CLEVER WAYS TO GIVE MONEY AT CHRISTMAS

Just finished up Christmas today. Had a long month of it at work- which is to be expected- and part of the job. We had Christmas with Husband's kids the day after Christmas and got together with my kids today. We were all supposed to have gone to KC to be with youngest son , but you all know about the "best laid plans of mice and men"...right? Anyway- it was such fun to give the grands their gifts this year, because Husband and I didn't just give them money in a card- we cleverly wrapped the money differently for each person- and they had a blast figuring it out! For one, we gently opened the bottom of a box of mac and cheese and then took out the cheese packet, carefully cut the bottom of it open and shook out the cheese- then wrapped the money in foil and slipped it into the cheese packet and glued the packet shut. We then glued the bottom of the box- and it was really fun to see oldest grandson's (16) face when he got a box of mac and cheese for Christmas! For one of the grand daughters we rolled 25 brand new 1 dollar bills up in a roll of toilet paper- and for youngest grandson we made a slit under the label of a 2 liter bottle of coke and slipped two large containers with money inside the two liter bottle. We then glued the label back and put the lid on and he was baffled for a couple of minutes about how we got those containers into the pop bottle! The best one - in my estimation-however, was Husband's very own clever idea! We bought a bag of tootsie rolls and unwrapped them, then rolled 25 1 dollar bills very small and rewrapped them in the tootsie roll papers. They looked REAL! Youngest grand daughter was crazy about it! It made a mundane Christmas gift very special- and we all watched as each person opened his/her gift- none of this frenzied-tear the paper-hurry to the next present-stuff. Daughter was a sweet hostess and had a couple of games for us to play, as well- and we ate far too much- as always. Hope you all had wonderful holidays with your families!

IT'S BEEN A WHILE!

Well, it has certainly been a day or two since I have posted! We had the big Gala at work on last Friday night and outside of being a chinese firedrill when the food was put out on the buffet tables, it went pretty well. Have got to work on a better "flow" for the crowds that we have come to expect at this event. I talked with the dietary manager on Sunday at our employee Christmas party and we think we have it worked out for next year- goodie. Tomorrow I will work with three activity directors from a neighboring state who will be at my building for some training, networking and brainstorming. Looking forward to that. Husband and I were off today to recoop from the past couple of weeks of getting our building decorated and preparing for the Gala.

We took a bottle of that almond wine I've been talking about on here- to the party- it was like a liquer (is that how you spell lik-koor?). It has aged into a mighty fine sipping drink. Smooth! Just took over two years to get it to that point! While I've been off today I made pumpkin bread and a wonderful beef stew to share with my neighbors. I have three and they are all elderly and ill or alone. Have not been paying them the kind of attention I should for a little while-so am fixing that this afternoon. Bought two new recliners over the weekend. Husband's is h-u-g-e! And I got one for me that just fits me pretty nicely! It is beautiful, too. Merry Christmas to us.

CAMPING SEASON OVER

Came home from the lake today after our last weekend for the season. Brought the camper back with us and will use it as extra sleeping quarters when company comes. The lake offers so much- relaxation, entertainment, a safe place for the grands to run...it's a real retreat. We love going to church there, too. Now I have to get back in the groove in my little town. The church bazaar is the second weekend in November and typically I help with it, but haven't been contacted. Suppose because we have been gone so much. The kids are planning to come that weekend anyway. We will probably bottle the 20 gallons of wine in the closet and then we are through making wine for a while. We aren't drinking very much of it anyway. It gives me a tummy ache and Husband should not have too much because of diabetes. Kids love it, though. Just got back from KC on Wednesday night- went to meetings there. Got to eat at a Red Robin at last! It was pretty tasty! Also ate at a place called "Bravo" in the Zonarosa shopping area. Had not been there before. We had access to so many appetizers and soup that I didn't enjoy my lasagna because I was full. Shame on me. My daughter and her family attended the K State game Saturday and went dressed as characters from Alice in Wonderland! They were on the jumbotron for a full two minutes- which means they were on national tv! She was the white rabbit, he was the mad hatter, K was the red queen and A was Alice. They took one of their friends and she was the white queen. We met them in Hutch at Village Inn for pie when they came through Saturday night. Their pics were so cute!

