It's a Gregorious Life

Sunday

Terry and Mandy spent the afternoon with mom. They sat outside in the sun much to her enjoyment. David and Pat went over later and I went by about 610. She was in the room and had some pants out she wanted me to put back up.

I told her I was up late last night because I drank so much tea at the cookout yesterday. "Thinking keeps me awake" she said. She said she had sat on the front porch with David and Pat and thought I had been there while Terry was there.

I told her I wasn't, that I had just gotten there. She said something else and then asked me where did I leave her when I left. I asked her when, and she said when I was there earlier. I told her again I was not there earlier and she said oh yeah and started laughing. I told her we were going to have to get our stories straight or no one would ever believe us if something happened.

She said she went to check on Bingo this morning.  "I knocked on his door with my bracelet after Sunday school" she said. He was behind the curtain and never came out. I told her he probably didn't hear her. Then she said it must have done him some good for her to check on his because he was at supper this evening. "He looked like his old self sitting there in his chair" she said.

She said something about she hoped Tim and Michelle didn't catch the spine flu while they were in Charleston. I asked her if she meant swine flu and she laughed and said "I hope I ain't started something new." I started to leave and she told me to have sweet dreams which reminded me of two dreams I had about daddy last night.

I told her in one our house was on Lowell Road and dad got on a scooter and sat it on the railroad rail and took off toward his church in Smyre. I saw his face and he was smiling and waving goodbye as he left. I told her I should have took a picture of him on it so I got in the car and set off toward the church so I could take a picture of him on the scooter on the rails.

"He would've done that. He was an ol daring person" she said. "He used to tear me up trying to dance" she went on. She said he didn't have any rhythm. I told her I didn't either and that's why I quit piano.

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2009-07-03T21:50:40Z

Happy Independence Day!

The day started with breakfast at 7 and then breakfast again at 11 at Alfred and Charlie's. It was really good and we were the only ones in there, unlike IHOP and Cracker Barrel which were so crowded we did bother to stay or go in. After that I detailed the car and got it back to looking new.

David and Pat cooked out this afternoon and invited mom over. I picked her up at 5 and she was waiting in the lobby ready to go. They had steaks and a baked potato with salad. She enjoyed sitting on the porch by the pool and then eating beside the pool in the sun.

"I wish all those people over there that are incarcerated could have an evening out like this" she said. She also revealed somethings gone missing. "Blossom's baby is under Ruby's bed." She said it fell off the side of her bed and "I saw it under there (when) I was coming up the hall. I don't want it no more. It's laying right where that smell comes from" she said. Poor kid. Just like a baby bird touched by human hands is abandoned by it's mom.

She didn't go back over to the facility until almost 845. I got her some ice and she went down to Margie's room to visit with her. 

Solar Flare Friday

It was about 5:05pm when I went over to moms after work. Melvina was sitting on the porch and I asked her about mom's food and whether we would be able to sign a waiver so she could have regular meat and not have it ground up. She said we could.

I went in and Donald was sitting in the lobby. We talked about the heat. "I hope she doesn't want to go outside" he mused. I told him he might as well wish for snow tomorrow. Here she came a few minutes later around the corner and out we went through the rear door and into the sun. She sat in the sun and we tried to stay out of it. It was not bad though, as the humidity was low. He even said to
her later that he knew the sun felt good to her after being in that place all day.

Mom said insurance is going to cut her lose from the therapy program in a few weeks. She said that's just how it is. She didn't seem too upset about it at all. She said they told her they could give her a walker to take home with her but she said she wanted to be able to walk across the floor on her own at that point. She also said she could not afford to pay someone to stay with her all the time. "That's just the way it goes I guess" she said.

"Sixty-seven years ago I was a newlywed" she said, as I forgot the first was indeed her wedding anniversary. She was worried about Bingo as she had not seen him today. Later on the porch she asked if we wanted to go see if he was ok, but we never did.

I asked her about us signing the waiver about her food and she was not interested in it. "I don't have to eat it I just leave it sitting there" she said. She said the doctors knew what was best, so I told her we would not pursue it. I wanted to also say well then quit complaining so much about what you're eating, but I would never do that. I think it's good she understands why it is the way it is; that doesn't mean you have to like it, so she has as much right to complain as anyone else.

The sun finally got the best of her and she dozed off with her mouth wide open. I went in to get her room ready for the night and when I came back she and Donald were gone. I found them out front on the porch. Donald had gotten her some coffee. "This is too hot" she said. He said he had even put some ice in it to cool it down. "Who wants to go to Bingo's room" she asked. We never did.

She said Ruth was worrying at the table today about her coffee and water, she could not figure out which is which. Mom said "I told her to put her hand on top of them and whichever one was hot that was your coffee". Donald told her that was ingenious.

I told mom if she had been born a Native American her name would have been Solar Flare because she loves the sun and heat so much. About that time David and Pat drove up. Donald and I were about to leave as it was about 7. David said later that they had went to Bingo's room after we left. Pat said he said something about x-rays and he was shaving when they got there. I don't think he came out of the room and I don't know if mom was satisfied he was ok or not. If he was able to stand and shave I guess he's doing better.

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Tags: stroke, skilledcare, interpersonalrelationships, family, survival

Take a Nap Thursday

Mom was in her room dozing when I got there about 645. She stayed dozed off while I got her some ice and cleaned up a little. Denise at work had sent her a flower arrangement featuring sunflowers so I put those on the table. I finally said something after I got settled down and she woke right up and said how easy it was to doze off around there.

She said some singers from Flint Groves had been there at 10 this morning. They must have played bingo at 2 since she later said Bingo wasn't there and she was worried about him. She said she didn't want to go to his room to check on him because she didn't want to embarrass him but that "if he don't show up tomorrow I'm going to go check on him I don't care what he thinks". 

Then she got on a sore subject. "My supper made me mad" she said. She had checked off a turkey and cheese sandwich but they had marked through it and gave her some mystery meat instead which smelled awful. "I said it could be an old dead cat for all I know." She said she went the rounds with them and finally a CNA got her a pimento cheese sandwich. I told her to always ask for something like that when she doesn't have something she can eat. She said the CNA told her that her family had requested her meals be ground up "but I told her my family didn't have anything to do with this" which is true. 

She said as we were walking out the back door "as far as meals are concerned they've gone beserk". She said Preacher Huffstetler came by again today. As we went into the sun she said "I'd know I was in the sun even if I was blind." It quickly went under a cloud though. She talked about Pat coming by last night and having ice cream out back with her.

 I kept hearing what I thought was a bird in the bushes but mom said it might be a snake then she recalled killing a snake in the year before her stroke by beating it to death. "I didn't want him to go under the house" she said. I remember how the snake looked when she was finished, and I told her if she ever didn't want me to do something to just tell me, don't beat me with the picker upper or something. 

