Today started out like most mornings at around 9 as we discuss my plans for the day a few times. Grandpa sits in his chair having what I can only assume is his 4th cigarette and his 1st cup of coffee. We decide that we will wait until we are done having lunch with Cynthia later and then go out. I'll keep him company getting his hair cut and he will keep me company at the bank. After breakfast I go to my room to get ready for the day when I hear the alarming sound of the garage door opening (despite having around 3 set of keys taken from him, he somehow had located another set). I ran out into the driveway to remind him that we had plans to go together later and if he would like to go now can I please drive him. He tells me the phrase that is becoming an hourly mantra for him, "there's nothing against my license, I've been driving for about a hundred years"--and my mantra--"because of your medicine you're not supposed to be driving" and "aren't you lucky to have such a great chauffeur at your disposal?". After awhile it's obvious he's not having it and with one final exchange of words- me: "I'm going to drive you" and him "you can get the hell out out of my house if you'd like"--he's turning out of the neighborhood and I'm left to seethe, cursed with my wretched good memory.
When Grandpa arrives home Carol, me and Cynthia are sitting in the kitchen eating MacDonald's. After he finishes a cigarette he happily digs into the burger he's been given and takes his medicine. Although we are all happily chatting, he keeps asking if someone he doesn't like is coming today? "Is something wrong?" Although he can't remember our fight he is sure that something is amiss. When I leave the room he asks Carol and Cynthia, "Is she staying long? When is her mother coming back to get her." Lovely.
Every call I make today in my room is interrupted with Grandpa charging in, sure I am reporting secret spy messages over the phone. "Who are you talking to? Is it your mother? Let me talk to her." Later I take a call from my friend Krug, assure everyone it's just a friend calling to chat and even leave the door open. Soon I see Grandpa reach into the fridge in his boxers pull out my V8 from the fridge and drink without a glass. "Grandpa," I exclaim, "I drink that too!" He replies that he bought it and can do as he pleases. I remind him that I in fact bought it and he's welcome to it if he puts it in a glass. "I'll take it out of your rent" is all I hear as he goes back to his room.
Usually at about this time Carol starts getting nervous about something but instead she says that she's so glad I'm here because she feels calmer. When I remind her I apparently am not making Grandpa any calmer she replies that at least he's being nicer to her. So one good thing has come from today--Grandpa has shifted any blame to me which is fine because I have a better heart.
To sum up--
Daily sanity level of house: 4 (out of 10)--because of Carol is it possible for this average to be this high today
Erika's daily activity away from house: Yoga
Daily lesson: Keep more than one V8 in the fridge and take quick showers
No comments:
Post a Comment