Is Your Home REALLY Company Ready

**AmyBoz** · 10-10-2003, 12:10 PM

After a few months of resubscribing to FlyLady, I'm feeling like unsbuscribing again because it seems like no matter how much I clean, there is still always clutter around. The testimonials always have people saying how they were not embarassed when someone stopped by because the house was in perfect shape. My house needs more than a 5-minute room rescue if I get a heads up that someone is on their way over, and I don't really know how to get around that. I feel like I spend ALL my time cleaning this place when I'm home. Dh even got upset with me the other night because I got up and started straightening up the kitchen while he and dd were still eating dinner.

Is there anyone out there like me, or are all of you ready to welcome guests without the slightest hint of cringing when the doorbell rings unexpectedly?

**guest2** · 10-10-2003, 12:22 PM

Amy
Our home goes on high alert when someone calls to say they are going to stop by or we see someone walking up the driveway! We all quickly try to grab the laundry that we are in the middle of folding, pick up the newspapers and magazines, fold the blankets that we were snuggling under and pray that we can get the bathroom picked up and gone over before they enter the house! I was feeling bad about all of this until my friend Roni told me that she loves coming to my house because she can truly relax here. She said that she hates going to people's houses that are spotless because it makes her feel guilty about her home and she just can't relax in those homes. In mine she can cuddle up on the couch with one of the aformentioned blankets, have a cup of tea, puruse a magazine and have a good visit!

**Dixie** · 10-10-2003, 12:29 PM

I need at least five minutes to "spot clean"

10 would be nice....

When my dkids were small, a whole hour would have been good!

Seriously, I have had people say the same thing as Debbie mentioned, that my house is just lived in enough to make it comfortable. Once, my Minister said he could lie down and take a nap at our house, it looked so inviting. He meant it as a compliment, but I was at the height of my "clean freak" years, so I was horrified!

I couldn't enjoy company, because I was so worried about the way the house looked.

**Mom23boys** · 10-10-2003, 12:38 PM

I need more than 5 minutes too Amy. The boys come in and throw their backpacks down, take off their shoes in the doorway, throw their socks off and there are footballs and baseballs laying around. You can tell this is a house full of children.

I joined flylady a while back and have started deleting the messages because I don't have the time to worry about it.

Sometimes I am embarrassed by it and other times I am not.

**paelthom** · 10-10-2003, 12:54 PM

I need much more than 5 minutes, but on the other hand I hope whoever is coming is really coming to see me and not the house. Yes I wish it was picked up but between SO, DD, 2 dogs and 2 cats running in and out, it needs at least 1 hour to be presentable.

**Michelle** · 10-10-2003, 01:36 PM

Amy, you are so not alone. I have now made it my mission to have the house comfortable but not pristine. To do so would mean neglecting my family and any time that I may find to work on my hobbies. I refuse to feel guilty any more

**simplemom** · 10-10-2003, 01:45 PM

Amy, I've been *trying* for years to be able to have a home reasonably clean, but the reality is that I could never attain what I truly wanted--a spotless house, because when I anaylize this closely, being so busy *being* in my children's lives I have little time to make my home as beautiful as I wish...maybe someday, when they are all older...

So, you are not alone.

**PrairieRose** · 10-10-2003, 06:52 PM

I don't even have dk's at home anymore and my house certainly isn't spotless .... EVER! There was a time when I spent all of my waking hours worrying about germs and neatness and perfection.......I think I jumped ship at about 35....I may have gone a bit overboard the other direction but I am much happier now

**baronmom** · 10-10-2003, 08:29 PM

My house is never spotless. With 3 boys, 2 dogs and a cat, I always have stuff to clean up. I can sweep the floors and as soon as I put the broom away, it looks like I never ever swept. Talk about frustrating. I can do a quick clean up in about 10-15 minutes if I have to.

**isaacsmommy** · 10-10-2003, 09:50 PM

Ok, to start off, my home is anything but spotless. I've been trying to follow flylady for the last couple of months, and have only really tried to jump on board this week. My home is still soooo cluttered, and really not very deep-down clean.

However, today a friend stopped by unannounced and I actually found I wasn't embarassed by my clutter, so maybe it's getting better!

**lucy979** · 10-11-2003, 03:47 AM

No, you are not alone Amy! I would be so embarrased if someone came over unnanounced. Especially being pregnant, I just don't have the energy to keep it clean.

**homesteadmamma** · 10-11-2003, 09:52 AM

Spotless - I always thought that was homes that were in fancy books, it certainly isn't my home.

I learnt a long time ago not to feel guilty because my house wasn't spotless or like I use to dream it should be. Its comfortable and when people come over, they need to take our home as it it.

With 3 special needs kids, 2 cats (and now 3 babies), along with homeschooling and a small home business, there won't ever be a time its spotless.

My brother's home was spotless. If you had a meal there, HE was washing the dishes before you were finished eating. He would scrub the floors over after my sil washed them. He was forever cleaning. But in that, he lost precious time with his 2 kids. He is trying to make up for it now, but both have left home and are on their own. He regrets the time he lost, but he'll never get it back.

**Sara Noel** · 10-11-2003, 10:28 AM

Amy, your home in pictures doesn't look like some cluttered mess or anything. You work full time, teach piano, have a young child. I am not sure what your expectations are for yourself, but I think you do awesome. I definitely couldn't maintain my home the way I do if I had a schedule like yours.

**AmyBoz** · 10-11-2003, 10:40 AM

Okay, let me clarify...I by NO means expect, or honestly, even want a spotless house. I have to say that I feel a lot better reading everyone else's posts. It probably stems from my mother, who means well, but is the neatest neat freak who ever roamed the earth. She always makes little comments like, "Ah, don't you just FEEL better when your house is all clean?" and "Wow, the kitchen counters look great...now you can get started on the living room!" So, this could be the root of it. I guess I do feel comfortable enough to have kids and their parents coming in and out for piano, so it must not be too bad. I just feel like there is a lot of clutter. If I could just get around to the garage sale I've been meaning to have for the past 2 years, at least I'd feel like I made a little headway! Thanks for your encouragement, friends!

**Hawkshop** · 10-11-2003, 01:11 PM

I am hardly ever ready for unexpected company. With two small kids my house is always in disaray. Usually it is little toys everywhere, little scraps of paper that they have been throwing around, cheerios, dishes on the counter. I clean up real good once a day but the rest of the day it is a disaster in here. That is just part of having kids I guess.