Then she went back to the supper incident. "I'm afraid Donald mighta made a scene if he'd been here at suppertime" she said. She had milk but they didn't open her carton so she never got any of it. It came 730 and I had to go so we started inside. Mr. Neely was getting the garden hose and I asked him to squirt mom with it. She said no but I said it would be fun. "Not for me it wouldn't" she said. 

Welcome Wednesday

 It was a Virginiapalooza when I got there today about 530. Terry was waiting on me in the lobby because she had gone to get a webcam for Mike and Melody and had some chests there that she had brought to show mom. Dad had sent them to his sister, Nettie, when he was in the Pacific during the war. He sent them from China. Back then, it was rare; now everything comes from China.

We went to the room and checked them out. Mom and Donald were sitting out in the sun out back. I took some photos of the chests and some shoes he had sent her as well. Nettie has given some of her things away and wanted Terry and mom  to have have them.

In a few minutes here came mom and Donald in the room. Mandy was there too. Donald said she couldn't say anything about not having any company today. It was a Virginiapalooza going on right there.

Mom looked at me and said she missed me coming by yesterday. "How did you stand it all day without seeing me?" she asked. Donald said she had won a dollar at bingo this morning but didn't know how. They were going to play again tonight at 630.

The phone rang and she talked to Leonard for a while. When she hung up she said "he don't ever call me and not say he loves me."  Terry and Mandy had to go and soon after mom and Donald decided to go to bingo. She got her hair done today and was ready to go. I left about 620.

Pat went over about 715 and took her some ice cream. She said she asked mom if she wanted to sit outside. Mom said she did. She and David had gone over twice last night but the first time she was listening to singing and the second time she was in the shower so they didn't get to see her. Tonight though just continued the Virginiapalooza. With the ice cream in hand they sat on the porch. Mom told Pat she puts her make up on in the mornings and could see all the men looking at her when she came into the dining room. She was smiling and grinning and having a good time just talking girl talk with Pat. Pat said when she left mom said she guessed the men would have to leave her alone now.

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Tallied up Tuesday

I had to work until 7pm (710 actually) and mom called about 545 wanting to know what was up. I reminded her it was Tuesday and I have to work til 7, same on Thursdays.

She said "well you and Donald both didn't show up I didn't know what to think." I told her he doesn't come on Tuesdays either. She said she thought he had to play this morning and his legs were probably tired.

I told her I saw her eye doctor this morning and I had more wrong with my eyes than she did hers. She asked me if I had the same Fuchs' Syndrome that she has and I told her not yet. "He's real big on that heredity stuff, he'll tell you that" she said. I told her he had.

She said Batchie had come by and they sat on the porch a while and she got to see Rudy. She also said preacher Huffstetler had come by too, and when she said that I was thinking preacher Lowery but she said Huffstetler, Batchie's preacher who came to see me in the hospital.

She had not had her shower yet so I told her she had something to look forward too. "Oh yeah" she laughed. I told her I wasn't coming by since I was working a little late. Month-end is always hectic.

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Momentary Monday

Mom was on the porch with Donald when I got there about 620 after working late. I had seen the Goshen church bus leavng as I arrived, and my worst fears were confirmed. They were about to go inside to hear singing.

I asked her how she was and she said emphatically "tired. I've been up since 315 this morning." She said she had to go to the bathroom and never went back to sleep. Donald said she dozed off out back in the sun after supper.

But that was that. I hinted that she could hear part of the singing later since they are known to be long-winded but she was already in motion. And if she enjoys it that's all the better. But homey wasn't going to sit around in the hear with my tie on and wait, so I left to go eat and that was that.

Film at 11.

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Scorcher Sunday

Mom was in Margie's room talking to her when I went over there about 545. Margie had some popcorn-type stuff she was telling mom about and giving her a sample. It's popcorn without the kernels so there's no hulls in it. She said mom would like it, and she did.

I had her clothes with me so I took them on into the room and she followed. I also had a piece of carrot cake from lunch earlier with Linda. Mom tore into it and enjoyed it. I didn't think and she didn't mention until she was almost finished that she'd like some coffee.

"I thought Sunday was gone and today was Monday" she said. She said no one had been there so she hadn't kept up.

I had to go get ice so I did that but she followed me down the hall even though I said I was coming back. Then she followed me back to the room. We turned around and went to get coffee. I set her off to the lobby while I went to get the coffee. I took it to her then went to the room to hang up her clothes and told her I'd be back in a few minutes.

I came back and sat there for a while with her and Hazel and Dottie and Chick, then mom said "I'm gonna go see about Greg." I was to her left and she didn't know I had come to sit down.

David and Pat came in and I told her there were her hot weather friends. Sure enough they all moved out to the porch in the heat. I stayed until I was covered in that slime we all know too well around here then I headed home. David asked mom if she wanted to get out of the wheelchair into a rocker since she had been practicing getting up so much but she said she didn't want to get used to sitting in one.

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Sizziling Saturday

I had told mom last night that I would bring her a manwich for lunch today, and at work Lisa brought her some flowers this morning. So after work about 1110 I went by moms and took her the flowers and reminded her I'd be back about 1230 with lunch so not to go to the dining room.

I had to go get groceries first and the first place I went to didn't have everything so I had to stop somewhere else. It was crowded and to make a long story short it was about 1240 when I got back to moms with lunch.

We had a manwich, mashed potatoes, brocoli and cheese casserole, and coke zero. She seemed to enjoy it and cleaned her plate. She asked me if I wanted to go eat it outside. I told her sure, if she wanted to see me pass out.

I left after we finihsed and later went by to see Cindy's new setup. It looked really good and I enjoyed the visit. I left there and went back to moms about 6. I was driving the Audi even though I had the G35 over here as well, because I've gotten used to the roomier car and smoother ride already.

Mom was in her room snoozing. She said she wasn't so I asked her if she had decided to play opossum. Tim had come over with Kylie and they had sat outside in the sun for a long time. "He stayed a good while, I got to sit in the sun." That made her day. She said she had chocolate merangue pie for supper, and baked beans and some type of meat. I showed her some pictures of Cindys cat. She said she took 12 quarters with her to bingo this morning and then fell asleep while they were playing.

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Friday Tidbits

I picked up the G35 after work while I had a ride over there only to find the crazy birds had used it as a bathroom all week. Covered in rancid filth from front to back I had to take it to get a wash. I ran out of quarters though before I could get all the soap off!

So I decided to call in my supper and regroup. I stopped and got some more cash at the ATM then went to Catfish Cove and picked up the oyster stew I had called in. Then I had change from that I used at a car wash on the way back where I got the rest of the soap off. Clean at last.

I went home and ate then went over to moms about 730. Donald had already left. Mom was sitting in her room with her gown on. She was looking in the closet for something to wear tomorrow and said she had just gotten back from the shower. I CNA came in at that moment to change her bedsheets and some trainees observed. Mom asked me to get some chairs for the trainees to sit in but they said they were just watching. Then she offered them the clean bed to sit on. One of them said oh aren't you sweet.

