I think I've finally shocked my friends with my housekeeping lack-o-skills.
While the gals in the neighborhood have gotten used to the general chaos here in the Chased by Children home, to people who aren't in my house every day I think New Years day was a bit of a shock.
I had three off-limit rooms: the laundry room, my office and Princess MiMi's room. The rest of the house was pristine. Anti-bacterially spotless if not completely clutter free.
I closed the doors to the off-limit rooms.
Nevertheless, they were all opened and perused by curious but well-meaning brunch attendees most of whom were looking for the cat or the dog or a bathroom or a way out of this crazy place.
When you have an event at your house these things happen. I wasn't really alarmed. I only invited people who I like a great deal. Those people tend to be people who like me a great deal. Their shock was a wake-up call.
My best friend, Lola, who lives an hour away (so hadn't been to the house since October) said, "What happened here?" in a concerned sort of way.
Sunny (of Hannah Montana fame) just started laughing and asked what exploded in Princess MiMi's room. She was hysterical about it (in a concerned sort of way).
My mother, who was staying with us, was a little mortified (in a concerned sort of way).
What can I say? I'm not great with the clean clean. The Laundry was a bit backed up due to the hecticity (pronounced heck-tiss-it-ee) of the holidays so I put it all in Princess MiMi's room.
The large rug in our family room gets rolled up and put into my office for the holidays (starting in October) because the King feels that anything that cost as much as it did should only be on the floor when there is no red wine involved. Top it with all the holiday boxes and reciepts you've got a real mess.
The laundry room had some "in-process" laundry in it. And an obese (but wonderful) cat. And a litter box. And a lot of cleaning supplies. The cat stays in there when Gerard's brother-in-law comes around because of allergies. I have no excuse for this room.
I throw myself on your mercy blogo-friends. Is it okay for my house to have these sorts of flaws when I entertain? Do I need to get it together? What's the standard operating procedure you employ? I'd really love to know.
There are always a few closed doors in my house. I wouldn't stress it. Especially if the rest of the house is pristine. Seriously you have to keep it real and sometimes a messy/exploded room or two is how you keep it real.
Posted by: Angela | January 05, 2008 at 03:17 PM
In my vast experience with messiness, you are perfectly normal. Those shocked folks? They're faking it and secretly just grateful you didn't open the door to their messy spot.
If you wait until it's all picked up to entertain, you'll never have anyone over. And that's no fun!! Party on, woman!
Posted by: Llama Momma | January 05, 2008 at 03:27 PM
I think it comes with motherhood. A few shut off rooms is the way to go. You can't control it! I am hoping my next home has a big basement ala playroom. My living room right now looks like Kindercare. ug. And don't even get me started on the laundry hec-tis-ity that has taken over the upper floor.
Posted by: Ann | January 05, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Come on over to my house anytime and you will feel all better. No worries!!! Love ya.
Posted by: Chi Chi | January 05, 2008 at 04:47 PM
I wouldn't worry about it...a lot of "organizing tips" type sites will tell you to lock the mess in a room until the party is over. And it being the holidays on top of that...
I think you're good to go.
Posted by: Thea @ I'm a Drama Mama | January 05, 2008 at 05:15 PM
OK, I am impressed that you were able to have people into your house!! I would have had to shut off the house and taken us all to a restaurant!! Those who were shocked, I am thinking, they were relieved, to see that you are normal!!
PS I have heard of people that hided their laundry or other messies in their tub and close the shower curtains so no one will see!! Now that I know this, I peek in the showers, just to make myself feel better about my messy home!!
Posted by: Chrissy Witt | January 05, 2008 at 07:26 PM
Come to my house. Wait, mine is so bad, I don't allow people over. Take for instance the dining room. Isn't a dining room a place to eat that includes a table and chairs. Mine, you can eat while working out on a treadmil. If you can find the treadmil behind boxes of crap-o-la. Christmas Eve my Mom came and she had to help fold a mountain of clean laundry that was sitting on the guest bed so she could go to bed. That is bad. Your house is in pristine shape. I would not worry. ;)
Posted by: The Eastsider | January 05, 2008 at 07:47 PM
My in-laws are coming to stay for 1 night in February and I'm already attacking the guest room/office with a vengence. If I don't start now, it won't be clean enough for them to walk into/stay. That should make you feel better. Once you have children, people just can't expect the entire house to be clean. That wouldn't be fair. Even if you do get most of the rooms clean, the little munchkins are right behind you waiting to mess it all up. Cut yourself some slack. You got the main rooms clean and that is impressive!
Posted by: Lisa P in California | January 05, 2008 at 08:30 PM
You need to serve more liquor.
Then you can act as though they hallucinated the whole thing.
"What seven-foot-high pile of laundry, Mom? Did you have one too many mimosas, by any chance?"
