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05.13.2005 :: House envy
I never thought it would happen to me. House envy. For all of my adult life I have felt like my house is my HOME. There is no better statement than that in my book. As I am getting ready for our German guest, I am fraught with anxiety. Our home is old, about 120 years old and is starting to look it around the edges. We have some work that needs to be done and for sure my rooms will never be in a fashion magazine.
But there is that stupid voice inside saying, "it's not good enough"
"the carpet is old: the paint is chipped: the windows dirty: the wood floors scuffed: the frigerator noisy and clunky: the bathroom powdery: the porch is getting wobbly in places: the weeds need to be pulled/killed."
ON and On that fricking voice goes.
The voice of reason tries to take over, but it's a losing battle.
Bethany's room looks like a million bucks though. Well, alright. It looks like a THOUSAND BUCKS. I hate to seem pretentious! :)
Do you remember Loe's washcloth? Look what I did with it: (if you don't remember, you can search for Loe in the left column. I will link the entry later, when I have a couple of minutes ACK!)
And while we are having the virtual tour of Bethany's room, you have to see the giant duck.
Okay, the cleaning, the fretting is over. I am on my way to Logan Airport to pick Charlotte up.
She may not be coming to a mansion, but we live close to the beach, we have plenty of love, some great senses of humor and some good meals.
What more could an exchange student ask for?
Posted by Sandy on 05.13.2005 AT 01:13 PM
Comments
Sandy;
As I prepare for houseguests myself (2 sisters-n-law), I relate in every way to your angst. I always feel like the house looks messy, lousy, that I will be judged a terrible host/housekeeper/wife/whatever. And I have been cleaning and picking up maniacally in the past week! I think it's worse when I know that women are coming...their house might be cleaner than mine or they might be harsher judges. It always turns out fine, we always have a nice time...but all the agony leading up to it can make ya crazy!
Good luck, I'm sure your exchange student will enjoy her stay as well.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy on 05.15.2005 AT 02:51 PM
Lucky Bethany! Her room is beautiful!! You're right--what more could an exchange student as for?
Posted by: Kim on 05.15.2005 AT 10:35 AM
She will feel right at home, don't worry. The room looks great and I'm sure she won't notice anything in the house which to you seems the blatantly obvious.
Posted by: Tracy Goble on 05.15.2005 AT 05:58 AM
Now come on, Sandy, I've seen numerous pictures of your house and it's downright charming. Not to mention your neighbors gardening! Your exchange student is going to be so lucky to be nestled in your loving, alive, warm home.
Posted by: Liz on 05.15.2005 AT 02:05 AM
I think your house is wonderful. I am sure that you will have a great time with your guest! Have fun!
Posted by: marti on 05.14.2005 AT 08:08 PM
Beautiful!! Charlotte will love it...more important, she will love being a part of your family!!
Posted by: Jackie on 05.14.2005 AT 06:58 PM
Good luck with Charlotte. Remember that it's the people who make a house a home and you are good people! She's going to have a blast and I am sure that she didn't bring her white gloves for inspection. Bethany's room looks so bright and sunny!
Posted by: Tiffany on 05.13.2005 AT 04:16 PM
your exchange student will LOVE the room! it looks great. and don't forget that America (and it's houses) are way newer than Germany! LOL i'm living there now and you figure to them America is still the NKOTB! to us we think that it's super old but then over here we go to buildings that were built way before America was discovered! Amazing! LOL (i hope my pep talked worked a bit)
i love that duck btw! my DD has a flower one just like it for her dirty clothes! it's great.
have a great day!
Posted by: Allena on 05.13.2005 AT 03:45 PM
She will leave feeling like she has a second family, I am sure. : )
Posted by: Cindy on 05.13.2005 AT 03:13 PM
Your student will love the happiness and that is all she will see.
Posted by: margene on 05.13.2005 AT 01:57 PM
Welcome Charlotte for us! The room looks great and I love the ducky. Still with the powdery bathroom :)
Posted by: Vicki on 05.13.2005 AT 01:50 PM
I think your exchange student is danged lucky! The room is beautiful -- not to mention warm and inviting.
Posted by: Wendy on 05.13.2005 AT 01:48 PM
I am feeling the same way about my house! My relatives (who don't have children) seem to have clean, orderly, and kept-up houses. I have piles of unfolded laundry, icky carpet and older-than-the-hills baseboard that needs updating. What to do? Concentrate on the laughter and good meals you mentioned. I will too.
Posted by: LeAnne on 05.13.2005 AT 01:33 PM
Any student will recognize the feeling that went in to the preparation...that's all that really matters. ;)
Posted by: Bookish Wendy on 05.18.2005 AT 02:24 PM