Time to seriously get back to reality. I can’t miss a thing or everything goes to pot. I hate being the primary peacemaker, but the other levelheaded people will not say anything. They just walk away and hope for the best. It never rises to the top.
I stayed in my apartment drawing today. Big mistake. At 5:30 I went to see who was in our lounge. No one so I sat down to work the puzzle for a few minutes of distraction. Maria arrived with major distractions. How can so much pain be meted out in such a short time?
It began and ended with the puzzle table in the poolroom. It’s just a regular eight-foot folding table. They are found everywhere. This table has sat in front of large picture window since I have lived here. It was only moved at Christmas to place a Christmas tree in front of the window. That all changed this week! And the usual suspects are getting the blame. And also as usual, it is likely the usual suspect, but no one knows the truth.
As I understand, and I may not, it began with one woman who wanted the puzzle table moved as it blocked her view of the bay. Huh? The bottom of the window is table height. One cannot see out of the window below the ledge unless they have X-ray vision and then they could sit at any wall. And the last time I checked, puzzles lay flat on the table. No one is doing 3-D puzzles, thankfully. At any rate, she (whoever she is – and I can make as good a guess an any) moved the table so that it blocked the walkway past the pool table to the window side of the room. That’s the most used entrance to the area. She then placed a chair right next to the window. Do you think there was a reason that was done? Giving the benefit of the doubt is a waste of time. There are no doubt benefits here. It’s intentional. Why? To rile people up, of course! That seems to be the goal of two women in particular. It is done at least once a week ready or not.
I found out about it when Maria arrived at our lounge puzzle table. She could not believe people would do that just to irritate others. I almost choked. She would do that at the drop of a hat. No one holds a grudge longer or deeper. She would do it under the guise of making improvements. She believes it is her right. This is just another grudge move by the most annoying tenant from our building. She is getting challenged so often here she has moved to the other building. That caused fur to fly (yes old people have fur). Accusations, verbal attacks, threats. I’m thinking of filling a small pool with Jell-O and forcing four people to compete. It would draw the largest crowd we would ever have for a residents’ event.
Chas arrived a few minutes later with his own frustrations. No one has asked him but they are taking over the care of his flowerbeds. They are watering without his permission. Maria is one of those people. Since she was there when he brought it up, she is now offended when all she was doing was trying to help. Actually, she was trying to take over like she often does. He reported that one woman is trying to put the puzzle table in storage. Huh? It wasn’t hurting anyone. It did not block any view. It’s not the only window to the bay. Are we all going crazy?
Tomorrow morning I am going to put a sign on the table. “Get your hands off my table.” Unsigned of course. Can’t cause more trouble than the activities today. I’m glad I was a youth pastor. I have some training and experience with this behavior. What we really need is a King or Queen for this little fiefdom so someone can yell “off with their heads.”
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
RETIREMENT?
This is a little more serious than what I usually write, but I wanted to respond to an article written by a friend. "A response to the article “Is retirement Healthy, Biblical or Smart?"
I would not disagree with the assumptions of the writer that
1. At retirement, we no longer have a full-time job.
2. When we retire, we will receive some kind of fixed income (pension, annuity, Social Security) to support us.
3. We will be able to do all the things we didn’t do before retiring because we were working too hard to make money — for retirement (among other things.
4. The money we spend in our retirement is our to do with as we please. As the motto on the back of the motor home says, “We are spending out kids’ inheritance.”
These goals are probably the dream of some and maybe many achieve that dream. But from another end of that dream there is heartbeat, disappointment, frustration and pain.
1. Retirement does mean we no longer have a full time job. We now have part-time jobs, volunteer positions, and friends or family we help or care for.
2. We do expect some sort of financial assistance. Everyone here receives Social Security. We invested 40-50 years with the promise that it was our money and it would care for our retirement. That was the lie my generation bought. Your generation knows better. It may be our money, but we have to argue, fight and claw for every penny and even then we are on keep on subsistence income for the USA. We need the help because we all have health issues. We complain and whine about are physical problems, but mostly we are making jokes. We bemoan the loss of skills, mobility and mental capacity. This is not the party we hoped for.
