Despite
getting off to a bit of a shaky start, we rebounded rather nicely. We
enjoyed relaxing by the pool while catching up on our summer reading. We
noshed and napped at our leisure, and each day we ventured out to
explore the high desert and the magic of Red Rock Country. Life was, in a
word, sweet.I confess that en route to our destination, I’d had some serious misgivings about our relationship surviving this trip. Away from the familiarity of his “home turf,” Mike’s struggle with short-term memory loss was clearly amplified. So, for my own sanity and to help him feel more comfortable in our new surroundings, I came up with a game plan before we even crossed the threshold of our home away from home. It was an ingenious stratagem, if I do say so myself!
It all started with unpacking our car. While Mike carried our boxes and bags into the condo, I did a little reconnaissance of our new surroundings. I had Mike put each item from the car in the appropriate room. Then, I began to unpack with one goal in mind: Make this condo as exact an image of home as possible.
I asked Mike to choose which side of the bed he wanted to sleep on, and I had him unpack and put away his own things in the dresser drawers. While he busied himself with that task, I moved on to the bathroom.
We didn’t have a lot of toiletries, so I placed everything on the vanity countertop where they could be easily found. Mike’s things went on one side of the sink and mine went on the other, with shared items like toothpaste in the middle.
Returning to the bedroom, I filled the remaining drawers with my things and then tackled the closet. Shoes, belts, hats, sweaters, and the like I placed on shelves where they could be clearly seen. Mike’s clothes went on one side, and mine went on the other.
The
living room was easy. Books and magazines went on the coffee table, in
plain sight. The little alcove normally used for a bar became our travel
center—maps, tour books, binoculars, cameras, and local papers would
live here. And then, of course, I added the infamous “dish”—a bowl
placed strategically by the telephone, just like at home, that Mike
could use for his hotel cardkey, wallet, car keys, cell phone and
charger, and the packets of daily medications we’d made.In the kitchen, I rearranged the pots, pans, and utensils (provided by the resort) just as we would find them at home. I placed the dining dishes and glassware in one cabinet and arranged the food and sundries in another with individual items lined up so they could be easily seen. A must in our home, coffee I placed on the counter next to the pot, along with all the condiments. The fridge was also easy—just like home minus all the drawings and pictures from the grandkids.
Let me tell you, after seven hours of driving, accomplishing this on our arrival was a push. It had been a long day, and we were tired. Nonetheless, when I gave my husband the grand tour, I could tell I’d made a place where he would be comfortable and I could relax.
And you know what they say: Happy wife,…happy life!
No comments:
Post a Comment