Bonus Day #3

Wed 081008

Today is Bonus Day #3 for this new week. Thank God for these bonuses...hopefully many many more to come...

Remember me made some changes to the decor in our lounge area way back on 15th August? (Pls chk out Blog entry dated 16th Aug for details)

Well, the item at the right-hand side of the then new replacement "consoles" kinda look out-of-place, doesn't it? The 3-tier shelf corner unit. Yup, kinda not fit in...in terms of colour, design, etc.

When that became obvious, the "cannot-sit-still" & "itchy-hand" me decided to do something about it...even at that point in time. Actually we went back to look for a suitable replacement. Found one...or rather 2 separate units. However, there was no stock of 1 of the units. So, idea was KIV then.

Yesterday, during our walk-walk session at AS Mall, my luck was in! Saw BOTH units were available in their Home Mart section. So, without much hesitation, the units were purchased, brought home & assembled. Here they are...in place now!
Doesn't the arrangement now look better? Even good? Haha...

As mentioned earlier, they are actually 2 separate units. A drawer with shelf unit (RM 23.90) and a 2-shelf unit (RM 18.90).

On trying the 2 possible arrangements, it kinda looked better with the drawer unit below the shelf unit. What do you think?

The different modules now seem to "flow" & appear to be one complete set. Don't you think so?

All that would contribute to making our time spent in our lounge area a more cosy & pleasant experience...pleasing to the eyes, too! And mind you, we do spend a lot of time there...hehe....

One more for the road before I end this post...

A topic was opened for comments over the radio this morning...over Light FM. Listeners were asked to call in with their views about being grandparents taking care of grandchildren...about grown-up kids "dumping" their own kids at their parents while they go to work.

As always, there are differing views. One pro one talked about how he, as a grandfather, could pass on the values & teachings to his grandkids & being happy to spend time with them. However, he also did mention about how tiring it can be to keep up with the young ones.

There is, of course, the opposing camp...that the grown-up kids, now being parents, should be responsible for bringing up their own kids and not dump their responsibilities on their parents who rightfully deserve a rest now...

In this issue, I feel that decisions for either way depends a lot on the relationship between the young family & the old.

But then, there are those parents who kinda have that inert fear that if they don't help to look after the grandkid(s), their own kids would not come visit or look after them when they grow old...
That, I might add, is an unfounded fear. Whether your kids do visit or care for you in any way, is not guaranteed by your taking care of their kids! I've personally witnessed many such families who had no love lost between them in spite of the grandparents having looked after the grandkids for years!! Reciprocal action? Don't bank on it...I wouldn't! What our kids feel that they should do, has to come from their hearts...not based on what they supposedly owe us. One fine day, your kid would turn around & say, "You owe me more... ". Then, you'd be more than shocked! Sincerely hope you have a really strong ole heart then...Ha ha!

A point to note...and, yup, in most instances, one finds that it works much better in cases where the grandkids are those of the daughters rather than of the sons...if you get what I'm trying to say. In short, that is mainly because the daughter-in-law is less acceptable (more suspicious, maybe?) to the methods, care & the idea of her In-Laws bringing up her kids...kinda untrusting nature.

Fyi one such "dil" was asked if she would be able to accept whatever way or actions her In Laws might take while caring for her kids. Her answer was a flat "NO! ". What did you think the In Laws answered in reply to her request for help? Yup, you got it...also a flat "NO! " Ha ha...

In contrast, a daughter is more supportive & trusting of her own parents in bringing up her kids...knowing fully well how her own parents had done so with her...confident that her kids would get the same loving care from her own parents as she had.

Now let's see...your parents take care of your kids. That's good. Picture this then...who is gonna take care of your parents if & when they do fall sick while taking care of your kids? YOU? Sure? If so, then good for them, too. Otherwise, won't you feel sorry for the old folks?

Frankly, one parent did ask that of 1 of his kids. A fair question, right? He waited for his answer. None came. So, with sincere apologies, he had no choice but to turn down the request to look after his grandson. Also fair enough, right?

Don't you think so? Agreed? Maybe a point to ponder?