Posted by: Jocelyn | January 05, 2008 at 11:15 PM
It is what it is. The messier the better is what I say! It conveys activity and life!!
Posted by: three dog lady | January 06, 2008 at 07:54 AM
I have one of those houses...actually, I bet worse! I walk by our 'just dump it in there room' and cringe and now, i've promised my oldest his own room by the end of the month so I HAVE TO start going in there, it's scary!
Posted by: TZ | January 06, 2008 at 09:24 AM
You are not alone in off limit rooms during parties. Just remember to lock them next time and put the key where only you and the King know where it is. Works like a charm, usually. ;)
Posted by: New Diva on the Blog | January 06, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Heh, those rooms sound much better than my entire house right now! Since we are remodeling, my motto is "Why clean it up, when it's just going to get tore apart and messy again?"
Posted by: Misty Dawn | January 06, 2008 at 02:23 PM
I say the most important part is that you opened up your home to your friends and family and didn't avoid entertaining because of a couple of messy rooms. Kudos to you!
Posted by: Holly | January 06, 2008 at 02:41 PM
I say if they are brave enough to open a closed door, let the sight of the mess be their own punishment. You had the "open" parts of the house clean. That's all that matters. I think having a brunch is impressive enough.
Posted by: Christie | January 06, 2008 at 04:41 PM
You are not alone! My room is always off limits during parties, and usually locked too!
I firmly believe everyone needs at least one dumping zone.
Posted by: lisa@take90west | January 06, 2008 at 08:31 PM
You are definitely NOT alone! And here's how I feel about it, sweet pea...
My door is always open. I believe that's the way the Lord would want me to have it... thus I do. But, if folks want to come to my house, they take my house *and* ME as they find us. I bend over backwards to make people feel at home... their comfort is my only concern.
So, I just figure that if they come to my house, they are coming to my house because they want to... because they need to... because me and my house have something to offer them. Whether that be food, fellowship, shelter, a shoulder to cry on, or whatever the case may be.
But...if they don't like the way my house looks... or the way I look... then they can always rethink their decision to come over the next time and opt out, if they so choose.
So, with that said, if your company wishes... after visiting your house this past New Years Day... to go to a different house on New Years Day 2009, then by all means they are able to do that. And I would bid them well.
You were gracious in having an open door to those who wished to visit. If they weren't comfortable, they can always go through a different open door next time. But you did nothing wrong... in fact, I think you were very gracious and kind.
Just my .02
Love and God bless~ Pearl
Posted by: Pearl | January 06, 2008 at 10:26 PM
You are definitely NOT alone! And here's how I feel about it, sweet pea...
My door is always open. I believe that's the way the Lord would want me to have it... thus I do. But, if folks want to come to my house, they take my house *and* ME as they find us. I bend over backwards to make people feel at home... their comfort is my only concern.
So, I just figure that if they come to my house, they are coming to my house because they want to... because they need to... because me and my house have something to offer them. Whether that be food, fellowship, shelter, a shoulder to cry on, or whatever the case may be.
But...if they don't like the way my house looks... or the way I look... then they can always rethink their decision to come over the next time and opt out, if they so choose.
So, with that said, if your company wishes... after visiting your house this past New Years Day... to go to a different house on New Years Day 2009, then by all means they are able to do that. And I would bid them well.
You were gracious in having an open door to those who wished to visit. If they weren't comfortable, they can always go through a different open door next time. But you did nothing wrong... in fact, I think you were very gracious and kind.
Just my .02
Love and God bless~ Pearl
Posted by: Pearl | January 06, 2008 at 10:28 PM
What do you mean by messy. I thought the house was pristine. You are too hard on yourself. Besides lets talk about the brunch. Now there was a thing of beauty. Martha Stewart herself would have been put to shame. You go girl! Shine where you can.
Posted by: invisible neighbor | January 07, 2008 at 03:19 PM
Of course it's okay to entertain with a not-totally-perfect house! how ridiculous for us to put that kind of pressure on (I'm saying this emphatically to remind myself of the same thing). It is not your job to be perfect. Who do you want to resemble? a stepford wife? You should feel proud of yourself that the rest of the house was nice, that the food, wine and conversation was flowing. Enjoy, enjoy! life's too short to sweat the small stuff!
Posted by: Just Seeking | January 12, 2008 at 02:31 PM
Of course it's okay to entertain with a not-totally-perfect house! how ridiculous for us to put that kind of pressure on (I'm saying this emphatically to remind myself of the same thing). It is not your job to be perfect. Who do you want to resemble? a stepford wife? You should feel proud of yourself that the rest of the house was nice, that the food, wine and conversation was flowing. Enjoy, enjoy! life's too short to sweat the small stuff!
Posted by: Just Seeking | January 12, 2008 at 02:31 PM