#314 Parental FrustraShawn

*sigh*

You know when you haven’t heard from your parents since you last spoke to them 2 weeks prior that something must be amiss.  

I tried them last night (twice)  got their machine)

Called them today from the office because I couldn't wait til tonight to call again.

Ask, “What’s new?”

Get the answer from Mother, “Well other than my fall, not much...”

When I asked, “When did you fall?!!!”

I was told, “Last Saturday. Didn't I tell you?”

“Mom, we haven’t spoken in two weeks!”

“Oh, well then, yes, I fell last weekend, and have been in bed mostly since. I was sure we had told you.”

*sigh*

I am really beginning to worry about those two…

I had to make them promise that the next time one of them has an accident, it is the other’s responsibility to let me know within 24 hours.

And I have to send an email to them to follow-up and have them print it and put on the fridge.

I used to think I should have liked to have kids, but then we have two dogs that are fairly well trained, and I have two Parents that aren't… and that’s enough.

#280 Technical Support FrustraShawn

So Last night was part two in the (near guaranteed) ongoing over Technical Support for my Mom on her Tablet.

If you’ll recall, back in August we got my Mom an Nexus 7 tablet.  Well the learning curve continues. 

Tonight was a 90 minute phone call to have her set up her email… Not sure EXACTLY way, because she’ll do her email on her desktop computer anyway… she just want so have it… just in case…. 

Surprisingly I was able to get her up and running faster than getting her connected to her home WIFI (back in Sept)

And she promises me she’ll keep a notebook , where she’ll write down any questions she has, and will save them for weekends.

Oh joy!

#276 Jealous of my RelaShawns

My parents made their way back over to PEI 2 weeks ago, with the intentions of closing it up for the season; to return home in about a week. 

Well, two weeks later and they keep extending their time there, due to milder weather and the simple fact that Life is Better at the Cottage.

They were to have returned this past Tuesday, then Yesterday, then Today, but at this point they realize they’re only fooling themselves.  They will head home only on Sunday o Monday, and that’s simple because they have appointments back on the mainland that cannot be postponed.

I am both unabashedly happy and jealous that they are still there.

*sigh*

#243 Parental RelaShawns

Well, after a week with the parents, it's now just Marcel and I and the dogs at the cottage. (Mom and Dad were here for the first week.)

For as much as we bitched and moaned about their slowness and creakiness and hardness of hearing and sketchy memory; the cottage is certainly missing something without them.

We are more than happy to have the place to ourselves for the following week, but it's a bittersweet moment when they left.  You're sad to see them go, but you kinda wish they'd stay too.

You don't pick your family,but in the case if my Parents I'm not sure I could have chosen any better.

#238 Parental Technology EducaShawn

Last summer, my Mom fell in love with our Nexus Tablets. Of course all she did was play Majong, but he was in geeky Techno Love.

So this spring Marcel and I talked about getting her one for Christmas this year. But given the learning curve, and to be honest, just the set-up we realized it was not a good gift since we'd not be able to walk her through it in person.

Well, this vacation she was again asking to use the tablet to play games. And she wanted me to go out shopping with her to get one.  Well okay... I guess I can do that. We finally found some at Target. And she was going to buy one but her bank card wasn't working, so I said let me get it and bam... a minute later I kissed her on the cheek and said "Merry Christmas"

Then as we left Target she said, "Okay, now I want to get an iPhone." I just did NOT have it in me to walk her though this.

The next hour was spent setting up her gmail account and prepping her table. And repeating the basics.  On. Off. Volume. Email. Face Book,  Download Games.  

And now I've guaranteed myself to endless calls of It doesn't work. What's Wrong. Fix it... all over the phone...  

And god forbid when I get my NEW iPhone in the fall and send my 4G to her... 

I have pretty much guaranteed myself a quicker path to the grave... the years this is going to take off my life...

Pray for me.

#127 Parental Missed CommunicaShawn

Spoke to my parents for a couple of minutes on Monday and we agreed to a call tonight to discuss an Excel spreadsheet I made for the to manage expenses for the family cottage because, as I mentioned prior we will be contributing to them.

She was to have called by 7:30pm, I called at 8:15pm   one was watching cat videos on the web, the other was in bed (the one that agreed to the call) Mom was too tired to talk about it tonight.

I knew this would happen.  They are Cash Blocking us. At every turn they are trying to put the kibosh on letting us help. I've now mailed two checks and had to remind them that I can see whether or not they have cashed the checks.  I heard an audible groan from my Mom. 

So help me they are going to take our money, or else...

...or else I'll ground them and take away their TV and Internet privileges. So help me, I'll do it!

#121 Parental Financial ComplicaShawns

A couple of years back my parents put my name on the deed to the family summer home on PEI. Because neither they or I are residents of the Island when the time comes, transferring the property to me, and or inheritance will be a costly affair. So this was done to avoid this. 

Seeing as I'm on the Deed and the tax bills from the province I decided that my time to contribute financially to the maintenance of the property.

Have you ever tried to give your Parents money (that you hadn't borrowed in the first place)?  Let me tell you it's not easy!

It's taken 6 months just to get copies of the bills from *last* year! lol

Now that we know some of the costs, *they* are making excuses why  we shouldn't pay anything... UGH! Too bad! 

Just think about this... when was the last time someone offered to pay some of YOUR bills, and you said 'No'. Remember that time, it never happened? ;-)

I get that they don't want to feel that can't manage on their own, but I am a part owner. They just have to understand.

So now I guess the real challenge will be their cashing the checks we send. (Fingers crossed)