A Change of Mind

Tonight when getting Muddear ready for bed, she notified me that it was time to purchase new gowns. Why? The gown that she was wearing had splits on the side and that was unacceptable. According to Muddear, she only liked to wear gowns that did not allow her body to show. The only thing I could do was shake my head, because just a few months ago, Muddear thought the new gowns I purchased for her with splits on each side were sexy. I guess we all are allowed to change our minds.

This Year's Fashion...

Muddear shows great style as she models this year's gowns. The designs, especially the pink ones, sport very sexy splits on each side. The fashion world will never be the same.

A Weekend Getaway - Respite Again

It's respite time again...Mike and I are going on a weekend rendezvous! That means Muddear must go back to Brookwood Retirement Community for another respite stay.

I don't feel guilty this time. Perhaps because she will only be there for three nights, I really don't know. Nevertheless, today is my day to leave work early to relieve Sharon (the aide), so instead I plan to go home and prepare Muddear for her respite stay. This time I even told Muddear in advance; once last week and a true reminder last night. Perhaps another reason why I am not burdened by extreme guilt.

Packing is always a joy, okay I am just kidding, but I laugh at myself every time. I always pack Muddear entirely too many outfits, too many gowns, too many of everything. I then type a list detailing everything I have packed to ensure she returns from the respite stay with everything I packed. Speaking of gowns, I have included pictures of the new "sexy" gowns purchased in preparation for Muddear's last respite stay.

Sexy

Every night Muddear and I complete her bedtime routine.

1. Medicine and inhaler at 8:00 p.m.
2. Muddear selects and puts on fresh gown at 8:30 p.m.
3. Medicine and breathing treatment at 9:00 p.m.
4. Cleanse and medicate skin affected by skin infection at 9:30 p.m.
5. Final inhaler at 9:30 p.m.

Sometimes I am a half hour or so off our routine, but for the most part Muddear knows what to expect. Tonight during gown selection, Muddear began to study her gown of choice pretty intensely. Warning bells started to go off in my head - Muddear was inspecting one of the new gowns I recently purchased. She just sat there staring at the gown for what seemed like an eternity. I thought, "please, oh please Lord...don't let this be the beginning of an argument. I really cannot deal with an argument with Muddear tonight."

Out of the blue, Muddear says, "Ooohh, this gown has slits on both sides!" For those of you who have read the post Shopping for Gowns dated Thursday, May 17, 2007, you know that this violates Muddear's gown specifications! At this point, I began mentally preparing for an argument. So, I ignored the comment and kept watching television. So Muddear says again...

"Ooohh, this gown has slits on both sides! How SEXY!"

I thought I would explode with laughter. Fortunately I was able to keep my composure when I responded.

"Yes, Muddear...that gown is sexy." Now who would have thought?

Shopping for Gowns

I decided Muddear needed a few new items of clothing, specifically gowns. As you would expect, she is very particular when it comes to her gowns. I remember the first few times I helped Muddear get ready for bed, I would say, "Muddear, it is time to put on your pajamas so you can get ready for bed." She would look up at me and reply, "I don't wear pajamas, I wear gowns." Immediately, all bedtime activities would cease, until Muddear was clear that I understood this fact. I like to pride myself in being pretty quick on the draw, so I stopped saying pajamas.

As a 35-year-old woman in good health, I have never dealt with the type of physical impairment Muddear experiences daily. One day she explained, "I don't wear pajamas because of the pants. They are too difficult to handle when I have to go to the bathroom." Never having debated the pajamas versus gown topic with anyone, it did not dawn on me that the pants would pose a dilemma. Muddear's partiality to gowns doesn't stop there. She doesn't wear, short gowns, tight gowns, boat neck gowns, thin gowns, or sleeveless gowns. She also refuses to wear gowns with splits in the front, back, side, or otherwise. And finally, Muddear does not like any material in dark colors meaning navy blue, black, charcoal grey, or chocolate brown.

As you can imagine, shopping for gowns is not always an easy task. I typically have had success shopping at Sears; unfortunately, all of my errands recently were nowhere near Sears. Therefore, last night on a whim I decided to try Dillards. In the past, I have not liked their selection or prices, but I was hoping for a miracle. To my surprise, Dillards must have stocked up on "old lady" gowns. What are the odds that I would walk away with four gowns - all pastels; one short sleeve, two 3/4 length sleeves, and one long sleeve; all mid-calf to floor length in a size medium. Muddear may be five feet tall and weigh 100 pounds, but she would not dare wear a petite or gown sized small! Why? "I don't like nothing fittin tight on my body!"