Fresh
Bruce's project list is down to organizing his tools. He has several really nice tool boxes and one big one that sits in the garage. They are mostly empty. When Bruce would go to help people, he would load up what he needed in a paper bag. When he got home, the paper bag was dropped. In cleaning up the house, I have relocated the bags to one area. Thing is, nothing was cleaned up, wiped off; so I have no clue what mess is in those bags.
I was planning on setting him up in the garage at a large folding table in late Spring where I could keep the mess contained, clean as things were sorted and then Bruce could organize in either sell or keep. This winter's weather is forcing me to consider bringing all this stuff into the living room. I guess I could cover the table with the vinyl tablecloth for the deck table. Then get all new nice linens for summer.
Weather report for this week was possible snow for Wednesday, then they backed off that and finally a significant storm starting Tuesday afternoon. The biggest issue however was the frigid weather due after that and we are talking a few weeks, not just a couple of days. The ramp is in the sun, so if I can get it cleaned off, it will be snow and ice free in a day or two. Driveway the same. So we could do rides. But I am always considering if we have to get out of the vehicle for any reason and Bruce does not like layers - LOL -or hats, gloves, scarves.
Bruce had PCP on Tuesday. I had a nice list of errands we could do after. But when they changed the storm to Tuesday afternoon, Monday was a holiday and even Kira's Vet was closed. So I said, we will do what we can after the Doctor and finish up later in the week if necessary.
When I got home Monday afternoon, Bruce says he would like to take his shower in the morning so he would be "fresh" for the Doctor. "Fresh" is Erma's word. Bruce never asks for stuff like that. Mostly he doesn't even think about things like showers, shave. Thing is, to protect my double-time pay for Monday, I had to work Tuesday.
Bruce got up at 4am. I had him get me up at 5am. I left him with his newspaper and coffee and went to work. Yes, I know, taking him out of routine, but had to be done. I got home at 8:30 and popped him in the shower. I spent the next hour doing the morning stuff: bed, dishes, setting up for lunch. I knew he would give me a hard time as to outer wear, so I warmed up the truck and spent the next 20 minutes trying to dress someone who was acting like a 2 year old. Hat on, hat off. Gloves on, gloves off. Scarf on, scarf off. Finally I said Bruce if you don't stop, I am going to cancel everything and you are going back to bed! It was 19 degrees outside.
We got right in to the Doctor's and she did spend some time with us. She is a bit upset that the Botox is now cancelled. She wants him to exercise more, very upset with the "tone" which she has never seen because he always had the Botox. Pleased with his weight and cognitive improvement. We will do more therapy in the Spring.
So the list is about an hour long. It was dreary out, but no snow yet, so off we went. Now you have to understand none of this "had" to be done. It was things that needed attention within the week, but not imperative. I had some mail, so we did the post office and I picked up stamps. Kira would need her special food, but even so I have back up of normal food for emergencies. I save the bank to get Erma's money just to get him out and Pharmacy pick up could have been done later in the week. The issue was to get him out, in the fresh air because I don't know when that can happen again soon. The one thing I do know is if he doesn't stop with the TV remote, I will lose my mind.
Bruce got out of the truck for the Doctor's appointment, of course. And I did make him go into the Vet's. He does love her dogs.
We got home just as the snow was starting to accumulate. Got him up into the house, unloaded the truck and got it parked so Cliff could snow blow the driveway in the morning. Lunch and Bruce went down for a well-needed nap. Bruce's friend and Mary Beth called. I wanted to talk to both of them-but no down time for me. Bruce was up, dinner and then after he went to bed, prep for the morning because I knew I had to get out with neighbor and shovel.
I popped in the shower and went to bed. Bruce up at 4am, me up at 5am. Morning routine again messed up - no newspaper. We got about 9 inches of snow - the light, fluffy stuff. Not really normal for us. I dressed for shoveling. Neighbor came over about 6:30, we did the driveway, ramp and cleaned off most of the truck. Newspaper finally came, rest of morning routine, I dressed for work and off I went in the Honda. When I got home; lunch for Bruce and nap, back in the shoveling clothes to finish off the truck and shovel the deck. Bruce up, afternoon routine and prep for dinner and morning.
I am so thankful Erma was here today. I did get an hour down-time. And so we start again. Saturday was supposed to be warmer, so I told Bruce we would just do something outside-maybe the fancy Cheese store, he does love that and a lot of it is outside, on ramps. But now, snow predicted again. So I will stay up for the weather report and plan from there. I don't have to bring the tools in for the weekend. I can keep him busy with cooking, grocery lists, coupons, etc. But I don't know if I can stretch all this out for another week. Makes me exhausted just writing about all of it - LOL.
Erma is going away for two weeks in February. I will miss her, but mostly she won't be here to take care of Kira, so Casino trip is out for a bit. We will be ready for an overnight break when she gets back!
It has been impossible since early December here. Frigid weather, then two days of 50 degrees. Now, I guess we will be in the deep freeze for a bit. Pre-stroke we would hunker down with hot teas and good books, comfy clothes and afghans. Go for walks, maybe a glass of wine on the deck. Then Bruce would light a fire in the woodstove. I was told by several this week that I am "nuts." But I see how distressed Bruce is with all of this, how helpless he feels. I sat him on the front porch for five minutes this afternoon - 11 degrees - because this is his season. Always has been and now that has been taken from him.
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