Episode 46 - Weekend Woe

I love weekends.  I actually love my job too - but there's nothing like Friday and an anticpated weekend.   There's also nothing like fifty-some hours with Grandma to make going back to work on Monday not look all that bad.

For CeCe's homecoming last weekend, I French manicured her nails.  While watching football on television yesterday afternoon, I manicured my own similarly.  Grandma had taken note of CeCe's nails and now mine also.

G:  What's that you are doing to your nails?

Me:  I'm just painting the tips - then I let them dry... shape the tips and put clear polish over it.

G:  Could you do that to mine?

Me:  Uh... sure.

G:  I think it looks nice.

So I pull up the footstool and dab white polish on the tips of each of Grandma's nails.

Me:  I'll shape them when we get home.

G:  Where are you going?

Me:  Remember? We're taking CeCe to get her picture taken.

G:  No I guess I didn't remember.  When will you be home?

Me:  We'll be home before Lawrence Welk gets over.

By the time CeCe was ready and we were heading out the door, Grandma asked for the third time where we were going.  I told her once again then tuned in Public Television (her Saturday night companion) and headed for the car.  The photo session was fun... DH stayed in the car until the IOWA game was over and then joined us to choose a pose.  The final selection was a casual full body shot that the three of us agreed upon. 

As we headed home, I again looked at the picture and commented:  Grandma will take one look at this and say, "Couldn't she have worn a pair of pants without a hole in them?"  We all laughed.

Minutes later we walk into the house, to the strains of Jim Roberts singing a tune from the 60's (and not 60's rock ... more like 60's Broadway). 

G:  You're home!

Me:  Yes we are....

G:  Oh this music has been just wonderful.

Me:  Look at CeCe's picture....   Isn't it good?

G:  It sure is.... (pause) Too bad about the hole in the knee.

I high-fived  DH.  Life with Grandma is nothing if it isn't predictable.

I proceeded to shape Grandma's nails while DH made her supper.  I added the clear topcoat and she seemed pleased.



NM's hand on top of Grandma's



 We did her shower and hair after Lawrence Welk was over - then off she went to bed, still admiring her nails.

This morning - DH, CeCe and I prepared to leave for our church's first service.  Grandma was dressed, had her cane, purse and offering.  Her ride would be here about 9:15.  We've learned that too much time can be just as dangerous as too little, so I asked DH to put an hour long Gaither program on for her.  It was 8:16.

Me:  Mom - Mr. and Mrs. F. will be here about the time the music is over...

G:  OK

Me:  We're going to church now - we'll  be here when you get home.  OK?

G:  OK

Me:  Bye

We were to our church in twelve minutes.  I have begun (deliberately) to leave my phone in the car when I go into church.  It doesn't get good service inside and I don't care for the distraction.  DH, on the other hand - just puts his on vibrate and keeps it on his belt.  Throughout the service today, he was getting buzzed ... signaling incoming emails.  He ignored them.  As service ended and we walked out into the foyer, DH checked the phone and announced, "Grandma has called you five times" (recall the "Message Manager" feature that notifies us by email when a call comes in or goes out from our house?)

When we got to the car, I retrieved my phone... 5 missed calls ... 4 new voice messages.  *Sigh* - I dialed voicemail.

VM: You have four new messages.

8:45 a.m. - I want to know if the front door can be locked when I go out....

9:01 a.m. - I am trying to wait for them to come pick me up.  It is now 9:00 and I have been waiting since twenty of.  I don't know who to call.  I guess I will try the church.  Bye.

9:08 a.m. - This is me. And I have been waiting here at the church for them to come and pick me up... and no one has come yet and I've been down here since twenty of nine.  Anyway - no one is here and I don't know what to do.  I'll have to get somebody.  That's it I guess.

9:14 a.m. - I am trying to call the Methodist Church and I can't get through to you... them.  I am calling on the cell number I have but can't get through.  I am going to dial '1' now.  (Which marked the message URGENT)

That was the last call.  I'm sure, as always... Mr. and Mrs. F. picked her up between 9:15-9:25 as they always have.  Grandma had obviously walked out on the Gaithers - opting to sit and wait (impatiently) on the front porch for her ride.

Me:  AAUUUGHH  This is why I don't take my phone in the church!

DH:  She just can't remember when they come.

Me:  They ALWAYS come at 9:15....

DH:  We need to write it down.  In fact, we're going to go right now and get a white board..... we need to write things down so she has it right in front of her.... 

And so we did.

And yes .... tomorrow is Monday... Yippee!  

So ends Episode 46