posted on August 6, 2000 11:00:11 AM
Every summer it seems like the whole months of July and August are taken up with house "guests". Seems I barely have time to change the sheets in the guest room, before the next batch arrives. Have even made 2 trips to the airport in one day to drop off and back again to pick up new arrivals! I'm starting to feel like a Bed & Breakfast, but nobody wants to pay me for the "breakfasts" We just said goodbye to hubby's family, when my nephew arrived (well, ex-nephew from ex-husband's side). He leaves on Wednesday, and Friday, we get the ex's dog for the weekend. Seems the hotel they're staying at doesn't take dogs. Oh well, I won't have to change the guest room sheets for the dog. Ah the joy of living in a "resort town".
posted on August 6, 2000 11:10:38 AM
KatyD....
Move to Souteast Texas,nobody wants to visit you in the summer here. Of course your stuck in the 100 degree weather with air so thick and dirty you can cut with a knife.
Where are you, it must be nice. Maybe I'll come for a visit?
(Just kidding of course)
posted on August 6, 2000 11:22:39 AM
C'mon down, Tegan! I've got the Aug. 14th through the 17th available. But book early!! Or...you can just send your dog.
posted on August 6, 2000 11:35:29 AM
Two-legged freeloaders are one thing, but kennelling services are above and beyond. CHARGE THEM, KatyD.
I'd entertain intermittent air-conditioning failure in the guest bedroom next summer. Publicized well in advance, it should cut down on the other traffic.
posted on August 6, 2000 11:47:02 AM
House Pest: "What's that?"
Me: "Tree frog. Er, they're poisonous, watch out."
The frog hopped to him, and I swear, chased him around the table. It stayed on his sliding glass door all night, and generally hung around. Pretty soon, no more house pest.
They really aren't poisonous.
posted on August 6, 2000 11:47:35 AM
Pareau, we don't have air conditioning. We live at the beach, and most of the houses here don't have it, since it's rarely needed. That may be part of the problem.
Actually, the four-legged variety seem to like my cooking. At least they don't complain about it, heh, heh.
KatyD
(edited to mean the "four-legged" guests)
[ edited by KatyD on Aug 6, 2000 11:48 AM ]
posted on August 6, 2000 12:09:27 PM
Lessee... You live on the beach, you cook for company, you accept pets, you make airport runs, and you change the sheets between guests. ALL FOR FREE?
I don't think I've ever said how much I appreciate your wit, charm, and brilliance, KatyD. Not to mention your taste in mechanical devices. Well, I just thought I should say something, and hope you don't mind the little tribute.
posted on August 6, 2000 12:40:41 PM
I better back off before I'm taken seriously. I have the beach here, too, but it sounds so much more appealing with the fresh sheets and home-cooked meals thrown in. I can see what the problem is, KatyD--you're too darned friendly! I do know people who have a summer house in a great location and would be inundated with guests every summer, but they make people work when they're there. And I'm not talking about doing dishes. I've helped with building retaining walls, cellar cleanouts, and taking off the storm windows and hanging screens (huge windows with wood-framed storms, not those lightweight pop-in numbers, either). Thank goodness they'd finished digging the new well before my last trip. If there's no specific project, they have a rock pile they like shifted every so often. I AM NOT KIDDING. And these people are quite well off. They've actually gone out to the supermarket and come home with a new van. (I've never understood how that happens.) They just hate paying for labor. I haven't visited in AGES.
posted on August 6, 2000 02:03:51 PM
Oh, that's too funny, Pareau. I can see that we've been going about this all wrong. Normally we work like the dickens every Spring getting all our house projects done before summer. I can see that we must plan all of our remodeling projects for July and August! Don't have a rock pile, will a woodpile do?
2001 is open. Book now, and you should be able to find cheap airfare! How are your electrical skills?
posted on August 7, 2000 06:53:57 AM
I can't believe your guests don't slip you some money for your trouble. If I go and stay with any of my family for 2 or more days, I will always offer cash for putting up with me. If they refuse, I put it in a place where they will find it like in a book they are reading at the time.
