May 2013
7 posts
THE FALL
One nice thing here in the village is the friendship formed between elderly ladies
as oppoosed to the self centered ones, best ignored.
This morning one lady, Joy, who often calls in to have a chat was here and soon there was a knock at my door and another lady, Iris from HIGH CARE called in on her way back from the hairdresser. As she went to sit on the swivel chair it moved and she...
COMPUTER GROUP DAY
.
A lot of time was taken up with the fellow who wanted to know how to put all the information about ‘Bromeliades’ (if that is the correct spelling) from the Internet to Microsoft Word so he could print it out when off line.
Then a new fellow spoke up.
He said he had been given a computer but he needed to learn how to use it. Some one asked a few basic questions before it came down...
WOW
Ive got a new picture.
Looks like my mother
SPECIAL DAY
Happy day to those mothers who bother to read my page.
My mother never believed in the concept of mothers day.
She always said, “You be a good girl every day and that will be enough”
Well I reckon it is a big ask to expect a naughty girl to be good every day.
So even though it is rather commercialised I think it is a very good idea.
Mothers do so much for each child, of course...
EMOTIONS
All sides of our personalities have different ways of showing themselves.
An error has been made in the printing of our monthly activities programme.
Most people would handle it with some complaint, but one fellow was making a big deal of it in the dining room tonight. At first I thought it was a joke but believe me it was far from trivial to this person.
He does suffer with severe breathing...
DINNER
On the first Monday of each month the Senior Citizens group have a dinner for a very small cost. Today we will celebrate Mother’s Day. It is nice to have a sit down meal with people all in the same age group.
The president arranges for some sort of diversion like a singer or comedian or as we had recently THE SNAKE MAN. Usually there is a small gift for each of the ladies. I find it a nice...
TUMBLR
Because the village news sheet printed a piece about my interest in having a Tumblr Blog, several people have made comments about it to me today.
That encouraged me to read back some of the items I had written about during the last few years. Not much has changed since I started. Just looking older.
I’m a bit surprised I have not made more political comment because I have always had an...
April 2013
5 posts
FULL HOUSE
In the section of the hostel where I live, at present all units are occupied, even the respite room which could be considered for emergency patients, has a resident.
Makes for a very interesting time in the dining room. Sometimes on a Thursday our friends Birdie and Don come for the mid day meal. Fortunately they were not here today. I was waiting to see how the nurse would handle it, but it...
HENRY
Henry is the gentleman who loves to walk around the dining room. For some time now he has had 2 dolls sitting up on his walker and he calls them “THE CHILDREN”
I noticed tonight that a staff member has put a label on each with the names of Henry’s own children.
I’ve been told that when he is in a bad mood himself he rouses at the children.
AMY
5/4/13 Weather wise it is a beautiful autumn morning here today.
It is also the 102nd birthday of AMY.
Such a pleasent lady and smart as well.
We don’t do it for everyone, but we sang the happy birthday song
and we all signed the birthday card.
BRIGHT THURSDAY
All the nursing staff are very nice to all the residents, if they are not then they won’t have a job. It’s a case of the residents need the staff to care for them and the residents pay their fees so the staff get their salary.
Just as with the variety of personalities we have among the residents, we also have a variety of personalities among the staff. The outgoing types excell on...
HAPPY EASTER
I have had such a pleasant outing today. My friend Hazel came and picked me up and we went to the Monthly Senior Citizens Dinner.
Such a friendly crowd of members, one friend Ken who is vision impaired, but does not let it get him down, shares my meal with me. Rather than send food back to be wasted, his appetite copes with most of my serving as well as his own.
The entertainment today was Wayne...
March 2013
2 posts
I MISS MY SISTERS
Residents and staff are having to cope with both painters and concreters here this week. For staff it means a whole lot more work and walking distance all the time.
For residents it means we are using a different dining room and things that we usually accept as normal are not there. I am doing my best to cope but it is not easy for me.
Where I would normally discuss such things with one of my...
