Adventures in Dog/Housesitting - Part II (Child versus Adult-Proof)

When the words "child-proof" comes to mind, I used to just think about medicine bottles and the need to lift weights to open them. Flashforward to this past week and I realized that child-proof in 2010 has taken a whole new meaning.

No, I do not have kids yet but I am housesitting/dogsitting for a family of almost 2 year old twins.  And let me just tell you, their house is like a fortress when it comes to childproofing - especially when it comes to the kitchen - cabinets and all.   Here's the running list:

• Wednesday - Elisa fights child-proof cabinets and the dishwasher and.....WINS! After a wonderful home-cooked meal, I cleaned the counters and opened the dishwasher to find it full with ready to be cleaned dishes.  Oh well, I thought, might as well wash them, right?  Ok, two problems - 
1. The dishwashing liquid is locked up in the cabinet - you guessed it child-proof locks that require a two phased approach to get them open.  So when the family called to check-in on the pups, I asked - what's the magic "open sesame" password to get it open.  Got it open - YEAH!!!
2. This excitement was short-lived when I realized that the dishwasher also had a child-proof lock on it.  You guessed it, I pressed every button imaginable to start and it wouldn't start.  I was like, "Really, people"  am I being punked already in a home, where are those cameras anyway???  I walked away, watched a show and then with a clearer mind, I went back to face the dishwasher.  It was like "Kitchen High Noon."  Except, I won.  I found the unlock button and voila the dishwashing began and I went to bed feeling very accomplished.

• Saturday - Elisa enters the battle of the child-proof stove and......LOSES but only half way.  So after a day of beauty, I come back to Melrose ready to cook dinner for a couple of friends who live in the area.  On the menu was Caribbean Chicken with Rice Pilaf and salad.  They were bringing the drinks and dessert.  I had decided to make home-made pita chips - a mixture of regular, garlic and asiago cheese chips.  I got them all ready on the cookie sheets and was on my way to heat up the oven when.....you guessed it,  it had a lock.  The lights kept flashing at me every time I tried to heat it up - "Stove Loc On" It might as well as said, "Ha ha ha Elisa, you are F*CKED!"  I called my friends but they were out.  I even tried to look up the code on the internet.  To no avail.  So, due to the time, I looked around and then the hallelujah chorus started as the sun (ok, it was raining so I imagined it the sun) lit up the toaster oven.  YEAH!!!!!  Pita chips were had by all and thank god the rest of the menu only needed stove top cooking :)   My friends did try to rescue me but it was after the pita chips were done and I was walking the dogs.   Hey, at least they tried right?

So, what has this all taught me?  Well, the good news is that these child-proof codes and cabinet locks are in existence.  Imagine our parents when we as babies would get into things - I shiver at the thought.  The not so good news is that now as I an single adult woman, can't figure these damn things out and has to send frequent S.O.S. messages to get the job done.  I wonder what it will be like when I do have kids - I am thinking remote clicker locks :)