Scruffy Hospitality

A facebook friend posted a link about "Scruffy Hospitality," and I think that term fits my current brand of hospitality just right.  I used to try to get the house just so, plan a menu far in advance and grocery shop, bake, and cook ahead.

Now:

You should invite yourself over (right, Timber?) because I forget to invite people over even though I LOVE having you.

I will attempt to pick up stray underwear off the floor before you arrive, but that's not a guarantee with constant potty trainers around.  I admit that cousin Zoe arrived yesterday when a pair of Cars-themed 2T undies were still on the playroom floor.

Getting to the store is such an ordeal.  I can go after kids are in bed, but I am pretty much D.O.N.E. at that point and cannot bear to face the grocery store isles.  I occasionally get up really early to go, but I still have a little one who may or may not sleep so I may or may not be interested in getting up before the crack of dawn to get dish soap and bananas.  What this means for entertaining is that "you get what you get and you don't throw a fit."  Sorry.  It may be spaghetti with sauce half homemade and half from a jar.  It may be whatever fruit I happened to pick up at the WIC store this week.  It may be lemonade if I have any or more likely water.  Right now I don't have any butter, so making a dessert may be an issue.  My lack of fancy fare does not reflect a lack of love for you.  I just gave up on perfection a few kids ago.  If we have a full belly, it's all good.  Tonight the meal was cereal, and the crowd rejoiced!

We tidy 10 minutes before you arrive, so let me know if you plan to arrive early!  There is absolutely no reason to tidy before then.

There will be clutter here and there.  I believe I have at least 4 baskets of miscellaneous things that need to be put away.  Only one such basket is allowed because I have every intention of putting everything away out of it immediately, but then another Friday arrives and either I or the housekeeper try to clear the bar area, and the random accumulation goes in a basket...that I forget about until I blog.

There will be dirt on the lid of the toilet.  I buy stools, but my kids insist on standing on the lid of the toilet to wash their hands no matter how muddy their shoes may be.

There will be little handprints EVERYWHERE!  I washed windows today.  You won't be able to tell tomorrow.  The little ones loved feeling the clean glass the entire rest of the day.  They also thoroughly enjoy "helping" me wash windows.  Perfection is not even a goal around here, and my windows are a prime example.

Laundry.  Yep, you will see some.  I did a great job today of washing, folding, and putting away clothes.  I did.  That doesn't mean there's not still an outgrown baby outfit ready for donation, a pair of work-out shorts for Basia, a swim suit or two, 23 tiny socks, and a couple random washcloths still waiting to find their proper place.  Even if I put 1,351 items right where they belong, there will always be some left behind.  They'll get stuffed into a laundry basket 10 minutes before you come (or back in a hamper, if Brishen is tidying), but they still will be sprawling about if you come a bit early.

Guess what?  We will still have fun!  Lots of fun!  I will love every second of having you here, and you will leave knowing that I am merely human.  I admit that this lack of perfection is hard to accept, but I get better each time I welcome someone in scruffy hospitality.  I was given an hour notice before my new case worker made his very first visit to us and our home.  Things were scruffy.  I wasn't fired.  I fed Timber quite the pieced-together meal a while back.  We are still friends.  Zoe saw undies on the floor and still claims me as a cousin.  Anyone who has been to my house in recent months (years?) has seen piles of things where I wish clear surfaces gleamed.  They've come back and loved me just the same.

So, please come on over!!  If you don't want to see little undies, or worse, bare bottomed boys, give me a few minutes' warning.  I know not everyone likes things quite that scruffy!