Well I guess by now you know I was the one asking about something to cook in the kitchen to make the house smell good for some church ladies that wanted to visit my mom(we have 8 dogs in the house).Well I got through it but I got to thinking those women were at first just going to drop by. I don't need this. Taking care of mom is full time and no the house isn't always "visitor" clean but at least mom is clean and sometimes that is all the strength I have. What do you do with these people? They mean well but it is also a small town and I know every detail of my house has now probably spread across the county.I have offered, and I mean it, to take these women and my mother any where they want to eat and I will pay for it but no more house visits. I don't know if I am being selfish, I don't want to hold mom prisoner but these house cleanups for someone who just wants to show up ,I can't deal with this.Between her and the 8 dogs ,I am just not Martha Stewart.Would appreciate feedback on what to do with these "visits"
1. Do they think the DMCA has really been effective in reducing intellectual property abuses, and if not, what would they recommend, particularly to combat Chinese IP abuse.
2. Why or why don't they think the Chinese will present a military threat by 2050?
3. If either of those don't work, ask them to help you understand the operation of the Higgs Boson, or black holes.
Try to keep a straight face when throwing out these challenges.
Or you could just try Pam's suggestions, which brought a hearty laugh from me as I read them.
Alternately, tell them that the dogs just LOVE company and ask if they mind holding the dogs in their laps. This works especially well if it's been raining and the dogs smell like, well, like wet dogs.
You could also hand out surgical masks and explain that you have some kind of respiratory infection and aren't sure if it's contagious.
Seriously, no one has to accept visitors who invite themselves over.
I think as I wrote elsewhere that this is a woman thing; men wouldn't hesitate to just tell someone it's not a good time to come over and then take control of the situation by suggesting an alternate time more convenient to the host.
I'm not dismissing your concerns but just trying to encourage you to take control of the situation and establish your own parameters for visits.
Or have them when you can put them outside, now that the weather is better (at least here in Chicago it is). Not sure if it would be too hot where you are. I think you need to do what is best for you and your mom, not them. And if they don't get that, they're not worth worrying about.
My hubby and I worked as caretakers/animal companions for many years.What you think you see when you visit even a posh house isn't really how they live.
Everyone has a stinky house at some point, everyone has dishes in the sink, dust under the funiture etc. Some have housekeepers most of us don't so we can't hide "living" in our homes as well as some.
Besides if we are aren't worth gossiping about it means we're not interesting!
You know the ladies may be coming because they have nothing to do or want to help. They may not be judging you, they might actually be enjoying your home and their visits BECAUSE of the relaxed environment.