Ahoy,
My parents came to see our place for the first time in February. I put them up in an airbnb within walking distance. My mom was not pleased that there was no tv, even though she doesn't watch tv - she just has it on for background noise. What a waste! She also complained about it being someone's house and questioned the cleanliness. She insisted on buying her own towels at target (like that's any cleaner??) My dad was more than happy to be within a stone's throw. They barreled in every morning to make oatmeal and criticize my lifestyle and the cleanliness of my apartment. My dad contemplated opening a cleaning service as they were cleaning my place.
They managed to have Chinese food for every meal except their first night and last day here. They insisted on going to Chinatown and then all the other days we went to various SGV eateries - the Chinatown of the suburbs. They would subsequently get Chinese food to go for dinner later. After the 3rd freeway interchange to get to "Chinatown" (my mom was under the impression that SGV is Chinatown, because that's where all her friends live), my dad, "Oh, this is actually pretty far..."
I took them on a hike every day. My mom started out complaining like there was no tomorrow. She eventually came to terms with the activity. She ended up going on all our hikes, despite the whining and threats.
Mom's philosophical progression on hiking:
Day 1: I'm not going! I don't have the shoes. You can't make me.
Day 2: I'm staying in the car.
Day 3: This is not bad. It is better and cheaper than the mall.
Day 4: Where are we hiking today?
My dad loved the hikes. He was so into it, and proposed moving to my patio and "going up the mountain with me every day." I set him up on the patio with a hammock to read his newspaper.
On our last day, we took them up the PCH a few minutes to the beach and for Western lunch. My dad picked a fish that he eventually traded with me because he liked mine better. He only likes Chinese food, and it was the most neutral thing on the menu. The RRS pulled the wool over my mom's eyes by picking up the check when they weren't looking. That is how you fool the master. We took them to blockheads for shave ice. To my surprise, they got their own and finished it. My dad contemplated opening a shave ice shop in Chicago. The highest compliment you could hope for from my parents who don't like cold things or sweet things. Truly, a surprise to both me and A.
A and I have been trying to figure out things to do with our parents, because we cannot spend the whole day eating. Hikes have been quite successful. It gets us all outside, and a way to expend some energy - making conversations easier to facilitate. Also, outside is free.
still sunscreening,
jt
My parents came to see our place for the first time in February. I put them up in an airbnb within walking distance. My mom was not pleased that there was no tv, even though she doesn't watch tv - she just has it on for background noise. What a waste! She also complained about it being someone's house and questioned the cleanliness. She insisted on buying her own towels at target (like that's any cleaner??) My dad was more than happy to be within a stone's throw. They barreled in every morning to make oatmeal and criticize my lifestyle and the cleanliness of my apartment. My dad contemplated opening a cleaning service as they were cleaning my place.
They managed to have Chinese food for every meal except their first night and last day here. They insisted on going to Chinatown and then all the other days we went to various SGV eateries - the Chinatown of the suburbs. They would subsequently get Chinese food to go for dinner later. After the 3rd freeway interchange to get to "Chinatown" (my mom was under the impression that SGV is Chinatown, because that's where all her friends live), my dad, "Oh, this is actually pretty far..."
I took them on a hike every day. My mom started out complaining like there was no tomorrow. She eventually came to terms with the activity. She ended up going on all our hikes, despite the whining and threats.
Mom's philosophical progression on hiking:
Day 1: I'm not going! I don't have the shoes. You can't make me.
Day 2: I'm staying in the car.
Day 3: This is not bad. It is better and cheaper than the mall.
Day 4: Where are we hiking today?
My dad loved the hikes. He was so into it, and proposed moving to my patio and "going up the mountain with me every day." I set him up on the patio with a hammock to read his newspaper.
On our last day, we took them up the PCH a few minutes to the beach and for Western lunch. My dad picked a fish that he eventually traded with me because he liked mine better. He only likes Chinese food, and it was the most neutral thing on the menu. The RRS pulled the wool over my mom's eyes by picking up the check when they weren't looking. That is how you fool the master. We took them to blockheads for shave ice. To my surprise, they got their own and finished it. My dad contemplated opening a shave ice shop in Chicago. The highest compliment you could hope for from my parents who don't like cold things or sweet things. Truly, a surprise to both me and A.
A and I have been trying to figure out things to do with our parents, because we cannot spend the whole day eating. Hikes have been quite successful. It gets us all outside, and a way to expend some energy - making conversations easier to facilitate. Also, outside is free.
still sunscreening,
jt
