Nana Christmas 2019

Mother Nature was kind to us this year and Jan and I were able to visit Pennsylvania and spend Christmas Day with Nana. Thanks  to Nancy, the receptionist, we made plans to have Christmas Day lunch with Nana privately at the Watsontown Nursing Home. 

We arrived Christmas Eve and gave Nana her gifts. She was most excited about her Texas Wildflowers Calendar. What fun we had going through each month, oohing and ahhing the beautiful, vibrant wildflower pictures! Then we talked about whose birthday was on each of those months.  

Nana with her Texas Wildflowers Calendar

The gift of new purple sweatsuits was not as exciting, but Nana looks beautiful in that color, as you can see by the pictures. With her perfectly coiffed white hair, she's a lovely lady at 96!

Nana with her Christmas gift of purple sweats

During our visit on Christmas Eve, Kristin from the Activities Department came bearing gifts for Nana and Ruth. Kristin was decked out in her Holiday attire - an opportune time for a photo.
We left Nana on Christmas Eve with our promise to be back the next day, Christmas. 

Kristin from Activities and Nana Christmas Eve

On our way to visit my son Tim and family, we stopped to see Uncle Ben. Uncle Ben is also in a nursing home, Arista Care at Loyalsock. Uncle Ben is the baby of the family at 89 and Nana's only living sibling. Uncle Ben appreciated our gift of chocolate candy and homemade cookies, but wanted to know how Nana is doing. I showed him our pictures so he could see that she's doing well. 

Uncle Ben Christmas Eve 2019

Christmas Day, Nana was in Christmas red as we arrived for our lunch together. We were in the Activities room with our delicious meal of potatoes - ours were scalloped, Nana's were mashed - baked ham and corn. We soon found out that Nana preferred my scalloped potatoes to her mashed ones so that's what she ate. But, for Nana, the hot food was just an preamble to the cherry pie. Although Nana has false teeth, I think she still has her 'sweet tooth' tucked away somewhere. We soon found out that the skins on the cherries didn't work for her, but the syrupy cherry gel and tender crust were a hit! Along with the fountain Sprite we brought her, I'd say the pie was the highlight of our meal. 

Nana and Diane Christmas lunch 2019

After lunch, we made sure Nana was comfortably resting with her newspaper. As we headed home for Indiana, we thanked Mother Nature that we were blessed  to share a delightful Christmas 2019 with Nana. 

Nana Celebrates Birthday #96!

September 15, 2019 Nana celebrated her 96th Birthday! We made the celebration last two days because, well, why not? 

In the morning of the day-before-birthday, Lori and Nate and Ollie and Sid made a visit to shower Nana with early birthday wishes and KitKats. They got an amazing picture - look at that beautiful Nana smile!

Nana and Sharon and Lori and Ollie and Sid

When we arrived Saturday, Nana looked so pretty in her blue sweatshirt top. She looks way younger than her 96 years. 
We started the visit with birthday cupcakes I had special ordered from Walmart. We propped her '96' candles for the pictures. (By the time you're 96, you don't have to blow out candles anymore.)  

Nana and her 96th Candles

Sharon and Jan and I gave Nana a new, cozy blue comforter for her bed. She'll be warm this winter! Gifts also included her KitKats and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and M&M's for snacks.

Saturday, in addition to Jan and I, Sharon and Bill and Cindy all came for a day-before-birthday visit. 

Nana and Diane and Jan

Nana and Bill and Diane and Sharon

Nana and Cindy

On the day of her actual birthday, we arrived early and met Nana at breakfast. On the way back to her room, we saw Rebecca, Nana's nurse and she gave Nana a big hug and said, "Happy Birthday Deanie." Next she received a Happy Birthday balloon from the nursing home to put on her wheel chair. She was a celebrity for the day.

Nana and her nurse Rebecca

Later that day, after we'd left, she got more visitors. Wayne and Missi and Mark and Megan came and later Sharon was there again. That evening, Jeff surprised Nana with a visit. 

Nana and Sharon and Jeff

Nana and Wayne

Megan and Missi and Mark

Nana and Wayne

Nana's 96th Birthday was a huge success. Nana and I agreed she's on her way to triple digits - 100!