RELAX-AVOUS

Well-I cannot tell you how thrilled I was to do a presentation at the state activity director conference last weekend- nor can I appropriately express how relieved I am that it is OVER.

Public speaking is not my cup of sassafras- and I truly do not want to do it again. Boss is already talking about the next time and what we should tweak, yada,yada,yada, but I'm going to turn it over to her. She can do the crowing- I'm very contented to just lay the eggs. The song and the poem I wrote for the presentation went over super- everyone wanted copies and we had a great time singing together- Put a bunch of activity directors in a room and you're bound to have a sing-along. Even the critiquing was reasonable- only a couple of people had adverse things to say, and 2 out of 60 participants isn't bad. Gotta get my head wrapped around the next few months because it's my busy time with the holidays and all. Already have my entertainment for the Christmas Gala lined up. As usual, the Sweet Adelines will perform and this year we have a new act, too. A local pediatrician and a woman he goes to church with are going to be performing Christmas music from the 30's and 40's. They're working on "Baby, it's cold outside", too- so should be fun. I got a few new craft ideas at conference and incorporated a couple into October's calendar- and one lady showed me how to do some simple but beautiful flower arrangements. Going to KC at end of month for a regional meeting and will demonstrate for the group how we have begun to use the knobby balls for exercise- as well as engage the group in a mini drums alive exercise. We have a blast with it- and I know other buildings will enjoy it too. Kids coming mid month to bottle wine- it will be awesome to get all these carboys emptied and into bottles so I can have my closet space back. Number 1 son made two carboys ( 12 gallons total) of wild- one is Peach Mountain, made from colorado peaches and the other is a sandhill plum wine that he has named "out of gas" because they ran out of gas while they were picking the plums. They will take a couple of years to mature. We will enjoy some of our first almond wine (called Almond Joy) at Christmas time this year. It will be not quite 2 1/2 years old. Made our first batch of chili Friday night- mmmm-mmmm good- and then worked at our little fall festival on Saturday at the church carnival. It was nice to not be working on "work". Stayed the night at the lake Sat. night and after church we came home and plan to spend the rest of the day resting.

Work!Work!Work!

Heard from Kathleen Lourde, the writer who interviewed me for the magazine article - said they had pushed the article back again- may not be out till September or October. Oh well- whattaya gonna do?

Had a nice surprise yesterday- our big boss (operations director), nurse consultant, marketing consultant and finance director went together and nominated me and our " when you wish upon a star" program for something called the Einstein award. This is a company wide ( over 100 facilities) award and is given quarterly. Only 4 people can win each year. We won the second quarter! Now I will be placed in competition with 3 other people and their ideas, and hopefully win the over all award and a trip to Branson for the annual meeting. Last year it was in San Antonio- was up for employee of the year - was not chosen but there were only seven people in the category and the rules were very stringent.

It's nice to be recognized for doing your best. Did get to go to St Louis for the big whoopty do.

Getting ready to go to Indiana for a small family reunion in early September. Looking forward to seeing some family I have not seen for a while....and some I saw recently- but can never see enough.

Just bottled 30 bottles of peach apricot chardonnay. Took 15 to work to use for wine and cheese party later in the month.

Know I need to post more often, but when things are on the straight and level it is hard to find something to write about. Oh, I know, I just finished doing six name "arts" for a friend at work. I did all of her grandchildren for her. They turned out swell. She liked them so much she went and got color copies so she could put them on the wall in her spare bedroom. She said so many of her grandkids live far away that she wouldn't get to see the artwork very often, and she wanted it in her home, too. That was nice. Doing three for my sis's grands and doing two more for a girl I work with who has twin grand daughters. Better go get busy! S

VACATION PICS

We rode the cog train up to Pike's Peak!

Looking out the window of the train.

Met such nice people.....a builder, a Vietnam Vet, a teacher from Katy, TX and her husband, who works for Shell Oil- also met a hot air balloon commercial pilot and some of HER crew... and there's a possibility that we'll be able to work out having a hot air balloon tethered in the field next to our facility and give the residents rides! Is that not cool? Just gotta work out the details!

