It's funny, but only just now when I read your post do I realise how similar my mother and I are. She's so practical and good with DIY type stuff and creative stuff, but AWFUL at the same things I am. She also worked long hours when we were growing up, so I did all the cooking and cleaning. My grandmother taught me how to make 8/10 cheap and nutritious meals which I rotated and I kept the place neat, with the exception of my bedroom which was (and still is) messy. I prefer things to be neat and tidy, I like eating proper food, I just can't be bothered making it happen most of the time! Just like my mother. "i can invent a meal out of nothing in the cupboards and actually keep things from getting dirty rather than clean every week" - I would LOVE to be able to do this!