quote:. . . about a man who finds his large family too noisy and quarrelsome for the small hut in which they live. Desperate, he goes to his rabbi for advice and is offered baffling instructions: the rabbi tells him to bring his chickens, rooster, and goose into the house. By the time the rabbi has ordered him to bring in the cow, the man is beginning to see that crowded is a relative concept.
When the kids and I moved in to my parents' house, I had the distinct feeling that the kids and I were the chickens . . . and my boxes of stuff were probably the cow and the horse.
I was wrong.
A week before I left for Israel, it was decided that my brother, SIL, and niece would be moving in for a month or so. They were in Omaha, his job was for a year (and the year was over in August), and having spent all summer trying to find employment in cities across the U.S. and Canada, it was time to try the city where he grew up and has contacts.
Additionally, my youngest brother was here for Succos. So, when I got back from Israel, the house was occupied by: my parents (2), me and my kids (4), my brother & SIL & niece (3), and my other brother (1). Total: 10.
But . . . less than a week after I got back, brother#2 went back to school, and my dad left for 10 weeks in NYC. Total: 8. And my brother has a day job (teaching, although the details are in flux) and may soon have an early-morning-and-weekend job (assistant rabbi), and they have been looking at apartments. So, perhaps, in a few weeks . . . ?
However . . . my sister, two days after I left Israel, had a rather dramatic incident. Dramatic enough that it resulted in her being in a hospital psych ward. Her blood calcium was sky-high. After a initial treatments, and a battery of tests, she was diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism. Poor kid. Since my uncle and brother (and assorted other relatives) had things under control in Israel (she's there for the year), my parents stayed in the U.S. And dealt with doctors, insurance companies, more doctors . . . Let's just say it's been crazy and stressful around here. For all 8 of us.
And my sister is coming back here for the surgery. She arrives Thursday, although I believe she's going directly to the hospital. I assume she will be recovering here. And my dad will be back here tomorrow night, for 11 days.
eep. Total: 10. And I hate to complain, because my mom is under WAY more stress than I am. And my sister should be fine (God willing), after surgery. And thank goodness, I have a job, although I'm feeling overwhelmed by that at the moment too.
But I had a REALLY long day, that started with a court appearance that was mostly just scheduling a court date (as well as a preliminary date, so I'll be missing TWO days of work -- in FEBRUARY!), and proceeded to get more stressful from there . . . so I needed to vent.
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(((rivka))) Here is a message from your alternate life: We have 700 sq foot per person, but no money for groceries.
Also, I had hyperthyroid/psych issues once. I have a vague memory that my blood pressure was like 194 over something, and I was like "holy crow".
Posts: 11017 | Registered: Apr 2003
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(Actually your thread title, reminds me of my nutty boss... we had to do a test under pressure, and his first idea was to buy a pressure cooker from Target. Then he asked me how to use it! I was like, "Uh, I don't cook, how would I know how to operate the thing?!" It didn't hold enough pressure well enough (surprise, surprise) so he had parts custom machined in the back, what he should have done in the first place.)
I actually have amercian chocolate in my house right now - my mum just came back from a conference in Orlando. I have Hershey's hugs, mini Mr Goodbars, Krackels and other assorted treats.
They are nice.
But I like french chocolate better.
I like american sweaters bought by my mum (x5) the best though. Posts: 4393 | Registered: Aug 2003
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LOL, AJ! I cook lots, but I almost never use a pressure cooker (don't own one). They're deliberately designed to vent if the pressure is too high. Silly man.
Sweaters, imogen? Do you mean woolly jumpers? Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Oy. Sounds like the guy I had next to me for one lab class back in college. Four hours, twice a week, for ten weeks of me worrying what he was going to set up wrong that time, and whether it would explode in my direction. Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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The good news is that my brother and SIL have been looking at likely apartments. Odds are they will move out some time in the next couple weeks. Still close enough to see often, but no more cheek-to-jowl. *thumbs up*
The bad news is that my sister is driving me completely and totally up a wall. If I could figure out how to afford it, I would be looking for an apartment too! And we just moved IN two months ago . . .
But I figured: I can get through a month. And if it's six weeks before she leaves, I might survive that as well. (It's even possible that SHE will. ) But today, it was discovered that one of the meds she was given in Israel has to be allowed to wear off before pre-surgical labs can be done. That is, before surgery can even be SCHEDULED.
It may take as long as six weeks for them to wear off. So now, realistically, we are looking at 3 months or so.
Can I run away from home?
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Well, the GOOD news is that I went away for the weekend. Thus, I neither exploded nor imploded -- and let me tell you, I was close.
The bad news is that a weekend far away from these people to whom I have the great good fortune to be related (and away from work, but that's true of most weekends) got me back to neutral; but I can't say it really recharged me. *sigh*
Meanwhile, my dad, who went back to NYC just over a week ago, took a plane to Atlanta on Sunday. Had chest pains, and wound up in the hospital . . . but it doesn't seem to be a heart issue (although one of his cardiac enzymes is off), and they're not sure WHAT the problem is. He was supposed to be released this afternoon, pending a stress test. But he hasn't been, and I haven't had a chance to get the update on why from my mom. (I think it's a bureaucracy thing, rather than a medical one.)
