The expense should be proportional, right? Smaller space = less time = less money.

True, but Captain Logic is not steering my tugboat on this.

Have you tried a vog mask, shrift? [link] My dad swears by his for both particle pollution and allergens. I recently got on in the hopes it will help protect me from pollen but I haven't really given it a good trial yet.

I realized yesterday I was totally out of food at home so I ordered groceries for pickup today at lunch time including a dozen chicken gyoza from the deli. This has turned out to be an excellent choice!

We used to have the housecleaner in about once a month, and I was wanting to increase to twice when things got dramatic with Mom's health and I kinda just didn't get around to it. Now I haven't had her in about fourteen months (right before Mom's service I had her in to help me clean up because I had family coming to stay with me). I've been mid- clearing out Mom's stuff pretty much the whole time since. (I figure as long as I don't have to get everything cleared out by a particular deadline, I'll take my time and not get overwhelmed trying to do too much at once). Which means that the master bedroom is piled high in stuff. I've had guests over (and have my own levels of cleanliness), so I've half-assed the living room, kitchen, and guest/front bathroom semi-regularly. But the master suite is such a wreck I've been embarrassed to let her see it (the house cleaner loved my mom), so I just haven't had her over. I keep intending to get her back in, but haven't been able to achieve a level I think she could be effective from. However, the same aunt and uncle are coming to stay with me for my cousin's memorial next month, so now I'm frantically strategizing to get the house (esp the master suite, where they will be staying), to an acceptable level, and hoping she's still available to come in and help me do a BIG clean right before they're due to arrive. Then maybe get her in regularly again.

Have you tried a vog mask, shrift?

Not yet, although I definitely looked at them during the poor air quality we had due to the wildfires. I'm curious to hear what you think after trying it.

I still have some N95 respirators that I could use while dusting, although I probably need goggles of some kind if I want to not feel like crap afterward.

Also, I need to remember to dust first THEN vacuum.

In what turns out to be oddly on-topic news, I had a meeting with the cleaning guy at my ex-apartment today. It turns out they're willing to take on not just the furniture, but literally everything that belongs to me, books, comics, CDs busted and non, cookware, dishes, DVDs, EVERYTHING, clean the smoke off it and set it up in the new apartment, and the manager will let them do it without me because she met him today.

This means all I have to worry abount is getting the paperwork set up for the new place, and making sure it looks OK. HUGE weight off my mind.

Yay, chrismg!

Smoke cleanup is a big part of fire recovery. Most of my company's products have categories for smoke remediation of personal posessions. At least you don't have to worry about water cleanup and mold remediation.

That is wonderful, Chris! Still stressful, but about as good as can be expected with the professional help and cooperation.

I have not listened to or watched any of the entertainment today. I did read Cohen's opening statement. I'm hoping that there will good summations and clips later when I can actually take time.

Excellent news, chris!