Wow-
It is amazing to know people are reading this blog! Please, click wherever it says to (on the right I think) to become a "follower". That would inspire me! Please? Be brave :)
Our van is at The Hibachi Grill right now. I am putting fresh tulips and roses around this big house to give the feeling of spring to an otherwise dreary day (it's working).
It is tough sometimes, especially for people losing their vision, not to have a sunny day. These flowers are perking us all up! Hopefully those experiencing flooding will stay safe.
I was at a board meeting last night and several people's phones went off about the amber alert. I am so sad to wake to the news of a 47 year old grandmother with a hx of mental illness...that her grandchildren..and she...
I am just so sad about this.
I was thinking earlier about family issues that don't get resolved, and disease processes that may make a parent say something they might otherwise have thought twice about. Sometimes, I am in the middle of hurt feeling in my job as Executive Director and I am available, door open, to listen; and importantly not judge anyone. Please, forgive something your aging parent has said or done, because they need you!!!! I should title this post "High Road".
Once I drove 400 miles to take care of my dad who, sadly, had just gotten a feeding tube. When I walked in he exclaimed "You need to lose weight"! That was my greeting...and he was right! I'd gained weight :) I re-play in my head what I should-have-said....such as "oh no, clearly you need a nursing home!- you're delerious (he was living in a lovely condo)"..use humor to lighten the mood (which he was doing also).
That is another good thing about here, at The Canterbury. We are family and we support each other. We notice when someone is "off" and try our best to get them the help they need, and offer compassion. We do not judge, or criticize (but we do gossip a wee bit).
Someone at my board meeting last night (nothing to do with the Canterbury- a volunteer activity of mine) was talking about someone else afterward and I was so shocked. I just am not used to being around people who are critical of others.
I do not know why that grandmother did not get the help she needed...that let her to this horrific crime...
but I do know it takes a village. I hope big changes come, and they come soon.
As a friend of mine says, "In the Greatest of Hope",
Emily
(PS- Jeff (I forgot to look what he was wearing on his feet) is going up on the roof as I write this to help Direct TV do an install...it is pouring rain and I REALLY want him to stay safe! His father, rest his soul, did not want him on the roof! His God father happens to be our van driver so I just asked him to go pray near where they are-lol)
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
BIG HUGS!and Happy Belated VALENTINE'S DAY (I was spoiled by the residents-flowers, candy AND perfume!). We put whipped cream in everything yesterday!
Emily
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Friends
Hi Everyone!
I talked to someone really nice yesterday evening...normal...we clicked (at least I did...in hindsight). We talked for a long time and it was the first time we had talked...so I guess that means we clicked,... right?
Anyways, it reminds me of when the residents move in to The Canterbury. Many times their situation is that they have lost a spouse or never married and been living at home by themselves...in a bigger home and had to downsize...(dare I say isolated?)...
(we interrupt this blog to speak with a foreign sounding older lady over the phone who wants "a little job" to help people (send us your resume)...and to let the painter in (and ask advice about a ceiling)...and ask Norman in Maintenance if he wants to stay for today's birthday party)
...
When the residents at The Canterbury get together and start talking about things they have in common it is MAGIC! I love to see it!
Companionship is so important!
There's a spring in my step today, and I wanted to share with you the joy of companionship that is Retirement Living here at The Canterbury. Because we are small we have the opportunity for a real family atmosphere, and some meaningful connections.
When one resident came down first thing this morning not feeeling well, we found him a ride to get help and he was back in two hours with perscriptions in hand, a diagnosis and a plan...
and most important:
A smile on his face.
I'll leave you with that.
We are having a birthday party today...Come on over! Watch out for the branches, that was some storm last night! We were fine, our neighbor wasn't as lucky...had a tree fall down. No one was hurt, thankfully.
So Take care until we meet again, it is almost party time.
Emily ;)
I talked to someone really nice yesterday evening...normal...we clicked (at least I did...in hindsight). We talked for a long time and it was the first time we had talked...so I guess that means we clicked,... right?
