Saturday, April 13, 2013

Lunch on the Lam


                                                                  


On outings with my mom, there never seems to be enough time in the day to stop for lunch. Before she started using her walker, she loved to go on long shopping trips seldom taking more than a quick break for a frozen yogurt or a drink. Now I could still get lost in her walker dust, but I have to think of sneakier ways to get her nourishment on the go.

No matter the time of day, I've gotten into the habit of packing sandwiches and cold drinks with us. This way when my mom acts like she's been stranded in the desert after only ten minutes, I just pull out a refreshing bottle of iced tea from my handy insulated lunch bag.

Sometimes I can't convince her to eat anything until after 3:00 when dinner is served promptly at 5:30. This forces us to have lunch on the lam in some of the strangest settings.

She's eaten in dressing rooms, shoe departments, and even doctor's offices. Once during an eye exam my mom ate half of her sandwich while waiting for her pupils to dilate without ever having left the examining chair. Fortunately, everything was neatly put away before the ophthalmologist returned.  However, my mom does draw the line at eating at the dentist's office. Although she would sip her iced tea if she could.


41 comments:

  1. You have one great mother there.

    Enjoy your week-end.

    Yvonne.

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  2. Sounds like the makings of some great memories.

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  3. Funny how life turns. For me I have to find ways of getting nutrition to my teens on shopping sprees. :)

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  4. I could use that for my daughter. She is usually hungry after every meal, in between meals and during meals. Skinny as a stick too.

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  5. You are very inventive in finding ways to keep her hydrated and nourished.

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  6. It's kind of sad, but it's very much like remembering to pack some juice and goldfish crackers for your four year old for a long day.

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  7. That is so wonderful! She probably gets excited just to see what surprises you have ready in that little bag of goodies!

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  8. That sounds neat. Donna is right -- it is a surprise every outing. As a rare blood courier, I know all about lunch on the lam!

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  9. The role reversal is interesting and poignant at the same time. Annie Lamott had a great piece about shopping with her mom. You laughed and cried at the same time.

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  10. She doesn't eat Oreo cookies at the dentist's office?

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  11. Old people get so grumpy about food. My mom starts shouting "I wanna eat something now G*d dammit!" (she has dementia). So yes, I usually have something for her to munch on immediately. In public, people think she's funny because she's so frank and so grumpy. At a museum, a door attendant asked, "Did you enjoy your visit?" Mom said (from her wheelchair as I was pushing, "NO! It was boring!" And I smiled and said, "she has dementia...it was a wonderful exhibit." And the lady giggled.

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  12. Yvonne - She certainly is. Thanks Yvonne!

    Jeff - Every outing is an adventure.

    Rhonda - They get so involved in what they're doing that they forget to eat.

    Bushman - Just throw in some sandwiches and water bottles, and you're good to go.

    Delores - Actually it would be much better if my mom would drink water. I heard that drinking too much iced tea could be dehydrating. Everything in moderation.

    Luanne - I always kept crackers on hand when I was pregnant too. On days when we do go to restaurants for lunch, she's always anxious to jump right back in. It would only be sad if my mom stopped doing what she loved.

    Donna - It's usually just a sandwich, chips, and a drink. Sometimes we make a Starbucks run to really spice things up!

    Roland - It's amazing what you do. This makes sense, as I'm sure you don't have time to stop.

    Lee - What more can a writer hope for? I'll have to check out her story.

    Alex - I'm still laughing from your classic comment! I can't believe you're here. I just wrote about how it's time you flew the nest to guide the new bloggers. I really appreciate your visits, but I know you can't be everywhere at once. I've set you free for the greater cause. Now tend to your flock!

    Michael - You are such a good son. I'm sorry that your mom has dementia. I'm sure that she appreciates all that you do for her, even though she probably doesn't show it. She is very lucky to have you, and it's great that you've kept your sense of humor.

    Julie

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  13. How sweet. I'm sure this happened with my mom too.

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  14. Awww, you are a gem to still take your mother out. She is lucky to have you - please tell her I said so. Some of us don't seed our daughter's very often.

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  15. It's wonderful how you care for your mother so. I'm looking at that as my in-laws get older. They've always been ones to eat unusual lunches at odd hours, so it might take some adjusting for us.

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  16. Thank you The Desert Rocks!

    Mary - These outings are fun for me too. My mom has excellent taste, and I really appreciate her help for special occasions. Thanks Mary!

    Cheryl - I'm sure you'll get used to it. Neither of us are morning people, so it works for us. Thanks Cheryl!