3. We are not doing all the things we dreamed. We are doing the same things we have always done — without pay. Some work at minimum wage jobs, but most cannot stand long enough to do that. So we care as we can for our neighbors and family, we help care for the public spaces where we live. We encourage do what for one another. We visit doctors with the promise of gaining a better life but instead are given (read sold) more pills we don’t want and cannot afford. The pills are a life support system that feels like extraneous measures not unlike tubes and machines that keep our heart, blood or lungs pumping. Some have cars, but most are walking to many places and taking the kind of time to get a meal together their parents and grandparents did. Without transportation, everything takes significantly longer. There is no free transportation in this area. The charge is a burden to many with major health concerns. They skip some appointments to their own determent. But one cannot do what they cannot afford. The donut hole many face at the end of the year means medication is stopped until a new calendar year. I have a van. I run a free transportation service for medical trips until I have used all the gas I have that month and must wait for the next pay period to fill up again. They would help, it they could.
We have all listened to what we should have done to prepare for a successful financial retirement. Great, if you had the job that let you. I did. I ran through plenty of money in my day. I took care of family, send my kids to college, helped them with cars and paid for a wedding. When that was done and the family could manage themselves, I did what my wife and I always did. I gave much away to care for the poor and help the needy (another Biblical concept). I never tracked what I gave away. The rule of thumb was don’t loan what you can’t afford to give away. I didn’t need it to live and so I gave it away. My situation is not painful or unpleasant. I am happy and continue to give away what I can. Most of us here work as hard as we have always worked. We just don’t get paid. We don’t take these marvelous trips. A day trip is a luxury. None I know were wasteful with what they had. They never had it in the first place.
4. We hoped we would have money to do with is as we desired. We are still spending our kids’ inheritance — on them and those more needy.
No one I know asks if it is healthy to do anything. The real question is do we have the health to continue what we are doing for one another. We don’t want to live to be 100. We just want health to continue to function. I may be the only one living here who ever worked behind a desk. These are primarily low paying labors unable to collect all the toys their own generation gathered. There are no useless lives here. There are used up lives sitting in their room because they can do little more. The others reach out. Their personal faith makes little difference. There are people that need help. It beats sitting around.
I am not denying there are those who sit around while others love the casino. Smart or not, the typical play is with $20 on nickel slots. The hope is this might improve their life and if not, they were out for a day of fun.
The article uses some Biblical saints as examples. Few of us are or will be like King David, Paul, John or Daniel. We are regular people doing our best and praying for the health to continue to be of value in this world. Let us contribute and serve. But Lord, when those days are over, let us leave. Today’s medicine makes that mush more difficult. Many have family members that will not let go. I know of know one who wants tubes and machines keeping them going. There was a day that when our useful life was over, we were over. There is a new medical reality. A world that prolongs our life, but not our usefulness seems to be in control. There is no here who wanted to retire. Consider those for whom there was no other choice.
I know and like the author. He is a great guy and a terrific pastor. His article is not wrong or offensive. It is simply addressed to a much wealthier retired group than I know and live with. To read his article check out at: http://natomaschurch.wordpress.com/2010/03/17/is-retirement-healthy-biblical-or-smart/
I would not disagree with the assumptions of the writer that
1. At retirement, we no longer have a full-time job.
2. When we retire, we will receive some kind of fixed income (pension, annuity, Social Security) to support us.
3. We will be able to do all the things we didn’t do before retiring because we were working too hard to make money — for retirement (among other things.
4. The money we spend in our retirement is our to do with as we please. As the motto on the back of the motor home says, “We are spending out kids’ inheritance.”
These goals are probably the dream of some and maybe many achieve that dream. But from another end of that dream there is heartbeat, disappointment, frustration and pain.
1. Retirement does mean we no longer have a full time job. We now have part-time jobs, volunteer positions, and friends or family we help or care for.
2. We do expect some sort of financial assistance. Everyone here receives Social Security. We invested 40-50 years with the promise that it was our money and it would care for our retirement. That was the lie my generation bought. Your generation knows better. It may be our money, but we have to argue, fight and claw for every penny and even then we are on keep on subsistence income for the USA. We need the help because we all have health issues. We complain and whine about are physical problems, but mostly we are making jokes. We bemoan the loss of skills, mobility and mental capacity. This is not the party we hoped for.