Anyways, it reminds me of when the residents move in to The Canterbury. Many times their situation is that they have lost a spouse or never married and been living at home by themselves...in a bigger home and had to downsize...(dare I say isolated?)...
(we interrupt this blog to speak with a foreign sounding older lady over the phone who wants "a little job" to help people (send us your resume)...and to let the painter in (and ask advice about a ceiling)...and ask Norman in Maintenance if he wants to stay for today's birthday party)
...
When the residents at The Canterbury get together and start talking about things they have in common it is MAGIC! I love to see it!
Companionship is so important!
There's a spring in my step today, and I wanted to share with you the joy of companionship that is Retirement Living here at The Canterbury. Because we are small we have the opportunity for a real family atmosphere, and some meaningful connections.
When one resident came down first thing this morning not feeeling well, we found him a ride to get help and he was back in two hours with perscriptions in hand, a diagnosis and a plan...
and most important:
A smile on his face.
I'll leave you with that.
We are having a birthday party today...Come on over! Watch out for the branches, that was some storm last night! We were fine, our neighbor wasn't as lucky...had a tree fall down. No one was hurt, thankfully.
So Take care until we meet again, it is almost party time.
Emily ;)
Monday, January 28, 2013
Flu-Like Cold
Hi There!
Have any of you had this Flu-Like Cold that is going around?
I did!
I am still tired weeks later!
Fortuantely we didn 't have to close our door to the public as many nearby Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities did.
I tried to fight it myself...and finally dragged myself into a CVS walk in clinic on a Saturday afternoon. I signed in a little after 4pm and was finally taken a little before 5PM. They had turned away a baby before me...you have to be 18 months old at least to go to the CVS minute clinic.....................................................we interrupt this blog to hear schools are closing...it just started snowing...apparently it is going to be icy...it just began to snow....unheard of in my native Buffalo but having been here about 20 years now I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
So back to the minute clinic. Sadly people waiting almost as long as I were turned away! A lot of people were sick.
But guess what...I was back to my Primary care doctor three days later and he said to his student, what did they forget at the minute clinic. We both answered "Corticosteroids".
People PLEASE have a regular doctor! I have learned my lesson about trying to fight a bug myself and not asking for help.
I got busy today...had to leave this blog and not really finish...and yes, we have SNOW. So be careful out there! I'll be back soon.
Until then, Take Care!
Emily
Have any of you had this Flu-Like Cold that is going around?
I did!
I am still tired weeks later!
Fortuantely we didn 't have to close our door to the public as many nearby Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities did.
I tried to fight it myself...and finally dragged myself into a CVS walk in clinic on a Saturday afternoon. I signed in a little after 4pm and was finally taken a little before 5PM. They had turned away a baby before me...you have to be 18 months old at least to go to the CVS minute clinic.....................................................we interrupt this blog to hear schools are closing...it just started snowing...apparently it is going to be icy...it just began to snow....unheard of in my native Buffalo but having been here about 20 years now I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
So back to the minute clinic. Sadly people waiting almost as long as I were turned away! A lot of people were sick.
But guess what...I was back to my Primary care doctor three days later and he said to his student, what did they forget at the minute clinic. We both answered "Corticosteroids".
People PLEASE have a regular doctor! I have learned my lesson about trying to fight a bug myself and not asking for help.
I got busy today...had to leave this blog and not really finish...and yes, we have SNOW. So be careful out there! I'll be back soon.
Until then, Take Care!
Emily
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Services
Hi All- :)
There are so many ways to gain from easy living...
Just this morning our resident who is not feeling well was able to get some groceries via our Van Driver, and a different resident was able to get razor blades he realized he was out of.
A really nice and well qualified Podiatrist made a home visit to one of our newer residents...
...another resident was able to sign up for dinner last minute.
There are so many great ways the staff pitches in to meet resident needs.
