Last Friday began like any other. I got up, I blogged, I answered emails and then I got a call from a friend, "Do you still want to house swap?" And that is how I've found myself three weeks away from a temporary change of residence and an incentive to clean that has me turning a harsh and critical eye on my home.
With the house swap date galloping quickly towards me, I've begun a greatly accelerated version of that process of pre-trip mania that overtakes me whenever I'll be away for more than a few nights. Of course, it also comes with the knowledge that someone will be staying and living amongst my things.
What I don't want them to know about me:
• That I'm a procrastinating DIYer. Five years of Martha Stewart Living from the beginning of the 2000s have been recycled. As much as I would like to imagine myself as a person who makes velvet leaves from templates, when I pinch myself I know that it will never happen. Two shelves of closet space found.
• Or a magazine junkie. I've also popped the last year of magazines I've never quite gotten around to reading in the recycling bin, as well as a box full of recipe clippings. Those stickered outfits in Lucky? Long since sold out and I can find all the recipes I need on The Kitchn. Another shelf in the kitchen found.
• Or someone who's planning to open an orphanage. Oh, that's right, I'm not Angelina Jolie. So what do I need with three dozen crazy straws? Half the space in the junk drawer, now an oasis of things one might actually need in a pinch.
• I must know about the impending soy sauce shortage. That must be why I have an entire drawer devoted to packages of the stuff. Another drawer in the kitchen found.
There are also things that must be put aside for another time:
• I will not be able to paint my living room, the last stage in this summer's living room decor overhaul, before I leave.
• Nor will there be time to paint my kitchen cabinets or change out their handles.
The priorities are clear:
• Streamline the knickknacks and put away anything that, if it broke or got damaged, would be irreplaceable or render me inconsolable.
• Make enough space in the closets and the dresser so that my house guest will not have to live out of her suitcase.
• Reorganize things so that they are easy to find and won't necessitate a million phone calls.
• since I don't have regular maid service, make it so that my house is easy to clean.
Suddenly, my house is a lot less cluttered and dusty and seems a lot more livable than it did a few days ago.
Image: Leela Cyd Ross from Samantha & Lindsey's Bright Beach Cottage
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My mom used to say that if you want to clean your house you should invite the ladies over. That'll get you moving. Maybe this takes it one step further. Great idea, too.
Where are you going?
What a fun read! And thanks for the idea, which amazingly has never dawned on me considering we live 40 minutes from Disney World.
Now, the only question is "Which of my friends lives anywhere I'd like to vacation at?"
I feel a Facebook post coming...
OH NO!! A hat on a bed is bad luck! (main picture)
Someone should do a post about house hold superstitions... Give me a call if you need more.
@undraccoon - I think that dead tree over the bed must be an issue, too.
I invite people over when I'm procrastinating on a house cleaning project. Nothing gets me moving on it quite like having new friends come to my house.
I'm sure that house swapping would make me turn an even more critical eye to the house. Not sure that's a good thing though.
so fun, where are you swapping to?
You'll love houseswapping! We used to house swap every holiday when I was a child and stayed all over the UK as well as Germany, Holland and the US. I didn't understand why my Mum got so stressed about the house being clean at the time. Now that I live in my own flat.. I really get it.
"...impending soy sauce shortage..." Love it!
Hilarious post. XD Re: soy sauce packages, do you mean you had the little packets (like ketchup packets)? Or actual bottles? If packets maybe you could have laboriously opened up each one and poured them into a single container.... >.>
I couldn't make space in my clothes closets if my life depended on it!! Sorry, the guests would have to live out of their suitcase or string a line in the basement.
There's something so refreshing about standing up to that voice in your head that whines "but you'll get around to reading those articles/doing those projects/fixing that broken item." I mean, sometimes I do get around to it. Like, 3% of the time.
Hi! Me and my family has been doing home exchange every year.
I can say that its always nice to clean up your home before exchanging homes. Your exchange partner will definitely appreciate it and you would also like to leave a snack for your guests in case they are hungry when they arrive. :)
Great post. The "impending soy sauce shortage" comment made me laugh out loud - I can so identify.
JamJams: so true. Unfortunately it doesn't happen often enough for me.
tbgboodler and Amanda the Geek: so, so true. A few months ago I had former work colleagues over (that I hadn't seen for a few years). Prior to their visit, I took three loads to goodwill, and filled two rubbish bins and one large recycling bin.
This post is so true. Thanks for the laugh. A house swap with friends sounds like fun. Have a good time.