My sister finally saw the assistant surgeon for her pre-surgical meeting. The actual surgeon will be out next week, and the week after that is Thanksgiving . . . so it will probably be another 3 weeks before she has surgery. She is NOT happy; and is doing a good job at spreading the misery.
I am torn between exhaustion; trying to balance everything at work (which would be a feat even if home were calm and serene; since I am now teaching the most classes I ever have AND working in the office 15 hours/week); trying to NOT kill my sister (and feeling some degree of guilt over not being more sympathetic to her plight -- then again, she's being self-pitying enough to make up for it); dealing with my kids' frustration with the ongoing drama and crowding; feeling guilty about the time I spend online but feeling MORE stressed when I deprive myself of that outlet . . .
My brother and SIL should be out in a couple weeks. Then again, they were going to have been out by now, a couple twists back.
*sigh* I'm so tired, and it's Monday. And I have three tests to write. And I got lots of sleep over the weekend!
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Here's a cute little anecdote to cheer you up. One of the boys that I teach in the shul (I teach the K-1 alpeh bet class) told me that he gave his toy to a classmate. Then he asked, "Miss Keren, did I do a mincha?"
Posts: 3037 | Registered: Jan 2002
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OK, I just finishd reading. Either I forgot to set my watch or I simply read VERY fast.
My obligational (word?) life starts at 6:15 and ends at 17:30 3/5 days in school. The other, 4th day, I finish at 16:45. The 5th day is at 15:00, and at 18:00 I attend a weekly youth club until 21:00 or so.
To add to the curriculum, I'll have a long day with Aikido added, starting at 7 and ending at... Oh jeez! The short day will get even more congested, I have homework, Hatrack and personal studies (I need to know more in computers, and in physics).
That's just to say, I know what occupation is, at least from my point of view.
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Derrell, that thought has occurred to me. Think of the money my parents (well, more their insurance company) would save! Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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My mom just left for the airport. She's going away for the weekend -- to NY, to spend time with my dad (and some cousins).
My brother, SIL, and niece are going to San Diego for the weekend. Additionally, their furniture will arrive Tuesday . . . not here, at their new apartment. So they should be out by midweek. (I'm a bit doubtful on this one, since it's been "we'll be out by next week" twice before -- but it's promising.)
My sister is spending Shabbos (and also Sunday?) with a friend.
That's right, it will be me and the kids, for the first weekend in months. WOOT! Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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It has been really nice. And my sister, who came back this evening, has actually been relatively non-provoking . . . or I've been less reactive, I'm actually not sure which.
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Wow I just went back to Michigan for my grandmother's funeral. And I was at my wits end after being constantly around people for 5 days. I'm really not sure how you're managing. Do you at least all have your own rooms? Or, do you guys have people crashed on couches and the floors?
Posts: 872 | Registered: Mar 2002
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Bedrooms are not so much the problem -- after the various remodels my parents did in the 20+ years they've been in this house, combined with the many bedrooms that were the reason they bought the house to begin with . . . well, there are (*counts*) four bedrooms upstairs, two downstairs (and that's not counting the two offices, which in theory could be bedrooms, but not in practice).
So while my daughters are currently having to share with their cousin and aunt, and my brother and SIL are a bit cramped in the guest bedroom downstairs, everyone has a real bed.
The real issues are: different wake-up times; sharing one kitchen (including the ever-popular, "where the heck is all the ______ I just bought?!"), two showers, one washer and dryer; and divvying up responsibilities.
Oh, and the fact that certain people think the computer in my room means they can come in my room without my permission.
One task on today's list: buy and install a lock.
I'm feeling relatively recharged, thanks, Dags.
And Shan, I appreciate the offer . . . but I think is we tried to squeeze me and three kids in your place (unless it's a lot bigger than I'd guess you'd need for two people), we'd just be transferring the problem. Thanks, though! Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
Never made it to get the lock yesterday. *sigh* So my sister decided that she HAD to be in here, again, in spite of my mother's edict. Her charmingness went downhill from there. She's very miserable, and trying to spread it. With some success. *SIGH*
My poor mother came back to the tzuris of my sister's impossible nonsense (and having failed to keep an appointment? I gather), and my brother and SIL's stress over trying to move out (to WHERE is not entirely clear, hence the stress) tomorrow. I confess to escaping to my room for most of the evening (away not being an option because of needing to help the kids with stuff).
All this after a REALLY long day at work. I am so tired of dealing with all the stuff that gets blamed on me in my position in the office -- much of which has to do with the fact that the primary secretary has seriously lacking communication skills, and a great need to be correct (even when she's really, really NOT). I'm sure this is really improving my coping skills, humility, and is helping me work on my need to confront (I've actually gotten pretty good at both choosing my battles with her, and quietly accepting blame for things that are not my fault) -- so great for my character. Not, however, real good for my stress levels.
*has an idea* Can I lock her and my sister in a room for 24 hours? Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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I LIKE the idea of locking two such deserving individuals up together . . . just remember, rivka, brilliance is not necessarily flashy - and the race does not always go to the loudest! You have much more forbearance than I!
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*shamefaced* Not so much . . . my sister pushed a little too hard last night (literally, as it happens) . . . and we're both sporting bruises today.
Plus today was "get financial threats from The Jerk day." Darn thing wasn't on MY calendar. Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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