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Cleaning Up:  Company is coming. What do you do??  |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 01 2007 : 11:48:20 AM
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To spiff up the house a bit. Say you have an unexpected visitor. What do you do (if anything!!)
I clean the bathroom, sweep down the kitchen, mop the floor, vacuum and fluff up everything. (If I have time, otherwise, just hit up the bathroom, straighten out the kitchen/living room, close the doors on the rest and pray they don't get nosy!!! :) )
I keep 3 large baskets in the front closet. I put them out and into each goes
1. garbage
2. donate(for a later time but just never got around to it)
3. Keep but don't have time to put away so ends up in closet but at least is in one spot.
Light a candle about an hour before they come, comb my hair and relax.
So what do you do??? |
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_Rebecca_
True Blue Farmgirl
568 Posts
Rebecca
OK
USA
568 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2007 : 12:00:23 PM
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You have great ideas. I like to play music, if my toasted brain thinks about it. Some people put a baking sheet in their oven with a bit of cinnamon sprinkled on it, don't leave the oven on and forget it though. I like to lower the lights and light the candles on the mantel.
.·:*¨¨* :·.Rebecca.·:*¨¨* :·.
Wife of Jonathan, Mother of Joel, Caitlyn, Elia, Nathanael |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2007 : 12:34:18 PM
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I shove everything under a bed! People might look in closets but don't usually look under the bed. At least I dont think they do! HA!
Jewelry, art, baskets, etc.
www.willowtreecreek.com |
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Persephone
True Blue Farmgirl
172 Posts
Katrina
Indiana
USA
172 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2007 : 12:51:31 PM
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1- a speedy clutter pick up
2-hide/clean ditry dishes
3- shake off the tablecloth
4- shine the bathroom faucet
5- fresh bathroom towel
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primjillie
True Blue Farmgirl
138 Posts
Jill
Antelope
CA
USA
138 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2007 : 1:15:38 PM
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Depending on how much notice I have -
pick up everything, straighten the pillows and fold the quilts on the sofas
make sure dishes are done and counter is wiped down
wipe down guest bath
close laundry room door!
if I have time, sweep and spot clean kitchen floor and vacuum
I agree on lighting a candle - makes a big difference! |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2007 : 1:49:39 PM
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Things are generally clean around here, but with busy life clutter. It is never so bad that with at least one hour's notice, I can put things away, hide what needs hiding, do the couple of dishes that may be in the sink and run the vaccuum over the high spots...
matter of fact, I just got done iwth that as my Father in Law is on his way up to the cabin and coming here for dinner tonight. taking a break because I am sweating. When I vaccuum, I cannot help but pull out my attachments and clean things that may not even need cleaning...oy.
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com
http://frugalwitch.wordpress.com
http://tasharose365.wordpress.com/
Homepage: http://mysticwoodsfarm.com |
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kitchensqueen
True Blue Farmgirl
521 Posts
521 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2007 : 1:58:18 PM
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If it's a sudden visit, I throw the shoes in the front closet (they have a bad habit of piling up in front of the door, wipe down the bathroom faucet and sink, and do up as many dishes as possible. Once the emergency tidying is done, I put on the hot water for tea and put out something fresh for snacking-- I usually have a coffee cake or cookies, or at least fresh fruit on hand. If guests arrive at the dinner hour, I whip up something quick and double it-- a pasta salad or spaghetti with Italian sausage and crack open a bottle of wine.
http://apartmentfarm.wordpress.com |
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Beemoosie
True Blue Farmgirl
2077 Posts
Bonnie
New York
USA
2077 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2007 : 4:40:23 PM
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I head to the bathroom first...make sure all is clean and presentable, empty garbage, put a fresh hand towel up.
Next sweeping the kitchen and dining area.
After that straightening up my setting area, usually a pile of magazines, books and needle work!
My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Luke 1:46,47
www.beequilting.blogspot.com
http://beemoosie-picture-diary.blogspot.com/ |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2007 : 1:00:15 PM
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1. Bathroom sink and commode--spray the shower curtain with fabric spray
2. get out vacuum and attachments--with 4 dogs and 3 cats, the hair gets in the corners and along the baseboards quickly....
3. Extenda-duster to the ceilings and corners where cobwebs are (they may not look, but I notice that stuff at other folks houses...)
4. Pick up the 14 or so coats and changes of clothing that accumulate in the giant mission chair in the living room--I keep telling my husband "it's a chair, not a closet".
Make a quick dip with Tastefully Simple garlic garlic or Fiesta Mix and some sour cream, light a couple of candles and
READY. Just don't go into the bedroom :)
Just think of all of the roads there are...all of the things I haven't seen....yet. |
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Shirley
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Shirley
Olympia
Wa
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2007 : 12:23:30 AM
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ROFL,
You farmgals are SO FUNNY....I can just see all this being done cause I do the same thing.
my DH says they are not coming to see our house ,but to see us. and I say, but when they leave and they have Corgi dog hairs all over them ,its kinda embarassing.
shirley |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2007 : 05:19:31 AM
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If it is a surprise visit then I send DH scrambling to the bathroom while I take everything that does not belong out and about and throw it in my laundry cart and roll it to my room and lock the door! :) Then, another quick look-around and THEN, when I have begun to sweat and have developed a not-so-happy mood, I remind myself (like Shirley's DH) that they are coming to see ME not the house, and I just look at them and say- "Gee, sorry the place is a bit of a mess!" and we have a lovely time anyway!!