WHY
When I am at an age where I am supposed to mellow and sit back and relax, why do I allow people to irritate me when I don’t even care about them.
I have certain things in my life that are of interest to me, they don’t include what others are doing with their washing, or what this one said or didn’t say.
Do I need to give myself a good talking to.
February 2013
8 posts
victims of the weather
Have to feel concerned for those who lose so much because of the bad weather, they will take some time to recover.
Another type of victim is like the little possum that has clawed its way all over me back window screen and flyscreen door. almost saying “HELP I NEED HELP”.
It is curled up in a ball and presumably asleep under me table at present. At least it is dry there.
There is...
CHANGE IN THE WEATHER
There are a lot of people some very proud of the fact that they like to think for themselves and not believe what a lot of scientists are telling us.
Even though it is a very slow moving thing I can notice a definite change in the weather in my life time.
Maybe because of where a person lives, either in the mountains or near the coast, but as a child I thought we had half the year cold and the...
OLD SAYING
For some time now I have spent time with a group of like minded people and we help each other with our computers.
On alternate Tuesday we deal with old photographs.
The old saying “THE CAMERA DOESN’T LIE” is not true any more. With the right software installed, you can change a photo to tell as many lie as you want. One fellow removed his mother-in-law from a couple of old...
SOME OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS
How many readers remember Julie Andrews singing “MY FAVOURITE THINGS”
Have you read the words she sang when she had her 79th birthday, so befitting an ageing lady. Well worth seeking out.
ONE FELLOW
This fellow is suffering dementia and I am told he does not realise what he is doing most of the time. He is a tall fine looking man and if some one said to me he was once the bank manager, I could well believe it.
When he comes to the dining room he likes his meal to be ready the minute he sits down. If it is not ready he likes to go for a walk around the room. With his walker of course.
He...
A BIT RISKY
There is no fun in life without some risk at some time.
The medical people (who I don’t always agree with) especially the physio, try to convince me all the time to use the walking frame. Their theory is without it I will fall and break my hip. My theory is once a person starts to use the walker they become dependant on them and don’t take a step without them. The where to park the...
IF YOU'LL JUST SMILE
Have to give the management credit for trying to keep us all happy.
One of the ways is»BRIGHT THURSDAY«instead of the staff wearing uniform they are invited to wear a bright shirt.
One nurse in particular does it very well. Today she is a beautiful golden daffodil.
Not all residents are impressed and the odd grumps don’t approve.
I think she is wonderful and she comes and gives...
wow
This is the year I will be 90 years old. I am the only one of my parents children to live so long. Probably because modern medicine has helped me to live longer than other generations.
In many ways I have had a good life, never a lot of money, in fact lived only week to week for many years. Never lived beyond our means and never got into debt.
Had a husband who told me almost every day that he...
January 2013
4 posts
MY THERAPY
I have a feeling that each person who writes something on their page has their own good reason for doing so.
My reason maybe because I need to say something to someone and I’m not really sure who the someone is. I do not want to be carrying on to my family all the time, that would not be fair to them, so maybe I should apologise to whoever reads it. I’m quite sure though that it is...
BEEN OFF
Fortunately for an old lady I do not have many sick days. The complaints I do have are pretty well under control. A pill here and a tablet there perform magic.
This bout of pneumonia really knocked me over. Proves to me once again that I did make the right move when I came to this Hostel Accommodation
So many aged people seem to have a real fear of such places and they do themselves a...
PREPARATION
All credit to the management for caring so well for us on such a hot day.
Through the day the nurse brought cool ice blocks to keep us calm. We were advised to drink plenty of water and avoid becoming dehydrated.
I think I fared very well, the morning went quickly for me, the lovely hairdresser we have here cut my hair for me and the nurse did come and massage my feet. That all helps the time to...
HAVIN' A HEAT WAVE
All preparations have been made for the oldies to cope with one of the worst day for a long time. Each room has a ceiling fan, some have air conditioning and if we are not comfortable in our own room we are to go to the dining room where the air conditioning is very comfortable.
