Grandmas 84th birthday, need to vent!!!!

[valeriedl]

My grandma just celebrated her 84th birthday 2 weeks ago.

My husband and I took her to a hockey game (grandpap didn't want to go). She started to watch hockey 2 years ago and really got into it so we thought it would pe a good presant. We spent just about the whole day with her. She loved it! Threw her arms into the air every time we scored yelling. Shouting and booing when the other team did.

Almost all the family lives withing 1/4th a mile away from her house. My brother doesn't and it took him 2 days to get ahold of her because she was on the phone every time he called and she doesn't know how to use the call waiting.

My parents, who live next door, got her a book and something else, and went to see her. My husband and I went with them.


Now the vent part....:soap:

My aunt, who lives a 1/4th a mile away, came a week later and got her a digital camera. She showed it to me and wasn't even really sure what the thing was. Grandma doesn't even know how to turn on the computer so even if she did figure out how to use the camera she wouldn't know what to do with the pictures she took. My grandpap sort of knows how to use the computer but he would never figure that and the camera out together. She told me that she would have rather just gotten some disposal cameras.

Neither one of them hardly knows how to use the remote control for the tv (not a joke) and as I mentioned call waiting so how on earth is she going to figure out a digital camera???? She wants to ask my aunt where she got it so she could return it but doesn't want to hurt her feelings. My aunt always gets them these stupid electronical things and they just get put in a cubbord to collect dust.

Now the real big rant/vent part....

My cousin who is 40 some years old, still lives at home with my aunt, which is within walking distance, doesn't have a job (not really sure if he ever did have one) did nothing! No phone call and didn't even go to see her. Now my cousin always makes sure he's there for his birthday or christmas to make sure he gets his gift from them.

Now I know my grandparents could care less if you get them a gift, but they would like a visit and maybe a card. You can get a card for what, 50 cents at places?

I've went off about this to my parents and husband but they both tell me not to worry about it because it's not my problem. I've never said anything to my grandparents because I don't want to upset them.

I do think my grandma is a little ticked at my cousin though. Someone got her a puzzle for christmas and the two of us have been putting it together. She told me that she thought my cousin got it for her so he should be over helping. The tone of her voice wasn't a nice happy grandma voice when she said it, it was more of a 'go sit in the corner' type tone.

Sorry this was long but it's really been making me angry, to put it nicely. I really needed to rant about it and since nobody wants to listen to me, I know you guys will. THANKS

 

[huskymom]

Ahhh, family! Don't you just love them? I think that it was wonderful what you did for your grandma for her birthday. It sounds like you stop and see her often. As much as it angers you, and I get that, you are going to just have to let it go. Your cousin is a jerk, granted, but you can't control him. Your aunt is a jerk, but you can't control her either. Your grandma sounds like a strong with it person, and I think if it really bothered her that much, she would handle the situation. I think she has just decided to let these things roll off of her back because it is just easier. She is telling these things to you because she feels that she can with out causing a big family rift. Why don't you offer to buy the new camera from her, or trade a bunch of disposable cameras for it? That way she can have cameras for pictures and not have to get your aunt involved. Just a thought. Hang in there!!

 

[valeriedl]

Thanks huskymom

I know she isn't trying to start a fight. My grandma and I have become very close since I've had epilepsy. We talk on the phone almost every day and I see her a few times a week. I could say she's my best friend. We laugh because some of the jokes and things we tell each other aren't things that grandma and grandaughter shouldn't be talking about. If there are things going on with my grandpap or husband that upset us we talk about that too and try to help each other out.

She knows I have a digital camera so I know she wouldn't take it from me. I'm going to keep an eye out for one like it at a store so if I find one she can take it back. The only problems is my aunt usually buys everything online so it's just about impossible to know where it came from, it might not have been an actual store you can shop in either.