Sorry, Ohio
by
I found out today that the in-laws are coming in from Ohio to stay with us during Christmas. They are staying 7 days. On my sofa. I get along with my in-laws, but I have a limit of patience with house-guests, and that limit is four days. So I am bracing for those three extra days.
The in-laws are from New Orleans but have lived in Ohio some 15+ years. They swear they’ll never move back. Here’s my response to that:
Times are not good here. The city is crumbling into ashes. It has been buried under a lava flood of taxes and frauds and maladministrations so that it has become only a study for archaeologists. Its condition is so bad that when I write about it, as I intend to do soon, nobody will believe I am telling the truth. But it is better to live here in sackcloth and ashes, than to own the whole state of Ohio.
This was written about New Orleans by Lafcadio Hearn, a nineteenth century author who lived in and wrote about New Orleans for about a decade, to a friend (H.E. Krehbiel) back in Cincinnati in 1880.
Now I have a whole lot more to do in a lot less time. Did I mention their 20 year old daughter is coming too? She’ll be on our over-sized chair/sleeper in the den along with her parents.
Glad you found an appropriate topic to pull that Hearn out on. (Yes, I ended that sentence with a preposition. Big deal.)
And anyway, it’s 3 babysitters…
Pete, I thought you’d appreciate it. It’s a great quote, indeed! Thanks for sharing it.
my poor, poor, poor friend…god help you…all i can say is ” drinks anyone?” ( and if you need some solitude, our door is always open )
If it was a group of high school friends you hadn’t seen in a while: if there were no children having to sleep, eat, or be paid attention to: if your liquor bar was stacked to the rim: if everyone was competing to do all the shopping and cooking… it just might work…
Years ago, my kids and I were driven by a Pakistani taxi driver taking us from a hotel to the airport after visiting my sister in Vancouver. He got very upset to find out that we stayed in a hotel instead of staying with my sister. “That is all of this new fangled Canadian stuff. When my family comes to visit they stay with us, no matter how many they are. We cook and clean and do everything for them and they better have fun!”
I think my mom’s limit for houseguests is 4 days, too. Not that she ever explicitly states that. When guests overstay, she always feels relieved and less drained when they’re gone…no matter how lovable they are. Good luck!
I still vote for hotel.
Ben Franklin said, in Poor Richard’s Almanack, “Fish and visitors stink after three days.”
Did you delete that last post re: The Buzz? I just came over to comment and got an error message.
I wanted to say, UGH! I’m sorry.
I also wanted to suggest that the time post-partum is very stressful. Not to say you are suffering from any post-partum anxiety, but give yourself some room and consider the possibility. Medication can do wonderous things!!!
Feel free to vent all you need here (or at my place if you need a safe spot from prying eyes). I hope you survive!!
If you are really realistic, the in-laws are coming to visit their son (or brother) and their grand-daughter (or niece). So use that to your advantage.
Years back, I was a upset because my husband was not looking forward to going with me to Grenada (where my parents and friends live). When I accused him of being a bit of a party-pooper (don’t think I actually used this term), he responded dryly, “You are going back into the warmth of your family. I’m going to visit my in-laws.” That really brought me down to earth.
All I am trying to say is, if your in-laws are really there to visit your husband and daughter, plan to do some stuff that you like. For instance you can, intermittently, throughout their visit set aside time to yourself or visit your favourite cafe with a good friend or ask them to take Sun out for the afternoon while you and your husband luxuriate in a long bath. Though it would be better say the two of you need the time to do your taxes together, on that later suggestion.
Of all the states in the union that have not dazzled me, Ohio is at the top of the list.
Sorry Ohio, I just don’t dig you.
And seven days with anyone would drive me batty.
Good luck.
Funny we both have a post about Ohio in the same week. ( http://mybayouvieux.blogspot.com/2007/12/you-might-be-from-ohio.html) Pete was right on with the ending a sentence with a preposition!
I will try not to take offense to your loathing of Ohio since I am an Ohio girl – cuz I like you NolaNotes. He He!
[...] Yes, that is an Ohio State cheerleader outfit. Sun got it from her Nonna (my MIL) for Christmas. Today and tomorrow are the only days this outfit can get any play. It seems the least I can do to apologize for this post. [...]
[...] The highlight for me was the homage to Lafcadio Hearn quoting the same thing for which I recently quoted him: [...]