"It's time we considered adding another board game to our repertoire,"
I suggested tonight, when we both tired of Yahtzee and Scrabble.
     "What makes you say that?"
    "Oh, I don't know, it just seems like we could use some variety."
    "I think you're right. Let's take a look at what they have when we go shopping, tomorrow."
    Whoa! I couldn't believe it! She remembered we're going shopping tomorrow. This tells me she's looking forward to it.
    Earlier today after she had lunch we needed to pick up a few things for dinner. Although she wasn't happy about it, I insisted that she go with me. First she had stuck her head in the refrigerator immediately after eating. "Are you hungry or bored?" I asked.
    "Bored," she said, and closed the refrigerator door.
    "Okay," I said, "come to the store with me, push the cart around and do some people watching."
    She agreed while I was in the middle of folding clothes. I told her I'd be ready "in about fifteen minutes."
    Within five minutes she was taking off her glasses and heading toward the couch for a nap.
    "I'll be done here in ten minutes. Are you tired or bored?" I asked.
    "A little of both," she replied.
    "Okay, if you want to lie down I'm going to get you up in ten minutes to go to the store with me."
    She looked at me as if to accuse, "Slavedriver," but she sat in her rocking chair instead of laying on the couch while waiting for me to finish folding the laundry.
    When we returned from the store she didn't make any attempt to take a nap. Several hours later as I was preparing dinner I mentioned to her that I was noticing that if she gets moving a little right after a meal she is less likely to take a nap.
    She was surprised at the observation but agreed. "Moving around takes care of that," she agreed.
    "What we should do, then," I ventured, "is plan some kind of activity that requires movement immediately after breakfast and lunch and maybe even dinner," I suggested.
    She didn't immediately respond. It occurred to me that she hadn't heard me but I gave her a few more minutes.
    "We could give that a try," she said tentatively.
    I laughed. "Don't worry, Mom," I said, "I still don't have marathon training on the schedule."
    She laughed. "Let's not plan that for a couple more months."
    I'm noticing that in daylight she is quite ruddy now. I think it might be time to cut out the one iron tablet she's taking and see how she does without it. I might add it back to her diet when we first get up to Prescott just to boost her blood a little since she'll be adjusting the the thinner air and will most definitely need to be on oxygen, at least at night, and may even chose to use it intermittently at first when we're out and about during the day. The more I can get her to move though, the faster I think she'll adjust. She's still not looking forward to getting back to Prescott but she's not giving me that "here's mud in your eye" look anymore, either, when I mention it. That's a good sign.
    She's ready for bed. Time to rub her feet and legs.
- posted by gail rae @ 22:52   email...this post