Am I Overreacting ? long?

Question

Here's the deal. I am disabled having lost the use of one hand and arm. I was a carpenter for 35 years before this happened. My mother-in-law lives very near our home. She is 86 and has Parkinson's. My wife asked me to put up handrails throughout the house to aid the old woman in getting around.

OK. I had her drive me to Home Depot and I bought the rail, brackets, stain, etc. I then installed them everywhere she needs them. It's a lot more work doing everything one handed but I did a real good job on it.

Now, my brother-in-law is visiting and he decides that all the locks in her house should be keyed alike because they are getting her a life alert system. One key in a lock box would be better for emergency responders. So they call a lock smith !!

I mean, we watch every penny. Re-keying 5 locks costs about $10 for the pinning kit and I could do it in a couple of hours at most. WTF ? I am busting my hump to save money by doing things on the house that are actual work and they are paying someone to do the easy c**p !

Well I told my wife that it was stupid, we had a heck of a fight and my son took her side on it. OK the $120 they give the locksmith isn't a fortune, but don't you think they could have at least asked me first? Or am I making too much over this ?

Answer 1

Well I side with you because they can't just expect you to do a job. I mean the least they could of done is asked you first.

Answer 2

Well yes and no, you should think about it like this they don't want to trouble you with the minor things, I am sure they are consulting you on things that cost more.  

Answer 3

Yeah I'd feel the same way.  Don't know how a heck of a fight starts over a locksmith, but it makes logical sense that if you can do the work, save the money.  But then again...a lot of fights start over money matters.  So you, or she, shouldn't be surprised.  Sometimes you just got to bite the bullet over things...and other times you should stand your ground.

But hey...if you want to be fem about this...use this whole incident against her later down the road.  You know...harbor a grudge but don't say anything about it until the next fight starts over something that has nothing to do with your grudge...then bring it up.

Isn't the world of women wonderful?  haha... I feel ya bud.

Answer 4

In a marriage, you're supposed to make financial decisions like that together. She should have talked it over with you first, so you could talk about your opinions on it and come to a decision together.

Answer 5

no i dont think you are over reacting. your wife and you should of talked it over together, instead of the brother in law making the descion.  its possiable they were just trying to give you a break, but they could of asked you first.. lastly if the brother in law wanted that, then he should of fit the bill for it, not you.

maybe 120 dollors means nothing to some people, but to me it does, especially when you run into rough times.  

Answer 6

go back to love

Answer 7

you're making too much out of it... its not that much money for the work that was done and they didn't ask for that money from you, so I'd be grateful that they took it upon them self to get it done with out bothering you, weather you're disabled or not... relax and take the time you would have spent doing the job and have some fun

Answer 8

They decided to do things and you have to pay for them? If this is correct then no you are not overreacting. If this is what the brother in law wanted done he should have paid for it.

Answer 9

$120 is fine mate...It only takes one idiot to pick a lock ( I should know I'm an expert)...I'm just surprised you can actually type this all with one hand...The 'shift' key is a real pain in the one hand typing thing.

Answer 10

I think you're overreacting. Come on man, she's your wife. You love her. She loves you. $120 is nothing to get all riled over, maybe she wanted to give you a little rest, you know? I mean you've been through alot, you deserve a break everynow and then. Don't be mad at her, it's not worth it man, she loves ya.