching critical mass.
I mean well by this post, but it is a harsh one. I will ferme ma bouche now and attempt to remove my foot. Please forgive my bluntness if you can.
