Crying

So

I can't stand it when people cry(even on TV)

I have to cry with them

which completely ruins my tough bitch image

damn

Comments on the rules

Well -- THAT was interesting.

The FB comments were fun -- except for the ass-clown who implied that he would like to get her on the web cam -- yeah -- it was a joke -- but it crossed a line -- afterall -- Miss M is a FB friend!!!!

Several people felt that there were 'too many rules' -- which felt weird to me at first....but then I thought....How doesn't your 15 yr old know that you have to put the shower curtain in the tub? -- You yelled at him for it when he was 9!

I'm going to stick to the longer list -- amend it with Sam's suggetions (Thank you Sam) that I make clear that curfew exceptions are requested and approved IN ADVANCE.
Sam also thought that the Internet restriction was too restrictive -- so I will reconsider.

Miss M prep is soldiering on-- I no longer feel ovewhelmed -- just tired --

I wish I had a Fairy Godmother.

Draft of the Rules

The exchange student guidebook encourages you to write out all the rule to make them easy for your student --otherwise all he students hear from you in the first week is "No, no, no"

Here's my draft (and including some examples from the guidebook)

Household rules:

1. Learn your new address and phone number right away -- keep a copy of it in your wallet.
2. I am your parent while you are here -- we're a family.
3. Everyone has chores to be done every day
4. We should always be polite and say "Please", "Thank you", "I'm sorry"
5. If you ever have a concern or worry -- if you're feeling sad or lonely -- please come talk to me - that's what families do.
6. Do not use appliances until you have been shown how to use them
7. Do not leave the stove or oven on after use. Do not leave the on when you are not home
8. Do not adjust the heat or air conditioner more than 3 degrees up or down.
9. If something breaks or doesn't work. Come tell me. I won't be mad

Daily Rules
1. Keep your room neat each day. Make your bed each day.
2. Make sure that your bathroom stays tidy
3. Do not leave food or dishes in your room. Put dishes in the dishwasher.
4. Clean up after yourself if you make food or work on a project
5. Turn out the lights when you leave a room
6. Do not burn candles if you are not in the room or if you are sleeping
7. Help with the laundry each week
8. Empty the dishwasher each day when you get home from school
9. Take the trash out on trash days (Monday and Thursday)
10. Help clean up after meals
11. Keep a list of things you need on the refrigerator
12. Mark important dates on the family calendar

Internet Use
1. Limit your use of the Internet to one hour a day unless schoolwork requires that you do more.
2. Do not give out personal information on the Internet - including your address. People are not always who they claim to be online
3. Do not use your web camera to talk to anyone other than your family at home unless approved by your host-mom
4. Do not access the family computer without permission. If using the family computer do not download files.

Financial/Money
1. Keep track of your own money. Let me know if you need help creating a budget. I will help you. You should contact your family back home if you need more money.
2. Let me know in advance (when possible) that you need something and I will take you to the store.
3. You are responsible for getting rides to extracurricular activities -- but if you cannot, I will try to take you there.
4. You are responsible for your school expenses, lunches bought at school, entertainment expenses and phone calls.

Making Plans
1. Your curfew on weeknights is 9pm. On non-school nights it is 11pm. If you are not going to be on time or if you need to request an exception to the curfew you must let me know.
2. School work must take a priority over your social life. You must finish your homework before going out with friends.
3. Always let me know where you are going, how you are getting there, who you are with and when you will be home. I always want you to be safe.
4. If you stay up late, please keep the TV/music volume down or use headphones.

SAFETY
1. Always keep the doors and windows locked when you are home. If I am not home, do not lock the deadbolt.
2. Do not accept rides or go places with strangers
3. Do not open the door to strangers. Use the peep hole and ask "who is it" before opening the door.
4. Do not ride in a car with someone who is unsafe or has been drinking alcohol. You can ALWAYS call me for a ride - anytime.
5. You can call me anytime -- 24 hours a day

Dating
1. No boys are allowed in the house or in your room without permission.
2 No more than one date per week
3. You may not date boys who do not go to your school or who are over 18.
4. I will want to meet any boy you go on a date with

Communication

1. Get a phone as soon as possible after you get here. You are responsible to pay for your own phone.
2. Call/Email or text me when you get home from school
3. Contact me if your plan change when you are out with friends
4. Do not make long distance calls from the home phone
5. Follow the CHI guideline for communicating with your family at home

Pool
1. Tell me when you are going to the pool and contact me when you come back
2. Rinse out wet bathing suits and hang in your shower to dry.
3. Use a pool towel instead of a bath towel at the pool

School
1. Take the bus to and from school each day. Call me if you miss your bus
2. Set aside time for homework each day. Ideally homework should be done before dinner
3. I am always happy to review your homework with you

General House Rules
1 Keep the plastic shower curtain inside the tub to keep the floor dry.
2. Hang your towels up after use. Towels are usually washed once a week, but if they need it we will wash them more.
3. If you have foods you like (or dislike) please say so -- we can buy different foods that we both like
4. Rinse and put your dishes in the dishwasher
5. Sharp knives and pots and pans are washed by hand
6. Do not stick your hand in the garbage disposal. Do not put meat, bones or celery in the garbage disposal. Be careful not to drop silverware or knives in the garbage disposal. Run water and keep your hands away when the garbage disposal is running

Ok -- what am I forgetting????

To Do List

Ok -- my to do list for getting ready for my vistor

in no particular order

1. Get a key made
2. Update insurance (done!)
3. clean out guest closet and find a new home for sample sale stuff
4. Get rid of sample sale stuff I'll never use (any takers?)
5. Buy another set of sheets
6. Get a desk
7. Buy a bookcase and assemble bookcase
8. Hang pictures in Miss M's room
9. Clean out pantry
10. Renew lease
11. Set up auto-payment for rent
12. Meet with Maid service
13. Set up carpet cleaning appointment
14. Sweep patio
15. Move carpet from guest room to dining room
16. Find bean bag or casual chair for guest room (optional)
17. Type house rules
18. Attend orientation
19. Contact school counselor
20. Enroll Miss M in school
21. Find local doctor
22. Make girl doctor appointment
23. Set up mail order RX
24. clean house
25. Send Miss M photo of her room
26. Sleep

ok -- so I had hoped that this would make me feel more in control

nope

T minus 23

So the divine Miss M will be here in 23 days --

and I realize how much junk I've gathered in the last year

time to clean out!

Anyone want a huge stash of scrapbooking crap I'm never going to use???