I had a little break this past week as my BFF Patti came to visit. I changed up my routine a little and we got to have some fun. I showed her some of my favorite haunts for eating or chilling. We also went with my sister's family to Wahlburger's as a special treat. None of us had been and to be honest I expected just touristy stuff and bad food, I was truly surprised at how good the food tasted. If we wanted to stick around in the cold, it appeared that cameras were setting up to film part of the TV show. The staff had indicated they filmed earlier that day. Patti got a little extra tour as I got lost on the way to the restaurant and we ended up at Nantasket Beach which is where many of us from Dorchester went during the summer as a special treat. In the old days, it was an amusement park, arcade, food stands and of course, the beach. Now it's condos and the amusement park closed years ago. Perhaps getting lost was meant to be as it triggered some old memories.
My niece Melanie made her Confirmation on Thursday. For those of you that do not know what Confirmation means: "Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments through which Catholics pass in the process of their religious upbringing. According to Catholic doctrine, in this sacrament they are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and are strengthened in their Christian life." When I was young, confirmation was completed in about 8th grade around 12/13. Now confirmation is made in 10th grade and in general the kids are 16. I believe the age was changed to have the teens more involved in the development of their faith. They are asked (but not forced) to be part of a mission venture either in the town or some travel to other areas. I teared up a couple of times as I thought about my parents not attending as their health did not allow. The teens did a good job on their part of the process.
Mema had a good week overall. I think this new schedule of papa visiting in the morning and me in the afternoon is working for her. When I'm there between lunch and dinner, she can rest and chat when she feels like it. She snacks and then keeps an eye out for things happening around her. I love the way her face lights up when she recognizes someone. She may not put a name with the face, but she knows instinctively she knows the person. Papa said when he wheels her around the building people come out from all over and give her hugs/kisses. He always says I can't believe how many people know your mother!
I forgot to mention last week that when we got snow, one of the other residents who, in general, has a great outlook on life said, "snow is the poor man's fertilizer so it will help the ground." I thought how prophetic a saying from this woman who has Alzheimer's and other health issues. If you go in and say it's cold, she will say, it will be warm soon. She almost always has a smile.
I watched "The Story of God With Morgan Freeman" last week. It's a multiple episode show on National Geographic. Very interesting show that explores different religions and their practices.
The funny part about having company this past week has been Lady's reaction. At night, she is just not sure where she should sleep. I am in the den, but leave the door open in case she wants to come in. I moved her bed to the hall outside the den so she can sleep there if she wants. Some nights I hear her wandering the house or moving from chair-to-chair. Patti just laughs at how Lady shadows me as soon as I move.
I have to say there are two commercials on TV right now that just make me smile or laugh out loud. I can't say that about many ads as sometimes I'm not even sure what they are selling. 1. Zyrtec when the woman sneezes and plants her forehead in an ice cream cone. I can just see that happening and it makes me laugh. 2. Siri with the cookie monster. I just laugh every time about him wanting time to go fast so he can eat the cookies. How many of us want time to fly?
I did not finish any books this past week as I just did not have time. What are you reading? I keep jotting down names of books on different pieces of paper just to see if I check them out will I want to read. I'm thinking about a trip to the bookstore over the next couple of weeks so any ideas?
Patti is in the kitchen baking cookies, brownies and cakes. She is leaving us tomorrow with treats that will be shared with the nursing home. Of course, the kids will be here later so who knows what will be left...LOL! I'm going to leave it here for today. I hope you have a good week. Take care of yourself and others. Chat soon. Marie
"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." Confucius
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." George Bernard Shaw
"You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life." Albert Camus