Sing along with me...

A peek into the 'normal' routine of the 'not so normal' caregiver...that would be me!

And Flo...the not so normal 97 year old!

We watched the very last episode of 'The Guiding Light' which Flo has watched for years. She used to set her VCR to tape the show daily in case she fell asleep in her recliner while it was on, and especially for the times that she and the 'biddies' would go to Atlantic City every once in a while. I remind her that she learned that skill a lil bit later in life [her mid 70's] when she tries to tell me, "I'm too old! You can't teach an old dog new tricks!!"

And I say, "In your case, oh yes we can! Remember learning how to program the VCR?"

But I digress...

After Judge Judy finishes her two sessions of setting people straight with her trademark remarks of...

"I'm speaking...hey! Can you see my lips moving? I'm speaking!!!"

So then , at 6 PM, there are 3 planned events left in each evening's agenda: 1:a bathroom visit, 2: something to eat, and 3: getting ready and into bed.

As I rolled her wheelchair over to her recliner chair to take her into the bathroom, she looked at the dog staring at her from the picture window and said, "You have such a pretty face!"

And I immediately launched into:

"Chantilly Lace had a pretty face,

And a pony tail hanging down,

With a wiggle in her walk and a giggle in her talk...

Makes the world go round, round, round'

There ain't nothing in the world like a big eyed girl

Who makes me act so funny

Makes me spend my money,

Makes me feel real loose like a long necked goose...

Like a girl...Oh baby, that's what I like!"

Mom is laughing while saying ,"I'd say that you are crazy, but I know we are related!!"

Then, Flo wants to call that dog with the pretty face to come and ride with her to the bathroom, but she forgets her name.

So, I began singing, "A..ma..zing..."

She says, "Grace!"

I continue the verse as the 'stand up and transfer' occurs, and it is a great distraction from the fact that she needs help getting to the bathroom.

Dinner, rice pudding with whipped cream, "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?", and off to bed. Into our beds, our safe havens, "Thank ya Jesus", and no more responsibilities for today.

And then she says, "Mare, does the person who owns this house know that we are using it?"

Oh-boy!

There's that 10% of the time that she is confused...

As I have said before, she has all of her buttons, but sometimes she forgets where she keeps them.

Ommm-m-mmm-!