Big News on the Homefront!

 2/26/2021

Jeff and I toured the community yesterday, that Stacey and I liked very much. It was good for him, to take a tour, and see what a nice facility it is.

Jeff is renting me a bigger studio apartment. The lease gets signed tomorrow, and I hoping that I can move in mid-March.

I actually have never lived alone in my 71 years. This will be a huge adjustment for both Jeff and myself. The community is closer to Stacey, and she and I are going to make my apartment "girly". 

Stacey is going to help me decorate my space. Under the sink, there is an opening. We discussed buying some kind of a colorful curtain for that space. I, would even like to see rick-rack as a trim.

Many things have to be bought or moved before I can move in. Stuff like a bed, dresser, big things like that.

I will chat with you next week. Have a good weekend.

P

Each day is filled with activities, and so, I must take my reclusive self, out to participate. 

Second Shot Today

 2/25/2021

Today, Jeff and I are getting our second shot. While I know we will still have to do the usual things, like wearing a mask, it just makes me feel a bit more protected.

This afternoon, Jeff and I are going to tour the assisted living community, that Stacey and I liked very much. The only available apartments, at the moment, are studios. I'm willing to live in a studio, while waiting for a one bedroom apartment. 

I hope Jeff likes the community as much, as Stacey and I did. I'll be on the younger side, but apparently, there is someone in their 50's that lives there.

I am mentally making a list of things that I need to bring and/or buy. I'm hoping that I don't have to wait a long time before a one bedroom apartment becomes available. In the big picture, the size of an apartment, doesn't really matter. What matters most is being able to participate in activities, and meet new people. I definitely need the interaction with people, even if most of them, are older than me. But, having said that, I know that, everybody has a story, and it will be fun to share them. I think of myself as a "teenager" with regard to the other residents! I guess we can all grow old together.

I'm hoping to move in, as soon as possible. I, will, of course, miss the house, Jeff and the dogs. The community allows pets, but I can see no benefit to bringing in a pet, who for much of the day, will be left alone. Instead, I think I will buy a big sized stuff animal of some sort.

It's a bright sunny day, in my neighborhood. I hope it's like that where you are.

P

 

 

Dentist Today And Other Things

 2/24/2021

For today's entertainment", I'm going to see the dentist. Argh. I didn't grow up in a time that children dentists were plentiful.

Over the years, with different dentists, I have come to shy away, as much as possible, going to the dentist.

When the boys were children, they went to a children's dentist, and they, now as adults, have no fear of seeing a dentist.

I, on the other hand, have "mushy" teeth. Another word, I suppose, would be soft teeth. Basically, as soon as I leave the dentist's office, I'm pretty sure that a cavity is already growing! That's not true, but it feels like that.

After my face plant on an asphalt driveway last week, I chipped a tooth, towards the front of the mouth. Yipee. Today, I'm going to the dentist to see what can be done to fix this tooth. Right now, it has a jagged edge, which is sharp and really noticeable. Have to fix that for sure.

We're getting our second shot tomorrow. We'll still have to wear masks, etc., but we'll be more protected.

Jeff and I are going tomorrow, to see the retirement community that Stacey and I thought was the best fit for me. I have a copy of the activities for February, and you can be as busy as you like.

I know this is likely to be my last great adventure, but it's time. A move will give Jeff and I space. For a very long time, Jeff has to wonder pretty much 24/7, what I've gotten myself into. Hmm - like standing on a chair, and breaking the chair! More bruises. But, no broken bones! Let's hear it for ice cream!!

While staying at Andrew's house, cooking shows, for example, are generally not recorded. I record all of the cooking and baking shows, but watch them when Jeff isn't around. For instance, this morning, I watched Spring Baking Championship, What amazes me with these shows, is the general lack of measuring cups and spoons. When they pour in flour, for instance, how do the bakers know how much to use. Baffles me every time. Of course, when trying to burn the kitchen down, I do no longer cook or back. But, on the bright side, I'm still able to do the dishes - yipee!!

From 2009, until today, I have kept a "Who's Who" phone list. I have made changes over the years. I add people, and also delete people. It's important, though nobody but myself knows this, it's good to be on the list!

Those are my thoughts for today. I'll be back in the chair tomorrow.

P

 

It's Beautiful Outside

 2/23/2021

After days of some combination of snow and/or ice, today looks promising. And, the weatherman, if we believe him, says that one day this week will be in the 60's. Definitely a cause for celebration.

