Follow
Share
Read More
In defence of large houses..LOL ! Hubs and I got a big one when the market was down, in case the folks had to move in. Saw it go up big time, then back down, but we are still ahead. Thank goodness we did, folks are here now. And they are able to help with the bills for services, or I would be lookiing for something smaller.. But we just convinced our daughter to buy a Condo.. it was cheaper than renting for us in this area, and at least she can rent it out if she marries.She has a roomie, and that helps, but I really worry about how so many young people today will EVER be able to own a home. With college bills, etc the american dream of owning a home is going bust. We had her buy a handicapped accesible unit , the ways are going here that should be a help in the future.. heck I want to move there! we used to think we could fund our retirment on selling this place.. not so much any more
(1)
Report

with the cost of electricity in europe , people are going to start building small shacks underground to take advantage of the free 56 degrees the earth has to offer . its already happening .. in many cases only the front of the house is exposed . they look like hobbit homes and i simply love em ..
i wanted to sell this house and build one but wth ? my bunker is about the same thing , just needs dolled up a bit ..
(1)
Report

FF its all happened here too! Only the french arnt as fussed about house ownership as we are AND the germans will not buy what they can not afford!! so yeh every other country suffered the worst!

We are land obsessed here in Ireland it dates back to the british rule having land was survival! and its got worse now yep now they want 2 cars and 2 houses one abroad like we are all rockerfella?? stupid people arnt happy with thier lot anymore they want more and more its BS i would be so happy with just my house paid in full something i own mine thats it one car dosnt have to be huge just working get me from A to B big enough for my long legs and im happy!

Yeh kids now want to save for a house now before marraige?? young kids that should be out living than thinking about this crap christ imagine thinking mortgage at 18yrs old?? i was travelling europe and partying?? strange generation? it was different in mums day but like you said one mortgage one income? you just couldnt do that now!
I may never own a house here so i may move to spain and buy a small house for 59000 outright then retire there in the sun WIN WIN i can open up a coffee shop anywhere and i understand spanish so what? work my butt off here to pay for a house ill die trying to pay the bank back? im 48 id never get a mortgage or it would be a small one?
Yeh im going to take it easy after this quiet life for me and no banks to worry about! I can live off oranges and fish!
(1)
Report

Kazzaa, same here it was gut feeling about the housing market.

OMG people were panic buying here because the inventory was low so prices went up.... example, list price $500k, contract at $575k because of a bidding war, appraiser said house worth $500k so $75k had to come out of buyer's pocket, buyer got 100% loan for $500k. Seller went looking for new home, found him/herself in the same scenario, if looking in the same area.

When the market re-corrected itself, that home fell back to $375k. Prices are starting to go up, but one has to hold onto the house as a "long term" investment.
(0)
Report

mums breathing is very deep should i be worried sounds like me when ive just come off my bike but she does nothing? dont like the sound of it heavy deep breathing? i have emergency doc on call but she seems fine but hey this is new its like shes out of breath? shes ok and eating etc............. scary stuff?
(0)
Report

Amen Cap! i was abroad when this "boom" hit ireland my friends who were then mortgage FREE? were not happy? they had to go and REMORTGAGE? i told them this bubble is going to burst big time and you will be sorry! one friend had two houses i told her sell one and have a good life do it NOW! NO she kept both and remortgaged one and is now in sh*t creek! WHY? she wanted to leave a house EACH to her two daughters?? who does that? I mean being mortgage free is fantastic our parents would never have had this so good BUT no greed takes over and people went bananas! Whose laughing now? ME!!!!!!!!!! yeh bide my time grab a nice little repossesion and im laughing all the way with no bank or crap! I could see it four years before it happened but noone would listen to me?
(2)
Report

Captain, you are so right about the McMansions..... we are a very spoiled nation here in the States. Back when I worked residential real estate, young couples, who didn't have a dime saved but had well paying jobs and 2 brand new vehicles, wanted their "dream house" now.... they didn't want to start out in what we called long ago "starter houses".... nope, they wanted big now, and to use both incomes to qualify for a mortgage.

Back in my day, working couples used one income to qualify for a mortgage, thus they bought smaller less expensive homes to start out with. That way, if one stopped working, that one income that was left could still pay the mortgage.
(2)
Report

hope,
I just finished work but this has been on my mind . let that damned house go and never look back . very few people during this recession have actually been evicted from their homes . most bought houses that were artificially overvalued , many with predatory loans . when the market reset itself and the home values plummeted , most owed more than the houses were worth and just walked away . love and take care of your mom and youll end up wealthy beyond most peoples comprehension . money does not equate to wealth .
all anyone really needs is a freakin shack . that's happening all over the world right now . people are tired of being enslaved to corporation and banks and many are moving into shacks not much bigger than garden sheds and semi retiring to enjoy life . the mcmansions have became liabilities . I could see it coming 25 yrs ago ..
(3)
Report

Wow "stink bugs"! i was attacked by a swan once she chased me for almost ten minutes up on dry land!! never did know what i did to piss her off guess i must have been flirting with "her man" boy was she pissed! As long as i know what it is and how dangerous a "critter" is im ok but show me a live mouse OR worse a rat and im up on chairs!!
When i was younger i was pulling my jumpers down from the closet and a live mouse fell in my hair and got his feet? caught i screamed the house down until my brother came to the rescue he then said "why are you screaming the poor little things more scared of you than you are of him" oh piss off bro!
(2)
Report

kazzaa, here in the States we have an insect called a "stink bug", a weird looking creature less than an inch long... my S/O would go screaming into the night if he had to gather up one and dispose of it.... my gosh, the insect doesn't bite, sting, or burst into flames [just don't step on it].

