nail polish

Simple. A simply enjoyable day. #TSJ

I’m starting to really enjoy Saturdays, especially ones where we have no set agenda. This one started nice and slow with both of us waking up at 7:15 and agreeing it was way too early so back to sleep we went. Well Janet went at least and I hung out beside her just relaxing until she stirred again just after 8:30. That was a little more reasonable so we started the morning routine and by the time breakfast was done it was past 10:30. Janet was cheery and chatty throughout and chose to help me make a pot of chili afterwards that we could let simmer all day and enjoy it whenever we wanted tonight while we watched basketball.

Janet did a good job chopping a couple of very irritating onions, had a little trouble with the peppers as they seem to have tough skins for her to break and was happy to stir things together. This was Janet’s fist attempt at using our new One Touch can opener and she had immediate success after a very brief demonstration. I’m really happy that worked as it’s one more thing she can do on her own.

With the chili cooking we moved to trying on pants and things Janet had elected to keep during the purge but we weren’t sure if they fit. Most didn’t so it looks like a shopping trip is in the works. Sticking with an unintentional Mexican food theme we had quesadillas for lunch, something Janet could participate in the making of. I need to find a way for her to grate cheese. She can’t seem to push hard enough against the grater we have. Suggestions?

Nap time came a little late as we took a long time eating lunch and listening to music but after getting up Janet was nicely refreshed and patiently sat in the sun while I cut and painted her nails. Jess told me the other day that they aren’t allowed to cut toe nails in case they break some skin. That’s a new one on me but I’m happy doing it anyways. We went with bright yellow today in honor of the Spring sunshine and to help cheer on Michigan in their basketball game against Syracuse. It worked!

Today was a nice simple, relaxed, fun and productive day. Janet did very well with her standing transfers, the best yet, with some really strong pushes once I got her most of the way up. Which is not near all the way up of course, but all the way for her. It seems a little like we are starting all this over again and in some ways we are. I think previously, I was able to lift her to a straighter position and therefore thought she was standing more on her own. I now realize she wasn’t doing much of the work then but now I’m starting her off then waiting for that push from her before making any further move. Sometimes it doesn’t come right away and I have to sit her down and try again but more often than not she gives a very definite push and raises herself up noticeably to where I’m mostly just balancing her rather than holding her up. That only lasts a second or two of course but I think she’s learning each time she does it and is gaining a little confidence. Overall I think she gained a lot of confidence today as she accomplished many small but important tasks.

Praying for a restful night and lots of energy tomorrow.

Butterflies #TSJ

Janet was waiting for me in the living room having just watched a soccer game on TV. She said it was a good game but couldn’t tell me who played. Lorne gave me the run down of her day so far and it was good. Janet had a good workout in the gym this morning with Lorne and Jess including some kneeling which she said hurt a little but was good. Mary Lou visited Janet for some Speech and was impressed with Janet’s increased vocal volume. Mary Lou has a program on her lap top that allows her to record the decibel level of Janet’s voice so she got a good baseline today and can now monitor Janet’s progress more accurately.

Today was the day for a little blood work to be done to ensure the levels of Dilatin are where they should be so I loaded Janet into the car and drove down to the lab. Prior to being stabbed Janet started to cry but stopped when she realized it was over, which was like ten seconds later. She thought she was having her peg tube removed then. She is quite nervous about that which should make for an interesting morning tomorrow. I offered her a stop at Starbucks on the way back to Connect but she declined. Turned down the pub too. She did accept an invite for a rest period and had a good one for over an hour.

Janet awoke refreshed and ready to help prepare dinner. Garrett had everyone helping to make chicken fajitas and Janet’s job was chopping onions. A regular knife proved too hard for her but she did well with a rocker knife and only needed some light guidance from me. Everyone got to build their own fajita once everything was ready and Janet loved that part almost as much as she enjoyed eating it. Garrett mentioned that he will discuss the dinner program at tomorrow’s coaches meeting. I think he’s got a good thing going here. We found out it was Garrett’s birthday today so after dinner I had Janet deliver him a happy face lollipop and that earned her a nice thank you hug.

In the spirit of Valentines Day I changed up Janet’s nail polish to a nice bright red. Not sure what she thinks of all this but she humors me anyways.

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Suzanne dropped by just as I was finishing Janet’s nails and stayed for a nice visit. I was impressed by some of Janet’s responses to Suzanne’s questions especially on Heather’s wedding plans, what each kid is doing now and who is visiting next. She remembered that Mike has threatened to visit this month but forgot he’s her brother and thought he was the “third youngest”. Youngest what we never did figure out. Still good signs of more short term memory coming back.

Janet did well at getting ready for bed and was tired but also worked up a little about the peg tube removal tomorrow. I asked Bob to check on her a couple times before he leaves at eleven just to make sure she is settled. Praying for a fun and productive day tomorrow.