It's a Gregorious Life

Wednesday

I forgot to mention yesterday that mom was in a really happy mood and seemed out of her funk. I hope so. She was doing well again today too.

Tracey and her son brought most of my stuff down from Winston today and she didn't have time to hang around but we did go by there long enough for her to see her. She hadn't seen her in since late 2002. Mom didn't remember her at first thinking she was Kay then remembered it was Tracey. She was playing bingo when we got there. Later in the evening mom said "Tracey's a Hamilton isn't she?" She she did remember more than she thought.

I went back about 540 and mom and Donald were in the room. It was too cold for the lobby. Mom has christened the H1N1 cirus as the "hienie virus" because she think's it's spelled HINI with an "I" not a
1". I could not convince her. I told nurse Pat and Rita about it. Rita said dogs can get it now. I told her that's because they go around sniffing hienies.

She walked today to the dining room before having to rest. We called Terry to see how she was and she is feeling a little better.

Tuesday

I went by moms at lunch since it was going to be a long day at work. She was sitting in her chair doing her menu for the week. It was about 220.

I asked her if she had a good night last night. "It was alright why were you expecting something to happen?" she said. I brought her and I a sundae from McDonalds and she only saw the spoon at first. "What's that a black spoon?" She got happy when she saw what was with it.

She finished it all and actually put her spoon into my cup at one time, and I said what are you doing? She started laughing. "Oh that's yours."

They had tilapia for lunch and she enjoyed that. She said Rita had been down twice to get her for different things. She said she was finished with her menu but she wasn't so I finished it.

I went back about 720 and she had already had her shower. She was putting creme on her hands from the stuff that Terry gave her. David and Pat came in about 740.

Monday

I got a call from mom this morning about 930. The phone was in the back so I didn't hear it ring.

I called her back about 1120 and she said "I called to see how you made out on your steps this morning." Last night when I left her place she had told me how cold it was supposed to be this morning and that my steps may have ice on them. She remembered that and called to check. I told her they were fine but I had remembered what she said as I started down them.

"They weighed me a while ago, 181, you got a big momma" she laughed. I told her we could both lose a few pounds.

I went over after supper at David and Pats. She made some wonderful soup. When I got to moms she and Donald were in the room and she was leaning over like the tower of Pisa. We straightened her up. She said they tried to put her on the bedpan last night but she said she told them to take it away so I don' t know if they made her use that instead of going to the bathroom or not.

She said she did good walking today, and they made some crafts in the dining room. A clothespin with some colored cotton balls glued to it. She had it clipped to her lamp. She was laughing about it.

She wanted to walk me out to the door and followed me down the hall on her own power. She said she wanted the exercise. On the way Miranda commented on how much she likes the new look in her room. When we got to the door mom said if I had a horse I could just call for it to come get me from the parking lot. I told her it may come to that.

Sunday

"Did David tell you they called him last night?" mom asked when I went to her place about 2. I told her I hadn't talked to him. When I asked why she said "I was sitting in the floor here." She said about 5 this morning she went to get up to go to the bathroom and fell in the floor from the bed.

A CNA was there but evidently the chair wasn't. I told her from now on to be sure to look and confirm the chair is there before going to get up. "Believe me I will" she said. She said her back is hurting and had took a pain pill about an hour earlier.

She said when it happened she asked them if Chris was there. "He can pick me up" she said. Mom said the cna then told her "well you're not a little woman. Can you imagine telling someone in that position that?" she asked. Sorta does make you want to haul off and slap the bettlejuice outta someone doesn't it?

She focused on this while I was there and said she was afraid to complain to anyone for fear of them hurting her. I told her I doubted anyone there would do that. You never know though but I wasn't going to tell her that.

I went back after work about 6 and David and Pat had brought her some new washrags (thinner so she can wring them out with one hand) and some nutroll. She had saved me a piece. She seemed to feel a little better. Pat put the earrings Erin got her on her.

She said the facility said it was going to put her on a bedpan at night from now on. She said it's painful and doesn't want to do that. I told her to be sure and tell them that when they come in there tonight. "Don't worry I will."

Saturday

Mom was excited about her new cabinet when I went over there this evening. It's amazing how much more room there is without that small chair in there. She liked the towels too.

She was excited about winning two quarters at bingo too.

She had talked to Terry and she is sick with a sore throat. I called while I was over there and she said she is feeling better.

Friday- Happy New Year 2010

Wasn't there a movie about 2010? I can't remember.

After a few hours in my new home here, I have discovered there is a preponderance of gasoline driven vehicles in Gaston County with, shall we say, "enhanced" exhaust sounds. But enough of that.

David and Pat and I went to breakfast at Cracker Barrel this morning then they went by to see mom. After that they were a huge help moving my stuff over to the new place. I was going to do it myself but if I Had I would still be in process.

I went by to see her about 415. She was watching tv. She had played bingo this morning then went to lunch then Rita and Patti had cheesy popcorn in the dining room for the residents. Rita and Patti told a lot of tales and mom said "they could run their own show telling their life stories." Today they talked about the dentist, speaking of which mom said her tooth was still bothering her. 

She said it only bothers her when she chews. I'm thinking, well that's why the teeth do so if it's that bad she needs to see someone. She said she didn't so she will change her mind if it gets bad I guess. She said what made it hurt this time was chewing that Big Red gum. I asked her if she knew it made it hurt she shouldn't chew it. "Believe me I won't" she said.

I left just before supper. David and pat were going over to give her room a new make over for 2010, including a new cabinet for her own personal towels and washrags.

"Did you watch the ball drop?" she asked. I told her I did. She said she still had her tv on when she got up to go to the bathroom about 3am. She said she didn't get to walk today as the walkers were off.

I caed just before 8pm to see if she liked her new setup David and Pat brought. She said she did. "You'll like it too. I believe it makes things look more together."

Thursday

Goodbye 2009. I moved some of my stuff into the new place with the help of Denise's husband Mike and his truck then we were able to leave work a little early so I was able to meet the cable guy at 621. He wasn't finished until almost 8 so I got something and went over to moms.

She already had her gown on. Sarah had noticed she had it on backwards and sent a CNA in there to switch it but mom said it didn't bother her. She said "I feel inside out sometimes myself."

She asked if I had thought about chewing gum and I told her no. She said she had some big red earlier and it made her mouth hurt. I asked her why she chewed it if she knew it would do that and she said "if you had to sit inside these four walls all day you would too."

I ate supper and left about 840. She asked me to stay and watch the ball drop. I told her I felt like the ball had already dropped and it fell on me. I told her to call me at midnight if she was still up.

Wednesday

Went by moms briefly tonight. She was in the lobby talking to Donald and Patti. Hazel was bringing up the rear.