Mom said she had therapy about 3 and that Terry and Mandy had come by just as she was finishing up. "She was here when I did my little walk" she said after therapy. When Donald came over she got to sit out back in the sun for a while.

She said she won two quarters at bingo and someone from Temple was sitting beside her so mom gave her one of the quarters.

I told her how sof her skin was and touched her knee. She said "watch out those things are catchin. They turned your daddy on. He always loved my knees. He was obsessed with them" she laughed. "He'd get down on his knees and just kiss them. When he was in the Navy he say Betty Gable and he said mine were prettier than hers." I asked her where he had seen her. "In the USO" she said.

The things you learn on a Friday night! I left about 8.

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Thursday

Not a lot going on with mom tonight. She was in the room on the phone when I got there about 10 past 7.

I didn't want to disturb her so I got her some ice and water while she talked then sat down. I was to her left so she thought the noise I was making was just background noise. She never saw me until she got off the phone about 725 and I said something.

She was talking to Terry and I heard her tell her Batchie had been over earlier and that she and her had sat on the porch and waited on Rudy. I know she loved being outside out of the cold.

I told her I was going to have to go since I had to go to the store before I went home. David and Pat walked in just before I left though. Mom asked us all if we had heard about Michael Jackson dying. She remember when little David (I thought it was Drew) had prayed for Michael many years ago when he had some illness. He will be missed as will Farrah Fawcett and all the other souls who passed on this day.

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Wacky Wednesday

I called mom about 1235 to see if she was back from lunch yet and she was. She had already pressed the button for bathroom assistance. I told her I'd see her around 1.

I got there a little after that and she was in the hallway at the nurses station waiting to get some mylanta or something for sour stomach. The nurse trainees from the college had to look it up but she finally got it and we were off. Bingo was on the front porch and I turned her around so she could wave bye to him.

We weren't in the waiting room long before they called her back. She was only in there about 30 minutes and she was ready to go. She was in a super good mood and in the parking lot as we were getting ready to leave to go back she remarked how good the heat felt. I was covered in sweat from head to toe.

Back at the facility she mentioned she'd like to stay outside a while but I told her I had to get back to work. She said the novacaine or whatever it was "does it make you sleepy?" because she felt sleepy. She said she could make it back to the room ok though. I heard Rita tell her she was just in time for bingo as she went through the door of the dining room. It was 215.

I went back over after Linda and I had supper at Cracker Barrel. It was a little after 6 and she and Donald were on the front porch where it was actually cool and pleasant. The Webbers got there about the same time and soon she and Donald went in to hear them. I told them I'd wait outside. Rita came out and sat with me and said how pretty mom's pictureof her and dad was. I told her she should see the one of her on the rock. When mom and Donald came back out about 640 mom said "the name of that picture is Love in Bloom." I asked her when she named it. "This week" she said.

She also revealed that she had talked to Bingo today and he had told her he goes to a dentist in Belmont and had similar work done like her filling today. She said that was unusual for him to open up like that but she was ginning and glad she had been able to talk to him. Rita had said mom's picture frame was stuck so I went to the room and got it going again.

It was about 730 when I left and they were headed in.

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Shower Tuesday

I got a call at work from mom but I could not answer it since I was with a customer. She didn't leave a message.  When I got over there about 710 she said "I didn't want to talk to an answering machine." I guess it depends on what day because she does talk to it pretty often. She was on the phone with Batchie when I got there.

I told her I wasn't staying long because I could not eat too late. I got her some ice and got her clothes out for the trip to the doctor tomorrow. She had gotten her hairs done today because she'll be gone tomorrow. She does good to think about things like that and taking care of them on her own. She just went and told Amy look I'll be gone tomorrow after lunch can you do my hair today? I would say probably only a few other residents there would have that much cognitive ability to think of that, but I could be wrong.

I asked if she had gone to get some chips and dip at 2 but she said that's when she was in the beauty shop. I left about 725 and David and Pat went over there about 745.

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Monday Watermelon

Mom called this afternoon about 1 and wanted to know if I could come over and have watermelon with her at 2. I told her I had already been to lunch so I couldn't. She said she wasn't going to have any if she could not go outside and eat it "because it's too messy to eat inside." Then she asked again if I could come and I felt bad saying no but I could not leave again especially since I'm going to be gone a while when she goes to the dentist on Wednesday.

I had a call to take so I had to go. I told her to eat the watermelon anyway. It was about 6 when I got over there, because I went to try to the the photo described below first. Mom and Donald were on the front porch. She looked spiffy in a brown and yellow outfit. She said they had about decided I wasn't coming since it was getting late. I brought her some chewing gum in case she was out.

I asked her if she had gone to eat watermelon. "No I didn't I was in therapy" she said. She said her brace was on her leg while she was trying to walk and it hurt so she told them. Part of the therapy was to get in and out of the wheelchair 10 times.

She said she saw a tv show about metabolic eating and remembered when I was part of the metabolic program in Greensboro. "Rita and Patty came in my room today and they just had a hissy fit about my picture of me and Andrew" she said, talking about that one tagged to the wall. I need to put the original in a frame for her but I keep forgetting.

I left to go get some groceries about 7 and they were headed in. She called about 745 as I was getting some soup out of the microwave and left a voice mail wanting to know if her dentist appointment was tomorrow. She didn't know what to put out to wear because she didn't know if she was going or not. I called her back and told her it was Wednesday and she seemed more at ease knowing for sure.

_MG_0817 Hay Bales in Field Orfordsville, Wisconsin Sunset

I saw a scene similar to this over the weekend on South New Hope Road, and I thought wow that would make a great photo. But yesterday I forgot my camera so I took it with me to work today and went by after work. I pulled over, got out the camera, and looked only to see it had all been carted off sometime earlier in the day. There were dozens and dozens of them on a beautiful green field. Moral of the story: Don't put off til tomorrow what you want to do today.

_MG_0817 Hay Bales in Field Orfordsville, Wisconsin Sunset
Originally uploaded by mill8char

 

Happy Fathers Day

Mom called about 530 but she couldn't hear me, the cell signal was too bad. She didn't say anything at all, and finally just hung up. She called back a few minutes later and I told her I was getting ready to come over there and bring her some apple pie.

It was 6 when I got there and she was in the room snoozing. She said she had gone to the lobby and waited a while then came back. I had the pie, but she said she had eaten some sweet potato pie at supper and she was full, so she's saving that for tomorrow.

Terry had been by earlier on her way back from Mariannes. I don't know how long she was there. Mom said they talked about the wedding. She seemed concerned about Terry taking on too much, but I told her to let them plan it, and be happy about it.  She was concerned too about the flowers on dad's grave. I told her I would ride by there when I left.

While I was there David and Pat came in and stayed a while. They were just getting back into town. Pat still can't eat much due to the gum surgery. Tim was walking in just when I  left a little after 7 and went by the cemetery. The flowers were still there, few as they were. There were a lot of people there.

