How embarrassing!

I was on holiday with a friend when a journalist rang DH to make an appointment to come and interview him. DH was absolutely useless and having lived most of his working life in hotels, he treated being at home much the same. Thankfully, DD one made an unannounced visit on the morning the journalist was calling and having seen the loo, she was horrified to see the state of some of the other rooms. Not dirty, but just very dusty, untidy, with vases of dead flowers and drooping house plants. DD managed a quick clean and polish and said I’d have died from embarrassment although DH always maintained it just looked ‘lived in’.

That’s lovely PinkCosmos and so true.

Puh-leese don't worry. Another G was right about bones healing taking it out of you. I had a left knee replaced, 2 1/2 months later fell and (as my Ortho said) I broke my left ankle reeeel good (more metal, screws and fishing line). Here I am again in hospital having the damage (due to said fall) I did to my left Patella repaired. You haven't seen a dirty house! Because I keep having to hobble around and I have some pain, my painting tools are all over the dining room table and a few chair seats. Look at that texture I've put in the painting. Oh, wait! That's bread crumbs. Get in the tub and cool off and give your husband a kiss. Hope you are well soon.

If your neighbour called in to check how you are surely dhe will not beconcerned about the state of your house. In my job I often visited houses I would consider to be in need of some tlc but this was ignored as the people were usually grateful for a visit and I knew the change in their circumstances had altered heir usual habits. Don't give it a second thought, your neighbour will know the real you. Good luck with your recovery and the builders!

no i would not be embarrassed, i have been ill of and on over the last few years, cancer twice then sepsis, at the moment i have damaged my achilles so i am have problems walking, i am going away in 2 weeks to see my dad so i am sorting everything out, because i can't get out i have been ordering online, everything is all over the place, i have hoovered and managed to do a washing (first in 3 weeks)....only because i was running out of knickers. if anyone has come in i just say, sorry about the mess, most people will not bother and should understand, it is you they have come to see, don't waste your time worrying about it.

My dear old school friend Penny lived near me. We had our first children quite close together and she once told me that she would "step over the rotting hippo in my hallway and not mention it" I loved her for that.
She also had some wonderful terms to describe that awful time when colic sets in " The Arsenic hour" was one. We got through it and both went on to have second babies. She died far too young from breast cancer and never saw her grandchildren. She was a ray of sunshine at a very difficult time.

Maybe a little but to be honest I wouldn't judge anyone who I was close to and hope they wouldn't judge me. We can all have bad days - had lots of those lately. due to having orthopaedic surgery - and in the great scheme of things a bit of dust or a few pots in the sink just don't rate in the important stuff to me. I know, if I asked my neighbour she would give us a hand but as long as we have food on the table, OH is an acceptable cook, and clean clothes, he also knows how to use the washing machine, the rest can wait.
No point stressing over the small stuff.

Daftbag1. I really wouldn’t bother until your builders have finished. This time last year I broke my ankle in 3 places and had to have an operation putting a metal plate in my ankle. This means I had to keep my leg up for 10 weeks. I have a lovely friend who will do anything to help. One day she insisted that she would wash and change my bed sheets, to my horror when she came down she said I will also do your mattress cover because it is quiet stained. I nearly died with embarrassment.

Get well soon. I broke my leg badly in Spain slipping on a rubber tree leaf. We were tidying the garden when it started to rain. It took ages to mend. OH was booked on a plane the next day for work in the uk. I ran a boarding cattery so teenage son had to deal with that as it was only accessible by stairs. I hired a wheelchair and did online shopping with the nearest supermarket. I dealt with clients, invoices etc. I managed to get sick leave from my day job on a major newspaper. My friend and colleague from the newspaper came to visit and changed my bed. We are still friends and I never stop mentioning how grateful I was. Back in the uk but we met up a few months ago in Spain. Dust was not mentioned.
Concentrate on getting well. (Flowers)

yep. not keeping house because it's being renovated in the future is not a good idea. keeping a level of at least cleanliness is essential. and I too would have been mortified! tell DH NOT to invite the world and their gang in next time!!

I love that poem - I wish I had read it when my children were small. Our house was spotless, nutritious food was plentiful but I had very little time for cuddles or games. Such a shame for them and for me.

Goodness me, don't be embarrassed! As others have said your friend went to see you. Not pristine kitchen cabinets.

I am extremely untidy. Not deliberately, it's just how I am. When I worked in an office for the CS my desk looked as if something had exploded. Total and utter tip. However, I was exceeding all targets and highly productive.

One of my colleagues gave me a magnet with a quote on it, possibly one of Einsteins.

If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?”

I rather like that

MayBee70

I’d far rather go into a messy house than a spotlessly clean tidy one. If a burglar decided to rob my house he’d leave thinking someone had beaten him to it!

