I was going to do the usual Wednesday Random Dozen today….but I could only come up with answers for about half the questions. Then my mother-in-law’s hearing aid suddenly stopped working, and I had to take her over to get it checked, and didn’t get back til lunch time. Then I was just tired and not feeling well for a good bit of the afternoon.
Thankfully her hearing aid revived with a thorough cleaning and changing the tube. I was afraid they were going to have to send it off for repairs, and she really can’t hear much of anything without it. We still have her old one somewhere, but it is not a lot of help. It’s hard to communicate and disconcerting to her when she can’t hear, so it was a blessing that that’s all that was needed.
She was thrown off a bit when I came in because she had forgotten I was taking her in (somehow the lack of hearing wasn’t a reminder…), and she went back and forth from apologizing for forgetting (though it was not a big deal at all — just a matter of waiting for her to use the restroom) to frustratedly saying, “I wish you had reminded me!” 🙂 We had talked about it and I had left her a note…but such is life at 81.
I love the hearing aid doctor’s medical building, though. They have people waiting at the door to assist people, and they’ll open the car door, bring out a wheelchair, and wheel her in while I go park the car and then come back to take her to the appropriate office. She usually uses a walker rather than a wheelchair, but that would be a bit too much of a walk for her. Then when we’re done I can leave her in the lobby by the door in the wheelchair while I bring the car around, and they’ll wheel her out and help her into the car.
Whenever I take her anywhere other than home or church, she almost always comments about hoping I know the way or being glad I know the way, because she sure doesn’t. 🙂 I assure her in an upbeat way that yes, I’ve lived here for twelve years and and pretty familiar with the area. But she even did that when she flew with Jim to visit and then later to move here. Even though he is a seasoned traveler, she was all worried about finding the right gate instead of trusting him to find it. But instead of getting frustrated, he told her what gate he was looking for and asked her to help him find it, and that kept her mind occupied and off the worry cycle a little. I guess all of that conveys an understandable underlying insecurity of being ferried around unfamiliar places under someone else’s direction and control. I mentioned a while back logical thinking is one of the first things to go in dementia, in this case the logical thinking that we know the way, and if we didn’t, we could find it, and even if we got lost, we’d find our way home eventually. But, for all that, most of the time she thinks pretty clearly, except for repeating conversations we’ve already had. New unfamiliar situations do trigger more muddled or illogical thinking.
After I took her back to her assisted living place just in time for her lunch there, I looked forward to getting one of my favorite fast food lunches, a McDouble and small fries for $2.18. I love their fries. But when I got home, I had two burgers and no fries. 🙂 I ate one and put one in the frig.
Speaking of fries, when I buy the frozen ones to bake, I usually like the smaller cuts. But the last time I wanted them, they didn’t have them, so I got the regular crinkle cut kind. I just didn’t like them as well. So one day this week when I was using up the rest of them, I tried spraying them with Pam and sprinkling garlic powder, salt, and paprika on them. They weren’t too bad — they need something else, though…
Last night I made peanut butter Rice Krispie treats with melted chocolate and peanut butter chips on top. Mmmmmm…
Only a week and a half til school is out! Yay!
I am loving the last few episodes of Lost. It’s kind of like a good book that I can hardly put down for wanting to see how it turns out, but then I miss it when I am finished. I think the definite end date has helped the writing to be a lot tighter, but I am SO going to miss this show when it is gone.
I was dismayed when Daris was in the bottom two on the Biggest Loser. I have been rooting for him all season, I think because he reminds me of my oldest, in that he is quiet and somewhat reserved. They’ve all come so far, though — I wish them all the best.
Well, I think that’s about enough randonmness — and it is time to go fix dinner. See ya later!
Stray Thoughts 
Barbara,
I am so encouraged by the way you and your husband treat your MIL – in such a sensitive and loving manner! What a blessing.
I love the patience you have with your MIL. Some day that could be you (me) in that situation. I always try to treat people how I would like to be treated.
What Ivoryspring said! Me too! And I sO envy that your MIL still has some brain… I’m always AMAZED when Mom voices a worry or concern anymore… I actually do a little internal cheer! For the most part she just simply does not speak. Occasionally she makes comments about pretty flowers she sees, or most anything RED! She loves red! And some nights she will make comments about the shows she and Dennis are watching. But other nights she just sits and says nothing. 5 years ago when she was repeating the same stories over and over and we were sO frustrated, we never had any idea what it would come to… *sigh* Not that I really wish for the repeated stories… noooo… actually with Mom we’re better off where we are. Because she was such a negative person… so quiet is probably better. God is good. All the time. Anyway… I’m glad you got her hearing aide taken care of. That must be a hard issue. I really am blessed that Mom does not have false teeth, hearing aides or glasses we have to deal with! And I could NEVER allow her to have them now! I can’t get her to keep a hat on her head when it’s 10 degrees out – I’d never get her to keep a hearing aide in! UGH… what a nightmare that would be! God IS good!!!
Dennis is loving the last episodes of Lost too… but mourning it’s end. ALL of his favorite shows are ending this year! But he will miss Lost and 24 the most!
I too love to read about your mother-in-law and how you and your husband take care of her so lovingly! One of my grandmothers had Alzheimer’s the last 10 years of her life. She changed completely after she got sick.
We were surprised that Daris gained weight! I hope he’ll be allowed to stay in the top 3. You’re right; all of them have done well.
You’re a good example of a great daughter-in-law and God bless you for that. I’m sorry to hear about your MIL’s problem with her hearing aid and that you’re not feeling too well. Hope everything’s fine now.
I can see why you were a little tired and not feeling well when you got back home.
I know how she feels about the airport because I am the same way. More so when I fly alone because Honey Bear takes care of the details when we’re together. I’m always concerned that I’ll miss my connection or not find my gate. I guess the difference is that I’m not talking aloud about it.
Love the service at the hearing clinic.
I am watching the final episodes of LOST. I see it is going to finish on Sunday evening with a two hour show. I like that they are showing more about the history of the Island and how Jacob and his brother happened to be there. I wish they would explain more about the smoke thingy. I just don’t see how they can wrap it up in one more broad cast. I am going to miss it.
I heard they had canceled Flash Forward.
I don’t like crinkled fries, either. I buy the seasoned ones. I usually have a kids meal cheeseburger when I stop at MickyDs.
Our school is out Wednesday, here. Princess and I are excited because she can now spend the night with me. She doesn’t during school because she would have to get up earlier to catch the bus here. On weekends, I prefer that she not stay because it is my only time with Honey Bear. So we have a date next week for a sleepover. I’m hoping to entice Wonder Boy to spend the night with me. He is a homebody and doesn’t like sleepovers. I have to find some things to interest him. We used to spend so much time together but not much anymore.
Mama Bear
Barbara, you and your husband are indeed a wonderful example of how elderly parents should be treated and cared for. ((HUGS))
I had a McDouble yesterday! Love ’em BUT Burger King now has their Double Cheeseburger for a $1 and they are char-grilled and so yummy! But I do still love McDonald’s! *sigh*
I’ve never watched LOST so I ‘ve no idea what the big deal is. LOL
When Daniel was still at home I used to buy frozen seasoned fries which were delish but I haven’t bought them since it has just been me and Ed at home. Go figure. 🙂
Loved reading your randomness!