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[RetRN]

I would be so thankful that they called and gave me 30 minutes to prep. My living room and dining room are always neat and clean and those two rooms are open and what you see when you enter my home. I would never drop in on anyone unexpectedly and do not like it when others do. 

[Sooner]

The oven?  Hey, why not!  And another emergency exit for "stuff" is the washing machine.  I have done that when I grabbed a pile of clothes or towels that were on their way to the washer, or even put a stack of magazines in (if the washer is dry that is!).  

[OKPrincess]

We keep things picked up except for our throws and travel sized My Pillows on the sofa and our recliners.

I would go over the guest bathroom first. Maybe run the vacuum.

[KathyM23]

I would have to make the bed with the throw pillows, etc. and put normal clothes on.  Usually if I am home all day I am in my robe!

I remember one time I had a totally unexpected guest - not even 30 minutes to prepare and I had just had a medical procedure the day before and was feeling bad.  Can't remember what the house looked like but it is usually pretty much guest ready, but I know the bed wasn't made and I sure didn't look so good and tried my best to be good company, but I really wasn't myself.  Didn't even show her the rest of my house which I normally would have done and I'm sure she was interested as I am into decorating, but I was really poor company that day.

I guess I should know better that to stay in my robe all day as our kids drop in unexpectedly often.

[Mominohio]

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@Citrine1 wrote:

My home is pretty much always ready to greet people.  I say that not in a bragging way -- I'm home all day and cleaning is my passion!  The dogs may knock the throw pillows off the sofa or have some toys strewn about, but that's a quick and easy fix.  

I guess I would make sure my bathroom is clean and towels are hung neatly.

edited to add:  I'd be more concerned about how I look.  I'm not always as put together as my home.  I'd probably change my clothes and put on a little make up!

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@Citrine1

I tend to look like something the cat dragged in when I'm at home. I'm often working on dirty projects or doing outdoor work, so I'd run up and throw on some clean jeans and a shirt, and comb my hair!

[queendiva]

I make my home presentable first thing every morning. Bed is made first, so dog does not lay all over the sheets- plus, my BR is on the first floor near the entry.

I would wipe down the powder room sink and toilet, light a scented candle near the entry, prepare coffee and cookies and brush my hair and teeth and put on some lipstick and close my dog in the bedroom because he hates most visitors!

[Marsha2003]

Like a number of other posters, my house is usually ready, albeit a little dusty, for guests, but my personal appearance is not.  I would need all of that time to make my appearance guest-ready.  If I had a minute left over, I would dust the glass coffee table.

[ScenicMaine]

@Imaoldhippie

Perfect reply.

True friends are just that, they overlook such things.

[wilma]

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@haddon9 wrote:

That would be highly stressful for me!  My house looks great when it's tidy & clean but most of the time I'm always picking up after my husband.  No matter what I say or do he's just content to be a slob. 

I can clean the kitchen and it will look great but after a meal (He cooks from scratch 3xs a day for himself due to his illness) he leaves a trail of crumbs, etc. and the kitchen is a mess again.  It drives me crazy & I can't have people "pop" over!  I envy those of you who can maintain a perfect house.

 @haddon9

Your husband sounds a lot like mine.

Between his messes and our dog, my house is never as tidy and clean as I would like it. I am a neat freak, but I have learned to let some of that perfection go since we’ve been married for 21 years. He is a great guy so I try not to fuss too much about it. 

@Mominohio

I would do the following if I knew people were coming...

*Straighten dog throws on living room furniture. 

*Pick up scattered dog toys and place in basket.

*Wipe down and declutter kitchen counters. 

*Wipe down counter and clean toilet in hall bathroom. 

*Vaccuum entry floor rug. 

*Sweep kitchen floor. 

[Foxxee]

Several ways to look at this.  Some think it's rude to just stop in unexpectedly or give only 30 minute warning.  Besides your house not being ready, you might not be feeling well, in the middle of something you want to finish, don't feel like chatting that day, very tired, need to go out, or something else. 

On the other hand you might enjoy people stopping in.  

I have had relatives stop in unexpectedly at 9:00 on a Saturday morning when I was on my way out the door to grocery shop and run errands.  They stayed all day...through lunch. This became a habit.  Others stopped by, settled in for 5 to 6 hours. 

They take cell phone calls from their kids, parents, friends, talk to them while they are visiting me!

I think it's rude. I wouldn't do it to anyone, so I don't want others to do it to me. I wait to be invited.  Or I invite them. Parents are excluded, but then my parents wouldn't do this.