Yahtzee!

"Come on Yahtzee!"...."Roll me a three!".... and "Another large straight!" could be heard in the cozy dining room just after lunch. Yep, it was another group activity led by the indefatigable Liz. We learned that Lou (Madeline's roommate) is very lucky and we have dubbed her "Lucky Lou". Indeed, Lou was the Champion of the Day with the high score of 254 points. Madeline was the referee and didn't miss a bit of the action at the head of the table.

Ruth is very adept at rolling small and large straights at 30 to 40 points each and she is a tough competitor. We told her that a trip to Vegas should be in her future the way she rolled big points in a single roll like she does it everyday.

Genevieve was the first to fill in the upper level scores and just missed collecting her 35 point bonus by 1 point but she thrilled us as her skill improved from barely rolling the die from the cup to taking all the dice in hand and rolling most of what she called out.

Those are the moments, folks. And these are the days. Somehow it didn't seem to matter that nobody managed to roll a Yahtzee during the whole game.

FYI: (Indefatigable - tireless, inexhaustible, or persevering)

Banana Splits

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood. 64-degrees in February! Wow! I was out on the motorcycle and swung by Madeline's place for a visit. My timing was fabulous, they were just dishing up Banana Splits! The ladies were gathered round the big dining table with naked bowls of vanilla ice cream laid between two banana slices. They got their choice of a full-on chocolate, strawberry, and caramel strewn split (with whipped cream and a cherry on top) or any combination thereof. They could even have sprinkles!

I was offered one as well and started to politely decline when a few of the ladies decided that I needed one with everything on it. My, how they have learned me already! These ladies are so much fun. Madeline had no problems maneuvering every morsel from her bowl and chasing it down with a Shirley Temple. A few of the caretakers strolled by checking on progress and felt compelled to remind a few of the residents that they aren't supposed to eat the cherry stems. (A good idea considering the level of dementia on any given day.) They need not have reminded Madeline. She already had that one figured out and was handing the stems off to me.

Once again, it was pure delight stopping in to visit. Madeline promised to watch the movie of the day and report back to me. The movie was "Fried Green Tomatoes" and I look forward to TOWANDA! tomorrow.

Lady Bug Spring

Madeline participated in a group activity, an artistic endeavor, to signal the arrival of spring. The choice was to make a caterpillar or a string of four lady bugs. She (and all the other ladies) chose lady bugs.

The activities director, Liz, ended up with her hands full as many of the ladies decided to participate. The exercise helped them to maintain dexterity as they used paintbrushes to create their individual projects. Madeline was most interested in watching the activity and handling the end result. We named her "Supervisor" and she supplied the encouragement and laughter. I got a job helping with the activity and aided a few of the ladies with the task of painting and attaching lengths of pipe cleaner to serve as "antennae".

I tell you, this sure beats moping about the house wishing I was working. I was only stopping by after doing my shopping on my way home and ended up staying for 2 hours.

By the way, Madeline's new mattress arrived so we can all rest a little easier knowing that she is safely installed in a soft-sided mattress during the night. This type of mattress lessens the risk of her falling out of bed. The board and care facility supplied this at their expense. How great is that?! No extra charge. We continue to be amazed by the love and care lavished upon Madeline. This love and care is really paying off. The nursing assistants have been working diligently with Madeline and tell us that she is now supporting her own weight during transitions between wheelchair and bed and wheelchair and toilet. Upon her arrival, she was only capable of supporting her own weight for a maximum of about 2 seconds. This tells us that her legs are becoming stronger.

She continues to be a joy to visit. We noted a few cards beside her bedside so it looks like she is getting family visits. We can tell you that she sure perks up when family comes to see her and it seems to carry over for a few days. Thank you to those of you that take the time to stop by and say "Hello". It is very much appreciated by all (even the other residents - there are so many sweet ladies there.)

Valentine's Day

Looks like the Valentine Fairy Godmother made a personal appearance to brighten the day. Vases of red roses and carnations graced the dining tables, boxes of chocolates and candy hearts littered the countertops. Love was prevalent as family members dropped by to remember their loved ones.

