House Guests and House Pests

Iced tea - Green. Eugene, PLEASE make it a double! I need caffeine in large quantities and keep it coming until I am stuttering. I love Jane's green tea, unsweetened, served with a smile from Jane or Gene or the fabulous Betty who does not like to be tipped unless bourbon is involved.

I have one really obnoxious house guest that I have escaped from under the pretense of getting cheese, in Wisconsin; see you all next Tuesday.

I was brought up that if you are invited to someone's home, be it family or friends, you bring something with you, you help the hostess/host, and you pick up after yourself. When my family comes to visit, they do these things. I can be assured that after each meal, which they have helped me prepare, they will not leave the kitchen until it is spotless as well as the dining area. My father, God rest his beautiful soul, would be the first one rolling up his sleeves to wash dishes.

My father-in-law is here with us this weekend. I am surprised he can successfully tie his own shoes without someone doing it for him. We make everything for him, serve him, clean up after him and quietly listen to his rants about what we serve, what we do and how we do it. He leaves dirty dishes around for me to pick up, dirty towels, dirty socks, shoes. His wife, my husband's step-mother, did not come with him to visit and now I know why; she needed a vacation from this nightmare of a 6'1" toddler. This fool cannot even make his own toast; he sits on his caboose and barks orders to everyone including my five year old child. THAT was where I drew the line. We had words, outside earshot of my children, to the effect that I was going to be major influence on the type of elderly care he receives and he had best not cross me. Now be a good boy, eat your Gerber lunchable and be SILENT! Did I mention I was holding a butcher knife?

Eugene - Perhaps some decaf Please - kiss kiss!