Wednesday 8 April 2009

My Mother says no

I've just got back from The Mother Country, as I keep telling NB I have to get back regularly to top up the accent. We met up and went for a pizza last week and he told me my voice was wrong ! When he reads me, in his head, I sound like a Surrey housewife, I ask you? A Surrey housewife ! would you give yourself peace !!!!

Anyhoo, I've been hame tae my mammies for a feed and a spoiling. The Beautiful Parents are very well and my gadget mad Dad is counting the days till he retires on April 16th. My dad has counted down since Easter last year and has masses of ideas of what he would want to do with his time. My parents have always said they would move when my dad retires and he would very much like to live in a traditional red sandstone tenement flat, so would I actually, the rooms are enormous and if you get one with a view of a park, it's just heaven.

My mother says no, she doesn't want neighbours above, below or sharing a wall with her.

My dad would adore a trip to Hong Kong and to travel around the far East, he loves the culture and the art and literature and is itching to explore there.

My mother says no, 4 hours is her maximum flying time and she has no notion to go anywhere so foreign.

My dad would like to get a dog, he fancies a wee westie, he always had one before he met my mother.

My mother says no, she doesn't want the responsibility of one.

My dad would like to buy a new car, the one they have is fairly old.

My mother says no, she likes it, she's used to the cd controls !!! and there's nothing wrong with it.

The strange thing about this is, if you met my mum bossy and assertive are the last things you would call her, she's so keen to please and would do anything for you. I am stunned that she's being so dogmatic about this. It was a very surreal visit, they usually just rub along together, he works and buys gadgets and she gently moans about it. I am certain that the thought of them being together 24 hours a day is preying on both their minds, I'm sure they're both trying to mark out territory and I'd lay money on my dad finding himself a part time job by October.

19 comments:

DAB said...

A Surrey housewife ! Explain this statement you Scottish woman you !
And what pray is housework? I'm very proud of myself for today TF washed the kitchen floor with bleach ;-) Tfx

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

Your mother is probably dreading having him around 24/7. Men generally start to boss thier wives around and get under their feet and ivade their territory and upsaet their schedule and just take over! I know Himself did with me when he took early retirement at 50. Now he has a contractual job where he works from home but he's in the office and I am on my laptop away from him. You do work out a system in time but it is a big change. Yer mammy will get used to it! Glad you had a good visit home, makes me kinds homesick hearing you talk about it. My accent changed years ago to - too many people saying 'What?' when I spoke so I softened it uo and now it is a strange accent altogether.

Tim Atkinson said...

Being dogmatic about a dog - and a lovely Westie dog, at that?! Why, that's got to be a contradiction in terms...

A Woman Of No Importance said...

...Folks, even fabulous folks like yours, are contrary, Auntie Gwennie!

Glad you had a taste of the auld country... A tenement flat (a la Tutti Frutti - Do you remember that drama - Fabulous!), would suit me down to the ground too.

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

Did you notice all my flippin typo's in my last message? I swear I am getting senile.

Mean Mom said...

I too have become less compliant lately. In my case, it seemed to happen at the same time as the menopause. I think I must have acquired some slightly aggressive hormones from somewhere! I might as well confess that I'm with your mother on all of those points!

My own mother is 81 and said to me just recently that she now stands up to my father far more than she ever used to. He doesn't get his own way as much these days. I think that a lot of women tend to keep quiet rather than 'rock the boat', particularly through the period when there are young children to consider. Perhaps a lot of us are programmed that way.

OhMyMissRebeccaJane said...

Hey Auntiegwen! I'm back in the world of blogging..I've been reading you just not that great at "talking" but I'm trying my hand at that again.

x Becka

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

Auntie - thanks for the comment on my blog about the Molly Weir books. I have meant to get these for many years but keep forgetting so on your reminder, I got the trilogy on Amazon used books section for 1p! £2.76 postage but I couldn't believe my luck so really looking forward to reading those. Ta Hen!

auntiegwen said...

TF - in NB's head I sound like a Surrey housewife, and go you, with bleach like a proper housewifey !!!

Mob - I bet your accent is lovely just like your good self

Tim - I know, we all really want them to get a dog, because I won't get one for this house !

Fhina - I loved Tutti Frutti, I even saw some of it filmed at the Pavilion, I was part of the audience, why don't the BBC repeat that Miss Toner ??? xxx

Mob - not senile at all, I can't spell or type x

MM - I can see what you mean, that'll be why I live on my own then !!!!

Mob - what a bargain, I'll dig out
my copy and re read it too x

Nota Bene said...

och aye I can nae think what other accent yoo could have....

...your poor wee Dad...he needs to mark his territory...just as the dog would have done!

lisaq said...

Exactly what my dad had to do when he retired. Too much together time is not always a good thing!

Laura said...

I'm leaving the country when my dad retire as WW3 will definatlry break out lol

Anonymous said...

I can't imagine what it would be like to be in eachother's pockets after retirement or anything like that.

Hell, I have been living by myself for 7 yrs... I can't even imagine what it would be like to live with a man again, working or not working, period! Whew....

Anonymous said...

You were in TMC? I'm so sorry that I'd stepped out the house for a bit and obviously missed your call. Hope you had a good time. xxxx x

A Mother's Place is in the Wrong said...

It sounds as if your Mum is getting ready for the next stage of their lives - tricky.. she's ready to fight her corner if need be. Have just caught up with you at last. And I do hope your Easter is happy too. M xxx
PS Where are the Beautiful Wains then?

scrappysue said...

i was just thinking the same thing - she's stressing about his retirement! i can't wait to hear you talk AG!!!

auntiegwen said...

NB - pitiful, really...

Lisa - I'm sure it's a case of be careful what you wish for !

Lolly - I'm sure it's a common theme

Dutchy - I think living with the kids I have would make me grateful for another human !!!! but I'm sure that's just a passing phase they're going through, only another 6 years to freedom!

Edge - I drove up on Sunday and back on Wednesday, I knew you'd be working and I didn't want to distract you from the training with all the sneaky drinking and smoking, we'll have a proper night out after the marathon xxxx x

M - They've gone to their dad's went yesterday and will be back on Monday, I hope the weather stays nice for you, nothing like a soggy BBQ on a bank holiday ! xx

Sue - yep, she's putting her foot down, and I can't wait to hear you talk, I love NZ accents ! x

mr-stu said...

Your mum is worried about how her routine is going to change as your dad is going to have to make changes as well....there may be trouble ahead!

auntiegwen said...

mr-stu - I agree, it'll make interesting viewing from a distance ! I'm in a different country, my poor sister is only a few miles away !