I realized this past week that I have really enjoyed the fall colors this year. I don't know if it's because I am not as stressed as last year or if I've taken the time to actually notice. I feel like I've paid more attention to nature as a whole. My parents home is in the heart of cranberry country and for the first time I've noticed the colors of the harvest. I have been learning a lot about the harvest and what's involved. The colors are truly like those I've seen on postcards for years. I always thought that the bogs were flooded after the harvest, turns out they flood the bogs to gather the cranberries. Between the colors of the leaves and the cranberries, my fall has been full of oranges, yellows and reds. I realized I probably should have stopped the car and taken pictures, but since I did not want to block the roadway, for now they will remain in my memories. Maybe next year I'll capture the pictures. I hope you took a moment or two to look around and enjoy the fall.
I wanted to mention that I saw the musical 'Menopause' and I have to say it was hysterical. I went by myself as I realized that I can't stop doing things because no one is available to go with me. I had a great seat and met a couple of interesting women. The event was to benefit the Susan G. Komen foundation and three of the four actresses in the musical are breast cancer survivors. I recognized a few people in the audience from around town. When I went to breakfast the other day, the server asked me if I liked the show and I thought to myself, "did I mention to her that I was going?" She said, "I saw you at the show as I was sitting four rows behind you." I laughed about being in a small town. I also laughed as my friend Diane always says I find someone everywhere I go - which, of course, I deny...LOL!!
Life at the nursing home was not great this past week or so at least from my perspective. The recreational person has moved on to another job and they have not replaced her yet. They have another person fill in when they can, but there have been hardly any activities. I think it's pretty telling when the head recreational person will not even show her face for more than five minutes in the unit. I have heard before that no one in recreation wants to work in this unit even for a day and I'm not sure why. There has also been lots of changes to staff as well. I don't think my mom has noticed as much as I have. I have not been a happy camper. Although I did not get the position I applied to, I have been helping out as much as possible - whether it be serving coffee/cookies, assist with feeding or making sure patients get toileted, I have been doing what I can. I almost had a run-in with few CNAs this past week, but I held my tongue and took notes. I want them to do what they get paid to do instead of standing around complaining about pay all the time. I definitely requested a family meeting for when I return in December.
Over the past several months, many people have said, "you are such a good daughter!" I have always been uncomfortable with that statement. I don't consider myself a "good" daughter. I consider myself a daughter doing what I have been brought up to do. In my mind that means, taking care of family as much as I can. My parents raised me and now they need me. There are millions of people doing the same thing for family and I don't consider it good or bad. I said this to an older woman the other day that visits her husband almost daily. Her response to me was, "but you are a good daughter. My kids are no good as they don't even try to visit unless I make them." I could not think of a response that would satisfy her so I just said oh and walked away. What do you think? Is my thought process off track?
I finally finished one of the books I'm reading. Good James Patterson murder mystery. Now to catch up on a couple of other books. What are you reading?
I am going to end it here this evening. I'm catching up on laundry, missed shows from the week and watching cheesy Hallmark holiday movies - ah the life of a single woman..LOL! I hope you have a wonderful first week in November - don't forget to vote if you live in a place where it's that time of year. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
“Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.” ~Christopher Reeve
“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” ~Robert F. Kennedy
“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” ~John Wooden
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