Several years ago, I watched the most frightening Christmas movie ever. Well, it is the only truly scary Christmas movie I have ever seen. I know "It's A Wonderful Life" is very dark. "A Christmas Carol" is sad. I know lots of Christmas songs are not pure joy.
But, I have only seen one Christmas movie that truly frightened me.
THE POLAR EXPRESS left me a nervous wreck with the reckless train running into snow, sludge, and finally water. Does it frighten you?
After I finally got my body out of bed about 10 am, sat around and tried to wait for the Benadryl to wear off, I washed my hair, bathed and got dressed. We went out to get Christmas things, like pie crusts and batteries...lol.
When we got home Tommy refused to lock the front door. So, here we are around 10:3o. He cussed me thoroughly and told me how I should talk and how he likes the door unlocked until he goes to bed. He turned red in the face cursing me with words I will not repeat. He said he did not care if I felt safe or not. Well, anyone can walk up to my bedroom window and look in. And, they can come in if they decide. He knows how to kill a Christmas mood. He has made it quite clear I will get no presents from him, not even a small token.
He also refuses to let me plug in the Christmas tree if we leave the house and I unplug it. "We are only going to be gone a few minutes, so nothing will happen." He refuses to give me permission to turn on the Christmas tree, then refuses to allow me to turn it off and back on once in the house again. Do you think I mind his demands? NO. I just plug it up and unplug it when leaving in the car.
Do you unplug Christmas trees or turn them off when you leave the house?
Yes. I think for a small effort it keeps one's home safer to unplug the tree when going out for a while. But where I live I wouldn't even think of leaving the doors unlocked at night when we are sleeping.
ReplyDeleteWe used to have the door unlocked during the daytime when the kids were still at home because the kids were always coming and going. Now we make an effort to keep the door locked during the day, but often forget, especially in summer. This fall I was watching live coverage of a police chase, in an area about 45 minutes from where we live, after a car jacking. The helicopter videos showed the car jackers wrecking the car then jumping out and running away trying the doors on several homes to get into and hide. It was early morning daytime hours. Luckily they were caught before they found an unlocked door. That was big reinforcement to remind me to keep the doors locked.
Susie,
DeleteThere are too many stories of Christmas trees causing firs for me to forgo that little effort.
I have heard of people on the run going into homes that were unlocked, too. They take people hostage and even kill people.
He thinks I am crazy and paranoid when I want him to turn off motor and lock car doors while pumping gas. He will say, "I am right beside the car, so how can anyone carjack it? Well, he has to hold onto the car or get his walker out to pump gas. I see videos of people getting their cars jacked with babies inside. He is clueless sometimes, especially if I am being cautious.
With kids about, the door was always open. For thirty years, I have locked my house when I go into the yard or drive away. I also lock my car even in my own driveway, and for sure in his driveway.
I keep my cellphone and keys in my pocket, too. He leaves his cellphone on a slippery console. I tell him that in a wreck or fender bender, his phone might be out of reach. Going down and embankment into woods, I would want my phone in my pants pocket. He tries to assuage my fears by putting it in the pocket of his shirt. When he bends too far, it falls right out. Thanks.
Sounds like you've worn out your welcome with Tommy. What are your plans to move out - when & where? Have you come up with anything or what are your plans/ideas on where you will go next. Always good to have a plan.
ReplyDeleteTommy is mercurial.
DeleteI wonder if he has borderline dementia. He doesn't sound rational at times.
ReplyDeleteCarole,
DeleteI had not thought of that. Maybe. He just does not like being opposed. He even yells at me because I brought his food from kitchen and put it in WRONG place.
I try and unplug when it is not being enjoyed. I too jjhave been more diligent about keeping the door locked, When we got a new front door, we put a cyber lock so no one in the family needs to have a key-just the code. I love it, and feel so much better. We once had a situation a few doors down that involved SWAT team.-in my small own, quiet, borderline rural neighborhood. Plus, thieves are everywhere and always figuring out how to get in quick, steal, and get away quick. I think you are being safe.
ReplyDeleteSAM,
DeleteI would love to have one with a keycode. This time of the year I am sure this time of the year thieves are waiting for the opportunity and maybe just trying doors, especially car doors. That must have been scary with the SWAT team.
I was not a fan of the polar express, as it was too much on the senses.
ReplyDeletekim,
DeleteExactly.
I agree with Carole. Seems you cant do anything right by him. We had someone living near us who called us and accused us of making paths on his property and we should stay off his land. The 'paths' were deep ruts made by a large machine he had hired that had done work back there and not by our (or any ones shoes.) At first I was upset at being accused tho it was silly to think any person could make those ruts with their shoes, but when I told a few friends of this accusing phone call they all thought it was dementia on the callers part.
ReplyDeleteAnn,
DeleteI had a neighbor, youngish woman, who accused me of opening her door to her crawl space. She thought I was sneaking over at night, walking over limbs and through mud to open it. I asked her why she thought I would do it.
Its A Wonderful Life is my favourite Christmas movie. I watch it every year. I don't mind Polar Express, but I haven't watched it for a few years now.
ReplyDeleteI always turn the lights off - too risky to start a fire but I would not be able to sleep with an unlocked door. Our doors are locked night and day - far too risky to leave them open like we used to growing up.
Jam,
ReplyDeleteMine. too. I have avoided Polar Express when it comes on the TV. That has been part of the reason I have been unable to sleep. I have had people come into my house who should have knocked. A delivery man was almost to end of hall at the back of my house one time. He said he thought my house was an apartment type home. I yelled at him a lot. Growing up, we did lock doors at night. But, in the daytime, never.
I agree it sounds like the start of dementia sadly. My dad was an absolute sweetheart but then started getting aggressive and moody for no apparent reason. Turned out it was the start of dementia and he was absolutely APPALLING to my mom and my sister. As for the tree, yes I unplug it when I'm out - fires start too easily. And now that I'm on my own if I'm in my back garden I lock the front door. Just not worth it although I truly believe this is a pretty safe area!
ReplyDeleteTreaders,
DeleteTommy was annoyed when I locked him out of my house and left. If I went to the yard, I locked the door. Then, I would decide to go to store or get gas. Of course, I left him with no way to get inside. Of course, I often locked myself out of the house, too. Lack of control of diabetes is often the start of dementia.
I just now talked to him about his lack of control and judgment. He wanted to know what he forgets. He is well-fed and has insulin in him. He has not responded except to ask what he forgets.
Tommy sounds like a real peach. Men always get grumpy, cranky, and stupidly unreasonable as they age. It's part of that whole "I'm a MAN, I run this world!!" mindset. Work on your upper body strength so you can smother him with a pillow while he sleeps. That's what I always told my Mom to do to Dad...
ReplyDeleteSue,
DeleteNow, that is so funny. I wanted to tell Tommy, but I cannot. He spoke as I was laughing and asked for candy. I almost choked laughing. I will work on my upper body strength...lol.
Do you unplug Christmas trees or turn them off when you leave the house?
ReplyDeleteSimple answer - Yes -
All the best Jan
Jan. Seems prudent. When kids were little, I checked them and tree often to make sure I did not burn it down with us all present. It has happened.
DeleteMy mother's house was robbed when she was mowing the yard in back and people came in the front door. After that her doors were lock and she kept the key on a chain around her neck. So sad what the world has become.
ReplyDeleteThat is what I feared when I mowed in back or far side of the house! Thanks.
DeleteI have never seen this movie. I hear tell it does scare the dickens (pun intended) out of a lot. I shall pass on this one.
ReplyDeleteUrspo,
DeleteSmart move!