I remember one time when I was about 13 or 14 I had been bugging G.T. Phillips, a nighttime deejay on WCGC 1270AM in Belmont. He would look up info on radio stations as I called him. One night he said they had a new copy of the book, a database of all radio stations in the US, and that I could have the old one if I wanted it.

So one day dad came home from work in his little blue Toyota pickup and I asked him if he would drive me to Belmont to get that book. He had worked all day and was probably really tired, but he got in the truck and took me over there. I was a rotten teenager and I don't know if I properly thanked him for it at the time, but I will always remember it. He took the time to do that for me even though he probably just wanted to rest. But that's the type of dad he was. I think about that every time I pass the WCGC studios there on Wilkinson Boulevard.

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Saturday

I called mom around 3  to see how she was doing. She was bored but said Batchie had called earlier. I told her I would be over later.

She was in her room at 530 with her sweater on. She had been to see Margie and talked to her a while. She had also sat down at the windows in the sun and said somehow she got stuck on something with her chair.

She wanted to go to the porch so we sat out there til I left about 645. She said they didn't put either of her braces on last night. They played bingo this morning and she said Nellie had all the cards and hers went in the floor aftrer it hit her. She said Nellie threw it at her. I told her she was just trying to make sure she got it.  "I got it alright" she laughed.

Finally, Friday.

Mom and Donald were in her room when I got there about 5 past 6. She was worried about the beach crowd on their way to Wilmington.

She was in the room though he said because she wanted to make sure they knew she got her shower tonight. She was tired from therapy. I had gone by earlier in the day to get her to sign a birthday card and check, a little after 1230. I guess her therapy was after that.

I had Gus with me so I didn't stay long. He wanted to go by Tonys on the way home but I told him no.

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Tags: stroke, survisor, skilled, care, nursing, recovery, yorkie, Gastonia, hmmm

Text Message Thursday

My boss let me leave a little early today- an hour actually- so I could go get a hair cut. I had one scheduled for the first Monday in June, but I was in hospital that day. I woke up to take some pain medicine about 4am and while I was waiting to doze back off I remembered I had an appointment that day and so I sent Karen a text message to tell her I was in hospital and could not make it. I forgot to call her later after I was discharged, and we just finally hooked up at the last moment today so I was able to go get my hairs cut finally.

I got to moms a little after that at about 635. She was in her room asleep. She said they were supposed to have a reception for Steve, the administrator who is retiring, but she thought it was at 630. We found out later it was at 5 in the day room so not many residents knew it.

I asked her if she wanted to go sit on the porch and she did, but the humid 85 plus weather wasn't warm enough for her so she had to put her sweater on first.

She said Mandy came by today. It was her 36th birthday. Steve came by taking some things out of his office. I asked him if he had been responsible for hiring there and he said yes, so I told him he had hired a lot of good people and had done a good job. He said he had a lot of good residents too. I looked at mom and said "with some exceptions." She got the implication and laughed. He told us to have a good life as he got in the car and left.

I told mom I didn't know anything about the reception, which she was really stuck on. "Yeah but you're not Steve" she laughed. She said one time "I didn't have any water in my room and I got up the nerve to go find him and tell him and he had that water fixed that quick" she said.

It was real muggy and I told her that she was cold and I was hot and that we had better not get too close else there may be a tornado between us. She said she wanted to get some nice flowers to go on dad's grave for Fathers Day but disliked putting out all that money on them just to see them stolen. The last nice ones Terry got cost over $60 and they were stolen.

Speaking of Terry she didn't come by last night although Mandy did. Terry decided to stay at Marianne's for the rest of the week and won't come back til Monday. Mandy said tonight that she misses her being there. "There ain't nothing like your momma" Mandy said.

I had to go eat before it got too late so I left about 730 after I got her some water. She said she appreciated me coming and that she missed me when I didn't come by. I asked her how often was it that I didn't come by, once ever hospitalization every 47 years?

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Watermelon Wednesday

Mom and Donald were already on the porch when I got there at 10 past 5. He said she wasn't in there eating for more than 5 minutes. "I wasn't hungry" she said.

He had brought her a whole thing of watermelon, but she wasn't excited about the salt that was on it. I thought she liked salt on it too, so I felt bad for Donald. "Me and Ebony used to eat watermelon on the back porch and she couldn't have salt so she broke me from the salt habit." Hmm the things you learn.

She had therapy today and was tired. She played bingo this morning and fell asleep. "Rita had to wake me up" she said. "We're going to play every day in August" she said. She got Marianne's wedding pre-announcement today. She said they brought her a new brace for her right leg but it was the wrong one so they stopped messig with it and will have to get a new one.

I left at 610 as they headed in to play bingo again. Marianne was supposed to bring Terry by later to meet Mandy who was going to take Terry home. I was real tired and went home and went to bed about 745.

Tired Tuesday

Mom had her 4th birthday party today at 2pm at the facility, but I forgot about it. I had went home for lunch and to rest for a couple of hours and didn't even think about it.

She called a little after 530 and wanted to know where I was. I told her I was still at work.

She said they had the party and that David and Pat, Tim and Mandy came to it. I told her I was not coming by tonight because I had gone home earlier real tired and had just gotten back a short time ago.

She said it's Tuesday so Donald wasn't coming either. "He'll be here Wednesday because that's when Rev. Webber is here" she said. I told her maybe David would come by but since they had already been over they may not. "That makes for a long night. Maybe I'll go roaming the halls for someone" she said.

 When I told her I wasn't feeling well she said Erin would tell me to get over it. I told her Erin has a sinus infection. "I should tell HER to get over it then" she laughed. She said she would call her but she can't call long distance from there. "I'm incarcerated, I been wanting to use that word" she laughed.

 She said she needed to go to the restroom at 1am last night but could not find her call button so she banged her cup on the table. "I had to deal with that up until about 5 o clock" she said. "I think I made that nurse mad. I had to apologize all over the place" she said.

She said she had already had her shower so that was out of the way. I told her I'd see her tomorrow.

Later on when David and Pat came home they did go by there again tonight so she had the evening crowd after all.She got to sit outside on the porch and watch it rain.

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Monday

Mom and Donald were out back when I got there a little after 530.

Mom said she had some therapy today and Shirley had come by to see her. Other than that not a lot going on. She seemed in a good mood and was evidently absolutely fine. Now Donald, that's another story.

She was looking at the flowers. She enjoyed David taking her around the yard Saturday when she was at home. I don't see how he pushes her in the yard, it has to be difficult.

We moved around to the front lobby after almost an hour then I left soon after that.

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Sunday in the Garden

Mom called this afternoon about 1230 to see how I had slept and how my stomach was doing. I was in the bathroom though and didn't hear the phone ring, and didn't see her voicemail until about 4.

