Gone Cat, or Almost!

Saturday December 31, 2005

Dear family and friends,

This story happen some days ago and does have a happy ending. Gracie is our Persian cat, black with lone silky fur and real picky on who she likes. She generally is a two person cat, and that is Karen and me. She finally accepted mom and dad after maybe a day here and soon was asking them to pet her. The first few hours here, Gracie makes herself invisable, with places to hide we have yet to find.

Tuesday was an unual day for mom and dad here. Karen and I both had to work all day and they were here with Gracie all day. Jack Nutter came by and left a present for Karen and Gracie made herself scarce again. When Jack came, mom and dad noticed the storm door did not close completely and they were afraid Gracie had gotten out. Jack remembered Gracie sleeking down the stairs when he was here but that all he saw of her. Mom and dad looked for Gracie after Jack left both inside and out, calling her name but with no results.

Later, Bob Taylor called and mom and dad had lunch with him at Landry's restaurant at Lakeshore and were back here about 3:00pm and again "No Gracie". Karen got home first about 5:30pm and I was here at 6:00pm and heard the story about Gracie possibly getting out. I parked my car in the garage and walked around the house outside calling her name, but with no response.

I got my briefcases out of the trunk and made my way up the stair into the hallway and ask everyone to be quiet and let me call her with my special way of talking to her each morning when she starts my day. I looked into the living room and something gray to black went slinking by me downstairs to her sandbox. LOW AND BEHOLD, IT WAS GRACIE! All the heartache mom and dad went through thinking she was outside which would be bad as she has no front claws and would be defenseless. Soon I called her again and got into my chair and into my lap she came, looking for love and the warmth of my lap.

Thanks Gracie for choosing to stay in and not take the chance of going outside into the cruel, cruel world. She is an inside kitty and I now think she knows it better than we do!

Midgie Thursday Dec. 29, 2005

Thursday December 29, 2005

Dear friends and family,

Ashton Gables is so easy to get to from Hoover or Birmingham. Have I given you directions, I think not.

First is to tell you Birmingham is surrounded by an interstate system that completely circles the city making Hoover and Riverchase very easy to get to. I459 runs right past Hoover and if you know where exit 13 and the Galleria is, you are there. After taking the exit 13, head south on US31, like going to Pelham. When you cross the intersection of AL150 and US31 at the Galleria, start counting lights to 5. At the 5th light, turn left on Parkway Lake Circle. The BIG sign is over US31S so you can't miss it. After turning left, drive to the top of the hill and ABC Broadcasting is on your right, now take the next right. You are there! Her room number is 137 and all the RAs (Resident Assistants) know mom, so just ask! She will be glad to see you.

I saw Jack Nutter here yesterday and he had seen mom earlier and taken her for a drive in his van. He said she did fine and enjoyed the outing. I got to Ashton Gables about 4:00pm and mom and I sat in the big living room and talked and met some new people. I met Jack and Vicki's friend Maria Teague, who is a friend of a friend, Mike and Betty Walton. Maria's mom is there and she introduced her to us, a nice lady.

Mom and I stayed in the LR whereas most of the folks had left for the dining room area. But the RA told us they were early and she would come and get mom when the food arrived from dietary. So we got a pretty long visit as they came for us about 5:30pm and I walked mom to the dinning room and introduced her to the 3 folks already sitting there. Unfortuantely about dementia, re-introducing the folks to each other is a normal routine as some remember who is who, but some do not and this is again all new again.

I paid for next months rent for mom and don't ask how much! It would be embarressing to me to ask for that much money each month from each of these residence. But the care in great, the food is great, mom's health and safety are foremost in their minds 24/7 so that is why they charge what they do. I guess it is like college expenses, as I paid $65.00/semester back in 1955 and now it is in the 1,000s per semester. Jason's tuition to Vandy was $4,250 per semester back in 1985 and now it is over $32,000 per. So I guess I will get me a tent when I need this kind of care! I hope you know I am writing this with tongue in cheek!

All in all, mom was having a great day and remembered her trip with Jack and was alert and responsive. I told her I would be back today and she wanted to know what time, and would I be early or late? I told her to split the difference and make it 1:30pm and she said "Now that would be nice". She kissed this son goodbye as her dinner was just being served. "Now that's all folks!"

