Grandma, DH and I have been watching the Masters Golf Tournament this weekend. Grandma used to golf in her day and especially enjoys watching the pros on TV. Earlier in the week, she saw an advertisement (on GSN) for a motorized scooter - what better market to cater to, than those who watch game shows all day? (ie: the elderly) Our son who has been here for Spring Break texted me and said "Grandma is looking in the phone book for a scooter store". By the time I got home from work, she was expounding on the merits of a scooter and how she was thinking about getting one. I discouraged the idea and admit I'm a little nervous in that we brought our motorized golf cart home from storage today. It's parked along side our house, out of her sight for now... but I'm not looking forward to the day she discovers it. It could be interesting... she also told our son she needs to get back to the senior complex as she has a golf date with a friend there. Can we say "hide the keys"?
On my list of things to do this weekend, was cleaning the refrigerator - not my favorite job, so one I put off as long as possible (or longer). Grandma had made reference to the frightful state of the fridge several times lately ... so right after breakfast Saturday morning, I announced to Grandma that I was going to clean the refrigerator and she was going to help me. There appeared a slightly shocked look on her face but I told her she could do it from a seated position at the island. Her job was to throw gross things into the trash, and clean plastics into the box I had for recycleables. For the most part, she refrained from commenting on my procrastination and therefore, waste. I typically wash the glass shelves in the bathtub... it's large enough to hold them all and easy to rinse the soap off when I'm done. I put Grandma in charge of drying the shelves before they were put back. We were buzzing right along when I noticed.... she was singing. The woman was happy. I need to keep her busy, I decide... but by the time the refrigerator was done... so was Grandma. She had only enough energy to get through her shower and settle into her chair for some "pre-recorded" (by DH) musical programs on TV. I turned on The Gaithers, Lawrence Welk and Guy Lombardo and continued my work while she watched, sang and lamented she no longer had a dance partner. I remind her that her body is not really in dance condition anymore but it was wonderful to have such nice memories.
Later in the day, after I finished all the work I had planned to do ... I showered and joined Grandma in front of the TV set . We chose case numbers on Deal or No Deal and audience responses on Family Feud... things were going well... until.... "We'll be right back after this word from our sponsor..."
My pleasant Saturday afternoon was about to take a turn... a commercial comes on for NutriSystems. Some skinny chick is shown on a split screen next to a "before" picture showing her 40 or 50 pounds heavier. We've all seen them. And for a nominal fee (plus the cost of food) anyone can shed their own unwanted weight.
G: Have you ever looked into that?
Me: Into what?
G: That - (pointing to the television)
Me: That?! (hoping she was suggesting I be a contestant on a game show...)
G: For your weight... have you looked into that?
Me: Uh no... no I haven't.
G: Oh, I just wondered. It looks like it worked for them.
So there you have it - how a productive, relaxing day can be struck down in its prime and an entire weekend dampened.
Out of the mouths .... of Grandmas.
So ends Episode 19.
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