puss, you're so right!! My house isn't a show-home, it's an old farm cottage, with muddy paw-prints and dog hair in the hallway (I do hoover, but only once a week, 'cos I work full-time as well!). At the moment, the cats are playing with a little silver paper ball, made from a chocolate wrapper and that'll stay on the living room floor for days. The thing is, though, it's Home - it's where I feel comfy, safe and secure. My mum was quite houseproud and I think I rebelled!! My place isn't dirty, it's just a wee bit untidy sometimes, but with 5 cats, 2 dogs and a teenager, what can you expect?? My dear, late hubby used to get a "cleaning head" on, about once a month & we blitzed the place, but since he's been gone, I just feel that so long as it's presentable, that's fine. My friends come to see me, not to inspect the house and when you live surrounded by 5 acres of mud, they ain't gonna get the Ideal Home!! Be comfy and happy, lass - life's too short for the "perfect housewife"!! K xx