Whose Family Did This One Come From?! Phew!!

Recently my cousin, Becky, went to visit her daughter, Rachel, who was working at a summer camp. Her comments were funny and true. Now she knew what to do when she visited her kids after they moved out of the house.

Says she:

"Rachel will be home in a few weeks, but visiting her room made me think of how I’ll behave when I visit my girls’ more permanent domiciles in years to come. Hmmmm – let’s see:

- I’m flipping off my shoes wherever I want. And leaving them there. In fact – I’ll step over them.

- Coasters? Tell me again – what are they?

- I’m coming into their rooms to “borrow” socks, shoes, pantyhose, jewelry - whatever isn’t nailed down.

- My dishes? Anywhere is fine. Especially on the “rinse” side of the sink. Just sitting there.

- If I see a full trashcan in the kitchen – I’m shoving my empty Sonic cup down into just as hard as I can.

- Every one of my hot showers is going to last at least 45 minutes. And require a quart of shampoo.

And finally…..

- If the home phone rings – I’m not answering. It’s not for me."

I remember our visits to our daughter while she lived on her own in Boise, Idaho, and our son while he was up at Rexburg going to BYU-Idaho. The mess I rather expected. It was the odors that invited me to leave as soon as I could!!!

I guess most of them have to seek their "freedom" from the "oppression" of being parented, and from household organization and chores. I didn't get much of a chance to do that. In the Army we had inspections and everyone else in the barracks did not like odors. When I returned from the Army and lived with my dad and his second wife, Hazel (this was after Mom divorced Dad), you better believe I kept my room neat!! Likewise, at college my roommates were mostly rather particular--as was I--about how clean our apartment was. I never had a chance!!! And after that it was ingrained--my poor roommates!!! Luckily Claudia can't stand any messes for very long at all.

We just hope our children eventually get the idea so we can enjoy visiting more--once Stephen is out on his own. He and Gabriel just had a birthday--July 21. Gabriel is now 6. Stephen (Failure to Launch) Tigner, on the other hand is now 32 and is still at home and working on getting a job in his professional area--computer science.

One thing about Idaho right now--as well as Nevada (huh?!)--lots of water around here. We hope it stays for awhile!!