Friday, March 27, 2015

Open House

Okay, now that we've dissected the joy of  sex and aging, on to the next adventure.

As you may have noticed I haven't mentioned a roommate in a while.

The little doctor left in December and since then the right person has not presented themselves.

This is unusual. But I didn't fret. I am a lover of solitude, especially in the dark, cold months.

But I am also a lover of money in my savings account and that is shrinking more rapidly than I would like.

Many of my friends use Airbnb when they travel so last night I decided to give hosting a try.

I set up an account this morning and imagine my surprise when I got my first booking hours later. For tonight. Whaat?

Imagine the guest's surprise when Lucy joins him in bed to sit at the window scoping out the activity on the street.

I did stress must love cats. And I posted a picture with Lucy sitting on the very bed he will be sleeping in. But everyone is not a connoisseur of details.....

Oh dear god, I just got a message from him, he expects to be here in 30 minutes.

Well, the bed is made, the cats are fed and in fine fettle. the house is clean and flowers and plants abound.

Wish me luck. The guests write reviews of their stay.

I hope the moniker "crazy cat lady" remains a hashtag on Instagram and not an internet comment about my house.

But let's face it....does he look like he cares one whit about his reputation?

Didn't think so.

PS. the first guest has arrived. Smart, polite and seems slightly amazed that I have cats!?!

What did I tell you.


34 comments:

  1. New reality show, Must Love Cats. Sponsored by Airbnb. ;)

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    1. Better be on cable, my language can veer off the grid.

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  2. Check in tomorrow morning so we know all survived.

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    1. I'm here. Before you accept a guest you can read comments former hosts have posted about them and their behavior.

      Trust me I checked him out. And he is just as respectful and interesting as everyone had said. Whew.

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    2. P.S. thank you for caring xoxo

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  3. A good friend accepts couch surfers, but they don't help with the bank account. Your adventure sounds more adventurous and lucrative.
    -Ray

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    1. Lucrative is good. And last nights guest assures me I will meet many interesting people.

      I'm up for that.....

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  4. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  5. My husband have said for a long time that B&Bs that openly advertise that they have cats are an untapped niche market, especially ones that offer the cats to guests as sleeping partners. Makes those of us who sleep with our cats feel more at home.

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    1. Would I be so lucky. Lucy scratched off quite a bit of paint from the door frame wanting to get into THAT room. Just think if she were welcome!

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  6. Gawd, I'd need three weeks to mentally prepare for a strange house guest!

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    1. Probably better to not have any time at all. Couldn't over think it.

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  7. jane you are so smart to do this. and i must say a little brave too! i cannot wait to hear how this works out for you so please do share the details. xo

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    1. Yes, I think a dash of bravery is required, but it seems to work for many people world wide, so hopefully I won't be the exception!

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  8. Oooh Jane, that's so brave, and smart and this moment! What's next, driving lessons and uber or perhaps starting a business in Delhi (wink wink, I got it too)? (let us know how it works out)

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    1. Actually I think I heard Airbnb was having trouble getting hosts in India. Maybe that spammer can learn a thing or two.

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  9. What a great idea - and as Denise says, perhaps you will attract cat lovers - in droves, if you're lucky. Who knows where this will end?
    BTW, as Lucille (Useful Or Beautiful blog) once commented on my blog, you won't be a crazy cat lady till you have them all in a pram......

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    1. I feel so much better now, I don't even own a pram! Yet.....

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  10. Wow, you are quite the adventuress! I can imagine complications and I can imagine it being a lot of fun. Anxiously waiting to hear more.

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    Replies
    1. well one down.....actually not quite down yet, suitcase still here waiting to be picked up and flown back to Chicago.

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  11. What a great idea. You're in such a good location. Hope it works out ok. xoxo

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  12. Came back to check. I'm so glad the first night went well. It's a really cool idea.

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Thank you, Jen. I was just at a neighborhood party and they were all why didn't you tell us so we could keep an eye on you.

      And I said , well i blogged about it. Apparently I think of you all as my guardian angels.

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  13. I remember how the first question you ever asked me was if I liked cats ^-^
    Would could not like Gus and Lucy though? They're both too cute too handle...

    xoxo

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    1. Right? Though he admitted he did take a picture of them...those eyes he said. Ha!

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  14. This is the precise weblog for anybody who needs to seek out out about this topic. You notice so much its almost arduous to argue with you. You positively put a brand new spin on a subject that's been written about for years. Nice stuff, simply nice!

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    1. Spam filter can't seem to stop New Delhi from checkin in, can they?

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  15. You are really brave, Jane. It sounds as if it went well, though. Maybe you would enjoy opening your own B & B.

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    1. Wouldn't I love that. I can cook, do flowers and make rooms look good with little or no $$$.

      You could be a guest chef!

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  16. I stayed at three different Air BnBs in the UK last fall. First was a canal boat on Regency Canal in the heart of London. Second was a lovely flat, right down the road from my old house in Cardiff, and third was a 300-year old warehouse conversion in a funky part of London. All three hosts were charming and interesting, and the warehouse owner had been to Baltimore in the fall, so we had plenty to talk about. I am a huge fan of Air BnB.

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    1. Thanks Meg, it's always a relief when I get an affirmative response.

      I seem to be booking up rapidly so you have helped me to draw a deep breath.

      And now I want to do it too!

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  17. Let us know how we can find you on Air B&B. I may need a place to stay in the area after one of my business trips. It would feel more like home....plus the cats are a huge draw for me!

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