A Note From Mom

Dear Friends,
Linnet is here visiting me and offered to help me write a line before supper. I don't feel much like writing, but I want you to know that I miss you all, and I hope you'll keep in touch.
Love,
Iona

The Move to a New Room

On Friday Mom (was) moved to a different room in another wing at Parkview. The staff suggested she might benefit from a 'quieter' wing with less hubbub, fewer residents (=more attention), and not such frequently changing/rotating staff. There are about 8 or 9 residents who typically eat in the small common area at the end of the wing. There are a couple-three who eat out in the large dining room, I think. You can imagine how very glad I was to see a collection of my very favorite CNA's over the last couple of days! They have such a nice way with Mom.

As expected, the move itself was very hard on Mom. First of all, it was a change, which kind of tips her "over the edge". She was quite agitated and upset for a awhile. By yesterday evening, she was beginning to acclimate somewhat.

Mom's room has a nice big window that faces out the front of the building. I took some pictures of her room this evening. I asked if I could take a picture of her, too, but she said "not tonight"--she "didn't feel very picture-ish".

These pictures also show her new pink chair, and a doll that Mama found earlier today and was taking care of.

The pictures go clockwise around the room, starting with the currently-unoccupied half of the room:

Mama's new grandson: Jonathan Daniel Dec 21st

December 2007

These pictures of Mom were taken a few days ago. I had a hard time convincing either Mom or her roommate, MaryAnn, to "sit" for a picture! The photos of Mom by herself are somewhat "candid".

After Thanksgiving Picture

This was a good picture of Mom, I thought...taken as Joyce was leaving after Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving

Joyce came to visit earlier this week, and was with us for Thanksgiving Day. Cynthia joined us for dinner as well. We had our own table in the "Day Room" and we were served a nice meal of turkey (!), mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, yams, and cranberry sauce--all the traditional trimmings. Then we spent a little time touring the halls before Mom had her afternoon nap.

A Visit from Philip and Mary

Philip and Mary arrived Saturday afternoon to visit Mother. They had a nice time with her in the afternoon, and followed up with a couple visits on Sunday. I left on a business trip, with Philip and Mary planning to stay Monday, have more time with Mom, and leave on Tuesday to return home.