3. We are not doing all the things we dreamed. We are doing the same things we have always done — without pay. Some work at minimum wage jobs, but most cannot stand long enough to do that. So we care as we can for our neighbors and family, we help care for the public spaces where we live. We encourage do what for one another. We visit doctors with the promise of gaining a better life but instead are given (read sold) more pills we don’t want and cannot afford. The pills are a life support system that feels like extraneous measures not unlike tubes and machines that keep our heart, blood or lungs pumping. Some have cars, but most are walking to many places and taking the kind of time to get a meal together their parents and grandparents did. Without transportation, everything takes significantly longer. There is no free transportation in this area. The charge is a burden to many with major health concerns. They skip some appointments to their own determent. But one cannot do what they cannot afford. The donut hole many face at the end of the year means medication is stopped until a new calendar year. I have a van. I run a free transportation service for medical trips until I have used all the gas I have that month and must wait for the next pay period to fill up again. They would help, it they could.
We have all listened to what we should have done to prepare for a successful financial retirement. Great, if you had the job that let you. I did. I ran through plenty of money in my day. I took care of family, send my kids to college, helped them with cars and paid for a wedding. When that was done and the family could manage themselves, I did what my wife and I always did. I gave much away to care for the poor and help the needy (another Biblical concept). I never tracked what I gave away. The rule of thumb was don’t loan what you can’t afford to give away. I didn’t need it to live and so I gave it away. My situation is not painful or unpleasant. I am happy and continue to give away what I can. Most of us here work as hard as we have always worked. We just don’t get paid. We don’t take these marvelous trips. A day trip is a luxury. None I know were wasteful with what they had. They never had it in the first place.
4. We hoped we would have money to do with is as we desired. We are still spending our kids’ inheritance — on them and those more needy.
No one I know asks if it is healthy to do anything. The real question is do we have the health to continue what we are doing for one another. We don’t want to live to be 100. We just want health to continue to function. I may be the only one living here who ever worked behind a desk. These are primarily low paying labors unable to collect all the toys their own generation gathered. There are no useless lives here. There are used up lives sitting in their room because they can do little more. The others reach out. Their personal faith makes little difference. There are people that need help. It beats sitting around.
I am not denying there are those who sit around while others love the casino. Smart or not, the typical play is with $20 on nickel slots. The hope is this might improve their life and if not, they were out for a day of fun.
The article uses some Biblical saints as examples. Few of us are or will be like King David, Paul, John or Daniel. We are regular people doing our best and praying for the health to continue to be of value in this world. Let us contribute and serve. But Lord, when those days are over, let us leave. Today’s medicine makes that mush more difficult. Many have family members that will not let go. I know of know one who wants tubes and machines keeping them going. There was a day that when our useful life was over, we were over. There is a new medical reality. A world that prolongs our life, but not our usefulness seems to be in control. There is no here who wanted to retire. Consider those for whom there was no other choice.
I know and like the author. He is a great guy and a terrific pastor. His article is not wrong or offensive. It is simply addressed to a much wealthier retired group than I know and live with. To read his article check out at: http://natomaschurch.wordpress.com/2010/03/17/is-retirement-healthy-biblical-or-smart/
CHANGE
Change. It does not matter how you feel about it. It will come like it or not. Not all change is good change and seniors, probably more then most, decry the loss of what change has brought.
The be certain, no one misses cooking on a wood stove, having an ice box kept cold with real ice, or a wringer washing machine or scrub board. But some technological changes bring some lose. Take the phone. Not literally mind you. I’ll keep mine. No doubt a younger generation loves all the gizmos on the new phones, but most of my generation wants to know why you cannot buy a phone that just makes and receives calls. I just up upgraded to a more economical cell phone plan. Of course, I could not keep the phone I hand and finally understood with my old plan. I was sent a new one. The only alphabetical and numerical identification on the phone is the brand and the keys. AND THERE ARE NO DIRECTIONS FOR ANY OF THE OTHER FUNCTIONS I USE!!!! OK, I’m upset. There were instructions for texting, web browsing, and other features I don't care about. There is nothing to help me put names and numbers in the memory (which by the way is different than my previous phone). I still can’t find the volume control. Are they trying to make me feel stupid? There are certain new features about phones beat the old crank box party line where you had to go through Ethel (whom you knew personally) to reach another person. I’m glad there is no Ethel to pass along family news. I like the ability to save names and numbers. I like that the phone collects messages from calls I missed. I like knowing who is calling. And I really like that I can actually talk to people in other places. Why would I ever want to text when I can talk or leave a message? That’s just me.
I’m sure these other features are nice, but most seniors do not want to pay extra for these advances that we do not want. I cannot afford what they charge for texting. I cannot afford the web on my phone. Everything is extra. Since they can make these marvelously creative machines, why can’t they leave those things off and make a basic phone for the technologically illiterate? The hard part is the phone I just purchased specializes in phones for members of AARP. Help! We don’t want all the extras!
