I have had a wonderful, fun week celebrating my 67th birthday. I asked everyone I know to release a balloon sometime to help me celebration my new year, an out with year 66 and in with year 67 celebration. Yesterday I found a wonderful big yellow daisy Mylar balloon at the Dollar Tree store. My nickname is Daisy, wasn’t that just perfect? The sky was so blue with large, white puffy clouds when I let it go in our front yard. We watched the yellow balloon for the longest time, which made me feel like this is my year to soar.
I recently discovered Growing Bolder, and as they say, “It’s About Attitude.” A very quiet, yet positive change of my attitude is taking place. For one thing, I don’t feel as old as I did, nor do I think I can’t do something interesting. Now I am not going take up sky diving, swim across a Florida lake, or drive my car 500,000 miles.
No, what I am going to do is enjoy every minute, with the expectations there is more right around the corner. I have health issues that keep me from doing what I used to do, but so do thousands of others. I found myself thinking too much about being sick, and guess what? I got sicker. For a several days now, I have been watching funny videos or listening to audio interviews on Growing Bolder and YouTube before going to bed. I think I am even dreaming happier.
I am not sure why I’ve been in the blue zone the last few month since I’m usually am not. I am relieved to be on a different, more contented place. Won’t you come along with me?
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Stirring Up Memories
Isn’t this a clever name for a cookbook? This cookbook was published as a fundraising project by The Montclair Retirement Community in Springfield, MO. The cookbook was published by Morris Press Cookbooks. The residents and staff submitted the recipes and comments for the project, had a recipe swap, and enjoyed the whole thing. All of the proceeds went to Ozark Food Harvest, a local food bank.
One of the staff members came up with the idea and it was a wonderful success. Not only did it give the residents another chance to have fun, visit and share memories, it helped others. I loved the idea myself. I am sure that many seniors would like to give more to community’s projects, yet everyone is being frugal these days. The recipes were free, the memories of cooking and serving them to family and friends…as they say “PRICELESS”.
The Montclair is a very nice Independent Retirement Community. They have 158 apartments, offering a variety of services. They have a beautiful restaurant styled dining room, housekeeping services, and 24/7 security.
MISSDAZEY PERSONAL STORY
Several years ago, my husband selected The Montclair for his elderly folks. They were in their mid-eighties then. It was quite a change for them, moving out of the large house in another town and not being independent. Fast forward several years when I had just met Bruce.
By now, his mother and step-dad were in their mid-nineties. Poor Harold had severe dementia and Hilda was feeble physically. They were still managing in their little apartment with Bruce’s help and a helpful staff. They would eat breakfast, lunch in the apartment, but have dinner in the dining room.
Hilda passed away shortly after I met them, Harold could not stay alone at The Montclair. His son arranged for him to move to Texas and a care facility but it would take 2-3 weeks. I went over each day to watch out for Harold. (believe me when I say I am not a caretaker)
That began the adventures in the dining room with Harold and friends. One would think you were in an upscale restaurant. Because of Harold’s dementia, we were seated to a quiet table, a bit away from others. No matter what was on the menu that day Harold ordered an additional large serving of raw red onions. (maybe that’s why he was seated alone.) He always told the same stories, asked the same questions as dementia patients do, and ate like a hired hand. In addition, he ate fudge-icles all afternoon.
That was 10 years ago. Harold lived a couple of more years in Texas and died quietly and peacefully.
One of the staff members came up with the idea and it was a wonderful success. Not only did it give the residents another chance to have fun, visit and share memories, it helped others. I loved the idea myself. I am sure that many seniors would like to give more to community’s projects, yet everyone is being frugal these days. The recipes were free, the memories of cooking and serving them to family and friends…as they say “PRICELESS”.
The Montclair is a very nice Independent Retirement Community. They have 158 apartments, offering a variety of services. They have a beautiful restaurant styled dining room, housekeeping services, and 24/7 security.
MISSDAZEY PERSONAL STORY
Several years ago, my husband selected The Montclair for his elderly folks. They were in their mid-eighties then. It was quite a change for them, moving out of the large house in another town and not being independent. Fast forward several years when I had just met Bruce.
By now, his mother and step-dad were in their mid-nineties. Poor Harold had severe dementia and Hilda was feeble physically. They were still managing in their little apartment with Bruce’s help and a helpful staff. They would eat breakfast, lunch in the apartment, but have dinner in the dining room.
Hilda passed away shortly after I met them, Harold could not stay alone at The Montclair. His son arranged for him to move to Texas and a care facility but it would take 2-3 weeks. I went over each day to watch out for Harold. (believe me when I say I am not a caretaker)
That began the adventures in the dining room with Harold and friends. One would think you were in an upscale restaurant. Because of Harold’s dementia, we were seated to a quiet table, a bit away from others. No matter what was on the menu that day Harold ordered an additional large serving of raw red onions. (maybe that’s why he was seated alone.) He always told the same stories, asked the same questions as dementia patients do, and ate like a hired hand. In addition, he ate fudge-icles all afternoon.
That was 10 years ago. Harold lived a couple of more years in Texas and died quietly and peacefully.
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