The Hannah Family

Don't be judgy

I hatched a Pikachu!

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The director at Brookdale stopped me today - a first

She said mom has been a mess thinking our trip keeps getting postponed (Pat lost her concept of time early on). Nonetheless she said I should definitely take her since mom is so emotionally invested in it so that's what I'll do. Mom is on an antibiotic for a week because she played up a bit of nasal congestion (mom's exact words were "unable to breathe" and "extreme weakness" so I authorized the extra $95 doctor visit). She's fine physically, the medicine is overkill but reassuring because I will have enough dealing with her confusion and mood swings; an infection in a strange environment would have us in the ER before we checked into the hotel. As it is, she still keeps forgetting Pete is her son and is looking forward to meeting her resurrected "husband" at Quantico. I reminded her about my dad John, and that Peter is meeting us there because she invited him a year ago for moral support. She said I get on her nerves and told the med tech behind us she wished she never had a daughter.

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Made it through first week hostessing

At the new job -- worked Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun and Tues evenings. I like the owners, staff and customers. I made mistakes, luckily nothing I can't learn from. The frustrating part will likely be variables out of my control (no-show reservations, customers insisting on particular tables causing one server to be overworked and others undercompensated by comparison, a shortage of tables meaning long wait one night and a shortage of diners with empty tables the next, etc). They like me because I never had to be asked to bus and reset tables, smile, convince diners to eat at the bar when tables are full or generally promote the heck out of the business which just opened in April. We don't earn "time off" so  I'm only one personal, child or Pat crisis from being out of the restaurant business but I learned a long time ago to make hay while the sun shines.

First pool party for dogs here

We let Mandy stay home to relax, but it was cute. One dog swam dozens of laps to fetch her ball.

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Not a stock photo

This stir fry with Thai noodles picture was taken right when I finished cooking - delicious. I keep falling in love with chicken all over again. Mark too I guess, I can hear him downstairs getting another serving!

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Mandy was shaking

But Katie did a great job clipping our sweet old dog's nails. It's handy to have a professional in the family. Thanks, Kate! 

The best thing about having two jobs

Is the feeling on days when you only have to go to one of them.

Mom's good, but her mind is alphabet soup

She had her hair and nails done, is looking forward to our upcoming trip to Quantico although TIME is completely beyond her grasp so she never understands the logistics (I explain again anyway until she settles). We caught Rick and Mary at home and mom was so excited to talk with them. She's complaining no one will let her call Grandma, but there's a serenity now we can only attribute to Brookdale. Hopefully one weekend away won't destroy it. She's eating well, sleeping and having fun every day. She believes she's juggling three boyfriends (Bill, Sid and Leon) and is like a giggly 14-year-old asking why she's cursed with boy problems that are only in her head. I said we'll put her (imaginary) love life on the shelf until we return from Virginia and mom agreed. Then she told me not to forget to pick her up at Grandma Dot's house because the Marines' memorial service lasts 13 days and she doesn't want to miss it. She insists she's going back to work for Hillsborough County afterward. I snapped this on my way out.

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Good first night hostessing

The restaurant manager said he's impressed, but of course that doesn't mean I wouldn't get the rotation a lot tighter if I had a do over. The guests were happy so that's a reassuring first step. Wednesday is the perfect time for orientation. Friday and Saturday will be trial by fire. Meanwhile on "my night off" tomorrow after teaching 3rd grade, I have Dave's open house, a trip to the grocery store and I have to go to Brookdale to authorize mom's flu shot. The pharmacist at Walmart told me they were already dispensing Tamiflu two weeks ago so I'm hoping that was a fluke, not an indicator. 

Cool and rainy today

I brought TWO sweaters with me this morning, one that I'm wearing and the other is tucked in the trunk so I don't get caught unprepared between seasons. If it was up to me, we'd skip winter completely.