Hectic

Yesterday was Mom's second day at the Renaissance. She seems a bit less scared, but is still very clingy. We met the 'Welcome Wagon' lady. Bernie lives on the sixth floor; she and her committee take the newbies under their wing for the first while, and apparently accompany them at mealtimes. (I am not sure I believe this, though, as I have had to ask -- twice -- to have the Welcome committee look out for Mom.) The designate for Mom's floor, 'Bridget', is away, and so Bernie has taken over for her. I sat with the two of them as they had their supper; I had had a late lunch, and so I did not eat.
Mom seems to be enjoying the 'mealtime' thing: she even asked for another helping of dessert!

The cost of parking at the Renaissance is killing me! Their brochure says there is "covered resident and visitor parking", but one of the front desk folks told me that that is inaccurate; visitors have to park on the street and feed the meter.
Fortunately, parking on Sunday is free. It is free on Saturdays, as long as the vehicle is moved every two hours.

Unfortunately, we did not take in Chad's housewarming party last night. I could not even remind Mom of it, as she was so overwhelmed by all that is happening in her life right now; going out to a party might cause a setback. (Mom was not herself for days after Kimmy's housewarming party!) Also, I was not feeling well.

When I called Mom this morning, she said that she could not find her clothes. It turns out that she had closed the closet door and could no longer see her clothes. I suggested that maybe she could go down to lunch by herself today. I gave her these directions:

• Open apartment door.
  
• Look to the right; walker is parked there. Push walker to elevator.
• Press the 'down' button. Enter elevator and press 'M' for Main.
  
• When elevator opens, enter common area and find a chair. Someone will eventually ask to sit with you. At lunch time, enter dining room and have lunch.

Mom did not think she could remember all that, so she wrote it down and then read it all back to me.

Convinced that Mom would not be able to manage lunchtime on her own today, I called Uncle Emile, who agreed to take Mom to church and out to brunch.

I am not entirely convinced that Mom will be able to manage in this new place; I think that a nursing home might be just around the corner. Sadly, a nursing home is not an option now. I've been told that Mom could get into a nursing home only after being hospitalized or suffering a fall.

I have a fever again today; my face is bright red.