Thursday, October 29, 2009

Please Explain the Older Generation to Me...

Wait! That could be a loaded question as I am obviously the older generation to a lot of you. Let me rephrase the question ever so slightly; PLEASE EXPLAIN MY PARENTS.

My mother and father, both in their seventies, are from the era where it was okay to just drop in on someone to visit. Showing up at someone’s door with a “We were in the neighborhood” type of thing was status quo. Now-a-days that’s a no-no, but I’ve learned to live with the fact that they are old school and even though they say you can teach an old dog new tricks it is not the case with my parents.

Back when my ex and I bought our first house we made sure it was at least a thirty minute drive from theirs, ensuring a phone call prior to a visit. It’s not that I don’t love to see them; it’s just that ‘I have my own life and shit going on’ kind of thing. Recently (seven years ago) they moved within ten minutes of me and Paul. Since then we’ve dealt with the “I’d thought I’d stop by for a cup of coffee” on the weekends. Sometimes it’s before we’re out of bed, and every time it’s before we’re even dressed. I have tried every which way to stop this. I have even tried, “Paul may be getting a lil’ sum-sum, so call first.” Worked for about a week or two and then they just stopped by unannounced again.

Okay, it is what it is and we’ve learned to deal with it.

But now…I came home today to see that one of my dog’s dishes were missing. There are no poltergeists in my home that I’m aware of so obviously someone was here. My parents and my children have the code to the garage door, but I know it’s not either one of my kids or their significant others. It must be one of my parents or my brother that lives with them. I call my mom and this is what transpired:

Me: “Uhm, did one of you guys come over today?”
Her: “We stopped by for awhile.”
Me: “Where’s the dog’s dish?”
Her: “We let the dogs out and they needed water so your brother put it outside.”
Me: “Where did you put the bowl?”
Her: “Your brother couldn’t find it when we were leaving, but he did clean up the mud from the three of them.”
Me: (Thinking to myself, ‘so the three of you came over with your dog too…why?)
“Okay I guess I’ll have to find it…but…uhm…uh…why did you come over?
Her: Loooong pause. “We won’t do it again.”

I changed the subject and ended the conversation on a good note because I would never, I mean never, do or say anything to hurt my parents…but I just don’t get it. Why would they think its okay to just come over and hang out at my house without us home and without our prior knowledge? I could see if their power was off or their cable wasn’t working. I would understand if it was the middle of July and they wanted to take a dip in the pool. But this? This just baffles my mind. My parents are of sound mind and body, my brother on the other hand battles alcoholism, but still? Really?

8 comments:

The Peach Tart said...

I understand you're being upset. I would have to say something to them about it.

Unknown said...

Me? I'd change the code on the garage. They can call you (Everybody has cell phones, right?) if they need to. There are times when one has to be firm. (and no, I don't mean THAT way - or that other way either - jeez, your mind is just as warped as mine.)

Anonymous said...

Maybe they just needed to pee. :-)

Badass Geek said...

Time to change the locks.

Aunt Juicebox said...

rofl My mom used to do that to me when I lived closer to her. She was much younger at the time though (40's). She'd just show up with food or something for the baby, but didn't have a key. She'd also clean and still does this when she comes over now. If there's a dish in the sink, she has to wash it. lol

Maybe your parents were up to something. It would be funny if they were the prankster type, and you found something weird in the fridge, or the hamper.

Unknown said...

Uh, I really don't know what to say. That's a tricky one. My parents are the opposite and never wanted people to stop by...

Nej said...

My parents always call before stopping by. If they actually ARE in the neighborhood, they'll call from out in the driveway to make sure it's a good time.

They DO, though, leave things on my front porch all the time.

It's not uncommon to hear either my hubby or I say "Babe...why is there a ___ on the front porch?"

:-)

Lola said...

I've found that it's pretty darn impossible to get people that old to change at all, so good luck with that!!!