good morning

Mom is settled in at home and assumed/resumed her role as queen/matriarch.  She's pleased with hospice services.  She called me at work one morning last week and told me - "and the lady came in and said, 'honey, don't you try to make up the bed.  that's MY job!"

She was excited that they sent someone to do light housekeeping while we were at work, and she knows the nurse, already, so she's comfortable with both women.  And she is excited that someone might come out to help her put a jigsaw puzzle together, although she isn't sure she wants that.  She's a fussy woman, and wants things done her way.  "I don't know if I want someone to come in and mess up my puzzles.."

Fussy she is, indeed.  I was making her dinner on Tuesday night - she asked for 1 egg scrambled, 2 strips of bacon, crispy, 1/2 english muffin with jam and 1 cup of tea with 2 ice cubes and 2 packs of splenda. 

I began preparing her dinner.  WAIT! she said, as I prepared to microwave the bacon.  That's too many paper towels!  I had 2 of those to prevent splatter.  I picked up a pan to scramble the egg.  WAIT! she said.  There's another pan that might work better.  I split the english muffin and popped it in the toaster.  WAIT! she said.  I want it lightly toasted.  What's the toaster setting?

It's poignant.  You never realize or appreciate the freedom and strength we are granted in our ability to cook, clean or simply move from room to room.  It's hard for her to give up and let someone else use her stove, cook her bacon and accidentally let 3 ice cubes fall from the icemaker into the cup.  For her or anyone, it's relinquishing dignity by inches and degrees.  And we know this, and give her as much control as she wants. 

 Fold the towel like this.  Just a light spritz will work on that.  You only have to turn the covers down this far...

But she's doing well and manages to keep her sense of humor.