Karin |
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ByHzGrace
True Blue Farmgirl
348 Posts
348 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2007 : 08:07:25 AM
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ok clue me here....if they are unexpected company? then are y'all leaving them on the porch, sending out for cream for the coffee while ya run to do all this?
if they call, and tell ya they are visiting then it isn't unexpected right? my mother comes to mind....she will get me to pull out the foto albums so better make sure I have copies to give her...but loves to do what ever I am doing... so I try to have a job to keep her busy... like squeezin juice or freezing blueberries.
to spiff up the house lol I'd turn down the music so I could hear them talking lol  then we'd fill the pitcher with some ice and I'd put them to work... this time of year it is all about squeezing some juice |
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Persephone
True Blue Farmgirl
172 Posts
Katrina
Indiana
USA
172 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2007 : 09:23:50 AM
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| One morning, dh and I had woken up, and we got a phone call that said dh's dad and his wife would be stopping by in about 20 mins- neither of us nor the baby was dressed, the house was a mess from the night before, dishes everywhere, clutter- I call that unexpected company, cause if I had been expecting them, we would have been up earlier, and I would have been cleaning- so I had some notice, but I still consider that unexpected company. |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2007 : 11:04:54 AM
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| I think unexpected is the phone call that says they are less than an hour away from visiting and you had no clue. Family and friends that frequent alot just know how I live. Maybe I shouldn't worry so much??? HMMMMM>>>>>> |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2007 : 12:05:27 PM
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I tend to quick check the bathroom (we only have one tiny bathroom in this old house with 6 of us living here!) and then the kitchen. The living room I am sort of a nut about keeping clean and presentable but no one stays in there much...the living in our house goes on in the family room and kitchen. As long as no one decides to visit the laundry/sewing room I can usually breathe easy..
I love Ellen's idea about putting them to work..sounds like fun juicing, Ellen..I wish I were close enough to stop by!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
Edited by - Aunt Jenny on Feb 03 2007 12:06:00 PM |
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Past Blessings
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Brenda
Orchard Prairie
WA
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2007 : 3:58:42 PM
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In general, I try to keep the main area (we have an open concept home with a living room, dining room and kitchen all open to each other clean, so that I am not embarrassed, but in a pinch I throw things in the coat closet and papers in the secretary. I learned years ago the hard way not to put dirty dishes in the oven . . . especially if you forget they are there and then the next day turn the oven on to pre-heat!! Yipes! What a disaster. I sometimes think I could have been a writer for the Lucy Show . . . it would all be true stories! LOL!
Brenda
Past Blessings . . . Celebrating Life as it used to be . . . when people loved God, loved their families and loved their country. |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2007 : 04:55:44 AM
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unless i am in the middle of a fun 'project' .. our cabins are always pretty much neat and clean and 'guest-popping-in-ready'! It's only the two of us .. however, SOMETIMES .. the dawgs, Cabin and Creek will track in mud .. but this is the 'country' and everyone with critters knows how that goes! mostly, i figure friends who 'drop in' will find our home being 'lived in' and if they are friends .. that is just fine with them. NOW .. if i am having 'planned' guests come .. I give the cabins a good going over!
True Friends, Frannie
CABIN CREEK FARM
KENTUCKY
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kjweldon
Farmgirl at Heart
8 Posts
Kathleen
Cambridge
MA
8 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2007 : 07:36:14 AM
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| I once read a cleaning expert who said if the President was coming to the house in five minutes and it wasn't clean, she would go into the bathroom with glass spray and paper towels and clean the mirror. Makes sense to me. I've done the ten minute cleanup when the apartment is REALLY messy, and usually it consists of throwing the dirty clothes into the closet (instead of in the chair where they can collect), making sure any dirty dishes are actually in the sink (no randomly places plates or glasses on the counter or end tables), and a bathroom wipe down. Vacuum if you've got an extra few minutes. If your kitchen table is clear, your bed is made and your bathroom is clean, people will forgive most else. |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2007 : 07:41:54 AM
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If company is coming and they are walking up the front walk before I know it, I just usually try to make sure my teeth are brushed... ! But really, my house is pretty much okay the vast majority of the time - if I don't keep a handle on it, with two boys, a husband, a big dog and living on a farm and all, it gets WAY nutty, WAY fast. SOoooo...if I have a little notice, I'll pile the toy tractors back into the toybox, make sure everyone is in clean diapers, put the dog out if she's in, scan the bathroom for anything that needs fixing and put on a kettle for coffee or tea. Other than that, I've found that a big smile and a hearty "Hi, there!" does wonders! Also, I've decided not to apologize for the state of my home, even if it's in one of its nutty states - I just figure that I've got to stop apologizing for the way I live ... I think I might add going over things with a broom and vacuum, however, if I have time!!!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
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traildancer
True Blue Farmgirl
485 Posts
Loyce
Glide
OR
USA
485 Posts |
Posted - Jan 29 2010 : 1:01:39 PM
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I agree about not apologizing for the way the house looks. Most people who visit know you and your lifestyle. Houses are for living; likewise families. You know how some houses you visit where you never really feel comfortable? I tell myself that my house is comfortable and that no one ever got sick eating at my house.
The trail is the thing.... Louis L'Amour |
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Cleaning Up: Company is coming. What do you do?? |
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Company is coming. What do you do??
