Sharing the kitchen

I have these little quirks.  Things I like done a certain way. Especially in my kitchen.  It's funny, my sisters never ever bother me when in my kitchen, I think because we all learned to maneuver around each other in my parents teeny-tiny kitchen.  When we get together, I'm not sure if we simply anticipate each other's movements or we're  not shy in our intentions or if we fall into this orchestra from our childhood but, it works.  Yet, with us, we're all still very different in our own kitchens, how we wash dishes, where we keep our tools, our bowls, or our bread. We still all work well together.  

Most places, I feel pretty comfortable in the kitchen and I think most times, I'm fairly comfortable having someone else in mine...except for that ONE person and we all have that ONE person who is always in the way.  The ONE where you need water and she's standing in front of the sink, you need something from the fridge and he's leaning against it.  You need a spoon and they're blocking the drawer.  No matter what, you move left and they move...right into your path. I just want to point them to a chair and say, "SIT!  Stay!".

I don't mind help in my kitchen, if you're truly helping me and most people can tell the difference.  I don't mind someone doing dishes and leaving me a clean stack on the table to put away.  I do mind when I go looking for something and can't find it because you put it where you thought it should go instead of asking me where I keep it.  In the past, at my house, I have always been the dishwasher.  Recently, I have taken on the role of Sergeant.  Some one else washes and I answer all the questions while putting things away.  It works so much better for me.  

To the point, have you ever noticed there are just some people you can't share a kitchen with?

I came across this in Ann Landers some time ago and I can completely relate.

Dear Well-Meaning Friends:

Please stay out of my kitchen

From my dishwashing, cooking and such.

You are kind to have offered to help me,

And I do want to thank you so much.

I hope you won't think me ungracious

When I ask that you leave me alone,

For my kitchen is not very spacious,

And my system is strictly my own.

So please stay out of my kitchen,

It may well prevent a few wars.

And when I'm invited to your house,

I promise to stay out of yours!

(in case you were wondering where the idea came from for this post, I bought a 6 pack of brightly colored scrubby sponges yesterday and I got to thinking about them, for instance - Cindy, Karen and I, most often wash dishes in a sink full of soapy water while Gloria often uses the soapy sponge method - which I will use if I have a small amount of dishes to wash - not that either is wrong, only different.  Which led to...and...and I remembered this Ann Landers....etc.)