I look at it this way. If my family is feeding me, housing me, and providing clean towels for me, I owe them something for their time.
posted on August 7, 2000 07:32:58 AM
See, KatyD? That clean linen really gets people.
I love fooling around with things electrical, especially if someone else is willing to throw the switch when I'm done. If it's house wiring you need, I do things the NYC way, with armored cable--don't know how to work with other things. I have the electrician check anything I do, though, except for things like appliance and lamp repair.
I know we're joking, but this actually opens up a way to approach next year's bookings at Chez D. As you're hit up for accommodations, why not say something like, "Great! We've been looking forward to your visit this summer! We're going to be needed a hand with XXXX, and realized you're just the person who can give us expert assistance. It'll be great catching up on the past year while we [clean the septic tank] [install the Jacuzzi] [recoat the swimming pool] [patch the roof] [paint the dining room] ..." Interesting to hear the reactions, anyway.
posted on August 7, 2000 03:57:07 PM
KatyD..I did want to visit you but I think
I might rather have Pareau visit me.
I have a garden I want to start and I need lights installed around the pool and I really need a shed put up in the yard and , and, and....well so many things.
I didn't know people would come to visit and actually work..
Boogles the mind..
posted on August 8, 2000 07:04:23 AM
Hi KatyD - You must have a very warm and inviting nature by the sounds of it.
Scheduling does sound like it's a problem though. Not quite sure from your post if you really enjoy all this company, spaced so close together, or not. I'm leaning towards not. If not...maybe you need to take your vacations in July or August to visit *them*.
When we have family/friends that wish to visit, my husband and I have agreed to only have one set of visitors per month. After all, we moved here for the peace, quite and slowed down life style. If someone else calls/writes that they'd like to come, we apologize and say we already have someone visiting that month....but how about coming to visit on ...
I totally agree with tokay99, we have never stayed with anyone where we have not pulled our weight with the groceries, making of meals, cleaning up, etc. OR leaving a nice 'thank you' gift behind when we leave. Most would understand the expense and work involved in preparing for visitors.
Hope you find a solution that feels comfortable to you and yours so you will enjoy looking forward to July and August yourself.
posted on August 8, 2000 11:15:24 AM
Fred - Always good to 'see' you too.
Keeping this thread on track (sorry KatyD), I'd say those are two 'guests' I wouldn't mind having here for a visit, anytime.
I'm so very excited. We're leaving tomorrow for the Hawaiian wedding ceremony. I'm all ready to go today....NOW....can hardly stand the wait. This is going to be one reception where I'll be dancing the night away, for sure. We couldn't be more proud than we are. Since his transfer to Hawaii, he's been promoted to Press Chief for the Hawaii Marine, a weekly Marine newspaper. (Big, bragging grin) Take care....
posted on August 8, 2000 11:30:26 AM
tegan,
I will happily help with the pool lighting and the shed construction, but I don't garden. Don't like digging in the dirt unless I'm sinking or burying something. You never know what you'll find, and it's never better for having been underground. There are some superb green thumbs here at AW who'd be ideal houseguests for your gardening endeavors. We'll get the shed built first so they'll have a nice place to put the rototiller, and get the pool lit so they can take an evening dip after working on your grounds all day.
LindaK, have a wonderful time. Sounds like you'll be dancing for all of us!
posted on August 8, 2000 11:48:17 AM
Pareau and Stockticker - Thank you both so very much. I can hardly contain myself. hehe
Keep singing the song where part of it goes....'Oh, how we danced on the night we were wed'. Brings back memories of our wedding, and now it's our sons. God, these 32 years have flown by so quickly.
Thanks again for sharing in my extreme joy and happiness.
We just said goodbye to hubby's family, when my nephew arrived (well, ex-nephew from ex-husband's side). He leaves on Wednesday, and Friday, we get the ex's dog for the weekend. Seems the hotel they're staying at doesn't take dogs. Oh well, I won't have to change the guest room sheets for the dog. 
Ah the joy of living in a "resort town".
