Long, rambling, semi-frugal-related update on my life

Ayla and her son have been living with us for a few months, her husband officially moved in with us this week. So a lot of my activity lately has been geared toward making room for all these extra people. Last night I came up with a plan, I moved my sewing machine table into my bedroom, leaving my large entryway a lot less crowded. This will now become the play area, which will hopefully get the toys out of the living room. The 2 areas are open to each other so it's not like he's banished to another room to play, he'll still be in sight. But I'm hoping this will give his toys a "home", especially the big ones like the ride-on rocket and the push-around lawn mower. And the trucks. This child has an entire toy emergency response team, and plays with them constantly. But I do get tired of kicking them out of my way.

We also rearranged the bedroom they're staying in, trying to figure out how to fit it all in and still have room for the new baby when he/she is born. I don't know how the hubbies (mine and Ayla's) are going to get along, they have a history of animosity. But they've both promised to try and do their best, and lately they've discovered they have common interests so I have high hopes.

The original plan was, I'd save most of the rent they pay and then give it back to them after the baby is born for a nest egg to move out on their own again. But times are hard and none of us are making huge salaries, so we've been discussing the possiblity of making this long-term. It's definitely the frugal answer but it's also a minefield of potential problems, which is why we're making no decisions yet. If we can all get along during these months before the baby arrives, we're thinking maybe take that saved rent money and build a shop in the back yard so hubby can move his business office out there, then there will be a bedroom for the children. I've been suggesting this for years, why pay rent for offices? When we know he'll always own a business, and always have a need for his own space, it just makes sense to not pay someone else for that space. He realized I was right when he gave up his office a few years ago and set up shop out of the house. He'd have gone out of business otherwise. But now we sort of need that extra bedroom.

I have to say, I LOVE having my grandson living with me. I'm sure I'll enjoy the new baby just as much. I also know it's been very convenient for them to have me there helping with him, and it was my suggestion that they stay til after the baby is born so I can help then as well, she's having another c-section per DR's orders. Newborn, toddler, c-section, she'll need some help that first month or 2. It's easier for me to help when they're in my house, it was hard living across town from them when the grandson was born and spending all my time there. So there's a selfish aspect to this, as well as a practical one. It's best for me.

The few people I've mentioned this to think we're crazy. Why would anybody want 3 generations of a family all living together in one house? Well, for one thing, so we can share expenses. For another, so we can help each other. Isn't this the way it's always been? It was common in generations past to live like this, or so I thought. Or maybe we are crazy. I guess we'll know after this trial period.