Patti was talking about how she was working over the holidays and I asked her about the blue trailer out back, telling her mom's theory about how when they worked long hours she ad Rita would rest out there with naps. No that doesn't happen and they no longer use the trailer for their supplies but it did start out as the activities storage facility so mom was right in a sense. 

She said Tim had come by and gotten her to go get some ice cream and they got back just before supper. She left just after I got there to go to bingo at 630. She just waved as she was rolling away.

Tim went back later to get her sweater and take it back to get a larger one. THen she called me wanting to know who was bringing her sweater back and asking how my day had went. She said she won 2 quarters at bingo.

Tuesday

Mom called last night after I got home and said she was out of the pull-ups she wears at night and wanted me to get some. I found out today they provide them there at the facility as part of her normal charges and i asked her if those were comfortable and they are so she said to nevermind.

I went over after work about 710. Pat called and was there about 615 but was leaving to go let Gus out. Mom was fussing about the shower when I got there. "I been waiting since 3pm for them to come get me for a shower" she said. We eventually determined she'd rather have one later in the day anyway so she could put her gown on. This type of anger is not native to mom; she wasn't like this before the stroke, and this type of personality change is common from what I've heard of others.  "I even studied about moving to Bel Aire" she said.

Anyway, she went to devotions this morning and even mentioned that her frustrations was just the devil trying to get at her. She said she talked to Patti about getting Vernon and the Boys back up here. 

They came to take her to the shower at 740. She had her new Elizabeth Taylor stuff with her. Me being the cynic I am I don't know that I'd want to support someone who's been married eight times, but if we ran our lives like that we'd have to live in a hole.

Monday

Mom called this afternoon to see if I had the address to the place that we get her cups from. I think she was going to give it to them and tell them to order her a new one. I told her I had the top to one with me and would bring it tonight. She said ok.

I went over after work about 540 and she and Donald were in the room. I stopped in the kitchen but decided to take the top to the cup to her room and let her take it down there in the morning. I hope it makes it.

When I got there she and he were engaged in a fierce search for her change purse which they thought had been stolen. I went to the car to see if it had fallen out, but it wasn't there either. When I came back I found it in the second drawer. Everything was there. Red alert canceled.

She said she walked today and played bingo. With regard to walking she said "I've come to the conclusion that my left heel is higher." I asked her why she was wearing high heels while she walked.

She said her tooth was sore but not sore enough to go to the dentist. She said it was where those roots had been left in. I know what she's talking about because I had one like that before it was fixed in 2007. Hopefully she'll say if it gets worse later on.

She said Batchie called this afternoon. She was having a hard time hearing her and doesn't think she mashed the volume button.

Who's running the TSA? No one, thanks to Sen. Jim DeMint | McClatchy

Call our Senator next door and tell him "thank you."

Who's running the TSA? No one, thanks to Sen. Jim DeMint | McClatchy.

Sunday

Mom's second Christmas celebration went on today at Terry Mandy and Darrel's place. Melody Mike Emma and Vance were there from Virginia so she got to see them and Marianne called in on Skype from Colorado and she talked to her as well.

We got off to a slow start though. I called mom about 11 and told her it would be about 1230 when I got there. I was on my way out the door about 1230 when she called me wanting to know where I was. When I got over there she called again just as a pulled up to the front door. "They're gonna be done eat" she said.

We made it up there by 140 and left about 5. Emma gave her a Christmas blanket to keep her warm and mom took the neclace from around her neck and gave it to her to match her dress. "Those are the smartest younguns I've ever seen and I've had four myself" she told Mike.

She had a full course meal again with all the trimmings and a lot of dessert and enjoyed every bite. I noticed though that both coming and going she seems weaker in the legs lately and unable to stand up as well as she has been. I didn't tell her that of course.

As she got in the car to leave she was wheezing badly. By the time we got back to the facility she sounded normal but I asked them to take her temperature and look at her lungs just in case. Her temp was 96 and the nurse supervisor said her lungs sounded clear, but that they would keep checking them. She said she could get an xray but since the last one hurt her back so bad and she sounded ok now we decided to wait and just keep an eye on it. 

I went to get her some coffee and heated up her ham biscuit that was in the fridge and when I came back she was messing with the light and picked up my cell phone and said hello. I said, "hello?" to her. She laughed, and said she saw it blinking and thought it meant someone was calling. She got a kick out of it as did the nurse. "That stroke just struck everything" she said.

She mentioned again something about going to her house and spending the weekend because Della Brown, one of her hallmates, said she did that. She said they were talking in the dining room yesterday and found out she used to work at the mill with Dot Haney and Lois someone that I can't remember.

I left about 7 and David and Pat went over later. They said she was pretty tired. I had earlier called her from the driveway when I got home to let her know they were back per her request.

Saturday

It seemed like I went around the world and back to get a few pieces of furniture today. I started at 1pm and finished about 5. Mom called while I was in Rock Hill picking up some chairs. "It's lonesome over here" she said. She said "you're going to buy two chairs you've never seen before?" Yes.

So I went over there about 540. She was in the room watching the news. I told her about picking up a wardrobe and she started talking about the one in her parents bedroom. I told her I didn't remember it but then I did. I said, it was when you go into their bedroom it's on the left. "Right" mom said. No left, I said. She got a laugh going.

Terry called about 555 and mom told her she had done "absolutely nothing" today. She tried to put the socks I gave her yesterday into the snack drawer and I questioned her on it. "They're clean" she said. Then I realized I had forgotten to give her her main gift from me yesterday, the calendar. I told her I'd bring it tomorrow. We're supposed to go to Terry's.

Merry Christmas!

Tim picked up mom this morning and took her by the cemetery to see the grave and flowers then to the house. I got there about 1245 and she was in her kitchen.

She had a really good time. Tim and Michelle had a big spread with ham and everything and mom ate it all up. There were a lot of desserts- I had none thank you- and Terry fixed this wild brownie with ice cream and everything on it and showed it to mom- on her way to eat it herself! I kidded her about making mom laugh earlier and getting her distracted to take the brownie for herself. But mom got one after all. It was funny though because mom said "where did my dessert go?" So I wasn't the only one thinking it was hers.

I took her home about 6 I guess. She said "it doesn't feel like home if I have to sit in this chair." She said she wanted to be able to walk over to the recliner.

The power at the facility went off about 620 and stayed off for about 10 minutes.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Mom called this morning just as we were leaving the office Christmas breakfast at Cracker Barrel. It was so crowded some of us had to park across the street and I was crossing it as the phone rang.

She wanted to confirm plans for today and tomorrow so she would know what to tell the kitchen staff.

I went over about 540 and she was gettin it up the hall toward her room. I took over pushing her and when we got to her corner she said "whoa."

