Hoosiers and Hearing Aids

I just couldn't let this one fall through the cracks: The other day we were watching Hoosiers, and after it was over, Granddaddy decided that it was time to shave and change clothes. We had to get ready for the game! And he wanted to look his best... How disappointing it must have been to be told that it was just a movie. A true story, but a movie nonetheless. On the other hand, how cool would it be for just one moment to believe that it were indeed possible to see the 50's-era Huskers play for the state championship in Indiana?



On another note, he does have his moments of coherence. We were watching CNN and a blurb about Bush coming up with more excuses why he couldn't and shouldn't end the war, and Grandaddy leaned over to me and said with sarcasm, "There's our good ole President." I looked over and stuck my tongue out and he laughed and did the same.



He was particularly shaky one day, and was concerned about his facial stubble. Having never shaved a face before, it was indeed interesting to learn on an elderly subject...apparently it isn't like shaving your legs, where one quick stroke over an area will suffice. The more pressure you apply, the better. And you need to go in all directions to get areas like the chin and under the nose. But I must have done a good job, because after it was over and he did a thorough inspection, he gave me a tip! I graciously accepted the dollar bill and handed it to my dad behind my back.



Today we go to the ENT doctor and have his ears irrigated and his hearing aid checked out. Reminds me of the first time I ever tried one of those ear candle thingies from the holistic store near TWU campus. Gross. Memorably disgusting. If you've never tried it, I suggest it at least once.

And so it begins...

After having been laid off at the beginning of the year, and relentlessly searching for many months for THAT PERFECT JOB in a rapidly declining economy, my dad and stepmother have offered to help me--in return for caring for my grandfather, Heyward. It is a full-time job. 40+ hours a week, for not much pay, but the promise of being a "rewarding and gratifying" symbiosis. He needs companionship. I need cash. Not to sound cold-hearted, but he and I weren't exactly close growing up. He was the grumpy silent type, if you know what I mean. My grandmother did most of the talking for them both. He stayed with my family here for about 5 years after my grandmother passed. Then went for a quick stay with family in Tennessee. That didn't work out, so here we are.

The first day was nice. We went for a little walk (four houses down) and swung/swang for awhile in the backyard. Looked at his Class of '39-40 high school yearbook together. It was kind of unreal...there were only 11 students in his graduating class, and he was class president. lol... My grandmother was designated the class flirt. :)

Second and third day ran smoothly. (As long as we're not referring to his ability to poopie.) The fourth day was a little weird. We were swinging, I had picked flowers for him from the backyard. His dementia kicked in and he started sheepishly flirting with me...I guess he thought I was just his little girlfriend who comes to visit every now and then. My relatively emasculated girlfriend has suggested that she come over more often so that he might put it together.

Anyway, first week's over. So far so good.