Company is coming in 10 minutes. What do you do first? - Page 2

[SweetSilver]

Looking around *right now* I'd check the toilet and around it for pee.  Whoops.  Meltdown.  The company is just going to have to pick there way to the book strewn couch and take their chances.  We have homeowners insurance.  Didn't get to anything!

("Up!  UP!  UP!")

[LVNTEXAS]

Light a candle, wiped down the bathroom and shove everything in the closet. :)

[wanderinblues]

is does sort of depend on the company but i basically just straighten the rug in front of the door, put shoes on the shelf if there are more than four pairs in front of the door and maybe pick some stuff up off the coffee table and toys off the floor. hell, i dont even clothe the kid, as long as it's someone we know coming. 

i probably should do more! 

[Storm Bride]

Ten minutes?

I'd make sure the toilet wasn't gross, and there was a reasonably full roll of toilet paper available. That's about it. I couldn't really make much dent in this place in 10 minutes, anyway. Oh- I'd probably sweep, but if there was as much crap on the floor as there usually is, I'd just push it out of the way with the broom and sweep around. I do that a lot. :o

[skreader]

Tidy the entryway, by making sure most of the shoes are on the shoe shelf

Straighten the couch cover

Check the floor to see if it needs a quick sweep or vacuum & if it needs it, then do it

Tidy the coffee table

Bathroom off the living room

 * Make sure it a fullish roll of tp, or if not, leave a ready to use roll in a prominent area.

 * See if the hand towel is dry or if it needs a new one

Check the fridge & cupboards for snacks to offer

[*bejeweled*]

I need to get better at this. I usually offer sliced fruit and coffee and tea.


[quote name="skreader" url Check the fridge & cupboards for snacks to offer[/quote]

[Comtessa]

Ten minutes?  No problem.

Min. 1) Park the toddler in front of Elmo.  

Min. 2-4) Put on a fresh pot of coffee and hunt for something to serve.  If I don't have food in the house, grab both kids and dash across the street to the bakery for a nut roll or something.  (I love living in the city!!!)  Of course, that usually means that the rest of the list doesn't get done, but I figure, having food to serve is better than a clean house any day.*

Min. 5-7) Grab a big canvas bag or a basket, run through the first floor and grab anything that's lying around, throw it inside, and haul it upstairs. Throw bag/basket in bedroom and shut the door. 

Min. 8-9)  Wipe bathroom sink, dump out and rinse toddler potty, give toilet a quick swish-and-swipe, put out a clean hand towel.  If I've already done that today (I try to clean bathroom early in the morning most days), I change baby's diaper so he doesn't leak all over a guest while s/he's holding him.

Min. 10) Run downstairs.  Make sure dirty dishes are stacked in the sink and there is nothing obviously gross lying around (old food, apple cores, tracked-in cat litter, etc.)  Smile charmingly at guests as they arrive.  "No, no trouble at all!  Glad you could stop by!"

ETA: Oh yeah, usually somewhere in this time I have to wipe off the crusty layer of Yuck  that has accumulated on the coffee table.  Otherwise it is a Very Bad Place for setting out a graceful cheese plate or coffee service.  

I've also been known to buy time by calling the guests on their way over and saying, "hey, we're all out of _____.  Would you mind picking some up for us on your way here?"  :)  

*I try to have enough things tucked away in the pantry to at least offer a "nibbles platter" on short notice.  This is usually a big tray with small servings of cut veggies/fruit, some sort of dip for either or both, handfuls of dried fruit and nuts, some nice olives, cheese and crackers.  If kids are coming, I make sure I have carrot sticks, apples and Goldfish crackers.   Chips and salsa are easy to keep tucked in a back corner for emergencies, too.  And we always have a bottle of wine or two in our little wine fridge (one of our less-practical wedding presents).  So we do OK for entertaining.  The key is to have "emergency snacks" hidden where DH and children can't find them.  

[Callimom]

Originally Posted by Comtessa 

*I try to have enough things tucked away in the pantry to at least offer a "nibbles platter" on short notice.  This is usually a big tray with small servings of cut veggies/fruit, some sort of dip for either or both, handfuls of dried fruit and nuts, some nice olives, cheese and crackers.  If kids are coming, I make sure I have carrot sticks, apples and Goldfish crackers.   Chips and salsa are easy to keep tucked in a back corner for emergencies, too.  And we always have a bottle of wine or two in our little wine fridge (one of our less-practical wedding presents).  So we do OK for entertaining.  The key is to have "emergency snacks" hidden where DH and children can't find them.  

LOL or not eat them ourselves. We always have cheese and crackers, tortilla chips and fruit. I might try to pop something super quick into the oven, depending on how long the guests will be staying and what other emergency cleaning is required.

[Wolfcat]

I make sure all the people in the house are wearing cloths... The kids especially like to strip...

Then I'll go over the living room and pick up random bits of trash (DS, 5 yo, and DH aren't very good about making sure the wrappings and stuff gets INTO the garbage).

Then I'll change the baby's diaper...

By then it's been 15 minutes and the guests are already here.

[Three~Little~Birds]

Pray that they'll be late 

Start at the front door and make sure that it will open - throw all shoes and bags in the baskets.  Quick tidy of the living room. Swish and swipe the bathroom, sweep living room, clear off kitchen table, and close the door to the rest of the kitchen mess.  Close baby gate to upstairs,where I've likely dumped some stuff...

[Tjej]

I swiffer or vaccum the dog hair and close my bedroom door.

Tjej

[Imakcerka]

Turn off the lights and pretend I'm not home.

[Ruthiegirl]

Originally Posted by Imakcerka 

Turn off the lights and pretend I'm not home.

Best answer yet!