A rather tame week.
Mom is becoming rather stubborn about some things. Such as:
1) Taking showers - she keeps stating she took one the day before. They had been able to get her to take them under my orders (she was accepting that as an order), but that has seemed to cease - no evidence of bathing this week. Not sure what to do.
2) Laundry - She refuses to allow them to take her laundry. She tells the staff that she'll do it herself if they'd allow her to use her washer/dryer downstairs (this is going back to her former house - there is no basement at St. A's - at lease not one she'd be able to access). I checked her hamper today, it's mostly undergarments. The staff went through her clothing and put in the wash those things that were in need.
3) Cleaning her room - She refuses them access to clean it. So, when she's not looking they rush in and do what they can before she can catch them. Wednesday she went to Mass, so that presented a wonderful chance while she was in the reception area, outside of the cottage.
On Wednesday, too, Jean came for a 2+-hour visit. Mom showed her the box of clothes that she wants to donate; Jean contacted me and asked me to go through it first, as it's not something she is trusting is what Mom says. Jean was also generous enough to bring chocolate mini's and some soda for Mom. I'm hoping that the surge of sugars will bring about a good change in her, as I figured she really wanted those items and at this point she should be happy - not cantankerous and miserable.
They spoke of many things, but not shoes, ships, sealing wax, cabbages, and kings, but the things RLC members prefer to speak of - family. Mom spoke of her paternal uncles, and also spoke of Dad's brother, Bob. When Jean asked her about my Aunt Mary, Mom told her she wasn't real family but married in (she's really my father's sister who, sadly, we've not heard anything about in nearly 20 years).
Today I came in and took her mail out of the refrigerator. Mom says I put it there, but I honestly can't recall doing such a thing. Hmmmm.
I went through the box of donations and found several pairs of pants that used to fit Mom - but no longer. And she refuses to try on the new ones. Doggone it - pretty soon she'll be left with ... never mind. Also in the box were some dirty underwear, which was pitched into the hamper; next came some mismatched socks, a very nice nightie (she says she doesn't wear those anymore - they're not warm enough), several undershirts, some nice shirts she's outgrown, and a sweatshirt she wore last month - she kept that one.
We hied over to Jean's house for pizza and berry pie a la mode. Beautiful warm day and very good conversation. And, of course, we spoke of Jean's family.
After a little under an hour, Mom wanted to get going. Then came the pie and ice cream. Hooked her!
Two hours in we left. That seems to be Mom's limit. So, we went to the store to pick up some things for her - lipstick, eyebrow pencil, and oranges. Before we left, she stated that she really had no need to use the "facilities", yet as we arrived at the store she demanded we move quickly so she could. The janitor said she'd need to wait, and I told him he'd have more than enough to clean if he didn't let her in right then - problem solved.
She later kept asking if we were going to Timmy's house. I kept asking her who Timmy was. Finally, it was realized she was speaking of Jean's son, and not my nephew, Mom's grandson.
After we left the store she asked if Dad and his lady-friend were coming over. Huh? "What did you say? Dad's what?"
"You know, his lady friend."
"What lady friend? Dad doesn't have a lady friend. What makes you think he does?"
"Well, you know, the woman who was in the checkout with us with your father."
"Oh," I lied. "No, that was just some woman, not a strumpet."
"You really shouldn't call people names like that. Besides, she's a very nice person."
"What do you mean by lady friend, anyway?"
"You know, a woman who is his friend."
"Just a friend?"
"Yes. Get your filthy mind out of the gutter! I'm going to tell your father!"
Well, to be honest, that was all a relief. Also knowing they wouldn't be visiting soon. The only woman in the line with us was the checker who appeared to have left most of her better days of glory in storage years ago.
So, I had brought in more soda and more chocolates, thanks to Jean. Mom has a box of Chips Ahoy! in her dresser so she's pretty well taken care of. I suspect this week will bring more news - perhaps that of good hygiene!
