Being a Shabbos Guest

We went to our hostess that was listed in the booklet. Wasn't that smart of them? To mail the booklets of where everyone is staying prior to arriving on Friday, so we can know in advance who and what and where we should go? So we don't have to bother the Bar Mitzvah boys mommy? I thought that was smart. So I double checked the address, and off we went. So close to the shul. We started unloading the car and the older kids went to ring the doorbell. Finally someone answers while I am taking some luggage out of the car. I see my husband is talking to the hostess' and can't really hear what is going on, but I do see that he is NOT going inside with the kids or the luggage. After about five minutes of trying to figure out why no one is moving I hear her say, "Oh, let me call the one who arranged it all and find out where you are staying.." OOPS, words you do NOT want to hear. She first tried to send us next door, but there already was a family trooping inside their house. What was the story? It seems that we were supposed to stay by her, that is why she was down as our hostess, but last minute, things changed and we were not supposed to stay there anymore! BUT no one bothered to tell us the last minute change! So we look stupid while her husband calls to find us a home.

So after a while of standing outside and feeling homeless and starting to regret the trip, she gives us a name and address around the corner, to the correct hostess' and wishes us a good shabbos. Of course we want you to stay, but they have the rooms set up for you and if we take away their guests again, they wont talk to us... So off we went, packing up the car again, and explaining to the kids that we made the mistake and this is NOT where we are staying even though they wanted to stay. Off we went around the corner.

Great accommodations. Except for some odd reason, the central a/c that works so nicely in the ENTIRE house did NOT work in our room. What do you do? The hostess asked me how the room was...And I said it was fine...And then she said, "oh, I forgot to tell my kids to have rachmunus...They like the a/c on so high they can freeze you out". With that comment I said, it was not so cold. But what could I do? What do I do? Do I tell her, lady you have a great house. The room looks great, the beds were great..But your a/c did NOT work down there in that one room? OR do I let the next guest be the one to tell her. But then again, most guests wont complain to someone who so nice to let them sleep there...So I guess...I will just request NOT to stay there again in the summer :-)

I have learnt a lot over this weekend. If I have people show up at my door by mistake, I will invite them into my house and offer them a place to sit while we figure out the mix up. I also learnt...ALWAYS test your guest room out before having guests. Sleep in the room for one night so you can see what is wrong, because no one is going to tell you!!

I read the most amazing book the other day, Nothing But the Truth, by Leah Friedman. I am including a synopsis of the book taken from Feldheims web page. I tell you, go get it and read it. It is based on a true story, and I would love to meet “Amy” and talk to her.

Nothing But The Truth Friedman, Leah
A riveting novel of faith, struggle, and hope. Amy has it all--the "Jewish American Dream." But it is not enough for her probing mind and thirsting soul. Amy wants authentic Judaism: a Torah life, a life of truth. When Amy's search leads her to that path of truth, however, she must draw on all the strength of her newfound faith to confront and overcome the hurdles it holds for her. Based on a true story, this stark and intriguing novel will hold your attention from the first page to the last. 230 pp. (www.Feldheim.com)

This story is about a girl who grew up in a Reform Jewish household. As a present, her director from her job as a youth leader presented her with a ticket to Israel. So she goes. She does not embrace Orthodoxy like all the other books we read. The spark inside her is ignited and she wants to find out more. After being sent to an irreligious kibbutz, she hears a fascinating story and decides she must keep Shabbos to the fullest. Not kosher, not anything else. She starts off with just Shabbos and it grows. She takes things slowly, which is unusual for a regular BT who tries to become Frum with adopting all religious laws, and that can get overwhelming. As the story progresses, with her fiancé Daniel, an Orthodox boy, one doesn’t comprehend what she is going through.

She tries to convince her brother not to marry his Christian sweetheart, but to no avail. She even writes to 3 Rabbis trying to get help on this matter, but only the Orthodox Rabbi gives her some ideas of what can be done. The other Rabbi’s don’t offer a solution to her liking. But to no avail, he goes on marrying this girl, and she has to attend the ceremony. Only later on can we see Hashems hand in all this.

I recommend you to read this book, as you wont be able to put it down. The ending is well, uncommon for these books. It is not such a happy ending, meaning they don’t all live happily ever after together…yadda yadda yadda. But it brings home the point! It shows how much betachon and emunah one has and trust in Hashems Laws!

Would a simple FFB be able to handle such things and happily accept it? Would we look at it and say, “all was tried there really is nothing one can do…and accept it”? I hope so. Such amazing strength she portrayed and still keeping to the faith. What can I say? I am impressed.

SUMMER
So this summer turns out to be a non-drought summer unlike last year. Last year they told us NOT to water our lawns, this year we don't need to water them, because nature is taking care of it for us. I guess I cannot complain. Rain is always a blessing...though for those who don't plant, and remember the plants, and veggies, look at rain as a yucky day...a day where plans need to be altered and figure out indoor activiites. Or, just go about your day and get wet.

We forget that rain is good and the grass and trees need water in order to grow. Grass, is the green stuff that grows from the ground, for all you New Yorkers who don't have grass. And trees, those are the big brown things with green leaves on top..that shade you off. They have them Ocean Parkway...but none in BoroPark. (okay, okay, enough knocking NY'ers)

Last week my husband met this kid with a lawn mower. He was about 11. He offered to mow our lawn for a small fee. I was NOT impressed. It didn't look like he did anything...and the grass is about an inch shorter, and still needs a haircut. Now I have to go find someone real and do a good job. I guess it was better than nothing, and avoided getting a summons for not mowing the lawn ... yes, they do that here sometimes. So, now I have to ask my neighbors...and make sure the company I call actually speak ENGLISH! Man, how do you deal with it? Calling up companies and they barely speak English...Like I did today. Oh, my mistake I called the US Post Office!

The weather here is unbeleivable. It has been soo hot and muggy or rainy. Not that the rain cooled it off at all. And we had soo much rain! All the days it said NY might get rain, we already had the rain and it just continued and continued.

Yesterday, I went to Flatbush for the day. What an experience. We went out to eat, a few friends..for a friends birthday (Happy birthday Tova). We went to Cafe K, because someone suggested it. Let me explain. We sat outdoors under the awning. It was hot but shaded. Then the waitress came and started rattling off the specials and the menue. I tuned her out. Until I realized that was a bad mistake. There are NO menues! You have to pay attention or just know what they have and order it, hoping the price wont be a shock to you (it was). So we ordered our food and then we got the bill. Who ever heard in this day and age a restaruant NOT accepting credit cards?? Well, we were in for a big surprise, as most of us use credit cards and have NO cash on us. So the birthday girl layed out money for someone. what a surprise and nice treat for her :-)

Enough bashing...I just wanted to vent about nothing and gotta run now...