We’ve just had a week away staying with our daughter and her family. She and her husband only worked mornings while we were there as they had some time up and with a job where they work from home or office (they are Captains in charge of an area for the Salvation Army) they were able to spend some time with us.

The weather was nice, spring-like and sunny for a change. We had walks and a picnic by the Lake and did some shopping and had a night out. It was all low key and I found it very relaxing. I am the champion at selling junk (well, precious pre-loved treasures) at the Market Day so managed to turn what little I had into a $45 profit. All those years of selling Tupperware in the ‘80s did sharpen my sales skills.

We did have trouble with their bathroom with a narrow, glassed-in shower and a large bench to put in it. I became a contortionist trying to wash Ray thoroughly and will be glad to be able to shower him tomorrow in his purpose built shower room. Ray can be grumpy and uncooperative when he feels insecure so it was no pleasure to either of us to try and cope in was so obviously not disabled friendly. But as it is a rented house I guess that is not changeable.

Being with the grandchildren is such a treat, they love Ray just the way he is having really known him no other way. To them he is just “Pa”. They have never known him to be other than slow on his feet or being pushed in a wheelchair. I wish some days I could erase the memories of how he used to be “before”. Naomi wanted desperately to push Pa in the wheelchair but can’t see over Pa’s head so we considered her too dangerous.

The kids have a lot of electronic toys but put the bowling onto the Wii so Pa could join in a game or two. They did delight in out-scoring us of course. Naomi still loves me to read to her, so I did that and she and I colored in and drew pictures and did all that stuff that delights small girls. Her brother, being ten, teases her quite a bit. I know it is good for her but really riles her up! They are so “normal” it made me laugh sometimes.

We change to daylight saving on Sunday, which moves my chat time to 11am Wednesday morning. I just hope I remember and don’t sit there wondering where you all are. I love the longer days so will not complain. Mind you I am wondering if spring has decided not to stay as it is chilly again tonight and we had snow falling down south today. There was even a little hail this afternoon here, could well have been snow by the way the temperature dropped suddenly.

Ray enjoyed the chicken chowder for dinner tonight. I do enjoy meals at our daughters house as her husband is an excellent cook but there is something about the way the food you cook yourself tastes, those herbs and spices, the finishing touches that tell me there is no place like home, no meal like a home-cooked meal.

I am having trouble with the showering, dressing, insulin, medication preparation etc in the morning routine. It seems the first hour and a half in the morning is completely devoted to Ray. I know it sounds petty but I really wish I had time to at least see my face in a mirror once in a while. The other day we went shopping and I realised as I passed a shop window that my hair was parted in the wrong place. I must have done it quickly and I hated that I looked out of balance somehow. It is really hard sometimes not to be able to have a quiet time of a morning just every now and again and really ease into the morning instead of diving out of bed when the alarm goes off and diving into the day.

The shower nurse will be here again on Friday so after eight days of showering Ray I will have a dry feet day. Have to be thankful for small mercies eh?