We had our day of keeping up with the Jones. Then you reach and age when you no longer even know the Jones, let alone keep up. We do not resent the toys of the day. We had ours. We just don’t want them any more.
Do you have any idea how much change most of us have already seen? Several of us grew up still using a horse and buggy for transportation or maybe a Model A. There were no free ways and if you planned a long trip you better know how to fix the car over those cross country dirt roads. Most people did. Many started on the farm. They know how to work hard. We did not begin our young adult life with all the toys; we earned them along the way, adjusted to them and appreciated them. We have had to adjust to more change then you can imagine right now. However, we know you will face even more change in your lifetime than we can imagine or ever faced. If our grand kids are shocked at what we didn’t have as a kid, wait till yours come along. Our lives will have looked easy in change adjustment to what yours will be. Brace yourself. You are about to spend an absolute fortune upgrading and getting the latest, newest and best of whatever great invention comes along.
If you do not now hate built in obsolescence, you will. If you do not hate a minor upgrade causing everything related to that item having to also be upgraded, you will. If you don’t hate younger generations being shocked that you don’t have, can’t work, have no interest in — you name it because you will come to point where you just say — let me be.
We have appreciated every advance we purchased along the way. But we are tired of learning all these new things and even more tired of paying for them all. However, I do like my microwave.
The be certain, no one misses cooking on a wood stove, having an ice box kept cold with real ice, or a wringer washing machine or scrub board. But some technological changes bring some lose. Take the phone. Not literally mind you. I’ll keep mine. No doubt a younger generation loves all the gizmos on the new phones, but most of my generation wants to know why you cannot buy a phone that just makes and receives calls. I just up upgraded to a more economical cell phone plan. Of course, I could not keep the phone I hand and finally understood with my old plan. I was sent a new one. The only alphabetical and numerical identification on the phone is the brand and the keys. AND THERE ARE NO DIRECTIONS FOR ANY OF THE OTHER FUNCTIONS I USE!!!! OK, I’m upset. There were instructions for texting, web browsing, and other features I don't care about. There is nothing to help me put names and numbers in the memory (which by the way is different than my previous phone). I still can’t find the volume control. Are they trying to make me feel stupid? There are certain new features about phones beat the old crank box party line where you had to go through Ethel (whom you knew personally) to reach another person. I’m glad there is no Ethel to pass along family news. I like the ability to save names and numbers. I like that the phone collects messages from calls I missed. I like knowing who is calling. And I really like that I can actually talk to people in other places. Why would I ever want to text when I can talk or leave a message? That’s just me.
I’m sure these other features are nice, but most seniors do not want to pay extra for these advances that we do not want. I cannot afford what they charge for texting. I cannot afford the web on my phone. Everything is extra. Since they can make these marvelously creative machines, why can’t they leave those things off and make a basic phone for the technologically illiterate? The hard part is the phone I just purchased specializes in phones for members of AARP. Help! We don’t want all the extras!
We had our day of keeping up with the Jones. Then you reach and age when you no longer even know the Jones, let alone keep up. We do not resent the toys of the day. We had ours. We just don’t want them any more.
Do you have any idea how much change most of us have already seen? Several of us grew up still using a horse and buggy for transportation or maybe a Model A. There were no free ways and if you planned a long trip you better know how to fix the car over those cross country dirt roads. Most people did. Many started on the farm. They know how to work hard. We did not begin our young adult life with all the toys; we earned them along the way, adjusted to them and appreciated them. We have had to adjust to more change then you can imagine right now. However, we know you will face even more change in your lifetime than we can imagine or ever faced. If our grand kids are shocked at what we didn’t have as a kid, wait till yours come along. Our lives will have looked easy in change adjustment to what yours will be. Brace yourself. You are about to spend an absolute fortune upgrading and getting the latest, newest and best of whatever great invention comes along.
If you do not now hate built in obsolescence, you will. If you do not hate a minor upgrade causing everything related to that item having to also be upgraded, you will. If you don’t hate younger generations being shocked that you don’t have, can’t work, have no interest in — you name it because you will come to point where you just say — let me be.
