Over twenty years ago, I befriended a woman whose children lived out of state. I was paying back for the fact that Ralph's mom was able to live at home because of all the help she received from friends and neighbors and church. And a few paid helpers.
Pat had Parkinson's Disease and just needed a gal pal. I would visit once a week. Fortunately, she lived just a mile away. After a bit, we got together as a foursome and the men hit it off as much as we did. The best part? Kate had "local" grandparents who ooooohed and aaaaahed over her. Their condo had a pool and every week in the summer, she could bring a friend. GrPat and GrGeorge provided snacks and sodas. We oldsters would chat while the girls played.
In the beginning, she could accompany me out and about. I bought a minivan with leather seats so she could use a step stool then slide right in. We had great fun! Shoe shopping and she would have me "hide" the shoes at my house and sneak them over when GrGeorge was away. Need I tell you she was the Imelda of the neighborhood????
As her disease progressed, she went to care homes a few times. They would build up her strength and she would be well enough to come home. Until it was permanent. I continued my once a week. Her every loving husband went EVERY DAY. For several years. EVERY DAY.
We celebrated so many holidays together. I'm just missing her and Ralph today as I plan Thanksgiving.
And worry about GrGeorge who is being moved to assisted living today at age 95.
Friday, November 7, 2014
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT!
Fortunately, I have never had to call the Fire Department. What brave fighters they are. They are usually the first on the scene ... I can't imagine the horror some have seen. Burning buildings, auto accidents, cars smashing into pedestrians (yes, that happened here on trick or treat night).
One of my uncles retired as a Lieutenant in the Fire Department. So glad he LIVED til retirement! A few years ago I worked with a consulting group who specialized in helping fire departments grow and change. Analyzing data to determine where to locate a new station. Training fire fighters for management positions. Helping retired fire fighters to find jobs at smaller departments who cannot afford typical chief pay (win/win there!).
A young friend trained and studied to become a fire fighter which is how I learned how tough it is to get in! Hundreds of people try for one spot. I think most people have to be on a volunteer department and work their way up. The benefits are outstanding and a lot of the benefits are for life. And I don't begrudge them a single penny.
In an effort to broaden Braeden's career passions ... we are now doing a lot of fire fighting around here ....
One of my uncles retired as a Lieutenant in the Fire Department. So glad he LIVED til retirement! A few years ago I worked with a consulting group who specialized in helping fire departments grow and change. Analyzing data to determine where to locate a new station. Training fire fighters for management positions. Helping retired fire fighters to find jobs at smaller departments who cannot afford typical chief pay (win/win there!).
A young friend trained and studied to become a fire fighter which is how I learned how tough it is to get in! Hundreds of people try for one spot. I think most people have to be on a volunteer department and work their way up. The benefits are outstanding and a lot of the benefits are for life. And I don't begrudge them a single penny.
In an effort to broaden Braeden's career passions ... we are now doing a lot of fire fighting around here ....
In fairness, he wants to be an Army fire fighter ....
Monday, November 3, 2014
DEATH, DYING and DETERMINATION
Sunday was a farewell gathering for a long term condo owner.
I didn't know her well enough to say she was a friend, but she was always friendly. And helpful. She was the first HOA president and was on the Board many times after that initial year. Jan was a lawyer which was very helpful going from a developer owned apartment complex to a condo conversion.
The last half of her short life (she was 63) was a struggle with alcohol. She was also a big time smoker. Very sad no matter the person's potential. Her two friends here put in joint effort with champagne, sparkling cider, hot coffee and each attendee provided some nibbles. Those who wanted to recall a Jan story stood up to speak ... I learned how influential she was in those early days.
Her idea to turn the rental office into a Clubhouse room. She started our lending library (which is now five bookshelves large and also has games and puzzles) which has both books and magazines. Comfy furniture donated through the years. It is a great place to go when you get tired of looking at your own four walls.
Our community is not a designated elder complex or even an over 50 neighborhood. But mostly we are both. We've lost two long term owners in the past three months. There are several who are suffering with arthritis and diabetes and other age related conditions. Yet we have also attracted a few younger families with children. A baby even!
Determination to keep this place intergenerational. It's hard not to smile when you hear the laughter of children!
I didn't know her well enough to say she was a friend, but she was always friendly. And helpful. She was the first HOA president and was on the Board many times after that initial year. Jan was a lawyer which was very helpful going from a developer owned apartment complex to a condo conversion.
The last half of her short life (she was 63) was a struggle with alcohol. She was also a big time smoker. Very sad no matter the person's potential. Her two friends here put in joint effort with champagne, sparkling cider, hot coffee and each attendee provided some nibbles. Those who wanted to recall a Jan story stood up to speak ... I learned how influential she was in those early days.
Her idea to turn the rental office into a Clubhouse room. She started our lending library (which is now five bookshelves large and also has games and puzzles) which has both books and magazines. Comfy furniture donated through the years. It is a great place to go when you get tired of looking at your own four walls.
Our community is not a designated elder complex or even an over 50 neighborhood. But mostly we are both. We've lost two long term owners in the past three months. There are several who are suffering with arthritis and diabetes and other age related conditions. Yet we have also attracted a few younger families with children. A baby even!
Determination to keep this place intergenerational. It's hard not to smile when you hear the laughter of children!
Sunday, November 2, 2014
LAUGHING OUT LOUD
Since my summer road trip with my Sister and JEH, I've been listening to books. Audible allows me to use my iPhone which is great to plug into the Grandmothermobile. AND ... I can put in my earbuds and put the phone in my pocket and do household chores! My oh my can I get a lot done when my mind is occupied.
I'm now listening to Bossypants by Tina Fey. Narrated by Tina Fey! Books are always better when read by the author. They know exactly where to pause or what to emphasize. Her book is HYSTERICAL! After dropping off my little firefighter back at his parents, I was listening for the 10 minutes on the way home. I laughed out loud! Alone in a car!! It's getting harder and harder for me to turn it off.
There are some pros and cons to Audible books. You can choose whether you think any of these are pros or cons! Addictive. Can't hear people knock at the door. People may wonder about my laughing or crying with no visible clues that I'm listening to a book. Some books are free from the library but often I hate to wait. It's a little cumbersome to load but I guess I better get back at it. I've been spending $15/month to have a good time!
P.S. I'm naming my Taj Mahal of a vehicle Louise. Because the new travel trailer in Seattle has been named Thelma. I'm going to follow them around next summer ....
I'm now listening to Bossypants by Tina Fey. Narrated by Tina Fey! Books are always better when read by the author. They know exactly where to pause or what to emphasize. Her book is HYSTERICAL! After dropping off my little firefighter back at his parents, I was listening for the 10 minutes on the way home. I laughed out loud! Alone in a car!! It's getting harder and harder for me to turn it off.
There are some pros and cons to Audible books. You can choose whether you think any of these are pros or cons! Addictive. Can't hear people knock at the door. People may wonder about my laughing or crying with no visible clues that I'm listening to a book. Some books are free from the library but often I hate to wait. It's a little cumbersome to load but I guess I better get back at it. I've been spending $15/month to have a good time!
P.S. I'm naming my Taj Mahal of a vehicle Louise. Because the new travel trailer in Seattle has been named Thelma. I'm going to follow them around next summer ....
Friday, October 31, 2014
CRYING and COFFEE
At 8:30 am, as I was considering getting out of my nice warm bed, I got a text from a neighbor saying she was just putting on a pot of coffee ... wanna come?
Combed my hair, found comfy clothes and trotted over in the rain. Her hubby is out of town so we gathered around her seasonally decorated dining room and shared coffee. Somehow we got on the topic of Ralph and how much she missed him. And the tears just started flowing. From both of us! They only knew him for two years ... half of that time we were in Maui. It was touching the things she liked and remembered about him. And that she sees a lot of him in Braeden as well. Not just looks but personality.
It was good to get some crying out. Which left the rest of the day on a good note. A few errands (having a birthday dinner for Braeden on Saturday), treated myself to lunch, laundry, rounded up some treats to bring to the Orange and Black party. We had about 15 people show up, everyone in black and/or orange and wonderful finger foods. Deviled eggs with "spiders" on top (ripe olives), chili con queso dip (my big weakness!), oranges, orange cheese spread, Cheetos Bag o Bones, pumpkin cheese cake. Singing pumpkin songs to Christmas tunes! Just Delightful. Several went on for hot tubbing.
This place just fits me. There are people here to suit any mood I have going. We are really a community.
Combed my hair, found comfy clothes and trotted over in the rain. Her hubby is out of town so we gathered around her seasonally decorated dining room and shared coffee. Somehow we got on the topic of Ralph and how much she missed him. And the tears just started flowing. From both of us! They only knew him for two years ... half of that time we were in Maui. It was touching the things she liked and remembered about him. And that she sees a lot of him in Braeden as well. Not just looks but personality.
It was good to get some crying out. Which left the rest of the day on a good note. A few errands (having a birthday dinner for Braeden on Saturday), treated myself to lunch, laundry, rounded up some treats to bring to the Orange and Black party. We had about 15 people show up, everyone in black and/or orange and wonderful finger foods. Deviled eggs with "spiders" on top (ripe olives), chili con queso dip (my big weakness!), oranges, orange cheese spread, Cheetos Bag o Bones, pumpkin cheese cake. Singing pumpkin songs to Christmas tunes! Just Delightful. Several went on for hot tubbing.
This place just fits me. There are people here to suit any mood I have going. We are really a community.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
JUST NOT FEELING IT
A good portion of my day was devoted to becoming blonde. Again.
It is so time consuming and EXPENSIVE. And I get the friends and family discount. Normally haircuts are $75!! My hair needs a great cut every four weeks. I should have it colored every six weeks but since my hair is curly, I stretch it to eight. My eyebrows are so pale they they also get dyed brown.
I almost talked myself out of being so vain (thinking of what else I could do with that $2,000/year)(or more) and then I saw a photo of Glenn Close in People Magazine. She was with her younger sister (maybe 5 years younger?). Glenn is going grey these days and she looked 50 years older than her sister. So nope. I'm sticking with my investment.
My stylist is the daughter of one of my first friends in Portland. I try to have lunch or happy hour with her when I travel across town for my afternoon of chi chi living. Today we met at an Iraqi restaurant that was amazing!
I also managed a half hour at the best dollar store in town. Then home for trudging around in the rain "judging" Halloween vignettes at the complex. When I finally got to my home sweet home, a look in the mirror convinced me to stay with the blonding. I'm just not feeling 85 yet!
It is so time consuming and EXPENSIVE. And I get the friends and family discount. Normally haircuts are $75!! My hair needs a great cut every four weeks. I should have it colored every six weeks but since my hair is curly, I stretch it to eight. My eyebrows are so pale they they also get dyed brown.
I almost talked myself out of being so vain (thinking of what else I could do with that $2,000/year)(or more) and then I saw a photo of Glenn Close in People Magazine. She was with her younger sister (maybe 5 years younger?). Glenn is going grey these days and she looked 50 years older than her sister. So nope. I'm sticking with my investment.
My stylist is the daughter of one of my first friends in Portland. I try to have lunch or happy hour with her when I travel across town for my afternoon of chi chi living. Today we met at an Iraqi restaurant that was amazing!
I also managed a half hour at the best dollar store in town. Then home for trudging around in the rain "judging" Halloween vignettes at the complex. When I finally got to my home sweet home, a look in the mirror convinced me to stay with the blonding. I'm just not feeling 85 yet!
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
CHOOSING A TOPIC
Sunday evening my new(er) friends John and Lindee drove down from Seattle to spend a couple of nights. They just bought a travel trailer and drove it home on Tuesday.
First of all, it is a dream of mine to visit all of our National Parks. I would love to do it in a trailer but not the kind you pull. Too much maneuvering for me! After taking a tour of their four star one bedroom unit I am green with envy. WOW! It is a luxury studio apartment. Built in storage, kitchen, bathroom with separate shower. Refrigerator AND freezer ... built to look like the gourmet cabinets. Just stunning. Now ... if I just didn't have to HAUL it.
These two are not on Facebook. Way too active to sit down for more than 20 minutes. They met on an organized bike ride! Now they grow almost all of their fruits and vegetables. They eat healthy 98% of the time. Early to bed and early to rise. Basically I'm their polar opposite!
Yet we had a great time! Mostly a quick visit in the morning then meet up for dinner. I was quite the gracious host ... we ate out both nights! Their treat! (Maybe I should open a Bed and Dinner business?)
They do read my blog. And wonder how I find a topic! I have to say I've never struggled to find something to talk/write about! As my Mom would say ... maybe I just have diarrhea of the mouth!
First of all, it is a dream of mine to visit all of our National Parks. I would love to do it in a trailer but not the kind you pull. Too much maneuvering for me! After taking a tour of their four star one bedroom unit I am green with envy. WOW! It is a luxury studio apartment. Built in storage, kitchen, bathroom with separate shower. Refrigerator AND freezer ... built to look like the gourmet cabinets. Just stunning. Now ... if I just didn't have to HAUL it.
These two are not on Facebook. Way too active to sit down for more than 20 minutes. They met on an organized bike ride! Now they grow almost all of their fruits and vegetables. They eat healthy 98% of the time. Early to bed and early to rise. Basically I'm their polar opposite!
Yet we had a great time! Mostly a quick visit in the morning then meet up for dinner. I was quite the gracious host ... we ate out both nights! Their treat! (Maybe I should open a Bed and Dinner business?)
They do read my blog. And wonder how I find a topic! I have to say I've never struggled to find something to talk/write about! As my Mom would say ... maybe I just have diarrhea of the mouth!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
OUR SENSE OF SMELL
SENSE OF SMELL Anosmia is the partial or full loss of smell. Anosmia can be a temporary or permanent condition. After reading an article i...
-
Yikes! It's only 8:00 pm in Maui (1:00 am in New York) and the House is declared RED. Senate looks like a tie. PRESIDENT? Too... -
After three and a half years, I can usually talk about Mr. Ralph without crying. Not always, but most of the time. It's a joy to be ba...