The fact that recently so many trees have been removed also makes me feel safe.
Lauren shows us a lovely snow scene,...
2013
“HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE”
If you need to know of someone to brighten up your life, just call on RITA. She is one of the band of beautiful people who we call nurses here where I live.
Rita just loves to dress up. Today she is even brighter than the rainbow. has got a golden head and beautiful green wings. Even more colourful than a butterfly. It’s a little bit humid today so...
December 2012
2 posts
SELF INTEREST
I suppose to some degree we are all concerned about ourselves, but surely also we have been taught to be considerate of others. However lately I find so many who think they are the only person alive.
One lady who has a very helpful and attentive family wants to tell me every little thing they do for her, this one phoned, that one called in, my son will be down this weekend, we had such a...
November 2012
1 post
11/11/11
At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in the year 1918 peace was declared and so ended the war that was to end all wars.
Well that didn’t happen and within my memory of the years between there have been conflicts of varying degree. Many precious human beings have lost their lives and I do wonder who gains from it all.
My own father was gassed in France in that war to end all...
September 2012
1 post
SHOES
Because I have suffered from unhappy feet for many years I had been wearing soft shoes for a long time. I realise they do not give a lot of support, but they are comfortable.
When I complained about my feet to the doctor one day his advice was get rid of the shoes and get something more supportive. I purchased the type of shoe he suggested and gave away all the old lovable soft shoes. Not cheap...
July 2012
5 posts
EXCELLENT AUSTRALIA
About 100 miles south of Sydney any tourist will find BERRY. Right at the end of town you will turn right into the road that goes to KANGAROO VALLEY. Not too far along that road about 10 miles there is a turn off on a private road.
A family weekend had been planned there for a Christmas in July gathering. By the time we were way down this private road we were so far into the bush that I began to...
OPINIONS
I think I have always been a great believer in every persons right to their own opinions. I am not a religious person but for those who are I am happy to allow them to believe whatever they wish.
What I find hard to understand is why a quite religious lady at the same dining table as me is so “two face” and totally hypocritical.
Because one person does not appeal to her she really...
SO GOOD
There is no doubt about our two activities girls Nicole and Eileen. On any special day they will dress up to suit the occasion.
Because it is INTERNATIONAL CLOWNS WEEK they have come to my door this morning dressed as wonderful clowns. They look so genuine.
Nicole is tall and so slim and Eileen is the short one.
I asked if they would do a few cartwheels for me but sad to say they had done that...
ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
Because I am so easily irritated I am on the look out for the bright things in my life.
Today I have found a really good thing. I have had a friendly visit from the Welfare Officer. Mandie is an English lady and so nice to be able to talk to her.
We managed to cover several very important subjects. Even though we do not have the capacity to cure all the worlds troubles we do know how if we ever...
LISTEN
When my children were at school and they had a teacher they did not like I would ask them to deal with them as best as possible because they would meet these sort of people all through their lives.
It is all a matter of personality and within our own family we know how to deal with each one. When they are not family we just have to cope with them somehow.
Our duty nurse today comes among the...
June 2012
4 posts
THANK YOU
When the podiatrist, Michael attended to my unhappy feet last Tuesday he suggested I should have a lambs wool to rest my feet on at night when they give me a lot of trouble.
Because Ross was a war veteran and died from a war related condition, I as his widow am entitled to a lot of support from The Dept of Veteran Affairs.
Michael made the comment “If you don’t hear from them within...
COLOUR
Where I live is very close to the coast line and it is rather unusual for a Maple or any tree to present much of a show of colourful leaves, but this year the small maple out side my door has turned golden and is really beautiful.
MORE ABOUT DEMENTIA
I have decided I can start my own brand of dementia.
Persons who come into this category are those who are very easily irritated by the total ignorance of others. Those who try to give up swearing but so far have not managed very well and those like me who are horrified with the thought of spending a whole night in a house alone.
