Gloves, mittens, stocking caps, ear warmers, snow boots, winter coats, sweatshirts, snow pants, wet socks, and tracks of snow and salt clutter the area around the front door. Trails of snow lead to the bathroom, the bedrooms, and the kitchen. Pools of water soak into the carpet and collect on the hardwood floor. Evidence of an afternoon sledding on the neighbor’s hill, making snow angels, building snow forts, and shoveling the walk fill the front room of my house (I really don’t like the snow by the way).
Although my children tried to not to track snow into the house, it was simply unavoidable. It wouldn’t necessarily be a big deal, except that our house is for sale and we have to keep it show ready. Now I know what you are thinking, “Who in their right mind looks for a house in January when there are 8 inches of snow on the ground?” I have asked myself this same question over the past couple of weeks, only to be shocked by the number of appointments we have had to show the house. Having shown the house 5 times in the past 2 weeks, I really wasn’t shocked when the realtor called yesterday to schedule a showing for this weekend. But I did ask myself: “Who wants to look at a house when you can’t see the yard for all the snow?”
Now, keeping the house clean and “show ready” with three kids is difficult enough. We have already de-cluttered, packed 90% of our belonging up and moved them out, and we stress to the kids that they have to keep their rooms clean. It is an on-going battle though. Add all the extra work that the snow adds and the battle to keep the house “show ready” becomes much more difficult. Not only do we have to deal with all the snow and salt tracked in the house, and all the snow gear my kids have to wear, but I have the extra pressure of making sure all the walkways are shoveled and salted, all the icicles are knocked down, and all the sleds and shovels are neatly packed out of sight.
It is hard enough keeping the house “show ready” with three kids in the house and the snow isn’t making it any easier. Anyone have any suggestions on how to keep the snow out of the house?