Midgie December 27, 2005 at A/G

Dear family and friends,

Titled: A rambling update on 'oui' and MOM! I rambled a bit!!!

I am sorry I have not keep you up to date on mom the last few days. Karen and I have had house guests, Karen's mom and dad from Hickory, NC plus I am getting over a bad cold like the crud going around I am told. We saw mom Christmas day and all us went by to see her after Church. We did 1st Presbyterian in Bessemer at 10:00am Christmas morning, then all of us went by Ashton Gables and had Christmas with mom. She was happy to see the 4 of us and she looked great. Mom enjoyed presents from us and a new calendar from Jason and Diane and Rhett.

We went back home and had lunch then we opened gifts Christmas afternoon, a first for us, but a busy morning with Church, Midgie, and driving about 60 miles roundtrip. But it was fun and Midgie enjoyed our visit.

I did not go to Ashton Gables monday but went with the Clarks and Karen to see another friend in a nursing home at Hanover, behind St. Vincent's hospital. Annie Taylor has been there now 5 years and she too enjoyed our visit. We then went to see her hubby Bob Taylor who lives off Old Leeds Road in Mountain Brook. The Clarks had not seen these folks in over year and Karen and I are good friends with both of them. Again a nice visit and friendships nenewed.

Tuesday was a full day of work for me but I planned my work around a visit to Ashton Gables, and checking on mom's home in Bessemer. I finished in Homewood about 3:00pm and checked on mom's home, got the mail, and drove to A/G. Mom was in her room but having somewhat of a gray day? When she has days like this, she is a little drowsy and I checked with the nurse Lynda on duty to make sure they were not sedating mom too much. It turns out mom had turned her day and night around last night and had not slept and now was sleepy during the day. I stayed until 5:30pm when dinner was in the dinning room and helped her RA get mom there. She was there when I left, not telling her goodbye as she gets so unhappy with that. Tell her you are going to get something and then slip out, and she does fine.

Mom really is adapting pretty much as expected. She knows her RA now and they know her and her needs and likes and dislikes. I am still please with our choice of where mom should be now. I see each day that she needs more than I could possibly give her at 513. But we beat the odds when Dr. Portante said 3 to 6 months and we did almost 4 1/2 years! It is time....love, Jeff and Karen

Midgies Christmas Party at Ashton Gables

Thursday December 15, 2005

Dear family and friends,

Yesterday was an interesting experience seeing my mom participating in the Christmas party with all the residents at Ashton Gables. I got there about 1:30pm and the parking lot was full and I had to park next to the curb on the side. Bobbie and I came last week thinking the Christmas party was then, but we were wrong. I lucked into hitting this one right.

I got to the center living room and it was full to capacity. All the residents were dressed as Christmas presents with a vest that looked like a Christmas box and a big bow in the middle. On top of each resident's head was 'reindeer' antlers. They were each holding a song sheet with words to over a dozen Christmas carols and Fiona, the resident activity director, leading them in song. She was in a black dress, with Christmas ornamants around her neck, and she too, had the reindeer antlers on her head. She had a cordless mike to the amplifier and lead all of us in song.

They had brought all the chairs out of the dining area for the guest to sit, but Jeff got the piano bench having arrived just a little late. After they sang all the songs on the song sheet, soon up the hall came a big "HO HO HO HO"! It was Santa! Midgie was one of the first to get a present and she smiled big time. Santa had a gift for each of the residence and afterwards, we watched them open them like little kids. Mom got a silver picture frame, some very nice hand lotion, and a Christmas Angel Pin for her to wear.

Fiona then said refreshments would be served in the ice cream parlor! They had a table set up with a buffet of all kinds of finger food for a Christmas party along with a nice punch. Mom ate Chicken Salad and Pimento and Cheese sandwiches and two or three stuffed eggs. She drank her nice punch and I soon got her a cup of coffee (x2) to drink with her cake for dessert. I had ham and cheese sandwiches, taquitas (sp?), fruit, grapes, strawberries, and one each of all the varieties. Mom is pickey about her food and I got her only what she recognized.

Mom and I then went to her room with her presents and we visited and talked and had a good time. Soon it was close to 5:00pm and I could not believe it. The time just flew bye during the party! It does that when you are having such a good time.