I was tired and didn't get up til almost 1130. I laid back down about 1 and slept til about 4, then went to get some lunch and Gus tagged along in the Audi. I had a grilled chicken breast from KFC. Zero fat grams and 440mg of sodium.

I went to see mom about 530 and took her a piece of her cake from yesterday. She was out back with David. Pat met me in the hall carrying some coffee, so she had cake and coffee in the garden after supper. She was in a good mood and was enjoying the company and the cake and coffee.

It was warm and I didn't stay long. I think the heat from yesterday sapped a lot of energy as did processing that hamburger. Tomorrow is my first full day back at work and I have a follow up doctor appointment at 1045 so that should be interesting.

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Tags: stroke, skilled, care, garden, Gastonia

Mom's Birthday (part 2 of 3)

Fast on the heels of last weekend's two days of celebrating her 85th birthday mom had another get together at her house today.

Tim brought her and Batchie over there about 430. She had a good crowd and everyone had a good time and enjoyed the company in spite of the hot weather and the incessant gnats. I had to restrain myself due to my recent issues but it wasn't hard since I just don't seem to want to eat much anymore.

Fresh hamburgers, baked beans, dips, corn, another birthday cake, and home made ice cream was had by all. A performance by Drew en absentia where Tim played his cd in my car and everyone listened in finished everything off. 

She didn't get back over to the facility until about 830pm. Part three takes place there on Tuesday at 2pm.

Finally Friday- Again

Mom was in the back with Donald when I went by there this afternoon after work. It was hot and humid but mom was in the sun about 530. 

I brought her some cards from her house that the church had sent her and she opened those. She was sleepy though and soon dozed off after looking at and enjoying those. 

She did say she had exercise today and walked too. Donald said she had a good supper and had everything at the table for a change. 

We shifted around to the front porch after a while and sat there for a while until I left about 630.

Isn't this gorgeous?

Originally uploaded by Zé™

From a friend on Flickr, Zé™ .

Through the Park Thursday

Mom was in her place in the dining room when I got there about 530. I waited for her in the lobby. I was home from work early after getting tired again and having some uncomfortable feelings after lunch. I passed Rev. Huffstetler, who came to see me in the hospital last week, on my way in. It was good to see him again. We spoke for a minute.

She came wheeling out to the lobby just as Rita sat down to talk to me. Rita said she had some dirt on her from the trip today to the park and mom started laughing.

Rita said mom almost gave her a heart attack. They were sitting at the picnic table and it was on an incline, and they were getting ready to move out of the sun. Mom unlocked her wheels and started to roll backwards. Rita had to run her down. "I mighta rolled a foot" mom said.

They got lunch from Burger King. Mom ordered chicken nuggets. Then they got ice cream dipped in chocolate from McDonalds. Rita said a homeless man sat with them for a little while. He said he had just gotten out of the hospital and had his clothes in a backpack. Rita said mom and everyone had chocolate all over them. "My blouse is up there in the dirty clothes" mom said. She said Bingo and Oscar went and she was concerned that they were having to lead Bingo around everywhere.

Mandy came by today and stayed a while earlier. Rita left to go get ready for singers coming at 630 and mom and I went back to her room about 605 to take the chocolate I had brought her to the drawer. She wanted some of the wafers Donald had brought yesterday. She likes the graham crackers in them she said.

I left her in the dining room waiting on the singers at 630.

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Tags: chickennuggets, StowePark, Belmont, skilledcare, stroke, strokesurvivor

Winning Wednesday

I went by moms when I left work, tired again. I almost fell asleep in the recliner. She said she did fall asleep during bingo this morning, and didn't win anything. They were to play again tonight at 630.

She had good news though. "Patti told me awhile ago that we're going to Stowe Park tomorrow" she said. She's looking forward to it. She said they would leave a little before 10 and stop by Harris Teeter and get supplies to take with them. "They didn't come after me for therapy today so I just sat here with my feet up" she said, referring to resting them on the recliner.

She said she got a birthday card today from Shirley from church. "Nobody showed up last night" she said, then I reminded her that Mandy was there when I got there, David was there when I left, and Terry was on the way. She said she must have been thinking about the time around suppertime.

Someone told her that she had an "elderly couple" come by to see her while she was getting her nails done this afternoon but by the time she got back to the room no one was there. Brenda from church came in just before 5 as we were sitting there thinking about going to the dining room. She brought mom some homemade pound cake she had made. They visited a while then Donald and nurse Pat came to the room looking for mom since she was not in the dining room and it was after 5. Brenda left just after that but mom was really glad to see her.

We headed to the dining room and Donald and I waited in the lobby with the cake after he got her started eating. She came out and had some of the cake then Rita came and sat with us a while and asked about my recent illness. Mr. Walker set off the fire alarm and we were on lockdown for a while. Then we went outside to the front porch. Donald said the shots haven't helped his leg at all.

They went in to play bingo about 625 and I left.

Shower Tuesday

Mom was in the room when I went by there about 6. I thought it was earlier, but I had felt bad at work and went home early to nap. She remembered me telling her last night I was coming by before supper and said she had been looking for me.

Mandy was there and said she had been there since about 230. She was waiting on Marianne to bring Terry there so she could take her home. Mom was waiting on her shower.

I brought her a Smart Ones strawberry shortcake. It was still frozen so I ended up microwaving it for about 40 seconds. She ate it and said it was almost better than the chocolate one I had brought yesterday. She made it look so good eating it that I told her I enjoyed that, then I said I said I enjoyed it and I didn't even eat it. 

She said therapy had given her a workout on her legs. She walked from the therapy room back to her room. She said they had her doing exercises where she had to count using the "one Mississippi two Mississippi" method.

Terry was coming by but wasn't there when I left. David came in when I left about 645.

Mocha Monday

Back to work. I went in later than late so I didn't get to leave when I expected, and my back was hurting by the time I did leave about 530. I stopped by moms on the way home and she and Donald were out back. She had on a pretty outfit I had laid out last night.

We weren't out there very long and she wanted to go around to the front in case we were getting too hot. The sun had already passed us by so we went to the front porch rockers. 

I couldn't stay long since I had not took any medicine all day and my back was hurting plus I needed to eat before long. Donald told someone "toot-a-loo" as they were leaving then he and mom went into a discussion about where that came from and how paw Smith used to say it.

She asked about what I was eating and I told her it was all low fat including one of those Smart Ones chocolate frozen desserts. I told her if she wanted one I would bring one back from the store. I left to go to the grocery store and told her to stay there til I got back and I would bring her one. I did and they were still sitting there as I drove up. 

She seemed to enjoy it and said as much. I had to go but she called me back about 8pm looking for David and Pat and wanting to know if they were coming over. I told her what I always tell her, to ask them. She said she had her gown on and didn't want to get into bed if anyone was coming. She said she really enjoyed the dessert thing I brought. I told her I was going in earlier tomorrow and leaving earlier so I would drop by on my way home. When I told her my back had started to hurt at work she said I should keep a pillow with me like she does and just consider it my buddy. "Come on buddy let's go to work, come on buddy let's go home" she laughed.

