Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

 @tyme , @Dimity

They say these are weeds in some areas, they take over quickly

I see what you mean about them being pretty @Shaz51, shame they're weeds. I have some big weeds with magenta flowers that really take over. Pretty but they'll have to come out.

I'm glad you enjoyed the craft group, @Dimity 🙂

Sorry to hear you overdid it physically though, the other day.

I feel depressed, but have a lunch out today. I notice that a rental inspection is due in about 2 weeks, and the house has got into a mess.

Yes, I have had many weed conversations @tyme @Shaz51 @NatureLover @Dimity @scruffypuffball also many opinions about what is a weed. I just try and tend my areas best I can. Eat some weeds, and stay close to country and the earth, without worrying too much about appearances.

I live watching plant behaviour.. . and all the birds , bugs and butterflies…oops… anthropomorphisms galore. Lol

🌿🦋🌴💙🍎

I hope the lunch lifts your spirits @NatureLover .

A fortnight... does that give you enough time?

I tried a different approach with the home help. Lifted bins off the floor to make sure the floor was cleaned properly. But she didn't accept responsibility for the shower. I've been told not to bend but will do my best. As with the garden. No real option.

@Appleblossom I've been adding some indigenous plants to help the critters. There's still room for more.

Me too @Dimity

My Erica is doing well and will spread some tufted bluebells. 

Lillypilly

https://wtlandcare.org/details/wahlenbergia-communis/

etcetc

Very fond of wahlenbergias and lillypillies @Appleblossom . Ericas are colourful but not native, but many are naturalised. Epacris, the indigenous relatives can be fussy to grow.

Just came in from an amble in the sun. The woman and toddler I passed caught up with me at the pocket park. I fantasise about guerilla planting there to boost the biodiversity.

@Dimity hmmm re cleaner. If it is not a good fit keep trying but look around for others if it is too bad. At first I had dedicated cleaners, but there were a few problems and my son and I felt it all very invasive and not actually helping as they were judging and stressing us. My current cleaner has been with us for 2 years and it is working well. She is part support worker so I work on and value the relationship. We talk for half the 3 hour shift and both do house cleaning work for the rest.When she does the showers I offer her a towel or something soft for her knees when she is on the ground. She knows I care about my team. We have a sense of teamwork and doing it this way has helped me work through many of my difficulties with other women. I just dreamt it up as an approach. It really helps me keep on top of the basics, and gives the feeling that the people who enter our home are respectful. Not sure what is best for you, but maybe think outside the box.

it can be tricky getting into biodiversity and guerilla gardens. Some drought tolerant plants were pushed years ago, but then seen as environmental weeds. I worked towards green corridors for a while and then bought Australian natives. In my gardens I have a mix. It’s not near any natural bush land or wetland. I have done weeding and planting with environmental groups, so tried in my way.

It’s funny thinking about the thread topic. I became more comfortable with landscape and the earth more than being germophobic. I do try for basic cleanliness but can’t stress about it, cos of my neck, so overlook a lot.

Hey @NatureLover @scruffypuffball @Shaz51

hope you are all doing as well as possible

🦋🌿🎶💙🍎

@Appleblossom as I get older I'm keener on ecosystems than ornamental landscapes.

I'm not a germophobe but identify as a (hopefully recovering) hoarder. Tending to my patch - inside and out - I find more challenging than it ought to be. And these days I have physical limitations as well as mental.

My home help is through a contracted provider so I'm not really at liberty to change. I crossed swords with them earlier this year when I declined making either of two offered people from the backfill team permanent. I feel I'm still negotiating expectations with the person appointed.