I have a very big mouth.
Literally and figuratively.
In sixth grade, everyone in my class measured mouths, and I won.
A very proud moment.
And today, I’m glad for the figurative largeness of my mouth.
The backstory (hopefully shortened to only include necessary details):
My husband’s sister and her husband are moving. Due to random circumstances including timing of sale of house and availability of apartment and location of job, they will be spending the next four weeks living in their very-nice-travel-trailer-but-still-a-travel-trailer in our town.
Really, it’s a nice one. Less than two years old, has everything they need, fully equipped for cooking and showering and sleeping and TV watching and such.
But it’s a travel trailer.
Here’s the thing. Deep down in my heart, I am hospitable.
But alas, my slob-problem often keeps me from being who I really am.
I’ve done so much better at hospitality since I started this deslobification process, but lately things have been rather chaotic and my Doorbell Dread was coming back.
So what’s the point? I’m glad that my big mouth blurted out (with complete sincerity), “You know you can come hang out ANYtime. Seriously, come over for supper whenever.”
Blurted this out to my SIL whose home always looks like a magazine. Who knows I have a blog but has quit asking what it’s about. (I generally make up something like www.how’dIgetTHESEinlaws dot com.)
I’m glad I said it because this morning, I had extra motivation. I’m not worried about having the house Christmas-Eve-ready on a Monday afternoon, but I do want it to be non-horrifying.
If I wait until my home is perfect before I allow myself to be hospitable, it may never happen. If I go ahead and invite someone over, I can pretty much guarantee that the house will be in better shape by the time they get here.
Whatever works.
So true….my husband and I joke that maybe it is not the most convenient time for visitors but hey at least the house got clean or when a few times the visitors cancelled we were
hi-5'ing that yeah the house is clean for us to enjoy!!!!! You crack me up with your Christmas Eve ready or doorbell dread…so true..I always called it Company Clean like company can come over now!!!! Have a great day!!!
I get so excited when I see a new post from you – because I know there's someone out there like me!
I'm trying to turn our front room into a place people like to be so that all the junk doesn't convene there – you know, right at the front door. Also at work on the kids' rooms (one down, and the other's 3/4 done), the guest/craft/potential child #3 room, and the master bedroom is last on the list (because it's going to get a complete overhaul – so it's my 'reward' for finishing the rest of the house!).
LOL I'm the same way! I just cleaned my own house, for company! Now the joke is, how long does it stay clean? lol
This speaks to me. I don't have a dirty house, but I hate to have ANYONE come over when it's all cluttery from a day of kids or a couple of weeks off the cleaning wagon.
Good for you. I hope I can remember this the next time we are having people over and I put my marriage "on the line" trying to get everything to look perfect and driving my husband crazy.
Thanks for your honesty, it reminds me each day that it's normal to have a home that doesn't look a Better Homes and Gardens layout. 🙂
HA! LOL!! Just make sure the bathroom is clean and you will be fine! 😉
Just found your blog through raising homemakers and am already a fan! Can't wait to learn with you.
I am FOREVER not inviting people to my house because I'm too much of a slob. I SO want to be the person who has people dropping by all the time and randomly invites people back for lunch after playgroup… but that's never going to happen if I can't change my slob ways! I didn't know doorbell dread was a diagnosable disorder- I thought I was alone!
Again, I can so relate!