Monday, November 10, 2008

There's got to be a better solution

If you've ever dropped by my house unannounced, you might have wished you hadn't. Now... I always welcome unannounced visitors- don't want to scare anyone off- but you know those days when you'd like to throw a stack of disclaimers in the front porch that requires a signiture before entry? Something that states, Whatever I find inside this house, I will not disclose to any third parties. On any given day- that's me.

However. Today... (and maybe not three hours from now...) but right now at this moment- I'd like to hang a sign on my porch that says "Unnanounced visitors welcome." They thought that election last week was so historical? Well, this tops it. My house is unnatrually clean. This happens so rarely.

Of course, a few days from now when things are back to normal someone will stop by and I'll be scarmbling around the living room in my pajamas when Lydia announces, "Mom? Someone's coming here." Oh. And for the next thirty seconds I'll tear through the living room grabing anything in my sight while shouting orders to the kids to please do something!

Ah, it never fails. Not that I think flying around the living room on a rampage is going to convince anyone about to walk through those doors that I don't live in complete chaos... Nor do I believe that if someone did come over today they would honestly believe that's the way I live. That can no longer be disguised.

I never learn. Take the time about a year ago for exmple. Outside, the gas company was putting in new lines or something. It would stand to reason that any normal person might assume that they would need to come in the house... but me? Oh, no. Until the man knocks on my door and tells me he needs to go in the basement to shut the gas off. So, okay, the basement is not my territory, but still. I usher him to the basement steps only to discover the top step is so covered in junk it's nearly impossible to get past. And as I survey the rest of the stairs I discover that it's nothing more than an ankle-twisting narrow trail. Ugh. He went on his way and I hoped he'd make it out in one peice. A few minutes later, he returns and tells me he needs to check the gas stove in the kitchen. Haha. I'm sure I stood there stammering something like, "Uh. The kitchen... Um. Really? Like. Right now?" In my head I was mentally recalling the pot of cream of wheat that had boiled over, the cheerios that were litering the floor- crunching under every step. Ugggggh.

And, as I'm writing this, I know, I just know there are some who can relate and then there are some going, "Uh... Hm. Never seemed to have that problem."And then there are others who would just never admit it. I know you're out there. Or maybe that's just what I try to make myself think to feel better. Sigh. Such is life.

13 comments:

Sharyn said...

This sounds so familiar. My house is not in visitation mode today. LOL

It's funny tho - I think about those homes that I visit, and I often feel most comfortable and, well, at home in those that are soaring. And yet I have a hard time entertaining in soar mode myself. I need to relax.

My problem, as Uncle George puts it, is that I've run clean out of flat surfaces to stack things on. LOL I'll have to blog about that and how his coffee cup was perched precariously on top of a sloping pile of magazines.....

Aleena said...

It's the same here...usually a mess and only on the worse days do people stop by, and when my house is actually nice and clean, nobody ever comes by!

MindiJo said...

Ahhh! Life with kids. I can totally relate.
Thanks for the comment on my blog. I have run into your blog from time to time. I really have no idea who you are. To be honest, it bugs me when I can't figure out who someone is. At least a little. Once I have a connection, I'm okay. But until then...

Jan said...

I am so with you. We live bit out of the way, so we don't get much drop in company, but I need more than an hour's notice to get into shape. Like, to scrub walls and stuff...
oh, and if I invite you over short notice-like, it means I really feel comfortable with you.
Sarah, I think you could come over, unless you are writing lots of lies! : )

Sarah said...

Sharyn- very true. I think I can relax most when I'm visiting somewhere much like this place on a typical day.

Aleena- as it figures- no one stopped by today. They missed it. Happy to report things are back to "normal."

Mindi- I don't really know you either, so we're equal. : )

And, Jan- No lies here. Trust me. : )

Megan said...

I'd commented earlier, but it didn't work I guess. I cleaned today as well, and lo and behold it was still clean when I got home from work tonight! bonus!
We're coming up tomorrow morning, and was wondering if you were going to be home so maybe we could get a little visit in. I'll maybe just stop by on our way through. Not sure exactly when we are leaving.... maybe before noon.... maybe at noon.... :) But not after noon.

Amy L said...

Ahh. Me too. I like to tell others that if you are coming to visit ME then swing in whenever, but if you are coming to se my house, then give at least an hours notice - that is just for the public areas of this house - if you want a full blown tour, then you'll have to book an appointment.
But really anyone raising a house full of little people know that things cannot be perfect all (or even most) of the time. I was just telling Mindy today that I have hit the point of 'why bother, no one cares but me." And really it is one big mess 20 minutes after I finish.

Anonymous said...

It happens here too! Whenever it is clean nobody comes. I guess that is why a lot of people down here call you to have you over and not you call them. That way they can plan and clean accordingly. By the way tell Mindi her brother Glenn is dating your cousin Kate I. Murphy's Law they say.
Christy

Anonymous said...

oops murphy's law went in the wrong spot. LOL
Christy

Anonymous said...

Ooh, can I relate. We have had sooo many bad messy house stories here. Last night I came home carefree from a shower only to find my hubby and kids entertaining company amidst piles of dirty dishes, supper still on the table, mounds of snowpants/jackets/boots smeared all over the floor in with the chopped up wrapping paper and crayons. I could have cried, but when I really thought about it I guess it usually looks exactly like that...just not sooo gross when I know someone's coming. Dean's grampa did tromp through the clothes pile one time and snag a bra on his boot. Talk about feeling dumb when I had to go remove it...he had no clue why I was reefing on his boot. ~marne

Cami said...

Oh man...I can totally relate to that and I only have one little boy right now. No time to clean when I'm at school full time...I keep saying, maybe next summer it'll be clean more days than not. ; )

Juliana said...

Yeah, I remember not wanting to clean in the summertime, and a sister telling me "That's what winter is for, go enjoy the sunshine." What can be my excuse in the Winter???

Anonymous said...

Why you don't write a book Sarah?

Seriously.

There are very few people with your talent for conveying emotion and humor with written words. Your blog reads to me like a combination between Ernestine Gilbreth and Pat McManus.

Tell Ryan I said hi and if you are down this way stop in for a visit.

Pete L-