Oh My Mother!!!

[Janet]

As most of you know, my mother is now in Florida until the end of next month. I called her yesterday to check on her and just to talk. I had tried calling her all morning, but she had gone to some garage sales near where she lives.

Remember, mother just turned 85 years young. She had a very eventful morning yesterday. As she was driving down a narrow road (you know something is going to happen..right?...LOL) she moved over so as not to run into this oncoming car...well someone on her right opened her car door and Mom hit it. That is incident number 1. Incident number 2 is: she pulled over to park and when the officer got there he fined her for parking on the wrong side of the road. Mom said there was no place else to park. So it's either get a ticket for parking on the wrong side of the road or leaving the scene of an accident. Incident number 3...her driver's license expired a year ago February.

My brother will be taking all her info to the license branch on Tuesday..they are closed here on Monday's and see if they can get her a temporary license until she gets home. She was mad because I told her not to drive and she said she needed to get to church tomorrow (today.) I asked her if someone in her park went to the same church and she said yes, but they go to the early service at 8;30 and she likes the one at 11:30 AM. I told her for one day she could ride with some and go early, it's not like she sleeps late..she gets up around 5 a.m.

She wouldn't hear of it. (See..I told you she is stubborn) she won't even compromise for God...LOL. She said she'll just "sneak" to church...LOL. I told her she better not, that if she had another accident they could possibly keep her from ever getting her license. This is not her first accident. My mother said she hasn't had an accident for over a year...so what you want to bet that she drives to church this morning?????

Stay tuned for the continuing life of Janet's mother....bless her heart!

[Dobie]

Isn't fun when you reach the time in your life when your parents are the one that give YOU grey hair with their antics?

[Janet]

You've got that right!!!...My mother is a strange one, but I love her. She's a hoot for sure. And gray hair....not me....mine gets covered every 4-5 weeks....ROFL!!!!

[yorkiemalt]

she sounds like quite the "character"! Can't wait for updates!

[Gina]

Janet I love your mother she is a pip! lol... It is wonderful to hear that she is driving and just being mom... GOOD FOR HER!!!

[Janet]

Originally Posted by Gina

Janet I love your mother she is a pip! lol... It is wonderful to hear that she is driving and just being mom... GOOD FOR HER!!!

Gina did you get my PM?

All I can say is...wow. When do you know when is the right time to have a parent's license taken away? My mom is only 75, but she's always been a "nervous" driver-things have NOT improved with age. On one hand, I dread when she can no longer drive. Not only because it will take away a lot of her independence, but also because it will make it harder on me! I'll be the one getting her groceries, picking up her prescriptions, taking her to the doctor, etc.

But on the other hand-when does it become a safety issue? I sure don't want to see my mom get hurt in an accident (which would probably be her fault!) and I also don't want to see anyone else get hurt. It's so hard to know what is the right thing to do.

[AngieDoogles]

Yikes Janet! Your poor mom...She's so spunky and stubborn!

[Janet]

Originally Posted by catlover

All I can say is...wow. When do you know when is the right time to have a parent's license taken away? My mom is only 75, but she's always been a "nervous" driver-things have NOT improved with age. On one hand, I dread when she can no longer drive. Not only because it will take away a lot of her independence, but also because it will make it harder on me! I'll be the one getting her groceries, picking up her prescriptions, taking her to the doctor, etc.

But on the other hand-when does it become a safety issue? I sure don't want to see my mom get hurt in an accident (which would probably be her fault!) and I also don't want to see anyone else get hurt. It's so hard to know what is the right thing to do.

I really don't think my Mom should be driving much longer, but it will be an awful day when we tell her she can't drive anymore. I figured I would just go to the license branch and talk with them about failing her. That way she won't be hurt and upset at one of us kids. She can only hear out of one ear and then not real well and her sight isn't good either..she had a stroke in one eye so it's a little blurry. She wears two sets of sunglasses because the sun bothers her so much.

You're right though, their independence will be taken. It will fall mostly on me to go with her to get groceries, pay bills, Drs. well...just anywhere she will need to go. I live in the country and she lives in town, so it will be some traveling for me for sure. My one brother and his wife will help out, they live in town, but they both work during the day.

We'll just have to wait and see what happens. She won't give up anything without a fight and she hates being told what to do...

[DianaB]

Janet, I'm so sorry to hear that you're Mom is having trouble driving. It really is hard to get an older person to stop because, just like you said, it's taking away their independence. Your community probably has programs to help with appointments and such. I know that our Senior Citizen's program has a van that will take older people to their appointments and to the grocery store. You just have to schedule your appointments with them. It could help take some of the pressure off of you to always be the one to drive her around.

Also, I'm sure that your spunky Mother drove herself to church this morning!!!!! And you'll be JUST like her, Janet!!!!!

[Marilyn]

Janet, I was just thinking and Diana said it too, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I'd say you are just as spunky as her.

Do you think it counts if you break the law to get to church???? Just a thought.....

BTW, at least here in Texas, you can't have their license taken away. And the department of public safety will not work with you at all on this issue. My father got to the point that he should not have been driving. They renewed his drivers license in the mail. Due to his clean record, he did not need to go to the office to have it done, just mailed in the money and he was good to go. He passed away at 82 before he had an accident and hurt anyone.

Hope your mum gets things straightened out and stays safe!!!

[Tink]

Janet, your Mom sounds like she belongs in MY moms family.
If you try to tell the women in my family they can't do something, you're sure to get this response.

angryoldwoman.jpg

[Gina]

Originally Posted by Tink

Janet, your Mom sounds like she belongs in MY moms family.
If you try to tell the women in my family they can't do something, you're sure to get this response.

Attachment 2619

Oh Tink....

[Janet]

Originally Posted by Tink

Janet, your Mom sounds like she belongs in MY moms family.
If you try to tell the women in my family they can't do something, you're sure to get this response.

Attachment 2619

Oh Tink is right!!

[DianaB]

OMGosh, Tink!!! Where are you finding all of those hilarious pictures?????

My Mom wouldn't be caught dead making a gesture like that!!!!!