Pre MIL Visit Cleaning

Let us check in to see if the psychiatric medication (now a mix of Celexa and Wellbutrin) is working.

Pre MIL visit 2008: Removed everything from kitchen counters and scoured with gritty bleachy cleansing powder. Removed spiral stover burners and soaked/cleaned under-burner trays. Removed stove knobs for more thorough cleaning. Lifted stovetop to clean underneath and to get to the side edges. Pushed wet washcloth as far as I could reach under refrigerator. Took all spices off spice racks, wiped down shelves, wiped off each jar. Scrubbed inside of oven door. Washed floor on hands and knees with washcloth. Washed down cabinet doors. Took dishes/food off most visible shelves and wiped down shelves.

Pre MIL visit 2009: Wiped counters. Wiped the most visible stuff off the stovetop. Cleaned coffee pot. Put away some---but not all---of the Paper Pile that accumulates on the counter, more for my own privacy than to reduce the mess. Threw out the salad dressing that was still in the fridge from her last visit.


Pre MIL visit 2008: Used a damp washcloth to sponge the carpet edges where the vacuum cleaner couldn't quite reach.

Pre MIL visit 2009: Vacuumed wherever there wasn't stuff on the floor, which, if we are talking in terms of square footage, well...


Pre MIL visit 2008: Moved all furniture in every room. Put away all the little things that were underneath each piece, vacuumed up dust, then washed floors with a wet washcloth before replacing furniture.

Pre MIL visit 2009: Used foot to kick stuff out of sight further underneath the furniture.


Pre MIL visit 2008: Removed entire contents of bathroom and front hall closets. Cleaned and sorted and tossed.

Pre MIL visit 2009: Hid lubricating gel.


Pre MIL visit 2008: Used Lemon Pledge and tightly-stretched dustcloth to dust each many-grooved spindle of each wooden dining room chair.

Pre MIL vist 2009: Pushed chairs up to table.