David called and talked to her a while during the visit. Ronnie had been there earlier from her church and said her friend Ruth who is in Bel Air has Alzheimer's. Mom asked me about who Mr Neely was doing so I told her I would ask Bobbie. She and the kids didn't get to come with the Christmas bells this year from what I know because of the ban on children.

Her cup had mysteriously reappeared there on her table in the room, and just as mysteriously neither her name nor room number was written on it. She said the one on her table in the dining room today didn't have a top on it. "The broke up our $40 cup just like it was a bunch of straws" she said. Changing the subject I asked her how she felt. "Sleepy." She said "it's those pills they give me to do my walkin I rekon."

I told her Linda and I had seen Beth at lunch. We were at Ruby Tuesdays and she and her family were beside us. She said to tell mom hello. "That Beth is the type of girl that when she gets old she'll look the same, young and no wrinkles."

I left about 645 and was on my way down the hall when I group of nurses yelled at me to come back. I told them I didn't usually walk toward anyone who was screaming at me. They wanted to know why there had been a recent drought of brownies. I told them, this is the calm before the storm.

Wednesday

Mom called this morning about 1125 just as I was thinking about calling her. She wanted to know where we were going on Christmas day. I told her to her house. She liked that.

She said she had her hair and nails done so far "that's about the size of it.  Exciting isn't it?" she quipped. She sounded really good even better than yesterday.

I went over after work about 610. She and Donald were in the lobby and Brenda had just left. She brought mom some of her home made sweets and some nuts. After yesterday's quandry she gave Donald the nuts. She had brought me some treats too.

We went to the room because some kids were in the lobby and they weren't supposed to be there. Mom didn't mind it though. She said she got a box from Colorado today from Marianne. She liked the hot chocolate that was inside in the shape of an ice cream cone. She was talking later about pouring hot milk on it and the marshmallows rising to the top. I misunderstood and messed with her asking her if it was like the putting salt on a bird's tail thing, pouring hot milk onto chocolate and turning it into a marshmallow.

She said she was wheezy (she didn't sound it) but I told her I thought she said she was "Weezy" like Louise Jefferson was known. She kept saying "I'm Weezy!" I told her her name is Virginia not Weezy. She was cackling pretty good.  She knows it's crazy but it's funny to her.

She said her back was still hurting a little and she walked today but Anita didn't say how she did. Her cup went missing at lunch so they came and got the one in her room but didn't bring it back. Another $40 down the drain. They told her in the kitchen to ask Patti about it at bingo but she didn't ask.

Tuesday

Mom was in the room at her sink when I went over there about 425 this afternoon. I knew I had to work late so I figured I better go while I could.

She had went to Bible study this morning with Barbara, then after lunch her pastor Doles came by and brought her some treats as well as an autographed copy of his new book. 

I asked her if she was ready for supper and she said "I don't want any supper." She had ate some candy from Barbara this morning and then the preacher had those treats and she just wasn't hungry. "I'll go make an appearance" she finally relented. 

One of the things her brought her was a bag of nuts. She said she liked nuts, so I told her she must be real happy when Donald and I are both there at the same time. "That Pat came in this morning with a little bacon egg and cheese biscuit from Bojangles and some coffee and she and I ate" she said. That tickled her pink. 

The CNA came in while we were talking and had noticed her arm brace wasn't on quite right and she fixed it for her. She was still squinting her eyes a little but seemed happier than she had been so far this week including the weekend. I left her at the dining room doors about 445. Pat called on my way back to work and said she and David were about to go over there on their way out of town. I called about 730 but didn't get an answer. She may have been in the shower. 

I called back about 754 and she answered but sounded real groggy. I found out why. "I just got back from getting a shower and I have my toothbrush in my mouth." I said goodnight.

He quotes Acts 4:12 in the note to mom: "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name given under heaven by which we must be saved."

  

Monday

Mom was walking when I went over about 140.  She had her pain medicine at lunch so it should have kicked in but she still said it was hurting a little. She was actually resting just beyond the south station when I got there.

She said that she only rested twice today. Anita said she was doing good. I had come over to bring her a card she wanted to sign. Bingo was starting at 2pm so she finished in front of the dining room doors and we wheeled in there. She wrote what seemed like a book on the card and I left to go back to work.

I went back about 610 after work and she and Donald were in the room watching Animal Planet, which  she declared the other day "then only good thing on TV." I played a trick on her and called her from my phone and when she answered I asked her how she was. Then I pointed to the floor and said there's a rabbit or something like that and she looked, not once but twice. She didn't on the third animal. Donald said "you can't fool a fool all of the time." Mom gave him a weird look.

She won two quarters at bingo. She said she only got green beans for supper because that was all that she evidently checked on her menu. Sara went and got her some meatball and spaghetti. That all she would get for supper is green beans is yet another broken cog in the bureaucracy of trying.

Sunday

I called mom about 1115 to remind her it would be about 1 before I got there to pick her up but I didn't get an answer. I called back about 1133 and she did answer but sounded groggy. She said she had been down to the lobby several times and wanted to know where I was.

I told her it would be about 1. She said "well I'm not going down that hall again then." I got there about 115 and she was in the room dozing off pretty well. She said "I didn't have anything else to do." She said she wasn't hungry, that she had eaten some candy at Sunday school and then some crackers when she got back to the room.

We left about 120 and went to Catfish Cove for lunch. I told her I had the heater on her seat turned on and she said she liked it. I told her I liked it too sometimes. "When do you sit over here?" she asked. I told her I had one on mine too.

She seemed to have a good time. We went to her house after that and stayed til about 440. I was thinking her eyesight was getting worse then she surprised me by seeing a bumper sticker on the car in front of us that said "FIFE", a reference to Barney Fife in Mayberry.

She sat in front of the fire then turned to talk to everyone. She still seems sort of out of it. Pat thinks it may be that they've increased her pain meds since she fell the other day because she said at the party yesterday that her back was hurting. 

I took her back about 440 and dropped her off in the lobby. It was about 450 when we got there. I told her I'd be back later. I called her about 630 and she said she had already eaten so I told her I wasn't coming back over. I didn't feel well actually but I didn't tell her that.

Something told me to go anyway so I went about 7pm. She was in the room watching Andy Griffith. We were talking and she said she hadn't eaten anything. I told her I must have misunderstood because I thought she said she had gotten something earlier. She finally narrowed it down to some milk and a sandwich so I went to see a nurse and she got her a pimento cheese sandwich and some skim milk from the kitchen.

Mom enjoyed it and made me take a bite too. "You've turned out to be the mother hen" she said.

lecker :)

lecker :)
Originally uploaded by audire

Cool cat photo from one of my Flickr! contacts.

