Post-Christmas News

Christmas was a great time here in the NorthWest! Between lovely gifts and flowers, cards and great treats, I had a wonderful holiday. Excursions out and around the Puget Sound with Starbuck's Frappucinos and cookies, gift openings, "Snowman soup,"and other fun Christmas moments, I have enjoyed the holidays very much. I was visited by family and friends, including the Bothell High School Honor Society who also brought me cards. I had a manicure, make-up session, hair salon session, church, music, dancing and poetry readings. All great experiences that allowed fun reminiscing.

Now I look to the New Year! We will celebrate its coming at 3 PM on New Year's Eve, and I will have a great grandson visit here on New Year's Day. Hope you all have a great one!

Christmas is getting closer!

Christmas is getting closer. Saturday I had coffee, Christmas stories and winter poems, plus the Washington School of Dance came to perform for us. Betty & Doug came by and took this picture of me in my decorated apartment. Sunday we will have a visit from "The Santa Claus Conspiracy" and later this week will be our Christmas party for us and our guests. I am looking forward to it, and Betty & Doug plan to attend.

It is snowing lightly today and we expect a minimum amount between today and tomorrow. Then rain again. None of this will prevent people from traveling around town. We will be doing Christmas decorations and caroling/holiday entertainment so staying put isn't going to be boring!

It is beginning to look like Christmas at my place! There are full size nut cracker statues outside my front door, and my apartment is now decorated also for the holidays. Today we sang Christmas carols and played Christmas bingo!

We had an interesting week! On Tuesday a pipe in our ceiling above the dining area broke due to the extreme cold weather we have been experiencing, and is currently being repaired. In the meantime there is a temporary wall around the ceiling as they patch and repair this part. We continue to receive hot, fresh meals without interruption and the staff has been working hard to continue giving us the best service possible despite this inconvenience. It has been a week of staying warm as our temperatures have dipped VERY low (18 to 30 degrees) for the last four days. My apartment continues to be warm and cozy as is the residence, but I am glad for no trips out this week due to this cold weather. Believe it or not, while it is COLD, it is quite dry and sunny!

I was so fortunate to have many family around for Thanksgiving! We had a wonderful gathering at Betty & Doug's house where we shared good conversation and good food. Maggie, Marc, Michele, Bob, Carol, Ken, Erica, Doug, Dylan, Michelle, Jeff, Betty and Doug all gathered with me to celebrate the day. It was a traditional turkey meal, and I was able to help make the oyster dressing - a favorite of mine!

It was hard to say farewell to the Ken Marcoux family, but they will be back, I am told. I am feeling well, keeping active at my residence, and looking forward to the Christmas season here. Already Aegis is decorated with lots of full size "drummer boys" and many beautiful seasonal ornaments around my place. Betty & Doug are coming over this weekend to set up a small tree in my apartment although I find that I spend most of my time in the living room downstairs with everyone else.

Fall really is here! We had lots of rain and wind in the last few days, but I am quite warm and content at my residence! We recently had a great gathering for fall and all made special fall leaf hats. You can see mine in this picture. Unfortunately recent winds have knocked most of the colorful leaves to the ground. Now there is a push to make sure they don't clog any of the storm drains when it rains.

The family is gathering for Thanksgiving and I look forward to seeing Ken, Carol and many of the grandkids. Even Dylan, my great grandson, plans on being present.

Today was our "Red hat" Tea party. It was a great time! We sang and had tea and special sweets to go with our tea. Somewhat like "high tea" it was! Afterwards Betty & Doug came by and brought me my ballot for voting. Guess that really cements my residency up here as I was able to exercise my civic duty. They left as our afternoon church service started, where we sang familiar hymns and heard a sermon from the pastor that comes by every few days.

Catching up!

I have had several opportunities in the last few days to talk with all of my sons, all of my sisters, and many of my grandchildren! It is always so nice to catch up on everyone's lives! I am healthy and have a followup visit with my doctor this week to work some more on my medications. The weather up here is now turning. We will be taking a road trip soon to see the leaves changing in the areas around my residence. There will be a family Ocktoberfest event later this month and the fee is one can of food for the local food bank. I look forward to this.

Today my youngest grandson and his new wife came by to celebrate their wedding with me. We had cake, punch, butter mints. I had a corsage and a lovely table arrangement of flowers came to my room after the party. Here is a picture of me with Michelle and Jeff - a special treat to see them in person in their wedding clothes!

September 13 was my 95th birthday! I celebrated it at my residence with Betty & Doug. There were flowers from both of my other sons too! Betty & Doug brought over a CHOCOLATE cake with coconut icing that of course I love, and a digital frame with photos of my family, the Tucson area and some of our fun vacations together.

