- I confess I underestimated my Grandpa's silliness. Last night as we watched The Sound of Music, Grandpa entered the living room with new energy in his step. The man was waltzing into the room like a 20-year-old! I have never seen him do such. In fact, Grandma has long given me lectures about Grandpa's lack of interest in all things music. Was she ever proved wrong last night! Immediately after he entered the room, he raised his eyebrows and roared with laughter. It seems the steak cooked in red wine we had for dinner had quite an effect on Grandpa...
- I may qualify for a motorized chair from the Scooter Store, according to Grandpa and the blaring commercial on television. Against a harsh black background, large white letters splashed across the screen, accompanied by a passionate narrator: "HAVE YOU FALLEN IN THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS?" it asked, among other questions - including: "Do you ever feel like a burden to others regarding your mobility challenges?" and, "Do you experience difficulty walking to the bathroom?" I told Grandpa that during the month of November I fell three times in three weeks. Grandpa pointed at the screen. "You could qualify. This machine is for you." I detected a sparkle in his eye as he continued, explaining how I could secure my personal scooter after a simple talk with my doctor. "No matter what your insurance company says, the Scooter Store will find a way to pay for your device. Just keep watching the commercial," he advised. We both chuckled. Grandma seemed completely dazed, unaware of our ongoing joke. "What's this about, Lissie?" she mused.
- Kelly Ripa (the obnoxious host of "The Regis and Kelly Show") announced a statistic during breakfast that infuriated me: 44% of men and women under 30 believe that marriage is "headed for extinction." WHAT? I nearly choked on my toast. Ripa rattled on about the results of the recent study and explained that the statistics are driven by an evolving belief among young people that marriage doesn't matter. It's true: times have changed and we live in a world where more and more couples are moving in together. I believe it is a very personal decision and I do not judge those who choose to move in with their boyfriend or girlfriend. On the other hand, I've never, ever been the type of girl to obsess about her wedding day or pour over the wedding magazines that line the grocery store check-out aisles. [Quite the contrary: I stay away from those magazines like the plague (they are emotional porn and females are their target audience, haha)!] Ultimately, though, how do these statistics relate to me? I spent some time thinking. My conclusion: I am 110% pro-marriage.
- After breakfast, Grandma and I fought a fierce battle against dust particles. Grandma's weapon of choice was a soft feather duster. To the cobwebs in the corner, I raised a pair of soft dusting cloths laced with Pledge spray with lemon oil. We were a potent combination. As boring as dusting sounds, cleaning has always been an outlet for stress and a peaceful pastime for me (don't ask, I dunno why). Beginning in the living room, I worked slowly and nimbly to remove vases, fragile books, glass figurines, and delicate souvenirs from the bookshelves before wiping away months worth of dust. It was great to hear the stories behind the treasures that fill my grandparents' house. And even though these stories have all been told (and heard) before, I still appreciated this time with my Grandma. After a whirlwind morning, we enjoyed a steaming cup of coffee and put our feet up before lunch.
- Do you listen to music as you clean? Today, Grandma and I watched the "Rachel Rae" show while dusting. This proved to be an interesting experience, as Rachel Rae enthusiastically announced today's theme: "ARE YOU AND YOUR MAN SEXUALLY COMPATIBLE?" she asked. Grandma gave a snort and continued chasing away dirt and grime in the far corners of her kitchen. The tv blared on (Grandma and Grandpa turn the volume ALL the way up). What followed on tv was a rather loud and transparent discussion about all things sex. I learned that there are actually people with job titles like "Sex Expert." Rachel Rae welcomed one on her show to a thunderous audience. Grandma and I next followed the trials and tribulations of an interviewed couple: two young new graduates. We learned what their answers on a "Sex Compatibility Quiz" said about them. I was a little unsure at first, but it was an interesting show. During a commercial break, Grandma sauntered up to me (still clutching the duster brush). "Lissie, I want to talk to you about something..." she started. My heart skipped a beat. I knew this could potentially snowball into a very peculiar conversation. We've all seen splashy articles in magazines like Glamour and Seventeen Magazine, but I've never before heard the advice of an 87-year-old woman. What luck! Right there in front of a half-dusted bookshelf featuring a 25-part collection of a Dutch encyclopedia, Grandma wanted to talk about sex. oh dear. It was quite a cute moment. I will remember these stories and her life advice forever.
- Grandpa keeps falling asleep at his computer. I look over at his screen (it's cluttered with articles in Dutch -- He's reading RNW Nederlands Nieuws. I sometimes try to cough once or twice to wake him up, but after a long afternoon walk (we just got back), maybe it's best if I let him rest.
- Running off to help Grandma cook dinner.
More to come.
groetjes.
