Can't see beyond the end of my nose . . .

as my mother would tell me. I have been plenty self-absorbed this past week and it is time I came up for air. Quitting smoking isn't the end of the world and it certainly isn't the worst thing that could happen so it is time to let some of it go. For gosh sakes, I bought Dana's 35th year birthday card clear back in July and then let it sit on my counter while his birthday blew by! Dana's a hero tho, because when I send his card, I send Traci's -- so I get Traci's to her in time!

To cut myself a little slack, it was my weekend with Granny and I took her out for a ride both Saturday and Sunday and again tonight, as Tuesday is "my night". She is doing pretty good. She had "some behaviors" (the newest term for tantrums", I guess) right after the sisters came home from Alaska but I guess I have to say I expected that. Tonight when I picked Granny up, she no longer has the wheelchair. She is now using a walker! I check with an aide, and yes, that is right. Granny walked well to the Jeep, got in pretty gracefully and after the ride, out again. The walk back to the nursing home is up a slight incline so by the time she got back inside, she found the nearest chair and plopped down. Told me a couple of times she was out of breath . . . but let me go easier than the last few times. Told me to be careful going home . . . and goodnight.

Saturday as we took our ride, a little deer darted out in the road and even setting my brakes hard (and throwing my arm out in front of Granny -- old habits, you know!), I couldn't avoid the little thing. I moaned and groaned a bit and Granny sort of patted me and said, "you couldn't help it, Honey. you tried to stop". I guess in all my moments spent with my mother, I am just waiting for one of these, where her old self (soul) comes through.