The house is just filled with joy. The kitten and the puppy play so much. They have become best friends. The big dog and the big cats are really happy about that relationship. Gives them moments of peace.
Me, personally, I'm happy also. My legs are healing from all the puncture wounds Keanu made while deciding I was a cat tree.
Our household took another hit. We had to let go of Monsta. She crossed the rainbow bridge. And so Pat has wanted a kitten and hopefully one that grows into a big cat. He really likes those Maine Coons but they are spendy.
So this week we got a new boy. His name is Keanu and he has big feet. Here is hoping. He looks a lot like Clint, the cat from next door. Keanu was born on Aug. 29 and I am only referencing that for future reference. He is a love bug with sharp claws. He is holding his own against the big girl dog. And he is still too small to open the doggie door. Picture later.
I went to see "The Goonies". It was playing at the Kiggins. The Kiggins is an old movie theater in town and has that old movie theater feel. When I walked in, I saw the owner and I said "Hi, Mr. Wyatt." He looked at me and then asked if I had worked for his dad (that made me feel kind of old). I said no, my dad had worked for his dad. Naturally he asked who my dad was, and I told him. His face lit up and he said my dad is the only trucker from back in the day that he still talks about. He invited me to join him and his parents for dinner on Sunday, but alas I work on Sundays.
After running into Dan again I commented about it on facebook and lo and behold our worlds crossed. My friend Marti had just met him and his parents at a fundraiser a couple of months before. My other friend Michael also has/had business dealings with him. Methinks perhaps it was destined for me to reconnect.
All my life I had an aunt who was only a year older than me. When we were children, we played like siblings or cousins. Until we moved to the PNW. Her, mama, my granny died when we were teenagers and she lived with her other sister after that. And so, she grew up and lived. I always thought it was kind of cool having a young aunt. I'm not sure if she thought it was cool have a niece her age.
Terri had one of those flamboyant kinds of personalities. She was loud and vivacious. Always dressed nicely with her nails done. She liked things that called attention to her presence. You always knew when she was in the room. She loved animals and especially cats.
We had taken to having lunch when I was in Minnesota if I was there long enough for a visit. This year I did not schedule enough time there and missed her. I suspect it would have been a miss anyway. I did not know she was ill. And that is my regret.
She died last week at the age of 60. I kind of think it was her choice. She had had some health problems for a bit. That just makes you tired. I will miss her and all her joy. She lived life and had a resilience that shined. She could do things without a concrete plan, and it always worked out for her. I loved her.
Light and love on your journey Terri. May you always shine.
Oh, it is such a sad day and also a blessed day. My friend Cora died today. Cora had dementia brought on by strokes. There are names for that type, but I don't remember what they are. She has been in my life for the whole time I have worked at the pointe. And she became one of my favorites. I would give her a hug and sometimes she would kiss my head.
The thing about dementia is that they may not remember any particular action. But they remember how you make them feel. And so, I went out of my way to make sure she felt the love. She felt the care and how I always treated her with dignity.
A couple of months ago she had fallen and broke her wrist. That ended her days of eating in the dining room as it made the tremor worse in her dominant hand. She had days that she didn't eat in the dining room due to that tremor, but it came and went. After the fall it was an all the time thing. So, I only saw her when I did deliveries of their dinner. And every time I made sure to go in and ask her how she was and give her a hug.
Early in the week last week, she had lost Ray and came out to the common area. As soon as she saw me she grabbed me and held on for dear life. Ray wasn't lost, she just had forgotten he had used the bathroom. So, I was able to return her to him and she was okay. But I know for a moment I was her safe spot.
Near the end of the week something changed for her. A major transition. And so, I went and saw her. She had been pretty unresponsive to others, but she knew I was there. I gave her a hug and told her that I loved her and how blessed I was to know her. She held my hand and held it tightly. Like again I was her safe spot.
She went to the hospice house so that Ray could have a respite. I knew she wasn't coming back. At lunch another resident told me that she has passed this morning. She was passed the tipping point as I like to call it between quality of life and survival. She went somewhere today where there are no more tremors, where her brain works normally, and she is at peace.
Oh, my Cora. I am blessed to have known you. I love you and wish you well on your journey. Love and light always. I hope I always made you feel love.
I made another road trip to the midwest. I think this year there will only be one. It was a lovely drive. I actually spotted a couple of bison at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Last year I didn't see them in the park.
