Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Town Cryer

"The Landlord is coming! The Landlord is coming!" said our town cryer. (That would be me.)

So what does this mean? Well it means that they are making their annual inspection of the inside and outside of our home, and everyone else on their list. I figure that our house has to be pretty good compared to some, but there is something about someone passing judgement on my house and my homemaking abilities that gets me running and all out of breath.

We have spot cleaned the carpet. We have put everything in its rightful place. The lawns have been meticulously mowed (Now when I say meticulously I REALLY mean a quick run through by Isaiah). Basically, instead of a Spring cleaning we are having a Fall cleaning. Too bad it doesn't last til Spring though. *sigh*

I figured that we can get the house in ship shape, but then things have to resume to normal working order today. (You see they have all day to JUST show up, don't you love that?) We have meals to fix, laundry to do, and school work to accomplish. So the landlord will just have to see the house lived in as well. Five boys and myself on both levels of the house will be difficult to avoid. Maybe that's a good thing. Maybe it will distract him from the little things I fear he is judging us on.

I am trying to think what is the worst thing that could happen. Could he give me a scolding? Slap my wrists for the boys' closet not being neat enough? (Nevermind River's he is such a perfectionist.) In fact, maybe I could lock the landlord in River's tidy little space and convince him that everyone elses room is just as particular. I think that may get me in a wee bit of trouble, so instead I will let him rummage the grounds and do what he has to do. I just don't know if he will be opening cupboards or what, and not knowing what to expect is the most difficult aspect for me. I want to come away with a gold star, or a brownie point, SOMETHING.......

Anyway, it won't matter how clean my house is if I don't get dressed. I have been so busy getting things in order that I just realized that I am still in Den's pajama bottoms, a tank top that it is giving sneak peeks of my pregnant belly when I am standing upright, my hair is sticking up, and my face needs washed. Somehow I think THAT may be his lasting impression of me if I don't hurry and clean up MY act. So wish me luck!

Sidenote: It was on the news today that a rental company (I'm sure it's ours) was doing their annual inspections of their homes yesterday, when they ran across two dead bodies. It was a murder/suicide in THIS neighborhood. YIKES! I can't imagine how the person who found the bodies must have felt. *Shudder to think* However, it certainly puts things in perspective as I am cleaning my house. I just keep saying, "How sad, what could have been so bad for someone to have done that?" Welp, at least they will be pleased to find that we are all amongst the living when they arrive at our little abode today. Can't beat that, right?

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm sure you will pass with flying colors! That would be a little nerve-racking having someone inspecting though. I enjoyed your thankful post(cute pics of the kiddos). It is good to share in thanksgiving with others and be reminded of the blessings(big and small) that God has given us. Have a gteat day!

meNmykids said...

Luck! I'm sure you will come through with shining colors, you always keep things in good order. Now if it were MY house (I shudder). Great post about thankfulness. I'm thankful for our examples that have gone on and shown us how DOABLE this is. God only expects from us what we can do, so comforting.

marykathryn said...

I'm sure everything will be fine too....locking him in River's room is quite a funny concept...Silly girl!!
Crazy about the news thing..UGH!!!!

Lori said...

I'm sure you will pass with flying colors! Good luck!

Cherrie said...

I sure hope you passed with flying colors. Not sure if I will like someone checking in on me. I have owned my own home for quite awhile know. How will I deal with renting. Oh the joys coming my way soon.

Steff said...

I'm sure he's not there to inspect your housekeeping abilities! Besides, lived in is always the best look. ;)

Marisela said...

You will do fine I'm sure. They are probably just checking to make sure you don't have mold growing on dishes that have been sitting there since the day you moved in and maggots crawling on the floor from the trash you never took out...you know stuff like that :)

I got your message about church...Lord willing we wil see you tomorrow.

Nadine said...

I'm sure your home will look absolutely lovel.

Murder/sicide is so very sad, especially in your own neighborhood.

ByHISgoodGrace said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ByHISgoodGrace said...

Hi Trina, I'm a Trina too...Katrina that is, but that has been a nickname. I found your blog through Fifi--we met over 10 years ago in South Africa as she was my husband's neighbor before I married him! Anyhoo... I love your blog and thought I'd just say hello. I just started my own!
Congratulations on your pregnancy. I have three boys of my own so far, so I know a bit of working from son up to son down.
love your thankful list...!

Jen said...

I know how you feel...except that our landlord lives next door and can show up anytime he wants! We use to own a home, before we moved here. We could keep it any way we liked. Now, it is someone elses property!
BTW-not to sound insensitive, but if it is the same company (that found the dead bodies) you would think that all the rest of the homes (yours included) would certainly pass inspection. I hope all went well! *sigh*

Mrs.Martin said...

Oh Trina, how terrible about that couple. I am sure your home in light of that event and in light of the fact, your home is well kept will pass with flying colors. Cuz mama taught us right, I bet you even lit fragrant candles. lol

Trina said...

Sis: I went back and read your comment and had to giggle with how well it tied in to my post for the day. You know me tooooo well, that's pretty neat!

Kalisha said...

I love it that you wrote Welp, cause I say that pretty often.

Kalisha said...

Just for the fun of it though. sorry that I had to make to comments, I forgot to put this on the other comment.

ConservaChick said...

I saw that on the news. Very sad. Certainly puts things in perspective. ~Karlie