Answer to my question..

 when do you know to shut up?

When you are personally, intentionally, financially, and medically, not affected.  Even though you think you are stepping up for someone else that is, shut up.

I did not.

And half way through this post, you will be asking "when will she shut up".  Sorry.  This really bothered me, still does.  I hurt a very sensitive and sweet person's feelings to the point of tears. Big ones. Long time.

Not to justify my mouth, but since I am the one that does all the "look this up for me", "check my balance for me", "order this for me", "find a contractor for me", "order my groceries for pickup for me", "what is my co-pay", "were my insulin supplies shipped", "gather 5 years of papers to apply for aid", "find an attorney about nursing homes", and a multitude of others, I feel I am in charge.  I am not.  I've paid bills, cemetery plots, fines, car loans, income taxes, bought lawn tractors, more clothing than I had, helped financially for many years, and also a multitude of others, I feel I have a right.  I do not.

Carole's grandson Matt who moved in before Carole came home from long term care (we did not believe it would happen), rescued a pup that turned into a ..... Great Dane.  A stupid one that has flunked out of every class.  Destroyed her furniture, is in the way of her power chair, and everyone grew to love her anyway.  Except me and hubs.  But so many other acts that were irresponsible and unnecessary already had my snark up.

Tracy, Matt's sweet, lovely, caring, generous girlfriend became Carole's caregiver because if you remember, she was sent home as a double amputee with no caregiver or home health workers available.  Tracy has been a Godsend to Matt's kids, Harley (the Dane), and loves Carole dearly.  She has wanted a cat for a long time since she had many growing up, and her ex kept the four they had.

Matt works with troubled kids.  Loves it.  Two days ago, a tiny kitten walked up the facility's drive.  Matt scooped it up and brought it inside.  Carole said absolutely not.  Always having cats herself, she also misses that, but the house is in constant disarray, messy, kids in and out, too much stuff and no space, can't take any more!  NO!!!  She called me and was not only angry but upset that they would even consider another pet when she has been adamant for months.  So I got ticked too, the last straw so to speak.

Yep.  That sweet tiny kitten is in her house.  And if a litter mate appears, he will probably bring it home too. When I was asked by the kids if I wanted to see the kitten, I answered that I do not, the house does not need a cat.  Tracy was so upset, she left the room and cried for some time.  She has wanted a cat to care for for a long time.  That is how sensitive she is, and that is all I said.  It's not my house, my dog, my mess, my kids, my pets, my expense, so I should have kept the pie hole shut. 

It is such a struggle for Carole to open that patio slider first, then maneuver through with an inch to spare (so it takes some time), while trying to keep Harley from busting through before the door shuts, now keeping a kitten from going outside is another concern.  But it's not mine.

Lesson learned. I will help when ASKED, offer opinion when ASKED, and buy the baby girl a gift card for the pet store.  How can you hold this tiny creature and not fall in love?

The End.

We had a tremendous wind and storm that took seven trees on my street, and it will be a few days before our yard is cleared of branches.  Carole lost power, none yet, thank God they bought that portable generator (Westinghouse brand from Lowes).  Excellent unit with plenty of power.

The End 2.

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