If you hear a slightly off-tune version of "I can see clearly now...," that's me, singing until my heart's content. Only I'm changing the second line to " the grime is gone...." instead of rain.

I, for the first time ever, am paying someone to wash my windows. And it is glorious.

My only disappointment is that I haven't been hiring folks for the last 30 years to do it.

I would have done it myself, this time too, if I'd had a ladder. The big extension ladder went with all the other stuff at the yard sale before I moved. And my little 3-step stool isn't tall enough to get me to the tops of my big beautiful windows.

Of course I looked into buying another ladder, being the do-it-yourself girl that I am. But quickly found out I could hire someoone to wash them for me for less than I could buy a big ole ladder I wouldn't have anywhere to store when I was done using it.

Easy choice, right?

My window cleaner extraordinaire is Benjamin Dusty of Benjamin's Window Cleaning here in Wilmington, NC. And if you are local, then check him out. He's very quiet, respectful and man can he make your windows shine.

But anywhere you live you can find small business owners like Benjamin, who are bonded and insured and work for themselves. He comes to give you a quote, he comes to wash your windows. You know you're gonna get treated right. I believe in small business. I hope you do, too.

Yes, I can see clearly now, the grime is gone.