The Scolding

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(Edited)

When the kids start scolding Mom and Dad, and you remember doing that to your parents, you begin to wonder if it's time to move to Silver Havens!

For those who don't know, we run our own BnB, and I am very selective, and trust my instinct, when I get telephonic inquiries, so I do not usually allow viewing of the accommodation unless it's someone who has been referred.
We get quite a number of bookings for families needing accommodation for a myriad of reasons - attending functions, needing to be close to hospitals for a sick family member, expats staying for a lengthy period, etc.

I do not accommodate walk-in guests for security reasons - this is South Africa after all!

So...I do believe I am careful when it comes to security.

The Call that started it all

However, while the kiddos were here for the holidays, I received a call early one evening from someone wanting to surprise his parents who were visiting from up-country, with their own comfy accommodation. As he lives close by, I agreed that he could come over and view our BnB cottage.

Well, did I get a scolding from both kids, and the girlfriend! I felt like they were going to send me to the naughty corner so I could repent my sins! I was attacked from all sides...

Mom, how can you tell by a person's voice that he's not trying to pull the wool over your eyes, and you allow him into the property so he can rob you?

I explained that I am careful and that I always make an excuse when I get that kind of request. I went on to say that Dad and I were not on our own, they were all in the house!
I should have kept quiet and just agreed that I had just done a very foolish and irresponsible deed as the other son piped up...

What can we do if they arrive with guns? Your self-defense tazer is not going to help!!!

The girlfriend joined the scolding party...

Mama B, you simply cannot take chances like that. Anyone can turn on the charm over the phone, you don't know who you're talking to!

I put my foot in it when I told them that I evade that kind of request 99,9% of the time, and never allow walk-n guests.

Mom, it's that 0,1% that could turn out to be a criminal, they could rob you or even kill you!
You always told us to be careful of strangers, now look at what you're doing!

They said way more than that, but I'm just giving you the gist of their reaction.

I retreated to the kitchen and waited for this potential thug, feeling quite apprehensive by now...

I know...I know, I could be putting our lives at risk, but REALLY!!!
I do have good judgment and can tell when someone is sincere.

It turns out this local found our accommodation on a friend's Facebook.
Yes those who hate FB, listen on, it still is a good marketing tool, especially for BnB's.
He was excited after seeing the photos and only wanted to spoil his parents,

We still are a hidden secret to many locals as we do not have those large BnB signs with arrows leading strangers to the BnB.

The end of the saga is that we hosted the most charming elderly couple who arrived the following day and were enchanted with the tranquil and spacious cottage.

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The Merry Widows

I've heard how the widows vie for the attention of the widowed men, apparently close to extinction in retirement villages, as women do tend to outlive men. The poor grieving men find many old dears knocking on their doors with homemade meals or cookies.

I cannot see myself doing that one day, but I would have a good old chuckle seeing the women with their purple hair, red lipstick, and wafts of perfume, tottering down the road to charm the latest catch with homemade goods!

Find yourself a New Man

Hubby always tells me if something happens to him, I should find a new man!

No thank you, I always say, I've managed to train you, or shall I be kind and say, we've both managed to smooth each other's irritating rough patches over the years, but as the saying goes, you cannot teach an old dog new tricks, so I say again, no thank you!

So, are we ready for that safe haven the children think we should start looking at in the next two to three years, with other Silvers breathing over our shoulders?

I say a definite NO!
Silver Havens can wait for now, we are not ready just yet!


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19 comments
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Oh my gosh you are so funny. I would be the same as far as getting a new man. I will just get a few cats and a dog to keep me company. I hope that doesn't happen though.

I'm on the fence concerning the reason for the scolding though. It seems kind of scary to have strangers under any circumstances come to your home. I guess so far so good though. I wouldn't have even thought of any danger, until you mentioned the concern. On the flip side, you're not stupid and you've done this long enough to get a sense.

I hope everything worked out well. Have a good week my friend.😊

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(Edited)

I agree, cats and dogs would be less maintenance than an old man with smelly socks and who knows what else 😅
I'd never let the guests into the house but will be even more discerning from now on, violent crime is on the increase in SA so I do understand where the kids are coming from.
Anyway, hope you're having a good Sunday Carolyn!
What's happening with the restaurant?

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The restaurant closed permanently on December 23rd. No word from anyone. It's okay. We really hated it at the end so we got our wish. We didn't expect it though.

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Bullies! That's what they are! And the GF chiming in too? I'd cut them all out of my will.

Just kidding, but only just. One of my daughters wanted me to wear a life alert necklace. I told her 'NO WAY DEAR" and that was that.

