Best Float!

Good morning everyone!

It IS a Happy Monday here at The Canterbury!

I can usually tell when someone hasn't been here before.  They often pull on the front door instead of ringing the doorbell (our building is secured).

Today I heard someone pull on our door and when I went to greet him what did I find?

 A gentleman from the Park Road Playhouse carrying this:

I am trying so hard to remember my manners and not gloat, so I will just end this note to say Thank-You, we are honored to be a part of this wonderful event in West Hartford!

Emily

Supported and smiling

Hi all-

One thing that is true at Canterbury is you will feel supported!  Here is an example:

When I returned from my sad events there were cards...lots of them, and flowers!

A huge group of residents had gotten together to make a donation to a charity in my dad's name.

One gal who fills in for me works at a bank.  She paid attention to the one month anniversary of my dad's passing and asked if I'd like the day off.  She says she feels wonderful when she comes here, everyone is so warm and caring (she has had major losses of her own).  She wants to know if I want to have a long weekend "off".  She is doing for me what I wasn't doing for myself because she cares.  She said our van driver told her "thank-you for giving Emily a day off" and told me "you are loved" here.

Perhaps it is our size, maybe it is the length of time employees have invested in their careers here, certainly it is our wonderful residents who set the tone...Canterbury is truly a nice place to be!

If you are reading this because you are wondering if your parent will get support if he/she/they move in- they will!

Even our mailman is a riot!  I commented on how his hair had grown and he said he was having it cut today.  I suggested bangs and he talked about his ideas.  "Whatever I do I'm going to look good", he said.  Ha!

I'm smiling!

Take good care and be happy.

Emily

I had to come back.  Our former Live-In-Attendant is here helping a resident and she spotted another resident, and embraced her like a sister (this resident is one of the sweetest, kindest ladies I personally have ever met).  They re-created it for me so I could share it with you.  Unfortunately the first picture is a little blurry (charging the battery now) but here you go:

March

Hi Everyone!
Happy March.

I have been quiet because my dad passed away in February.  They say "a picture is worth a thousand words", so...here is my family:

 I am the youngest.   Dad was 85 years old.

Here's Mom and Dad:

As a staff member so eloquently put it; I picked the good parents card, and I'm lucky.  Grief is not easy.  Perhaps some of our readers could chime in and give suggestions about coping with grief.  We would love to hear from you.  "We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now. Martin Luther King, Jr.  We need each other!

Take care everyone,

Emily

Predictions

Hi Everyone!

Even though it is a little colder outside, that famous groundhog in Pennsylvania did not see his shadow, so spring surely is right around the corner!  Phew!  After last years winter it is nice to have a break from piles of snow.  Did you notice I don't have my facts straight?  Hmmnnn...maybe I do...

According to Stormfax.com,  Phil is accurate 39 percent of the time.

Due to the unusually warm winter we've been having, hopefully he'll be wrong this year.

According to the Weather Channel's website,  63 percent of the country was covered in snow last year. Unless a giant blizzard pops up in the near future, the U.S. won't even come close this year – barely 25 percent of the country is covered in snow. Alaska, Seattle and Midland Texas are above average, but ski resorts around the country are making their own snow because their slopes are bare, and in the upper plains, the snow is needed to ward off drought conditions.

Back to West Hartford,

On for today at The Canterbury:

Ride to the grocery store, multi-cultural hour, chair exercises, and we are crocheting hats for kids who have Cancer. 

We do have a few more colder days before spring arrives, so don't forget your coat.  Did you know your hands and head lose much of the heat from your body?  So keep them covered and you wont feel the cold as much. 

Until we meet again, T-H-I-N-K  S-P-R-I-N-G!

Big Hugs (remember, it's the love month),
Emily

Gratitude

Hi Everyone!

I just asked someone what he was grateful for and I realized that I am grateful for being the hub here at The Canterbury.  We all need somewhere safe to "land", and we usually call that place home.

The office is an integral part of this home, it is the hub, the safe place to land.

I am lucky to be able to help and be here for our residents.  It is an honor and a privilege.

With whom or where is your safe place to land?

It is a beautiful day today, this first day of February!  I hope you readers get outside and breathe the fresh air.

Happy February!

Get ready for Valentine's Day - one resident suggested we make that hug everybody day, "and instill in each other that we all love one another".

 I couldn't have said it better myself!

I wish you all a wonderful month full of love!

Emily

Power outs!

Hi Everyone! 

How is your January going?  We have had a lot of celebrations, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  One resident had a 90 years young birthday bash in the dining room, and another had a 55 years young celebration in the Rec. Room!

We are having a resident meeting today and one thing I am reminding our residents is this:

If you have a power out, call CL&P at 860-947-2000 and they may have information for you.  They then report it to the field.  If just one resident calls, they figure it might be something in the apartment.  If you all call, they know the whole complex has an issue. The same is true if you are in your individual home.

I learned this when I volunteered for a town emergency management operations, straight from the CL&P representative, and I called today to confirm it and they said it is true, true, true!

One of the owners is working on having our electric costs lessened by adding the bills together.  There is always a member of the team working to help us run more efficiently, that's why we not only are one of the oldest Retirement Communities on the area, we are probably the most affordable.

Stop on in and say hello.  I'll give you a brochure and show you around.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Emily

The Difference

Happy New Year Everyone!

I am puling out boxes of pictures I have at home, one box at a time.  My motivation is a favor for a friend who lost his daughter to a brain tumor when she was only seven years young.  I love taking pictures and I have some great photographs of her over the years that he wants to see.

Our Property Manager Jeff (his dad, Aunt and Uncle built Canterbury) has a big heart.  One lady was planning a move to Canterbury from a big house across the street from Elizabeth Park.  She had to pick and choose her favorite things, and one HUGE china cabinet would not fit.  Jeff cares.  Jeff is a problem solver.

Here's what he did:

He didn't ask for money, or even thanks.  He just got the job done! His family owns much of the equiptment that other places have to rent and therefore he saves us A LOT of money!

That's why you will find our prices to be the same as in an ordinary apartment down the street with no services!

Guess who just walked in!

:)

XO Emily