Another Crisis Averted

We woke up this morning to a snow covered world. Somewhere between two and four inches, depending on where you live. I love the snowy view, especially when I don't have to go anywhere and I can just look out the window.

Then the mother-in-law informed me that Hangdog has a doctor's appointment and they're going to venture out. She prefaced it by saying, "I know this will upset you but ..." Here's a news flash -- "upset" doesn't begin to describe it. I said, "No!" I considered, "Go to your room and stay there until I tell you it's ok to come out." I also considered stealing and hiding her keys.

This is not a necessary appointment. He is legally blind and it's an eye appointment. He is not going to regain his sight by this routine appointment. Nor is his progress (or lack thereof) going to be affected by rescheduling this appointment.

So, I decided to go with begging and a little guilt. "What if someone crashes into you?" and "What if you hit an icy patch in the parking lot and one of you falls?" and "Why do you want me to worry all day?"

They had to discuss it but thankfully, he was the voice of reason.

There was also some slight worry about not having anything for breakfast but once I proved that we had sausage, eggs, bread, milk, biscuits and juice, she relaxed. For once, I'm thrilled that she's frying up breakfast. At least she's not on the road.

An addendum: She did catch the package of sausage on fire.

Slip Sliding Away

Our constant fear with the oldies is another fall. He's broken both hips. She's had a hip replacement and bashed her head in over the piano. So guess what I did today? Oiled the hardwoods in the kitchen!

Now before you think I am cruel or wicked, let me explain myself. My hardwood floors are destroyed. I have warned them repeatedly that this needs to be done. I have kept a clear, dry path for them to get to the refrigerator. I have gone into the dungeon to warn them about the slippery spot. I have put a big sign up that says, "WARNING!" I'm considering flares. What's one more fire?

They haven't come out to fry up lunch yet but it should be soon. I'm on stand-by to call 911.

Behind Closed Doors

Privacy is a good thing. I respect it and I hope other people respect mine. Yet, it's difficult for me. I've seen the oldies fall so I always have one ear tuned for disaster.

She buys an awful lot of bleach and carries it back to their end of the house. What is she bleaching? They burn candles. I'm constantly checking our smoke detectors. I don't want to invade their space but I get worried. I knock before entering.

Sometimes I close the door to my office; sometimes I close the door to my bedroom. But, for the most part, my doors are open.

We have a door between our back hallway and the garage. As all the workout girls will tell you, the knob is funky and it sticks. This morning, we couldn't get it to open. The husband saw the flash of panic and claustrophobia in my eyes. He brought me back to earth by saying, "You know, we can just go out another door."

Unless you're living in my home, it's none of my business what you do behind closed doors. As for the door knob that is making me crazy, my dad will fix it.

Our State Fair

The husband hates the state fair. He refuses to go.

I'm somewhat of a snob but I love going to the state fair. My mother and I try to go every year. It's like the airport -- great people watching! We have our favorite foods and our favorite displays. We watch karaoke and we ride the train. Sometimes others go with us but it's a special time for us. We take a couple of hours and admire the bounty. Plus, we make fun of people. We don't do the midway or any of the barns.

I tried to convince the oldies to go last year. There's lots to see and do. "No, thank you."

The reputation of Hoosier Hospitality is well-deserved. A couple of years ago, my mother fell at the fair. I was not calm. Multiple people came to our aid. (She was a little scratched and bloody, but otherwise fine.) We can laugh about it now. Actually, we laughed about it on the way home.

Our state fair starts next week. I need to make a date with my mother.