Home Again
Sun., July 2, 03:18 PM
I think I didn’t know just how tired I was until I actually got into the house. On the way home Husband asked whether we were going to stop off for milk – his concern, of course – and U.D. pointed out that she had been waiting in the sun all that time without even being able to buy something to drink. The only place to buy anything in that neighborhood is the train station itself, which was inaccessible.
We got him out of the car and on his way upstairs, while I was following with the folded wheelchair. U.D., after unlocking the door, was…inside with the camera! She may have caught Husband panting after his walk upstairs. But she didn’t catch the look of surprise on my haggard face (my makeup had suffered during the trip), because I needed help with the wheelchair. Hint: one of my old sofas was out on the curb; I shouldn’t have been too surprised to find a lovely new one inside.
Lemme explain about sofas. When my mother died in, um, 1988, I got her two loveseats. Loveseats at right angles were a good fit for the cheesebox living room. I believe that was the last time I got furniture for the house. Unfortunately, those loveseats must be very tasty, because even our good kitties pulled at them sometimes, and U.D.’s Cat has removed enough upholstery to expose the wooden frames.
It has gotten to the point where I absolutely hate to look at those sofas. Meanwhile, I have been coveting one I saw on television. It looks like an ordinary three-seat sofa and, indeed, it can be used that way. But the two end seats become recliners, and the middle one conceals a table – with cup holders. Pure luxury. Why didn’t I just go out and order it? Because we still have Cat, who believes everything in the house, including the people, are there for his use.
U.D., in gratitude for my willingness to put my credit card on the line when Cat was so sick a couple of months ago, bought me a present. From her and Cat. She provided a spray bottle containing water and tea tree oil to discourage the animal from climbing on it. (The sneak still sleeps there till I chase him off.) I didn’t know there were massagers in those recliners. All I need is to move my television set into that room, but I don’t think I will. We have a long way to go.
Did she vacuum the carpet before the sofa arrived? Um, no. What about the other loveseat? It’s still there, piled high with items that should be put away or thrown away. I don’t think they’re mine, but I can’t tell. (Something of mine may be on the bottom.) U.D. filled a trash bag to go out for tomorrow’s pickup, but it really didn’t make a dent. Furthermore, she really can’t afford to spend money on a luxury item.
But I am enjoying the new sofa. I have spent most of the last two days on it, for I am still very tired. I get up and do what has to be done, but I nap in the afternoon and go to bed early. On the other hand, I do know what’s going on. It took Husband hours to notice the new sofa – he walked right by – or the new kitchen clock. He had been after me to get a new clock; I bought it before we left and told U.D. to hang it while we were gone. He’s thrilled.
Next time I go to Boston, U.D. is going with me, to attend Ms. P.’s shower. I’m very leery of leaving Husband alone, but we’ll ask a nurse to look in on him a couple of times and give him his pills. U.D. will also go to the bachelorette party that evening. Ms. L. and I may go to dinner with the girls, but I suspect we won’t care to indulge in the wilder things that young women do nowadays.
Believe it or not, I am taking great pleasure in these activities, exhausting though they may be. Sure, it might easier if I didn’t have to worry about Husband. But I may never have the opportunity to do this again, and I intend to enjoy it to the max.
