My New Year's Resolution is to have the house vistor ready, or at least more or less okay, at all times.
The house is not in a good state. Apart from everything else I have had ridiculous heartburn which mean that bending over and moving hurt. I've spent the last few nights on the sofa in order to sleep upright. I've had mud in and out, parcels opened, nuts have been shelled and lots of satsuma skin shed. It wasn't even in a good state before the Christmas break, and it shows.
Today I was expecting DH to be at work, bear being low maintenance with his birthday presents and a chance to at least heap some of the worst of the clutter somewhere out of sight. I was entirely wrong.
I surfaced relatively late after a lumpy night on the sofa to snow. Bear was thrilled and I watched him open his parcels. Then we had a Tesco delivery - in spite of the snow. I dragged it in and then took five. Bear went out to play in the snow.
While he was out, one of his pals was passing, along with his mum and two sisters. I realised half way through carrying some stuff into the kitchen that they were having a full on snowball fight. I looked around the state of my home, stuck my head out the door and invited everyone to come in, don't mind the mess and have some hot chocolate and lebkuchen. The pal's mum is awesome and we had a good natter while the kids played.
I hadn't got rid of the dirty cups before another of bear's pals turned up, closely followed by DH who had been given most of the afternoon off. And as DH went upstairs to sort some stuff out I got a phone call from another of bear's pals' mum who was dropping off a gift. I had a lovely chat with her - bear's pals have awesome mums - and then she left her son, bear's pal, and they hung out for an hour after the other pal left while the plans for bear's birthday dinner were thrown up in the air. So DH and I had something then DH took the last pal home.
I got sea bass in for dinner. Tomorrow is pizza, so I hope it will last until Sunday or at least I can freeze it.
There has been a procession of people in and out, which has been wonderful. But I have not been able to be as welcoming as I would have liked because the house is upside down. It's basically, how can I give what I consider proper hospitality without changing things around. I wish I could have done more.
As it was, everyone got hot chocolate, lebkuchen, drink, warmth and nice candle smells. Also there was a warm welcome. I just want it to be better next time. And it will.
I'm sure your quest cared not for what you were thinking was a messy house. All they cared about was enjoying your company and the warmth therein. Hubby has been here all week as well. I've not gotten one thing done except I did put away what little Christmas décor I'd put out. But there is always next week.
ReplyDeleteThank you. They seemed fine, anyway. It will feel very odd when DH gets back to work, but I should be able to get more done. LM x
DeleteJust shows that the amount of visitors you had and 'entertained' today felt welcomed and at home. Says a lot.
ReplyDeleteI for one, prefer a normal welcoming cosy home than a pristine show house.
Joan (Devon)
Thank you. I agree. If I go into a house to 'proper' I don't feel I can relax. I'm still aiming for slightly better, and I hope that they'll come back. LM x
DeleteI think it sounds very nice to be welcomed into your home and given hot chocolate and lebkuchen - I would never bother about the state of anyones house - I have friends who have houses at both ends of the spectrum - it makes no difference to me. Having said that if you are like me it will make you feel better to have your home in a presentable state. If you are like me it rarely is presentable and for some reason when on occassion my house is pristine and tidy no one calls!!
ReplyDeleteNobody ever calls when it's pristine - but then, it so rarely is! I'm always glad to see people, and they were all awesome with bear. LM x
DeleteWe've got a lot of work to do on our house next year. Currently it looks like a bomb hit it - daughter is home with dog and there is stuff everywhere. I tell myself that it's okay. I hope that anybody that comes in is coming to visit us and not the house lol. If they are here for the house then they are in for a big shock lol. Glad Bear had a good birthday!
ReplyDeleteI've had enough of the snow already. We've had more than 10 inches. It's horrible to walk in and the roads are terrible. It's too cold for salt to do anything to help.
That snow sounds awful. I would be absolutely in a state. I hope it settles down soon. I love your attitude about visiting you and not the house. I'm sure it's really welcoming, because you are! LM x
DeleteI really dont think your friends are as bothered as you are! If people keep coming it is you they come to see and chat with. Go with the flow.x
ReplyDeleteI'm considering getting 'go with the flow' engraved as a motto! Thank you. Visitors seem fine coming in and the kids especially seem happy. I do good treats! LM x
DeleteI understand what you are saying, because most of the time, I feel my house isn't company ready, either! I try to keep the living room somewhat tidy, but the family room is always very "lived in"! But, I am somewhat messy and that's why my online name is "Bless my Mess"! It sounds like I'd feel perfectly at home in your house, and the offer of cocoa and lebkuchen would be a bonus!
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