Privacy

We all like our privacy, but sometimes due to circumstances it needs to be invaded. It might not be what you want but it is what you need. As senior citizens age, their ability to be self sufficient dwindles. At some point, a healthcare aide is necessary. They never think it is. They see it as a sign of defeat. They never see it as a sign of caring. My circle of friends all have the same problem when an aide is hired. People that have never complained become complainers but what they are unhappy with is minutia. The story is always the same. The aide reads, she watched television, she talks on the phone and she eats our food. These are not offenses, they are normal activities. What are the aides expected to do all day? The majority of them are kind and caring and have the patience of a saint. I sometimes feel that I am losing patience and I love my parents more than anyone.

Missing Item

It has happened again. I am missing an item from the supermarket. I know I put it onto the conveyor belt to be checked out but it did not come home with me. I cannot locate the receipt so I do not know if I paid for it or it became part of the next person's order. I checked my car trunk to see if it got out of the bag, but it did not. I really wanted that item. I even went back to the aisle to get it at the end of shopping. It was not a necessary item, it was one that I wanted to try for the first time. If I find the receipt and I did pay for it, I will go back to the store and ask for another one.

Five

Today is my granddaughter's fifth birthday. She was born on 12/12/12, a special date for a very special girl. She is not only smart, she is wise. After being with her this weekend, I see that she has a concept of the world that is not common for a five year old. She understands. I do not mean the simple things, I mean the broader things. She can process things and explain it back to you in such a precise way that it makes sense to an adult. Certain statements that she makes have become a staple in my vocabulary and I use them often. If she is this astute at five years old, I cannot wait until she is ten. Happy Birthday to the most wonderful girl in the world!

Missing Piece

I am home from New England and had such a nice time. Things are almost back to normal with one exception. Shelby is still boarded at the vet. He is the missing link. Waking up without him feels strange. I am so used to taking care of him in the morning that I do not know what to do with my extra time. He is such a strong presence in the house that when he is not here there is a void. He will be home this afternoon and then all of the puzzle pieces will be back together.

Party Extras

My granddaughter's party was wonderful. As usual there was a lot of great food and desserts. The company is always delightful. This year I had an extra treat. After everyone had left, I was assigned the task of bathing the girls. Each girl had her own bathtime, which made it double the fun. They swam in the water and played with their toys. There is nothing more fun than watching children splash around in a bathtub with big smiles on their faces. After bathtime, I dressed them and combed their long hair. Since I had boys, I never combed long, silky hair. What a treat.

Playtime

I had the best time ever last night. I arrived at my son's house to find two beautiful girls waiting for me with big smiles on their faces. My son and daughter in law went out to dinner so I could have "alone time" with the girls. It was Grandma and Poppy time. We ate dinner together and then did arts and crafts. When it was bedtime for my younger granddaughter, she went to bed like a big girl. She did everything we asked without any fuss. Her big sister continued to play until her bedtime. We read books and had quiet time while she was laying in her pillow filled bed. It was such special quality time. As I walked out of my older granddaughter's room, she said, "Grandma, I wish you could stay here forever".

Birthday Weekend

In a little while we will be getting on the road to see my granddaughters for my oldest granddaughter's birthday. I can hardly believe that she is turning five. Although we have Skyped, we have not seen the girls in person since the summer. I am looking forward to some "girl time" with them. I am ready to play games and do anything else they want.