Don’t doze has to be one of the golden rules for all carers where dementia is the elephant in the room.  Just ‘bobbed off’ as they say round here and paid the price.  Not a a heavy penalty this time but enough to give me a rude awakening out of my complacency or tiredness.

M had been cleaning the pots and plans as I watched T V in the lounge.  I am not sure how long I had been ‘resting my’ eyes: quite some time when you look at the evidence.  I had been having more than ‘five minutes’ if you look at things with your eyes open.

Yes you have probably guessed it by now.  M had been spending some of her time ‘packing to go home’.  The evidence is there for all to see: the washing basket is full of boxes and other things that we couldn’t possibly leave here.  Never mind I thought; she had at least put the washing out as the basket was now full of packing.  Ahhh… it’s pouring with rain and it’s all having a further rinse.  No matter we can spin it again in the morning, so no real harm done.

When  think of it I have got off lightly at least she hadn’t scarpered again.  It seems she knew where I was and hadn’t gone out looking for me.  Then my poor little wife would have been soaked and she doesn’t fit in the washing machine to be spun dry.