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.
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...
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.
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 :)
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
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!!
We love animals a lot too, so I get it!
If you must make nice and pretty, I use bleach on everything that it's safe on and run a load of white clothes in the machine then dryer. That helps along with cinnamon. I buy gallons of pet deodorizer bc we have 3 cats that all vie for top cat position by spraying the furniture. Listerine does a good job too. Either mint or the old fashioned stuff kills the germs that cause odors.
Tell the owner of them you've become allergic. ..first of all this is not healthy..2nd of all you have much more that come first ...
I think you're far too harsh on the original poster, and too quick to judge someone who has that many animals.
It's been proven that animals provide therapy to humans. And humans in turn affect animals' health - petting is helpful to animals.
My sister had several cats and took excellent care of them, all while holding down a demanding job in psychiatric nursing and doing volunteer work. Her house was immaculate.
I would ask if you feel that some people have far too many children, which constitute much more of a resource drain on renewable resources? Would you also think that Octomom with her 8 children should give some of them away for adoption because she has too many?
There most certainly are cases in which a person can have too many animals, but I would ask what evidence you have to make the conclusion that the original poster "can't take care of what's really important"?
She's doing her best to balance care for her mother and their collective animals, as well as extend courtesy to people who have just invited themselves over.
Tex....I find that in general, the store brands always seem much better than the much higher priced items...ain't it the truth...I bet a lot of caregivers could be paid testers for all these products...
I do grow my own apple mint but have to harvest it before the bugs get to it, which is surprising since herbs can repel bugs.
Mints are notoriously invasive, but they can't compete against the weeds, so I never have enough mint.
And don't forget the pleasure of mint tea.