After much research, Stacey and I have found, what we believe, is a good retirement community. I initially thought that I would do something called "respite care", which is temporary.

Most of the family thinks I would be better off with a one bedroom apartment. The cost, all in,  comes to just a little over $2,000. And, that cost will be the same, for the remainder of the year. We all know what generally happens after the first of the year - yup there is an increase. I've never seen any fee decrease!

Currently, I'm making a list, and of course, checking it twice, to see what I need for my new apartment. While moving is scary, but, I think I have found possibly, my forever home. 

I will be able to do activities, and also take scheduled trips to town. As far as the residents go, I will likely be the "teenager" among most of the residents, who are much older than me. I'm sure that even with the age difference, we'll have many opportunities to talk with each other.

I want to continue to blog, but Jeff will have to set me up to do so.

Second shot this week. Will still have to wear masks, but I'll feel more comfortable. And, because my ears are so small, Stacey gave me a piece of crochet (perhaps?) that has buttons on both sides of the mask. If I use the buttons, then my mask won't continue to slide down my face. 

I fell down while trying to get into Stacey's SUV. Problem was, my right foot didn't quite make it into the car. Nope, I lost my footing, and literally did a face plant on the driveway. I did get a ride to the emergency room, where it was decided that there was nothing physically wrong with my brain. Unfortunately, my fall left me with a very scary black and blue face. It's better now, but I told Benjamin that if was Halloween time, I wouldn't need a costume, just show everyone my really scary face!

The house is going to be cleaned today, although Jeff did a really good job of keeping up with the dishes, etc. Andrew's spare room bed, was very comfortable. But, even so, it wasn't my bed. When I came home on Sunday, I thought Daisy's tail would fall off, it was wiggling so much. I guess she was happy to see me! Let's just say that apparently she wasn't used to sitting in my chair, without me.

My neighbor will come visit me tomorrow. Perhaps we can play Scrabble. I played many games with Benjamin, and enjoyed do so very much.

Signing off for the day. I hope it's pleasant where you live and beautiful outside.

P

           

i'M bAAAAAACK!!!!

2/22/2021

Cinderella, has returned from her vacation. I stayed at Andrew and Stacey's house for a week. It was a most pleasurable, quiet (for the most part) and calm place to be.

While I was there, Stacey and I toured several retirement communities in person. Others were toured virtually. Truth is, that every place we went tour we took away, some positives as well as negatives. 

All of the communities we visited were warm and inviting. I suppose that could be just a "front", but somehow didn't seem to be the case.

At one community, the chef prepared a special lunch for Stacey and myself. The food was excellent. We even had dessert. The director found an empty apartment, so we sat at a table, where the two of us could compare notes. Actually, Stacey who took pictures and notes, summarized everything for me.

I had originally thought about a respite stay of 30 days. One of the biggest problems with that, is you have to bring in your own furniture. You can stay more than 30 days. But, my thinking is, that is that if I like a community, then why not just move in as a resident. Most places, rent from month to month. If you give them 30 days notice, before you move out, the lease simply ends.

At one community, there was an old woman sitting in her room with the door open. Keeping our distance, we asked if she was happy. Wrong question, wrong person. Her family put here there, and she is very unhappy. Truly, I felt sorry for her. My family isn't putting me anywhere. I'm putting myself somewhere. 

During a tour of some place, at day's end, my brain was a muddled mess. Go figure. Oh, back to my original thought. We met the maintenance man. He told me that if/when I move in, he would be happy to put handles on the cupboards for me. Also, hang pictures, etc. I liked him very much, he was very nice. And, even with the mask on, could see that my eyes were tearing up. As I walked beside him, and before he went back to work, he told me that the community was a very nice place to stay. 

I talked to the Chef at some place, and he gave me a copy of the month's menu. IF, I went there, I would really have to watch my calories! I really love desserts. And, if you're wondering, fruit is not a dessert for me.

While at Andrew's house, Benjamin and I played Scrabble. I haven't played this for a very long time, but actually did pretty well. I allowed Benjamin to win, because that was important to him. I also let him use an on-line Scrabble dictionary, so that he could look up a word. In my mind, that felt like cheating, but I was playing for fun. By the way, this old woman, with the addled mind, and no dictionary, held her own.

Also, while I was there, everybody showed me how to get to emails, calendars, etc. While, I'm certainly not a pro, I think I did pretty well.

