Monday, July 19, 2010

You could say it's a wealth of information. Or not.

We traveled right through the Peach State and I didn't manage to blog a thing.  It may have something to do with my lack of Internet access, but I'm just guessing.  I do have some things tucked away in the dusty corners of my brain, so we'll see if I ever get it on the Web.

On Saturday, we arrived at our condo on the beach.  Let me clarify- the condo we rented, not our condo, as I have not won the lottery (you have to play to win) and no rich uncle or aunt in my family has died.  However, what we lack in inheritance, we make up for in crazy.

Where was I?

Oh, yes.  The beach.

So we arrived at the condo I rented from "one of those websites where you save money by renting from the person who owns it" (totally trying to avoid the correct title so as to avoid Google searches.)  We have done so in the past and it saves a lot of money.

However.

There are a few perks you do not receive. 

There is usually no daily maid service. You could be totally caught off guard by something when you arrive.

Now, you do have some negotiating power with a contract, but then you have to be all confrontational and assertive and, unlike many of my sweet Southern friends, I have no problem with that.

So far, the two places we have rented by the person(s) who own them have been fine. They have been clean, but I had to do my own cleaning. 

Then again, I have issues. 

Let me tell you about my issues.  Go ahead and get your second cup of coffee.

I have two clean standards.

1.  Family/Friends/People I Generally Know Or Send Christmas Cards To-  When I visit their house, I feel at home.  I have no issue about clean/neat/tidy.  I feel welcome.  I know them. I love them. I hope they extend the same graciousness to me when they visit my house.  (Don't even ask me how often I vacuum under the bed.)

2. Hotel/Motel/Good Grief, People I Never Met Have Slept and Eaten Here-  Hotel germs are different.  And, I don't mean Forrest Gump, we'll grow to love you kind of different.  I don't know them.  I don't love them.

The thought that someone I don't know has been there and maybe the housekeeper missed a few places makes me twitch a little.  So, unless I am at the Hampton Inn (they even wash the comforter!) I clean the place again. 

Here's the kicker.  The longer I'm there, the deeper I clean.

It's a sickness, really.  But they say the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem.

I always rewash all the dishes before we use them.  I wipe down the microwave, frig., and counters.  And then I sanitize the bathrooms.

Sometimes I use Lysol.  Sometimes I use cleaner with bleach.  It's all about the mood at the time.

That environmentally-friendly stuff is great for the environment but seriously, vacation is no time to be saving the environment.

All of this being said, if you are still here, you are probably sitting there either shaking your head at my insanity or thinking about all those times you stayed in a condo/hotel room and wished you'd had a can of Lysol.

I'm just here to help.

You're welcome.

9 comments:

Ashlee said...

I'm thinking maybe you posted before finishing.....:)

Carpool Queen said...

I have no words other than to say it was probably a good thing you didn't stay at that Best Value Inn in Grand Junction with me.

Ashlee said...

Actually I'm sitting here thinking that we have a lot in common. LOL. Clorox Clean-Up and Lysol are good friends of mine. We take them everywhere. :)

SouthernProletariat said...

Amen, darling...amen!


Icky, icky...Lysol is your friend when traveling...

Quirky said...

I hereby invite you to stay at my house whenever you choose. I'd also like to point out that I am a complete stranger and that you should feel free to clean whatever your heart desires. I will not take it personally if you decide to mop a floor or wipe down baseboards or wash some windows. How soon can you visit? :-)

Susanne said...

I sometimes creep out wondering what's deep down in the carpets at some hotel/motels. Eek. How do you Lysol that?

Unknown said...

I'm all for the strongest cleaners you can muster up too. I think lysol and bleach and strong fumes are godly. I think environmentally safe cleaners are weak and insipid and do not give me any sense of satisfaction. If I can't smell the cleaners, it's not clean!

Anonymous said...

If I had cleaned all of the hotel rooms I've stayed in over the last 10+ years, I would have no skin left on my hands. We have traveled extensively for soccer, and oh my gosh. Hamptons are my favorite, but I've also stayed at some pretty gross places.

But, more power to you and your family. Me? I'd rather hunt for yarn stores and let the maids clean!

Connie said...

Oh.my.gosh! We must be related! When I was a kid we stayed at mom and pop hotels. My mom went in and talked to the manager and inspected the room. Some did not pass her inspection but even the ones that did got a hefty spraying of Lysol before we were allowed in the room. Now, when my husband and I rent cabins I re-wash the dishes and clean like you. I have even been known to clean a hotel room and refuse maid service. I don't want them coming in and messing with anything. Usually when I do this it is at a hotel where I have found food in the fridge or something equally gross. If I have to complain on the maid when I first get there there is no way I am letting her in my room!