Me too. DH has often said this, or that we'd never even notice if we'd been burgled!

sazz1

I've actually just sat down for 5 minutes rest before tackling the rest of the cleaning. The house is a tip as we have 4 family members staying atm and they are out for the afternoon. Floors, bath all left full of sand, toothpaste all over bathroom floor, dust pretty thick too. I know their homes are pristine but pity they don't keep same standards here. Oh and 3 loads of their washing everyday too. They go home tomorrow tg.
But I love having them stay.
So no I wouldn't be embarrassed as I give up most cleaning until they leave

This I can definitely relate to!

One branch of our offspring and their children will soon be with us for a week long stay. We have spent the last 2 1/2 weeks cleaning and tidying the house in readiness, just doing a bit each day. DH has done most of it (and probably more thoroughly than I would) as my asthma is very troublesome at the moment and just walking around the house is a challenge.

I know our house will be a messy chaos again within minutes of them arriving, but we just ignore it all until they leave and then repeat the tidying and cleaning process. We find it hard work now but it's worth the effort just to see them occasionally.

Sadly I would be mortified - perhaps I’ll grow out of it?
I love and agree with poem Pinkcosmos butI’d still be mortifie…. and probably be mortified at being mortified too ?

I’d far rather go into a messy house than a spotlessly clean tidy one. If a burglar decided to rob my house he’d leave thinking someone had beaten him to it!

MayBee70 ? We've always said the same thing - if we ever got burgled the burglars would take pity on us and leave us something. Not because of the state of the house but because of our complete and utter disinterest in updating electronic equipment until absolutely necessary.

She visited out of concern for YOU. She knows you can't housekeep at the moment and generally men (with the best will in the world) don't have the same muck antennae as ladies. If she's any sense she will have ignored your slightly lowered standards! If it is really driving you mad - get some help - half a day for a few weeks...? Depends on what's practical for you.

I’d far rather go into a messy house than a spotlessly clean tidy one. If a burglar decided to rob my house he’d leave thinking someone had beaten him to it!

I keep my home really clean and tidy so it would bother me, but actually being houseproud is a curse. I have a friend whose house is very messy and I do find it stressful when I go to visit her. I wish it didn't bother me but it does.

Just wondering if the person who called to see you asked if there was anything she could do to help?

Whatever your neighbour noticed or didn't notice I'm sure she understood that there's not much you can do about it. My neighbours have been in when the house hasn't been cleaned and when it has - I don't take much notice to be honest.

One more reason to hang on to my cleaning lady for as long as possible.

I've actually just sat down for 5 minutes rest before tackling the rest of the cleaning. The house is a tip as we have 4 family members staying atm and they are out for the afternoon. Floors, bath all left full of sand, toothpaste all over bathroom floor, dust pretty thick too. I know their homes are pristine but pity they don't keep same standards here. Oh and 3 loads of their washing everyday too. They go home tomorrow tg.
But I love having them stay.
So no I wouldn't be embarrassed as I give up most cleaning until they leave

Brilliant poem! Wish I had known it when my children were little as I loved to spend more time with them than I should but always felt guilt that I should be undertaking more 'housewifely' duties!

I will be shot down here - if you want an honest reply to your neighbour's visit, yes, I do think she would have noticed and I would have felt embarrassed!

There are degrees of untidiness, obviously but if your house had been 'without its primary carer' for some weeks, it could well be noticeable.

I have to say that I can sympathise with you as I broke one leg and the other foot which meant I had to be completely off my feet for six weeks (non-weight bearing). I could only be pushed around in a wheelchair which was too wide to go through the kitchen door. Just as well... my husband had done a sterling job nursing me in every regard but... the concept of sweeping a floor or wiping cupboard doors or handles was obviously an anathema to him. He just didn't see any grime.

However, I had been cleaned, fed and the shopping and washing done (I won't mention ironing...) so I really had no complaints.

When ambulatory once more, the house needed a spring deep clean but he had done his best.

My children had suggested having a cleaner (something we are yet to do as I think it keeps us fitter than we would otherwise be) but the thought of asking my husband to put everything away so the cleaners could clean was just too much.

Yes, your house may be a mess but I am sure your neighbour has an inkling of what it is like to be incapacitated and won't immediately invite other neighbours round for a coffee morning to dish the dirt (sorry!) about your house.

Do concentrate on healing well (yours, without surgery, could be longer than usual) and looking after yourself. In the great scheme of things, it doesn't really matter but perhaps tell your husband not to invite anyone else in until you are back on your feet again!

Wishing you better.

I'm sure your lovely neighbour didn't expect you or your home to be immaculate after such a nasty injury. I certainly wouldn't have. Don't worry about it. You can always invite her round one day when you're completely recovered and your home is as perfect as you'd have liked it to have been. Get better soon!