Braced up

Christopher House came through with their promise and got both the new footwear and hand brace.  She complains that the hand brace hurts a little but it is because she hasn't been in a brace for a few weeks and muscles are sore.  The new diabetic shoes are to help with her corn and so far these have been working. 

While visiting with her last night we got treated to a ice cream social.  Mckinley danced and entertained the group while Mandy, Reagan and I enjoyed the ice cream.  It was vanilla and chocolate with whipped cream or raspberries if you liked.  The administrator herself was in charge of this activity and she is loved by the residents here.  We played a game called two truths and a lie.  You are suppose to tell two truths and one lie about yourself and everyone else is suppose to pick out the lie.  Mom told three truths.  She had others that did the same thing so it was easy to win the game.  They have one guy here that is the original grumpy old man.  Nothing makes him happy.  He starts yelling for ice cream gets it and then complains because it is melted.  Mckinley watched this with interest.  Don't pick up any of these habits Mckinley.  

She is enjoying fixing the flowers in the dining room but goes crazy because they are using scissors instead of knifes to cut the bottoms.  I think that it is neat that they have flowers on the table and they are kept up. 

The construction is coming along very quickly.  Both sides of the home have been torn down and are getting ready for the new wings.  What an exciting and hard time it is for the Christopher House.  The areas that have been torn down were areas where the residents could go outside and sit on a patio like setting.  They have now started sitting by the front door but there isn't as much room.  

I hope this finds everyone in good health.  No more weather problems in the near future east coast people. 

Care Conference

We all got together to assess mom's care on Wednesday.  We went over a lot of problems and praises.  Here is a run down of what happened. 

Cushion for her left leg on the wheelchair.  Solution:  Hillary and Holly will make a cover out of sheepskin so that her leg that is more cushioned.  Facility was okay with this they just want to approve it when we bring it in.
She would like to have a bed trapeze in her bed.  This will have to be assessed by the therapy dept.  They want to make sure that she is strong enough to use it.  They will get back to us. 

Mom is now on restorative physical therapy six days a week.  She will be working on learning how to sit to stand, build strength and the biggest goal of all is transferring from one place to the other.  It would be great if she didn't have to use the sara lift anymore. She has two therapists.  One is a guy by the name of Robert.  She likes him because he plays the banjo and sings at the home. She is loving the stationary bike and she is logging in the miles.  Today she did the standing elliptical for 15 minutes.  She is tired but happy.  She will be building muscles that I don't even have. 

Taking a bath has been a problem.  They have now agree ed to giving her a bath on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.  We hope that this will help for her muscles after therapy sessions.   

She got her diabetic shoes so her corn doesn't hurt so much.  She said they were a little big but they feel better.  Her hand brace is being ordered and the last time I talked to her she said that they were fitting her with one.  They seem to be doing the things that they promised so far.  I hope that it continues.

Eye glasses will be paid for so that she can get her eye sight back. She is having trouble with small text, Raylean suggested that we get her a magnifying glass, she thought that was fine.   I told her that we needed her glasses so that she can help with the quilting.  I understand what it feels like not to be able to see.  Oh boo hoo.  Sorry self pity party for a moment.

They have her in some ted hose. They are the kind that have the hole in the top.  She hates them because she can feel the seam.  Ordering ones that are one piece.  Hopefully will have them in a couple of days.

Occupational therapy is working with her to help with dressing, combing hair, brushing teeth, and all the daily activities that we take for granted.  The grand kids have been working with her when they are there to learn some of the same things.  They are so proud when they all do it.  

The church has been wonderful.  They sure have big shoes to fill because she loved the Portland church so much.  One of the elders is taking it upon himself to make sure that this church is better in her eyes.  They are involving her in all the activities if she wants to be a part of them  The kneading of the bread was a highlight, but she is also going to go to a canning place and put up food for the church for the winter.  One of the people at this church works with people with limitations and is willing to help her go to the bathroom while at church.  They make sure someone is with her at all times and wait for the bus with her at the end of the service.  You really can't ask for anything more.

Raylean is working on getting her hooked up to the internet.  They don't have wireless until the remodel is done.  She is planning on getting her a stick so that she can get connected to the outside world again.  I think it will be fun when this happens so that we can Skype.  She also would like to work on her genealogy for the church.  She bought that up a couple of times in the meeting.

