Boundaries, or lack thereof

So Austin got back into town from Hawaii late Sunday night while I was at work. Three weeks he was gone. And I don't recall having posted since my brother has been home (mainly because he distracts me and he's been downstairs with me almost every day since he came into town) but any way, my brother is home for a bit from working over the road. Now, I love my brother very much, and for those of you who don't know him, he's a lot. Don't get me wrong he's my "built in" best friend but lord is he a handful. (On a side note while Austin was gone he was sitting downstairs with me and he started making beanies with this beanie/scarf/sock making machine; they're pretty cool tbh)

(the beanie is super cute and has a detachable pom on top)

I don't know if I mentioned in detail very much in one of my previous posts but Austin and I live with my dad, my grandma (Nanny), and occasionally Johnathon (my brother) when he comes into town. So that's five adults in one house. Austin and I have our own space (like a mini apartment) in the house but it's still accessible from the main floor. For the most part and for most of the time we (as a couple) are in our own domain and have our privacy. (I think I beat around that bush enough)

I say all that to say this. Sometimes John's boundaries are *nonexistent*, for lack of a better word. Granted he's been gone from his family in Georgia for almost 20 years and is (what I'd assume) making up for lost time away from everyone. Which is fine. I love spending time with him but I will say I'm also very ok being by myself. In fact I tend to enjoy it quite a bit but the hardest thing for me to do is to set boundaries. And not just with my brother but with everyone and I have no idea why. Monday rolls around and I'm home, Austin isn't back to work yet and I'm wanting alone time (iykwim), but my brother being himself says something along the lines of coming downstairs and spending some time with us (I am not a shy person by any means but like I said boundaries are apparently an issue for me).

So as uncomfortable as it made me I told him that it's probably best he not come downstairs that I'm putting a proverbial "sock on the door" (if you don't know what that means just google it). Needless to say he got the hint. So Tuesday night gets here and John calls me, in the middle of some NSFW stuff going on asking for me to look for his wallet (bro...), so Austin goes upstairs and finds it. Well, John is on his was back home anyway so I text him "🧦 on 🚪". And this guy...He text's me back and says "what does this mean?

Ma'am?!? Whatchu mean, "what does this mean". Lord don't make me spell it out for you! It took him a bit but he got it eventually (apparently Android sock emoji's and Apple sock emojis look quite different. Also he had to screen shot and zoom in to even see that it was socks lol) Hilarious, I know...

(John's Andrioid)

(My iPhone)

This next "story" isn't the same situation but the same boundaries concept. John and his wife and kids were down here, at one point, a few years back. I was working full time at a local restaurant and so I made money via tips. Since the money I made was cash I would keep it in a safe at my house (it kept me from spending a lot like I would have if the money had went into my checking account). So John knew I had cash in my safe (before anyone thinks anything bad he did NOT steal anything, that's not where this is going).

**side note: John has ALWAYS been a good big brother, but he is a big brother and I'm pretty sure there is a big brother club that says the requirement for being in the club is to annoy the fuck out of your younger sibling(s). Find what aggravates them and keep on until their about to loose it and then push that button a little past the breaking point. He did that growing up and apparently still does sometimes...If there's not a literal UFC style fight in the living room your big brother club card is revoked.**

So OF COURSE John knows how to push my buttons and irritate the fuck out of me (I'm sure I was an equally annoying little sister too). And what does he do? He goes and gets my safe and tells me he has it. (I'm weird about my money. don't touch it, don't look at it, don't breathe on it. Just. Don't.) So I'm chasing his ass around the house. I'm irate at this point. Then, the cherry on top, he finds a way IN MY SAFE. He takes out ALL OF MY MONEY, proceeds to TAKE PICTURES WITH IT (he still as the picture somewhere), and SENDS THE PICTURE TO ME. Just to piss me off.

Y'all. I was not ok that day. There's an 8 year difference between us, so growing up I couldn't really do anything but tell on him but now I'm big enough to lay his ass out if I wanted to and my god did I want to (I have a hell of a temper. I guess it's just my Taurus nature [Ferdinand who??]).

I don't recall how the situation resolved. I don't know if I eventually caught him or if he gave up but I'm pretty sure it ended with me punching him pretty hard on the arm and a stern "fuck you, don't touch my money" and eventually, a hug. Johnathon if you read this, I love you even though you irritate me sometimes. P.S. I need space. (not outer space but more than a space bar).

Morals of the story:

• Boundaries are important. Set them and keep them.

• The "sock on the door" still works even if it's by way of text

• The beanie/scarf/sock making machines actually work and are pretty cool

• Keep your money in the bank and if it is in a safe, tell no one where it is.

• Five adults in one house is A LOT but houses on the market right now are A LOT MORE.

• Apple is better than Android. Period. (iswis)

• Initialism is a thing and I won't apologize for using it

Thanks for reading. Follow along and grow with me...

-CJ