Now what?

This time last year I was recovering from ulcers and bleeding hemorrhoids.  I needed to take time to rest and recover, while still coping with all the changes wrought by the conditions.


I also needed to lose weight gained during a difficult summer of gut pain.


This did not happen.  In fact, in the springtime, I had the opportunity to hire dog walkers.  Two little girls came around to ask if we had a dog.  I said yes, but I walked her myself.


Then I realized that was a sort of lie.  I was walking Sarah, but not nearly enough for a dog.  Her growing belly confirmed this.


I called the kids' parents and arranged for the both of them to walk my dog.  I paid a tad more then they asked, in hopes that they would continue coming.


They not only came, but they were escorted by a parent, who saw to it that their girls were not exploited or in danger.  On top of that, they often brought siblings, because my Sarah gets balky when her routine is interrupted.  She had preferences, and they had security needs.


Well, I got rid of the worst of the excess pounds by cutting calories.  Yesterday, the walkers informed me that next week would be their last of the year.  I want to get them a little present to thank them.


They were not always prompt, and didn't call to let me know, but for elementary school kids, I thought they did pretty well.


The proof?  Well, Somebody has to walk Sarah this winter.  No other kids are coming forward, because Daylight Savings Time will make the streets dark and dangerous.  For little kids.


For a grown woman, it is time to step up and take the leash.


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The Sandwich is Going Bad

Wow.


I was wondering just when this "Sandwich Generation" thing was going to become unmanageable.  We have our answer: 


After years of doling out cash to help our money-strapped kids, THEIR kids now need expensive dental work.  The sort of thing our generation would have let go.  After all, those baby teeth will fall out.  There is no way my parents would have spent thousands of dollars on bad baby teeth.


Of course the answer is simple:  no more cash to give them.


Now for the upper crust of the sandwich.


My MIL is losing it.  Really, really losing it.  I don't think it looks like Alzheimer's, but more like dementia.  On the other hand, there are no outside influences to look into for her memory loss.


She can't hear, and cannot manage hearing aids.  She fears the neighborhood is too quiet, so she can't rest at night.


We are finding lunches and suppers left in the microwave.  She loses anything that isn't nailed to her hands.  Even her stories, which we've heard a million times are starting to suffer from her memory loss.


The only good thing is that others notice it too.  Now family is starting to come forward to help.  Goodness knows I am stretched beyond the limit.


After two weeks of nonstop coughing, snotting and just feeling gawd-awful, I no longer am able to stop by.  I dread what I will find.


It's time to call her, and I am afraid to dial the number.  What new problem is waiting?  And will it be another unsolvable one?  Or will it be another indication that medical intervention is needed?


Will I be able to handle it?


How long will I be able to handle her?


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Little Pond