A week or so ago DH & I spent five days in my natal city visiting family members that still live there and also some who live elsewhere but were also visiting.
We stayed with a third sister and basically things went well (DH did a few odd jobs and totally took care of himself, we ate out etc) But one funny thing happened. This DS has a small dog and we offered to walk her. Of course the area has a pooper scooper law and DS handed first DH (who didn't say anything) and then me (who did say something) a sandwich bag! I wanted a bigger bag like a grocery store plastic bag but my DS refused to give me one, saying how many she would have to use in a week if she used them! In a couple of days she did relent, but I thought this was very funny!
I am one of five sisters. . . the baby is 69 and the eldest is 85. When it is just the five of us we have a ball and laugh ourselves silly. Others in the mix, things don't go so well.This message has been edited. Last edited by: lady of shallot,
When cousin's kids were in diapers, she & my Aunt saved those long "sleeve" bags that newspaper's often come in when they land in your driveway. She realized those diaper-gizmos were kinda silly... even a days worth of diapers doesn't get a chance to get stinky if tied up tight. She'd tie a knot, pull bag back over "present" and tie again... sometime 3 knots.
After kidsw were outta diapers, still saved the bags to pick up after dog while walking. She did some kinda tie to have them 2-ply before she even had to use them.
When I had dogs, they were always BIG ones. They did what they had to do in fenced-in back yard... time on the leash was an opportunity to "visit" with as many people and other (friendly) dogs. Can only remember 1-2 times MAX, where they left a "gift" along the way... #1 doesn't count in my book. Alsolutely cannot imagine picking up the things they would have left behind... sometime the size of a small dog!?!
I keep plastic bags from groceries for cleaning out litter box. ALWAYS look to see if totally intact... leaving a trail of litter... NOT a good thing. Even with scooping at least daily, I slowly accumulate a LOT of them. Have one bag with several dozen, neatly folded bags tucked inside. Another bag BULGING with wadded up bags. One day, when I think to, will take the unfolded bags to supermarket with me... into their recycle bin at entrance.
Posts: 5522 | Location: mount holly, NJ, USA | Registered: Sep 19, 2002
Lady, It is exhausting visiting family. I would visit with my sister and her husband a couple of times a year, thank goodness they moved back to the beach, and I would be worn out by the time I got back home. All the family drama is more than I can stand for extended periods of time.
As for the dog - as was mentioned - newpaper bags are the perfect size for small ones.
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When I had dogs, they were always BIG ones. They did what they had to do in fenced-in back yard... time on the leash was an opportunity to "visit" with as many people and other (friendly) dogs. Can only remember 1-2 times MAX, where they left a "gift" along the way... #1 doesn't count in my book. Alsolutely cannot imagine picking up the things they would have left behind... sometime the size of a small dog!?!
I don't know how long ago that was but today you have to get used to walking the 4 legged babies with some bags in your pockets. Our greys are on thee large side and we always take bags for cleaning up. Since Freckles broke his leg we have gone through many many plastic grocery bags cleaning up the porch. Thank goodness for the training pads!
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Have one bag with several dozen, neatly folded bags tucked inside. Another bag BULGING with wadded up bags. One day, when I think to, will take the unfolded bags to supermarket with me... into their recycle bin at entrance.
Yep we have a HUGE bulging bag of them also. With Freckles injury we have gone through quite a few of them.This message has been edited. Last edited by: Charming,
When we walk our granddog when asked to pet sit, we always grab a DOUBLE grocery bag just for added protection. She's a medium sized mixed breed, but one can't be too careful. Next time bring a supply w/ you when you visit. We always ask the cashier for double plastic guarding against ripped bags and cans and bottles pouring out. We save them and recycle them as our standard trash bags.
Posts: 16834 | Location: Right here, duh! ;) | Registered: Nov 03, 2005
90%of time our golden does her business in our yard and we always clean up right up after her. There are always 1-2 plastic grocery bags tied to the handle of our leashes I case she can't make it home. I had a neighbor way down the street who's dog always went in our yard. After a year of not cleaning it up, I made picked up her dogs deposits, bagged them and left bag in her yard. Doesn't happen anymore!,
Posts: 2814 | Location: Michigan and sw Florida | Registered: May 16, 2007
Sadly as this is my youngest sister, I don't think there will be a next time. I am the second one of 5 sisters and a schism between the next two younger, makes a sister visit very unlikely to occur again. It has been brewing for 16 years and is not getting resolved or lessening. In fact it is increasing.
LOS, don't think as this is your very last visit even w/ rift between family members is current. Tho I can definitely relate to stubborn ("right fighters" as Dr. Phil calls them) siblings who carry the lamest of grudges most of their adult lives, I prefer to think in positive terms. I try to maintain a mature peace loving approach and forgive and move on tho it can be challenging to say the least at times w/ family members at constant odds. Keep the lines of communication open, steer clear of issues between the other sisters, and know that you have a special bond that is for keeps. Nuff said!
Posts: 16834 | Location: Right here, duh! ;) | Registered: Nov 03, 2005
Lady of shallot, I feel your sadness. I also have sisters and I know what one word taken the wrong way can cause. I try to shut my mouth most of the time. We are now at the point where we just see each other when it is a must and speak on the phone only when too much time has gone by. It is sad but sometimes the drama is just not worth it.
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Posts: 2336 | Location: Sarasota | Registered: Jan 31, 2005
Thanks Fiboy and Froo for your comments. When just the five of us are together we have a ball and many laughs (despite the schism)
Sisters 3 & 4 live maybe a half hour apart and maybe see each other once a year, usually when sister 1 visits. This year I thought I could join them all but it never worked out that the five of us were together. And there were so many uncomfortable situations again initiated by sisters 3 & 4 that such a trip is not worth it! P.S. we also have a car with no a/c and round trip it is about 1,000 miles! Temps were in high 90's
Originally posted by mamaspoon: I had a neighbor way down the street who's dog always went in our yard. After a year of not cleaning it up, I made picked up her dogs deposits, bagged them and left bag in her yard. Doesn't happen anymore!,
Fuggehdaboudit. You are entirely too nice. If that ever happened at my house, the doggie doo would be deposited on the offender's front porch, in a plain brown bag, and set on fire. Then I'd ring the door bell and skeedaddle. Or, I might just deposit the doo in the mailbox. :>)
