Assisted Living

Just so you know the husband and I are not two idiots sitting around and waiting to see what ailment, fall, disease is going to plague us next, the answer is,"Yes, we are looking into assisted living." It's overdue and we both know it. So, we're investigating and having pretty frank conversations with the oldies.

They both consider it Being Sent To The Home. But, in their own way, they understand.

The oldies raised four boys. Only the husband and one of his brothers seems to give a hoot. The brother that lives in Texas is investigating facilities in their area. Although they hate the weather in Indiana, I am absolutely sure they will not move to Texas. (Although, that may make it on my prayer list.)

Legal issues, financial issues, health issues ... I am overwhelmed.

When she's healthy, the mother-in law is a social butterfly. Some of the activities would make her giddy -- bridge groups, hair salon, etc. But, she will never leave Hangdog. I've tried to convince him that he could make an entire new network of friends. Just think about it -- people who have never heard the stories! They'll be enthralled.

We have lots of friends who are able to advise us about care facilities. Yet, the oldies are living in an assisted living facility right now -- the husband and I are the assistants.

So, (guilt, guilt, guilt,) we're sort of kicking them out the door. Of course, we have to get all the legal, financial and health matters in order. Not to mention, the car and their personal finances.

Lucky Number

Do you have a favorite or lucky number? Mine is three.

Except for today. Today, I am watching the clock and if all goes according to my carefully orchestrated travel schedule, the oldies will be back in three hours.

In order to preserve my sanity and restore my favorite number to its rightful place, I've made three new rules:

1. I am unavailable between the hours of 9am and 5pm. My work and my writing has to come first.
2. IF the car is repaired and IF the husband agrees to let her drive on occasion, I reserve the right to make the judgement call of instability and take the keys away.
3. Assisted-living decisions will be made and executed within three months.

I'm feeling better but the oldies won't know what hit them.

That little declaration of independence felt so good, I made three more:

1. If there's somewhere they need to go, they can call a cab or investigate senior transportation options.
2. Frying will be kept to a minimum.
3. Any new food added to the pantry is only allowed after they've eaten all the junk that's already in there. If not, I will follow the husband's lead and just throw stuff away.

Welcome back oldies. It's a whole new day.