Ms. Perfect and Her Invisible Cat

What with college and dorms and post-college apartments and all that stuff, I've moved a lot.  But I haven't lived in a home that was being shown for sale since I was eight years old and we sold our house in Maryland and moved to California.

I don't remember how long the house was on the market with prospective buyers coming by.  I do remember, though, that my parents had this little phrase to describe the mode our family was in.  And that was, "Mr. and Mrs. Perfect and Their Invisible Children."  Because, y'know, Mr. & Mrs. Perfect certainly don't leave a mess in the bathroom.  And invisible kids' beds are neatly made and their clothes are always in the hamper.  So, during the time our house was on the market, mom and dad would remind us that we had to keep the place looking perfectly neat and tidy by referring to the family as "Mr. & Mrs. Perfect and Their Invisible Children."

Fast forward some thirty years and my condo is on the market -- has been for one whole week.  And during this week, I have spent every morning: folding my bath towel and hanging it neatly on the bar; hiding my shampoo and other bath stuff in a drawer (bought a little plastic bin for it); vacuuming the litter from around the litter box (just bought a Swiffer Carpet Flick because I'm sick of daily vacuuming); sweeping the litter near the litter box (that cat can sure track litter); opening all the blinds; cleaning off the kitchen counter; and otherwise making the place look like it's not really lived in....

.... or lived in by Ms. Perfect and Her Invisible Cat