Cooking Disasters and other Boring things

OK, here is my stab at a blog entry that has NOTHING to do with my parents (who by the way are still taking up a lot of my time).

I have only had two cooking disasters that I can remember. The first was when we lived in New Orleans. Before work I put something in the crock pot. When I arrived home I took a look at the food and wanted to thicken it up a bit so in my tired "just getting home" stupor I grabbed a yellow box I assumed was cornstarch. Unfortunately it was baking soda. When I added the baking soda to the simmering pot it proceeded to erupt like a volcano and spew everywhere. Chinese takeout was substituted for the ruined dinner.

Last week I made spaghetti squash in the microwave. Spaghetti squash is allowed under South Beach, regular spaghetti is not. Anyway, I followed the directions stuck to the squash. I was just passing the microwave when the door blew open and spaghetti squash exploded all over the inside of the microwave, what a mess.

Now - for the biggest messes I have ever made. I always remember when littles Brian was helping me bring in a gallon of milk. He was about 4 years old. He dropped the milk and it exploded everywhere. Yesterday I dropped a container of custard straight down on the floor, it spewed all over the wall, computer, printer, floor. That was a bigger mess than the milk.

Maurice and Archie

Oh, I did forget to mention Maurice and Archie. These two have now become the stars of our parents lives. Maurice is a poodle rescued from a puppy mill. He sits on a chair while his owner has lunch. He has had more than one personal tour of Mom and Dad's apt. Archie is a terrier and belongs to one of the nurses. He runs around the apt. and never barks.

So sorry for all of you out there with imperfect dogs, they will never measure up to Maurice and Archie!!

Still a work in Progress-Pictures in bad light

The wreath from Brian and Jenn looks great on Mom and Dad's new door. Oops, I think it may be hung upside down?? no worries. The living room is still a work in progress. We are bringing a few more pieces of furniture from their house. There is a hutch going in that empty corner. Then we will have to tackle that huge empty wall.

Assited Living - Moved In

All the furniture finally arrived and has been rearranged several times.

We took Mom and Dad to their new home friday morning. I pictured two hysterical people and this was not the case. They were both fairly upbeat. Mother said goodbye house. We got in the car and went to Rite Aid, picked up medicine and said goodbye to the Pharmacist.

We arrived at Catherine Place and went straight to their new apt. The chairs are working out. The big handicapped bathroom is wonderful. We had a very nice lunch AND dinner at Catherine Place. Dad and Mom really enjoyed the grand piano concert friday night. They had a reasonably comfortable friday night.

They have been kept VERY busy. Breakfast is at 7:30 in the "chow hall". Dad pushes mom in a wheelchair. Lunch is at 11:30. Usually there is some sort of afternoon event. Their favorite is the people that come in to play the grand piano. There was also a blue grass group. The afternoon events lead into dinner at 5:00.

Mother has gone between hating all of us to semi enjoying herself. She very much wants to go back to her house. Unfortunately she is the one that needs all the help and is breaking all of our backs as we try to lift her out of the car.

Dad has no more grocery shopping to do. No house repairs. The staff help mom get dressed and dispense all the medicine. Dad is enjoying meeting the two "handy man" guys there and the residents.

Assisted Living Move In - Take Two

At around 3:00 today I received a call from Ashley saying we would receive our full order by 6:00 pm. At approximately 5:30 today Ashley delivered the mattresses and box springs we ordered. Now why, oh why, did they not do that in the first place?????

Tonight was fun because my three sisters and I looked through pictures, discreetly packed things up.

Margie took Dad over to the next door to Suzanne's and across to Pee Wee and Mr. Bassett. Pete and Norma came by. It was a really nice day.

All this gives me hope for tommorow. I hope there is not too much crying when we move them out of their house for the last time.

Assisted Living Move In - Take One

So here is how today has gone. The recliners and sofa/sleeper were delivered as scheduled. Unfortunately, the recliners are rockers which I guess my sister and I failed to realize. Margie has gone by Lazy Boy in Mobile and gotten a swap out with a monday delivery. Cannot have rocking chairs because the older folks will be richocheted out when they sit down/drop into the chair. We will have to use some of the Assisted Living place chairs for now.

Ashley Furniture delivered the twin sleigh beds, one mattress, and NO box springs. So here is how it went with them today:
10:00 a.m. I call ask about delivery, they tell me I should have already been called. Delivery schedule for 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 pm. GOOD THING we did not need to be at the Assited Living to meet the furniture.
10:05 a.m. Ashley person tells me there was an error in the purchase order and they would be delivering two box springs and one mattress!! I stressed the fact that we had TWO people and they needed a place to sleep, was promised a call back.
12:30 pm No call back, I call Ashley, they say they are working on it but they have been busy.
12:30 ask to have the store manager call me.
1:00 pm Beds are delivered, one mattress NO box springs
1:30 pm I visit Ashley where I am told things have been crazy around there and they were working on a loaner mattress. That is when I told them that I did not care about their internal problems and we needed a mattress and TWO box springs. Oh,, and the store manager has gone home for the DAY.
2:30 - Ashley calls and says they will deliver loaners by 6:00 pm tonight. More later.

Arch D'Progress

The Arch is nearing completion!! Looking really good.