Less is More

Or something like that at least when it comes to moving things into my mom's apartment. I finally have all the boxes out of her old apartment and into my garage while I sort through them. It's easy to say I'll just throw away everything but even I get curious when I see the 1903-1978 Diamond Anniversary Program from the Warden Church. After I finish that I check out the sewing basket where my mom has saved 20 hat pins and I'm not sure I should throw those away. Next I came across a metal Social Security Card for my dad and perhaps that needs to be framed and kept for the new generation?

This sorting could be lots of work. I also don't want to miss things like the 10 silver dollars I found in one of her socks. I just know that her apartment is full now and she gets more confused with more clutter and more choices to make.

I think I'll be inspired to keep throwing stuff out of my house and I'll be reminded to keep my clothing down to about 5 tops, 5 pair of slacks and two pair of shoes. Now that would be ideal for my family to go through when they move me into the fancy retirement home.

Giggly Alberta

You can call her at her former number and find out for yourself that she is happy with her new apartment. She loves the food, the transportation, the friendly staff and her new television and chair. Nancy coordinated the move and arranged the furniture and accessories to maximize their use in the two room apartment. Alberta has two televisions, one outside balcony with chairs, plants and a pinwheel, and a huge bedroom and bathroom. Nancy put family photos on every wall and everything was in place by the time Alberta arrived there after playing bridge for two hours. She left her old apartment at 11:30 and arrived in the new one at 4 p.m. where she found things exactly as she left them in her old apartment.

Nancy brought champagne and Brett and family and Claire dropped by to join in the welcoming party. Now after 3 days Alberta has gone to a wine party, a musical at the opera house, three meals each day, church by bus and a walking group. Today she was hoarse and she said it was because she had been talking so much. It's been a long time since I've seen her so relaxed and happy. So the move has gone well thanks entirely to Cousin Nancy who loves to organize and decorate and who advised me so well regarding what to keep, where to put things and how to tend to the details.

Charlie came through with help in moving a new swing rocker from Burgan's to the new apartment just 3 hours before the bridge game was to end. I said it couldn't be done but sure enough, Nancy insisted the chair would be in place and it was. I'm not sure my mom knows it's a new chair but she likes to sit in it.

We also have been cleaning out the old apartment and it's clear that my mother did not do well managing her groceries or personal items. I'm sure just the proper meals will help make her feel better and make her healthy. She had been surviving on peanut butter sandwiches and cottage cheese for several years. I'm happy the move is over and pleased that she likes it. She likes to have visitors too so drop in and see her anytime. Lucas has stopped by twice and she loves telling that over and over.

Lunch at Harbor Crest

My mom and I had lunch at her new retirement home where we were seated with Joyce and Edgar who are from Santa Maria, CA and have been living here since February. The lunch was very good, the company was very jolly, and the people were very old. I mean my mom looks so much better than any of the other residents and there are walkers and wheel chairs parked everywhere. She entered in with the visiting and then exclaimed 20 times how nice it was to visit with them. I don't think she noticed the same things I did. I really liked the waiters in the dining room who are mostly male college students. Doug from Wilbur was especially friendly and kind to the residents as he brought their meals and drinks.

She then was interviewed by the resident nurse and when she got to the part about what she liked to do she was very pleased to answer yes to dancing, board games, scenic trips, bingo, pinochle and bridge. All and all she is very positive about the change but she asked if I was moving there too and wonders if she'll see me again. It will take awhile to realize I am just down the street.

Wednesday Judy left for Nairobi to observe and track grevy zebras. She and Hank will be there 18 days. You can read more about her trip at http://www.earthwatch.org/conservation/samburu_proj.html.

Lucas had a parent-teacher conference at his preschool yesterday. He is learning about apples and trees. There must be something about them not falling far from the trees. Anna Marie and Brett took him to ShopKo the other day where he likes to look at the toys. His mom says he only gets toys on his birthday or Christmas but his dad bought him a toy for no special occasion. When we went to Costco yesterday he looked at the toys and said, "I want to buy this one" to every toy he saw. He has discovered how great it is to be a consumer. Luckily I'm the grandma so I don't have any toy buying rules but I think the parents should be firm on their toy-buying policy.

Evenings

They are longer now that I have to spend more time inside. It's just that it gets dark so early and after I watch Jeopardy there is nothing to do but go to bed at 8 and read for a few hours or maybe fall asleep at 8 with my book on the pillow.

I hate for summer to end. My garden didn't get all the growing in that it needed. I have tiny little pumpkins and green tomatoes. I have flower pots with dead plants in them. They just needed a few more days of hot weather and now I need a jacket for my morning walk.

I know there must be some positive things about the end of summer if I could just think of them. Let's see-more time to sew, more time to talk on the phone, more time to drink coffee and visit with friends, maybe more time to travel to places where there is summer.

Brown

This is Lucas's favorite color so he was pleased when he discovered the pool was his color. It's been a job the past few days getting it light blue again but finally the water is clear. We had some swimmers yesterday as Tracy and her daughters were here and they never leave the water. This time Lucas stayed right beside them also and ordered them around with commands to get the rings, go under water and jump off the diving board.

We were all excited to see Cyd for her last Spokane visit until the twins arrive. She sighed and rolled her eyes in relief when Lucas went home for the night and Dave and I laughed since we know she will be experiencing a entire new way of life when her twins arrive. She and Dave are both pretty psyched about the experience and Cyd is feeling as well as a forty year old mom can be.

Seven of us took a trip to Harbor Crest and went on a tour of the place. When we got to room 281 it said Alberta Fjeseth on the door. My mom loved the room and the view and asked if she could give them a check to hold it. I was nervous when I saw the sign on the door as I thought she'd hate it but it turns out she liked her name there. I think that sold her on the place along with Dave and Brett exclaiming how nice it was. Lucas ran up and down the halls and his enthusiasm helped in a positive way also.

The best part was when we picked her up after church she told us she was moving so she remembered from the previous day. We'll see how things go along but I do have Nancy coming to assist with the move. She is so organized and we can pull it off while my mom is at bridge on the 22nd. The mover said he often provides surprise moves to retirement home residents. Oh, I know she will love it when she gets settled.

Cyd at 21 weeks

Cyd at 21 weeks
Originally uploaded by arlal.