Why do we do

[jedishampoo]

The things we do...

My mom is coming for a visit tomorrow. One thing about living in Las Vegas is, you see your friends and family fairly often.

So I washed ALL the laundry, washed the shower curtains and bathmat, scrubbed the tub and bathroom sparkling clean, scrubbed the kitchen, scrubbed floorboards, scrubbed linoleum on my hands and knees (my wet Swiffers dried out, darnit), washed the patio furniture with soapy water, and PAID someone to come in and clean the carpets.

Was this because I don't want my mom to think I am a slob? The woman lived with me for 22 years... she KNOWS I'm a slob. And she's no housecleaner either.

Must be some kind of instinct to prove to your parents that you are a responsible person despite the fact that they know better. I do keep the dishes clean on a regular basis, isn't that enough?

But I am happy to see my Mommy. And not just because she will take me shopping and buy me things.

:)

Comments

[rosiewook.livejournal.com]

It's a time-honored tradition handed down through the generations.

I used to laugh at my mom for doing the same thing. Scrubbing that house from top to bottom before her mom came.

And I do the exact same thing, now! It's just embarassing.

[sfdave.livejournal.com]

My mother refuses to dust for anyone. Even when her father or her son visit. Yet when she comes to town, I clean like a man possessed.

But I don't dust.

Much.

[anirt.livejournal.com]

I'm sure once I have my own place I will clean madly too.

And yes, I always tried convincing my mom: "It's already cleaner than Grandma's, you can stop now!," "We've been to their house, this is already much nicer!," and my favorite: "They're no taller than we are, they're not going to see the dust on top of the fan blades or cabinets!"

Enjoy your visit with your mom!

Ha ha

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Well I would always clean for you, Trina. When you coming back?? :)

[knitress.livejournal.com]

Oh, I sooooo do the clean-before-mom-comes thing.

This January/Feb, before surgery, I was working lots of overtime to get ahead of my workload. And I was spending the remaining weekend time organizing closets, taking the boyz to Tish's to hide, etc. The last weekend I scrubbed the floors (hands and knees indeedy) etc, etc.

After all, she wasn't just coming to stay, she was going to be alone in the place for days.

Mom arrived on Tuesday. Surgery was Thursday. Friday morning, when she arrives at the hospital, she says "I'm so proud! Your apartment is so organized, the closets and under the cabinets and all." And I think "Aha! You absolutely DID check out the whole place the first chance you got!"

LOL!

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

taking the boyz to Tish's to hide, etc.

Poor thing! At least with my Mom, she's used to the Boyz. But she always says it takes her a day or two to get used to seeing the 6' cardboard BOW and the 6' cardboard YOW lurking in the dark when she gets up in the middle of the night...

[lexsara.livejournal.com]

Do you remember me freaking over cleaning "Tots spots" out of all that white carpet when anyone from my family (even (at the time) beach bum brother)?

Trust me, you're not alone and it is an inbred thing when the parentals are coming. I think it's Pavlovian in a way--then again, I could be wrong.

Tell mommy hello for me, I still remember how much fun we had shopping (and getting your "Snape Plate") when she came to Vegas.

Did I mention I'm in the midst of school/comprehensive/screenplay panic and so sorely wishing I was back home with you and Mel? :)

[slyvermont.livejournal.com]

Add me to the list of mad cleaners when parents come. And I also would hide things, like Nancy.
When I think what Caroline's room looks like now (the floor? there is a floor in there?) I can't imagine her cleaning her place in 10 years. I'll let you all know then.

And how was the visit?

[maiasaura.livejournal.com]

Did you have a good visit with mom? As for cleaning, as neurotic as I became when my mom visited, I am far, far more anxious when my mother-in-law visits. The MIL has the choice of our home and dog hair, or the home of her other daughter-in-law-former-Turkish-Prison-Guard, who offers a dog hair free home, a dirt-free decorated home, pistachios, and a granddaughter. Guess who wins?

Re: And how was the visit?

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Do the pistachios win?

Good to see you! :) It was a good visit. Though I was actually relieved to get back to work... It's our busiest time of year (NV lawyers have to complete 12 hours of CLE by Dec. 31) and I really didn't have time to fool around. God I hate feeling like I can't go on vacation. Oh well.