Nana Update June 2019

Although it's hard to believe, Nana has been in Watsontown Nursing and Rehab for almost a year. It's been harder for me to write the Nana Blogs for a while. I was still feeling sad that Nana had to go to a nursing home, but I'm finally at peace that Nana is in the best place for her care. For a long time we were vague when talking to her about her apartment, but I finally told her we had to give it up but Sharon and I have all her stuff. She was upset but seems to forget I told her because she does occasionally ask Sharon about going home and worrying about the rent. We just tell her everything is fine and change the subject.

I talk to Nana every morning and, on most days, she's in good spirits. Jan and I visit in person every 4-6 weeks. She enjoys our visits and likes the treats we bring - KitKats, M&M's and Frosted Sugar Cookies. In addition to our visits, Sharon visits or calls most days, Bill stops in to see her, and Missi comes also. Missi even brought Wayne one time. Lori and Nate and Ollie and Sid visit as often as they can and she really loves seeing them. Plus, Lori calls and chats with Nana frequently. People from the church bring Nana church bulletins and cookies. In addition to family and church, we have Nana's care-giver Cindy check on her almost every day. Cindy is a treasure and we consider her one of the family. She loves and knows Nana so well and also understands nursing homes so her help and insight is invaluable. Nana's fortunate as there's a lot of residents there who don't get many visitors.

Nana loves her daily newspapers. We subscribe to the Sun Gazette, the Standard Journal and The Luminary for her. Nana is a thorough reader of news and that's the highlight of her day. She also gets Country Magazine and the Readers Digest. I'm so grateful that she can still read and enjoys it so much. She does still watch her game shows but doesn't seem as laser focused on them as when she was in her apartment.

Nana has some dementia so sometimes she harkens back to things she's done in the past, like going to the Weis store, as if they were in the present. As long as she's happy, it's not important to correct her memory.

As I mentioned in my previous post, Nana has a sweet roommate named Ruth. It was a bit rocky at first for Nana to accept someone in her room, but now I think she enjoys the company. Although neither of them hear very well, they still manage to communicate. Ruth gets the Daily Item every day and also loves to read books. She doesn't have a TV and it doesn't seem to bother her, although she can see Nana's when it's on. Nana always wants us to share her treats with 'her roommate' and we bring Ruth treats and books when we visit. I'm grateful for Ruth, not only because she's such a nice lady, but because she walks. When Nana can't reach the phone, she gives it to her. I don't know if she hears the ringer or if she sees the red light, but it helps me so I can talk to Nana everyday. 

Nana doesn't walk or use her walker, but she propels herself with her feet in her wheelchair. I can't believe how fast she goes down the hall! It's good exercise and the staff encourages her to go on her own. Most days, she goes upstairs to the Main Dining Room for her meals. That means going down the hall, on the elevator, and down another hall. I have noticed she's not too patient with any slow pokes in her way!

This spring, Nana was sick with a respiratory infection, had to be isolated and was on strong medications for 10 days. She didn't do well and I was afraid she couldn't survive it, especially since the nursing home lost a number of residents during that time to illness. But she's tough and fought her way back to health. Now, in two and a half months, Nana will turn 96! She's truly amazing!

During our last visit together, Nana looked at the Classified Section of the newspaper and said, "I don't need a job." I replied, "You're right, Nana, you've worked hard enough in your life." Her response was, "My job everyday now is to stay alive."
The coolest thing is that she didn't say it in a morbid way, just a matter-of-fact statement - a task she has to do.

Yes, Nana, we want you to stay alive and be happy and healthy every day that we are blessed to have you with us!. 

Nana with Pip the Beach Cat June 15, 2019

Nana with her newspaper June 16, 2019

 





 

Nana Celebrates Birthday #95

Nana celebrated her 95th birthday on September 15th,2018. This year she couldn't celebrate at home. In July, Nana moved into Watsontown Nursing & Rehab Center. Nana's little legs no longer have the strength for her to use the walker. Plus, she needed more care than she could receive in her Houston Ridge Apartment, a place she'd called home for 25 years. 

Change is never easy and the first few weeks at the nursing home were difficult. Things are better now and Nana has her good days and bad days. Nana has faced a lot of hardships in her life so I know she'll adjust. She's one of the strongest people I know and I'm so proud of her.