We have appreciated every advance we purchased along the way. But we are tired of learning all these new things and even more tired of paying for them all. However, I do like my microwave.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
THE DOCTOR IS IN
You know you're getting old when the longest list of phone numbers and the people you see most often are all doctors. It is definitely a pill world we live in. Each new visit to any doctor means you will now have two additional pills you must take daily. The seniors competition is about who takes the most pills. Having the most is not necessarily the winner. Spoke with two women this morning who each have four medical appointments this week. I plan to pass on that phase of aging — I pray.
Monday, May 10, 2010
IS IT RECESS YET?
Two residents took over the poolroom this weekend, folding up the puzzle table and moving it to a storage room. They then used one of the heavy-duty card tables to place a TV and DVD player they brought from who knows where. They wanted to watch movies. They also moved two of the comfortable lounge chairs from the sitting room into their newly decorated TV room so they could watch movies over the weekend in comfort. They might have gotten away with it as a weekend project had they returned everything to it original place. No! They wanted it to become a permanent TV room.
OK, not bad except that the commons room which is right next door and open to the pool room already has a larger TV, VCR and DVD player. The chairs are quite comfortable and they could have moved the larger cushy sitting room chairs to that area. Would have been a lot less work! No one believes it was just for their personal convenience. The consensus is that it was done to stir the waters. And stir the waters it did.
People were hot and bothered this morning by their arrogance, audacity, and brazen behavior. What right did they have to rearrange the public area? Who do they think they are? Now stop for a moment. Yes, they did not have the right to do what they did. But whom did it hurt? No one! That’s right, not one person was hurt or mangled in the making of this redecorated room. It met all PETA requirements. But the decorating duo won. They were told to clean it up immediately, which they did willingly. It didn’t matter because they had already accomplished what they wanted. They upset several people, made their actions the focus of today’s discussions and they got to watch their movies the way they wanted. There are often easier ways to do what we want, but if you can do what you want and stick a knife into a few people’s backs, it seems to be more fun. I think they should just be sent to the principal’s office and get a week's worth of detentions. That would be a win-win for everyone.
There was a complex wide meeting at 1:00 today. When Rita took over running the meetings about three months ago she stopped the discussion of the many problems at The Home. They only turned into arguments and even great problems. People hated it, but the good side was that arguments stopped. The bickering went down. But a couple people shouted out their concerns today and the arguments began. Someone is putting a rock at the back door. This isn’t a very secure building if someone is doing that. “IF,” you just said they were. Did they or might they. Others added their comments and expressed their disgust. How horrible. Call the police. Let’s get the National Guard. Where is the President on this issue? What about FEMA? Should they be called? The offender goes out that door to smoke and sits on a chair within view the door. He doesn’t want to have to unlock the door again. It’s a guy thing. Reduce work when ever possible.
Rita cut off discussion about the poolroom being turned into a TV lounge. It was all cleaned up with no trace of evidence left. Thank goodness. 90% knew nothing about that. Problem solved. But we must talk about the possibility that something like that might happen again and warn people about how bad that is? Help. We’re in danger from silly acts. Our way of life will suffer. Our rights and freedoms are impinged on. We must stop this now. Hire a 24-hour watchman to patrol the place for our safety and protection. We are not adults. We cannot take care of ourselves. We cannot take a joke. We can’t overlook anything. We fall into every trap to get our goat and it is then got for a long time. Is it recess time yet? Can we go out and play? Do I have to play with Joey? He spits! We really do need a principles office.
OK, not bad except that the commons room which is right next door and open to the pool room already has a larger TV, VCR and DVD player. The chairs are quite comfortable and they could have moved the larger cushy sitting room chairs to that area. Would have been a lot less work! No one believes it was just for their personal convenience. The consensus is that it was done to stir the waters. And stir the waters it did.
People were hot and bothered this morning by their arrogance, audacity, and brazen behavior. What right did they have to rearrange the public area? Who do they think they are? Now stop for a moment. Yes, they did not have the right to do what they did. But whom did it hurt? No one! That’s right, not one person was hurt or mangled in the making of this redecorated room. It met all PETA requirements. But the decorating duo won. They were told to clean it up immediately, which they did willingly. It didn’t matter because they had already accomplished what they wanted. They upset several people, made their actions the focus of today’s discussions and they got to watch their movies the way they wanted. There are often easier ways to do what we want, but if you can do what you want and stick a knife into a few people’s backs, it seems to be more fun. I think they should just be sent to the principal’s office and get a week's worth of detentions. That would be a win-win for everyone.
