Mike Messages: Friday Lunch date

Hi it's Lisa!

Today I took dad out for a little lunch date! Angie and I had gone over to see them on Wednesday for a few hours. It was a really nice day and the three of us were sitting out on the deck talking about "if Ivars still did their fireworks over Elliott Bay, mom and dad would have such a great view!" to which I responded... "oooh Ivars sounds good! Maybe if its nice on Friday we should go dad" So back to today, Friday. It was a really dreary rainy day, my car was in the shop and I was planning on just walking down to mom and dads. Mom was aware of all of this. Then I got a text from her at 11:30 saying she was coming to get me and dad was planning a fish and chip lunch at 12:45 so I could use their car.... Oh man those two! We know one issue dad is not having... forgetfulness! That man remembers everything!

Mom picked me up and we arrived back at their place. Dad appeared ready to go just sitting in his chair, shit eating grin on his face and his Seattle Prep apron on :) I just laughed at him and said "Hi dad." Of course he wasn't ready at all... 25 mins later (and a very starving Lisa) I was loading him into the car and we were on our way. I will say on a complete side note, that the Saab is much easier loading him in and out of then the Mini mobile!

We made our way to Ivars on Lake Union. I figured we could just sit in the bar area...which worked out perfectly! I do wish someone could have seen us trying to get out of the car and into the restaurant though! Dad got out of the car and into his chair with no problem. I think he thought I was still behind him or something but I had gone to get his foot rests out of the trunk and I see him rolling into another parked car! He had taken the brakes off and was on just enough of an incline! I grabbed him and got his feet on and then we made our way up to the doors....its a bit of an incline and anyone who hasn't been to this particular Ivars, the doors are huge and fairly heavy! I quickly realized it would be easier to wheel him in backwards but even that took all my might to hold the door and pull him up! I was giggling as the hostesses welcomed us and then we quickly rolled down the ramp! I asked dad if he sometimes feels like he's on a Disneyland ride when I'm pushing him around!

Our waitress couldn't have been more friendly or accommodating! I'm not even sure that the section of the bar was open but it was the only place I could wheel dad into. Dad got his fish and chips and a vodka tonic :) We watched some ESPN and hung out for a bit. It was nice to go somewhere other than the apartment! Dad seems a lot better when he is able to get out as well. Angie and I both commented on how quiet and drained he seemed when where stopped by on Wednesday and today he had a lot more energy. Mom says that he has been sleeping a lot more lately, but on top of shaking all day long I think he might be worn out from the move. He was saying that he watched a special that Michael J Fox had saying that he is tired a lot as well and as I told mom all his shaking is a day long workout! :/

I'm looking forward to it getting nicer so we can go on more walks and just take dad more places. They are building a ramp from lower Queen Anne to the waterfront which will be really nice! I am pretty sure the entrance to the ramp is only a block or two from their apartment!!

When we were on the elevator back up to their place, dad said... Nancy #2 isn't a very good cook. "she burns everything" So I think that was his way of saying...thanks for taking me to lunch :) HA! Overall it was a good day! I dropped him back off to his Nancy's and when I left he was doing a good job of bossing them around...