Big hugs from me to you. My parents are the same. Try not to stress over cleaning. It is your home, not their home. It has to come up to your standards, not theirs. Ignore that little voice in your head that drives you to want to please them over this. Be kind to yourself. By the sound of it you have good reason to concentrate on things other than housework.
Try to relax. If they say anything about the 'state of the place' just smile and say how nice it is to see them and spend time with them and suggest you go out for a walk or a meal if they are uncomfortable in your house. Lots of positive thoughts winging your way. xx
Thank you for such a kind, thoughtful, personal comment. Part of the problem is when I did a deep clean before my bday, the guest bedroom was waaaaay low on the list, and it is also my dressing room, closet, and repository for things that don't have a real home. The dust T-Rexs were formidable. The other problem is I truly prefer to have a sparkling clean home, I hold myself to the same standards they have, but I don't have a team come in every two weeks to do the heavy lifting...
But! I have the happiest of updates! They didn't wake up until 10am! The earliest they were going to be able to leave was 2pm, and they ended up LEAVING at 3pm! With all of the additional traffic, right at rush hour, in one of heaviest trafficked cities in the US, they didn't make it to our house until 7pm! So instead of a quick dust with the swiffer I got to do the job properly with pledge! I made it to things like cleaning the bottom kitchen cabinets, and DH was able to leave an hour early and made it home and vacuumed the whole house, he made their bed while I showered, and I was able to sit with a glass of wine for ten minutes before they arrived! Did I make it to mopping? No. Are some closets now full? Yes. Did I touch the master bedroom? Absolutely not. But now that the house is clean I work on that!
Now the following may be be distasteful to some Tattlers, but please just read and scroll if it isn't your jam.
I love Halloween. My inner gothy goth is strong, and I went all out with my Halloween decor this year, I will take some pics if interested. (My loose theme this year is New Orleans Funereal. Almost all black.) They were blown away and would call out to the other when one spotted a new vignette, they couldn't say enough about our homemade light up ghosts hanging in the weeping willow in the front yard, and I got to show off with all of the things I transformed with gold leaf, rub n buff, etc. as well as all of the wreaths I made.
I knew they would be hungry, so I ordered from one of our favorite TexMex places for delivery, DH made a margarita for Dad when he walked in the door, and when they left this morning Dad (!!!!) commented on how they always love staying here, that our home is comfortable and cozy while still having a strong personal style. I think it is more a case of the coffee always being ready when they wake up, but.....
Anywho, I have a lovely clean home so I can actually relax, I might read a cozy. I also can now work on my witch hat and the tablescape for the trick or treaters, and be incredibly entertained by the reason for their visit. My Stella (11 pound black poodle) is hosting her SISTER! They are from the same litter, and Maizie is a whopping 5 pounds, and their antics are hilarious. It is her first time away from my parents and she is a pistol!
TL
R; life is fantastic, and I have zero doubt that the juju that was sent yesterday HEAVILY impacted how the day went. I am tired, and sore, and more than doubled my move goal yesterday, but I very, very happy. And thankful for this rag tag group of hags, trolls, and witches that made it happen! You are all magic!
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Next time they call and say we're coming to town, your response should be, "Wonderful, where are you staying?"
I was talking to one of my BFFs yesterday, we have been friends since HS. "Mags, I love you, I love your parents, and I so happy y'all love each other, but your relationship is so F@cked up. If my parents said anything like that to me they would never EVER be welcome in my home ever again."
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Firstly it's you that they have come to see not some setting for a magazine shoot.
We are all critical when we think we are looking at our place through other people's eyes. (I blame programmes like 4 in a bed, not that it worried SJ and IJ when they participated).
I have two friends whose homes couldn't be more polar different. One is immaculate inside and out, and it doesn't feel like a home, more of a show house.and I return home and try to attack mine. The other I have heard others describe as a home you wipe your feet as you leave. But which home do we feel more comfortable and welcome in because they are great hosts.
I was just on a gardening course and noticed things like the weeds and dead branches around the garden. I anticipated it would be more presentable as its her showroom and she charges people to visit. You are not charging.
That is kind of the problem. Mom and Dad have had their homes featured in several newspapers and local magazines back in the day as their design sense is so strong. Her taste in particular is excellent. It is a lot to live up to. But I also pride myself on making sure people enjoy staying here!
Isn’t he lovely? Every grown woman needs one. 
