https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:53:19 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-oot-guest-dilemma#post-2273642 Wed, 26 Aug 2015 11:06:19 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2273642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also take her on a house tour. Show her warts and all, but talk up all the plans you have for each room. Maybe once she sees you have a game plan for the house she'll be more forgiving for the state it's in. To sweeten the show extend an invite to her when you think the house will be show-worthy. Play up the fact that she'll be the only relative that gets to to see the before &amp; after. Who doesn't feel special when they get an exclusive? I'm sure your effort won't go unnoticed to make her feel welcome. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-oot-guest-dilemma#post-2273562 Wed, 26 Aug 2015 09:59:38 +0000 blackbird 2273562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you pick up something from a restaurant and serve it? I'd order some nice italian food, keep it warm in the oven, then serve it :)</p> <p>Or at the very least, order the salad and bread! Our local grocery store sells stuff like this for entertaining in the deli section. Appetizers you just throw in the oven, salads ready to go...fresh bread....lasagnas.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-oot-guest-dilemma#post-2273547 Wed, 26 Aug 2015 09:44:14 +0000 snowjewelz 2273547@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yikes I'm sorry there is literally no way around it! </p> <p>Def put out fresh flowers (have DH pick them up). If you can't find a vase, splurge and just get an arrangement! Def just focus on making the dining area (or just anywhere she will be) as clean as possible. Light scented candles! Dim the lights so flaws are hidden! Shove EVERYTHING into closets, etc to hide the mess for just a few hours! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-oot-guest-dilemma#post-2273539 Wed, 26 Aug 2015 09:38:26 +0000 daniellemybelle 2273539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: Great idea with the fresh flowers! Another trick I've used is Windexing all the door knobs in every room. I do it on the faucet, fridge handles, etc. Windex just smells like freshly cleaned. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-oot-guest-dilemma#post-2273443 Wed, 26 Aug 2015 08:36:01 +0000 Mamaof2 2273443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsRcCar: Well I would hope she would understand that you just moved in!</p> <p>I would make sure the kitchen and living room is cleaned up and useable - also a few vases of fresh flowers goes a long way to make things look nice!</p> <p>I would grill some steaks and even eat outside if the weather is nice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-oot-guest-dilemma#post-2273430 Wed, 26 Aug 2015 08:26:28 +0000 PurplePeony 2273430@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you don't want to grill, you can make a lasagna or other baked pasta dish the day before and your DH can just take it out of the fridge and pop it in the oven. You can also make a green salad in advance. Then just pick up a nice loaf of bread, slice it partway through and slather each slice with some butter and garlic, and bake with the lasagna for the last 10 minutes. If you want more veggies, just throw some frozen green beans in a pan and sauté with olive oil and garlic, then squeeze a bit of lemon over them at the end.</p> <p>I wouldn't worry about tidying the non-public spaces in the house or decorating, just make sure the kitchen and bathroom are clean and the boxes are out of the living and dining spaces (even if they just temporarily relocate to your room). :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-oot-guest-dilemma#post-2273422 Wed, 26 Aug 2015 08:22:24 +0000 MOMTOLITTLEB 2273422@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We moved around the same time you did and our house is in no way "done" in a way that we'd want to do major entertaining. However, I think most people understand it can take awhile to get settled in especially if you have kids! If she doesn't understand that, I think that's more of a reflection on her and there's nothing you can do about it. I think you should make the main living areas as neat as possible since that's where she'll spend most of her time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-oot-guest-dilemma#post-2273325 Wed, 26 Aug 2015 06:14:48 +0000 MrsRcCar 2273325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: I am doing the cheetah run at the Cincinnati zoo. </p> <p>Thank you everyone for your response. DH feels the same way @Annette. He said she knows we just moved. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-oot-guest-dilemma#post-2273323 Wed, 26 Aug 2015 06:02:36 +0000 avivoca 2273323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsRcCar: Do you live close to Bloomington (not sure how far t is from Indy)? If you do, I suggest getting a meal from Lucky's Market. Their food is really, really good. Otherwise, I like to make herbed-lime chicken. You marinate chicken in Italian dressing, lime juice, and sage for 24 hours and then pan fry it in a little bit of olive oil until it's cooked through. You could serve it with roasted potatoes and veggies. </p> <p>Also, which 5k are you doing? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-oot-guest-dilemma#post-2273322 Wed, 26 Aug 2015 05:47:52 +0000 Ree723 2273322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @annette: Most reasonable people will realise that when someone has just moved into a house, it takes a good long while to get it fully organised and established. If she's going to judge you for that, well so be it. I know, easier said than done, but some people need to just use common sense! And also, having a house put together in six weeks without children would be pretty fantastic, but factor in little ones and the time it takes to get settled increases exponentially! </p> <p>I would just mention to her when you talk next that you are very excited to have her over to see your new house, but you have to apologise in advance as you haven't finished unpacking yet, which you're sure she can appreciate given that you have two (I think?) young children to take care of as well.</p> <p>As for the meal, grilling out sounds like a great idea - who doesn't love burgers, brats, and hot dogs on the grill?