It sure is hot in the building now.  The swamp cooler isn't doing it when the temperature outside is 96.  For the most part she is doing fine.  They have done some of the outside work now.  The roof and the extensions on one side of the building.  The activity department is so happy because that is there side.  PT would have liked their side done first.  Parking is a problem.  It was small to begin with and now it is harder. 

The happiest thing that Leslee said to all of us at the end of the meeting is that mom is not a vegetable and that she is fun to have around.  That not only made her day but for all of us in the room it made ours. 

Making a quilt for donation

We have decided to help the Christopher House by sewing a quilt with mom's help.  We will donate the quilt and all the proceeds will be used by the Christopher House's activity department.  Hillary and I set up a sewing table in her room on Wednesday and had her cutting the edges for the rag quilt.  She was so happy to finally have something sharp in her hands.  We are also arranging with the home to get a committee in place to start working on Christmas decorations.  She has big plans for this.  Florist fingers here we come. 

Getting beautiful

My bangs are in my eyes!! These are the words from Grandma Gregory's mouth to Hillary's ears. She showed up and the Christopher House let her use the beauty salon. Her hair is still curly from the perm that she received from the Marquis.

Let the cutting begin.  Just a little off the top and can we add a pink stripe?????

All done and ready to get sewing.

"kneading" life

This past week we (mom and I) went to the local ward (Mormon Church) to learn how to make homemade bread from scratch.  We had  a really great time together and she helped me knead the bread.  It is a great hand exercise for her. 

Mom Kneading the Dough

We got to taste test the bread and it was heavenly. 

 

I also learned some awesome techniques that I was unaware of and will incorporate when I make homemade bread.  Like making sure I let the yeast bloom before mixing it into the dough. 

Yeast "blooming"

The PERFECT WHEAT BREAD Recipe

2/3 Cups Oil
2/3 Cups Honey
2 Tablespoons Salt
3 Cups Warm Water
7-8 Cups Whole Wheat Flour
2 Tablespoons Yeast
1/3 Cup Warm Water (this is for the yeast only)

Dissolve yeast in 1/3 cup warm water.  Mix oil, honey, salt and water very fast.  Add yeast mixture and mix.  Add flour and knead 10-15 minutes.  Just like a family that works together, the dough will prefer to stick to itself rather than the bowl as it is worked or kneaded; and just as our eyes glisten when we feel love, the dough will glisten satin like as you continue to knead in love.  Shape into 3 large loves or 4 medium loves.  Let rise to double and bake in 375`F oven 40-45 minutes. Save yourself time, you don't need to let the dough rise twice, but you may.  You also do not need to mix with white flour.

(from "The Joys of Mom's Kitchen" page 67)

The Carnation Festival

Every year in the city of Wheat Ridge, residents from the Christopher House spend time getting ready for a parade.  The parade for the Carnation Festival.  She was SO excited to be a part of this.  Sadly, she didn't ride her wheelchair in the route, but maybe next year.  This year, she was a cheerleader on the sidelines.  She waved to EVERYONE!!! She had the biggest smile on her face.  She loved every moment of it.

Mom Saluting the Parade Walkers

 

The Christopher House "float"

Well I am sorry that I haven't gotten on this blog in a while.

She is doing great.  She is involved in everything they throw at her so much so that they are now asking that she take a rest in the afternoon to elevate her leg.

Her words: "everyone should try a different nursing home so that they can see how great this place is.  So they can compare the differences."

The great-grandchildren LOVE going to Great-Grandma Gregory's house.  (McKinley whines when she doesn't get to go on Mondays).

Therapy started.  The therapists there are hoping the muscles aren't paralyzed.  She did GREAT!!! They had her stand on the parallel bars and she held on for at least a minute.  Even McKinley LOVES to go to therapy with Grandma Gregory.  McKinley loves tossing the beach balls back and forth with the residents.  She was super proud she could throw the balls better than some of the residents.

What does mom love about this facility?  Well besides being able to help with the flower arranging EVERY week (these are for the flowers on the dining room tables), getting to play bingo and being a part of the "community" meeting; she feels she is a princess.  Let me explain, she woke up late one day and was "late" for breakfast.  So while they made her breakfast, they brought out a doughnut to eat while she was waiting.  She loves that she doesn't have to miss a meal just because she overslept.