At work I had a conversation about oil. Now I don't know much about oil and all the things that make the fluctuations on price. But I was told that because of Biden there was no drilling going on in Texas where this man had property. I just looked at him. I have no argument to offer or any opinion other than one person does not have all the control. So, driving through North Dakota I noticed that every oil drill was drilling that you can see from the freeway. I found that kind of interesting and wondered if my friend wasn't a bit uninformed.
Kokomo seems to bring out the cup aficionado in me. Found this really cute succulent cup. Had to explain to everyone that it could not go in the microwave. Pretty soon all the cups in the cupboard there will be ones I have collected.
On my trip I got to see all my cousins in MN and my sister. We went out for pizza. Many interesting conversations going on. We got on all the old stories and the family history. Found out that our great-grandpa had died of a brain tumor. That was of great interest to several of us. Most of us are at an age where our history matters. And then we wondered why does that happen when all the older oldsters are no longer here to answer our questions. Oy.
I had a great ten days with my grandkids. We had a family bbq at the park. We went to Kokomo Beach for getting wet. The trampoline got put together. Cassie figured if I asked it would get done and it did. We also got rid of a frig, a toilet, a kid recliner and an old bedframe. The frig and the bedframe were just put on the sidewalk and they just disappeared. Love to not have to pay for disposal. Cassie was sick almost the whole time I was there. That kind of limited what we did. But we managed and she was able to just take it easy. And who can forget Taco Tuesday.
It was a nice drive back and felt good to get home and back to my own bed. Now to find out if I have to replace my windshield or if the big rock chip can be repaired.
I don't know all the whys, but we run out of a lot of stuff at work. I think part is Sysco and I think part is the system we use for ordering. So, we had been out of tabasco for days. My understanding is it was ordered, but Sysco cancelled the order. I was told that more would be in on our next deliver day. I'm thinking what happens if Sysco cancels the order again?
There are just a handful of residents who use Tabasco on a regular basis. I decided on a whim to go to the store on my way home and buy some Tabasco. Frugal kicked in and I bought a bigger bottle because it was cheaper per ounce. Took it to work and put it where it belonged. And the residents were happy.
Then one night I accidently took it home in my apron pocket. I do that a lot and then I bring it back the next day. I brought it out to George and his mom. I'm pretty sure she doesn't use it. He looked at me and said no one else buys stuff like this for the residents. I looked at him and said well, I'm special. I think that floored him, but he agreed.
For the record, I bought that Tabasco a week ago and we still have not gotten any in from deliveries. We'll see what today brings or whether I need to go to the store again.
The Bishop Archie Hopkins came to the pointe today. He did a walkabout the building giving it a blessing. There has been a lot of illness, falls, deaths and general malaise lately. It seemed like it was time to burn some sage or get a blessing. When he was done, he said a prayer with some of the staff. Gratitude for all that is.
Now the bishop is known to the big boss at the pointe as he is her pastor at her church. I just know him as Archie. Over 30 years ago he was my boss at my second real job. He was the manager at Yaw's Restaurant in the early 90's.
We got to reminisce and catch up. It truly is a small world. I worked with his daughter for a short time at the college. We talked about the time he jumped out of a closet to catch a thief. He didn't remember specifically that it was me also sitting in that room. He startled me and the thief. And I knew he was there. I just didn't expect him to jump out. We talked about some of the people that we lost touch with years ago. It was really good to catch up.
And we are grateful for anything that eases some of the pain and loss we feel lately at the pointe. I know winters are hard and expect it. But a little faith in things getting better does not hurt at all. Spring will come.
Working at the pointe has great energy. There is a fabulous sense of community. The people are spectacular. The flip side is working with an elder community is the loss.
I've been there for six months now and the first few months were pretty quiet. Winter brought something more. We've lost several residents to moving to assisted living type arrangements. And then we have just lost a few to death.
Yesterday I heard about Earline. She died the day before and had been gone from the community about a week. I was instantly sad.
My favorite Earline story is how one night we were finishing up. If there are leftover specials that are going to be tossed, we are allowed to take some home. So, I got a nice box of food to take with me when I was done with side jobs. Earline came in very late. She had been reading and just lost track of time. She was hungry and of course, the kitchen was closed with the cooks done. I offered her my box. She was hesitant to take it, but I insisted. She opened it up and said it was way too much food and she insisted I take part of it back. We came to an agreement, and she got fed. My take is, the residents pay for the food in their rent, and they should come before me. I can eat at home. She was grateful that I was willing to give up my food. From that day forward whenever she would be a bit late, but still able to get food from the kitchen, she always asked if it was my food.