Saturday

We went over to moms about noon for a birthday get together.

David went by McDonalds and got us all something to eat. Pat made a wonderful red velvet cake with homemade icing.

Mom was in the hallway just past the staff break room when I got there. She was on her way to the staf meeting room where we were getting together at.

We went down there and David and Pat and Tim and Michelle came in. Terry had called earlier and wasn't able to come.  We ate then had cake and I got two vests and a gift card all of which was unexpected but very nice! The cake was all I wanted! I wore one of the vests the rest of the day. It's an outerwear vest that helps keep you warm.

I had to leave for Charlotte when the party broke up. I was going to pick up a microwave. It's only a year old and was $25 on Craigslist. It was a little trip as it was off Carmel Road but it was worth it. It looks new.

I got back over at moms mid afternoon. She was dozing off again in the room. After her being upset about me moving and not into her house I told her that she needed to understand I was doing what I wanted to do and that when she eventually got to come home to visit or stay I would be there. "I live in too much of a dream world now" she said. She had been dozing and thinking about dad, and said that she knew she was about to go to supper there but was worried about what he was going to have, because she knew he didn't have a car over there. 

"That Patti came over here just so we could play bingo this morning" she said. I forgot to ask her if she won anything. She kept looking sad so I started taking my fingers and turning the ends of her mouth up instead of down and she laughed about that so I did it a couple of times to keep her laughing.

I asked her why she was keeping her left eye closed sometimes and she said it felt like there was a hair in it. We'll have to get that checked out if it keeps up. I kidded her about having a hairy eyeball.

I left her in the lobby about 450. She wanted to follow me out as i left. She seemed like she still felt a little better than the past few days.  I went to pick up Linda and we went to Twin Tops then got robbed at Duncan Donuts. Not really, but the price was robbery.

I went back to moms about 720. She had just got her gown on. She wanted to know if Erin and Daid and their kids were up here this weekend or if they were coming up for Christmas. I told her no and no. "Well I don't get to see 'em they ought to think about that" she said. "I want to see those younguns." Maybe the visit to her house tomorrow and Christmas day will make her less homesick for everyone.

I left about 750. She seemed ok.

Frigid Friday

Mom seemed ok when I went over there about 217. I was hoping to get in on the chips and dip at 2 but was a little late. I told her I didn't see anyone in the dining room and she said they have it in the day room.

She didn't go either. She was napping. I brought her a small jamocha shake and we halfed it. She said she walked earlier about 1pm and her legs burned like crazy. I asked her if she walked as far as she did yesterday and she said she did but that she sat down more.

She said her back is sore and her neck is too. She said the soreness in the middle of her back is from having to turn over for the xrays. It was from turning over on her side "and I don't ever do that."

She still seemed lethargic, and that could be the pain medicine. She has recently been keeping her eyes closed sometimes when she talks. It's almost like she's winding down somewhat since Bingo died. I hope she snaps out of it soon. She didn't seem as depressed, just tired.

I left about 240 because I was going to come back later. But it had started sleeting and 20 minutes later on the way back from the post office I saw a small truck a couple of vehicles away from me slide off down an embankment onto the P&N railroad tracks.

I meant to call her later and tell her I wasn't coming back today but I hadn't called by about 623pm so she called me. She said Donald had come by before supper but left because the roads were getting bad. I had emailed him to stay home but he didn't get the message and had gone over about 3pm.

Mom still sounded tired but coherent. She said she was waiting on her shower. I called back about 805 and Pat the nurse answered and said she was in the shower then. About 821 mom called me back and said she had her gown on and was ready for bed. She still asked if I was coming over and I told her no because of the weather but I'd see her tomorrow.

Thursday

They called David this morning and told him mom had taken a fall off the toilet about 430 or 5am. She thought someone was there holding the chair but they weren't, and she got up and there was no chair to sit in.

She fell on her hip and hurt her back too. He went over there and they hadn't ordered an x-ray yet so they did that after he asked them to. She told them she was ok and seemed he said not to be in any pain and in good spirits. He suggested later we put a mirror on the opposite door in her bathroom so she can see if anyone is there or not.

I went over just before 5pm and the x-ray tech was just leaving. I passed her in the hall. Mom was laying on the bed, since that's where they took the xrays. The CNA came in and helped her up and back into the chair. Mom said her whole day was messed up, that she remembered breakfast but didn't remember going to lunch or anything in the afternoon.

She didn't want to pedal to the dining room on her own so I pushed her down about 510 and told her I'd come back down there at 530 and get her. But when I went at 530 she was already at the nurse's station on the way back. She was doing fine and I asked her if she wanted to keep going on her own and she did. She said it hurt but no more than normal, but I pushed her the rest of the way anyway.

She said it was hurting in the middle of her back but that may be from moving around for the xray. "It got things stirred up" she said of that.

David and Pat came over later as we were sitting in the lobby with Hazel. Hazel had been to her sister's funeral today. Mom still seemed in a good mood and not in any additional pain. Sarah called David about 930 or 10pm and sid the xray didn't show any fractures just a narrowing of the spine.

Wednesday

They had a small party at the office today and brought in food from home and someone suggested I take mom a plate. So I took her and myself a plate for supper over about 120 and put it in the fridge.

She and Anita were at the window in the hall when I got there. She had sat down in the sun to rest. She seemed very cheery and had on a red Christmas sweater. I told her she seemed like she felt better and she said "it's the sun."

She continued walking and I pushed the chair behind her. I told her that her left foot looked much flatter on the floor than the last time I watched her walk which was many months ago. Anita said she was doing better at it. She walked down past the south station and turned then rested again and continued to just beyond the dining room doors where she gave out. She said her leg was burning again. Anita said they had signed off on her getting her vicatin at lunch now instead of in the morning but she had refused it yesterday. Today Anita said she go to her before they could give it to her. The nurse had it ready to give her when we got to the room.

She took it and I told her to take it every day so she would build it up in her system.

Some people from the church- Mrs Gunther was one- had come by and brought mom a nice cloth bag with some oranges and a lot of stuff in it- writing pads, a big poinsettia, filing sticks, etc. There was a notecard talking about dealing with mourning and I made sure it was on top of her table so she could read it and maybe deal better with Bingo.

I left and came back about 430. She said they had already come in to tell her supper was coming up soon. I reminded her about the food in the fridge. She said "Patty came down her and did my nails are they too dark? I can talk to her so good. She really listens."

We talked then about 10 til I went down the hall to heat up her food. When it was ready it was almost 5 and I came out of the microwave room and there she came down the hall. I asked her where she was going and she said to the dining room, but I had just told her I was bringing the food back there. "Oh, ok" she said. That's worrisome that she forgot like that and hadn't been asleep. 

