04:03:28 Tue
Apr 12 2005
| Re: Catch-All Topic ~ Guests Overstaying Welcome |
Keep Hipping!
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siblygirl 12:44:47 Mon Apr 11 2005 |
At the wake, Ms. Periwinkle said to my mother, "I guess this is goodbye. I won't see you again." When my mother asked why, Ms. Periwinkle told her that with her sister gone, she wouldn't have a place to stay. Foolishly, my mother volunteered, "If you return, you can stay with me." Well, the lady showed up the first week of June and has been staying with Mom ever since. Ms. Periwinkle has broken untold dishes, figurines, Mom's sewing machine and more. She's a sweet lady, but she is rough on the hardware, contributes very little toward expenses, and helps herself to anything and everything. She doesn't lift a finger to clean, but she makes frequent efforts to prepare food we do not find palatable, leaving incredible messes for others to tidy up. And whenever I take my mother out to eat, Ms. Periwinkle tags along and expects me to pay for her meal. Mom doesn't want to hurt the woman's feelings, so she refuses to ask Ms. Periwinkle when she intends to leave. Any suggestions? -- El Paso, Texas Dear El Paso: You probably have an idea now why Ms. Periwinkle didn't get along with her sister. She's a freeloader. Ask your mother if she would like your help getting Ms. Periwinkle to leave. If so, inform Ms. Periwinkle that you are buying her a ticket home and the bus/train/plane leaves in one week. You also will come by to help her pack and take her to the airport. Don't take no for an answer. The cost of her ticket is a small price to pay for peace of mind and intact crockery. |
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siblygirl 12:45:24 Mon Apr 11 2005 |
Anna stayed in my apartment, taking over my roommate's bedroom. I gave her a cell phone and maps. However, after three weeks, it was too much. I couldn't take her utter dependence on me. She accused me of not helping her, and the whole thing escalated. She swore at me and said I was "out of the will." I took her already-packed suitcases and threw them outside. Then I put her in a cab to the airport. I have since apologized, and she accepted. However, we are not really communicating. Before this, Anna was like a mother to me, although an overly attentive one. How do I prove to her I truly am sorry? -- Feeling Bad in Taiwan Dear Taiwan: Three weeks is too long a visit, especially for someone who is insecure about traveling alone and needs a companion. Don't dwell on this. Call or e-mail Anna with chatty news so you can re-establish a level of comfort, and in time, things will be back to normal. |
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siblygirl 12:47:11 Mon Apr 11 2005 |
Our children would like to entertain their friends during their winter vacations. We, too, want to spend time with other families, but feel we can't invite them over when we have a house full of relatives. My husband says we cannot do anything to discourage the grandparents from visiting. I don't want to hurt anyone, but I want my space. Any suggestions? -- Fed Up in the West Dear Fed Up: Actually, it's rather nice that the grandparents alternate holidays. That means no fighting over which side gets to see you. However, two-week visits can be draining. You have time to set up a different routine this year. Make specific plans, either to go away or to have company, for one of those two weeks. Then tell the grandparents that you'll be thrilled to see them, but the visit will have to be shorter, since you are not available the rest of the time. Of course, to be fair to the other set of grandparents, you'll have to do this again next year. And the next. |
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tragicallyhip_babe 04:03:28 Tue Apr 12 2005 |
Keep Hipping!
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retro_chica 05:27:37 Mon Apr 18 2005 |
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CanuckYank 06:21:04 Fri Apr 22 2005 |
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TragicallyHipper 10:41:21 Sat Apr 30 2005 |
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HighwayGirl 11:34:44 Sat Apr 30 2005 |
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retro_chica 16:57:50 Sat Apr 30 2005 |
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AprilWineChick 20:12:21 Sat Apr 30 2005 |
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april_wino1 19:49:18 Sun May 1 2005 |
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