There was a complex wide meeting at 1:00 today. When Rita took over running the meetings about three months ago she stopped the discussion of the many problems at The Home. They only turned into arguments and even great problems. People hated it, but the good side was that arguments stopped. The bickering went down. But a couple people shouted out their concerns today and the arguments began. Someone is putting a rock at the back door. This isn’t a very secure building if someone is doing that. “IF,” you just said they were. Did they or might they. Others added their comments and expressed their disgust. How horrible. Call the police. Let’s get the National Guard. Where is the President on this issue? What about FEMA? Should they be called? The offender goes out that door to smoke and sits on a chair within view the door. He doesn’t want to have to unlock the door again. It’s a guy thing. Reduce work when ever possible.
Rita cut off discussion about the poolroom being turned into a TV lounge. It was all cleaned up with no trace of evidence left. Thank goodness. 90% knew nothing about that. Problem solved. But we must talk about the possibility that something like that might happen again and warn people about how bad that is? Help. We’re in danger from silly acts. Our way of life will suffer. Our rights and freedoms are impinged on. We must stop this now. Hire a 24-hour watchman to patrol the place for our safety and protection. We are not adults. We cannot take care of ourselves. We cannot take a joke. We can’t overlook anything. We fall into every trap to get our goat and it is then got for a long time. Is it recess time yet? Can we go out and play? Do I have to play with Joey? He spits! We really do need a principles office.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY
I figured it out. It's not puzzle elbow, it's TV channel changer elbow. It comes from changing the channel so often — I think. I was trying to find a movie this afternoon and could feel the pressure in my arm as I went from channel to channel. I had no idea watching TV could be such a physical strain. I know it leads to bubble belly. I also leads to wobbly legs, sore feet and a dozen or so other things caused by a lack of physical activity. That's why I gave up and had a nap. No good movies anyway.
Beautiful day. The sun was out and the small park down the street was loaded with families. Some boats were in the bay. It felt great to get out. I know it's mothers day, but that must mean that just have more to do. I watched a family arrive for a picnic. Apparently a single parent family, or maybe a military family with the dad deployed. Mom was herding a brood of four. The oldest looked to be 13-14 and they stair stepped down from there with the youngest being about 8. I would have expected the youngest would head directly for the playground, but they all did. Mom never called for them to come and help, instead she made a couple of trips to the selected table to bring all their things together and get set up. It wasn't long until the kids began to gravitate back to mom as they kids were thirsty and hungry. They started digging through the boxes to try to find something. Clearly they looked up in disgust. They shrugged their shoulders and seemed to argue and whine a bit, but eventually drug themselves back to the car and slowly began bringing handfuls of picnic items to the table. They made several trips each and finally seemed to have all they needed. I begin to laugh. Mom had brought a table cloth and clips to hold the cloth down, two empty boxes, a lawn chair and a book. She set up the chair in the sun and began reading her book. She had left all the contents in the car. There was no yelling at them, no no correcting, no screaming or finer shaking at the kids for heading to play and leaving everything for her to do. She was not going to wait on them hand and foot. It was her day and they were going to wait on her. The oldest made her a sandwich and brought her a cold drink from the cooler he carried in. She thanked them, gave each a kiss on the cheek and stayed in her chair. They ate and left the park about an hour later happy and content. She had a happy mothers day. It was hard for me to read my own book.
The Home is filled with mothers. All are here because it is home or moved here because children live here. It was a quiet day. I was up early this morning and had some coffee in the upstairs lounge over looking the entrance. It was nice to see a line up of cars picking mom's up and heading out for the day. In time Maria showed up. We worked the puzzle for awhile, picked up our books and walked to the park. My kids were likely with the mother-in-law. Carmen did not need to be alone. Chas joined us later when he powered down in his wheelchair. Happy Mother's Day.