The air was incredibly thin on Pike's Peak- so hard to breathe. We rode the royal gourge train along the Arkansas River in the bottom of the gourge- incredible! They have a roller coaster at the gourge that is the highest in the world- they say it is also the scariest in the world- It flings you out over the gourge with a 1200 foot sheer drop- too scary for me! The train ride was sooo cool- they played lots of songs about trains - and everyone was singing along- like "I'm the train they call the city of New Orleans" and "Fulsom Prison Blues" and others. Had breakfast on the train, too- as we sat in the dome car. Went to Cripple Creek for a couple of hours and broke even- which is always a good thing. Had supper in Manitou Springs at a "not so hot" place called the Nile Cafe. Kids came over tonight and we took them out for supper at the little Amish place in town- yum! And as always, it is sooooo good to be home. Still got two days before we go back to work- guess we will go to the lake.

CATCHING UP

Took a group of folks out to our RV camp for a jam session last night. They were a hit! One of our volunteers and a resident played the harmonica and guitar and they were sensational! Got invited back by many! Had soft ice cream afterward and got them all tucked in by 10 p. Today starts our vacation. We are going to Colorado for a few days to drink in the mountains and get away from the heat. Have had quite a bit of rain from hurricane Alex. It's muggy and (one of husband's favorite words) "sultry". Staying in tonight to protect our little doggie from as much of the firecrackers popping as possible. She is so scared- she just shivers and shakes. Will spend next weekend at the lake again with husband's daughter and family. It's husband's favorite thing to do, while away the hours fishing and resting in/near the camper. I take my art supplies and tablets and paint or write. Sounds like we have storms again. Hope you all have a wonderful and safe 4th!

BUSY KIDS ON SHORT SUMMER VACATION

PICS FROM MY SIS'S VISIT HERE - HER GRANDS AND MINE

ARE THESE NOT DARLING?

We had a jam packed two days- visiting a space museum, a zoo, a wildlife park and a children's museum! Busy kids make happy (and tired) kids!

Topped it off by starting a fire in the chimenea and roasting marshmallows ! Sis and grands are on their way back to Indiana today- with lots of great pics and memories- wish they could have stayed longer!

PUNY DAY

Went to work yesterday with a sore throat and nurse reccommended I see a doctor this morning- she thought it was strep. Hard to think I made it through the entire winter without so much as a cold and now the week of Memorial Day I have a cold! Went to dr this morning and he said they are seeing alot of 48-72 hour viruses right now. Told me to go home and rest, keep my hands washed and don't go back to work till I quit coughing and sneezing. By the way, it wasn't strep. Having a little headache to go along with it. Everyone at work is pitching in to do my work today. Having the monthly birthday party and the entertainment is also coming for lunch. Great little group called the Baker Family Country. They also play at Spring Lake where we have our RV. Got the part ordered for the golf cart we bought last winter- hope it fixes it right up so we can take it to the campground. Everyone stay well!

A BLAH DAY TURNS INTO A BLAH EVENING

Worked up another kit of wine this evening. Doing an Island Mist Peach Apricot Chardonnay. It was the very first one we tried a couple years ago and we've been so busy experimenting that we are just getting around to making it again. Should be ready in 4-5 weeks, but doesn't have near the depth of flavor or weight that a "wild" has. It's almost more like wine kool-aid. It's inexpensive and fun to serve to a crowd. Work has not been my favorite place to be the last couple of weeks- don't know why- maybe I need a vacation. Just know that as soon as I get there all I want to do is go home. We are going to Husband's 55th class reunion first part of June- maybe that will snap me out of it. G'night.

Grandma's Angels!

Today, my gorgeous grandgirls came to work with me and participated in a fashion show for Mother's Day! "A" wore her Easter dress, "D" wore a dress she had worn to a wedding, and "K" wore a dress from a "snow- ball" she attended in February. I was so proud of them! My daughter did their hair and make up and the residents thought they were beautiful! Residents participated in the show too, modeling some really nice clothes from a store in Newton. For refreshments we had darling hat cookies and chocolate dipped strawberries with a beautiful punch made my daughter. It had lime ade, Fresca, and maraschino cherry juice poured over sliced lemons and limes and ice. It was so pretty in the punch container! I'm tard!

