It takes a village to raise a child . . . and I thought the village was on board to some degree to pitch in with my Dad.
In the beginning, there was a degree of appreciation that bouyed us.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Sacrifice <> Bagels & Cream Cheese
Here's a conversation I had w/ GpaK this morning.
Me: "I'm concerned about your weight and your being out-of-breath"
GpaK: "Well, I just came down the stairs!"
Me: "Well, walking down a flight of stairs is not something that should make you breathless"
Me: "And, for the last few days I've noticed that you've been using your bedroom recliner at night."
GpaK: "Yes I have - can't get back to sleep."
Me: "Having a hard time breathing?"
GpaK: ". . . . . .kind of . . "
Me: "You know, Dad, this is serious. Don't take your health for granted. You salted your eggs this morning, and you're tempting fate. It's been so long since we've had to go to the ER. "
GpaK: "I know. But it's hard . . "
Me: "Well, we all have sacrifices to make. Bill and I make sacrifices so you can live here, and your part of the bargain means taking care of yourself." [as I begin to put cream cheese on my bagel] "We all have to do our part."
GpaK: "I can do my part. Is that a mini bagel?"
Me: "Yes."
GpaK: "Well I didn't have any carbs this morning - just two [salty] scrambled eggs."
Me: "?? Are you asking for a bagel?"
GpaK: "Well those two eggs won't hold me until lunch . . . ."
Me: "I'm concerned about your weight and your being out-of-breath"
GpaK: "Well, I just came down the stairs!"
Me: "Well, walking down a flight of stairs is not something that should make you breathless"
Me: "And, for the last few days I've noticed that you've been using your bedroom recliner at night."
GpaK: "Yes I have - can't get back to sleep."
Me: "Having a hard time breathing?"
GpaK: ". . . . . .kind of . . "
Me: "You know, Dad, this is serious. Don't take your health for granted. You salted your eggs this morning, and you're tempting fate. It's been so long since we've had to go to the ER. "
GpaK: "I know. But it's hard . . "
Me: "Well, we all have sacrifices to make. Bill and I make sacrifices so you can live here, and your part of the bargain means taking care of yourself." [as I begin to put cream cheese on my bagel] "We all have to do our part."
GpaK: "I can do my part. Is that a mini bagel?"
Me: "Yes."
GpaK: "Well I didn't have any carbs this morning - just two [salty] scrambled eggs."
Me: "?? Are you asking for a bagel?"
GpaK: "Well those two eggs won't hold me until lunch . . . ."
Saturday, August 11, 2012
If you can make a martini, you can make a sandwich.
"Self-Serve" on Terrace Drive apparently only means making your own cocktails. There is no attempt to make one's own breakfast (even oatmeal) or a sandwich. None. Those items, inexplicably, must be offered up, prepared, and served with a smile to GpaK.
After a glorious six-week hiatus from Gpak while he was in Virginia, I established a new set of weekend "norms." No longer would I wait on him for breakfast and lunch. He agreed that he did not need to be waited on.
Fast forward to our first morning on Terrace Drive. I am out running a stupidly long training route, Bill sleeps in, and GpaK waits. And waits. I come home, make toast, Bill has just made himself some eggs, and GpaK waits. And waits. I assume he's already eaten (he gets up around 6am and it's now after 8). Nope. "Where's the bread?!" he asks angrily. I told him it was in the fridge, and asked him what he needed "Well I'd like to have breakfast!" (It's now 9am). I told him to help himself and left the kitchen.
Later, reminded of our earlier conversation, he tells me that he cannot possibly stand comfortably as long as it would take to scramble eggs (which he just did). "What about oatmeal? That doesn't take long," I said. "Well oatmeal is too high in carbs" he replied. "So explain to me why carbs in the pizza you ordered last night were ok, but carbs in self-serve oatmeal are not."
After a glorious six-week hiatus from Gpak while he was in Virginia, I established a new set of weekend "norms." No longer would I wait on him for breakfast and lunch. He agreed that he did not need to be waited on.
Fast forward to our first morning on Terrace Drive. I am out running a stupidly long training route, Bill sleeps in, and GpaK waits. And waits. I come home, make toast, Bill has just made himself some eggs, and GpaK waits. And waits. I assume he's already eaten (he gets up around 6am and it's now after 8). Nope. "Where's the bread?!" he asks angrily. I told him it was in the fridge, and asked him what he needed "Well I'd like to have breakfast!" (It's now 9am). I told him to help himself and left the kitchen.
Later, reminded of our earlier conversation, he tells me that he cannot possibly stand comfortably as long as it would take to scramble eggs (which he just did). "What about oatmeal? That doesn't take long," I said. "Well oatmeal is too high in carbs" he replied. "So explain to me why carbs in the pizza you ordered last night were ok, but carbs in self-serve oatmeal are not."
Thursday, May 31, 2012
You know what . . . .?
Shut it.
GpaK is a piece-o'-work. Cocktail hour starting earlier, sneaking forbidden foods in the mud room,
More to come on this one . . .
GpaK is a piece-o'-work. Cocktail hour starting earlier, sneaking forbidden foods in the mud room,
More to come on this one . . .