You know which photo is Madeline. She may look like a sour puss in the photo but she is not. Let it be known that she is quick to smile and laugh but it's not always easy to capture it with the camera.

The Valentine Fairy Godmother was LeeAnna, one of the resident's grand-daughters, and Durrell poses with her.

She Blooms

Madeline is still settling well into her new home away from home and seems to take great delight in receiving visits from her family. This week Stephen and Emily rode over on one of the bikes around suppertime and David visited with her as well. While she doesn't know exactly when people have stopped by, she is aware that someone visited and smiles at the recollection. When she is reminded who stopped by, she says it was wonderful and beams.

Each day we continue to see improvement in her cognition and physical capabilities. While she was previously completely incontinent, she is able to participate in those most basic of activities (with attentive help). Her mood continues to be good-humored and we are told that she has taken to preferring to stay up later (around 10 pm) to watch TV in the community viewing room. Allow me to tell you that she does NOT languish in her bedroom quarters. She participates to the best of her ability in all the activities that the boarding home has to offer and what is even better is that they love her and lavish attention upon her.

As the spring approaches, flowers in the ground reach skyward in their quest to bloom. Madeline beats them to the punch...she is positively blooming these days. Please go see for yourself.

Girl's Day with Mom! Who Knew?

Madeline played BINGO today. (Okay, she was hanging onto her card and not really playing) but it was a social activity and she suited up and showed up so she gets points! I sat with her and started rattling off the happenings of my own day. I have found that she is the most awesome listener, laughs when she should and punctuates with a hearty "Darn, right!" at just the right moments with a sprinkling of "Thank God!".

To our surprise, the door opened and in stepped Liz and her good friend, Ann, bearing gifts of candy, cards, and flowers. We were all just getting settled into our visit (Liz reading a letter from Uncle Benny to Mom) when another of our impromptu posse arrived...Emily, Stephen's girlfriend!

We could not have planned it any better. This board and care facility is so wonderful, the cook, a delightful & thoughtful woman, popped some cookies into the oven and offered up coffee and beverage. It sure made a great visit, if I may say so. It is not often that just us women get together. I hope there will more visits like that one and I hope I have my camera to snap a photo.

(Just a note, Ann snapped a photo on her camera phone and if she can get it downloaded and sent out, perhaps we can post it at a later date.)

It's Groundhog's Day!

Stopped by the boarding home for what is working out to be my daily visit with Madeline. The sun was shining for all it was worth this day and I was determined to share it with her. In my mind's eye, I pictured her twelve years ago, barefoot and stooped over out her front door, contentedly picking grasses. This is the Earth Mother Madeline picture that I hold dear in my memory. It was times like these that she seemed utterly happy and within her element.

Today, we sat in the hallway in a spot where the sunlight poured in upon us, warming our bones. I chatted with her about flowers soon to be in bloom, Rod's upcoming birthday, Valentine's Day, and the fact that we would be celebrating my sister's birthday this very evening at Jimmy Mac's Roadhouse. I told her what I bought for her son, Rod, for both occasions and she laughed conspiratorially with me. Perhaps it was just polite laughter but it worked for me. It is good to see her laugh. She is so gracious during my visits and is equally gracious when it is time for me to leave. I think I see a look of appreciation and that works well for me, too.

Now, we have not heard if dear ole Mr. Groundhog saw his shadow or not (I, for one, am hoping not because I cannot bear the thought of six more weeks of winter.) But I suppose we will accept it either way.

Madeline's New Room

This is Madeline's new place of residence, a very delightful place that she seems quite comfortable and happy in. Madeline shares her room with a delightful lady named Lou. We have photographed just Madeline's side of the room to respect her room mate's privacy. The crucifix from her husband's funeral is on the wall above her bed and her wedding photo on the bedside table. We are assembling more photos of her family for her room. Got a pic of the whole family to share?

Family, please note that I am not posting information on this blog that will allow outsiders to track our Madeline down and ask that you do the same. Please feel free to contact Rod and Tina Flink to get her new address.