Yeah, Monday....
Yesterday evening, I called Kat to touch base, and she said her car was messed up. She didn't want to drive it to the doctor's today because her neighbor told her she might get arrested. Her appointment was for 10 AM, which is kind of early if I was going to hit the food pantry and go pick her up, so I told her I'd pick her up early, we could go to the food pantry and then on to the oncologist.
A few words about this neighbor: I detest him. And his brat of a daughter, and their crazy landlady. The adults are always mooching on Kat for transportation---neither of them has a car---and they call her about eight times a day. The child trespasses and knocks over her plants and is a hellion in general. I got over there, and I'm damned if I can see what the problem is with the car. None of the lights are broken, and the one quarter panel that's a little rumpled was like that when she got the car. He's being a dumbass again. I'll be amazed if I get through house-sitting over there without us having words.
Anyway, I thought Kat was clear on the plan---I told her about four times last night and a couple more this morning, but no. She was surprised when we got to the food pantry and elected to stay in the car while I went in. That entails signing in and getting a number---mine was #188, and they were calling #120 when I got it. I took a seat to wait, and who should wander past but BC. He was munching is way through a huge cinnamon bun, and didn't want to put it down when his number was called, so he swapped with me. He was #140, which shortened my wait time by a good 15-20 minutes.
I'm starting to get the hang of how it works: If you pick a winning block out of the bucket, you get your choice of a premium item. Last week, it was turkeys. This week, I got my choice and snagged a t-bone steak. Winning means none of the regular protein items, although they added a can of tuna with the beggar's choice. Okay, works for me. Of the regular items up for grabs, I got generic canned pork, a bag of dried great northern beans, a can of pork and beans, a can of corn, a box of crackers, a box of mac and cheese and a bunch of baked goods (mostly english muffins). On the way out, we could pick regular or diet soda if we wanted (diet Dr. Pepper, best by July 16) and choose between blueberries or "surprise bag" of canned goods. I've never been a big fan of blueberries. I said "Surprise me" and ended up with cans of sliced potatoes, diced tomates and tomato sauce, all of which I'll actually use.
We were about an hour early for her appointment, but there must have been a lull, because they had Kat in and out in less than ten minutes. That part was easy enough. She's not doing well; she doesn't eat, and if she takes her meds on an empty stomach, she heaves. She gets dizzy when she stands up. She's getting daily visits from Hospice and Meals on Wheels several weekdays. Her memory is like cotton candy; you think it's substantial, but it just melts away. For instance, she keeps referring to Hospice as "the hospital"....
This trip is a big thing; her mom is 96, and this is probably the last time they'll see each other. GK has been planning things behind the scenes. I've been directed to go over there on Friday and make sure Kat's meds are packed, and for that matter, to be sure she's got clothes in her suitcase---we want to avoid a repeat of the Sarasota trip, where she had the clothes she wore on the drive over, the suit she had for the wedding, and nothing else. No change of clothes, no nightgown, no unmentionables, nothing. BC is getting permission to escort her through the airport and onto the plane and arranging to have someone monitor her so that she doesn't disembark during the layover in New Orleans, and when she gets to Dallas, someone will stay with her until she hooks up with GK who is flying in from MA.
Fresh ep of Hoarders tonight! Time to get back to work on the dining room. Mine needs work, but it doesn't call for a dumpster and a crew of twelve. Thank the Deity of your choice!
A few words about this neighbor: I detest him. And his brat of a daughter, and their crazy landlady. The adults are always mooching on Kat for transportation---neither of them has a car---and they call her about eight times a day. The child trespasses and knocks over her plants and is a hellion in general. I got over there, and I'm damned if I can see what the problem is with the car. None of the lights are broken, and the one quarter panel that's a little rumpled was like that when she got the car. He's being a dumbass again. I'll be amazed if I get through house-sitting over there without us having words.
Anyway, I thought Kat was clear on the plan---I told her about four times last night and a couple more this morning, but no. She was surprised when we got to the food pantry and elected to stay in the car while I went in. That entails signing in and getting a number---mine was #188, and they were calling #120 when I got it. I took a seat to wait, and who should wander past but BC. He was munching is way through a huge cinnamon bun, and didn't want to put it down when his number was called, so he swapped with me. He was #140, which shortened my wait time by a good 15-20 minutes.
I'm starting to get the hang of how it works: If you pick a winning block out of the bucket, you get your choice of a premium item. Last week, it was turkeys. This week, I got my choice and snagged a t-bone steak. Winning means none of the regular protein items, although they added a can of tuna with the beggar's choice. Okay, works for me. Of the regular items up for grabs, I got generic canned pork, a bag of dried great northern beans, a can of pork and beans, a can of corn, a box of crackers, a box of mac and cheese and a bunch of baked goods (mostly english muffins). On the way out, we could pick regular or diet soda if we wanted (diet Dr. Pepper, best by July 16) and choose between blueberries or "surprise bag" of canned goods. I've never been a big fan of blueberries. I said "Surprise me" and ended up with cans of sliced potatoes, diced tomates and tomato sauce, all of which I'll actually use.
We were about an hour early for her appointment, but there must have been a lull, because they had Kat in and out in less than ten minutes. That part was easy enough. She's not doing well; she doesn't eat, and if she takes her meds on an empty stomach, she heaves. She gets dizzy when she stands up. She's getting daily visits from Hospice and Meals on Wheels several weekdays. Her memory is like cotton candy; you think it's substantial, but it just melts away. For instance, she keeps referring to Hospice as "the hospital"....
This trip is a big thing; her mom is 96, and this is probably the last time they'll see each other. GK has been planning things behind the scenes. I've been directed to go over there on Friday and make sure Kat's meds are packed, and for that matter, to be sure she's got clothes in her suitcase---we want to avoid a repeat of the Sarasota trip, where she had the clothes she wore on the drive over, the suit she had for the wedding, and nothing else. No change of clothes, no nightgown, no unmentionables, nothing. BC is getting permission to escort her through the airport and onto the plane and arranging to have someone monitor her so that she doesn't disembark during the layover in New Orleans, and when she gets to Dallas, someone will stay with her until she hooks up with GK who is flying in from MA.
Fresh ep of Hoarders tonight! Time to get back to work on the dining room. Mine needs work, but it doesn't call for a dumpster and a crew of twelve. Thank the Deity of your choice!