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Hide and seek
Quick run-down of the rules of hide and seek:
1. A ’seeker’ is chosen through an agreed-upon method (e.g., ‘not it!’).
2. The seeker goes to a designated spot, hides his or her eyes, and counts to some number. This must be a set number for an adult seeker, but can be totally random for a small child. No peeking is allowed from the seeker during the count!
3. The ‘hiders’ hide during the counting process, picking places the seeker is not likely to find them.
4. Finishing the count, the seeker tries to find the hiders.
There’s some other stuff about a ‘home base’, where a hider can make it back to without getting caught and not be ‘it’ for the next round, and probably hiding strategies for moving between places to avoid capture, but that’s all pretty advanced. Our version played here is much more focused on the hiding and finding process.
And peeking. Lots of peeking.
We played hide and seek as a family last night before the kids went to bed. ‘Not it’ wasn’t a well-understood choosing strategy, so Julia and I took turns picking who would be the seeker. Panda’s favorite hiding strategy was to pick a place, hide there, and then start announcing where she was, alternatively laughing and giving clues. Having no pride whatsoever, I hid in IB’s crib once, and I blatantly cheated by peeking at where Julia was hiding, which she found so funny she almost fell down laughing. It was a new low for me, but hey, I’m a cheater. It’s the truth about me.
My Dad called last week. He and my Mom are concerned about us, and he offered to help with our finances if we need it. I was floored. He and my Mom are enjoying their well-earned retirement, and I had a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that he would be willing to help us at this point in our lives. I immediately swallowed my pride, and told him we would all be on the next flight with our stuff to move into their condo. He laughed (I think), and told me that it was financial help he had in mind, and something else about no way in Hell we were coming to live with them (my cell phone cut out during the last part, so I can’t quote directly).
My parents don’t read my blog that I know of, so I’m going to copy and paste this next part into an email to them. Here’s our current status:
1. I’m still sober. Although some parts of my life seem like they’ve been kicked in the head, my sobriety has not been one of them.
2. I’m receiving unemployment while I actively look for a job. Leads have picked up in the last two weeks or so, but I haven’t found a position that matches my skills yet.
3. We’re OK financially. We have some money in the bank — combined with unemployment payments and careful budgeting, we’ll be solvent for the next five or six months or so. Mom, I know I’ve joked about it, but this does not involve selling any of my organs on the black market.
4. I’ve gone back to school at the University of Phoenix. I’m currently at 97.5% for my first class.
5. Julia and I are making a go of our clothing business, and plan to attend our first flea market in two weeks.
Thanks, Dad, for your incredible offer to help us. I know it’s directly contrary to your philosophy of people standing on their own two feet. In fact, that’s how you raised me, to stand on my own feet and take responsiblity for myself and my family financially. We’re holding out for now, and I’m determined to restore my income, either by finding a job or through our business.
Posted: February 23rd, 2009 under family, finance.
Tags: family, games, hide and seek
Comments
Comment from Sprite’s Keeper
Time February 23, 2009 at 8:37 am
Sprite still doesn’t get hide and seek. It’s actually funny the way she does it. Thanks for the update. I’ve been thinking about you!
Comment from BedsideTalesMan
Time February 23, 2009 at 8:50 am
Glad to hear that things are going well….well except for the hide and seek business.
This finding a job thing is killing me. I need to come up with an alternate strategy.
Good luck at the flea market.
Comment from Captain Dumbass
Time February 23, 2009 at 9:00 am
The squealing part of hide and seek is definitely the most fun. I find that my boys are like T. Rex’s. As long as I don’t move I could be standing right in front of them and they won’t see me.
Comment from Michele
Time February 23, 2009 at 9:01 am
Congrats on going back to school and doing so well at it.
Cheating with little kids, tisk, tisk. (shakes finger like a librarian)
Comment from Georgette
Time February 23, 2009 at 9:23 am
Id like to play hide and seek with everyone and hide until I am a millionaire with a chain of awesome cajun restaraunts.
Comment from vodkamom
Time February 23, 2009 at 9:41 am
Except for the hide and seek debacle, I certainly admire you. Even more now.
Comment from Lisa
Time February 23, 2009 at 10:04 am
I recently got into some trouble myself, or my husband and I did, because of paying some bills off that we should have waited on and some minor over spending (we didn’t go out and buy cars or anything). We have a horrible time at doing math, it seems, so there we were..both working full-time and flat out broke. My parents offered us money and we begrudgingly took it, only because they also offered my brother some money too and promptly invested it in an IRA and an education fund for our kid. And we bought some food. 