I'm home now, sleeping in my own bed, with Daisy and Bella, taking up space, like they have always done. The girls missed me, apparently, because Daisy, really wanted to get in my lap, like we do every day.

Second shot this week. The first shot, neither Jeff or I, had no reactions. Hopefully, the one this week, will go as well.

Since I can't seem to keep masks on, because Stacey says my ears are too little, she has given me a crocheted "thing" (I don't know what it's really called), that has buttons on both sides. Basically, I put the mask on, and loop the strings around the buttons. I hope this works, because every mask I use keeps falling of my ears! I am also happy that there is at least one part of me that is small!!

I'll stop for the day. But, I'll be back in my chair tomorrow. I hope that during my absence last week, I didn't lose any followers.

Have a good week.

P

 

 

 

I'll be away for a week

 2/14/2021

I'm writing today to let you know that the blog will be silent this week. I'm going to Andrew's house. I'm hoping to find a community, that offers respite care, which is a minimum of 30 days.

Stacey and I are going to tour virtually as well as in person. Busy week coming up for me.

I hope you all have a wonderful week. I'll be back in my chair on Monday. 

Remember, just because I'm going away, I really don't want all of you to go away!!

Patti

Where's The Snow?

 2/21/2021

Do you know, that I think being a weatherman, isn't likely to be fired, if his forecast doesn't come true. It was predicted that we were going to get inches of snow, and sadly that didn't happen.

After losing electricity, when Benjamin was a toddler, and we have an all electric house. This means, no heat, no cooking, etc. It's hard to tell a toddler, that the house is cold, and the food is as well. 

That storm, was the last one, where we didn't have electricity. Jeff promptly bought a whole house GENERATOR. Our girl, "Jenny" is big. Since she runs off the gas line, she can run indefinitely. Jenny is lovely to look at, but she was professionally installed, having met all required codes.

Once a week, Jenny has a short run. You can hear her, and the noise, if you will, brings me a lot of comfort. But, here's the thing, once Jenny was installed, we literally have never had a power outage for more than a few minutes. 

I had one neighbor asked, if the power did go out, could they run a cord that would connect to Jenny. Our answer then, as it is now, NO. This is the same neighbor, who didn't like looking into our back yard (probably Jenny's fault), so she installed two panels of plastic fencing across the back of her yard. I am a very patient person - truly. We could, of course, paint Jenny green, right now she is beige. But, then thinking about it, "frankly I don't give a damn" what the neighbors think.

This neighborhood, unlike living in California, wants to be in your business ALL THE TIME. What are you doing? Why are you doing "x"? I think one of your tall trees is going to fall on our house. We took action on that one, and instead of just pulling out THAT true, we removed all of the Cypress trees in the backyard. And, boy did that change the look of the yard.

I suppose in the spring, we'll have to consult with somebody, about which and how many trees/bushes we should plant. Here's what I do know - never going to put another another tree, plant, etc., right on the fence line. It's just better that way. Something I miss about California, is the cement block fences. I can't see you, and you can't see me. Perfecto.

The removal of 14 very tall Cypress trees, did take some time, and was noisy as well. After the trees were gone, they ground down the stumps too. This leaves the backyard, practically empty. We do have Wendy's cement bench in the yard, and personally would like to give that bench to Andrew. They have a massive backyard, and they could put the bench around the firepit.

Monday, I'm going to Andrew's house for a week. Stacey and I, will set up times to take a tour of some of the retirement communities. I had tried to do this on my own, but after a bit, I become very confused, and can't remember what I've been told. That's where somebody has to step in and take over my search. Most respite care in the senior communities are for a month. Staying that long, will give me an overview of the facility, activities and food.

I believe that eventually I will find a community that ticks off all the boxes. Once I move in, Jeff will have to take over the blog, since I won't have a computer, and likely no television either.

What I will bring to the temporary facility is books, art projects, some of which are not going so well. I am also taking out to Andrew's house, a few games: Scrabble and a Family Feud game, that also has some word search puzzles.  

I'm going to Andrew's house on Monday for a week. Stacey can help tour communities with me, if she has time. She is a very busy woman, and I don't want to add to her list of things to do, by visiting possible places. Stacey is very good to me, and there are no words that could express how grateful I am. Wendy, who lives farther away, and teaches classes, as well works with Elly for homework, etc.

Have a good weekend everybody. Even though Jeff and I have had our first shot, we will continue to do all the right things.

P