Meet the Parents

Well, it is not exactly like the movie with Ben Stiller over here, but living with the in-laws is very different than say, living with your own parents after you're married. It is strange enough as it is that way, sharing your married life with your own parents, but with the in-laws (especially in another country) it is entirely another story. Without going into too much detail, let's just say it can be a trying experience mainly because you are "trying" to survive at all costs while not letting on that you are trying at all as if it is easy as pie to live with them, and they are just wonderful. But the problem with that is that, no matter what, you still would rather be in your own home doing things your own way. There is a fine line when setting any boundaries in this sort of living arrangement. Tim and I are struggling to have a balance between family cohesion and our own family time with just the two of us. I particularly do not feel very much at home in someone else's house, especially since I am home a lot during the day and don't quite know whether I should be acting more like a housekeeper and cook. The main problem is that I don't really get much joy out of cleaning someone else's house, but am happy to do it if I am asked to help out. And as for cooking, well let's just say that my type of cooking is not really in high demand around here. I don't know how to cook proper English dishes the "proper" way, and my style and recipes are just too "interesting" and unfamiliar for people to really like them. So here I am in a bit of a kerfuffle over what in the world I am supposed to be doing around the house. Help!