h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

"We all lead interesting lives..." That sentence mocks me every time I open the "Add a Journal Entry Page.

Today I woke up at 10am or so, got up, made coffee, then sat around checking facebook and catching up on reading journals here, for a couple hours. I then got dressed and walked the dog with my dad.

Walking the dog with my dad is a little different from just walking the dog. I really walk my dad too. He's got peripheral neuropathy and has a lot of trouble walking. He has to hold my hand and we walk slowly around the block. If I have time and energy I take my dad home and take the dog farther(further?) on my own at a more normal pace. I really should do that everyday, but I rarely feel like it. Dad says he probably wouldn't be able to walk anymore at all if we didn't go for these regular walks, so I try to get him to go as often as possible.

After the walk, I checked my computer again before I went out to visit my mom at her Assisted Living. My dad and I take turns visiting her for now, but I don't know how much longer my dad is going to be able to drive. He had a scare last night and says he won't drive at night any more. So I visited my mom. She's got mild dementia and we found we couldn't take care of her at home and placed her about a year ago. I read the newspaper to her (she's blind) and cleaned her dentures.

Usually I her visit longer, but my dad had a Men's Support Group for spouses of people with dementia I had to drive him to. I got dinner at Taco Palace while he was at the meeting.

I guess it sounds like I'm busy, but this afternoon and evening were unusually busy. I actually spent hours this morning on the internet with bathroom breaks. That's how I spend most mornings. This evening I am updating my journal, as well as other internet, while watching trashy crime TV. I will go to bed by 1am.

I have a secret passion for trashy crime TV. NCIS at the moment, although I mourn the fact that Bones is not on a channel I get.

It's tricky, is caring for others. More to your arm.

Hi hellboundforjoy,

reading your journal makes me realise that caring for my parents is just around the next bend, not a corner, because I can see some of it looming.

It's not at all like caring for children, as they get better at things. It's sad to see our dearest losing capability, both of mind and body. Thanks for writing about this. I found it very touching, and can only comment on your evident kindness.

It can be like caring for children as sometimes they're stubborn and uncooperative, but your right, they don't get better at things. It's tough.