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
One-Year Anniversary
Of GpaK moving in was yesterday (Easter Sunday!) We've come so far! No more walker (just a cane!) His A1C last week was 6.9, an all time low!
Some things haven't changed however. We still argue sometimes about how he should dress, whether or not he brushed his teeth, and how much the dogs bark ("shove it up your ASS, Betty!") What a great thing to yell at a dog!!
Anywho, GpaK was invited to brunch by my sister and her husband's family. Leading up to that, we had a nice morning, choosing an appropriate outfit including black socks and black shoes. (Who's my big boy?!)
The only hurdle came with the tucking in of the shirt. We chose a navy polo shirt and a yellow/white/navy argyle sweater vest. Pretty sharp. The polo was a little longer than most, to be sure (mid-thigh) so GpaK didn't want to hassle with tucking it in. I couldn't resist. He looked ridiculous.
I won. Done and done.
Some things haven't changed however. We still argue sometimes about how he should dress, whether or not he brushed his teeth, and how much the dogs bark ("shove it up your ASS, Betty!") What a great thing to yell at a dog!!
Anywho, GpaK was invited to brunch by my sister and her husband's family. Leading up to that, we had a nice morning, choosing an appropriate outfit including black socks and black shoes. (Who's my big boy?!)
The only hurdle came with the tucking in of the shirt. We chose a navy polo shirt and a yellow/white/navy argyle sweater vest. Pretty sharp. The polo was a little longer than most, to be sure (mid-thigh) so GpaK didn't want to hassle with tucking it in. I couldn't resist. He looked ridiculous.
I won. Done and done.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Defensively Eating Pickles
I am all about controlling the food portions and options that I put in front of GpaK. Left to his own devices he makes poor choices that result in congestive heart failure symptoms or dangerous spikes in blood sugar. Actually, he really doesn't make any choices - he always says "Yes" when offered anything to eat.
So last night we had burgers on the grill. I toasted a sprouted wheat roll (very low in carbs) for GpaK and because the boys were having french fries, I whipped up a tomato/radish/goat cheese salad for GpaK ("oh, radishes are so good!") The fries were served to each person individually so we didn't have a bowl of them on the table to tempt GpaK. A plate of sliced onions and pickles was the only other item on the table.
GpaK was very happy with his burger and salad. A real treat. Then he had a pickle. They're high in sodium, but no big deal. Then another. There were three left. I started eating them just to prevent GpaK from eating them. I don't even like pickles that much! Finally, Bill took the last pickle and all that were left were a few thick slices of raw red onion. Whew!
Yep, you guessed it. GpaK scooped them up and popped them in his mouth. He will eat anything put in front of him or within reach.
So last night we had burgers on the grill. I toasted a sprouted wheat roll (very low in carbs) for GpaK and because the boys were having french fries, I whipped up a tomato/radish/goat cheese salad for GpaK ("oh, radishes are so good!") The fries were served to each person individually so we didn't have a bowl of them on the table to tempt GpaK. A plate of sliced onions and pickles was the only other item on the table.
GpaK was very happy with his burger and salad. A real treat. Then he had a pickle. They're high in sodium, but no big deal. Then another. There were three left. I started eating them just to prevent GpaK from eating them. I don't even like pickles that much! Finally, Bill took the last pickle and all that were left were a few thick slices of raw red onion. Whew!
Yep, you guessed it. GpaK scooped them up and popped them in his mouth. He will eat anything put in front of him or within reach.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Peace at last . . .?
GpaK has a hearing problem. Confirmed but labeled "a slight hearing loss" by a professional who does not have to watch television w/ GpaK. Today GpaK and I, out and about on our Saturday shopping and errands (after the awesome shower . . . see August 30 post for the details on that :) stopped at Best Buy. We had to bring in GpaK's computer because it's been acting up. (Side story: after several attempts by Joe to fix the computer, we conceded last week that it needed to be taken in for repairs. "Where?" GpaK asked. "Best Buy does a good job" I replied. "Well alright but how the hell am I going to get THERE?" GpaK sincerely asked. "You could take a cab?" I offered. "Oh alright alright. forget it." I got the silent treatment for a good 30 minutes after that (score!)
Anywho, one of the bains of my existence is the volume at which GpaK watches television. This morning I wanted to read a little upstairs in my bedroom. GpaK started watching television and I could hear every word of his program. Upstairs.
So, at Best Buy I suggested that we look at the wireless headsets for use with televisions. If these things work as well as I think they will, it will be the best $120 GpaK has ever spent :) Stay tuned.
Downside: the transmitter/charger is ugly and has to be connected at the cable box. Not attractive. If they work it will be sooooo worth it.
Anywho, one of the bains of my existence is the volume at which GpaK watches television. This morning I wanted to read a little upstairs in my bedroom. GpaK started watching television and I could hear every word of his program. Upstairs.
So, at Best Buy I suggested that we look at the wireless headsets for use with televisions. If these things work as well as I think they will, it will be the best $120 GpaK has ever spent :) Stay tuned.
Downside: the transmitter/charger is ugly and has to be connected at the cable box. Not attractive. If they work it will be sooooo worth it.
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