To self clean or not to self clean

Just before the holidays, I start to notice things around the house that are not as clean as they should be.

I apparently do not notice these areas except when I realize the house is about to be visited by family. Although I do realize they are visiting to see us and not the house, I still cannot help trying to get the house cleaner than it normally is.

Those of you who have ever had small children in the house know just how hard that can be. I will busily work my way through the house cleaning. Only to turn around a few minutes later and discover it doesn’t even look like I cleaned anything b...