Ahhh,it's the list to the rescue !

Although they're not always followed,one of my saving graces is The List . Being detail oriented,it's better to actually write stuff down than to rely on my poor overstuffed brain.Now that Mother is getting the help of an aide,all the little details of each day must be committed to paper...when are meds to be taken?...were they?...when is the aide due?...what can I do with that time?...when are the appointments,and with whom ?...
Fitting in the daily routines around the above and listing them all requires a quiet moment here and there,but the security of that concrete organization is wonderful ! We're to spend Thanksgiving with my son and so creating a moveable version of our world could not be done without ...The List . Every eventuality must be planned for,so Mother is comfortable and her needs are filled.Room must be made in the car for the regional delicacies requested by the hosts and those beloved Florentines,to say nothing of the hostess gifts.The cat must be attended to,and all those "away-for-the-day" chores taken care of. There is comfort in crossing items off that piece of paper...one less thing to worry about...one step closer to the goal.There will always be the chance for Murphy's Law to kick in , but hopefully,armed with the list,the bite will be that of a very small dog and not that of a Newfoundland !