Hello from our home to your home it has been a busy place here all week. It always is the first week of the month. Our activities directors has the new calendar to post and seasonal decorations to put up for our enjoyment and many decisions to make along with Resident’s Council, which meets the first Tuesday of each month. In this council meeting we meet with the staff and residents and discuss many things of interest to all, especially some things that might be bothering residents, or, I should say, bothering a resident in particular. These are discussed and given immediate attention. We, as residents, get to plan a menu for one day and vote on a special meal. Getting everyone to agree on a meal, that is our favorite. It is good to have a voice in this. Our Ombudsman, Norma Stillings always attend these meeting.
The weather outside has been enjoyable, cool to walk around and enjoy the breeze. Walking on the jogger is good exercise, but not as good as being outside.
Barbara’s sister , Maxine Turner was our special room mate for a few days, but she got to go home yesterday. Her daughter came for her. I hope she enjoys being home with her family.
It is good to see John Garner up and about, hope he is feeling better now. He helps by pushing Anna’s wheelchair. She has really missed that assistance. Many of our residents help other residents get to their room and activities.
Jeff Smith, a wonderful christian pastor, was our guest speaker yesterday just after game time. His message and illustrations do give us much to think about and his visits cheer us up for the day. He is with Three Rivers Hospice and a regular volunteer for us as well as pastoring a church in Seymour, MO. He just seems like one of us.
We took a van ride yesterday morning, followed by a stop at Sonic for a treat. We drove out to the S & H Catfish Farm for a short visit with Mickey Sallee and had a very special treat of seeing a bald eagle attracted to the fish pond because they were draining one and some fish were left behind. What could be better for the bald eagle? We, also, saw him spread his wings and fly around to land again. Residents going on the van ride were Leah and Ray Lee, Maxine Lirley, Willene Adams and Daryl Knapp.
Today we enjoyed Morning Exercise and then had the privilege of having our fingernails done. It was great having Karen Sellars back from her trip. Our fingernails were polished and everyone enjoyed the visiting with Connie and Karen.
Willene Adams had friends from the Senior Center to come play cards with her last Wednesday. It is hard to find enough partner in our home who can all play at a certain time. Once in a while a volunteer will or one of the staff will fill in to make a foursome to play, then we have a good game.
Our regular Friday morning group was here, The 1st Sonshine Group, came to play today at 10:30. They played guitars and piano and sang many good gospel numbers. They always bring some Christian thoughts for us as well, which we appreciate.
It’s almost 2:00 and Carrie McIntosh will be calling games for us. This week the prize was a giant teddy-bear, which Lester Stierlin won. All of the girls playing were pouting slightly, in the end. The teddy bear still went home with Lester.
Saturday morning Ms. Norma Stilling played the piano for us, followed by Saturday Church. Pokenno was played in the afternoon with Maxine Lirley as a caller.
Larry Moore was here for Sunday School followed by Mound Church in the afternoon.
We have a new resident, Joan Pond and she had been playing the piano for us, people soon gave her their full attention. We all love music. We appreciate your beautiful concert.
Mike Santo visited and preached a sermon for us. He is a very good man. Brings the word of God to us.
I attended the birthday party for Willene Adams at Redbank Church given by her daughter, Irene Swearengin and her son, Howard Adams, of Springfield, former math teacher at Ava High School.
It was really a family reunion for her ninetieth birthday. Willene had written her lifes’ story some years ago and Irene found it among Willene’s things and typed it up and displayed it for reading, also, some poetry from years passed, and pictures portraying her life and family. Willene raised eight children and all were present that were still living, also grandchildren and great-great grandchildren and even some great-great-great grandchildren. Willene pleased everyone by singing a solo. Everyone feasted on goodies and especially the chocolate cake, vanilla cake and fancy little flower cupcakes with delicious fruit punch and coffee. It was a gracious tribute for Willene’s life, a life of giving of herself for 90 years. She gave God the praise for it all.
We appreciate everyone who volunteered this week. God Bless You All.
Our prayers and sympathy go out to the families of Norman Duckworth and Rosco Ehrhardt. Both funerals were on Saturday and they were well attended by the community. Both were loved ever much by everyone.
We would like to welcome new residents to our home. They are Sandra Anderson, Joann Pond, Ellis Pollard and Grace Irby. Congratulations to Maxine Turner and Melba Wilson on getting to go home this week.
God Bless You From Heart Of the Ozarks Healthcare Center in Ava, MO