Did they learn their lesson? That you do have a solid inner sense of whom to allow on your property, based on the vibe you get from them, even if over the phone?

Our youth have been severely harmed with all the catastrophising that has been going on all over the world. I feel sorry for them really. They will feel unsafe wherever they go. That is sad.

So stay right where you are!

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Haha you're so right, made me feel like an irresponsible teen again, but they kept quiet afterwards when they saw the guests the next day, really super people!
My instinct has not let me down thus far.
I believe the younger generation have been exposed to way too much information which often turn out to be fake news, although violent crime has increased here ever since Covid with job losses as companies had to close or scale down, and now our energy crisis is making it even worse, a very sad state of affairs when we have such a beautiful country!
Happy new year @owasco 🤗

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I'm back @owasco, forgot to say I can just imagine your indignation about the life alert necklace, that was so funny😂😂😂

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I think the Silver Havens is a long way off for you guys yet. With God's favor, you will have many years ahead of you in good health 🙏😊 About the scolding thing hehe, I'm not ready to have it thrown at me by my son, although to be honest I usually do it with my mom, lol.
Have a nice week 🤗🥰

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LOL I think you're still too young to get a scolding from your son whereas we're probably at the age where they see us being vulnerable🙄 They forget that we do use our better judgment and still know what's happening in the world 😅
Have a great week Eli❤️

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I didn't look at it as scolding, but I have found myself voicing to my own mother a time or two recently, my disbelief about something she has done or somewhere she has gone. She's 88 and in decent health and still mostly independent, but although she is not totally unaware, she sometimes doesn't seem to make a great decision regarding how dangerous some things can be or how she might be exposed to who knows what in these times of rampant illnesses.

Of course, who is to judge who is seeing it more right ? I don't mean it as scolding and yet, a time or too it caught me by such surprise when she tells what she has done that my shock just blurts it out of me. 🤣 Then I feel bad that I said anything. I am not trying to make her feel like she no longer realizes what she is doing but.....

Years ago, my sister's mother-in-law passed. Within a certain time, all the neighbor widows were doing as you said, showing up at the door with food or whatever. My sister's father-in-law finally picked one to spend some time with and in conversation (not in front of the other woman) he told my sister he was not serious and didn't want to be serious, but the only way to stop all of them from continuing to show up, was to choose one to call his girlfriend, which made the others stop coming ! I thought it was brilliant. Neither of them were really looking for marriage, but they did enjoy eventually having someone to go to a meal with on occasion or company for whatever outing they chose. I remember thinking how smart that was. Who knew you would need to just choose one to keep the others away??? LOL

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LOL Brilliant move on his part😂😂😂
Loneliness is not nice, and I think a man does need a woman around, whereas we're the stronger species mentally.

I have a friend who's in a retirement village for 'active seniors' and she's loving it! She's made new friends and getting involved in all their activities, even going on one of those fun luxury ship cruises this week.
I'm not ready for that just yet, happy in my space for now😉
Your uncle is a very clever man😅
Happy new year to you Jacey💖

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Silver Havens, I have never heard of!
Ah I remember when mum had her guest house, that would always be a dilemma, as she too could tell when someone was sincere on the phone. We would bite our tongues as mothers know best 🤣
Just think they love you and are looking out for you!

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LOL I know they're just concerned but I just about had my head bitten off. They weren't even listening to Dad trying to calm them down, I felt like a naughty child😂😂😂
Silver Havens is only a figment of my imagination! Some of those retirement places make me feel like I'd be sitting in the waiting room of the stairway to heaven😅

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Wow sounds like they went a bit shall we say Over The Top!
Ah got you now🤣

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Being careful in this crazy world can't be overstated and you and the hubby sure sound like you're on top of your game. I can understand your children's point of view, but with living comes chances.
I'm sure you will not make that mistake again and if you do I've got a feeling you'll keep the kids out of the loop. 😁

The way you tell the story had me LOL.

The lapse in being extra careful that 0.01% worked out and I am happy the folks that visited so enjoyed themselves, along with you.

Silver Havens may be in the picture down the road a piece, but why rush?

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In many ways the children are right, times have changed we are normally more trusting. Under the circumstances everything has turned out alright.

No old age home here, nor another pair of slippers under the bed again, dog is fine company should life take that route.

Wish your eldest and his gal all the best to enjoy exploring a new life. I am busy trying to assist my oldest to make the move. Younger son and wife lost a lot of money due to covid, paid a lot out from savings to go,now looking into other options.

Sad when our children even need to consider leaving the country of their birth! Many of our friends (of all ethnic groups) have bid farewell to their children.

!LUV
!WINEX

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