A Milestone!

Yesterday was such a busy day - but I accomplished quite a lot and went to bed feeling very proud of myself! (Big head!)

Mr. Indi wanted to get out of his bed using the Hoya lift. I had never used it by myself - but after some trepidation - I thought "What the....lets have a go!" It's a bit awkward to use as it is quite a large piece of machinery and the bedroom is not very big - so my first task was to move some of the furniture around. Next, I had to get him in the sling and attach the chords to the sling hooks on the machine. Then, with the machine locked in place, I began the slow task of pumping the hydraulic lift and getting him up in the air and clear of the bed.

Now came the scary part - turning him around and placing the wheelchair within reach of his bum. I slowly let him down and VIOLA - he was in the wheelchair. Now it was just a matter of unhooking all the straps and off he went down the hallway - anxious to see the rest of the house. He was surprised that the living room still looked the same after 8 weeks in bed. Did he think I had plastered the walls with Clive Owen posters?- or worse yet - Russell Crowe!

Getting him back in the bed, I ran into a little snag. I got him hooked up and started winching away - "Cor Struth", I thought. This thing is getting harder to pump. Then I realized that I had part of the sling wrapped around the wheelchair and was lifting both Mr. Indi AND the wheelchair! What a wally!

I went to the Wings place for lunch - I ordered myself some wings and a glass of cold beer and then I waited - and waited - and waited. It was only 11:30 and the place was almost deserted s0 I couldn't imagine what the hold up was. Finally a sweet little waitress (about 19 years old) came and asked to see my ID!!! HaHaHa! I nearly fell off my seat - I told her that I am 66 years old and just go and get my beer. She said that I could not have any beer until I showed her my driver's license - stupid girl! I asked to see the manager who told me that it was a new company policy - EVERYONE must show ID before they can have a drink! Whatever happened to common sense? I suppose I should be flattered but I was actually quite annoyed - and parched for a drink!

We had a meeting with a very nice lady yesterday afternoon who is a volunteer with the hospice company. She lives close by - about 3 miles away - and is willing to come and sit with John while I go off for more than an hour at a time. She seems very trustworthy and I think I shall ask her to come one day next week so that I can go to Riverside and spend some gift certs that have been hanging around since Christmas.

Mr. Indi wants to get out of the bed again today so I shall be having another go with the Hoya Lift - His Lordship was wondering if I could use it as a trebuchet (look it up!) but I don't think there is enough space in the bedroom to get a good fling going - however, if anyone sees him flying out of the window - you will know that it worked!

Today's picture is one that was taken by my good pal, Lexi. I think it is lovely.