Archive for June, 2010

Today Wayne and I sat down with a 100 piece jig saw – he has never been interested in jigsaws before but today I could encourage him to look for pieces of a certain color, etc.

His disability still amazes me and shouldn’t.

We joined a group for cake in honor of the care aides – when we returned to his room, I made the mistake of saying that I’d go home now and see him tomorrow. He adjusted his slacks in his familiar old way and said, “Good idea, I’ll go with you.”

I think “pregnant pause” would describe my reaction. Headed out to the common area and clued a staff member into the situation. She approached him with tomato juice, his fav, and he happily followed her to a table. Hugged him goodbye and he was fine.

I never use the word “home” – always “the house” – I have to be more careful.

So it’s very interesting to listen to the conversations when ladies are “up in arms.” We have the matriarch (Mighty Mouse) in her wheelchair, all 90 pounds of her and a new resident with the same first name. The nurses tried everything to differentiate when talking to/about each one.

Yesterday was really funny, Mighty Mouse said she was here first and should be the only ***. The other *** must have been in the service industry and goes from person to person asking, “what can I get for you?” – It’s very sweet and she runs water and paper napkins to various residents.

Bingo was on the agenda so I asked Wayne if he’d like to play. Very excited and informed me that he had never played bingo before:) Some residents who I would have guessed to be more impaired, played well. The new *** won 3 games in a row and Mighty Mouse accused her of cheating – and so another war.

It was troubling to help Wayne with his card and see him unable to move the markers. I want to be sure to attend “bingo afternoons” as he enjoyed it no end.

When the games were officially over, the activity aide gave each person a prize – a chocolate mint – calmed things down.

So, now I’m one of the older folks who doesn’t eat properly. Mostly I do but today nothing appealed to me. Bought tortellini, meat, frozen vegs, grapes and bananas.

Around 7pm I ate grapes, at 8pm I tried granola – couldn’t get it down. Raisin bran tasted only so-so. For those of you who know me personally, you must be laughing as I love, love, love food. Eating alone is just not enjoyable though.

I’m not exactly skinny so missing a meal won’t hurt me but it’s the principle of the thing!

Anyway, a few weeks ago I started to do Wayne’s laundry and also set his clothes out for the following day – everything including the socks and under shorts together on a hanger. Most staff is good and he’s in the “outfit” when I visit.

What concerns me is that sometimes the hanger is back in the closet and he has the most awful combination of clothes on. At least to me it’s not good. Anyway, they are such good staff I decided to not say anything but what’s with that??? And no, Wayne can’t dress himself so someone else is choosing his outfits.

Anyway, I shouldn’t even mention it but I want him to look the best possible.

He greeted me with a big smile, looked so nice. We hugged then I saw his runners were on the wrong feet.

Didn’t know if I should laugh or cry inside. He was oblivious. I had purchased new Arnold Palmer black shoes with Velcro straps. We sat down to try them on and I acted surprised, “Hon, your runners are on the wrong feet, didn’t they feel funny?”

“Yes.” He burst out laughing. The new shoes will be better although he has difficulty closing them – at least he’s not “fighting” with shoe laces.