No Paige, No Gain

I have a new Paige in my book of life. She is my granddaughter, personal trainer, ASL coach, and companion. I’m going through a change of life. No, not that change! This change came when Paige moved in.

After the death of my dear mother, Paige decided that Grandma Bonnie needed companionship. She is a blessing and we enjoy each other’s company. She is determined to rejuvenate me, and help me recapture my long lost youth. I don’t think an advertisement on a milk carton could locate it!

Our first activity was lawn bowling. It provides exercise, fresh air and sunshine, but except for Paige, I was the youngest person there. It didn’t hold much interest for her.

Because I needed exercise our next adventure started with me holding on to her arm for support, and going to a place where I would be forced to walk. Even though at this time my walking was a lot like creeping! We went to the pier in Oceanside. It’s a very long pier and many rest stops were needed along the way. For the next three days I was so sore that I limped and grunted with every step.

I’ve heard that which doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. At this point it’s a toss up as to which way I’m going!

Because taking these trips required that I keep walking, and the treadmill at home lets me stop after a short workout, we would keep trying to find places to go that satisfied the need. I checked my life insurance policy and bit the bullet!

On our next visit to Oceanside the weather was cold and windy, so we opted to forego the pier and went to the Ocean Aquarium in Long Beach. Once again a lot of walking was required. It was a long walk from the parking garage to the aquarium, and more walking once inside the aquarium. I held on to her arm, and she drug me through the many wonders that the ocean supplied. Three more days of pain and moaning followed. All of these adventures occurred on Monday, and it was decided that since it took the rest of the week for me to recover, Monday was a good day for our outings.

It was another Monday and I had Googled a map to the Los Angeles Zoo and printed it off of the computer. We set off on a visit to the Los Angeles Zoo. We arrived, and to my sorrow, I discovered that it’s built on hills. Most of the animals were hibernating. In retrospect, I found hibernation to be the most inviting activity there. Paige walked up and down the hills, and I limped up and down the hills. Thankfully we got a ride on the tram. It cost $4.50, and we had to wait 20 minutes for it to arrive. I had difficulty boarding because it was too high, and the ride was bumpy. We saw very few animals and it stopped at inconvenient places, but I was grateful for it!

We had free passes and this visit was worth what it had cost! Upon leaving the Zoo a man in front of us asked for his money back. I thought about asking for my free passes back, but I was afraid they might give them to me!

It was Monday once more, and a trip to the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History was our destination. After being tricked into ascending what appeared to be an average flight of stairs, to my horror, I discovered it only lead to the landing and was twice as long as I thought. I then chose to enjoy the museum by elevator. Upon leaving the museum I got lost. The sun was not shining, and I couldn’t tell which direction I was traveling. After touring the less desirable section of town, I saw tall buildings in the distance, went toward them, and found the freeway. I have since purchased a car compass. Three more days of creaking and moaning followed.

It’s disturbing how fast Monday arrives! This time we would go to the museum of Science in Los Angeles. We toured two levels of the museum, and then saw a movie in their IMAX Theater. It was my favorite part of the visit. It only required setting!
I’m getting stronger, and think I may live…I only limped for a couple of days.

Paige transferred her YMCA membership to Chino. I joined too, and we began visiting the YMCA five days a week at 5:30 am. I got to sleep in on Saturday because it doesn’t open until 7:00 am. I was getting stronger, I had little choice!

I had had my first dip in the pool. It lasted about 15 minutes and I enjoyed it but, when I started to climb the ladder to get out, I forgot that the buoyancy of the water gives you a false sense of strength, and when leaving the water you feel much heavier. I climbed up the ladder but couldn’t stand up when I reached the deck. My hands and feet were out of the water, but my butt wasn’t! I told Paige to push me up, and with her help I was able to get onto the deck, but getting up was a long lost skill. While sitting on the deck I tucked my towel under me, and by having a strange man, and even worse the lifeguard I had known since he was a boy, lifted me up by grabbing onto the towel and pulling up, was I able to stand. Next time I’ll use the swimming pool stairs and look for a better way to meet people!

I guess this routine is better than giving into the ravages of time without a fight…but it’s only a guess!

I Love Being a Grandma

Sunday morning and my sweet granddaughter Paige was visiting. Sacrament meeting ended and as we left the chapel I was approached and ask to teach a primary class. I replied that because I had Paige I wouldn’t be able to teach a class. “Oh, that won’t be a problem it’s her class of Sun Beams we want you to teach.” Since the subject was the body I figured I could handle that without a prep period.

The class consisted of about nine sweet babies. We sat on little chairs around a low table and when a little girl sat next to me Paige pushed in between us and, with a look, made it clear I was her grandma.

The class was as fidgety as any group of three years old but Paige was the most active wiggle worm. She moved around the room, removed her shoes and socks, lay on her back under the table and pushed up with her feet. The table moved as if we were having a séance. There was a stack of little chairs in the corner and she climbed up and sat on the top one. Paige helped teach the class by demonstrating how many wonderful things the body could do.

It was my good luck and to bad for the regular teacher that she missed all this fun and blessings.