Pink Glitter Slippers

The sun is shining through my bedroom window.  It's chilly outside, about 4 degrees Celsius but the light reflects on the sequins of my new pink glitter slippers.  I slide them on my size 6 feet and just for a second or two I feel like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, before I stomp to the kitchen to fix breakfast!
My little sister Maureen surprised me with my glitter slippers just over a week ago.  She said she laughed when she saw them displayed in the shop and went back and bought them for me.  She wrapped them lovingly in a décor box.  That was my Dorothy moment.  A tear formed in the corner of my eye blurring my vision.  A moment to forever remember.
I'm not really a glitter person but I love these slippers.  In my often drab life they bring a smile to my face.  I am mesmerised when the light plays and dances upon them making them sparkle.  They take on a life of their own.  I've even posted them on Facebook for my family and friends to marvel at (or scratch their heads and wonder about my sanity!)
Little sister stayed overnight recently when she wasn't well.  My glitter slippers were of no help to her.  I did what I know best; I tempted her with food. In our family when all else fails - feed the problem!
So I did.  I fed little sister, paracetamol, anti-histamine and anything (not meds) she felt like eating or drinking.  I made her mango chicken curry which she couldn't eat and cupcakes with icing and strawberries.  I offered her lemonade and icy poles.
What I really wanted was a magic wand which I could wave around like a mad woman and it would cure her ills and make her whole again.  Yes, a fairy tale, an instant miracle but life is not like that.
Fortunately Maureen is recovering with the help of her doctor.  It is a miracle itself what medical science has already achieved. 
Thank you little sister for my lovely glitter slippers, I'm so pleased you're recovering.

A Pearl of Wisdom

Mel and I visited her GP today to for a repeat prescription. Her regular GP was on holiday. We saw an Indian doctor instead. She appeared composed and spoke confidently without haste.

We briefly discussed Mel's grief. She asked how Mel was handling her grief and stated as all good people do that time is a great healer. We all know this. I turned off  my attention until she unexpectedly shared a pearl of wisdom. 

My ears pricked up, I was alert once more.

The doctor merely stated; when you receive bad news let it rest for a few days before acting on it.  How often do we react right away to negative situations? I know how easy it is to do. Emotions often rule our lives and dictate how others see us.

Oh the sweetness of control, wisdom and patience. Not that I could guarantee I have any of these attributes but maybe when the time arrives I might just remember the pearl of wisdom from this amazing doctor.

Sneaky Snickers

It was raining on Thursday.  It was chilly cold and so very horrid.  It was not a day for a walk in the park.  Mel and I went to the gym instead.  She did her hourly gym program complete with weird machines and weights while I pushed myself to complete 30 minutes on the treadmill watching last night's TV without the sound.  I finished before Mel and headed for the café to read the local newspaper.
I've added a bit of weight in the last few months and Spring is just around the corner.  I decided to weigh myself the following morning.  It wasn't my goal weight which I wanted but better than last month.
I later went shopping at Aldi before lunch.  Never a good time to shop but there I was thirty minutes from home in need of a couple of Aldi specials.
There was no parking near by so I grabbed some shopping bags and walked five minutes to the store.  Soon my list was crossed off and a number of other goodies unexpectedly jumped into my bag.  I can never figure that bit out.
By the time I queued up at the check out the chocolate bars were shouting at me.  I had a choice between some unknown chocolate roll stuffed with toffee (never good for my teeth) or a double sized Snickers bar.  I snatched the Snickers and wedged it among my goodies on the conveyer belt.
I threw my shopping in the boot of my car, everything that was except the Snickers bar.  It sat right next to me until I ripped off the top with my teeth and ate one of the two bars. Devoured in seconds before my key even made it to the ignition.
Ohhhh yummy I purred. 
Oh no, I later groaned (thinking of those calories and the scales)
I didn't want to go the gym later.  It was cold outside but I grudgingly pulled on my brand new gym leggings, hung my larnyard with gym card attached around my pulsating neck.   Another 30 minutes on the treadmill and I'm done and on the way home.  At least I'm no longer cold.
The next morning I pull out the scales.  I know its going to be bad, really bad.  I step gingerly on the scales.  I have lost 200 grams. 
WOW!  I exclaim.  I can lose weight eating Snickers.  It's going to be a good day.
By lunchtime I'm hungry (yes I had breakfast) and I eye off the other half of the Snickers bar.  I'm not going to the gym today as Merv is home.  I pour myself a wine and devour the other half of my hidden Snickers bar.  Oh I feel so naughty and nice!
The next day I feel terrible.  What have I done.  How did one (oversized) Snickers bar make me paranoid?  I deserve nothing good.  I close my eyes, step on my scales but I can't get excited.
Have I really lost another 200 grams? 
'Liar'  I say, 'No one loses weight eating a Snickers Bar.'  
I hide the scales.  I'm not going to weigh myself tomorrow because I'm all out of Snickers Bars.  I expect I've added a kilo or two or three....

