Are we there yet?

A couple of days ago, I packed up mom, her wheelchair, some diapers and the last of my sanity, for a trip to the dental school at UNC Hospital. Getting her out of the nursing home is no small fete, let me tell you. I had to go there the night before her appointment to give her a shower and wash her hair. I know she doesn't care anymore, but I did not want her out in public looking like some demented bag lady. I got to the nursing home early the next morning to be sure she ate breakfast and that she had her morning "constitutional" BEFORE we left. It was bad enough dealing with diapers in a public bathroom, but I surely did not want to have to deal with a poopy mess. She is difficult to change because she won't stand still. Just try and get an adult diaper on a moving target. Take my word for it...it's not fun. The dude with the wheelchair van picked us up and strapped mom in like she was getting ready to orbit Mars. The dental exam went fairly well, although mom was less than cooperative with the xrays. We had a quick lunch then I called the wheelchair van guy to pick us up. Unfortunately, they were very busy and we ended up waiting hour after hour. Mom does not wait well...she is like a hyperactive toddler in that respect. After chasing her around the lobby for 2 and half hours, I ended up calling Miguel to please come rescue us. I was truly at the very end of my rope, hanging on by a thread. He was there in a flash, God Bless Him! and we got mom back to the nursing home in time for dinner. I do believe this will be mom's last trip out, except of course for that one last final trip. It occurred to me that we have been dealing with this situation for 4 years now. That's 4 years, non-stop, every hour of every day. We're all getting tired.

Blast from the Past

My "oldest" friend came to visit. I certainly appreciate her braving the traffic, the heat and the price of gas to come see me. This is the kind of person she is: she didn't mind the chaos, the filth, or the fact that she had to sleep on the floor because I don't have any extra beds. What a pal. In fact, she is the kind of person who wouldn't have complained if I had made her sleep outside on the porch. We met in the 3rd grade, Sierra Elementary School in Alamogordo NM, right after my family relocated from Lawton OK. If you want to see what she looked like back then, check out the archives for July of last year. I wanted Carol to get a "taste" of the true south, so I dragged her to my favorite diner in Sanford...The Fairview Dairy Bar. Good food--cheap and greasy--and friendly service. I got a picture of Carol chatting with one of the locals. She only stayed 2 days. Her motto is "visitors and fish start to stink after 3 days." So, she certainly didn't wear out her welcome. Happy (early) Birthday, Carol!

wow

I'm in awe of her beauty. She was a cute baby, a darling toddler, a sweet kid, a surprisingly well behaved teenager with a quirky sense of fashion...and now she's drop dead gorgeous. I can brag because I take none of the credit. Her grandmother was a stunningly beautiful woman back in the day. Actually mom still looks great...hardly a wrinkle. I should be so lucky! But Bert's real beauty is more than skin deep. She's so smart and she's a wonderfully sensitive and caring person. I'm truly blessed.

How does my garden grow

Miguel bought me a new camera! It's the Ashton Kutcher Nikon Coolpix. I was kind of hoping Ashton would be there to sell it to me, because I happen to know he likes OLDER women. So, I took the thing for a test drive and using the macro setting, I took a picture of my cherry tomato plant. I've got tomatoes! Aren't they just adorable. So cute! They look huge here, but in actuality they are about the size of my thumbnail. I'm hoping this heat wave we're having doesn't cook them on the vine. It's been about 100 degrees everyday for the past 4 or 5 days. I'm happy to report the hummingbirds finally showed up. I've been waiting since the first week in April. We had a cold April so I guess they stayed in Acapulco or wherever it is they winter over. I don't blame them. I haven't seen much of Miguel the past few weeks. I work days and he usually works evenings until late. Tonight I went to the club to visit him. He is still doing sound at 506 a couple nights a week. Tonight was a "battle of the bands" show...5 or 6 bands each playing 30 minutes. Let me just set the record straight...I like all kinds of music, ALL kinds, a dazzling variety of styles and types and I am TOLERANT of even more kinds of music (I may not love it, but I can listen politely and appreciate the effort of the musicians). However, I have to draw the line at metal. I really, really don't like metal. In fact, I am certain that after the judgement, those that are consigned to spend eternity in hell will have to listen to metal music. But, that's just one woman's opinion. Take it for what it's worth.

After After

I hope no one ever gets sick of seeing pictures of me. I know I don't. My little Bert had "model week" at school last week. She rounded up all her friends and family to come into the studio for haircuts and whatnot. Some of her friends got color and perms...I stuck with the basic wash and cut. So, this is NEW HAIRCUT, PART 2. It turned out just lovely, however, I may still go with a shorter doo. This is addictive. I had not had my hair cut in almost a year...now I've had it cut twice in 2 weeks. And I may have it cut again. Luckily it just keeps growing, so I won't run out any time soon (of hair, that is). Of course, if I actually had to pay for any of this, it would be a different story. Bert said she could do something about the gray, but I actually like my gray hair. I don't think it makes me look distinguished or anything...I just don't think it's anything to be ashamed of. It just is what it is. And I can live with it. God knows I have much worse faults...gray hair is the very LEAST of my concerns!