Mom is becoming rather stubborn about some things. Such as:
1) Taking showers - she keeps stating she took one the day before. They had been able to get her to take them under my orders (she was accepting that as an order), but that has seemed to cease - no evidence of bathing this week. Not sure what to do.
2) Laundry - She refuses to allow them to take her laundry. She tells the staff that she'll do it herself if they'd allow her to use her washer/dryer downstairs (this is going back to her former house - there is no basement at St. A's - at lease not one she'd be able to access). I checked her hamper today, it's mostly undergarments. The staff went through her clothing and put in the wash those things that were in need.
3) Cleaning her room - She refuses them access to clean it. So, when she's not looking they rush in and do what they can before she can catch them. Wednesday she went to Mass, so that presented a wonderful chance while she was in the reception area, outside of the cottage.
On Wednesday, too, Jean came for a 2+-hour visit. Mom showed her the box of clothes that she wants to donate; Jean contacted me and asked me to go through it first, as it's not something she is trusting is what Mom says. Jean was also generous enough to bring chocolate mini's and some soda for Mom. I'm hoping that the surge of sugars will bring about a good change in her, as I figured she really wanted those items and at this point she should be happy - not cantankerous and miserable.
They spoke of many things, but not shoes, ships, sealing wax, cabbages, and kings, but the things RLC members prefer to speak of - family. Mom spoke of her paternal uncles, and also spoke of Dad's brother, Bob. When Jean asked her about my Aunt Mary, Mom told her she wasn't real family but married in (she's really my father's sister who, sadly, we've not heard anything about in nearly 20 years).
Today I came in and took her mail out of the refrigerator. Mom says I put it there, but I honestly can't recall doing such a thing. Hmmmm.
I went through the box of donations and found several pairs of pants that used to fit Mom - but no longer. And she refuses to try on the new ones. Doggone it - pretty soon she'll be left with ... never mind. Also in the box were some dirty underwear, which was pitched into the hamper; next came some mismatched socks, a very nice nightie (she says she doesn't wear those anymore - they're not warm enough), several undershirts, some nice shirts she's outgrown, and a sweatshirt she wore last month - she kept that one.
We hied over to Jean's house for pizza and berry pie a la mode. Beautiful warm day and very good conversation. And, of course, we spoke of Jean's family.
After a little under an hour, Mom wanted to get going. Then came the pie and ice cream. Hooked her!
Two hours in we left. That seems to be Mom's limit. So, we went to the store to pick up some things for her - lipstick, eyebrow pencil, and oranges. Before we left, she stated that she really had no need to use the "facilities", yet as we arrived at the store she demanded we move quickly so she could. The janitor said she'd need to wait, and I told him he'd have more than enough to clean if he didn't let her in right then - problem solved.
She later kept asking if we were going to Timmy's house. I kept asking her who Timmy was. Finally, it was realized she was speaking of Jean's son, and not my nephew, Mom's grandson.
After we left the store she asked if Dad and his lady-friend were coming over. Huh? "What did you say? Dad's what?"
"You know, his lady friend."
"What lady friend? Dad doesn't have a lady friend. What makes you think he does?"
"Well, you know, the woman who was in the checkout with us with your father."
"Oh," I lied. "No, that was just some woman, not a strumpet."
"You really shouldn't call people names like that. Besides, she's a very nice person."
"What do you mean by lady friend, anyway?"
"You know, a woman who is his friend."
"Just a friend?"
"Yes. Get your filthy mind out of the gutter! I'm going to tell your father!"
Well, to be honest, that was all a relief. Also knowing they wouldn't be visiting soon. The only woman in the line with us was the checker who appeared to have left most of her better days of glory in storage years ago.
So, I had brought in more soda and more chocolates, thanks to Jean. Mom has a box of Chips Ahoy! in her dresser so she's pretty well taken care of. I suspect this week will bring more news - perhaps that of good hygiene!
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