Journals

Played a bit with Otis this morning who’s now starting to say some words/sounds (mama, nana etc) and interested in everything especially the controls for the washing machine and TV etc! Had tea and a croissant with K and mended the tear in T’s jacket before setting off north. Journey to P’s care home went smoothly until the last mile on the motorway where the traffic became stationary and I sat with the engine off for half an hour…no idea why!
He was on good form in many ways…has had a hair cut, put on weight, and was sitting out in his chair properly dressed rather than in bed. Was obviously frustrated about other stuff, since although he loves the food and laundry and general level of care being there, like all of us he’s very used to his own way of doing things and is frustrated he can’t impose what he calls a ‘programme’ or ‘schedule’ on how things work…. I suspect he’d like to give them written instructions that they then follow to the letter! We chatted about what’s happening to the house and I showed him pictures of the new bathrooms etc, but I’m not sure he yet realises what I mean by needing to empty the house…he’s still talking about me bringing up all his books to let him choose which to keep and yet more furniture (there’s no space in his room!). A bit frustrating, but I managed to keep smiling and cleared some clutter for him as we talked. One of the other residents kept coming in to his room to tell us about her family and look at his photos, then drifted out again…apparently she does that a lot!
Set off at 3pm and a straightforward drive home via A&N’s to collect Paisley and her stuff….A is staying with me this weekend. Finally home at 7.30pm…a long day! I finished listening to Out of Love novel though…enjoyed it.
Chatted to A and read through her essay for her and made some supper then she spent the rest of the evening finishing it…due in tomorrow lunchtime.