But really, there is something that totally sucks about the fact I am supposed to be an adult and there are my parents helping me out. I’m glad you are doing well enough, though, that you didn’t need the financial help. It’s obvious your parents love you, though, and probably were worried of offending you by even asking. And if your dad is offering, I’ll come visit him in the condo.
Comment from WickedStepMom
Time February 23, 2009 at 10:14 am
Hiding in a crib is hilarious! I hope you find a job that fits your skills soon!
Comment from Sarah
Time February 23, 2009 at 10:23 am
I love the hide and seek game. My kids do that too. Me: OK ready or not here I come!!Kid: I’m in my room Mom!!! LOL
Comment from Casey
Time February 23, 2009 at 11:21 am
I’m glad to hear you guys are doing ok. What a great offer from your parents, it’s so nice to have family there for you when you need it.
Comment from Smart Mouth Broad
Time February 23, 2009 at 11:43 am
Are there any pics of you in the crib because this, I’ve got to see. Seriously this post made me a little teary eyed. You’re THE MAN!
Comment from Robin
Time February 23, 2009 at 1:12 pm
I totally want to play hide and seek now!
Glad to hear you are keeping your chin up. You sound great! Stay strong.
Comment from Twenty Four At Heart
Time February 23, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I’m glad your family is being so supportive. Sometimes it’s just so nice to know they’re THERE for us, isn’t it?
Comment from Jamie
Time February 23, 2009 at 3:38 pm
First of all - the shame… You Hide N Seek cheater.
Second - props to dad for offering the help. It’s what parents do, right? I recently had to borrow money from my dad for the first time in my entire life. I feel blessed and lucky he was there for me and grateful he didn’t make me feel like a failure.
Good Luck on the business - What is website??
Comment from Midlife Slices
Time February 23, 2009 at 5:02 pm
When you get your sign made and stand on the corner handing out resumes’, PLEASE follow up with any weirdos that start sending you text messages and offering to submit your resume for a job. o.k.?
Seriously, I already admired you big time, but now ……like SMB said….you are THE MAN!! Hang in there, my friend.
Comment from morethananelectrician
Time February 23, 2009 at 7:03 pm
I hear that testicles are fetching a decent price in the black market…
Really. Glad to hear that you have been able to keep your focus and were responsible to set yourself up for this possibility BEFORE it happened. You are a wonderful example of being prepared for a tough set of circumstances.
Comment from Momma Trish
Time February 23, 2009 at 9:04 pm
I think parental instinct kicks in, and we try to help our kids as best we can in tough times. Glad to hear things are going reasonably well for you, all things considered. And congrats on the high grades at school! Also glad to hear you’re still sober … you sure can’t afford to lose that.
Man, I wish I could see pictures of you gamely trying to hide in a crib. LOL!!
Comment from Middle-Aged-Woman
Time February 24, 2009 at 4:15 am
That is a list that anyone would be proud to share with their parents! You are my hero.
Comment from Sammanthia
Time February 24, 2009 at 7:48 am
Sometimes when I play hide-and-seek with Rye I tell him to hide and I count really slow while I fold laundry. I call it “multi-tasking”.
Comment from Mama Dawg
Time February 24, 2009 at 8:09 am
Your dad is awesome. He taught you well but wasn’t hesitant to help you if you needed it.
Comment from Julia
Time February 24, 2009 at 8:23 am
For everyone wondering about him in the crib.
It is an Ikea crib, which means, not that sturdy, he was lying in the in the fetal position, blanket over him. I thought as soon as he gets up this whole thing would just break down and we would have to figure out where Ianna is going to sleep from now on, But HE is/ was lucky!
Comment from nonna
Time February 24, 2009 at 12:06 pm
i was wondering about the crib thing. i was thinking what kind of crib do they have that holds a full grown man?? lol i think if i had tried that it would’ve totally collapsed on me!
Comment from Plunger Girl
Time February 26, 2009 at 3:22 am
You rock.
Sending positive fluffy thoughts and wishes of getting the most rocking job ever your way.
Comment from Stepping Thru
Time February 26, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Picturing you in the crib made me laugh! You really are a big baby.
I am relieved to hear you are doing okay. I have been concerned. Your parents sound like loving people. I know I would want to help my kids if they were struggling. Something will come along soon, keep your chin up. (and stay out of the crib)
Comment from sherendipity
Time February 28, 2009 at 7:29 am
Glad to hear that you’re doing okay.
Thinking of you.
Comment from thistle
Time March 3, 2009 at 10:06 pm
so, i’m thinking you may need to let me know which flea markets you plan to attend as i’ve been known to hang about looking for a flea or two…
Comment from Julia
Time February 23, 2009 at 8:29 am
I never thought you would cheat at that game! I mean the house is not that big, and still you are peeking, but ha I made you look for me. Haha!