Nana has a roommate, Ruth, who is a kind lady. We thought Nana's hearing was poor, but Ruth can hardly hear unless you speak directly into her ear. That's a plus in a way, as Nana likes to play her TV loud. Ruth doesn't have a TV and fills her time with mystery novels and puzzle books while Nana's favorite past-time is still reading the Sun Gazette.

Although we as a family would love her to be in her home, it's comforting to know that she's safe and has lots of 'eyes' on her. Like at home, her meals are a challenge. The Nursing Home has accommodated with mashed potatoes and gravy each meal and  provides her 'juice boxes' - her Boost Breeze supplement drink -  for her each day. 

Each year Nana's birthday is a reminder of how blessed we are to still have her in our lives. During one of my monthly visits to Nana when she was in her apartment, we would read the quotes on the daily calendar at breakfast. One of our favorites was the saying,"If you're not dead yet, you're not done yet." Nana and I had a giggle about that one. Whenever Nana says she's not having anymore birthdays - as she often does every September - I remind her about that quote.

As we celebrate another Nana birthday, I'm glad she's not done yet. 

Saying Goodbye to Nana's Grand Kitty Mitzi

On Saturday morning, February 24th, 2018, we said goodbye to our sweet kitty Mitzi. She provided us over 16 years of daily joy. Letting go of our beloved Mitzi was one of the hardest things we've ever done. 

The next hardest thing was telling Nana that Mitzi was gone. Nana and Mitzi had a special bond. It started when Nana visited us when we lived in Ruckersville, Virginia. Mitzi joined our household in January 2002 and Nana visited several times a year until we moved to Pittsburgh in 2006.

Mitzi was never a cuddly kitty. She liked her space, as does Nana. Mitzi could tell from the start that Nana wasn't going to mess with her. They had an unspoken understanding between them. Their bond was especially evident in the red wing-back chair. Mitzi loved to sleep in that chair and Nana loved to sit in the chair. The picture below shows how they compromised.

Nana with Mitzi, Ruckersville VA

Although Nana didn't visit Mitzi in person after Virginia, she still kept in touch. During our daily calls, I often put Nana on speaker phone so she could say "hi" to Mitzi while Mitzi rubbed the phone in approval. 

Nana treated Mitzi like all her grandchildren - sending her cards on her birthday and Christmas. As Mitzi and Nana both got older, Nana joked about how they were both 'Seniors.'

During my monthly trips to Pennsylvania, Nana and I talked about how Mitzi knew when I was leaving to see Nana. She pouted when she saw my suitcase. When I got home, she gave me the cold shoulder for a while to punish me for going away. Nana understood Mitzi's reaction - Nana doesn't like when I leave her at the end of my visits. 

Mitzi may be gone from our physical world, but she'll stay in our hearts forever. Goodbye sweet Mitzi, until Jan and I and Nana meet you again in heaven.

 

Nana: 94 and Still Going Strong

On September 15, 2017, Nana celebrated her 94th birthday. Sharon and Lori and I planned a low key celebration at Nana's cozy Houston Ridge apartment. Party time started with a cake made by a local baker - white cake with white frosting - Nana's favorite. Surrounded by close family and her two helpers - Cindy and Christy - Nana handled the hoop-la with smiles and surprising calm. 

Birthdays are a great time to take stock and, for Nana, there's lots of good things to celebrate. First, she's in good health. Her recent check up showed a healthy heart and blood work results all in normal range. Second, she's 94 and still lives independently in her newly renovated apartment - an amazing feat at her age. She watches her game shows, enjoys the daily Sun Gazette and does Word Find puzzles. Most days, Nana and her walker venture out for her mail and on nice sunny days she joins a few neighbors in the gazebo.

We sang Happy Birthday to Nana on her day of celebration. But when it comes to singing, it's usually Nana who is the songstress. During my monthly visits, Nana often breaks into song. As we head out for lunch, she'll be singing "Here we go, into the Wild Blue Yonder." Another favorite is "The Wreck of the Old 97." Just last week, I showed Nana a beautiful rainbow hovering over her apartment complex. This prompted a serenade of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Of course, country music is Nana's favorite. I have Sirius Radio and we've found a station called Prime Country. Nana gets to sing along with Vince Gill, Travis Tritt and Loretta Lynn. Our road trips are a country concert!