She said she had stopped in the hall and got "Ms Boots" to go with her to bingo and she won but mom didn't. Batchie had come by too. About 620 we all moved to the lobby.  Donald asked Hazel if she was cold. "If I was I'd put my jack on" she told him in that Hazel style.

Here's a picture of the poinsettia Mandy brought her yesterday.

Tuesday

Terry and Mandy came by. Mandy brought her a poinsettia. Tim stopped by before supper and was there while they were there. Mom said she was "sleepy headed" and "plum rude" to them because of it. The resident birthday party had been earlier and she had some sweets from that and she thought that made er sleepy.

Preacher Lowery came by and brought her a package of things and a box of treats.

She had already had her shower when I got there at 710. She seemed a little better off than yesterday but soon got back on the subject of Anita and walking and how it irritated her. I told her to let it go but she persisted. It's hard to see her upset like this. I told her it was not healthy for her to stay upset like this. She said she knew it but "my legs a burnin and my feet a hurtin." I told her it sounded like Jerry Lee Lewis. "Well whatever" she replied. She said she just wanted to go home.

Monday

Mom sounded good when I called her this morning. She sounded alert and happy. Loray Baptist Church had been there to sing. I had called to tell her Mr Neely had a heart attack last week and that's why she hadn't seen him. "I thought that was his head I saw when they rolled him out the door" she said.

I went over after work about 645. She and Donald were in the room. Mom was mad at Anita, saying "she has lost all patience with me." She told her there would be obstacles at home she would have to walk around so she needed to watch out for people in the hall. Mom was mad about that. I told her it was the truth. No, no it wasn't. She said at home people would have enough sense to get out of the way. I told her people there in a lot of cases didn't have that sense, or ability. No, I was wrong.

"I told Patti Anita's just lost patience with me." The funeral program of Bill was on top of her table. She's still upset about his death. She's upset about Terry not getting to go to Melodys, saying she's "lost all thought of the good things she's got." I told her that could be applied to her as well in the matter of Bill's death. "Yeah I know I'm fortunate I just resent not being able to live in my house." She doesn't understand why she can't go home yet even as she struggles to walk again. She's real upset about things and has been down for two weeks now t seems. 

We followed Donald out to the lobby and sat there a while. There had been a van trip earlier to go see the Christmas lights. I asked her if she was going. "If Bingo were here I'd go" she said.

David came in later. She said she struggled last night trying to get her gown on for an hour. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.

Sunday

Mom said she was dreaming about Donald this morning when she woke up. She had called him and asked him if he felt any older since his birthday. "It's silly to ask people that" she said.

She said her left hand had been hurting but had stopped. David and Pat had come by when they got back into town and brought her a piece of the nutroll she made yesterday. Mom said she saved me a piece there in her drawer but I didn't get it. I thought I might get some at home. 

She said Ruth was worried about her and her glasses the other day. She said she acts like she's sick asking mom if she's ok yet. She said she hasn't seen Mr Neely in a few days and thinks she saw him being taken by ambulance to the hospital. I asked Bobbie about it online but have not heard back from her yet. 

She was upset about some things about people visiting but I told her not to worry about it. She said she's disgusted with that place and is just mad about being there. She seemed pretty down but insisted on following me to the front on my way out.

Saturday

Mom called tonight when I was on my way over there. She said Pat had called just after supper and she was fixing a nutroll and needed to know somehting.

I told her I had some brownies for her and was on my way over.

I scared her when I walked in without meaning to. She said someone playing a harmonica had walked in during supper.

Friday

Mom called me at 705am. She said last night she had put her glasses on the bed and pulled the bedspread off and forgot they were in there, and overnight they had gotten crushed. She had dug her old ones out of the drawer and was wearing them but wanted me to  come get hers and have them fixed.

I hope when and if I'm her age I will have enough ability about me to do what she did. Most people over there can't.

I picked them up about 8 and took them to the eye place and got them back to her about 940. I had an ultrasound at the doctor scheduled for 11 but found out later it was at 10.

Mom was in her wheelchair in the area near the doors to the garden whe i GOT there. She said she was walking. Anita was there. In told mom it looked like she was sitting. She laughed.

I went back after work. She and Donald were in the lobby,

Thursday

Mom called me last night after I got home to remind me that Melody's birthday is Friday and she hasn't done her card yet. I don't know how I forgot it but she remembered. So I went by at lunch and got one and took it by and she wrote her out a nice card and I got it mailed. Whew.

She was not in a good mood. Well, she was, but was agitated. I asked her what had got her going and she would not elaborate. "It would take too long" she said. I persisted and asked her what was going on. "Nothing's going on that's the problem."

She said she just sits there and hadn't made any progress since she had been there. I told her that was not true that she had a made a ton of progress. "Then why haven't I gone home?" she asked. I told her she hadn't made THAT much progress.

The nurse trainee brought in some mylanta and I asked her about taking her pain medicine at lunch instead of in the morning. She said she would mention it to Jeanette. I asked Jeanette on the way out since I had to get back to work and she said she had put in a request to the doctor to see if he would change it. She said mom could have more of it anytime she wanted it but I told her she wasn't wanting to take more just what she was already taking but at a different time.

I went back about 710 and David was already in there. They were looking over this sweet card that Terry had sent. I told mom I had asked Jeanette to check on the medicine for her.

"We had a black choir come here today and those girls were professionals; the sopranos, their voices were excellent" she said. They sang Christmas songs. She seemed real cheery and we sat and watched tv and talked a while.

Wednesday

It was about 528 when I got to moms. As I pulled into the parking lot I noticed something terribly wrong. A car was parked very crooked on the end. I decided to park next to it to protect it from someone less kind who may swerve into it as they left.

Mom and Donald were in the lobby and she had on the same pink sweatshirt for the third straight day. I told her it must be grown to her by now. She laughed and said it was very comfortable and warm. Bertie sent me a nice set of Christmas bells and I'm going to keep that with my Santa she sent yesterday.

She said she walked after lunch and her legs hurt so bad she had "to sit down several times." She said she told Anita "I have a plan" and told her about taking her pill later or walking before lunch before the pain medicine wore off. I asked her what Anita said and she said "she just said I got other people to walk." I asked mom if she had told Jeanette since she is the one who gives her the medicine and she said no.

She said she hoped they would do that and that "I won't pull myself around in this wheelchair and get my legs hurtin" before she walks. 

I asked her if she heard it storming this morning and she said she heard the boom about 5am. I told her I was going to excuse Donald's poor parking. She said "we're in our second childhood."

Patti came in and sat with us a while. She wanted us to come to the party but I told her I didn't want to and mom had went last night. Santa came in and I took a photo of her with him. There's also a photo of her with him in the hallway on the board.

