Having company over is a relatively new thing for me, Unexpected company for weeks is something different altogether. Coping with a mess at the same time makes it extremely stressful.
It’s been crazy here so I’ve been very thankful that I haven’t had to deal with a mess too.
There’s been lots of new software training going on at work. I have four kiddos graduating from college. Two with masters degrees, one with a bachelors degree and one with an associate degree. I’m trying to get some seeds planted and seedlings started. There’s a myriad of a million other things that need to get finished.
I’ve been taking it one day at a time crossing things off my list as I go along.
Having the in laws come to visit for a few days didn’t seem like it would be too bad. With the house pretty clean most of the time, having company is something I’m starting to look forward too.
It wasn’t really going to be a short visit but do-able. Ten days. Ok, so it was already a long visit but things were going okay for the first week.
And then there was an accident.
My mother in law fell out of her van.
Just fell right out.
She smacked her head on the ground and just like that, I have company for another two weeks.
They had to put 17 staples and 12 stitches in her head. She has a cast up to her elbow because she broke a few bones in her hand and possibly her wrist. And bruises keep popping up all over.
She looks more like she was run over by the van than just fell out of it.
Thank goodness I’m not coping with a mess too!
I’m so very thankful that my house wasn’t a disaster when this happened. It’s getting a little messy now that I have even less time but it’s not bad. Yet.
Staying on top of it really is key. I looked at my sink full of dishes last night and told myself that I would wash them in the morning. Then I washed them right then and there. This morning when I got up, I was so glad they were done already.
Picking things up that end up on the floor instead of walking past them helps a lot. I need to say that again – A LOT.
Cleaning the table off after a meal makes the next meal easier.
Taking five minutes to clean off the counter saves 10 minutes later.
Three minutes spent sweeping the floor makes it look a hundred times better.
I never realized how much these little things could make a difference.
If you’re struggling, give it a try and see if it helps!