Thursday 5 May

This morning started with an early morning run to Antigua cafe for a coffee with Linda before Gramps got up, first time we have been able to do this together and talk freely with no one else around. By the time we came back Dad was up and getting ready for breakfast. He is very encouraged by his improvement, can hardly believe the things he is doing compared to one week ago. He is no longer using the walker, just walking on his own, but still using the oxygen. For me he looks confident, looks like he is in charge of his life again, has certain ways he wants to do things. Noni is thrilled of course. 

Today Russian Jane would be visiting again and Dad wanted a haircut. hIs hair is quite long, I thought it looked kind of interesting, but he was keen for a trim. Noni has been cutting his hair for years. She dons a white wrap (a souvenir from her days at Debuque Meet Packing) and has two pairs of scissors and an electric shaver which come into play at various points in the process. So this was the order of the day after breakfast. There are a few pictures below, all up the haircut was a success but Noni ran out of steam before she finished so Londa had to take over to wrap it up.

Gramps was also keen to start going through his papers to get rid of things he will no longer need. He had a plan for how he wanted to do this and felt it would. It take long. He also thought he would only need a small box as there was not very much that he needed to save. 

However once he started this task it was not so easy. He made it partway through 1 drawer and has two more to go. So this may take some time. Also he was not prepared with the number of things which emerged from the drawer, some very special. oNe example is copies of a Ship's newspaper in which he had a regular column. These are very fragile but very special and we want to have a look at them but are almost hesitant to unfold them. 

Gramps is still anxious that Noni is not fully on board with the move to assisted living. Just listening to conversations, comments, phone calls, I think she has made her peace with the decision. It's not her first choice but she can handle it because she is going with Gramps. When a question came up about her cabinet of curios, Gramps said of course that would be going. Noni said definitely not, she does not want to have too much around her to start with. So I think she will surprise everyone. Mostly in quiet moments she wants to go out and check her pots of herbs and her beans.  We have done a bit of work on these, weeding, watering and mulching so they look pretty happy. Also I have been gradulaay adding to the collection of potted herbs I started for her outside the back steps and she is watering these regularly.

Between haircuts, phone calls, lunch, Linda coming and going and Paper sorting, Gramps was up for most of the day. We only found at close to 5 pm that Jane was not going to make it. So it was early dinner and early to bed, they just managing to watch one of his cowboy movies before heading in.

I had a late call from Linda who had not yet had any dinner, how about coming along with her to Jacks for a bite. Perfect time to share how things are going over a few drinks, well I think. There is a lot of discussion to do with the house but we both agree that can wait. The next few weeks has to be focused on helping them be move ready in every way.