Can You Hear Me Now?

Yesterday was a beautiful day. I was on the computer here most of the morning, and then after lunch I wandered downstairs where I caught Blanche in the little store stocking up. I swear, that woman has more stuff in her room, I don’t know where she puts it all! She said “they take credit cards here. You want anything?” hehe I let her buy me a box of Crunch n’ Munch (she insisted) while her daughter helped her bag up all her tissues, combs, Tide, Bounce, Blistex, junk food, etc. She spent $39 and I bet she does that often in there! I told her we should blow this popstand and take her credit card to a MALL!

After shopping, Blanche, her daughter and myself got French Vanillas and chatted in the downstairs dining area. Blanche’s daughter is an accountant (CA) who works from home, so that’s good to know! She could tell by some of the smartass remarks I sent Blanche’s way that “hmm… you know my mother quite well”. lol

Then I went up to my room to rest. My right foot is as puffy as a balloon, so I need to put it up when I can. So I just laid back and did my breathing and visualizing of my bones healing up, getting strong, and me doing handstands.

At 4:30 they start gathering everyone up to go for supper. Suddenly my brother walked into my room, so I said “hey, you got money? Join me for dinner!” You can eat with guests in the downstairs dining room, and they can buy the same meals we get quite cheap. Last night was great - full roast turkey dinner, mashed potatoes and all the fixings. My brother got his huge plate for about $5. Then he bought a few desserts because there were so many, so cheap, and of course I just say “I live here” and show my ID bracelet and get it free. He asked the cashier if they get many people in here eating that have no other reason to be here, (not visiting anyone), because it’s good food and so reasonably priced. She said “not really, we don’t advertise!”

After dinner Darren bought me another French Vanilla and wheeled me outside to the beautiful garden. We are situated beside a river and wonderful landscaping. They take great care of this place.

My bro left around 6:45, and shortly after beautiful Lisa walked in! She looked so pretty with a flower in her long hair and her cute dress. Everyone I introduced her too would literally GASP and say “she is SO BEAUTIFUL!” Rose said she looked like summer.

Lisa brought me food left over from the students at her recital that afternoon, including a container with various pieces of cake… I LOVE CAKE. She hung out with me for awhile and I took her to Blanche’s room, where we talked with her and watched some Rockstar auditions. Rose came up the hall too, so she got to meet my meal table mates. I gave Lisa a few of my gorgeous roses to dry out for me, and then the nursing staff offered her a bunch more from their collections because “we just throw them out when they die anyway”. So Lisa left with a big bouquet of flowers almost as beautiful as her!

And of course, she met my roommate on her best behaviour (I said “bring her a cookie and juice and she’ll love you forever” lol). Today I got a lot of the life story/background on Sophia from her daughter, Dorothy, and it ain’t pretty. She’s been a drug addict, alcoholic, heavy smoker (hence all the oxygen she needs… she can’t smoke here but as soon as she gets home you can bet she’ll start again, because she will forget the negative affects). She has been addicted to pain killers for 40 years, as is Dorothy - she’s been through it all too. Sophia’s 72 year old boyfriend (she was married twice and now has been living with this guy for 22 years) back at home is “not all as sweet as he appears to be”. He is a gambling addict and has been draining Sophia’s bank account for 20 years. He hates Dorothy and doesn’t let her visit. Dorothy says Sophia is aware of all this, but all the women in that family have been male dependent their whole lives so she just doesn’t care, as long as he is there. Dorothy is trying to break the male dependency cycle in her family now that she is single again (3 marriages) and has adopted her (heroin addict, “unfit mother”) daughter’s two little girls. It’s a pretty messy situation and I have heard a LOT about it all! As Amanda Marshall says, “Everybody’s got a story that will break your heart”.

So anyway, thanks so much for hanging out yesterday, Darren and Lisa. So far today I’ve eaten too much and exercised, heard some of Dorothy and Sophia’s story, and yacked with a nurse for ages. Now I need to go lie down and put my puffy foot up for an hour or so before dinner. I really do like it here, it’s a nice place with great nurses and staff; no complaints from me except occasional boredom and patient dementia. I just really want to be home so I can be with my kitties and work! I’m getting so far behind with my clients… I’m gonna be busy when I finally get out!

p.s. Thanks for the message Kim, I’m gonna call you back tonight!