Gonna be a speaker at a state activity conference! Whoo'd a thunk it? I have spoken to other groups, but not to my peers......and it's exciting to me to present our "When You Wish Upon a Star" program to people who will "get it"- Our Administrator, Lisa, and I will do this in September! Too cool for school!

SHARING MY "GIFTS"

Last night I attended a jam session at the campground where we have our RV parked for the season. There were several people there who played the guitar and sang. Had spoken with the owners previously about sharing some of the poetry I had written about my mom and since this was the closest session to Mother's Day he agreed that I could "perform". It turned out really well, and many people spoke with me afterward and told me how much they liked what I had read. Several said, "Oh please bring more- come back and do this for us again." The campground has quite an elderly following, so it wasn't much different than standing up in front of the people I work with every day and sharing something I've written. All in all, a good time-and such fun to share my "gifts".

NEW BUCKET LIST REQUEST

Well, this time it has to do with golf. Have a sweet woman who has been a golfer most of her adult life and adores Phil Mickelson...........so have begun to try to contact him to ask if he would give her a two minute phone call and an autographed picture. She does have some memory loss, but not when it comes to Phil! Hard to say whether he will take the time to respond to me or agree to speak with my friend.........he is a busy one this time of year- just have to wait and see. Wish I had some more wishes to work on- some people have many and some can't think of any.

TWO FER!

I can't even begin to tell you the feeling I had when Captain James Lovell walked into that room, followed by Commander Fred Haise! Yep! That's right! TWO astronauts! It was a surreal moment-with my friend ,A, and his wife, R. Both astronauts were kind, friendly, and genuinely interested in A. He wore a lapel pin that I had not seen before- It said Apollo and NASA with a rocket on it. Both astronauts noticed his pin and it was almost like a brotherhood thing- He said he received it from his employer back in the '60's. We were only with them for under five minutes, but A said it was one of the highlights of his life- what a feeling to get to be a part of someone else's spectacular dream. Woo-hoo!

SPIFFY DUDS NEEDED ON SATURDAY

Sounds as if my little WWII Vet Friend is going to realize his dream on Saturday and actually have a private audience with THE Captain James Lovell of Apollo 13 fame! Just found out today! My friend was ecstatic and wondered "what should I wear?" Bet he comes up with something real spiffy ! Spiffy is a word he likes to use. He also calls his clothes his "duds". It's going to be a magic moment for he and his wife- they are very humble, deserving people- Captain Lovell is lucky to be getting to meet them, too.

PATIO COVER

Got our new patio cover installed last night! Gosh I have wanted one for so long. It's just a small patio- something that Husband and I laid with patio pavers and now it has a real little red roof- and the coffee cup planter that I received for Mother's Day last year looks so smart in the middle of the glass topped table sitting under the little red roof. We also sat out tonight and burned some wood in the chimenea- and talked about the other changes we want to make (but not to our patio with the little red roof). Can you tell that I am happy with it?

INTERVIEW

Unbelievable! I was interviewed today for an article in a trade magazine on "innovative activities"! The writer is a freelancer and had read about the "making dreams come true" activities that went out on AP last summer. It was thrilling! The article will come out in a magazine called ADVANCE- Long Term Care. Supposed to be out in May. Hope I didn't sound as dorky as I think I did.

MUNDANE-NESS

Gosh it gets hard to write about life when life doesn't change much. Actually, I love the straight lines in life. The high points are great- but few and far between- and the low points have been so gut-wrenching that I don't care to "go there" again-ever. So the straight lines suit me just fine- just don't give me much to report on. Husband is sleeping- I can hear him in the next room- puppy is sleeping in the chair next to me-coffee is hot-house is cozy-hair is still wet from my shower- none of the kids are in crisis (at this very moment -anyway) we have jobs- health is good- I love it. Doesn't mean we don't have stresses or concerns- or even situations that have to be dealt with- just means we don't have to do it this minute. Thank you, Jesus, for this minute.