She called David later about 850 after they got home. She was asking him where in the closet I had put the shirt that she had opened yesterday that David and Wendy had gotten her for her birthday.

Birthday Part II

David and Pat came by and picked me up and mom was coming down the hall toward us when we got over there about 6pm. 

We had cake in the staff room and she opened her presents. She had a good time it seemed. 

They went and sat in the sun after that while I went back to the room and hung up her clothes and took a nap.

Happy Birthday Mom! You're 85!

I called mom to wish her a happy birthday about 10 til 1. She said David had called earlier. I asked her what she was doing and she said just sitting in her room.

 I told her I wish I could come over but I still could not drive, not after trying it yesterday after my medicine had worn off. She said she understood but "I lived to be 85 for this?? Sitting here alone eating crackers". She was laughing about it though. She always has a good attitude about things like that. 

It wasn't all lost though. She had opened her card and present that her thoughtful brother had given her yesterday with instructions to not open it until today. She she did at least have a present on her birthday. He gave her some money to use when she goes out to eat.

I knew Tim would not be home until later in the afternoon so I was hoping he could come by and get me so we could go over there. What actually happened though was even better. About 2 he called and said he and Michelle were going to see if mom wanted to go eat fish. I knew I could not go since I could not eat anything greasy like that but I called him back because I reasoned if I could have milk and chopped steak at the hospital I could have oyster stew (without the Texas Pete). So I called him back and about 430 we set out.

He came by here and got my car since mom can get into it easier. We stopped at CVS so I could get her card, then we picked her up. She was already in the lobby sitting there ready to go, purse and all. Tim loaded her up and off we went to her favorite place, Catfish Cove.

They were not crowded, I guess because of the economy, so we got in right away. She had a good time eating and getting to see Drew for the first time in a while. I had her some dark chocolate with pomegranate and Tim had her a watch so she has a watch again now. We both gave her cards and she had one that had come to her house from her deacon at church. 

Speaking of church my sweet aunt Batchie had mentioned my illness to her pastor Wednesday night and he came by to see me Thursday morning in my hospital room. It was preacher Huffstetler. He was at Ranlo when I went there briefly as a teenager so I did remember him but not at first since that was about 60 years ago. The funny thing is that he was pastor at Stanleyville Baptist Church in Winston-Salem which was only about one mile from my office up there. So he and I were less than a mile away from each other for over a decade and never knew it. Isn't that wild? And now we had met again, in a hospital.

Anyway mom said Batchie had sent her a card too. We left Catfish Cove and Tim took me home since my stomach was letting me know I had been out too long and I was due for another dose of medicine anyway.

Plus, he was going to take mom by her house to see the magnolias she had been asking about, and then he was going to sit on the porch with her at the facility.

He didn't get back with my car (Drew and Michelle took the G to Catfish Cove, so here I was surrounded by both of my cars, and I was not driving either one of them!) until about 830 so he was over there with her a long time. He saved the day that's for sure. She had a good time. He said Margie had heard it was mom's birthday and had gotten her a really funny card that said something like "it could be worse- you could be pregnant!" He said mom got a hoot out of it and they had some good laughs. Pat called and said they're all going over there to take her a cake tomorrow when they get back into town. 

Friday, 5/29/09 through Thursday, 6/4/09

I was in the hospital this period due to what my doctor called a "fierce" case of Pancreatitis. I had not been eating right and evidently a combination of factors brought it on. He said in most cases they don't know specifically what happened. Needless to say I have to be very very light on the food these days. I was in the hospital the whole week and it was the first hospitalization for me my entire life. The care given was extraordinary and the care team there on 3 South at GHM was wonderful. It was a very serious condition that could have been fatal without their intervention. I am still not operating at full speed and probably won't for another week. An update though later tonight on mom's birthday.

Tore-Up Stomach Thursday

I developed some sort of stomach problem today and called mom about 430 and told her I wasn't going to come over in case it was a virus or something. Terry had been there part of the afternoon.

I called her about 840 and she said they had sat outside a while and David and Pat had come by after supper. She said she had therapy and had walked too.

Wednesday

I had some running around to do after work so I didn't get over to moms until right at 7. She and Donald were in the dining room listening to Rev. Webber. They were just finishing up though and when the did finish we went to the lobby. 

I had brought Bertie's crochet'd cookies back. Donald promptly gave them to Rita who had sat down with us. She stayed and talked a while. She told Donald about mine and moms quick trip Saturday to the cemetery and back. Mom said she had therapy today and actually still had her security belt on above her waist. 

She said David and Pat had already been by and to tell them how much she appreciated the things they do like getting her toothpaste ready. 

Tear-it-Up Tuesday

Denise brought mom some watermelon today. Already had it cut up and in a little canister for her. I'm beginning to wonder what's going on here. Lisa brings her flowers, Denise brings her watermelon. All they ever give me is a hard time. What's wrong with this picture?

Anyway I called mom and asked her if she wanted to have it before or after supper. She said after, so we could eat it outside. I told her I could not stay since I was working til 7, but she still opted for after so I told her I would come over about 430.

And so I did. She was in the hallway staring at Bingo, who was staring outside. I told her it was 30 minutes til supper so she decided we'd go back to the room. Which was fine with me since it was a little more crowded in the hall than when we all pulled up a chair and sat out there over the weekend.

She said Batchie and Rudy, Shane and little Andrew had come by at lunch and stayed a while. She got a big thrill out of the visit and had one of those "Bingo" smiles on her face talking about it. 

She was a little ill about having the wrong meal at lunch. She said Ruth had what she had ordered. She had come back to her room and the menu choices for next week was laying there and I noticed it was torn so I asked her about it. She said she was mad about lunch and had tried to rip it up. We were still able to use it though and went ahead and filled it out. 

She had therapy after her visit. She said her arm was a little sore. She mused about people coming to see her or not. I told her it was easy for me because I only worked a mile away. I told her I was just lucky. "Or unlucky" she laughed. She said Community Christian was coming tonight and that Donald as going to miss it.

I had to leave to go back to work so I left her in the dining room with her watermelon. I told her I'd call her later which I did but it was about 710 so she was in the singing.

Happy Memorial Day

I picked up mom about 130 and we went over to the cemetery so she could see the flowers. It started raining though just as we got there, so we came right back. Rita was with mom on the porch and she was still there when we got back so I left her out there with her. Mom later said she sat out there a long time and talked about everything. 

Donald was already there when I got there just past 5. Mom came wheeling out about 520. Donald had her some chocolates in a bag. "You got a tree up there that puts out chocolate candy or something?" she asked him. She tried to get some out of the bag and he had a bag in a bag so it was somewhat difficult. "What kind of a thing is this?" she wanted to know. 