Games for Young and Old

I arrived home after an eventful day and I took one look at the colourful plastic beetles on the table and reserved my judgement.  I wanted to scream at the young lady sitting next to Merv.  I wanted to tell her it's not appropriate for him to play with kiddie games. 
The colourful beetles had body bits (legs etc) to be added after throwing a certain number on the dice provided.  I shut my mouth and listened to the young lady looking after Merv prattle on about the colourful game they had bought.
I left those cute beetles on the table after she left and I busied myself making afternoon tea and a much needed caffeine fix for myself.
I thought a bit more about those cute little beetles.  If we had grandchildren, playing with kiddie beetles would be acceptable, actually it would be expected.  We don't have grandchildren but does that make it wrong or alright to play with kiddie beetles? 
Merv can no longer play the more complex games which we used to enjoy.  I understand the support workers get bored playing Merv's favourite games of dominoes and UNO at each and every visit.
Where do we draw the line to age appropriate games and activities?
Merv sometimes uses a clothing protector, an appropriate name for an adult.  In basic language it's an adult size bib.  Using the word, 'bib' for an adult is deemed inappropriate the same as calling adult incontinence pants, 'nappies.'   Yes, I hate that as well,  I couldn't call them nappies.
When I take Merv out anywhere there is his wheelchair, the bags, usually more than one and it reminds me of the times we took babies and later toddlers out.  There was a fold up pram and bags and more bags.  The pram is now a wheelchair but the rest is pretty much the same.
The question remains whether to allow the kiddie games or should we re-name the kiddie games with more adult appropriate names?

Beetles and bits

No Donation Today

It's quiet in the house, we have had a slow start to the day.  I like Saturday mornings.  Unless we have something booked I walk to the shop early to buy the weekend paper before waking Merv.  We have a long breakfast and read the paper.  Merv reads the TV guide and works out when his footy team is playing! 
This morning I had already put out the washing and washed the dishes (mental note to buy a new dishwasher this month to replace broken one).  There was a knock at the door.  I moved Merv's wheelchair out of the way and had my spiel already.  If the Mormons or Jehovah Witnesses are knocking - I'm too busy to talk, thank you.  If someone is after a donation I'm figuring if I have any loose change in my purse.  If its Red Cross, Vinnies or a well known charity hopefully they will receive a more generous donation!
I stop in my tracks, my caller is neither of the above.  She tells me she is on the way to the shops and called in to see me.  I can't remember the last time she did this.  I can't remember if she has ever visited me before!  My visitor is the mum of one of Mel's friend.  Her best friend in primary and high school but sadly they have lost touch.  Her mum still lives a ten minute walk from us.  She had one of her grandchildren with her.  A little boy of 20 months who was mostly well behaved during the visit.  I could tell she was alarmed at seeing Merv.  He is not the person he used to be since Huntington's Disease took over his life six years ago.  Merv just sat and listened but he said hello to the little boy when he turned his attention to him.  The toddler wasn't phased about the minimal response he received from Merv. 
I made coffee and delighted in the only face to face conversation I knew I would have today.  In reflection I wondered how many words we exchanged in the hour she visited.  Maybe a few thousand?  Merv will say between 20 - 50 words the whole day.
As she left with her grandchild she took the time to hug me.  I didn't really need a hug but I was grateful for it.  I was even more than grateful for the conversation.  Hopefully she might call again.