Sunday my youngest grandson, Jeff, got married to Michelle Berger! While I didn't attend the wedding and the reception, you can see by this picture that they are a happy couple. It was held at Alderbrook Resort, and they left their reception by floatplane on the Hood Canal. They are coming here to my apartment in their wedding clothes for a re-reception in a few weeks, just to celebrate it all with me!

I had lots of fun company during wedding time, including my son Ken, his wife Carol, their children and spouses, and several friends. Doug and Betty also brought to my residence the wedding program and some flowers for me.

I talk with my other son, Randy, about once a week. I also get a chance to talk with my siblings in Pensacola when I can. AND, I now only have 1.5 medicines plus my thyroid, and I continue to reduce these. Guess that means I am quite healthy!

Exciting week ahead!

I have been looking forward to this week for quite awhile now! It is the week of the wedding of my youngest grandchild which will bring LOTS of wonderful people to see me in my new home! And I find myself with even more energy than before. It is helping to reduce my medicines, I think. I am now down to two medicines plus my thyroid and Friday when I see my MD I may find another reduction happens!

Recently I have had wonderful conversations with all three of my sons, my sisters and others. Please let me know your phone numbers and I am happy to call when I can. My new home treats me well and I have no complaints, either bodily or mentally. With weekly manicures and hairdos, excellent meals three times a day, tea usually every afternoon, I do well. I also find that I like to help fold the laundry when I can, and they like me to help them!

More later!

My latest checkup

Hello! It has been awhile - I haven't written mainly as there hasn't been much new to share. But I did want to inform you of my recent doctor's appointment. I really enjoy my MD up here. He is actively reducing my meds each time I see him, but I remain on the ones that he finds essential. While I have had another reduction in my meds from this appointment, so far I am doing great with no need/effects from its withdrawal. I see him in three weeks again, and if this continues as it is presently, I get to cut back on another one at that time. From six prescriptions to two presently plus my thyroid one and if all goes well, it could drop to only one plus thyroid.

Never knew I could play poker but I won the other day! Guess all of that playing Bridge helps! The calendar for my residence is quite full and I get to participate as much as I wish each day.

The next big event in my life will be my grandson Jeff's wedding on August 9. I am looking forward to the wedding and having Ken and all of his family here for the event. I hear that others may come for the wedding - stay tuned and I will let you know who shows up!

July 4th Doings

Hello! While I don't have any pictures of my day, I wanted to share with you our events here at my residence:

The 4th of July is well celebrated here - from parades to concerts to fireworks. I didn't do ALL of them, but had a great day! Here is our 4th of July:

The day started out with a free pancake breakfast at the fire station just across the street. Many Aegis residents participated in this event.

Then the parade: First there was a children's parade that went right in front of our residence, followed by a city parade at noon that also passed in front of our residence. The grand marshall was the grandson of the founder of this town. He brought his family and rode in a classic pickup truck in the parade. It was fun to watch!

That afternoon we played America the Beautiful trivia - did you know that more than $211 million is spent on the importation of fireworks from China for this day?

The day ended with many personal fireworks displays and one big one in the city park nearby. I didn't attend this (it was past my bedtime) but the noise was deafening.

Do come and see me sometime - I continue to have good health and enjoy the kind people here. Take care of yourselves!

I have had a wonderful time with a visit from Ken and Carol! It is Father's Day weekend and they have joined me in Seattle to visit with me and the family. We are celebrating a joint family Father's Day at Doug & Betty's after having a day of a ride on the ferry and looking at family pictures and pictures of Marc & Maggie's wedding! I am healthy, having had a visit with my doctor yesterday and I may be able to reduce some of my medications. My energy is good and I enjoy my new home up here. Come and see me!

My grandson Marc is married!

My grandson Marc and Maggie's wedding took place this past Saturday at Devil's Thumb Resort in Colorado. It looked quite nice and I am indeed proud to be part of this family. With my health concerns regarding walking and altitude, I didn't attend, but I did see many pictures of the celebration, thanks to Betty & Doug's camera. I look forward to visiting with Marc & Maggie in person this August.

Yesterday I took part in a "red hat" tea party. What fun! There were 9 decked out ladies from the community and we all enjoyed red hats for the event. Tea and cookies were served to us by the staff in our dining room.

Other exciting news is that I now have TWO front teeth - with the magic of the dentist creating a great crown I now smile without the "snaggle-tooth" look I have had for a couple of weeks! Also you will be happy to know that my blood work shows that I am in good health.

Do come and see me - the flowers and the sun are out this week!

Mother's Day Tea

This afternoon my residence held a nice high tea for Mother's Day. Many family members were present, from babies to other grandparents. We dressed for the occasion and met in the dining hall for a great time! Between the food, drink, speeches, conversations and music, we had a great time. Doug & Betty came over to share the afternoon with me.

I am in good health!

Today I went to meet my new Gerontologist/Internist. He is oriental, quite young, quite knowledgeable, and specializes in gerontology.