We sat out there a while and then the Merryhearts started showing up to sing. Donald said he was going to go watch the race while she listened to the singers. "You already had that planned out didn't you?" she asked. I left about 620 and they were headed in to hear them. "Lets go" mom said. 

Scrumptious Sunday

David and Pat took mom supper about 430. They had some of the wonderful lunch Pat had fixed. Sweet BBQ, green beans, corn, biscuits, potato salad, and a pound cake with whipped cream and fresh strawberries. 

I went over about 615 and they were all sitting on the front porch. Mom enjoyed the supper and said she had a biscuit and piece of cake left over and tucked away in her drawer.

They left about 640 and mom and I stayed on the porch. She had her brace on but didn't get therapy today. She was in a good mood and seemed to feel well too. She wanted something on dad's grave since tomorrow is Memorial Day. Someone took the last set of flowers. She had some in her room she wanted  on there and I had a small flag in my car, so I told her I would take them over when I left, which I did about 730. I'm glad she asked me to do it because it looked like everyone else had something on theirs. 

I called her on the way back and told her I'd show her the pics tomorrow. 

2009-05-07T22:57:33Z

Avant Guard

I was on my guard when I got over to mom's because it was so late (615). "A little late I'd say" she said when I walked in, but she was laughing though. 

I told her I had been cleaning up the car all day. She said she had just had fish in the dining room for supper and really liked it, because it was fried and not baked. She said their baked fish was not good. 

I was going to get a drink and she wanted coffee. She asked me if I wanted her to come help and I told her I would bring it back and if she came I'd have one less hand free. I went to get it and she met me halfway at the dining room, so we sat there and looked out the window since it was raining a little. 

We had been out there about 15 minutes when David and Pat came in and they pulled up a chair and we all sat in the hall a while. 

Fast Friday

Just a quick visit with mom today. I had to pick up salad for supper so I got there about 515 and had to leave about 610. 

She had her hairs done yesterday. She didn't have her brace on this afternoon because she said she had took it off in preparation for her shower but she had not gotten it yet because they CNA's were across the hall helping her neighbor, who was wheeled out into an ambulance and taken to the hospital as we sat in the lobby. I wondered aloud what could they do for her over there that they couldn't do here and mom said "plenty!"

She wanted to head out back which we did but the sun had already hidden behind a cloud. I sat down in a wet chair and ended up going to the store with a wet rear end. 

Thoroughly Thursday

I called mom a couple of times to see what she was up to this afternoon but she didn't answer. She called me about 6pm though and said Batchie had called and reported that Donald had his shot. Terry called and said she is still in Missouri and won't be back until Monday.

"Listen to this" she started out. She said she went to therapy and the therapist told her she had walked 175 feet, and that her goal was 200 so she was almost there. She said she didn't feel like she was really walking though if she is using a walker. 

Mealtime was not as great. I don't know which one she was talking about but she said she had ordered a turkey sandwich and she got a pimento cheese instead. She said a CNA came by and mom asked her "do you see any turkey on that sandwich?" She said the girl was going to go get her one but she told her not to bother. 

I went over after work about 710 and David and Pat got there just as I did. I stayed a few minutes to say hello then I left to go eat.

And on a non-related note:

Oysters Rocka Fella

Mom was still eating when I got there about 515. Donald said he had gotten there about 5 past and she was sitting in her room thinking it was 4 not 5.

She came wheeling out about 530 and wanted her sweater. She said Bingo seemed to be feeling a little better. Donald had brought his fake Oreo cookies again and mom saw them. "Are you gonna give me one of those Oreos or what?" she asked me. She had heard us talking about them but had obviously forgot. 

Once she picked one up she realized it was one of Bertie's creations, not Keebler's.

She said she had therapy then walked from that room past hers to the outside doors. "My legs felt so weak" she said. She said the therapist told her she was doing good. "I told her she's a good encourager" mom said. 

She wanted to go out back but I persuaded her to wait just a little while since Hazel had just wheeled into the lobby. I told her it would be poor manners to leave right away. She didn't stay too long though and she and Donald headed out back about 605 and I headed to Catfish Cove to get some oyster stew.

Tuesday

Mom was in the dining room and the singers from West Cramerton were just finishing when I got there about 710.  I was going to stop and push her down the hall but she was talking to several of them so I went on the the room and went back to get her ice. 

She was coming down the hall just as I finished so I helped her back to the room.

She had her brace off and said they took it off when she had her shower earlier. Sara came in and put it back on for her. She told mom her sweater was pretty. "Thank you that's my daughter's taste" she said. 

I brought a picture of her and dad from when they were first married. "I still have that suit he has on in the cedar chest" she said. They had the resident's birthday party this morning but she missed it because she was in therapy. "I was in there over an hour" she said. She said her right shoulder was hurting because she's been using it so much. She walked from the therapy room to her room. 

Golden Chorus was there this morning. She said Bingo sat behind her and was bumping her chair "just like a youngin." 

I left about 740 and David and Pat were on the way in.

She called me about 20 til 9 and wanted to know if I had took that photo I had shown her with me. I told her I had so I could copy it. "I wanted to put it up where I could look at it." I told her I would copy it and bring it back. She said she was about ready for bed.

Lion Dancing

Mom and Donald had gone to get her a sweater when I got over there at 545. Rita was in the lobby and gave me the skinny.

When they got back they headed out back for a quick run around the garden then settled in the lobby, She said the kids had come by before they left town. She was in therapy and didn't really get to see much but also said she wasn't in therapy very long. While we were sitting out there Breanna came in and said she had been away at college but was back for the summer. She told mom she would be on her hall tonight and asked her if she had been "trippin". Mom laughed and said she hadn't.

The Lion Dancers were coming at 630 so they headed in to see them about 620

Two in a Row

I called mom this morning when I got back into town to remind her I was picking her up about 1230. "Don't be any later than that" she said.

I got there a little before 1230 and she had already been to the bathroom about 11, but she wanted to go again just in case. It was about 1230 when we pressed the button, and by 110 they still had not come in there after several tries. I knew it was lunchtime and it would be difficult, but 40 minutes is a long time. At least she had gone earlier, so she was not in any imminent hurry. As she sat there waiting she got really aggravated.

David called about 115 and said lunch was ready, and that yesterday she had the same problem after I left where it took about 40 minutes for them to come help her to the bathroom. He said to go down to the station, which I did, but no one was there. Someone said there were 2 CNA's on the hall though. I went back to the room and pressed the button again and told them this time how long she had been waiting and she was getting ready to leave. This time when she announced for help on the intercom she said "stat" several times. A girl was there in a second. She said she was afraid she had fallen. We told her that no, it was just she had been waiting so long. The girl said she was the only one on the hall for 40 people, that the other person had called in sick and they didn't call in anyone to replace her. I told her I figured it was something like that.

Mom said Bingo's trip outside must have done him good yesterday. "Bingo was at Sunday School this morning sitting in my place. I had to sit somewhere else" she said, grinning. She was just glad to see him. She said she didn't get to talk to him though.

