Progress Slow Slow Slow

The kitchen is looking better.  Still ready for the desk.  Still haven't called Comcast or changed how I intend to do things.  Working on the office.  Filled the recycle bin again.  I wouldn't have thought there would be enough in the office to do that with all the times I filled it before.  I was wrong.
Even with all the chaos you can at least start to see where it is going.  I think we need a goodwill run, a dump run and a hazardous waste run.  That would help a lot in how the whole process is going.  Maybe we will do one of those tomorrow before grocery shopping.

Fun At Firstenberg

The little woman has been wanting to do something new.  The first thing on her list is a visit to a farm.  Unfortunately for her, she was in school when the little man and I went to pick up some baskets and they were at a horse farm.  He so enjoyed trying to pet the chickens and petting a horse and feeding it hay.  He tried to pet the cat, but the cat was smart and left.  The dogs loved him.
So our new outing that included her was a trip to the Firstenburg Community Center for open swim.  That pool is great for kids.  It has a water feature, a slide (which they aren't tall enough for yet), laps and a lazy river.  They have life vests for the kids to use.  So we spent almost the whole hour and 45 minutes just going round and round on the river.  Who knew you could get that much exercise from that.  I had jello legs at first when we got out of the water.  They almost fell asleep on the way home.
While there we signed both kids up for swimming lessons that start next week. The little woman had reminded me for the umpteenth time that I was continuing to forget to do that. Well now it is done. No pictures from the pool since cameras aren't allowed.  Maybe I will get a picture when they have lessons from the viewing area.We again send our thanks to all who make that possible.

Back to Stepping

First we moved and I couldn't find a rhythm. Time just kept getting away.  I still averaged 10,000 steps a day for 2015.  2016 is going to suck.  Then I lost the fitbit. Almost cried since the stupid things cost $50 and I bought two because of losing one already.  Found it and then the battery died.  Of course.
I have not had good luck on batteries lasting in the fitbit.  According to their website they should last six month.  The last one didn't make four.  So I procrastinated.  Batteries have costed anywhere from $4 to $8 depending on where and whether it was a two pack or a single.  It's not a great deal of money...still seems a lot for a battery.
So we are at Winco and I thought I will just look because it is time to get back at it.  $1.75 for a two pack.  That about floored me.  I never look for batteries at the grocery store because you buy those kinds of things cheaper elsewhere.  Even Walmart doesn't compare with that price.  Bought a pack.
And yesterday I was back at it.  Came in at 10,600 steps.  Belinda (my stepping partner)...need a nudge....I'm back.

Mom So Funny

Took Mom a bismark with an identity crisis. They ran out of bismark so filled some bars.  Tasted the same and I think because it was a bar it was bigger or more filling or something. We enjoyed them.
We were watching in the courtyard to see if any birds had discovered the feeder yet. Well someone filled the feeder.  I was only putting a small amount in it until it was being used and of course I had spilled half of what I put in it when it fell over on Sunday.  I think Mom is not the only one going to enjoy the feeder.
Then the facility dogs were outside running around.  Well that gave Mom the idea that Phoebe could come stay there.  Right....so I had to explain how Phoebe had been there but the decision was Phoebe needs to just be a visiting dog.  That went over okay for now.
The nurse came in and told me how much better Mom is doing.  Well Mom jumped in on the conversation.  So I explained how she did wonderful in transition and then it all went  to pot.  And that was why Phoebe came.  But that now she seems more settled even without Phoebe.  And she does.  She did ask again how her stuff came to be there, but more with curiosity than anger.
I will so say that my friend Mona was so right a few years ago when she told me I was going to have a much harder time with my mom than I do with the littles.  It's not just the work aspect...it is the emotional stuff and dealing with the emotional roller coaster.  It is hard losing her bit by bit and watching it.  It is hard having her emotions be up and down and out in space and never knowing in which state she will be in when I see her next.  Although I have discovered mornings are better for sundowners in the emotional department.  But this week we have seen her in the afternoons and an evening and it was all right.  This week.

Lost It

My oomph.  I think my dead battery in the morning set the tone for the day.  Got the battery charged and the little woman to school.  Did have the thought that I could charge the battery in Mom's car and move it. So I did that.
The little man and I took Phoebe to visit Mom.  Not that either one of them paid any attention to each other.......
My biggest other accomplishment of the day was getting the yard mowed.  Amazing how quickly it gets shaggy.  Anyway it looks much better.
We also went grocery shopping, but none of us were into it so we only get the necessities that will get us through till the weekend.  We have two lunches this week to pack and have to make sure we comply with the new rules the state has made for daycare.  I foresee a lot of carrots in their lunch in the future.  ;p

Seeing the Doctor

The little man has an appointment to get all his dental work done at one time.  He will be put under anesthesia.  In order for that to happen he has to have permission from his doctor.  So that appointment has came.  The little man is good to go for his dental appointment.
He hasn't seen the doctor in quite awhile....more of that sleeping thing.  And so he is now 3 feet 6 inches tall.  He weighs in at 44 pounds.  I had the little woman hop up on the scale also and she weighed in at 52 pounds (four pound gain since her ear infection).
I had been getting just a tad worried because it seemed like they had both went a whole year without gaining any weight. Now they don't look malnourished and both were growing taller.  Just no weight gain.  And then she had lost two pounds when we got the flu and her ear infection.
 I am much relieved that they are healthy and gaining.

Settling Maybe

After a week Creekside asked me to bring Phoebe home.  Mom wasn't taking care of her, as I said she wouldn't.  And half the time she was even forgetting that she has a dog.  So I went in to broach the subject with Mom and she was holding on the Phoebe for dear life.  I never said anything.  Time to leave and I go out front to talk to the nurse about it and to tell her that I will take Phoebe later.  While waiting Mom comes out with Phoebe on a leash and with her purse. I ask her where she is going and she tells me she doesn't know because I haven't told her.
So we ended up going for a ride to pick up the littles from daycare.  After we got back and dropped her she had forgotten all about Phoebe so we left her in the car.  Took Mom in and got her settled.
In the week since then she has not asked about Phoebe until Sunday.  And she didn't really ask about Phoebe.  She wanted to know about Phoebe's bowls at her apartment.  I hadn't taken them home yet. I told her they were there for when Phoebe came to visit. She accepted that and didn't say anything more.
Yesterday afternoon Mom called.  She was bored.  Wanted to know when I was coming to visit and take her some place.  The first words out of my mouth are we just went out for dinner the night before. Oy.  It's not helpful when I say it. She doesn't remember.  But things are out of my mouth before I have a chance to think about them.
So today Phoebe, Connor and I will go visit her.  It is easier when it is one child.  Although the easier child is Audrie.  It is what it is.  I remember when I didn't ever think that would be the case.
I think it is finally sinking in that she lives at Creekside.....at least part of the time.