Moving the parents -sizing things up

When I was making plans to help my parents move out of their apartment into a new duplex apartment, I thought we might be cleaning out my grandmother's house some too - and store anything they felt they absolutely had to keep in the basement of their new place. When I called the week before to confirm my vacation and availability to help, I was informed my brother had already come and was helping them move larger things in his truck. So I came expecting to not have much to do - maybe last boxes, clean out the apt, that sort of thing. When I arrived, I discovered a number of things:

1. the new duplex had a bed moved in, as well as some living room furniture. Not my parents - well it is now. 'New' purchases from their favorite auction down the street. TWO couches (one's a pull-out bed that they had to get because if they didn't bid on it - it would be 'gone') Another recliner (they had two in the apartment already and I think my grandmother's newish one was still at her house). I have to admit it's nice furniture - things I'd want with space, the means to transport it, etc.. It was driving me crazy seeing them get more stuff though. Probably because it's not what I would do. Or maybe I wanted to, and couldn't - either way I let it annoy me all week.

2. the apt - still looks just like the last time I saw it. They haven't packed yet. So I go into lecture mode, because apparently all things have to be done in my way in my time. That's where I get into trouble. It's hard to question your parents, no matter what age they are. What advice they wanted was what pictures to hang. Which way to turn the coffee table. Where to put the cereal boxes. They didn't want to be scolded about buying 6 or 7 end tables at 50cents each. We've had this discussion numerous times before anyway, so I will try to not push it.

3. I've forgotten my cell phone charger, so I can't even call anyone to talk about it with. It's not gonna last if I do that, and I need it when we split up.

4. My parents don't have internet access, except the public library. So I'm making do with journaling this differently until I return and post-date the posts.