Unexpected Surprise

The past few months I have really been focused on how I can help Grandma and Grandpa in any way possible. As I visited Grandma last night and this morning I realized that she is now at the point where she is providing me with more joy and comfort than I am providing to her! While it has always been an honor to visit and care for my Grandma - this is the closest I have been to her my entire life.

Last night I mentioned something about Grandpa and then I followed up with the question.

"Do you mind if we talk about Grandpa in front of you Grandma?" I inquired. She responded....."I love hearing about your Grandpa and it does him honor to remember him."

So at the lake this year if you find yourself holding back because you are worried it might upset Grandma - don't worry. She would love for us to share our memories of him at any time.

When I left her today I asked Grandma what she was going to do. She pulled out the daily activity sheet and talked about how she was going to go to the Coffee Social at 10, Lunch at 12, Bingo at 2, but she was not 100% sure about going to the Game Night at 6:30. Knowing Grandpa, he must be rolling over in his grave, exasperated in a loving way, at how he tried so hard to get Grandma to socialize at the Charb.

Last note on ice cream......Grandma did talk about buying all the Grandkids ice cream at the lake this year. I vote for Monday night.....partially because we did not plan on a dessert yet!

A few other notes....

Daisy is an absolutely amazing caretaker at Riverview. She showers Grandma with kisses and humor on a daily basis.

One of the employees is pregnant and Grandma grabbed her arm the other day and told her that she should name her baby "Andrew" as it was a good name. It was so cute!

P.S. She is reading and re-reading the letters that have been sent to her. I offered to read one and she shooed me off and told me that she may be slow but she can still read. Still a bit unsure I curled her hair and sure enough.....she read a three page letter bit by bit. It did take about 15 minutes but she seemed to enjoy every minute. I also saw a bookmark in her reading book! Her glasses come in on Wednesday and I plan to pick them up and take them to her. Ideally I would be able to take her to Costco and have them properly fitted. If anyone wants to help me take her to Costco in the next few days let me know. Otherwise I will just deliver them tomorrow and take her to Costco to have them fitted after the lake. Also, I don't have a Costco card so I would not be able to take her shopping inside the store if she requested to shop. And I think our shopaholic Grandma is back. Bill might have to reign in a little wild spending. joke/wink ;)

Post by Pat - Update on Mom's Eyes

Except for some stigmatism and creeping cataracts Mom had a positive eye exam. No glaucoma, no macular degeneration and no retinal detachment. Mom seemed opened to cataract surgery but it would 4-6 weeks after she makes a decision before they could do her first eye, another 4-6 weeks before the second and then 4-6 more for healing before they could fit with post cataract glasses. They advised us that Medicare would pay something for the surgery and the post surgery glasses. The D.O. said the cataract surgeon had a preoperative procedure that would enable mom to ‘see’ what her post cataract vision might be but I have not yet followed up with the surgeon to confirm.

Rather than wait 3-4 months for glasses, Frank and I took Mom to Costco and ordered up a pair based on her new prescription. If this allow her to see and read she may choose to postpone the cataract surgery.

She has been in great spirits the past couple of weeks. Yesterday she went up to Mount St Michaels (Tridendtine) for a concert by 20 singing nuns and had lunch. She called me this afternoon and invited me for their ‘Happy Hour – wine & cheese, but I think I will be too late.

Looking forward to the Lake - Pat

A WEEK'S GONE BY BUT WHAT A WEEK....

I am not being very proficient many aspects of my life lately.... and one place that is being neglected is Granma's blog!!! I'll be on it more after Jan 19th when I am again unemployed. In the meantime....

Latest anecdote.... Kirsten yesterday stopped by Grandma's in the morning... and Mom let her know that it was good that she was stopping by in the morning because 'she had her own plans for the rest of the day!' Does that not make your chin drop just a few more inches towards the floor? :) They had an excursion scheduled to go up to Mount St. Michaels and listen to the "Singing Nuns." She went on her own... none of us chaperoning her... get out.. She told Pat later in the day that she had a great time and the Nuns sang much better than the Ericksons. (That last part I made up... but I defy anyone to argue that point.)

but speaking about Erickson's singing... Ryan's Surprise 40th Birthday Party for Barb was an unimaginable success. He REALLY did surprise her and those of us fortunate enough to be there had a great time. It was the epitome of a surprise party: 30? of us crouched down in her house as she is meandering around in the front yard showing Jane her gardening prowess... and us all jumping up and screaming 'Surprise" when she FINALLY entered!

This is just a few minutes after the 'Surprise!"














Jolene sharing something obviously very important to Grandma:

















Sorry I didn't have too many great pics as I just had my Iphone... but I did manage to snag a video of the Happy Birthday Chorus. (Pleas pardon my rather strident voice which obviously I have to remember is RIGHT NEXT TO THE MICROPHONE when I am recording!)

Here is link to video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE9LfCVHiLw

Til I blog again....