They took pictures and Stephanie promised me a picture of mom! So ends this story of a wonderful afternoon with mom at Ashton Gables. I was so glad to see her reading the song sheet and singing along. Somewhere back long ago, she remembers these tunes and it was a thrill to see her interacting with Fiona's directions. A good day! No, a great day!/Jeff

Midgie at Ashton Gables Sunday Dec. 11, 2005

Sunday December 11, 2005

Good morning Family and friends,

It was a busy day at #137 Ashton Gables Sunday. I had phone calls from Bobbie and Jimmy Saturday and all planned to visit mom Sunday. I got up Sunday am and talked to Jimmy driving to Church and he now was going to meet Bobbie and Laurie at the Galleria and go to A/G from there. Wonderful.

After Church I talked to Karen and she was going to see mom also. We are gathering a pretty good gang so far. I went by 513 to see if she had any mail, then gathered up all her winter clothes so Karen and Vicki could put together warm sets for mom. We had only a limited amount at Meadowood as her closet and bureau was very limited. I got all the clothes up and into my car, changed the heating and lights in her house and about 1:30 headed toward A/G.

Mother was a little overwhelmed to say the least with all the company she had. I must now add Jack and Vicki and that makes about 8 folks all there at the same time. Jimmy and Karen were sitting on a seatee outside her room as she had a full house. I got the clothes in and left this to the women to combine sets and get these in mom's closet.

Everyone soon left and I stayed through her scheduled church service at 3:00pm. It was nice having some private time with mom. I left soon after this was over and got home about 5:00pm. All in all, it was a good day for mom. She saw lots of people, got entertained, and seemed most happy to see everyone. Thanks guys and gals for coming to see our mom. She really now is settling in and hope this continues...Son Jeff

Midgie's 91st Birthday and Ashton Gables

December 10, 2005

Dear family and friends,

Yesterday was a busy day at Ashton Gables and a young lady named Mildred Nutter. I got there in the early afternoon after spending the morning wrapping the big box her birthday present was in. Now how big is a box that has a comforter, two pillow shams, two pillow cases, one fitted and one top sheet and a full skirt for her full size bed. The box is THIS big!

Karen was getting ready for work and I suggested the color comic papers from the Sunday paper as wrapping for the big, no great size box. It was decided by yours truly that this one be one outstanding birthday present if I could pull it off. Fortunately in my putting paper in the recyle bin, I had saved the last 3 weeks inserts that included the funnies. I taped and taped and taped, making sheets to around the side and covering the top and bottom with double sheets. It worked and looks spiffy if I say so myself.

I got myself a bite of lunch and put the box in the back seat of the car and got to Ashton Gables about 2:45pm. Mom was in her room, had eaten just about an hour before and she and I visited in her room for a while before soon the door opened and there was Jack and Vicki. They had fixed one of Ashleigh's jewelry boxes with all of mom's necklaces, earrings, pins, all neatly placed in the jewelry box for our mom.

I called Karen and she would try to get off early and she was there about 4:45 and I met her on the parking lot to get our present as I wanted mom to open it while all of us were there. She loved the HUGE box, first reading the card and I then helped her tear off the funny paper wrapping paper. Vicki said the color was GREAT and told Jack and I to take Midgie to the living room while she and Karen put the new comforter on the bed and with the new pillows we did not wrap but had hidden in her closet, snuck in at a prior time.

Midgie was really impressed and Jack took pictures and hopefully he will get these forwarded so we can all enjoy her new apartment. It was soon 5:30pm and the RA (resident assistant) came to get mom for her dinner. When she took mom away, this was our clue to leave. We left with mom sitting with Lou, her suite mate, and two other residents. Mom forgets real quick about who and when we are there so it is easy to leave but don't tell her goodbye, just leave.

Us Nutter's all had dinner together with Jack and I picking up Chinese. Jamie and Brock had left Mitchell with them for the evening so we all got a chance to hold him and love this chunk of boy. He is just beautiful, but what Nutter baby is not? We had a long evening and Midgie's birthday was wonderful. Visit and enjoy her and our handywork....Jack/Jeff/Vicki/Karen

Midgie and Ashton Gables, Thursday Dec. 8, 2005

I got to Ashton Gables about 1:45pm and Bobbie was almost right behind me. Ashton Gables had told me earlier there was to be a Christmas party at 1:30pm but they got their dates mixed up as it is next Wednesday, the 15th. But we enjoyed our visit with mom and Bobbie loved her new room or apartment. It is such an improvement over where she was at Meadowood.