WHAT A GRIM LIFE
Today I have attended a talk about dementia.
With age comes all sorts of nasties that have to be withstood.
Now if I do not have dementia it is possible I will remember half of what I was told.
If someone I know shows signs of dementia and has not got the slightest notion that she has , then how does another person who also believes she does not have the condition, know if she has it or not?
...
May 2012
2 posts
THE SHOES
It was an effort to go into town in the bus, we got about half way when we had to go back and collect Shirley. That didn’t help this unhappy traveller.
The driver was a thorough gentleman and allowed me to take his arm,he helped me across the road and into the shop.
Have to admit the poor salesman wondered what he had struck with this old girl who has a mind of her own.
However I did get...
PLANTAR FASCIA
That name applies to the part of the foot that joins the heel to the toes. Peter once damaged his because he stood too long with his foot on the rung of that ladder. It troubled him for a long time but eventually he repaired it by rolling it on a frozen bottle of water when ever he sat down.
When the doctor came to see me yesterday he declared I was suffering Plantar Fasciitis. This condition can...
April 2012
6 posts
GREAT
Should be some sort of celebration.
That is the first time I have wanted to re-blog anything and it worked.
How good is that for an old lady.
These are my 4 beautiful nieces Alexis, Colma, Wendy and Margaret, who are interested in preserving the family history all together in the one place so it will be available for future generations if they are interested.
We have no idea what future...
FAMILY HISTORY WEEKEND
For many years I kept a box of old photos. If we had rainy days during the school holidays I would get it out and it kept the children occupied for a few hours. “Who is this old lady and who is this old man and how are we related to anyone of those people”
Of course they grew out of that and eventually I sorted them out and put them in albums. It was hard to part with them when I had...
THANK YOU ALL
So nice to have comments about what I wrote.
And let me tell you, Amy fronted up for breakfast this morning with a smile.
Others far younger and quite capable of coming to the dining room, stay back in their room and expect the duty nurse to give them “room service”
Just as well I am not in charge here, I would let them go hungry.
For sure Uncle Charles is the one we can be proud...
THE WONDER OF IT ALL
To me it is such an achievement for Amy to celebrate her 101st birthday.
Just one year ago we had a great celebration for her 100th.
A minor affair today, but maybe it should have been a bigger event.
This beautiful lady who sits at the same table as me in the dining room has so much to feel proud about. Maybe especially the credit for having a very loving family. All 4 generations were well...
VIEW
In Australia there is an organisation called VIEW CLUBS.
VOICE, INTERESTS AND EDUCATION OF WOMEN.
Locally we meet on the first Wednesday of the month. It is a very social gathering, there are no political or religious ties, but the opportunity to express opinions or even just tell a little tale of your grand children or whatever may be of interest to the ladies. Many outings are arranged, some...
February 2012
1 post
JUST A COMMENT
Spare a thought for all dentists.
Last week I had an appointment for some dental repair, such an unpleasant event. I didn’t come out of it all that well, but I’m old so give me time I will recover.
My concern on this occasion was for the dentist. He was absolutely exhausted by the time he had completed, to his satisfaction, what had to be done.
So a week later and it is raining...
January 2012
1 post
HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY
Finally had the new computer EMACHINE installed yesterday.
Thank you Ron and also thanks to Peter fro retrieving so much from the hard drive of the now deceased machine. It did not have a long life but I enjoyed it.
Some how this day seems like a whole new beginning for me. There are many reasons for that, need not be mentioned here.
I want to tell you about Deirdre, she is the duty nurse...
December 2011
5 posts
WHAT NANNA THINKS
Well HO HO HO and all that jazz, can I be myself (an old lady) or must I conform.
Today was Christmas Party day for the residents of this Hostel. I have NO complaints about this Hostel, it suits my needs very well and my family make up any shortfall. I am not a party person.
From my room I could hear quite loudly some men singing some old favourites and I guess that should get me in the mood....
