I've thought a lot about all your suggestions about hiring a cleaning company before we move out, and I shouldn't totally dismiss them no matter how my husband feels about the issue. The reality is I just don't know what kind of shape I'll be in around moving time, so we may have no choice. Really only I can make the determination of whether I can do the work or not- not him. I won't leave this place a mess, and I'm sure it would be more expensive if we did that vs. hiring a cleaning company.

I called the office yesterday and the girl I spoke to said they will be coming this Monday. She said even though the letter says the visit will be a "pre-move out inspection," they are not coming to assess for damages. They will be looking to see if they need to order countertops, carpet, etc and will be in and out in minutes. But since they'll be evaluating the flooring, I'm still concerned about the carpet stains.

In regards to this visit, I'm only concerned with the "cat room," and that will be my focus. I'm waiting to rent the carpet cleaner tho…

I think it's pointless to shampoo the rug in there if I can't do the whole thing. And since they're not supposed to come until Monday, there's time to do it right. So, I'm going to pack up the CDs, DVDs, and the stuff on the bookshelves so the furniture (not the same furniture I'm always after my husband to throw out) is easier to move, and wait to rent the carpet cleaner until this weekend when my husband can do that for me, and maybe help me if I'm really lucky.

My elderly, pleasantly confused neighbor paid me a visit yesterday. She got to meet the cats (except Buddy who hides from strangers), we had coffee together, and were able to have a nice conversation because she was having a good day. I'm so awful though… all I could think of was cleaning, and had to politely kick her out after about an hour.

Yesterday I finished everything in the bathroom on my "moving-soon list" with the exception of cleaning out the linen closet. Everything done can be very easily maintained. It felt good to cross a whole room, no matter how small, off my list. And the linen closet is not a priority.

I have to do laundry this morning, and I have to go out to pick up a few things, so I don't know if I'll have the energy left to do any packing today, but I have plenty of time to get it done before the weekend.