Last month I thought S/O was going to jump up onto a chair when he saw a chipmunk in the house..... I knew I was going to be in for a long evening trying to direct that critter out the front or back door.

I have to thank my Dad, he taught me well. Not afraid of most insects, but I will go after a Wasp with a can of Raid if I can't get it to leave the premises on its own. I can handle worms, crickets, praying manthis, live mice, chipmunks, small turtles, not afraid of cows, horses, goats, or any other 4 legged livestock. Been chased by a goose once :)
(1)
Report

Kazza, Captain's idea of a shoe wardrobe would only have two compartments, one for work boots and one for motorcycle boots. No more than that.

Freqflyer, LOL he HAD the energy for yard work, but he used it for Golf.

Hope, brother probably still expects mom to feed him like a nestling.

jlkkts- take a nap, you deserve one.
(1)
Report

You see FF thats why im still single? i want a man to be a man yard work is for men!! Ill cook and clean house but dont ask me to do yard work id feel like my femininity was being threatened!! Yep im going to be an old cat lady!! Had a big guy in here last year to clear the garage after an hour i heard a big scream went to the garage to see what was up he said theres a dead mouse in here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i picked it up with the shovel and threw it in the bin but i felt like hitting him with the shovel saying "you big girls blouse" i mean i blame the mothers are there any real men left apart from Capn? Maybe its the military maybe "military service" should come back make a man out of these mummys boys!!
(1)
Report

My whine for the day, this isn't elder related but relationship related. My significant other and I went to get mulch.... just old fashioned bags of mulch... I didn't want red mulch, nor black mulch, nor brown mulch [isn't it already brown???], nor yellow cedar mulch.

Anywho, we got ten bags of the real old fashioned stuff My S/O lift the bags out of the vehicle and carried the bags to the back yard... then I opened the bags and he dumped the mulch... I raked it to where ever I needed it.

Afterwards he was tired, so was I [we are both pushing 70 years old].... then he said 10 years ago he said he had more energy to do yard work.... I had to bite my tongue.... this man was NEVER EVER into yard work, I was the one who did 99% of it.... [sigh].
(4)
Report

You see guys we all need a man like Capn around how hes still single boggles me? He builds,cuts trees,knows about electricity,plumbing,could knock you up a shoe wardrobe at the drop of a hat!! why hes every girls dream guy! i dont know that there are many men like that around anymore all gay and wont get thier hands dirty!! Capn mum would pay you to come here and work!!
(1)
Report

Oh apologies turns out hubert cecil booth invented the vacuum!! phew got that in before anyone noticed!! We call it hoover as that was the big brand to first come out here!
(1)
Report

Hope22, I believe it is the Venus vs Mars thing.
(1)
Report

Well, brother is here for his "visit" for some reason, his visits always end up being him doing a bunch of piddling at something else, me indoors watching Mama...he just does not get it...he tells me I can go somewhere...but who is going to check on her???? If he'd ever think ahead just a little he'd soon realize why so many things that I used to get done all in the same day rarely get done in the same week...I have to constantly run in and out checking on her...he just walks away....so here I am ...watching Mama while he piddles with something I asked him not to do...sometimes I just throw my hands in the air and say to heck with it.....He is acting strange today as well...It is like he's ready to jump on me about something...you'd think HE was the one losing HIS home because I had not helped with OUR Mama.....I was able to do it until we had to start paying the huge Medicare penalty because Mama didn't sign up for Part B when she first got on SS...so that penalty was my house payment.....and brother felt ZERO obligation to do anything about any of it...just like he has everything else....
(1)
Report

Kazz..that is scary. I don't even know what to tell you other than what others have said, get it on a differernt circuit so you can turn it off altogether when you're gone....We had a similar issue with Mama even with just the microwave. Had it marked so all she had to do was turn it to the very obvious place and press start but she never got it right..would turn the timer all the way around and hence COOK her coffee for ten minutes, etc..obviously it was boiling hot and usually gone as all of it had either boiled out or evaporated....Looking back we were fortunate she never did anything serious with the appliances....now Lord bless her she can't move from her bed so no problem there now, but until you've been throught hese issues with our loved ones other folks just can't imagine.
(0)
Report

I'm so tired.
(2)
Report

Linda, did the PT guy say it was 30 minutes or did mom? It might have FELT like 30 minutes to her. Just a thought. Does he KNOW she had Polio? Gosh I hope so.
(0)
Report

