4 square meals

One of the hardest adjustments in caring for mom and dad so far is living and working by a schedule. My free spirit is definitely resisting this. But deep down I know it's good for me. Each meal must be planned in advance because they eat four times a day at very specific times. (This does not include Dad's 4:30 am morning coffee, which I prepare in the automatic coffee maker the night before.)

• Breakfast at 8 am. (Except for Pancake Saturdays, typical fare is oatmeal, toast and coffee, and maybe a fig or two)
• Lunch at 12:30 (They like soup twice a week, and also enjoy cold cuts and leftovers)
• A quiet rest between 1 and 4 pm. (No little boys running up and down the stairs...we try to keep it quiet in the house, or at least make this our errand time).
• Afternoon tea at 4 pm (with honey and milk and a little sweet cookie)
• Dinner at 6 pm (This is where I get to learn new recipes from mom like those cool stuffed artichokes.)
• A wild-sometimes-yelling-match game of cards after dinner.
• Retire to separate rooms for TV until 9 pm.

Whew! I'm tired just reading this. Tomorrow is our week anniversary....(Parents-in-law moved in last Saturday). After a few weeks, I think we will all get very used to this and even really like it. It takes the mystery out of each day to be sure!

A note to my family who reads this: Mom and Dad are settling down and resting well each day. They seem very happy, though Mom is in obvious pain from her back and shoulder. She just bought a very good full size bed at Sleep Train that will be delivered on Sunday. We've had her in a twin which is just too small for her. She was so fun to shop with. She kept talking the lady down on the price of the mattress and headboard and got a great deal! I loved watching her negotiate. She's a pro!