Home again, home again

Minus the jiggety jig, our house guests of the past 26 days have now gone home again. And with that, we have our home back too! :)

Daughter Carrie and her family - plus the cat - moved in with us on Saturday, October 20th, for what everyone thought was going to be a brief stay. They had an electrical fire on the outside of their home, and it turned into much more than any of us expected. Finally, after Drew had to deal with insurance, inspectors, electricians, the electric company, the city and their neighborhood association... the condemned sign was removed from their front door yesterday afternoon and all is right with the world.

Fortunately we have plenty of space, and were even able to keep the cats separate the entire time, so that was never a problem. It was more just everyone being thrown off their normal routines. I think the three kids (7, 6 and 4) were starting to feel a little cramped all in the same bed. Work schedules were also a factor. I always felt bad when I got up at 3:55 am and tried to get ready for work without waking up the other 6 people still sleeping. Then there were just the mere logistics of food, clothes, dishes, parking spots, who controlled the TV remote and things like that.

Not that there weren't a few moments we didn't turn into GRUMPY grandma and grandpa... Especially me. I think my blood pressure was elevated most of the month... but we all survived and no one really got hurt (all that much). I do not know how families live together all the time though. I suppose it's a matter of setting boundaries.

Anyway, now the Feipels have a much safer house with brighter lights and everyone is back in their own bed. We no longer have to worry about little munchkins jumping over the couch or playing on the stairway, or Caleb turning off the furnace. The only one still struggling is our cat. After spending almost a month in the basement, she still hasn't ventured upstairs. I'm sure it's only a matter of time.

Jiggety. Jig.