Cleaning out Files and Finding Gems...

I read recently that 80% of the papers we file are never retrieved, so I'm trying to clean out 80% of ours!

I ran across a real gem in the "Retirement" file. A handwritten list I labeled "When You're Old". I made this list while visiting my in-laws, probably twenty years ago and probably with immature, impatient smoke coming out of my ears. Our three kids were little, as was my in-laws' home, and the walls seemed to be coming in on all of us. I vowed then that when our children had children, and they came for visits, some things would be different! Here are a few of the items I thought would be important 'when I was old', which is getting closer all the time...

#1 have air conditioning (I don't care if you live in North Dakota, it's hot everywhere in August and heat makes people grounchy.)

#2 have a fireplace with real wood logs

#3 have lots of beds with quilts, crisp sheets and feather pillows

#4 keep old bicycles around with a patch kit and an air pump

#5 have a pet for grandkids to enjoy - even if it's not a dog (did I really write that?)

#6 keep some old things around for them to go through and remember with their parents

#7 keep cards, games, etc.

#8 have a VCR and lots of movies (update with DVD player and Tivo)

#9 have cocoa and marshmallows on hand

#10 always have soda in the house

#11 remember kids LOVE pizza

#12 schedule one outing a day when visitors come

#13 give their family time away from you

#14 have lots of bathrooms

#15 have books, magazines and places to curl up and read

#16 dont' discuss the weather - it's boring to discuss the weather

#17 have croquet, volleyball, badmitton sets and horseshoes to set out

#18 bake cookies ahead or with them

#19 fix cool foods in the summer, not hot soups, etc.

#20 keep meals simple

#21 keep laundry supplies handy, including stain removers

#22 have kid cereal on hand, not just shredded wheat

#23 go to McDonalds once in awhile

#24 don't cook casseroles that will make parents fight with kids to eat them

#25 have a dishwasher!

#26 have more than one TV, one away from the place the adults gather

#27 don't discuss bowel habits

#28 stock up on TP, paper plates, napkins, etc. ahead of guests' arrival

#29 have a pool table or ping pong table for rainy days

#30 hire someone to keep up your yard when you get really old so grown kids don't have to do it when they come to visit

#31 keep your home in repair, even if you have to hire it done so grown kids don't worry over you being safe in your home.

#32 have a grill, ice cream maker, which can be used when they visit

#33 don't have twin beds as the only option for grown couples when they visit

I would add to that, after twenty years of looking back, and having friends and family come to visit:

#34 have air freshener in every bathroom, and a toilet bowl brush to swish out potties if need be
#35 do not cook cabbage or beans too regularly

#36 have locks on bedroom doors

#37 have a car available for visitors' use if they've flown in to see you

#38 don't be so busy caring for them that you don't enjoy time with them

#39 if grown kids live far enough away that they have to fly in to see you, try to set aside money to help with plane tickets.

#40 kiss every single one of them goodnight. Take time to be thankful they came for a visit. You'll soon be missing them again.