That is a good saying too. Whatever works at your house, it is so much more fun to quilt than to clean. In the summer we live in our motorhome, so no cleaning person but dh doesn't like my cleaning methods so I have done the "guy and kid" thing. if you complain about how I do it, do it yourself. So now I do mirrors, the kitchen stove and some vacumming, he does bathrooms, windows, and most of the vacumming. Dusting happens when it happens. Like I said before, I am a casual housekeeper. Interestingly enough, our daughter wants the house to look great most of the time - to the point of being grouchy about it but don't ever look in her closets or extra spaces. She just stashes stuff to get it out of the way. Oh well, to each his own. Hugs from a not so clean motorhome but a happy wife, Ann

A few years ago when visiting one of my sisters. I wrote in her dust. She felt so bad about it that I did too. The next time she came to my house I told her she could write in my dust too. I guess she thought she was the only one to have dust accumulate! Now when I see dust at someone's home I just think of her. She passed away a few years ago. Life is too short to worry about dust. Just stay clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be happy. I used to have a plaque that said: "Welcome, come in, sit down, relax, converse. My house doesn't always look like this, sometimes it's even worse". Maybe I should make a wallhanging that says that.

In the winter, I work part time for a company that makes small engraved signs. This is one of my favorites.

"If you came to see me, sit down, have some tea and enjoy!
If you came to see my house, MAKE AN APPOINTMENT!!!"

Another favorite is " If you feel the urge to write your name in my dust, please don't date it!!!!"liv

Also I have a friend that lives by "Janey's rule" When Janey sees the dust, it is real dust and she dusts it. Until then it is just "decorator enhancement." That rule lives at my house too but there is is when Janey comes to my house and sees the dust, I will dust it!!! Considering she lives quite a long way from me, I do not have to worry about it much. As you may have guessed

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I am a casual housekeeper at best so my splurge is a cleaning person.
Ann

One day I took my daughter to see my grandmother. She asked me what we were doing and I said we came to visit for a short time that I had house cleaning to do. She said, "it's a beautiful day, enjoy it, the house will still be there tomorrow". In other words--it really isn't that important. My house is clean enough to be healthy and messy enough to look lived in. I have to say--I really don't do much in the way of cleaning any more. My sweet husband is more diligent in that department since he retired.

Judy - those were definitely true friends!
Karen - I am like you -- I have been looking for those same elves to clean my house, too! Now I know they DO exist - and Judy's parents have proof!!

Kathy

Becky, I agree with the comments about drop-in company getting what they get. (Personally, when someone else's home is less than tidy, I feel better about my own shortfalls... it's comforting LOL!) But in general, I find it rude and often inconvenient when some who is not a close friend drops in without calling. And then to visibly judge your home shows bad manners on their part, not yours.

Judy, that is just lovely. What wonderful friends to have...

Are you sure those were their friends or maybe the elves I always wish would come in the night and clean up my place?
What a nice story!

amen to that !

What is sad about this is that your friend/acquaintance does not understand your creativity! Creativity is messy. Life is messy. When we were young my mother always used to say you can have a clean house or happy children. We lived in a small three-bed with seven children! These quilts you make are fulfilling your need to create and far more important than being a little untidy. I feel sorry for anybody who thinks that a spotless home is more important than anything else. Betty Friedan said that "Housework expands to fill the time available" back in the days of Women's Lib. For me, now, quilting expands to fill the time available nowadays and I am much happier with the results from that! Happy happy messy quilting and long may it continue!

Judy - Great to hear your parent's story!

Thanks for posting.

BarbCA

Judy--definitely true friends.

oh judy, what a great story/memory
yes - those are true friends - and i'm very happy to say that i have friends like these as well - i'll forever be greatful!

Here is an example of a true friend: My parents adopted 3 babies after I got married. Their friends came to visit them one evening and the babies had been sick for a couple of days. The four adults were talking. The next thing my parents knew they woke up the next morning covered up with blankets in their chairs. The babies were sleeping, laundry was washed, dried, folded and put away. The kitchen was cleaned and the whole house picked up. The friends were no where to be found. They slipped out in the middle of the night after they made sure everyone was okay and they did all the work they could. When mom called to apologize for falling asleep and thanking them, she was told it was not necessary. Her friend said that they were very happy to have the opportunity to do something for them.

I know this story might be a bit different because of sick babies, but as the others have said, friends don't judge. IMHO friends come to visit you, not your house, and if they know you have been under stress or having an extra busy time, they would find a way to help and not condemn.

Judy

I've been sick for over a week. As a single mum of teenage boys, that means very little gets done. Tonight is craft night, and my friends are coming over. I should cancel as I'm still sick, but I need the company! Sooo.. dishes are now done, washing is happening, and I might sweep the floors.. but my friends love me, the chatter and tea we will enjoy. They know the house can be clean, but today, it will be what it is. I will clean it properly when I am well, and until then, it is clean enough!

Enjoy your true friends, who comment that you must be having a great time because the housework can wait!