TRYING TO CREATE A MAGIC MOMENT

Have been working like crazy to help make a dream come true for a gentleman who lives in our facility. He worked at a plant that manufactured parts for the Apollo spacecrafts and has wanted to meet someone who flew in a craft he helped to create. Captain Jim Lovell of Apollo 13 fame has consented to meet with him briefly and get a picture taken while he is here on business in April. However, the few minutes he would be able to do this are at the discretion of the person he is meeting with for business, and he has not agreed, yet. Need some prayers. This would be one of the highlights of my friend's life. He is a WWII Vet, in extremely poor health and 86 yr old. Will keep you posted.

PATIENCE PAYS OFF!

Hi Friends! Number 1 Son came Saturday and we bottled 61 bottles of wine! 31 bottles of a gorgeous amber Almond and 30 bottles of Blackberry Merlot. The Blackberry was an Island Mist kit and the Almond is a wild. It was born on September 16, 2008 and it was finally time to bottle. It is still a little gamey but should improve greatly by Christmas 2010. We have another carboy (6 gallons) of the Almond in the closet, along with a carboy of Citrus Storm and one carboy of Pear Honey. They are all wilds so they take much longer to develop and mature than the kits. Also have two gallons of Pineapple that we threw together to see how they would taste. In all still have 20 gallons "cooking". Number 1 Son is starting a kit of Raspberry so should have 15 bottles to add to the collection in about 6 weeks. We like the Island Mist kits- they are pretty failure free. We fortified 5 bottles of Almond with 1/4 cup amaretto just to see how the flavor would improve. Took Son to the airport this a.m. in Wichita. He flew out to Dayton, OH for work and will return Wednesday night. Having a Super Bowl party at the building where I work this evening so need to get a move on. Hope your team wins tonight! !!! (Go Colts!)

Working on a new activity- or at least new to most of our current clientle. Have secured a huge box of sweaters from a local thrift store ( they are stained, stretched, or other wise not able to be sold) and we are cutting them into small pieces and unraveling them. In just a little bit we will have a mountain of "stuffing" material. We are then making small "tooth fairy" pillows and stuffing them with the unraveled sweater material. Makes so much sense to the folks I care for- they were great re-cyclers in their day, and the cute pillows will be sweet gifts for their great grandchildren- something they will keep because great grandmother "made" it. Win-win. Another cute thing that I made - probably 10 years ago- from the sweaters- I cut the white, green and red ones into 1" squares and the folks on my Alzheimers unit then strung them on yarn with a plastic needle and made the neatest Christmas "swags" for trees, fireplaces or just about anywhere. Some of them had a bead between each square and some were strung so close together that they were very heavy- but they were really neat and the family members who received them as gifts from mom or dad still have and use them at Christmastime. Suppose if you wanted to take the time you could cut teeny hearts and string them for valentine's day.

QUILTING PROJECT FOR WORK

Have had this project on the table for a while but had put it aside during the holidays because of all the other activities at work. It is a poem written by a resident where I work. She is 91 and an amazing talent. She has self published a couple of books of poetry and wrote this particular poem when she was visited by someone in the community who treated her as if she had no comprehension/hearing/vision/ etc. In essence it says "please do not assume that because we live here that all intelligence is gone- treat us the way you would want to be treated-don't be condescending-" a real lesson for people who come in and say, " Oh these little people are so cute! I just love them!" The quilt is about 30" long and 20" wide- . Just glad to have it finished and hanging in our commons area. Be nice to move on to something else.

I'M BACK!

Back from St Louis! What a great conference! Jolene Brackey, an expert in programming for Alzheimers, was our keynote speaker. So inspiring, and creative! Our company really gave us the royal treatment- super accomodations and wonderful food, too. We ate at a Kobe's Japanese Steakhouse (my first time) and were thoroughly entertained and the food was awesome! Got to stop in KC on the way through and see my Number 2 son, too! He works at a Mediterannean Cafe and we ate supper there. My group was impressed- and I was thrilled to spend time with my son, even if it was only for an hour or so. So glad to get home and see my husband and doggie......and my bed.

Fat Blue Chicken

My husband decided to try making a batch of wine the old-fashioned way- with a balloon- even though we have the other equipment that makes it easier and you don't have to black tape it to the carboy. He used a blue latex glove for his "balloon" and it is H-U-G-E! It also looks like a blue chicken head- which is kind of cool, because it compliments the Rowdy Rooster! Sure hope it doesn't POP! while I'm gone to St Louis. Hate to see it spew all over my laundry room and curtains! On second thought, if it is going to spew, maybe it would be best if I'm not around for a few days- that will give him time to clean up the mess.

