So, this weekend will mark a fabulous first for me…my amazing editor extraordinaire, Brenda Chin, is coming to my house.
My local chapter is having her for a member’s only workshop on Saturday, but she’s coming in Thursday afternoon and staying at my house. We’re having a cocktail party for the members of the board of directors Thursday night and then on Friday, we’re off to the World of Harry Potter. (Unlike her other non-local authors, who went with her in freaking JULY when it was 110 degrees out, I’m taking her in November when it will be a balmy 75 with 0 chance of rain.) Then Saturday, she does a day worth of workshops, dinner with members of the chapter Saturday night and then back to Toronto on Sunday.
It’s very exciting…but also, a little terrifying. No one ever stays at my house. I’m utterly unprepared.
All my family and most of my friends live here. The only Plotmonkey who has ever stayed at my house overnight is Janelle, who flew in and stayed with me one night prior to each of our Orlando plotting trips. The first time she came, I didn’t even have a mirror in the guest bathroom. Seriously, she had to use a little hand mirror to do her hair! The second time, the guest room was filled with toys. (It’s technically a toy room.)
When Roxanne St. Claire stayed with me a while back, I gave her my bedroom.
But for Brenda, I decided to use her coming as an opportunity. The toy/guest room had not been painted since we moved into the house. It’s the only room we never did anything to…and it showed, after 13 years. Back in February, my daughter and I picked out a new bed set. It’s this one, from The Company Store:
This weekend, we actually went to Lowes, bought paint and painted the room ourselves. This is major league, people. We’ve never done a job like this before and I think we did a really great job.
This also gave us a chance to cull the massive amount of toys my child has collected over the years. It’s not that she’s a pack rat (she is) but she’s also the middle child of seven grandchildren and an only child…which means, she has a LOT of stuff. Every year, we take out stuff to pass down to her younger cousins and a young neighbor (two huge bins this year) and she decides which things she wants to keep–but now must be moved to the attic. For three days, my livingroom has had a certain resemblance to Toys R Us, but slowly, it’s all going back into its place and will be nice and neat and cheery when Brenda arrives.
Also, I have a fabulous bookshelf in my office that consists of nine cubbies. I love this bookshelf, but it takes up too much room. I decided it would be much better in the guest room, so I spent today cleaning out my books (yes, again!) and moving them into my closet, which has been empty since my last fit of organization. So not only will the guest room be nice and organized (I bought green & purple canvas bins that will fit very nicely inside) but I’ll have more room to breathe in my office. Win-win, right?
So…despite the fact that Brenda insisted I shouldn’t do anything special to prepare for her arrival (as if)…what kind of things do you do when you have guests coming over? Do you like having house guests or is it too stressful? (I like it because it’s such a rare occurrence!)
I will post a photo of the room as soon as the light is good and the furniture is moved back in.
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Sounds like a fun time!
I don’t like having guests staying over night because of the stress LOL. And I’m a very private person so it feels a little uncomfortable. But I’m glad you enjoy it. I’m just the weird one.
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You are totally not weird…because I am, too! I don’t mind my folks, but there is a local hotel that I love to put people up in.
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Hi Julie, I’m hoping I feel up to going to the meeting Saturday
When we have people over to stay we have a guest room that has a private bath so I go in and make sure everything is picked up change the sheets, put fresh towels out along with soap. I want the guest to feel welcome so I spend so much time getting ready and maaking sure they have everything they need while they are here thaaat I need a vacation when they leave lol
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Julie,
We both know that the only things I’ll notice are your daughter, your dog and your new cat.
Let’s face it, what else is really important?
I’m really looking forward to spending some time with you. We haven’t done that in far too long.
See you tomorrow.
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Now THAT is the kind of guest I like best!!
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I clean when I’m going to have guest. My house is clean, but I take care of ceiling fans and baseboards when people are coming for a visit. Usually it is just someone from my family, but still want everything in its place.
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Oh, Julie, it’s going to be so much fun having Brenda under your roof. Just relax and enjoy. Just don’t let her rope you into playing Trivial Pursuit. The woman is merciless! Make sure you study up on your indefinite articles too! I’ll never live that one down.
Hi Brenda!
Cher :fallleaves:
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The only time major projects get done at my house is when we’re having a party, or someone is coming to visit. Our new house is tiny, so if we have company (like when my parents come for Christmas) they have to sleep on the pull-out sofa. Because of that, I discrourage company at this point
But when we move into the larger house, I’m sure I’ll be like you. No way could I not prepare for company, because I’m so unprepared otherwise. LOL
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Sounds like a lot of work, but isn’t it fun when that special person is staying over and those things you always wanted to get done can get done?
I always tell my husband that we need special guests to stay with us so we buckle down and get those big jobs done that we always put off….window cleaning, cupboard organising, cleaning corners…even dusting…hehe!!!
Valerie
in Germany
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Hi Julie! I go a little nuts when people are just coming over to visit for a few hours. When people are coming to stay over night I go alot crazy! LOL! I drive my hubby nuts with it. Last year when my mom was coming out for christmas I cleaned all the carpets and scrubbed the whole house from top to bottom, and that was for my mom, lol! I just cant help it. But I have to say it has gotten a bit easier now that my kids are a little older. But Im still a crazy nut, lol! Have fun at Harry Potter and enjoy visiting with Brenda! Have a great weekend!!
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Sounds like some fun plans. I have only had company once and was not as prepared as I wish I could have been. I hate any type of company since I have some hording tendancies. I won’t even let the bug guy in. LOL. So pathetic.
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We have a spare bedroom that is always ready for overnight guests, so very little needs to be done.
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It has been a long time since I’ve had overnight guests. I always tried to make sure everything was ready & that they would be comfortable. I’ve kind of lost my hostessing skills! Where I live now is 1 bedroom so no overnight guests. It sounds like you’ve done some great “getting ready” things. It is sometimes an incentive to do things that should/need to be done. Enjoy your visit with Brenda.
When my parents were alive & still able to travel they came in the camper & later a motor home, loved it as they brought their bed with them. Also the girls thought it was fun to spend the night with Grammas & Pa in the motor home. Lovely to have the break!
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I try and clean up a bit when we are going to have company (other than the kids) and esp at Xmas when everyone is here, but we are just generally messy people. Not dirty, just stuff everywhere. And here, well, cat and dog hair is a condiment with six animals. If you don’t like em, don’t come, they were here first!!
However, I did just redo the living room when hubby was in the hospital, to make it easier for him to get around and make more room for his new recliner. Now I just have to get it painted and have the furniture recovered. I keep thinking about doing our bedroom while he is confined to the downstairs one, but it’s too close to the holidays and I have too much to do. I do have to find the other downstairs bedroom before my mother comes for Xmas.
Have a great time with Brenda and don’t worry- real friends overlook the small stuff and know what is important.
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I spruce the place up, pick up my many books lying around and shelve them, wash the sheets and have some wine on hand!
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Just relax Julie-I’m sure she knows that you’re a normal person and have a lived in house. How long has she know you-several years yes? Just have a great time with her company. :fallleaves: