We have the most interesting people here!

See for yourself:

With Flag day coming I thought this would be a nice prelude.
Have a wonderful day!
Emily

Aging parents need:
-To be included in the family :)
-To be treated with respect :]
-Help handling health issues :}
-To stay connected: Intellectually, spiritually, and socially :>

Something to blog about.

Well good morning and Happy Monday!

We have had some excitement this morning, but wait, I'll tell you about that later.  I have something to show you first.

I received a note about pretty flowering plants that our residents Linda and Rita had purchased for our gardens.  Just now, Rita came in with a Thank-you note from a fellow resident who is doing most of the gardening.  Here she is:

Eunice not only works tirelessly around the gardens, she takes care of the Thank-You notes also!
As an aside: I thought it was neat that the colors on the Thank-you note matched her outfit exactly!
While I was writing this out van driver Brian, marvelled that he made a copy on our new(ish) copier without messing up!  Hurray for Brian!

So, when I was coming in this morning, I noticed a chipmunk where a brick should be. Here's a visual:

AND, Elma from housekeeping later informed me there was a chipmunk in the building!  He was in the basement.  I called next door (The Holiday) for back up, to no avail.  Hilda from housekeeping came off the elevator and said "here he is" and I watched as the little varmit...no...I looked it up it's vermin (lol) scurried down the hallway!

What I did next was BRILLIANT AND BRAVE!  I opened the center front and back doors, and ran around to the side door where he was running.  Then I pounded the broom (hard- I was scared he would run over my sandaled feet) on the ground as he (or she) ran out the door.  That little guy (or gal) was so scared and disoriented he ran back and forth out front for a minute before hiding!  Glad I had my wheaties this morning.  Sure beats a medical emergency!

I did however, break the broom:

So that's my story from the house this beautiful morning.  Come on over and check out our beautiful grounds, and Chipmunk free living :)
Good to see you again,
Emily

Getting here

Wow- They have changed the face of Blogger.  Getting here was a round trip!  I wanted to tell you all how nice it was to go to Bristow Middle School yesterday.  We had good conversation about the book Homeless Bird.  I found it relaxing to see Canterbury from the other side of the street!  We have such a lovely building :)  Here is where I should insert a photo!
Next time.
If you would like to see our building please go to our facebook pages or click here www.canterburyretirement.com
It's a great day to be at The Canterbury!

Encouragement and Support

Hi Everyone!
It has been way too long!

I have been trying to pen a note to you about encouragement and support, the kind you get here at The Canterbury.

This idea grew after a board meeting we had recently.
Someone mentioned the great things we are doing on the internet.  It made me want to get busy and to do more!

It is one thing to do well at something, it is another to do well and get support and encouragement for your efforts.  Here's a visual:

This is Barbara.  She just returned from her doctor's office where he gave her a "celebrating hope" bear.  I asked if she wanted to tell you more about this and she looked at the picture and said "it tells the whole story".  Celebrating with her doctor, then with me, and soon her friends at Canterbury makes her experience with prolonged good health all the richer!

We strive to have consistency in the office, a smile, no negativity, criticism or gossip.

"I heard your voice, you are young and I feel better around youger people" Nora says to me.  "They think and feel different" she adds.  She likes to get a boost from the energy of the Office Attendant, especially on rainy days.  Her vision is declining and life is especially difficult for her on cloudy days.  Nora moved in with her husband, and when he passed away her son asked if she would like to come live with him.  She replied that she wants to stay here.  "I need people because once I get involved in old thoughts I can not solve anything or do anything".  "You release your thoughts and your brain gives you a break"

Tomorrow a resident gets radium and chemo. treatments.  We have it on our wall calendar here in the office, and will be with her every step of the way to encourage and support this person.

I guess that's what you call family.  We are your Canterbury family. . . Soooo Come on over!

Sincerely,
Emily

Heat Wave and Shuttle Discovery

Wow!
How did you like that heat wave yesterday!  It seems a little cooler today.
In the past people would take cold showers or put their feet in cold water or ice.

"The heat seems harder to take now" said a resident who just left the office.

Thank goodness for air conditioning!

We are taking residents to their doctor's appointments today.  Many got together to view the Shuttle landing.  A favorite part was the little American flag waving out a window as they came in.

All is well.
Take Care,
Emily :)

Beautiful and Happy

Hi All!  Happy Spring!

I just read a post from a facebook friend:

"Being beautiful doesn't make you happy, but being happy makes you beautiful".

No wonder all our residents are so beautiful!!!!!!!!!! 

Our residents rode the van to the grocery store this morning and will enjoy having our Van Driver carry their groceries to their apartments. 

For $1195. a month, including utilities and services, you can't get a regular 1 br apartment in West Hartford it seems.  We get a lot of calls from people under 55 years old complaining about what they see.  Sorry, we wish we could help!

Enjoy your Monday, and I hope no one fooled you too badly yesterday!

Happy April!
Emily