Old style as an escape from the world?

Sea_Shell

Thanks for those who have said it's not selfish, but with being lucky to still have all 4 of our parents...who are all now 70-80, we know that the next 5-20 years are undoubtedly going to include some very difficult times, and we want to be able to enjoy OUR retirement too.

How are you supposed to say No, when their shopping needs doing, housework needs doing, lawns need mowing, doctors appointments need attending. Not "emergencies" as such....but if they all need our help...they'll be nothing left for us!!! (we each have a sibling too, to spread the load...but we can't expect them to do everything (and they won't have been able to take early retirement either!)

Such is life!

wort

Seashell, that time may come but for now enjoy yourself.
Maybe when the time comes split duties with siblings and if it's affordable maybe get someone in to do ironing or cleaning.

Angel_Jenny

Sea_Shell wrote: »

How are you supposed to say No, when their shopping needs doing, housework needs doing, lawns need mowing, doctors appointments need attending. Not "emergencies" as such....but if they all need our help...they'll be nothing left for us!!! (we each have a sibling too, to spread the load...but we can't expect them to do everything (and they won't have been able to take early retirement either!)

Such is life!

This is something I have never been good at! It seems like I have spent my whole life putting other people in front of me and myself a firm last in the priorities list. I recognise that I do it but I still can't break the habit. x

Angel_Jenny

We are slowly clearing out the tiny yet full shed. It is FULL of HUGE spiders! One ran over my hand and I tried to run away from my own arm ....... BUT we have space for the chest freezer that my parents are giving us (they have just bought a bigger one so this is their old one) and just waiting to arrange a day when my dad can drop it off.

I bought myself some little pansy plants for my stone shoe planter (teeny tiny & the previous home owners left it behind) and those cheered me up!

I am looking at freezer meals in anticipation of my new freezer. I wish we weren't all so food fussy here!

Oh and I have been reading Brocante Home (so cosy!) and treated myself to a subscription to Keepers at Home magazine.

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

Lots of cleaning, cooking from scratch & baking - surprising how these things make me feel in control & safe from the world :rotfl: Now I just need to find my decluttering mojo

MrsSD

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

Still no decluttering mojo other than decluttering wool I have knitted 2 baby blankets for a great great nephew. Now I have started on knitting scarves for the local mission The intention is to knit until the end of the month & make a delivery in early November. I will let you all know how many I manage

MrsSD

mardatha

I'm on the xmas knitting now as well

monnagran

Me too.

With me its Christmas Stockings. I make them every year and various Christmas Fairs are grateful. Each one takes over 10 hours to knit and nearly as long to sew together and stuff....that's the bit I hate.

Angel Jenny, your post made me smile. I have also spent my life looking after everyone else, and although I am now in your 70/80 category I'm still doing it. I have been known to whinge pathetically that when my Grandmother was my age she sat in her chair beside the fire and we all waited on her. As it is I look after myself, child mind for my grandpickle, cook lunch for 50 once a month and cook for the homeless once a week. This as well as keeping up with many friends and trying, with varying degrees of success to cope with a mad American Boxer (dog, not Mohamed Ali) inherited from my DIL.

Angel Jenny, if you take care of seventies and eighties, when can I move in?

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

Finished my first scarf on Monday evening :T

Sea_Shell

I'm going to visit my relatives over the weekend....I'll either bite my tongue as usual, or end up in a row. No doubt I'll mostly end up sitting through all their "woe is me" , and "it's OK for you" rhetoric. DH has made his excuses already!! But he will be waiting for me with a large glass of wine when I get home !!!

Wish me luck!!!