I left about 640 but went back about 725. She was taking off her sweatshirt and had the door closed. I knocked and opened it and she had it pulled over her head. I told her I thought at first she was going to mg me. I kept a distance and helped her with it and got her gown on (on her, not me).

Tuesday

The big wigs were just leaving when I got to moms about 710 after work. The annual Christmas party had been tonight, but she hadn't mentioned it and I hadn't seen the signs  hanging around. Rita stopped me in the hall and said "we took care of her."

Mom said she had called me and David but didn't get an answer. Neither one of us had anything on our phones. "I just thought it looked bad with no family there, but I wasn't the only one" she said.

She said Santa was there and she got her photo made with him. We talked about me maybe getting a dog later and naming it Ivory in honor of Ebony. "Your dog in your apartment at home ain't gonna do me no good" she laughed.

She met a new neighbor at the party named Dot Mills and another lady whose name she can't remember but worked with Dot Haney at the mill. All the "dot"'s and "mills" had her mixed up so she couldn't remember her name. David and Pat came in about 720. 

Last night Donald left and forgot his bag. Mom set out after him but Terry and I told her she would not catch him he was already at the door by now. But I went out in the hall and there she stood talking to him.

Monday

Mom, Donald and Terry were in the room when I got there about 625. I had gone to get my hairs cut, but no one noticed it. Good for my hairs!

Terry and Donald were engaged in all sorts of running around and busy stuff so mom and I escaped to the hallway for a minute or two. There she related that she is concerned that they are giving her the pain medicine in the morning and by the time she does her walking it has worn off. I doubt I would have had enough sense to realize that but it's true. So she is going to bring that up with them she said.

Terry said later we need to keep a record of that and other things she wants to bring up at the residents council meeting. I asked her if she had mentioned it at the meeting the other week and she said she forgets about what she wants to bring up by the time they have the meeting. "I don't know why they don't get serious about serious things" she said in reference to it. 

"I came very night to calling you to bring me something for dinner" she told me. She said she had something she didn't like but I can't remember what it was now.

The lion dancers were back again today. I don't understand it. I could understand an appearance by Dave Salmoni because he's on tv there almost all day, but not lions. And lions dancing, that's what gets me. They had bingo too but she didn't win anything.

She asked me what that was on her bracelet that Pat brought her from NYC. I told her it was the statue of Liberty. Mom said, "it's a replica, you didn't know I knew that word did ya."

She said she's going to see if Jeanette will give her her pain pill later in the day, around 11am, so it will kick in after lunch when she walks. I hope she remembers that tomorrow.

Don later started trying on robes.

Sunday

Mom was in her room when I went over at about 130 to eat lunch there with her. She was already finished and I asked if she wanted some coffee and a snack but she didn't.

She was reminiscing about going home and feeling blue about it. I left about 230 and Terry told me later she called and was talking about her wanting to go home.

I went back about 6 because I told her I would bring her a frosty because she was thinking about dairy queen for some reason. So I took her a frosty instead and we each had one of those. I told her what Terry had told me and that I thought me moving may be making her homesick and I didn't blame her. "Did Terry tell you about Ruth getting my cake?" She said Ruth got cake she had ordered but she got something else for dessert at supper.

There was a snake on tv and a group of kids around. "I hope it doesn't bite that pretty little girl." A moment later I went "zzzzzz" and pinched her leg and made her jump and she laughed.

The Salvation Army was supposed to be there this afternoon but they never showed up. David and Pat went by later. Pat brought her back a bracelet from New York City.

Saturday

Tim went by moms this afternoon with some paperwork and treats- oreos and popcorn. That was about 3pm she said. I got there about 535. She was in the room holding her program from Bingo's funeral.

Tim had gotten out some clothes for tomorrow but I didn't see any pants so as I hung up her clothes I asked her what she wanted. She said the black pants to go with the jacket he got out so I showed her the black pants. No, they were blue she said. I told her they were black, but she said no they're blue so I hung them up and told her she could get them later, that I had seen this show before and it starred her and Pat and went on for about 30 minutes without commercials. "Better not tackle it if you know you're gonna lose" mom appropriately opined.

I brought her birthday card for little David but I should have known the colors on it would be hard to read and it was. She said she was having a problem seeing today. She said she washed her glasses last night and I meant to check them before I left but I forgot.

Something brought up the flu and how aunt Mary had sometime like tb and had scars from it, and that she was concerned about us getting checked for cyclops in our rear end. She knew when she said it she meant polyps, and started laughing. I told her if we had cyclops in our rear ends we had a worse problem than the flu.

Sarah popped in to see if mom had water and she told us that was the prettiest wreath on the door she had ever seen. I told her Terry did it yesterday.

I left about 645. David said he went by about 730.

Friday

Terry, Mandy, and Donald were in the lobby when I got to moms about 530. Terry and Mandy were leaving though. She had put some Christmas stuff in the room for mom.

Mom said she ate her brownie after lunch. She said she came down the hall about 3pm and saw Patti in the dining room with some people and she went in and had some cheese popcorn and drinks. They played bingo at some point and won a quarter and she walked today too.

Something made her say she was worried about Pat's metabolism. She said "it's outta whack." I told her it's more like outta state, since she's in NYC for a few days.

We hung out in the lobby then went to the room to see the decorations.

Thursday

Mom was in the room with the light off and changing into her gown when I got there about 710. I closed the door again as soon as I went in and asked her if she was putting on a show or something. There was a CNA across the hall and when she finished what she was doing I asked her if she could come help mom and she did.

I brought her a brownie from McAlisters for tomorrow. Note to self: Never get their meatloaf again. Her cup was missing, and David had just took her a new one over there Tuesday night to replace the one with the sticky stuff from the sticker. Sarah lit out trying to find it and brought it back from the kitchen. She told me to write moms name on it which I did.

David came in and I told him about the cup gone missing. He looked at the one on her table and said that wasn't the one he brought the other night because he had written something else on it. So there's another cup around there somewhere and the one Sarah and I brought to her room tonight may be someone else's cup. I guess we'll find out maybe tomorrow.

"Batchie came over today and brought me $12." Where's mine is what I was thinking. She said Rudy's hip is bothering him a lot and she's worried about that.  She said they went and saw Edna Loins a while during the visit and that Barbara Evans was there this morning for Bible study.

Mom said they had a chef there for lunch today and she got upselt. They cooked Chinese food there in front of them and for some reason they would not give her any rice. "They wouldn't allow me to have that rice. I picked up my cookies and left." She said she brought them to the room but two of the girls came and asked her why she was sitting down there by herself. She told them and they took her back down there and fixed her a plate with everything including rice. "I wasn't sittin down here poutin I was just thinking I'm not doing this no more" she laughed.