I had a wonderful visit with Mom last night, watched the NFL Hall of Fame show ( she loves football). She's has a new pt guy and he's apparently an eager beaver. He's got her on this pretty aggressive program, including 30 minutes on exercise bike. Her arms and shoulders are so sore she's having trouble propelling wheelchair. Good heavens, to take a sedentary 94 yo with post polio and do much walking and bike. And...he's telling her she needs a new leg brace( hers is three years old and designed by an ortho doc whose treated and designed braces for countless polio patients). My suspicion is the pt knows nothing about post polio and appropriate therapy. So I'll be finding this fella tomorrow and explaining the very real possibility of him damaging what little muscle use she has in her better leg. We need to preserve her ability to pivot and transfer. Oh, and she's using her cheaters to read. Small victories, friends.
(2)
Report

I call my dogs "Hoovers" since they can spot/pick up a crumb on the floor from across the room... they also "hoover" around the table during dinner :D

HAPPY SUNDAY! My son turns 33 today. 2nd Birthday I've missed. :((
(1)
Report

Leave the fridge plugged in. Turn off the gas to the cooker, unplug it and cut the end off the cord. That's the only way to be safe.
Yes, we "vac" the house. Hoover was a US President and a lousy one who picked his nose when the Great Depression hit in 1929. Homeless people back then lived in shanty towns known as "Hoovervilles".
(1)
Report

Right now I only trust my mother with the remote to her TV.
(2)
Report

put the fridge on a heavy gauge extension cord and plug it into another circuit , then you can drop the breakers to the " cooker " . ( kitchen stove or range over here ) . an electrical supply store can make you a heavy cord or sell you the wire and connectors to make it yourself .
(1)
Report

Yeh Gm brother was supposed to sort out the insurance last year BUT he dosnt think mum has any mental problems??????? well now they will have to wake up to how serious this is!!
OH gm its not uncommon here to not have insurance especially when times are hard but its not that expensive so ill get it sorted asap! Just need family to wake up now!
I guess we are a bit too laid back here with things and count on the "ol luck of the irish".

Yeh and we call vaccuming "hoovering" here? i hope thats not something rude in the states? guess we call it that after "hoover" who invented the vaccum?

You say tomato we say tomatoe............potato potatoe!!!!!!!!!!
(1)
Report

Just to add my friends mum had alz and she said mum is progressing very fast now and that this is what happened with her mum her son came home (god must have been around) and the whole kitchen was on fire with his mum in a very agitated state outside? she had put toast under the grill then went outside to garden boy was she lucky after that they got in 24/7 carers BUT they had alot of money so its not an option for me. I think a home is in sight now as i cant live in constant anxiety i never enjoyed a glass of wine as much last night i was shaking like a leaf! no this cant go on much longer i cant leave her alone unless shes eaten as i know then she wont touch cooker once shes fed?? but how can you trust them now? So pissed off!
(0)
Report

Jazz, no insurance on the home? Yes, that better be addressed NOW! What would happen to you and mum if the place were to burn down?

So you call a stove a cooker? And the burners on the stove rings? Learn something new every day.
(1)
Report

(Kazzaa obviously I don't 'like' what went on with the cooker but there's no other way of registering agreement that it needs highlighting!)

Um. Yes, get the fridge and the cooker onto separate circuits. Have you had Social Services round to look at home safety? - 'cos you might be able to get some help with that, or at least an approved electrician who only charges "mates' rates".

Before she wasn't able even to do this much, I used to leave my mother's supper microwave-ready, on a plate, in the microwave, with the time and level set so that LITERALLY all she had to do was press 'Start', take the plate out when it beeped, and eat. But I'm not sure your mother would co-operate with that much babying?

The only other thing I can think of is explaining to your friend/s; maybe if they could come and meet you at your house before you go out together it'll cure the frustration of being late? Depends on the friend of course, but good ones won't mind.
(0)
Report

Another disaster last night! was going out to a friends for a drink supposed to meet her at 9pm but stubborn mum didnt want to eat when i had cooked at 7 so i couldnt leave until shed eaten as she will burn the house down! i was getting miffed with her and told her she had to eat something then she replied" i am eating ive put on the pork to heat up" oh thankgod i went into the kitchen to check she put the wrong ring on and a butter dish on the back ring was already on fire it was plastic again sometimes i think im being a little paranoid with her but no i know her too well and this is why i cannot leave her cook alone! Am even more stressed out now as this is the 4th incident god love her though she went back into the front room and looked so sad! it must be awful knowing you just cant do stuff anymore but at least she knows she did wrong BUT will this stop her from using the cooker again when im not here? Also the fire alarm went off the noise would wake a corpse BUT NO mum never even heard it? so damn scary and this house is not insured? we had better insure it quick.
the only way i could handle this was to tell her in a soft non threatening voice that maybe dont touch the cooker when im not here as youre getting a bit forgetful! YIKES!
I may call an electrician to see if he can do something with the fuses as the cooker fuse is linked to the fridge fuse so i cant knock both out?

This is getting a bit too common now and the stress now as leaving her alone is building up shes been lucky so far but everybodys luck runs out one day?

What do you guys do to avoid this happening? its very scary and so lucky AGAIN that i was there?
(1)
Report

Start a Discussion
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter