Father-in-law Is Coming!!

Call in on some favors!! Or pay someone you can trust to come in and help you get organized. I do it all the time and feel no guilt about it. I work full time too and am a family caregiver to my niece and nephew. So my day starts at 6 and don't end until midnite. And I still can't get everything done.

C. I found this website this week. http://www.whfoods.com/
They have some really great meat free options. All of the food that I have prepared this week has been from this website and all of it has been delicious.
Good luck with the cleaning, that's not my forte...
T.

http://flylady.net/pages/FlyingLessons_crisiscleaning.asp This site will give you clear, concise directions for how to efficiently manage a "crisis clean" for such a time as this. My dinner suggestion, maybe a vegetarian chili? (If you want to be especially nice, get some grated soy cheese to go on top.) :) If you live near a Trader Joe's, head over there. They have a LOT of vegan options. Maybe you can pick up some alternatives for him to eat that will fit in around what everyone else is eating. If you eat cereal in the morning, pick up some soy or rice milk for him. If you are eating a basic meat, potatoes, & veggies-type dinner, pick up some veggie patties for Grandpa. There are non-meat "chicken" nuggets, BBQ "beef"... you name it! Don't make this too h*** o* yourself, he would probably feel badly if you did. We are rooting for you! (That reminds me, I had better get off the computer and clean my OWN house!) Blessings to you and yours! :)

C., I do understand your frantic anxiety. I'm guessing you don't know this man very well and want him to see you as more perfect than you are. So, take a few deep breaths, get out paper and pencil and make a plan with the realization that if your father-in-law doesn't accept you as you are it's his loss.

Just pick up and put away (shove it into a closet if you have to) as much as you can. I carry a laundry basket with me as I go round the house. Then I can stash it out of site and I don't have as much walking.

Perhaps you have a friend who would come in to help you.

As to the couch. My daughter just uses soap and water. Put just a dab of soap on a damp cloth and run it over the spot. Then use another damp cloth to wipe up the soap. If you can do this each time there is a spill or close to the time the spot will wash off more easily. I'm guessing that if something is left on for several weeks or months it may not easily wash off.

for no red meat, dairy problem: Use grains and lots of vegetables. I would ask him what he can eat. I have lots of food allergies and I appreciate it when the host/ess asks me. Then your hubby and his father could go shopping for some male bonding time. lol

If he eats chicken or pork ("the new white meat")
meals will be easy. How about eggs? Cereal, toast, and fruit are great for breakfast. He may appreciate cooked cereal.

And while this is happening keep reminding yourself that you're a wonderful person that his son has chosen. Dwell on happy things and don't fret the chaotic house and food. What is important is that he have a good time. Good times happen in a cluttered, even "dirty" house. I know from experience.

Hi...I have a micro fiber couch set as well...you can you warm water & soap and like a small towel or something...they say you can use rubbing alcohol to clean it too..but I would test a spot before going crazy with it....I'm not sure what type of messy house you have..if it's clutter...get like baskets and containers...they definatly work for me...if it's laundry everywhere...I have several laundry baskets...1 for towels and bathroom stuff...1 for colors...1 for whites...and 1 for my daughters clothes..so maybe a laundry basket for each kid...then I have 3 extra on hand for the clean stuff...cause you can't always get it put away when it's done in the wash..so with extra baskets you've got somewhere to put it till you can put it away...
If it's dirty like kitchen or bathroom...the Mr.Clean magic eraser's work wonder's...even to scrub floors...can probably give you more ideas if I had more info...hope I helped...
As for the food...look on Bettycrocker.com....they have lots of recipes where you can choose types of meals..and what ingredients...

My husband is vegan and I make these enchiladas for a lot of parties we are invited to. Everyone loves them and it insures he has something to eat too! I posted it on my blog since many people have asked for the recipe. There are a few other recipes (links on the right of the blog) that might also work. Good luck!

http://welliwillbeamonkeysmama.blogspot.com/2008/08/recip...

Okay, babywipe clean everything fast! Grab a bunch and wipe the bathroom counters, clean the couch, kitchen counters, etc. Pick up your house, I never dust but my house is picked up everyday, I have three kids 3-10 years and a home business as well. But, because my house is always picked up and the counters are clean, people always remark house clean my house is! It is a great illusion!

As far as meals, make casseroles, there are really easy ones that you can make with chicken, turkey burger and are made with soup bases, (just make sure there isn't any dairy in the soup).

Also, have a taco bar, then he can use everything he wants and not add cheese or sour cream.

Hope this helps!

I would say just tidy the important things, like the bathroom, kitchen, and where ever he will be staying. Having three kids no expects their rooms to look good, or the house to be sparkling. I use Clorox wipes for quite a bit, they are easy quick and leave the clean scent.

For meals, maybe ask your hub what he usually eats. Or just wait till he gets here and offer to take him grocery shopping for stuff that he'll eat. Also try thinking of things that will be easy for you to make, that will please everyone. Like spaghetti/pasta. You and your family can have the meat sauce and maybe a pesto sauce for him. Good luck!!

I am a fellow owner of a micro fiber couch! I love it, it's soft and wonderful, but I have two kids, too =). I make a tide solution. Or whatever laundry detergent you have. Very little tide and some water, I use it to spot clean the couch, or the whole couch of you want and it dries really fast, which surprised me in this climate =). No need to rinse. Good luck, and have fun. Don't sweat it, he just wants to see you guys.

What the first response said Fly Lady!!! One of her sayings is...are you suffering from CHAOS? Which means...Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome!!!
It works, the whole site, not just the crisis cleaning is a huge help..
so are their reciepes..
Pace yourself..
hope it helps.

Is he vegan? If so, let me know and I can send you several web sites with recipes. It is difficult if you are not used to cooking this way. I would ask him for specific ideas so you are not shooting in the dark. There are lots of great vegan cookbooks if this is an option for you. Otherwise the internet is a great free resource. Just google vegan recipes. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I have been vegetarian for 30 years and vegan for 2. I am pretty familar with all the arcane sounding ingredients. I would be comfortable giving you my phone number if that is helpful. Good luck!

Hi C.
I like to remember that the relatives are coming to see me and the family and not the house. I am certain that father-in-law will understand, being a father himself I am sure he's experienced the same.

If your father-in-law is a vegan and you really want to cook for him you are probably best served going to your local health food store (Whole Foods employees can get you through it). I would recommend getting in touch with him and asking what his favorite dishes or restaurants are. Let him know that you are intrigued by his diet and want to make sure that something is available for him to enjoy. Vegan cooking is not hard, but, if you are inexperienced you'll want to ask for guidance.

Good luck,
*K

Does he eat fish? We're pescatarians (we only eat fish), and pretty much we eat everything except dairy and the other kinds of meat. Is he vegan?

You might try a stir fry, since it's easy to make those vegan (no cheese or dairy). Even spagetti could work, as long as you get a sauce without cheese or meat in it (I'd put in more mushrooms and other stuff, or make him a separate amount without hamburger, or even use Morningstar Farms Veggie crumbles in it, if you don't want to separate it all out.

Pizza's also a good idea. My husband still orders pizzas without cheese on them. You can get a few take-and-bake ones, too, and put soy cheese on them. That's an EASY one.

The cleaning I can't help you with. Get the kids into the act, put on some loud fun music, and make it a contest. Then clean up after what they do, and wipe everything down quickly. Men, in general, don't notice the level of cleaning as much as MILs!

C.,

Take a deep breath and relax. Your FIL has had young kid(s) of his own and should understand about the messy house. I would pick up the kid's toys, vacuum well, and let it go at that. This is the time of year to celebrate family togetherness, let the mess go and enjoy his visit.

Melissa

Hey! I hope you have got everything done. If you are still needing help let me know. I have two girls 2 & 5 I no how it is. Have a good day! T.,

no worries you can do this!!! we have a micro fiber couch and we steam clean it with a bissle we own one.. if you dont own one ask around.. or rent one very cheap to do.. clean carpets and couch will look great.. since you are pregnant ask your husband to help out... you be the picker uper and clean and throw away.. then he could clean the couch and floors in the evening super easy only takes 1hr maybe. then keep the house warm so it dries over night. Just hit the main points like wipe counters and mirrors.. it doesn't have to be perfect you have 3 kids.. as for meals i would ask him since he has a lot of special food request.. maybe a chicken with steamed rice and a veggie.
best of luck..
Lenc

Dear Candace,
Most stores carry a milk product called SILK. It is a wonderful tasting soy milk. Most people who don't eat red meat can get plenty of food if there are potatoes, salads, beans, and cooked vegetables available. He may also bring some of his own choices of foods and even help cook. Relax and have fun.

C....

Crank up the music and just go, go,go!! It's not really a cleaning secret but it helps me focus and makes it go by faster!

K.