Beautiful day. The sun was out and the small park down the street was loaded with families. Some boats were in the bay. It felt great to get out. I know it's mothers day, but that must mean that just have more to do. I watched a family arrive for a picnic. Apparently a single parent family, or maybe a military family with the dad deployed. Mom was herding a brood of four. The oldest looked to be 13-14 and they stair stepped down from there with the youngest being about 8. I would have expected the youngest would head directly for the playground, but they all did. Mom never called for them to come and help, instead she made a couple of trips to the selected table to bring all their things together and get set up. It wasn't long until the kids began to gravitate back to mom as they kids were thirsty and hungry. They started digging through the boxes to try to find something. Clearly they looked up in disgust. They shrugged their shoulders and seemed to argue and whine a bit, but eventually drug themselves back to the car and slowly began bringing handfuls of picnic items to the table. They made several trips each and finally seemed to have all they needed. I begin to laugh. Mom had brought a table cloth and clips to hold the cloth down, two empty boxes, a lawn chair and a book. She set up the chair in the sun and began reading her book. She had left all the contents in the car. There was no yelling at them, no no correcting, no screaming or finer shaking at the kids for heading to play and leaving everything for her to do. She was not going to wait on them hand and foot. It was her day and they were going to wait on her. The oldest made her a sandwich and brought her a cold drink from the cooler he carried in. She thanked them, gave each a kiss on the cheek and stayed in her chair. They ate and left the park about an hour later happy and content. She had a happy mothers day. It was hard for me to read my own book.
The Home is filled with mothers. All are here because it is home or moved here because children live here. It was a quiet day. I was up early this morning and had some coffee in the upstairs lounge over looking the entrance. It was nice to see a line up of cars picking mom's up and heading out for the day. In time Maria showed up. We worked the puzzle for awhile, picked up our books and walked to the park. My kids were likely with the mother-in-law. Carmen did not need to be alone. Chas joined us later when he powered down in his wheelchair. Happy Mother's Day.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
HEALTHY DAY
It's rare when I eat right. I actually had pulled that off for two months until I hit all the April birthdays. Cake and cheesecake did me in. You don't know how good they were. No for me and my health, but for my mouth. Yum! I could have done it again today, but turned down an over of a slice of ice cream cake. I bought it for my daughter for mothers day. Before she took it home she wanted to cut me a piece and I insisted she not do that. Instead I went looking for sweets after she left. You know one does not gain weight when they eat in secret. Joke. Don't panic. I just playing with you/
Instead I have scrambled egg whites with some onion, light cheese and two ounces of Italian sausage. N o toast. Love that meal. Plan to put it in my recipe book, if I ever write one. Haven't made that meal in a long time. Ate it as a brunch about 10:30 Then about 3:00 I had a salad with a very light balsamic dressing and fake crab. Can't beat the fake crab. I've had a fondness for fake crab every since I met the scientist in Kodiak, Alaska who was part of the team that created it. They were charged to come up with mew ways to use white fish. Fake crab was their first creation. I understand there are a couple of others now, but with my memory I can't remember them. Had a light snack about 6:00. Great food day.
Just after I ate brunch a neighbor came knocking at my door. I'm bored, she said. What am I suppose to do about that? Can you come out and play? Well, I have laundry to do so I can work on the puzzle while my clothes are washing. OK. I had other plans, but maybe I am my sisters keeper? We barely talked at the table, but she was happy. It makes me happy that she was happy. She came with me to Dairy Queen to pick up the ice cream cake I got for my daughter. She had never been in Dairy Queen. What? I couldn't believe it. Hasn't everyone been in a Dairy Queen at least once in their life. She's been in every eating establishment I ever mention. She will argue with anyone about any menu and its quality and taste. She knows everything. I was so proud I knew of a place she didn't yeah for me!
Instead I have scrambled egg whites with some onion, light cheese and two ounces of Italian sausage. N o toast. Love that meal. Plan to put it in my recipe book, if I ever write one. Haven't made that meal in a long time. Ate it as a brunch about 10:30 Then about 3:00 I had a salad with a very light balsamic dressing and fake crab. Can't beat the fake crab. I've had a fondness for fake crab every since I met the scientist in Kodiak, Alaska who was part of the team that created it. They were charged to come up with mew ways to use white fish. Fake crab was their first creation. I understand there are a couple of others now, but with my memory I can't remember them. Had a light snack about 6:00. Great food day.
Just after I ate brunch a neighbor came knocking at my door. I'm bored, she said. What am I suppose to do about that? Can you come out and play? Well, I have laundry to do so I can work on the puzzle while my clothes are washing. OK. I had other plans, but maybe I am my sisters keeper? We barely talked at the table, but she was happy. It makes me happy that she was happy. She came with me to Dairy Queen to pick up the ice cream cake I got for my daughter. She had never been in Dairy Queen. What? I couldn't believe it. Hasn't everyone been in a Dairy Queen at least once in their life. She's been in every eating establishment I ever mention. She will argue with anyone about any menu and its quality and taste. She knows everything. I was so proud I knew of a place she didn't yeah for me!
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