Monday, December 22nd
Today is when I explain last week’s cover photo, which I posted yesterday. I believe that is the first time I've used a photo that did not apply to the week I was blogging about. A, who visits on Fridays, also runs a nonprofit organization that brings young children, from 9 to 13 or so, to older people in nursing homes and facilities like mine. In Hawaii, children are called Keiki, and elderly people are called Kupuna, so this group brings the Keiki to the Kupuna, and they perform songs and short skits for our amusement.
So I made sure to get in my chair and go down and see them. They sat me right in front, and I smiled really big at everyone. I was a little worried because I didn't want to see a show that talked down to us. I needn’t have worried as that didn't happen. It was great! The kids were very talented. I wouldn't be surprised to see them on a TV show when they grow up, although I probably wouldn't recognize them. Afterwards, I met the MC for the show, who was A’s nephew, F. He had grown up with my sister, but this was the first time he had met me. Very fun! And they said they would come back for Mother‘s Day. Yippee!
I was scheduled to have my catheter changed today, but the doctor had not shown up this morning. My nurse initially wanted me to stay in bed so he could change it once he got here. I really wanted to see the presentation, and I have a chair that can move in many directions, so it could lie me flat when I got back to my floor and the doctor showed up. Technology! It's nice when it works to your advantage. The doctor put the catheter in a little bit too far, but I was not going to the emergency room again. The head nurse for our floor pulled it out a little bit so it started flowing. Great!
Mom, M, and I watched our movie in the dining room since I was in my chair. I forgot how we got on this, but we were trying to come up with a Jack Nicholson movie and thought of this title. We had fun watching this movie, but we all thought it was sad when we realized Carl Reiner, Rob's father, was in the movie. When they were leaving, M commented that he had never seen that movie before. Yikes! With the breadth of his movie knowledge, I was amazed that I had stumbled on a movie he hadn’t seen! And what's more, he liked it! Wow!
Tuesday, December 23rd
I had a fairly new CNA today, and she didn’t completely wipe me well. I had had a suppository that morning, and people don't appreciate how much the bacteria from that can travel around the affected areas. I seem particularly sensitive to the smallest bit of fecal matter getting into my vagina. (TMI alert!) I pooped again, and a different CNA cleaned me up after that, so I was fine.
In the afternoon, D showed up for her 3 PM massage, which I had, of course, forgotten. I really like how she works on me. She really gets in there and not only massages all four limbs, but stretches them as well. She works with a lot of veterans and other disabled people, and it is obvious she knows what the body needs. She also gave me a short string of battery-operated Christmas tree lights! Perfect! That's the extent of my holiday decorations this year.
Wednesday, December 24th
I had a shower in the morning and got dressed in the same outfit I wore to my birthday lunch. I just lay in bed in my dress until they got me up in my chair at 3 o'clock. Then my mom and my sister showed up and put some finishing touches on me. Since I already had my eyepatch on, I only needed one eye made up! I thought it would be nice if we all rode in TheCab together so we could be with each other the whole evening. That worked out well, I thought.
We went to Flair European Steakhouse, a fairly new establishment in the city. I wish I knew where more specifically, but I haven’t bothered to learn Honolulu geography very well. Our reservation was for 5:30 PM, so we got there pretty early, and there were not many people there. By the time we left, the place was packed. The maître D was very cordial and made a remark that we had the best table as he seated us. That was nice, but it was decidedly not the best table. Not at all made a difference for the meal…
We got beef carpaccio and a pear appetizer that were both very yummy, although the carpaccio was sized for one person, not three. My mother got lamb, my sister got a ribeye steak, and I got braised short ribs. Mom thought the lamb was OK, but my sister and I both enjoyed our meals immensely.
Mom got a drink to start, and she was surprised at how strong it was. My sister told her the ice dilutes the drink as it melts. I was curious and had a sip and thought I would be good for the rest of the week. We all got desserts and were all underwhelmed. It was something sweet.
We had our favorite driver bring us and pick us up, and we were able to tip him, which he doesn't always accept. A very nice night! Mom was starting to use Lyft, and my sister ordered a car for her. When it came, Mom took the ride, but was not impressed, and it was very expensive since it was Christmas Eve. I thought the lesson was to reserve a taxi on holiday evenings. At least you are guaranteed a decent ride for the price.
Thursday, December 25th
Mom came by the hospital just before 9 AM, as my computer guy goes to my church, and he was going to Zoom the church service that morning. Unfortunately, he couldn't get a hold of me as my cell service is not great. Mom and I watched something else and then went downstairs and went back to her place. My sister had made a gluten-free coffee cake yesterday, and she cooked some eggs today. Plenty of green onions for flavor!
Then we had fun opening presents. I am lucky enough to have a mom who got me a brand new iPad Pro so I can work faster and without the glitches that had been starting on my old iPad. She also got me an Apple pencil that I was almost as excited about as the iPad. I had been using a regular stylus, which was not great for moving puzzle pieces around. I think I was just reluctant to jump headlong into a complete Apple makeover, so it took me three years, but now I am all Apple. I see the appeal.
After some lounging, my sister made gluten-free pasta and then cooked scallops for dinner. My cab picked me up at 5 p.m., and my sister followed me back. I had my second-favorite driver both ways for this ride, but this time, he did not accept a tip, although my sister tried hard to give it to him. I thought maybe she should ride in the car sometime and just "accidentally" leave money in it. He would find it when it was too late to refuse it. I did not have trouble falling asleep.
Friday, December 26th
It was nice knowing I had all day in bed after being up three times this week! I was excited to use the pencil! Puzzles were so easy to do with it! I have used the same puzzle app for probably close to ten years now, and I am very good with it. Now I could move as fast as I wanted. Yay! I also do the New York Times games on their app. Unfortunately, the pencil doesn't work exactly how I want it to, but I'm not going to quibble. I ordered a new case and blue light/antiglare films for the screen. The screen looks very yellow without it.
Saturday, December 27th
My sister visited today as usual. It's nice when the holiday is in the middle of the week, so I get to see her more! I had leftovers from Wednesday’s dinner, so I didn't need sushi. And then wouldn't you know it, but my stepbrother and his wife stopped by with shrimp pad Thai! Perfect timing!
Before they got here, my sister helped me configure my new iPad and transfer everything from the old iPad onto the new one. Then we did a scary thing and wiped the old iPad completely clean. There's nothing like saying yes to that second ’Are you sure you want to do this?’ button. Yikes! We're giving the old iPad to M, as he is extremely helpful and hard to shop for. He expressed interest in my old iPad when I said I was getting a new one. Perfect!
Sunday, December 28th
Mom stopped by for a short visit after church. She gave me some lunch but couldn't stay long after that as a friend was having a lunch she was going to attend. I think I did a lot of puzzles the rest of the day, as I was having fun using my new pencil. I should've started writing my blog, but as usual, I did not do that. That's what Mondays are for, I thought. Of course, I did not finish writing this until Tuesday, so there you go!
The cover photo for this week is me on Christmas Day when my sister brought me back to my floor. They do a great job decorating, and I thought I would take their advice and get a selfie with Olaf. Then, at the end, there are photos of me, my sister, and my mom at dinner on Christmas Eve. Have a terrific week and a Happy New Year!! See you next year!
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