Counting the Days
A formula for happiness. I’ve never felt so welcome.


Hi Jamin Me Boy,
I just wanted to let you know how many days we’re offering to ‘put you up’ when you visit, and the boundaries.
The total number of days we are willing to put you up is: TWELVE / 12 / a dozen
You can spend those 12 days in one dose or in segments, whatever best works for you. However, YOU CANNOT EXCEED 12 DAYS. So factor in Christmas when budgeting out how you are going to use the 12 days.
There is only ONE situation in which we will exceed the 12 days. The situation is: If you use up all your 12 days by Dec. 21 (ie. leaving no days for Christmas visiting). In that situation, just for the sake of Christmas, we will use the following “Pre-Dec. 21 Formula”:
PRE-DEC. 21 FORMULA:
IF THE 12 DAYS ARE ALL USED UP BY DEC. 21 THEN A MAXIMUM OF 3 ADDITIONAL ‘BONUS’ DAYS ARE ALLOTTED, THESE 3 DAYS ARE TO BE USED WITHIN THE TIME FRAME OF DEC. 23 – 27, EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF CHRISTMAS.
Purpose of the Pre-Dec. 21 Formula: To ensure we spend Christmas together.
MANDATORY: The Pre-Dec. 21 formula will ONLY be applied if you have used up your 12 days PRIOR to Dec. 21.
If you do not use up all of your 12 days prior to Dec. 21 then the formula will not be applicable. ie. The days you spend with us for Christmas WILL BE PART OF THE 12 days. ie. budget your 12 days to include a Christmas visit.
According to the Pre-Dec. 21 formula, YOU WILL NOT BE STAYING WITH US FOR 15 DAYS IN A ROW (in any event).
Suggestion:
If you are staying in Ontario for over a month you will want to budget your 12 days with us wisely, ie. you might want to space out the 12 days in case you need a roof over your head in the latter stage of your visit. We won’t be extending our 12 day limit so once the 12 days are used up, that’s it. We’re not flexible.
YOU ALONE:
Also, this year we won’t be putting up any of your friends over Christmas season/holidays. Christmas this year at our house will JUST BE IMMEDIATE FAMILY ( Brooke is obviously considered immediate family). When you visit us it’s YOU we are putting up, not your travelling companions or your buddies.
FIRM:
I’m sounding so rigid because I want to be sure everyone is CLEAR on the boundaries. My objective is to have a successful, smooth-sailing visit. I don’t want to re-negotiate the 12 day limit or the specifics of the pre-Dec. 21 formula when you’re here (ie. I want no strain and friction). We need to stick to the boundaries and formula, so please don’t ask for any ‘exceptions’ when you are here. I absolutely WON’T deviate from the formula and boundaries outlined here.
If you are not entirely clear on any of the above information ( 12 days in total, Pre-Dec. 21 formula if applicable), and ‘immediate family only’ accomodations…then let me know. I want to be sure we’re all on the same page.
SELF-MANAGE RE: HOURS:
Also, while we’re on the subject of boundaries, we will have to request that when you stay with us you keep fairly normal hours that fit into our lifestyle.
In otherwords, going to bed by 1:00 a.m. and getting up by 11:00 a.m. (rather than staying up most of the night and not getting up until the afternoon). We don’t want to nag you to go to bed by 1:00 a.m. or hound you to get up in the morning…so please self-manage your time lines while you’re here.ANTICIPATION:
If you adhere to the above formula’s/boundaries all will go very well, I’m sure!
Okay, that’s the end of my ‘business’. Boundary fixations aside, I’m looking forward to our visit!
Hope to hear from you shortly…and to get an update on your life!
Love,
Mom
Submitted by: Anon
Update on my life? I’m spending Christmas with the other side of the family.










