Saturday, October 20, 2012

Contamination OCD: What is that in my kitchen sink?

I saw Larry bringing a bicycle tire tube into the house. He walked in right beside where I was sitting at my computer. But I didn’t say anything.
I really didn’t think anything, either.
I knew he was looking for a possible hole in my bike tire, so I guess I just figured, vaguely, that it had something to do with that.
I was focusing on what I was doing, so I didn’t say a word.
Then I heard the water running in the kitchen.
I got up and walked to the kitchen door.
There my husband stood, tire tube in the sink. He was turning it round and round, looking for a hole.
In the kitchen sink.
I don’t even remember for sure what I said. Something like, “Oh, no, tell me you’re not doing that.”
I heard him call out, “What did you say?”
I was already on the way back to my computer.
I decided that I just didn’t want to see it. I didn’t want to stand and stare at something that would only upset me.
He would have to take care of any cleaning up, I decided.
He soon brought the tire tube to me, showing me the hole and asking me to mark it with a yellow highlighter, since I didn’t have any chalk.
I still didn’t say anything about the sink.
Let him handle it, I told myself.
Later, when he came back into the house from his shop, I did ask him about it.
“You’re going to wash out the sink, aren’t you?”
“Why would I need to do that?” he asked.
I knew that he was teasing me and that he would be washing the sink.
I just didn’t want to watch.

  Have you ever just let go like this, when you knew trying to control the situation would only upset you?

20 comments:

  1. I can totally relate to your reaction! Probably would have done the same thing.

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  2. You should see the stuff my husband does with my tupperware containers. It makes me so mad!

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  3. Yep..still have not asked if my husband threw out his shoe(s) that the mouse died in. I think about it though (too often), cause I think that if he didn't, then every time he puts his foot in the shoe, his foot is contaminated and he is spreading germs around my house. And then I think, instead of just worrying about it, I should just ask him straight out but I would be asking because of OCD so I'm not going to. He is a grown adult and I need to let go of some stuff. And my next goal is to just stop wondering.

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    1. Krystal Lynn, I think that's the hardest part--not continuing to wonder about it.

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  4. I haven't got contamination issues like you Tina. But I do remember my 10 year old son storing the maggots he bought for fishing in my FRIDGE! And they got out of the container.
    I sooo wanted to clean the fridge myself, but thought it better if he did it so he would learn never to do a thing like this again. So I made him clean it all out with bleach and throw away the food while I watched. Very difficult not to do it myself, but he did learn, he never ever brought maggots into the house again!

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    1. Oh, my, that would be awful, Klaaske! I would have wanted to clean the refrigerator, too, but helping him learn a lesson was important.

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  5. Really awesome that you let that go! That is huge, i imagine!

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  6. Oh, I have to let go all the time!!! It is very, very hard so I feel your pain. Really great job though!

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    1. Thank you, Sunny. It was hard, but got easier the farther away from the incident I got.

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  7. Oh Tina, I have been there many times, letting go situations, trying to control them would upset me. Not easy, so I applaud you with the tire experience. I have found that letting go of the situation in some instances has been good for me, when looking back I can actually be proud and consider it growth.

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    1. Thank you, Madison. You're right, it's not easy to let go, and I'm not always successful.

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  8. Letting go a situation is good advice at times for us all Tina and not only to do with OCD. Good for you and I liked the fact you decided your husband would just need to clean up :-)

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  9. Tina !!!!!
    Hello !!!
    Ohhh I've been missing to do one of my favorite things I enjoy and that is to visit with my bloggy friends. I've not had the time I've liked to at my blogging but when the momments have come I've chose to spend my time to write a post at my space.

    I'm at a momment right now with out much time again -so with apology I want to say that I am sorry that my comment here doesn't relate to your post.... but, I wanted to stop by to tell you that I was very glad to read your comment on my "politic-y" post ... especially that you took time to read it (because I for one don't think politic-y stuff is fun or amusing). It's nice that we are on the same page, and it's been very nice for those who have commented that are not on the same side of the voting scale as me that the communication has been nothing less of pleasing. Guess that's when the saying goes "We'll have to agree to disagree" It's so peaceful when friends, even bloggy-friends have that heart's attitude towards one another.
    Again -thank you & God Bless
    ~Deanna

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    1. Deanna, thank you for stopping by and for your comment. I'm glad you had a good experience with your blog post!

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  10. Occasionally I have been able to walk away like you did but I would not be able to mentally let it go and I don't think I could let someone else clean the sink, for I'd be worried they wouldn't do it "right."

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    1. Elizabeth, I am usually like that, too, but for some reason, I was able to walk away from this and let him take care of it.

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