My Peculiar Home Habits

RubyGran, I must be your double as I could have posted your message word for word. It gets to be very wearing, doesn't it?

It's when I'm travelling on a bus or a train that my main idiosyncrasy really comes to the fore: I feel compelled to check that my ticket and travel card are still in the place they were when I last checked, sometimes only ten minutes previously! Sometimes, to ring the changes, I obsess over whether my house keys have mysteriously disappeared from my handbag.

Check and double check all downstairs windows are locked before going to bed.
It is not unusual having gone to bed to then get up and double check they are.

I have to pair up the socks on rotary washing line and they all have to fit on one section. Think it’s just to relieve the boredom of hanging it out. Then they all go into airing cupboard whether they need it or not!

I mostly use the lower left burner, but mainly because it's the fastest. Nothing else I do is specially logical! I rather like hanging all my many coloured knickers together as they then look like a row of bunting.

Lol about favourite burner on the hob. Me too!!

As for Mugs, Mr Riggie keeps giving me tea in a coffee mug. Grrr
(The tea mug is thin china, it tastes nicer - I am turning into my late mum!!)

When I empty the dishwasher I put all the mugs I take out at the back and those that haven't been used, to the front. Why? I don't know.

I talk to my computer, especially when it isn't doing what I want it to.

Hold long conversations with the cat.

Always hang washing out in groups, e.g. all shirts together, all my underwear together, then DH's underwear, teatowels. towels, dish cloths, napkins, hankies. (I thought everyone did that, until I saw some of the neighbours' clothes lines.

Gillt57, I had the same problem with coloured pegs and now always use wooden ones, now only have to check I have the right number in my hand before hanging something up!

I do my clothes in colours& of course seasons. CDs in alphabetical order, pants arranged by everyday ones, holidays& special??( live on my own)! At least when I talk to the dog she cocks her head& it makes me feel like she understands. This is normal life, not just lockdown.

lemongrove, don’t worry I take a photo of the fridge door shut and hob off when I go away?

I’ve got to the stage where I swear at such things if they don’t work immediately!!!

On arriving home after a drive out somewhere I always say, "thank you little car, you were marvellous!" as did my dear late husband. I remind it that I know I don't deserve it but will give it a wash soon and check its oil, etc.

I like to fold and hang towels so that the edges are facing away from the door (feng shui, apparently) as it looks nicer. Oh, and the ornaments on the mantelpiece are placed just so with identical spaces between each - perfectly normal!

My favourite hob is the back right.

When I prepare fruit or veg it's always with odd numbers, I don't know why, I just like them, that's all.

Hannahloisluke - putting the loo seat down before flushing is just sensible. I’ve read/heard that germs can soar 6ft into the air otherwise, which is why toothbrushes should never be left near the loo! X

I had a few of the same habits going on, even numbers only for the tv volume, straightening up edges of magazines etc.
But.......... last week I realised it was getting a bit out of hand and obsessive. So now I am deliberately doing the opposite. Odd numbers, untidy non regimented stuff, not matching socks, coffee in a tea mug feel strangely liberated.

Lexisgranny - I do that with blister tablets too! I also cut non-prescription meds into 2 tablet doses, so I can take them with me!
Gillybob - now that I’m out and about, I’m describing my journey aloud when driving, as if I’m sitting a Police driving test! Now, I shall rise from the sofa, take a left, left, left into the kitchen, checking the way forward is clear and giving way to crossing pedestrians!!!

Oh yes - need to get a life!!

All knives on magnetic rack must face the same way, all spoons and forks must cuddle up in the same direction and all hangers go onto the rack pointing same way. OH (now XOH) never understood so whenever he comes to stay it’s all tipsy-turvy within days. It’s like straightening crooked pictures- you simply must do it.

Same colour pegs on each item hung on the washing line. Although not obsessive about housework ( far from it), hate untidiness so magazines have to be in a neat pile, remotes in basket, cushions plumped. Loo rolls can only have open edge over the top, it is law.

I have 2 sets of 6 matching mugs, but they have to be weighed and matched in pairs of nearest weights. If that sounds odd, believe me they range from 290g to 403g in one set. It makes a difference when you make a drink.
In patience the aces must be hearts clubs diamonds spades order.
Oh and I now like the blinds open or closed with the slats in a particular direction.
Glad to know it’s not just me!
Roll on the easing of lockdown!

I talk to plants but that's ok, they are alive after all.
Fussy habits in the house, only two that I can think of. When loading the dishwasher the cutlery has to be all knives in one compartment, all forks in the next and so on. It just makes it easier when unloading to grab a handful of knives and then straight into their place in the cutlery drawer, than having to sort them out.
My other habit is that the Loo seat must be down before flushing to stop any germs misting out into the room, and the door must be closed on leaving. That's a Feng Shui thing to stop your wealth going down the Loo ?

So happy to find more like me. The light switch thing is so important. Other things, the Loo roll has to have the end falling over the top, not on the underside on the back. Towels should not touch each other on the rack! I am blood group B positive, and really am very ridiculous in my regimental routines and habits. I find it keeps my mind in a calmer state, and I can think more clearly. I don't really check the back door though, only once just before bed, although my ageing dog seems to be not hearing as well as she should and someone could walk in the house and she wouldn't hear!
I did spend two whole days frantic with panic, looking for a soft toy that belonged to my adult daughter who was caught in lockdown when travelling on the other side of the world. It seemed to be so significant that I should find it, and thereby know she was safe. She is still stuck travelling /working on the other side of the world, and I have told her to stay put as she is in New Zealand for the whole of lockdown. Her soft toy dog has brought me enormous comfort.

Ginny “ I found myself apologising to a vase this morning. Told it that I couldn’t use it as it was too wide but it would get a turn soon.
Also had a good chat with my sewing machine.”

?????

I'm talking to the birds in the garden. I'm sure my neighbour thinks I'm bonkers.

I have 5 mugs. One for coffee, one for tea, one for hot chocolate and two for guests.

What a reassuring post. I'm definitely a checker and worrier, but obviously in good company! For those with 'have I left the iron on?' anxiety, I think Rowenta used to make an iron that turned itself off if it hadn't been moved for five minutes. They'd sell millions if they revived it. Lexisgranny some of your 'quirkes' make very good sense and save time too. As for things having feelings, putting a face and smile on Henry the vacuum cleaner was a brilliant idea, he brightens up doing the cleaning chores. Though I now I always feel a little sad to put him away in the dark under the stairs!