Turns out the Star-K says you don't have to line your refrigerator shelves... but I've ALWAYS lined my refrigerator shelves. So I called Shmuel and told him my entire world was turning upside down. "Oh Shailah-man, what should I do?" The good Rabbi listened, and responded, "The Star-K is correct, you don't HAVE to line your refrigerator shelves. I, however, line my refrigerator shelves [he lies...he actually goes away for Pesach, but I imagine he means that he would line his shelves if he were staying home], and you should line yours if you have time." What kind of an answer is that? That's the most guilt-laden answer I've ever gotten from him EVER! Gah! Just to clarify, I repeated, "So I don't HAVE to cover my shelves, right? And if I don't, the world isn't going to end, RIGHT?" "Nope," he said, "it's not one of the signs of the apocolypse."

So, of course, I lined my refrigerator shelves last night. And the freezer, of course.

Tonight I have to close off the cabinets in the dining room that are off-limits. And the same for the store-room. I also have to go to the grocery after everyone is asleep. And unpack all the Pesach dishes. And then I'll be done for the night.

Tomorrow night Seth will be in Boston. My nanny, bless her, has agreed to stay an extra hour or two to help me with the kiddos. More cooking will occur. Friday I have off. The nanny will be with the babies. I'll be on my own to get Julian ready for school, to school, home from school, cooking done, seder preparations done, etc. My mother has agreed to stay with the babies Friday evening so that we can go to the Friedmans for Shabbos dinner so that we can have the table set for the first seder already. That should be interesting. We'll see how that goes. Heaven help me.

We are having the Friedmans for first seder and no company for second seder, which is just fine. It's a bit weird not to be having a seder with I&A this year...first year in more than half a decade that I haven't had a seder with them (and probably a full decade for Seth), but logistically I can't imagine leaving the house for a late seder with four kids. We have both day meals out at the Nelkins. Should be fun.

And that's about it for now.

Tags: pesach