I think my mother and I talk every day, or nearly so. It's a mutually willing thing though, which is different.

actually I think Robin has a good idea - ending the conversation with I'll talk to you again X. This way he knows you going to talk to him. and when you don't answer the phone - you have that ablity to say you that you told him you would talk to him on x.

MY mom had to do the same thing to my Dad as Sailaweight did. My mom started working full time - sometiems dad would get home before her. My mom announced that she ould not be cooking everynight. When Dad asked what's for dinner - her response was - whatever you are cooking. It took awahile, but it worked. It also made the transistion when Dad retired easier. Mom said " if you are retireing - so am I . It is no longer my resonsibility to make sure the house is clean " . Dad always did a bunch around the house anyway, but now things are split up a bunch more.

Now, if only I could figure out my boundry issues. We were very socila this weekend. This means I haven't started HP6 yet. and I am really tired. Ever since we found this neighborhood we always have something to do... Which sounds good 'til you realizes I need some time that is on Beth Schedual. Starting on the 25th I'll be working evenings at the library. Most of a day on my time . yay!

UGH. I hate this day so fucking much and want to go home and cry.

I am so fucking stupid that it took me about 8 tried to spell "stupid" correctly. Or that could be the rage. And my falafel SUCKS.

{{Nora}} I'm sorry.

Suddenly feeling slightly better about Claude Rains-type dad, just a little though, cause if I want anything I have to get it *anywhere* else, but that's weird, Tep. Of course, I can't really advise because my relationship with my mother is pretty complicated and has a lot of shifting boundaries. Maybe you could tell him if he backed off a little, you'd have a chance, to, you know, miss him and have stuff to say. (blush) I know I've done that to people, not second spouse, but pushed a bit too hard, out of loneliness or having a personal problem that I needed to mindfuck to death...uh, talk through. Or sometimes, though not the case with Tep and her dad, I thought we were closer than we were, you know? I'm sorry.

{{{Nora}}}

erika, surgery-ma for your mom.

Teppy, I agree that it sounds like your dad is lonely, which makes things harder. Could you warn him ahead of time, by saying something like "I'm going to be really busy for the next few days, so I won't have time to talk again until Thursday," and then just don't answer the phone form him until Thursday?

I don't really have anything useful to suggest because, while my mom has boundary issues, she doesn't expect to talk to me more than once a weekish, which is fine with me.

{{{Nora}}}

{{{Teppy}}}

*tumbleweed moseys through thread*

Holy cow! Were we down, or has it just been this quiet?

{{{{Nora}}}} I just RSVPd to your party :)

Steph, boundary stuff is really hard. I'm dealing with some of that myself right now, and not doing very well most of the time. I don't have much more advice than what others have offered, but I offer you my ears and much support.

I have been a busy beaver today. Toto has been groomed (and he looks SO handsome for his party!). I've done laundry. Plus, I've run all of the necessary errands. I even found adorable, perfect plates for Toto's party - they have a dog in a party hat on them. They even had a matching table cloth, which I had to buy. So fun! Now I need to do more cleaning. Not so fun.

I think it's just been quiet.

I, for once, have had work to do. Tedious and boring work, but it keeps me off the internets.