My FI's family lives in NYC, and we moved down to DC in August. I had assumed we would just stay here for Thanksgiving, but last week FI said his dad offered to pay for a hotel for us if we wanted to come up for Thanksgiving.
I wasn't entirely stoked on the idea because a) we have a dog, b) I mentioned in a different thread that nothing vegetarian is ever made for me and if we're in a hotel I can't really make something to bring, c) all of my friends in NYC are going home for the holiday so I won't be able to visit with anyone, and d) it's a lot of driving to do in such a short period of time. But whatever, I'll go if FI wants to go.
Then FI talks to his dad after we found out hotels are about $400/night + pet fees since it's a holiday, FI won't stay in certain areas of the city, etc, etc. So, then we weren't going again. Fine.
Now FI's mom just called a few minutes ago, and she's promising she'll clean the apartment enough that we could stay there.
::deep breath::
Let me explain: FI's parents are hoarders. I'm not exaggerating. It's just garbage everywhere. They live in Tribeca about 3 blocks north of the World Trade Center, and they lived through 9/11. One time FI and I were house sitting a couple years ago and I decided to clean the kitchen. I found items with expiration dates from pre-9/11. There were dead little bugs all over the inside of the fridge (which I had to pry open becaue it was covered in sticky syrup). I had to use a broom to brush about a foot of garbage off the stove. I then cleaned the bathroom and found mayonaise containers?
I think just from the kitchen and 1 bathroom I threw out about 25 bags of garbage. Underneath it all I found the entire floor was covered in black mold.
It took a week for it to get back to being covered in garbage. Because they don't. own. any. garbage. cans.
FI's parents live in a HUGE apt in Tribeca. They are quite wealthy. They refuse to hire someone to clean. They refuse to clean. His three brothers live at home and also refuse to throw anything away. There is now a large dog living there as well.
There are 3 bathrooms, and typically only one toilet, one shower, and one sink (all in different bathrooms) work in the house.
Moreover, our dog is a dachshund. She's so low to the ground and so curious - it's just not safe.
I can tell FI wants us to go. This is the house he grew up in. But he has asthma, and everytime we go back there it's WEEKS of dealing with the repercussions.
His mom has said before that she'll clean for various holidays/events, but it never happens. I love his mom. She's great, and we have a great relationship. You would never think she's a hoarder if you knew her. Ditto his dad. But lo and behold, first time I went over I walked out covered in BBQ sauce from the couch?
Sigh, I digress.
Anyway, FI's mom really wants us to go. I can tell FI wants to go. I think it is an incredibly bad idea. And I just feel stuck. Like, I'm not prissy. I'm seriously not a neat freak in the slightest. I was probably a hoarder as a child myself. I used to cry when my mom would vacuum for fear she'd accidentally get something important. But this isht is insane!
Dare I ask if anyone has any advice?