    Julie

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  17. I love the insulated lunch bag - it's a clever idea and very clever of you to use it with your mom. If your mom is eating in changing rooms and shoe departments, I bet there are security personnel watching monitors and chuckling! :-)

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  18. That's a great idea and even better since it helps keep your mom eating like she should :)

    Left and Write

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  19. I can't imagine ever having to be reminded to eat. Then again, I would never have imagined wearing black socks with sandals would be comfortable. So.....

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  21. Jewels, have Momma K be a rebel just 1 day. Pack some Oreos on Dentist day, get that hygienist to really earn his/her money. You both will be giggling before and after. Just some food for thought. You are one heck of a daughter my dear sister/friend.

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  22. Lexa - I'm sure that's not the only chuckling they would be doing if they saw me in a changing room!

    Mark - She still eats, but is more of a snacker. Thanks Mark!

    Al - My mom only has to be reminded to eat when she's busy shopping, or going to appointments. Do you wear garters to hold up those black socks? Now that's really making a fashion statement with short shorts!

    Lynn - That would be a great skit for Betty White's Off Their Rockers show. It's kind of a Punk'd for old people, but worse. You were a wonderful daughter too Lynn, and you'll always be an incredible friend.

    Julie

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    1. I'm probably not too far away from garters. Yep, I'm a hottie.

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    2. I've never doubted it for a second!

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  23. A nice walk with mama...it could be the best walk I could wish for today in midst of all the fake impressions of a choc-a-block schedule...!!
    Liked it!! :)

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  24. What a great idea to carry your picnic bag with you when going out, it saves on the cost too because you don't have to keep buying food and drinks whilst traveling everywhere. Your mother sounds really funny, eating her sandwiches everywhere and anywhere without a care in the world :)

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  25. Kriti - I really do enjoy our walks together. Hope things settle down for you. Thanks Kriti!

    Rum Punch Drunk - When you put it that way I feel like the cartoon character Yogi Bear. He always went on picnics with his sidekick Boo Boo! My mom is really funny, and I could've written A to Z all about her. Thanks RPD!

    Julie

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  26. You're so well organised and an amazing daughter. I hope I'm blessed with such daughterly care when I get older.

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    1. Aw thanks Rosalind! You're such a good mother that I'm sure you won't have any problems in that department. Hopefully, you'll always remain strong and independent. I really wish that I was more organized, but it's nice that you think I am. Thanks again Rosalind!

      Julie

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  27. Your mom sounds blessed to have such a wonderful daughter!
    She does sound like a cute old lady!

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  28. Too funny, I can picture you whipping out the goodies at any given spot. Life's a picnic!

    Play off the Page

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  29. Ha, your mum and her walker conjures up the best image. Does her walker have a little basket in front that she can keep her snacks? (and shopping)

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  30. Michelle - My mom is a young 78, but due to back surgery from spinal stenosis she has trouble getting around.Thanks Michelle, and I'm sure you would do the same.

    Mary - "Life is a picnic," and I'm right there chowing down with her!

    Susan - She has a detachable nylon bag for her incidentals plus a seat. For longer excursions we use a portable wheel chair.

    Julie

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  31. I knew I was going to love the post as soon as I read that it was about your mom. Love her! The way you write about your relationship always makes me laugh.

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  32. I was also reminded of packing a snack for your kid on a day out. It's good that she doesn't have any qualms about where to eat - quite funny!

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  33. Making memories with mom- wonderful. You are a lovely daughter. This was a special idea and I am sure she knows how fortunate she is to have such a terrific daughter.

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  34. Julie - I always read these stories to my mom before I post them. Fortunately, they make her laugh too. I really appreciate your compliment, and I'll pass it on to my mom. Thanks Julie!

    Nick - It's a lot easier than going back and forth in the cold weather if we're in a store that doesn't serve food. The same applies to kids too. Thanks Nick!

    Melissa - We're very lucky to have each other. Thanks Melissa!

    Julie

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  35. Nice to meet you Juliet, and I'll head over soon.

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  36. your mom sounds adorable and easy to please, my mom wants waitress service :)

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  37. Hi Julie .. sounds like you will have some fun stories here ... and when my mother couldn't eat or drink .. she'd always remember champagne!

    Cheers Hilary

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  38. Jen - I'm the waitress.

    Hilary - I'm glad just thinking about the champagne cheered her up! It also helped that she had your lovely visits to look forward to.

    Julie

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