In Memory of Mum

Last year our family gathered in the heat of the summer for Dustin and Grace's wedding.  This year we once again gathered in the coolness of autumn to farewell our Mum. 
It was a bright day in May which began like any other but by day's end a shadow cast itself long and bleak upon us.  Our Mum had fought her last battle of which she was not strong enough to return.  Her life as we knew it was snatched away by cardiac arrest.  There was no time for us to converse with her and share a kiss before she went.  As we stood quietly by her bedside in the emergency department she was already unconscious and on her way to the other side.
A moment in time which changed our lives forever.
Mum was 86.  Her health was declining but she had lived a good life.  Mum's life wasn't an easy life but she made the best of what she had and was ingenious in achieving what others may think impossible.  Mum was a good role model and I strive to achieve where otherwise I may not pursued my project at hand.
My sisters and I rallied together to give Mum a send off which we believe she would have been happy with.  It gave us much comfort.  The rest of the family attended her farewell and we recounted our fondest memories.
Each Monday morning Merv and I would visit Mum in her nursing home and spend time chatting and exchanging stories.  I will miss our Monday get togethers.  Mum was always interested in how Mel was going.  Was she still losing weight?  Is she well?  Is she keeping busy? Mum would also ask about Dustin, Merv and myself.  Monday morning is coming soon.
Mum enjoyed coming to our house for a cooked lunch of her choice.  Once she asked for sausages and mash and other times it was beloved Shepherd's pie (mince and potato) or roast chicken with all the trimmings.  Mum visited for Christmas, Easter and Mother's Day.  I would pick her up after I had prepped the vegetables  and put the roast in the oven.  There were Hot Cross Buns for Easter and fruit mince pies at Christmas. After lunch Mum would get comfy on my recliner chair and begin to watch a movie of her choice.  Before long she would be fast asleep and I'd wake her a little further into the movie!  She never seemed to mind!
How will I manage now?  Yes, I know; just one day at a time.  It's going to take me a while before I stop thinking as if Mum is still with us.  She's been my Mum for over 58 years, it's difficult to think of her no longer here.

Renovation

The weather is so much cooler.  A little chilly in the morning now and I find myself huddling under the bed covers instead of  leaping out of bed for my hourly walk.  Today Merv is at the day centre and an early morning walk is definitely out of the question.  Instead I set off at 1pm and find I notice gardens I normally just trot by.  I make mental notes of the plants and whether they are growing well in my neighbourhood.  It wont be long before I'm digging and planting new specimens in my garden beds.  Some are doomed while hopefully others will flourish.  My once green thumb is a shade on the dark side!
This morning I went searching for the dreaded laundry sink/cabinet to replace the grubby rusty one in my 70's laundry.  My laundry is screaming out for a re-fit! 
My kitchen and bathroom has both gone under the hammer, gutted and renovated. The bathroom being our worst experience.  We had to move out for two weeks as we didn't have the use of a toilet or shower area.  Was it worth it?  Yes.
The laundry renovation - who will it affect?  Just the washing machine and the need for clean clothes.
This brings back memories of our early married years.  We had an old twin tub washer donated to us.  Vicki's neighbour had put it out on the verge and we were the 'lucky' recipients!   The washing part was fine.  It had a large swinging paddle which washed the clothes.  Then I had to take the clothes and put them in the spin dryer while adding rinse water.  Nothing was automatic then.  Before the twin tub I laboriously washed everything by hand including Dustin's nappies!  There were soaking nappies in buckets of Napi-San everywhere and my hands were as hard and rough as sandpaper!  I would smother them in Barrier Cream before squeezing my fingers into cotton gloves.  Eventually Dustin was potty trained and my hands recovered.
We bought our first automatic washing machine in 1978 from Boans for $300.  A lot of money back then.  It lasted almost 20 years and some days it spat out more than five loads of well washed clothing, towels and sheets. 
Unexpectedly it retired and we used Merv's mother's gigantic top loader which was left in our shed after she sold her house goods in one of our famous garage sales.  She moved into residential care at the time.  Her old machine was fabulous for doona's, blankets and large washes but it took a swimming pool of water for every wash!  Not long after it also had enough of our ongoing washing needs and spat the dummy!
Ten years ago we went to the Harvey Norman seconds store and bought our Electrolux front loader.  It still goes well even though it creaks and whines when it begins a cycle.  It's difficult to push a blanket into but we do anyway.  The kids have long ago flown the nest but I still wash often to keep Merv in clean clothes. 
I'm sure the laundry renovation won't take long, possibly a day, maybe less.  I want to spend a minimum amount with a trendy result.  It's all about getting a good price for the house next year when we put it up for sale.  Wish me luck!

The old Twin Tub Washer!