But mom was not sharp yesterday. She was having a "gray" day, not her usual self? But we enjoyed our time together. The foot doctor came in while we were there and gave mom a pedicure. The lady doctor was so gentle with mom, she went to sleep on the chair while she was working on her feet. Mom has some feet problems from years and years of wearing high heel shoes, the style and vanity of her time. We also need to get her some new lace up walking shoes in a slightly larger size due to some bone changes in her foot.

Bobbie left about 4:00pm and I stayed until almost 5:45pm and we had just finished Bingo and soft drinks carried out by Oak Mountain Middle School young ladies who helped all the members with their cards and helping with the refreshment. We had Hanna and Jana helping us at our table and they said they were part of "Phase 1", a community service group at OMMS. They were all about 12 to 14 young ladies and so very loving with caring for these members at Ashton Gables.

Soon after finishing the Bingo, they said it would soon be time to eat so I left mom and got her a fresh wash linen napkin for her. I did not go back to mom' table but let LaQuasha , mom's RA (resident assistant) take it to her. The time I was gone to get this napkin, mom forgets I was even there or does for a time and this allows me to leave without upsetting her.

Keep mom in your prayers and today is her 91st birthday. Cards welcome but candy is not recommended as mom will eat too many sweets really messing up her diet. Well, if you send candy, we will eat it....!/Jeff

Icemaker and $215.63

I know you after reading the title, you think you know where this story is going. Well, you are right! It is having a repairman, craftsman, plumber, electrician come into your home to FIX something. My recent experience is Sears and my icemaker.

Karen and I bought the 26 foot side by side Kenmore in 1992/1993 as I think it was part of the conditions of our union. I do know that a new Kenmore Dishwasher WAS a part of the contract. If you are the man of the house, and fittle with repairing stuff, then you do all your little things you have done in the past on icemakers, but nothing this time worked. I had bought bagged ice twice but now it is time to get this fixed.

I called Sears and you know you get a computer. Say "Repair!". You said "Repair?" "Yes". What do you need repaired, say "Appliance?". "Aplliance!". You said "Appliance?". "Yes". Ok, Ok, you get the picture, and I finally said "Other" and I get a live operator. If you keep playing that word game with their computer, the appliance you need repaired will be rust and fall through the cracks in the floor.

Our record indicate a Kenmore Side by Side and you need the icemaker repaired? Yes! The repairman will be there next thursday between 8:00am and 12:00pm. OK! Yes! So I change everything in my life to be home this last Thursday to welcome the repairman from Sears. Sears computer calls me the night before and leaves a message on my home phone that he will be here thursday! Wow!

My phone rings about 12:45pm Thursday and it is him. He gets here and comes in with only a small screwdriver in his shirt pocket. He takes a gem clip out of his change and straightens it into a arc so he can jump start the icemaker. Nothing happens. "It looks like the module needs replacing!". He walks out to his truck and returns with a small box with the sqare module he replaces with 3 screws from that proverbial screwdriver in his shirt pocket. As soon as he attaches the new module, 10 cubes of ice dump into the empty ice bin. Wow! When he came in with the part, he brought the little computer that spits out your bill.

He told me at the get go that the part was $87.73 plus tax so that does not sound too bad for 12 years of this icemaker working flawlessly. He is punching keys on the computer sitting at my breakfastroom table and he says that will be $215.73, will it be check or Sears credit card? Choking, I said "check"!

I did not take this out on the poor repairman as he works for a living just like you and me. But $120.00 labor on the bill and it was 20 minutes work and that is being generous with the time. I did call Sears at 1-800-4MYHOME as indicated on the bill and they walked me through all the charges. There is a $59.95 flat service fee just for the truck to come to your home. Then there was $60.00 labor, then the $87.73 part plus tax.

If you have a screw driver and plyers in your possession, find a repair book and learn how to replace the whole thing yourself. I replaced the water pump on my frig and on mothers and both pumps cost less than $30.00 each from an appliance part company. I worked free! These two repairs I did myself would have cost almost $200.00 each if done by Sears or any other appliance repair company. I don't care if you screw it up, give it a shot as now you know how much it cost to have the expert do it. Jeff