REFLECTIONS

Good Morning! I just l-o-v-e Saturdays! The only thing better is Friday night, when it is a pay week! Attended a funeral yesterday about 125 miles from home for a friend's mom. She has now joined the ranks of those of us who no longer have a living parent. A pretty scary step for her- as it was for me. I wish so much sometimes that I could visit with my Mom one more time- get her take on a situation- or just show her that I have grown (matured). I do have 3 wonderful sisters that each represent Mom in special ways- but the only place I have ever discovered unconditional love (outside the love of Jesus) is from my Mom- and I didn't properly value it when she was living. I think when we attend funerals it makes us think of our own relationships with loved ones who are no longer on earth- it was just a day of reflection. Had 125 miles of driving both ways by myself, so lots of time to think. Heading to St Louis on Tuesday- leaving husband to take care of himself and the dog. Bet they will be fine. Plan to bottle wine next weekend when Son # 1 comes to visit! I'll post the wine recipe we used for Almond wine- which is the one we're bottling. It is a wild and has been in the carboy since September 2008. Should be awesome! Take care all!

HEARTACHE IN HAITI

I've been watching the discovery of the intense devastation in the country of Haiti since the major earthquake almost a week ago. My friend, Danielle, is from Haiti and both her parents and her husband's parents were out of communication for over 3 days. On Friday, she contacted us to let us know that both sets of parents were alive. Such a relief...amid so much suffering. God is good. Danielle is a spirit filled woman and while their US family awaited word on the condition of their family, and although very sad and concerned, she remained strong in her faith. A great lesson in waiting on God. His timing is not ours. I have always admired her, and now, more than ever, as I watched her wait on God. I asked her one time, " With so many of your family in the states, why won't your parents come to live here, too?" She said, "My parents say that if all the good people leave Haiti, who will be there to help those in need?" I know her folks, if they are able, are helping those in need. What a legacy they are leaving their children.

EXPLANATION OF LIFE

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside of people. He said, " My son the battle is between two wolves inside of us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. The second is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity,humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute then asked his grandfather, " Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, " The one you feed."

Thanks to my friend, Audrey, for this piece of wisdom!

A Bit About the Rooster......

The awesome rooster on our wine label has a fascinating history. When we were visiting my sis-in-law and brother in Phoenix, I mentioned that I'd love to have a rooster to sit on the front porch. We kind of looked around but didn't find anything. Several months later they came to see us. They had been to Oregon to visit other relatives and one of the cousins had this rooster out in her yard. My sis-in-law finagled it away from the cousin and brought it to Kansas - by way of Arizona- with Oregon dust on it's feathers! Our house is red, so he looked pretty smart sitting on the front porch. Not long after that, we were looking for something clever to incorporate into our wine label. I went out on the porch and got the rooster - brought it in and set it on the cedar chest and Son #1 , who dabbles in photography, took his picture. We were thinking along the lines of " Black Rooster Wine" but.....he looked a little plain, so we got a wine bottle and stuck it under his wing and voila! "That Rowdy Rooster " was born! With a little photo shop magic from Son # 1 he had a new home worthy of crowing about!

National Certification

Great news! I got my certification in the mail on Friday! I worked so hard for it......it's a real accomplishment for me! Now to work on specializing in dementia so I can add it to my title! All I've got to say is Yippee Skippy!

The post with the artwork I did for the grandgirls for their birthdays went up before I figured out how to add text. Need to get a little more familiar with this format. Anywhooooo.....The pics are of some of our grand daughter's names and around the edges are a few of their attributes in fun fonts. Just a lil' sumpin' sumpin' I like to mess with when I have some free time. Actually it is an activity that positively fills me up again when I am empty. I love to draw people's names . I remember doing it in highschool and girls paying me to draw their names and the names of their boyfriends in bubble letters back in the '60's. Spent many an hour in study hall doing this when I should have been figuring out algebra. Oh well!

Birthday gifts