I mentioned again what Donald noted a few weeks ago, that she isn't dribbling any chocolate. Beyond that, I just now realized, looking back to Thanksgiving day, she sat across from me and didn't dribble anything either, whereas normally she does with things like slaw etc. I remember I told her she needed to wipe her mouth once because someting was on it but that could have been me or anyone. So I still think like Donald does that she has had some change take place in her swallowing or at least in the nervous system as it pertains to her left oral and possibly thoracic cavity.

She asked David how Pat was doing in New York City on her visit. I told them the big news- I got an apartment and will be moving into it on January 1st.

Wednesday

Mom and Donald were in the room hiding from the rain when I got there from Cindy's about 630. Mom had her back to me and when Donald started to leave he insinuated I had left earlier. Mom was going to follow him to the lobby and see where I went. Just as she turned around and saw me I called her from my cell and she turned to answer the phone. When she heard it was me she thought she was seeing things and asked where I was. I told her I was behind her. She laughed and said "you can't play tricks on an old woman."

Donald told her she would be good at watching a silent movie because she ahd the news on tv but the sound was off yet she was telling us everything that was going on. He said he was going to stop my this house where he thought he may have damaged a retaining wall as he drove by but mom said "let sleeping dogs lie" since he didn't know if he did or not.

I hung out for a while after he left but left a little after 730 to go pick up some meatlof from McAlisters. I won't do that again! It was not too good.

Tuesday

Mom called me this morning at work about 1118 and wanted to know if she had a doctors appointment today since it was December 1st. I told her no, she didn't have one til March. "OK, I can relax now" she said.

I took mom some coffee to her room when I got there at 540. She was very interested in it and consumed it promptly but slow enough to take some with her as we went to the lobby to sit.

She was waiting on her shower so I'm surprised she agreed to go to the lobby. Hazel was there when we got there. Mom said the tree in the dining room was pretty but the one in the lobby wasn't decorated yet. We almost ran into nurse Chris coming down the hall as he was backing up toward us. I told mom that may be the most exciting thing to happen today and she added  "since Bingo's been gone. I used to look forward to coming down here to see him."

She said Terry is supposed to come one day and decorate her room for Christmas.  "They won't let you have a tree here with plug-in lights. I think it's a little bit stupid. We're not young'uns we know how to be careful."

She wants to go to her house to do that there. "I don't see why I couldn't go home for the day anyway, I'd like to hold my Christmas balls in my hand you know." Then she said it was probably best she didn't. "It'd remind me of your daddy." She said she'd be so poor by the time she finally gets home "I'll just eat worms and die I'll be so poor."

She asked if we had our tree up at work. I told her no. Then she wanted to know if I was giving out goodie bags like they used to at church. I told her no to that too. She said the church used to do that but "they haven't done that in a while." I always enjoyed getting them. 

We decided to head back to the room about 645 since shower time should be approaching. We stopped in the dining room and I took a photo of her in front of the tree. The first photo is her normal smile then the second one is her imitating Will smiling.

Monday

Mom and Donald were in the room when I got there about 7pm. We had to work a little late today.

Mom had the pumpkin pie that Pat sent her yesterday for supper tonight. She loved it. The news was on and they were talking about some runner running into trouble. "(name withheld) is a runner I need to tell her about that" she said. 

'I walked good today. My shoe didn't bother me at all." She said she had on the shoes she got from the doctor and Jennifer switched them to the newer ones that David got her the other week. "I got that done before dinner too" she added.

Donald left and once he was safely gone I left too about 735.

Sunday

Mom seemed to have a pretty good day. David said she didn't seem to be in a good mood when he went over about 4 but he went back after 7 and said she seemed fine.

I went over at 6 and took her a piece of pumpkin pie and David had said she had ground up meat and wanted a hamburger so he asked me to take her one.

She ate that and some chili and had some tea. I halved it with her. She said she had lemon pie for supper and didn't want the pumpkin pie so we put all of it in the fridge for tomorrow. I hope she remembers it.

She was on the phone with Terry when I got there and Terry told her Emma has pneumonia.

Saturday

I headed out of town about 3pm. Mom called about 730. She wanted to know where everyone was. I told her I didn't know.

Erin and Jeffery went by for a few minutes she said about 3. The kids could not come because of their ages. She said Brenda from the church came by and brought her some cake but she didn't eat all of it because Erin said Pat was going to bring her some pumpkin pie. 

Just before a left a Facebook friend from back in school updated their status to read "Psalm 109:8." This is a reference people today are using to pray for the death or otherwise murder of the President. I called them out on it, which elicited a couple of attempts to explain it, but it needed no further explanation and I didn't bother to read the comments. The truth is the truth. Shame on them for constantly claiming to be a Christian and then spreading such things. And beyond that, what a horrible feeling to have in your heart at a time of Thanksgiving!

Here's the full passage, starting with the quoted verse, 109:8.

8 May his days be few;
       may another take his place of leadership.

    9 May his children be fatherless
       and his wife a widow.

    10 May his children be wandering beggars;
       may they be driven [a] from their ruined homes.

    11 May a creditor seize all he has;
       may strangers plunder the fruits of his labor.

    12 May no one extend kindness to him
       or take pity on his fatherless children.

They're using it out of the context in which it was intended and totally ignoring the more generic command given elsewhere, namely, in 1 Peter 2:13-17

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority,

14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of the foolish.

16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves.

17 Show proper respect to everyone, love your fellow believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

Friday

I made a quick trip over to moms about 1220 to take the staff a couple of pizzas. I stopped in the dining room on the way out and said hello to her but didn't explain why I was there.

When I got back about 640 she said basically thanks a lot. I told her I didn't think she'd want any pizza. She wasn't mad though. But she added "I would have loved to have had it. I was eating liver and onions." I told her I would have traded since I love liver and onions.

She said they played bingo twice today and she didn't win anything. Donald and I kept her laughing til after 730 then we left. She was in a really good mood today.

Happy Thanksgiving

It was raining this morning, which if I had known that was the plan I would not have went to Autobell last night.

The high was supposed to be 62 but I don't think it got above 52, so believe me, I am not complaining.

I went over the river and through the woods to pick up mom about noon. OK, I didn't go over a rover but there's one nearby. She was in her room ready to go. She wanted to put her gray Christmas jacket on before we left since it was cold.

We left and drove around a little while so she could listen to some music off of Drew's cd. She liked it but couldn't understand most of the words. As we drove off she thought the sun was coming out. "That might be a light on a pole on second thought." It was.

