Thursday, December 3, 2020

Some of the Changes

 We all have experienced lots of changes this year.  No big family gatherings like Memorial Day, 4th of July, Halloween and birthdays, especially Mom's 92nd.  It was kind of sad to not get together to celebrate Mom's birthday.

And that was necessitated by Mom's move this fall. After 62 years in the home that she and Dad bought, she decided it was time to move.  She has been hearing lots about a new senior housing being built in Portland. This new facility is half apartments and half assisted living.

She had said for years that the house and huge yard were getting too much to worry about. And she was terribly lonesome living on her own.  But when we wanted to actually look at a smaller house or apartment, she decided she was fine where she was.



But when she heard of some of the people who had looked at The Brook, she knew hopefully she would know some of the other people who were moving in. There would always be someone to visit with or if she wasn't in the mood, she would just stay in her apartment. Mike had been keeping track of the progress during the building.  Of course Covid slowed it all down.  It was supposed to open in May but was delayed until September.  She signed up and decided to make the move.

But even the day of the move she wasn't sure she would go through with it.  TB and covid tests were needed before the move  It was interesting the items she decided to take. And she wasn't sure she could fit all the furniture the boys were moving into her 2 bedroom apartment, but was pleasantly surprised to find there was room to spare.

A huge benefit was that Mike got a job at The Brook as their maintenance guy.  It is supposed to be just part-time although some tenants are higher maintenance than others. But I means he is able to keep track of mom and check on her.

So far there are just 6 people are living there, but each week more people are touring. Hopefully after the first of the year more will be moving in.  She is still able to get her daily walks in outside and will walk the halls once the snow flies. 

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Starting again

 What to you do when the person who showed you how to set up a blog moves away?  And then for some reason, it no longer lets you add pictures.  Well. I guess a post with no pics can still work.  What a year 2020 has been.

I had been volunteering for McLaren Hospital in Lansing at their guest house, McRee House.  It was the ideal opportunity for me. Do a little dusting, water the house plants, bake cookies, all good.  Best was on my 2 eight hour days a month, I could take my sewing machine and set it up in the kitchen and sew.  It was often a topic with some of the guests and doctors.

In February or March that came to an end.  Then in July I got the opportunity to volunteer at the McLaren Pennsylvania campus in the surgical lounge.  Three weeks ago that also came to an end.  Maybe we will begin again after the first of the year.

Trying to get a baby quilt top ready for mom to quilt.  As the weather gets colder she will be restricted to inside walking  and will need something to keep her mind busy.

Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving.  Stay safe.