Two Good Days in a Row

Hey, Y'all,
Yesterday and today Gramps stayed awake all day and alert! Rick told me today that Gramps was ready to get up this morning at breakfast, as well as yesterday. He ate breakfast both days in the dining room and then he ate lunch yesterday in his room. I had to leave before his tray was taken away, but he was up all afternoon. They took him for therapy so I know he was up. He told me later that he had not had a nap. Yesterday was Movie Day with my two sisters-in-law in Knoxville. They needed to go to the mall for awhile so I was late getting back to the nursing home, and Gramps had already had his supper.

He was not in his room when I got back, so I looked in the dining room and found him sitting alone, waiting for anyone to take him back to his room. He told me that he had a problem with his car (wheelchair) and couldn't get home. So I told him that I would take him home (his room). We decided to sit outside for awhile instead of going back to his room. It was lovely outside and some family of another resident was out there visiting and we had a great time talking and laughing together. We take our pleasures where we can find them, don't you know? The simple pleasures are the best. They had finished eating some KFC that they had brought (like a picnic) and the resident's room mate was out there with them.

By the time we went back inside it was close to 8 p.m. and I left then after taking Gramps back to his room. This morning he had an appointment with his surgeon who had performed the hip replacement surgery, and so I met him at the dr's office. Two very nice fellows delivered him via Jefferson County Ambulance service and then took him back to the nursing home after the appointment. The surgeon told me that the hip replacement looked perfect and had healed nicely (which I was glad to hear). He is a really nice fellow and I was glad to talk to him again. When I went to check out I told the office girls, "Well, as Randy Jackson would say, 'Hey, Dawg, check it out, check it out.'" Ha ha, they laughed too.

By the time we got back to the nursing home, it was almost time for lunch, and he chose to eat in his room. I sat with him as he ate, and read a book. I like to be with him when he eats so I can see how well he eats. He ate most all of it, and then Sam came to take him to therapy and when he returned Gramps, he told me that he did really well and was pleased that Gramps is so alert the last few days. He also cautioned me that he needs to do leg exercises over the weekend so he won't lose ground. It is quite difficult to get Gramps to do them, though. It is a problem.

This afternoon, a group of children came from a Christian day care and sang for the residents. We really enjoyed that along with the others who live there. We also saw some dogs that people bring for pet therapy, and Gramps got to pet them. He really does like dogs. I took Gramps outside for about two hours this afternoon, and then took him in and we watched television until supper came. I got him settled eating his supper and then I left around 6 p.m. I had not eaten anything since breakfast, so was ready to just about eat the paper off the walls. Ha.

I stopped at Lisa's Kitchen, a local restaurant, and had some supper, then came home to an empty house and I can hear the ticking of the clock on the wall, ticking away the time. Then, I signed the contract to a house in Texas, so we will be moving some time in the near future. I just realized that I need to prepare letters to send for change of address, so I guess I will get those together soon. I have been thinking about that for a short time. Then there will be boxes to get for packing up stuff. Excitement is building! Whoo hoo!

I told Gramps today that Carol and Daryl had found a house for us to buy in Texas, so he is okay with it. I look forward to getting to better know my great grands, and closer association with my grands. Just can't wait! I will terribly miss all my friends and family here, though. Life does move on, doesn't it?

This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. Much love to each of you, my friends and family. Bye for now. More later.