I put a box of candy by the coffee maker. A resident gave me one because I helped carry in his microwave oven yesterday (I started a new, badly needed exercise class this year, that's why they are by the coffee maker!).
Another resident brought down two flowering plants she purchased while on the van for grocery shopping. They look great in the foyer. Goodbye Pointsettia, hello Cyclamen!
Earlier I asked for a suggestion about what to "tweet" and the staff member replied "we're the most wonderful place in the world".
Nice, huh? :) Come on over and see what you think! or take a virtual tour, hosted by yours truly at www.holidayretirement.com/Canterbury-Overview.aspx
Have a lovely rest of the day and enjoy the tour :)
Emily
There are so many ways to gain from easy living...
Just this morning our resident who is not feeling well was able to get some groceries via our Van Driver, and a different resident was able to get razor blades he realized he was out of.
A really nice and well qualified Podiatrist made a home visit to one of our newer residents...
...another resident was able to sign up for dinner last minute.
There are so many great ways the staff pitches in to meet resident needs.
I put a box of candy by the coffee maker. A resident gave me one because I helped carry in his microwave oven yesterday (I started a new, badly needed exercise class this year, that's why they are by the coffee maker!).
Another resident brought down two flowering plants she purchased while on the van for grocery shopping. They look great in the foyer. Goodbye Pointsettia, hello Cyclamen!
Earlier I asked for a suggestion about what to "tweet" and the staff member replied "we're the most wonderful place in the world".
Nice, huh? :) Come on over and see what you think! or take a virtual tour, hosted by yours truly at www.holidayretirement.com/Canterbury-Overview.aspx
Have a lovely rest of the day and enjoy the tour :)
Emily
Monday, December 31, 2012
Happy New Year!
Hi All!
Our Van Driver is out getting the champagne for our combined Birthday/New Years Eve Party ! Hurray!
Later this week we have our Holiday party with hordevours, Surf and Turf <Ed comes in- helping us get our parking lot clean of snow> and the former lead singer of The Platters will entertain.
We are looking forward to A Happy and Healthy New Year! We wish you the same!
Emily
Our Van Driver is out getting the champagne for our combined Birthday/New Years Eve Party ! Hurray!
Later this week we have our Holiday party with hordevours, Surf and Turf <Ed comes in- helping us get our parking lot clean of snow> and the former lead singer of The Platters will entertain.
We are looking forward to A Happy and Healthy New Year! We wish you the same!
Emily
Monday, December 17, 2012
shootings
After all is said and done and the conversations of helping our fellow humans and gun control begin, and 28, yes 28 candles are lit, this poem says it best for me:
So it is, and so it will be, for so it has been, time out of mind:
Into the darkness they go, the wise and the lovely. Crowned
With lilies and with laurel they go; but I am not resigned.
Lovers and thinkers, into the earth with you.
Be one with the dull, the indiscriminate dust.
A fragment of what you felt, of what you knew,
A formula, a phrase remains, --- but the best is lost. The answers quick & keen, the honest look, the laughter, the love,
They are gone. They have gone to feed the roses. Elegant and curled
Is the blossom. Fragrant is the blossom. I know. But I do not approve.
More precious was the light in your eyes than all the roses in the world. Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave
Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;
Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.
I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.
Edna St. Vincent Millay
I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground.So it is, and so it will be, for so it has been, time out of mind:
Into the darkness they go, the wise and the lovely. Crowned
With lilies and with laurel they go; but I am not resigned.
Lovers and thinkers, into the earth with you.
Be one with the dull, the indiscriminate dust.
A fragment of what you felt, of what you knew,
A formula, a phrase remains, --- but the best is lost. The answers quick & keen, the honest look, the laughter, the love,
They are gone. They have gone to feed the roses. Elegant and curled
Is the blossom. Fragrant is the blossom. I know. But I do not approve.
More precious was the light in your eyes than all the roses in the world. Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave
Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;
Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.
I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.
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