I know this is going to sound stupid but a church friend of my mother's wants to come to the house to give her a pie. She hasn't been to church for a month because of foot surgery and is doing well. She has been going there for almost 2 yrs and this is the first time anyone has wanted to come by. My problem is we have a total of 8 little dogs in the house, 2 are my mother's. I already have a friend over today to help me with cleaning. This woman just called up this AM and wanted to come over. I hate drop bys. I can't keep the house spotless all the time for people to just drop by anytime they want. Between mother and the dogs all I do is clean, it's like chasing my tail, lol. Its' a small town church and I know this is probably a "spy" mission. I am all frazzled about this. I try to keep things as clean as I can, I am 53 and back surgery a few months ago. Keeping mother clean is my main priority so I don't care if there are some dishes in the sink, at least mom is clean. I just don't want to be judged. Would appreciate any advice about making house smell fresh and not just like bleach which I use a lot.
We love animals a lot too, so I get it!
ONE........... she can see mum needs more help
TWO........she can see just what i have to clean up everyday
THREE......she leaves in quite a hurry as i hate her and how she patronises me and talks to mum like shes a dear old lady and im the big bully daughter!!
Bake a chocolate cake the smell will make even you forget the other smells!!
anywhoo dont get yourself in a state it could be worse as my mum is throwing her colostomy bags out the front of the house now! so no matter how clean i keep the inside i have to pick up what CSI would REFUSE to pick up outside!
Coffee and chocolate cake is what i recommend and stuff her the cake is for you after shes gone!
Isnt it silly just how little things can stress us as we dont want "them" to think we are the dirty ones??????????
I invited the new neighbours in for dinner over easter lucky i didnt give a specific date i then decided to not "bother" as the smell of urine was just too much hassle to get rid of and "they wouldnt understand".
Yep you can tell people they are not right in the head but some people just dont get the hygiene part so i just dont have anyone who wouldnt understand in this house. lucky my friends have looked after their parents at some stage and "understand".
Just think one day we will look back and laugh at this! GULP! and everytime i see a colostomy bag i will smile and think of "mother". LOL
As for the delightful smell of apple pie or chocolate chip cookies, visitors will know it came out of a spray can because anyone who knows me know I don't cook :)
YAY!
I have 2 big dirty dogs, a farmer hubby, a ol'Ma (94) and I can vouch for Lysol.
Best proct on the market for the harried housekeeper.
Re the topic, I am exactly like you about smells in my home. And like you, that is one reason I hate drop in company....it is one of my biggest pet peeves....I agree cinnamon and cloves on the stove simmering always helps...also baking apples and cinnamon in the oven is great...and vanilla is always a welcoming scent...we usually have all those things in the house....
You know, as a sidenote...I am always of the belief that my drop ins are on a spy mission...I recently pulled the only carpet we had left simply because I was convinced it was retaining musty odors no matter how often I cleaned it..so out it went. And I do think it is a "woman" thing...men couldn't seem to care less...
man , im just busting to be edited tonight, lol ..
oh well . ive been splitting massive hunks of firewood in the pouring rain all day . editing is the only thing that will calm me down..
ill stop harshin on your dogs and listen to some music , that might diffuse me. ( not )
Someone, can't remember who now, always said: "if you want to see me, come anytime. If you want to see my house, call for an appointment."
Anyone who visits then goes back and talks about someone's else's house is in my opinion not someone I would ever want back. If these women do, then you'll know they were there on a spy mission. Some women are like that and do judge othes based on house status rather than on good deeds and more important criteria.
There are too many styles of housekeeping these days for women to be judgmental of others on that basis.
You're taking care of your mother; you don't need to be Martha Stewart.
And I hope your doggie feels better and gets over whatever is bothering her/him.
Next time my cat bring in whatever *fast food* he chased, caught, and brought it home to me as a present, I am going to laugh from now on.
I know this might sound weird to some but I really dislike the smell of vanilla and the smell of coffee. Do love citrus. Best bet is just let in some fresh air, or as Vegaslday mentioned above, bowl of vinegars [I need to try that].