Rings and urinal containers

I took the Peter Pan bus home last Wednesday and my sister so kindly picked me up.  I like to talk on the phone when I have nothing else to do, but apparently the driver had a better idea.  "Cell phones are for emergency only," was the announcement I heard.  After sighing loudly and wishing I had a door to slam, I listened to my "On The Go Playlist" on my iPod, which is mainly the Twilight soundtrack and The Beatles.  Other than the silent factor, the ride wasn't bad.

The following morning, my chauffeur, Meaghan, brought me to see Gram.  Meaghan visited for a bit too, but I had arranged for Kath to come pick me up so Gram and I could spend some quality time together. When we arrived, Gram was partaking in physical therapy.  She and two fellow rehabbers and their therapist were throwing a little black ball.  They moved onto kicking a huge Pilates ball.  I so badly wanted to take video, but it's rude to take videos of strangers.  The therapist advised them all not to kick the ball in the air.  Gram was the only one who did not listen.  It looked like fun and I wanted to play, but I didn't think Lorraine would appreciate my participation.

When Gram was done, we sat down at a table in the common area.  Gram said that she had made a decision.  "Now, listen.  I have been thinking about somethin'."  She went on to say that every grandchild had jewelry, i.e., a ring, except for yours truly.  "Meredith is going to get my ring with the stones in it."  Meaghan said, "What do I get?"  Gram said, "You have a ring." That's right.  I asked Gram if this was because she thought I might never have a ring.  She said no, yet she managed to roll her eyes at the same time as though to say, "Well, duh." 

To update you on Gram's nurse who wants to meet me:



Too bad he's married.  I was looking forward to some soul food.  After Gram gossiped about her new friends, a New Years party started to form.  Employees started passing out sparkling cider, leis and noisemakers. When a lei was placed on Gram, I yelled, "Gram you got lei'd!"  I forgot about everyone else in the room.  We had a good chuckle though. Gram enjoyed some of the singing:




Things were loud and the songs were awful, so Gram and I went to her room.  I took a few pictures.

I looked up some reviews of this one.  (Gram doesn't like it.)  This was my favorite on Amazon.com:

"this is the best book I've ever read. it pulled so much emotion out of me - from tears to joy. I could not put it down - it was like the obession I never had. I wanted it to go on and on yet I had to know the ending. If ever I wanted a squeal..."

What does "if I ever wanted a squeal" mean? Maybe I will add that to my to read list.

My mom showed up and visited with Gram for a bit as well.  We had to leave so I could make dolos for Meggie and Vinnie's New Year party.  You read right. I made something.  I had help, but still.  When my mom dropped me off to the party, Vinnie was outside.  I had my backpack on and he said, "It's just like when you were little.  Getting dropped off by your mom."  I should have rented another Scion.  At least my backpack isn't monogrammed.

Gram was supposed to go to Meaghan's on Saturday, but weather prevented that from happening.  We visited her on Sunday morning (with the kids and Tony). Gram told me she wanted to introduce the kids to Albert.  She dragged us down to his room, but he had a visitor.  A man sharing the room with Albert saw us and said, "I'm going steady with your grandmother! We hold hands all the time!"  I knew he wasn't Gram's type.  She rolled her eyes at him.  His name was Dominic and he immediately began ordering me to grab the cards off of his cork-board.  In doing so, I knocked something over:

Do you know how long it took me to find that image on Google?  Two long minutes. I have to delete my search history now.  Thank God that Dominic's urinal was empty.  "You can pick that up and put it there." He told me, pointing to his bureau.  I could hear Meaghan giggling.  Gram had enough of his antics and rolled her eyes at him one last time.  We proceeded down the hallway, where Gram ran into a nurse.  "Vivian!"  she screamed.  "I want you to meet Meaghan, Tony, Anthony, Nicholas and Annabella Rose!"  I was standing right behind Gram and introduced myself, "And, I am Chopped Liver."  Gram laughed.  We brought Gram to lunch and planned to sit with her while she ate, but she said, "It was great seein' ya!" I told her to call me, but that's unlikely.  I might call her now, but I am afraid Andre's going to answer.  He works the 3-11 shift.  That and Gram has a new sleep mask to block out her roommate's constant light.  I wouldn't want to wake her.