She said Terry called last night and she was worried about her driving all that distance. 

Anyway right after the bathroom we headed for the door, arm brace on and all. She got to ride in the new car and said she thought she was able to get in it better than the other one actually. 

Lunch was ready when we got there and Pat had an awesome spread topped off with a Hersheys chocolate cake that had some almond bars in it. Mom was in food heaven and really enjoyed the visit. She didn't get sleepy or doze off at all. It was my kind of day- rainy and 60 degrees!!!! Mom didn't like it though but didn't complain. Will took a dip in the pool and she stared out the door at him. 

When we left she was about to have a fit trying to find her purse. We looked everywhere and Pat finally found it- hooked to the back of her chair. 

We went back over and I set her out a spread on her table with what Pat had sent back. She wasn't hungry and said she would eat it later. I left her over there about 6 and she had had a great day. 

Bye, Bob

The day started out with a trip to Firestone Grill where we found out two things, one more saddening than the other. Bob, the cat who lived at the grill for over 20 years, died a couple of months ago. And Will's head is about the size of a pancake- or vice versa.

After that I went to work and then went over to moms about 1220. She was in the room watching Animal Planet. I brought her some cookies from the office. I went to get a drink and she wanted coffee so I got her some while I was gone. 

She said she and Donald had gone down to Bingo's room last night. "Someone ought to be looking about him" she said. I told her I was sure they were keeping up with him. She saw a picture of Jager on her photo screen and said her eyes and mine looked alike. DO I have cat eyes or did Jager have mine?

We went outside and sat out back in the sun. She said they put her leg brace on at 10pm last night. She was wearing her arm brace now. We looked at the tomato plants. "It's rained enough to make the rain smell" she said. I told her it was supposed to storm tonight. "I wish people wouldn't worry so much about the weather" she said. "All it is is doubting God. Just as sure as mother takes care of her children he will take care of us" she continued. I said watch out there, now, and  reminded her that mothers in some species eat their children. She laughed. 

"This beats sittin in there"  she said. I told her Tracey had sent me an email calling my new car a mommy-mobile.  "Can I get my feet in? I may be able to get in the back seat better> Well it IS a mommy mobile is I can" she said. 

About 2pm she wanted to go invite Bingo out to sit with us so seizing this continued moment of openness I hopped up and we went inside toward his room. When we got there Oscar was there. Oscar is the one who has the similar last name but is not his brother as mom once thought- but he IS Ruth's brother, so that finally got straightened out for me today. Oscar said he thought Bill's son had taken him out for the afternoon. So mom asked Oscar to come out. I didn't realize Oscar is blind, until he asked if he should hold on to mom's chair or my arm. The arm got it.

We went out back and sat until about 245 when I left. I noticed Oscar had a ham radio in his room and  I asked him about that. I told him about working for Monitoring Times  years ago and listening to shortwave radio in high school and college. I told him about my Kenwood R2000 receiver and picking up Solomon Islands Radio once and getting a QSL card from them, with only 500 watts of power on their end, all the way from out in the Pacific. He said he actually had the same exact radio at one time. , and that I should turn it on once in a while even if I'm not using it (which I'm not since it's in a box at the office where I keep some stuff) so that the capacitors don't dry out. I should have thought to tell him about paw Smith's old radio but I forgot. He said he had talked to someone in China and India, I think last year, for the first time, and told me you didn't have to learn code now in order to get your amateur license. We had a really good talk, and he said at one point we had put mom to sleep. She wasn't, and I said she had heard it all before because I used to have that radio on so loud you could hear the stations all over the house. He directed me to qrz.com for license info and a place in Atlanta called HRO for portable transceivers.

I had to leave about 245 so we went in. He thanked us for the visit. David came in and followed us to Oscars room and said he had been calling moms room but got no answer. He said he was coming back in a little bit to get mom and take her to his house to cook out with David and Wendy and Will and make some homemade ice cream. I was going out of town so I missed it. But I'm picking her up about 1230 tomorrow for a return tip over there for lunch.

Friday

Mom and Donald were on the front porch as I drove up this afternoon about 545. 

She was still smiling and talking about Bingo and Elvis. She didn't have her brace on and I never quite found out why, because two ambulances came and it was difficult to hear her over the sound of the diesel engines.

I noticed soft lambswool - like pads on her armrests. She said the therapy department had put them on. She said they put her brace on the right way and the wrong way and took pictures of it. She said she didn't get to walk today. 

Donald suggested a new license plate for me- HAUDI- (howdy), but I checked when I got home and it isn't available. However, HAUDIDOD (howdy doody) is available, so that's an option.

David and Pat picked me up to go eat fish and I told mom I may or may not be back later. We went home afterwards and while I was in the kitchen mom called and left 2 voicemails wanting to know if we were coming back over. It was about 10 til 9 when she called. I called her back just a few minutes later but she didn't answer. She said she was going to bed if she didn't hear anything, so I guess she did.

Throw a Kiss Thursday

I called mom this afternoon but the line was busy. About 30 minutes later she called me. She wanted to know if I was coming over for the cookout tonight at 6 but I reminded her that I had to work until 7.

"Get this" she said. "I got up the nerve to go see Bingo" she said. I told her since she was saying yesterday that only a hussy would do that then she must be a hussy. She started laughing and said no but I forget her rationale. I asked her how he was. "He's just Bingo" she said. "He just sort of waved his hands around. He thanked me for coming."

I guess so. Read on.

I went over about 715 after work. The cookout was just about finished. Mom was in the hallway rolling around at the entrance to the dining room. I asked her how it went and she said I was late. About that time Elvis walked around the corner. She grabbed his arm and thanked him for coming. "You seem to be a good boy with a good heart, I appreciate you coming" she said. He bent down and hugged her and they held hands a minute. 

We went out to the lobby and sat with Hazel, who was contemptuous of all the gyrating moves the Elvis performer had evidently made. Nellie, around the corner, was still gyrating herself. Hazel found that offensive too and made sure everyone knew it. 

"I've been busy with therapy" mom said. She had therapy then walked from the therapy room to her room. "She wants me to come tomorrow in the morning" she said. Her tray was off the wheelchair and she said her therapist took it off because she said it was making her sit sideways, which it was. 

David and Pat came in about 730 and mom gave them the lowdown on Elvis. "He showed me his belt buckle" she said. She told them about going to see Bingo. Then she wanted to go out back so they headed out there and I left to go get something to eat. Before I left I went back to tell Nellie that if she had one more balloon on her wheelchair she was going to float away. She started gyrating.

When I got home, Pat said mom was talking about a song he sang "Only the Good Die Young" and revealed mom had opened up a little more about Bingo. 

Not only did she go see him, she blew him a kiss when she left and he reciprocated. "He might come down here tonight" she said. She probably won't be able to sleep tonight. Pat also said Elvis had not left the building yet and she got a snapshot of the two of them.