We got to David and Pat's about 1230. Everyone was supposed to be there by 1 so we were fashionably early. There was a great meal that started about 130. Marianne and Matt, David and Wendy and Will, Mike Melody Emma and Vance and Darryl were all noticeably absent but accounted for elsewhere. Even with everyone else there it was the smallest group I think we've had. But everyone else was there and we all had a great time and a lot of food.

Mom ate slowly at the table and enjoyed every bite. Mandy offered to go get her some pumpkin pie when she was finished and mom asked her "will you get me a thick piece of ham too?" She did and mom later remarked that it looked like a sweet potato.

She sat in the recliner for a little while before wanting to go about 515. We got back about 535 and got some Maalox for her indigestion that had cropped up. When Sarah brought her the cup of Maalox mom took it and then said "I feel like a soldier in a war, they come and bring me something (to help)".

I called her about 10 til 8 to see if she was still up. She said she was tired earlier, and when I called she said she was about to get into bed. I told her I made a mistake and the towel we brought with us wasn't in my trunk it was here at the house. She said they were real serious about those things. I told her at least they didn't arrest me. "It's not over yet" she said.

I didn't get any pictures of her or anybody for some reason. I didn't even take photos except of Gus and Brewer because they came to my room.

Wednesday

The Webbers cancelled tonight so there was no activity this evening at the facility.  Mom and Donald were in the lobby when I got there at 530.

She said she had lasagna for supper and enjoyed it. Some ice cream too. She said Erin, Jeffery, Maggie and Brewer came by before supper and they went outside. She said they went out back and the kids climbed trees.

I asked her if she had slept well because her eyes looked like she was tired. "That's cause I'm an old woman" she said. 

I hung out there til a little after 630 then went to get something to eat.

Tuesday

It was going to be a long day at work so I took my lunch late about 330 and went to see what mom was up to.

She was in the room catnapping. She said she had went to hear Barbara Evans this morning. They had current events in the dining room after lunch but she got there late. But she was still in time to have some hot chocolate with marshmallows.

Batchie called about 420. I helped mom knock over her water just as I handed her the phone. I cleaned it up with a towel and had to move her wheelchair in order to get to it. I wasn't paying attention and gently rolled mom right into her chest of drawers. She told Batchie on the phone, "my son just pushed me into the chest of drawers and bumped my knee." She made a sound when it hit.

I had to leave to go back to work. She called me on my cell about 545 and wanted to know where I was. I told her I went back to work. She wanted to know why I left and didn't say goodbye. I told her I had left at 430 and she had said she was going to the dining room shortly. She said "oh yeah that's right. Well, excuse the call" with a laugh.

I went back over about 710 and she was in the shower. She got back in the room and the CNA put lotion on her legs and said she'd be back later to change the sheets. Mom and I had a few laughs which was good because she seemed sort of in another place for a while. Probably still mourning Bingo.

Murky Monday

Mom and Donald were in the room when I got there about 550. I brought her some of Lisa's birthday cake and some coffee. She held it with her left hand a while.

David and Pat came in later. Pat said she mentioned tonight about leaving too, because she said they ignore her when she wants therapy. David said he thinks Bingo's death is bothering her more than she lets on. I just happened to remember when he said that that when I went over there on Saturday afternoon she had his funeral bulletin out looking at it.

I told them I noticed tonight what Donald pointed out last week about the chocolate. She ate the chocolate cake I brought and didn't dribble any chocolate. She always dribbles chocolate. I wonder if something has started working in her throat again. She has dribbled since she had her stroke. Now she isn't.

Pat brought her some coffee from Cracker Barrel. Mom said Rita's mom was there today and baked them some fresh yeast bread in the kitchen.

Sunday

Mom was napping when I went over about 130. I brought my lunch and brought her some coffee and cookies. She ate that while I ate lunch.

She was nostalgic about being home again. The rain and being cooped up is getting to her. "I can't be run over and not know it." I asked her who was running over her. She couldn't answer but was saying she might be happier in another facility. I told her I doubted that, that she liked this one. I told her if someone was running over her we'd have to start singing that song "grandma got run over by a reindeer." She laughed.

She remembered dad putting the Christmas tree up. "Every year when he finished he'd say that's the prettiest one we ever had. I ain't fixed one since he died."

I left about 315 and came back about 615. She was still in her dress but was ready to get into her gown. I helped her into it and left about 7.

Saturday

Mom was looking through her Bible for a photo of Bingo when I got there about 120. I had her some cake I had leftover from lunch and some coffee. She stopped looking long enough to eat that.

The nurse came in with her meds and waited for mom to take them. Mom finished the cake first and the nurse waited.

I told her I started not to bring it since it wasn't chocolate. "I'm not that crazy about chocolate cake, it's too dry" she said.

She said the lady that wrote the invitation to the widow's group she had gotten the other day was the same one whose husband had come to sit with her when she went back to church after dad died. She said he told her "I better go before someone starts talking." She said his wife "is as sweet as he was in thinking about other people."

She wanted to go outside but it was in the low 60's but about 210 we went out and sat for a little while. As we went into the sun she said "I haven't felt that in a week. I'm not used to being cooped up." I told her she was a free spirit.

She said she talked to Terry this morning. We headed to the lobby and where Hazel and another lady were sitting, and in a minute Mr. Walker (the non-smoking one) joined us. They all told some stories. Hazel has a new grandchild as of last night. Mom told them Bingo was one of the first people she met here and that "he came by at breakfast one morning and I told him I didn't know his name so I told him I'm gonna call you 'Bingo'".

We left the lobby at 250. As we rolled away I heard that lady say about me "he walks past my room every day I believe." Mr Walker replied "he's sure overweight."

I left her in the room about 3 and came back at 630. Terry and Mandy had come by just after I left mom said, and Tim had brought a lot of moms clothes over and they were every where. She was real ill about them all over the bed and chairs. I told her I'm sure he was coming back but she could not remember.

She said Terry put some flowers on dad's grave. Tim came in just as i left about 710. He and she were going through the clothes when I left.

Friday

Mom and Donald were in the lobby when I got there about 545. My head was killing me and it still is. In fact I'm going to bed when I finish this.

Donald said mom seemed down and out. She did seem tired and said she was later. She walked today and said her leg hurt so she didn't go far. Mr Walker (the new one) came up and sat down before I left and was asking mom if she was in rehab and she told him they'd start and then "turn it off like a light."

After she walked she had some pretzels and dip in the dining room and said she didn't win anything at bingo this morning. "Seems like last Tuesday was Friday" she said, alluding to when she got her shower earlier in the week.

She is making progress though by wearing that brace on her arm. I brought her a Snickers bar and she held it very well with her left hand and opened it and tore off a piece with her right hand. She's done similar things with it before but not as well as tonight. It was amazing. She also said her mouth was sore where they took that tooth out a few months ago, but not sore enough to go see anyone she said.