Shopping, Dining and Visiting

Jim and I went Thursday to see Mama. After a late start, we arrived about 4:30 for our first visit and Mama invited us to have dinner with her. So we ordered and when it was time, we joined her in the dinning room for dinner. It is so good to see Mama's appetite returning! Dr. Jones says this is an important part of her recovery. Her arms and legs remain 'puffy'but we are assured these will return to normal as she begins to eat and to exercise. We had a nice visit at dinner, and continued back to the little TV area where she often goes. There is a big built in cage with birds in it that she likes to watch, as well as a window where birds seem to congregate which is nice to watch also.

We brought a picture for her wall, a composite of 3 pictures of Hailey done on just a sheet of computer paper. It joins Sarah, and we added one of Vincent and Jacqueline on Friday. We encourage all to make and send a picture of your children as described to Mama, and we will put them up with rolls of tape. She loves children and I think they will bring their special strength and love to her, which she needs. We have a big wall. She can't very well see smaller ones on the wall, and she doesnt care about quality. They make her smile. I will hope that Greig posts her mailing address, maybe he already did. Or Don or Creig. I dont have it.

I also brought her about 6 Baby hats. I told her I knitted them while I waited thru all those hospital days, now she has to find a home for them. She says she has already given one away, not counting the one Hailey got nor the one we gave to her nurse in the hospital.

When we got back to Susan's, she had shopped for Mama, since because of her swollen arms, she will need a new coat, and since she is now Cold, she needed a new warm jacket or sweater, and I got to take them to her the next day. So after we ate our McDonalds Ice cream sundae, which we had planned Thursday, she had the nurse help her into her chair and we proceeded to have trying on and checking out, and everything worked except the slipper shoes which were a bit too tight. So Jim and I set out for walmart, because I wanted to get one more thing.

We exchanged the slippers, then I went to fabric and got her the same thing I got for Jim when he came home from surgery-a big piece of Polar Fleece! It makes a nice warm blanket and is easy to wash. In fact I got her a small one, too-a nice shoulder or lap blanket.

Back at the home, we took her white sheet blanket-her hands were cold and it was firmly wrapped over them-she laughed when I tugged at it and told her it had to go-and the nice teal fleece looks better with her new velour jacket and pants! She is 'stylin' now! We had a nice visit and took her things down to have her name pressed onto them so they can be laundered and returned, and mama seemed to enjoy the afternoon. I know we did. We also found a great place to visit-right after you walk into the home, there is a little living room area set up with a fireplace. Residents can only come here with family, (we asked) so we brought Mama thru the double doors and down here, and there was a couch for us, and nobody else there except us and the people coming into or going out of the home. Very nice.

We decided to leave about 4:30 and did not stay for supper as we thought we could beat a little of the deer herd to the roadways. We made it.

So send those 'Picture Sheets'to Mama, and we will get them up on the wall. They certainly brighten up her room! Maybe we could make a Halloween collection with all of their halloween pictures??

We will see her again next week. Thanks to all of you who took the time to send a card or stop by. She got to see Aunt Coral this week, which was great for both of them I am sure.

And thanks for your prayers

Sharon