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-oot-guest-dilemma#post-2273304 Wed, 26 Aug 2015 02:44:16 +0000 Annette 2273304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly if it were me I wouldn't worry about her judging me. You just moved so it's totally understandable that your place is still a work in progress. If she were to make comments to you or other family members about your home it would just look bad on her, not on you. If it still really bothers you just hide all your boxes and stuff in closets or the garage so that it looks good while she is there. Good luck!! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-oot-guest-dilemma#post-2273289 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 23:42:17 +0000 daniellemybelle 2273289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: Grilling out is a great idea - and it will make sense for DH to help since grilling is a "man thing." You can even do grilled peaches and vanilla ice cream! :)</p> <p>If you can't have dinner catered definitely see if you can get some help getting the house together! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-oot-guest-dilemma#post-2273288 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 23:41:26 +0000 wonderstruck 2273288@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsRcCar: if it's so important to him I'd be telling him that he better make sure he gets the house cleaned, dinner cooked, and is ready to be a good host! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-oot-guest-dilemma#post-2273287 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 23:32:52 +0000 regberadaisy 2273287@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsRcCar: if it's that important to host maybe hire a cleaner for the day while you're at the 5k to clean the house up?<br /> What about steaks on the grill? You can make sides the day before and simply reheat the day of? I'm guessing she's going to expect dessert and coffee? What about dessert shells, strawberries and homemade whipped cream? Doesn't get much easier than that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-oot-guest-dilemma#post-2273285 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 23:28:59 +0000 MrsRcCar 2273285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: that would be nice! </p> <p>However DH is adamant that we host her at our house. According to him it is extremely rude to do otherwise. In his family it is their tradition to make home cooked meals and entertain their guest properly. 😢</p> <p>I need an easy quick meal great for entertaining. I am doing a 5k two hours away from my house the same day. So the recipe either needs to be easy for DH to put together while I am gone or quick enough for me to throw together when I arrive home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-oot-guest-dilemma#post-2273280 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 22:57:25 +0000 daniellemybelle 2273280@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could y'all hire help to either get the house in order, or catering? You could even have a meal catered in advance and pretend like you made it. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-oot-guest-dilemma#post-2273268 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 21:55:07 +0000 MrsRcCar 2273268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Oatmeal: @MaryM: @AprilFool: @MrsSRS: @Mrs.KMM: thanks ladies. I will talk to DH about going out for dinner. If not DH will have to really kick it up a notch to help me get this place ready by Sunday. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-oot-guest-dilemma#post-2273263 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 21:41:46 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2273263@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with the PPs - I'd go out to a nice restaurant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-oot-guest-dilemma#post-2273260 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 21:39:08 +0000 MrsSRS 2273260@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with PP. Make reservations so she has pressure to accept your plan to go out. Say you thought she would enjoy the treat and you wanted to enjoy your time with her if you will get judged for saying the house isn't ready. And, of course this goes without saying, pick up the whole tab! Sorry for the stress 😡 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-oot-guest-dilemma#post-2273248 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 21:16:49 +0000 AprilFool 2273248@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I second the going out suggestion. I would phrase it as a thank you for bringing the photos so she doesn't have anything to judge you on (house not ready etc). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-oot-guest-dilemma#post-2273247 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 21:12:19 +0000 MaryM 2273247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Or if you must have her to your house to be hospitable, can you have her for just drinks but then have a reservation somewhere so that your time at home is limited? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-oot-guest-dilemma#post-2273246 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 21:10:16 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 2273246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is going out a possibility at all? That way, she gets all that she expects, and you aren't the one hosting? I'd say that would be reasonable - you could just tell her that your house is really in no state for guests due to the move, and recommend a great restaurant for you all to go to? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-oot-guest-dilemma#post-2273243 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 21:07:55 +0000 MrsRcCar 2273243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok bees I need you help!! Tell me what you would do. </p> <p>DH's aunt is coming into town to take her youngest to college. She intends to come to our house for dinner on Sunday evening before she flys home. </p> <p>Here are the issues:<br /> - we just moved about 6 weeks ago. Our house is so not ready for guests to see<br /> - his aunt has a long history of being super judgmental of our life and choices<br /> - she excepts to be entertained properly at our house for dinner (meaning beverage service and proper dinner services)<br /> - if we don't host her, we will be subject to issues with DH's extended family.<br /> Pro;<br /> - she is only going to be here for a few hours one day<br /> - she is bring pictures of DH and his departed mother that we really want. </p> <p>I have so much anxiety about this women coming to our place. I can't figure out a polite way to not have her at our house for dinner and dessert.<br /> Help me figure something out that will keep us all sane and In good with DH's family. </p>