In the middle of the street.
Is filled to the brim, and has been all week. It's safe to say it's been taken over. By my husbands family, and they are so different from me, us, my people.
I think I am getting used to it though. There has been a tension that reverbed in the air like when you turn a stereo up full blast but nothing is playing, in the past. They don't do "guests", they kinda take over. So between his 2 kids, his 2 parents, I am hiding up here. Writing.
They kinda move in and take over when they come. And they are very very nice, but it sometimes feels like being mowed over by a very nice tractor. One that changes the oil in your car, unloads your dishwasher, does your grocery shopping and says they are going to take you out to dinner when dinner is almost prepared. So my job is just to be ok with it. J knows I want to hide. I am glad they are only here for 3 days or so. That's about all I can really handle before I want to reclaim my territory. I am a very big hospitality person, but I don't get a chance here. They kinda move in, take over. All I can do is smile, make mental notes about how this is how it is, smile some more and resist the temptation to hide and wait for it to be over.
teacher, mom, writer, photographer in portland oregon
About Me
Consider the Source: About this online journal
People I read
What I been reading
- Some Mother Teresa
- Some Tolstoy
- Gilead
- The Brothers Karamazov
- Shusako Endo
- Don't Waste Your Life
- He Is There and He is Not Silent
What I talk about
- bumblebee (10)
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- russia (5)
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5 comments:
Oh man, that's a tough one. I personally would be hiding out as much as possible, but I'm probably a bitch in situations like this. Well, I assume I am since I'm not married and therefore don't have inlaws. You can always hide out in your blog.
(Thanks for stopping by my blog! I'm so happy to have found another west coaster!)
I get to share your experience in a couple of weeks. Except my hubby's will stay in a hotel. However, I can completely understand about the whole going out when you have tried hard to do something for them more personal. I only hope they are so distracted by my tummy that they will be easier to handle. I also get to teach some while they are here--so I get out a little.
I was just thinking about Madness.
I tend to be like that when big family gatherings take place at our house. I retreat into my room.
How are the kids?
-Suley
Hey, I've got a new home! Come visit me at atpanda.blogspot.com
I was in a relationship with a woman for several years. She had kids and I did not. I grew to love her kids. But her relatives were another matter, with the excption of her father. I did like him.
We once had them all over for a summer BBQ. I bought all of the food, and these people were big eaters. We were both good cooks and put on great meal, very fancy.
When we all sat down to eat it became a free-for-all. I couldn't believe it. No table manners what-so-ever. Everyone just started to grab for food. Conversation stopped and everyone became like animals feeding.
I'm sitting at the end of the table with the realization that if I want to eat I'm going to have to compete as if I were a wolf in a wolf pack on a fresh kill. I think I could have just put dog food down and they would have eaten it.
Im sitting there with nothing on my plate and nobody looking my direction. So I have to start asking these "people" to pass me things as most of it was not within my reach. They would hand me things without even looking at me as if it were a problem and a distraction, and I didn't get everything as some things were already gone.
It wouldn't have bothered me as much if I hadn't paid for it all. But it was telling about her family. I did feel like an outsider, and the experience left a big impression on me.
When someone comes to your house, they should show you some respect. They should have manners. They shouldn't just come in and take over.
Perhaps it isn't this bad with you. I hope not.
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