I always ask how the residents are doing and she almost always answered "maintaining". Now she is maintaining somewhere else, and I shall miss her greatly.
I find myself honored to meet and get to know all these people who live in my new community. With love comes loss and it is okay. I'm grateful for the love even at the cost.
I realized the other day, that the people at the pointe get the very best of me. I am always up. I smile a lot. I dance a lot. I tease a little bit when appropriate. I do little things because I know that how you make someone feel is important. And it is the little things that count. I give hugs (and I'm not a hugger).
It feels like I remember who I was before some of the trauma in my life happened. It's kind of freeing and most of them don't make any judgements. They just like me. They really do. I like the person I was and am finding my way back to.
Periodically the soda machine needs new syrup added. Our youngest team member was trying to do so and felt like it had broken. He asked the head cook for help. No problem. Changed right out. Helped that someone knew how to do it.
When I asked about it, he informed me that there is a latch that has to be pressed down for it to unscrew. I commented that the syrup dispenser has a child proof mechanism. He said yeah, and it worked. It took me a minute and then I laughed and so did he.
The residents play bean bag baseball every week. They get a little loud when someone gets a homerun. And they really seem to enjoy it.
Today they actually had a game against another team from another retirement community. And it was pretty exciting. Our team started strong and the other team took a bit to get used to our set up. And then it went the other way.
Marti was keeping the spectators pumped up. We clapped, we used our foam fingers and our handclappers. We rooted for both sides. We had a guy playing the organ and that was grand. You can tell that it is harder than it looks to get those beanbags in the holes that are helpful. In the end we lost 10-23.
And then they had hotdogs, chips, sode and crackerjacks. A great activity.
It didn't take me long to figure out that I really didn't like our newest hire very much. It wasn't that she was young, because many of my fellow employees are young. It was the disdain that she showed to my peeps almost right from the beginning. The whole time she worked with us I was shaking my head and thinking WTF. I was trying to figure out if she needed the job so badly that she stayed working with people she really couldn't stand.
Our oldsters have lived long lives and should be treated with a bit of respect. Yes, it is a bit annoying to have to go to a table sixteen times. But it is what is required at this job. It's not a reason to show attitude and contempt.
So, when she pulled a no call no show this weekend, I was not really surprised. I just wondered why it took her so long.
Marti and I finally managed to connect. She had to leave work early to do it. And then I had volunteered to work if needed. I wasn't needed and so off to Marti's I went.
Marti has moved her art station away from the woodstove and I think it is a better spot. Still downstairs which was nice because it is still warmer there.
She went to work on painting some watercolor leaves. I started some Valentine Day cards. One is beautiful and the other not so much. Learning as I go. We talked about paint and the worth of buying better or not.
In order to paint at home, I think I need to invest in a hairdryer for drying the paint. :P
After painting, Alan made us dinner. I'm not an adventurous eater and yet, I ate tuna not out of a can for the first time. I also ate venison burger. My whole life I did not eat Bambi. And then when I was in Ill a few years ago I ate chili made with it and it was all right. Alan's burger did not really taste different than beef. He also had this wonderful cheddar cheese from England that had crunchies in it. Interesting texture with a great smooth cheddar taste. The crunchies came from how long the cheese had been aged.
My work cohort and I were talking about what the next holiday is. Valentine's Day. I commented that wouldn't they, the residents, love it if we gave them Valentines for that day. It's a plan.
So, then I have been thinking about doing some art. And maybe, just maybe, I will do some Valentine's art and use some of that for my cards for my peeps.
That said....I plan on going and buying some paint and brushes tomorrow. And that will conclude my buy nothing game. Not very good. But it's all right. I feel a need to paint.
I had to work yesterday. And I went around telling all the residents that I missed them since I hadn't seen them since last year. They all laughed every single time. All kind of reminiscent of school days. We spent the day before saying we'll see you next year.
The year starts with me working. I've never had a job where I got paid overtime for working holidays. I've never had a job that truly seems to care if you are there. We are given little presents and a bonus from the residents. It honestly is a fine place to work.
I don't have a lot of plans for this year, since I'm working. But the little man and I are taking a cruise on spring break. We are both looking forward to it. I tentatively have a beach trip with Jodi planned. I'm hoping for a couple of concerts this summer but am still waiting to see who might be scheduled at the amphitheater. The rest seems up in the air.
No resolutions. And my buy nothing game begins.