Nana is proof that age is just a number. In fact, she likes to say that she's only 49. But then she changes her mind. She doesn't want to lose her social security! 😊

Not only on her birthday, but every day, I celebrate having Nana in our lives. 

 

Nana and Cindy

Nana and Christy

Nana and Jan

Nana and Jeff

Nana and Lori and Ollie and Sid

Nana and Missi and Mark and Megan

Nana and Sharon

Nana and Tim and Chris and Diane

Nana and Missi and Wayne

 

Nana and Summers at the Staggert Place

Sixty years ago, in the summer of 1957, Nana and Daddy and all of us four kids moved to the Staggert Place. For the first time, we lived in a house that wasn't a rental. My first memories are from the Bower Place, a ramshackle house we rented on rural government land not far from Grandma and Grandpa Rhones' farm. When we were forced to move from the Bower Place, Daddy and Nana bought a house previously owned by the Staggert family - hence the name the Staggert Place.

When we arrived at the Staggert Place, we loved the lush green yard surrounding the house. Like the Bower Place, the house had no inside bathroom - only an out house - but Daddy did install a toilet during our first few years there. The only drawback was that it was in Billy's bedroom.  We never had a bathtub but that inside toilet was a big step up for our family.

The first few summers at the Staggert Place, I remember Sharon and I sleeping out on the cool upstairs balcony on old blankets while the lightning bugs lit up the night. Most days, Wayne was at Grandma and Grandpa Rhones' farm helping with the fields while Bill spent hours playing in the dirt with his toy trucks. The Staggert Place was next to a busy two lane road but close to Holmes' General Store. A short walk meant easy access to  Hershey's Ice Cream and RC Cola.

I doubt Nana has the same fond memories of those early summers. The Staggert Place came with water problems. When the spring dried up, we had to take heavy milk cans, load them in the car and drive to a local spring to fill them with fresh, clean water. To complicate matters, the drains often became plugged from tree roots from the towering maples that bordered the front porch. This meant Nana not only  had to bring in the water, she also had to carry the water outside to discard it.

Soon after we moved to the Staggert Place, Nana went to work at Montgomery Mills. She left the house early in the morning to catch a ride with other factory workers. About 4 PM, she arrived home to four kids clamoring to know when supper would be ready. Poor Nana. She couldn't seem to fill us up. Even though she made a big supper by 4:30PM - a feat in itself - we were always hungry again by 8 o'clock. That usually meant a trip to Holmes' Store to buy a  Chef Boyardee make-it-yourself box pizza or dragging out the cast aluminum frying pan to fry hamburgers from the freezer  - hamburgers made from the beef we bought from the local farmers.  That old fry pan looked beat up - scratched and  the only remnants of a handle being a metal stick - but boy did it cook the best hamburgers!

As Sharon and I got older, our summer job was to make supper and have it ready by the time Nana got home from work. One day Nana left pork for sauerkraut. We were to cook the pork in the large oval roaster on the stove until the pork was done and add the sauerkraut. We put the pork on the stove with lots of water and went off to do something -  I don't remember what. When we got back to the kitchen, the pork was ruined, burnt to the bottom of the roaster. Putting our heads together, we decided we'd pool our money and  buy more pork and cook it fast so Nana would never know by the time she got home from work. We buried the blackened pork in the bottom of the garbage can, scrubbed the roaster and took off for Holmes' Store for another piece of pork. We thought we were so cleaver. Nana never said anything about supper that night. But somehow, I think she knew....

I found this picture of Nana at the Staggert Place. The picture was taken one December, probably as she was working on the big meals she used to make every Sunday.

  Nana at the Staggert Place working in the kitchen

 The only childhood picture I have of  all us four kids together was taken during summer at the Staggert Place. It's a treasure for all of us and for Nana,too.

Wayne and Sharon and Diane and Bill

Sixty years ago, we were four kids breezing our way through summer at the Staggert Place. Nana was cooking, cleaning, hauling water, and trying to make ends meet to take care of her four kids. Times were tough, but she always did what it took to take care of us. Now it's time for us kids to do whatever it takes to care for Nana.