My tests to date show that I am in good health. The doctor is working on a potential adjustment to one of my medications that may make my heart beat a bit faster/stronger - right now it is fine, but slow. He also said that the wheelchair is just fine for now and that it keeps me from falling statistically more than a walker. But I do keep working on my walking. He agreed on keeping my physical therapy going three times per week on an outpatient basis.

Yesterday I went for a ride (Aegis has a small bus that they load us on) and saw the tulip fields, then had lunch with my fellow residents at a great restaurant up in that area. I was tired when I returned but it was a great outing.

Saturday we have a Mother's Day tea that I will attend with one of my sons. Today we make cards for Mother's Day to share with other mothers in the community. That plus getting my hair done today will fill my afternoon!

A good week!

I wanted to let you all know what I have been up to now that I am back at my assisted living apartment. It has been a good week and I am busy!

As of today I have been to the beach to watch the ships go by, on a scenic drive to see the lovely flowers, trees, and farms near my apartment, and enjoyed visits from Doug, Betty, Douglet & my great grandson Dylan. Friday I talked with both Randy and Ken - a real treat!

I also got my hair done at the salon, had ICE CREAM bars while touring, and enjoyed the company of the pets brought in to my residence for us to know. The food is good - and I often get a See's chocolate to enjoy!

My outpatient physical therapy has begun, but I am stronger than when I first arrived already! While I continue to use my wheelchair most of the time, I do get up and use my walker sometimes. Having both is a good thing for me.

Come and see me - I have a sleeper sofa in my apartment and there are places very near by for all.

I am back in my apartment!

Today Betty & Doug came and got me from my rehab center and helped me move back into my apartment. Right away I not only recognized my own furniture, but had many visits and conversations with both the residents and the staff at my assisted living home.

I began my re-entry with a tour of my apartment where I found a lovely "welcome back" sign on my door from the staff, and then I went to a yummy lunch of soup, egg salad sandwiches, and cookies.

My son commented on the fact that I was stronger getting in and out of the car today. I will continue to have physical therapy to keep my muscles strengthening at least three times per week.

Do come and visit me! I would love to show you around my place and around my new home.

I return to my apartment on Monday

I wanted to let you all know that we had a conference this morning with my physical and occupational therapists, my social worker, and my nurse. Additionally the Director of Nursing from my assisted living residence was there, along with Betty, Doug & me.

All concurred that I can return to my assisted living apartment next Monday. They believe that they have done all they can for me in rehab, and now it is my turn to return to my apartment and see where I go from there.

I will receive physical therapy on an outpatient basis three times per week in addition to the activities of the center. I am going to stay in my wheelchair for many of my activities, but I can and do walk with my walker when my knees aren't bothering me too much.

So look for a post next Monday when I get settled back into my apartment. It will be good to get there! Do come and see me there please!

I am getting stronger!

I thought you all would want to know that I am progressing with my physical and occupational therapy. Usually I participate in activities that relate to my physical and occupational therapy twice a day. Betty came and observed me in therapy today!

I now can walk a short distance, transfer myself between a chair and my bed and do many more things for myself that I couldn't in the recent past.

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and prayers. I have had several visits from Aegis personnel and residents and I look forward to returning there shortly. Hope you all will visit me there!

Easter

Today is Easter. Yesterday around 200 children under age 11 came to my rehab center to hunt for Easter eggs. We went outside to watch them - was quite fun!I went to Betty & Doug's house today for Easter dinner. We had traditional foods - ham, green beans, "cheesy" potatoes, rolls, etc. We also had an Italian Easter pie for dessert with mini chocolate cupcakes on the side. The best part of my visit was that I got to talk with my family. AND, my great grandson was around for dinner - he is 8 months old and full of smiles. Now I am back at my rehab facility and ready for a nap! It was a full and happy visit, and I look forward to more of them in the future!

News to share

Hello again! If you follow the slideshow you will see my new residence. I have an apartment there and look forward to returning to it in the next few weeks, after I complete my rehab where I am now. This picture was taken by Doug in front of my rehab facility, and not only was it a sunny day, but the daffodils and the tulips are beginning to bloom! The air was fragrant with the smell of the blooming hyacinths.

With my great grandson

This is in my new apartment. I am holding my 8-month old great grandson with my grandson and his wife looking on. This was taken on Sunday, March 22.

Bobbie now lives in Bothell, Washington

Bobbie is now living in Bothell, Washington. Presently she is undergoing physical therapy to regain her strength. She has significantly improved both cognitively and physically since beginning these treatments.

To catch up on her travels: Bobbie moved from Tucson to Bothell on Thursday, March 19. Shortly thereafter she had a minor medical event that landed her in the hospital. Now she is recovering nicely and in physical therapy for a few weeks.

If you would like to know how to contact her please get in touch with either Ken or Doug.