Think She's Having A Bad Day?

This is a post in honor of my friend, T, who is dealing with having 2 grown step-children and one grandchild moving back home and a husband who, although well-intentioned, is maybe in a bit of DEE-NYE-ULL. The oldest of these kids is 27, and a single white male with no dependents - he is trying to find himself and is going back to school to do so. The other is 20-ish going on 15-ish - I love ya Wiff, but you've got a kid of your own now - time to get a JOB and deal with it. Nobody's saying they won't help you - but you have to make a move of some kind on your own. I know my own parents probably feel the same way about me, and I'm 44 - but I don't live at home, either - small comfort, eh?

God Bless T!! She got fed up and compiled a list of rules as follows: (I have not edited this - it is in her own words, font, and capitalization, lol)

take care, ....osm

7-5-06

SINCE YOU BOTH LIVE HERE FREE OF RENT OR RESPONSIBILITIES THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE REQUIRED OF BOTH OF YOU;

1. YOU WILL HAVE TWO WEEKS TO GET A FULL TIME JOB. THE MONEY FROM THIS JOB WILL BE USED TO PAY FOR YOUR NECESSITIES SUCH AS CAR PAYMENTS AND INSURANCE, FOOD AND DIAPERS AND ANYTHING ELSE YOU MAY REQUIRE FOR YOUR NEEDS AND THOSE IN YOUR CARE. IF YOU CAN NOT OR WILL NOT FIND EMPLOYMENT THEN YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO SEEK SHELTER ELSE WHERE.
2. YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO SAVE A PORTION OF YOUR EARNINGS; 25%; TO ENABLE YOU TO MOVE OUT OR PAY FOR UNFORSEEN EXPENDITURES THAT MAY ARISE. IF YOU CAN NOT DO THIS ON YOUR OWN THEN YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO GIVE 100% OF YOUR PAY TO US AND WILL BE PUT ON AN ALLOWANCE. TO DO THIS, HOWEVER, WOULD NOT GET YOU ANY CLOSER TO YOUR GOAL AND OURS, OF BEING MATURE AND SELF- RELIANT ADULTS.
3. YOUR ARE RESPONSIBLE TO US AND THIS HOUSE BEFORE ANYONE ELSE. THAT MEANS GIRLFRIENDS AND BOYFRIENDS DO NOT COME FIRST. IF YOUR CHORES ARE NOT DONE, THEN THEY WILL BE DONE BEFORE YOU LEAVE. IF THE OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR LIVES THINK THIS IS BULLSHIT, THAN YOU ARE WELCOME TO LIVE WITH THEM.
4. SINCE YOU ARE NOT PAYING ANY BILLS REQUIRED TO SUSTAIN THIS HOUSE, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO HELP WITH THE UPKEEP: SWEEP, MOP, DUST AND VACCUM. DAILY IF NEEDED BUT DEFINITELY WEEKLY. THIS IS NOT NEGOTIABLE!!!!! DISHES WILL BE PUT AWAY DAILY AND THE COMMON AREAS CLEANED DAILY.
5. YOUR ROOMS ARE TO BE KEPT CLEAN AT ALL TIMES AND THIS DOES NOT MEAN THROWING THINGS UNDER THE BED OR IN THE CLOSET. IF THIS HAPPENS, I WILL ASSUME YOU CARE VERY LITTLE ABOUT YOUR BELONGINGS AND THIS IS PERHAPS TRASH AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH AND THROWN OUT.
6. YOUR LAUNDRY WILL BE DONE EVERY WEEK. IF YOU CAN NOT COMPLY WITH THIS REQUEST; HIRE IT DONE!
7. YOU ARE TO TAKE OUT THE TRASH WHEN NEEDED OR SOONER IF IT HAS SMELLY ITEMS IN IT. THIS IS NOT A FEEDLOT! THE SMELL OF S&!T DOES NOT MEAN MONEY.
8. THERE WILL BE NO SMOKING IN YOUR BEDROOMS. UNTIL YOU GROW UP AND GET YOUR OWN PLACE. THE ANSWER IS “NO”
9. THERE WILL BE NO FOOD OR DRINKS IN THE BEDROOMS. REFER TO ITEM 5 IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
10. YOU WILL WASH EVERY DISH, CUP, AND GLASS. BOWL ETC. YOU USE AND PUT THEM IN THEIR PROPER PLACE! I’M TIRED OF CHASING DOWN KITCHEN ITEMS BECAUSE YOU ARE TOO LAZY TO PUT THEM IN THEIR PROPER PLACE. THIS MAKES IT HARD ON EVERYBODY WHO USES THE KITCHEN AND REALLY PISSES OFF THE COOK!!!!!!
11. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILY TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY ENVIORNMENT IN WHICH TO LIVE. IF THE SHOE STINKS; GET RID OF IT OR PUT IT IN YOUR CAR. THIS MAKES IT HEALTHIER ON EVERYONE IN THIS HOUSE.
12. YOU HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BEDROOMS IN WHICH TO SLEEP. IF YOU FIND YOUR ROOM TOO UNCOMFORTABLE; THEN MAKE OTHER ARRANGMENTS. YOU ARE NOT FORCED TO LIVE HERE.
13. ONE TOWEL IS TO BE USED EACH TIME YOU SHOWER OR BATHE. IF YOU GET OUT OF THE SHOWER AND THINK YOU NEED A NEW TOWEL, THEN YOU DIDN’T DO A GOOD JOB THE FIRST TIME. YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TWO TOWELS A WEEK EACH AND IT IS YOUR RESPOSIBILITY TO KEEP THEM CLEAN AND LAUNDERED. IF YOU CAN NOT COMPLY WITH THIS, GO TO A TRUCK STOP TO WASH YOURSELVES.
14. THERE ARE NO EXCUSES FOR NOT COMPLYING WITH THESE SIMPLE RULES. THESE CAN BE CHANGED OR ADDED TO AT ANY TIME BY HOMEOWNERS.
15. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS REGARDING THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS, TALK THE HOMEOWNERS. BUT CHANCES ARE THE RULES WILL NOT CHANGE.
16. TO DISREGARD THE ABOVE RULES WILL BE CONSIDERED A BLATANT SIGN OF DISRESPECT TO THOSE WHO ARE TRYING TO HELP YOU. THIS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN ANY WAY AND WILL BE DEALT WITH HARSHLY. YOU MAY EVEN BE ASKED TO LEAVE WITHOUT NOTICE.