Phone Call on Tuesday

This morning saw the American House number on our caller ID, and yes.. got nervous....wondered now what's happening with Mom. I am hoping she is not hurt or sick. Tom picked up the phone and it was Darlene telling Tom that Miss Lucy would not get out of bed to eat lunch (yes she did not get up for breakfast either) or to take a shower.  Darlene even told her that Greg wanted her up and showered and that usually works. Tom explained to her that we would come right after we finished eating our breakfast.

When we got to Mom's apartment, and had knocked several times Mom finally answered her door. Her apartment was dark and yes very, very, very hot. She gave us a smile and said hello then she plopped back in her bed. Yes... the air-condition was completely off again, and it felt as though we were in the desert dealing with very hot temperature. I told Mom that she had to get up because Danielle was coming to give her a shower.

Before I went to Mom's apartment, Tom and I took two dozen of donuts for everyone. I hope they know how much we appreciate all they do in taking care of Mom. I know there are many days they would like to boot her out of the door when they have to deal with her stubbornness. I saw Danielle in the office and I told her that seeing I was there would she try again giving Mom a shower. She replied with a big, sweet smile she would. I also explained that she had to try again to tell her that Greg might be coming later to take her out and he wanted her to have a shower. Well....... when Danielle came up she gave Mom that big story about Greg coming over it worked. The funny part was when Danielle told her in was shower time, Mom replied who was taking the shower her or Danielle? I thought that was funny. 

This is her favorite cup to drink her coffee in. Yes.... It's  a Michigan State  Cup......

Her food is waiting for her after she takes her shower. At the end she barely ate the Armenian Food.

She loves to see the photos I have taken, and especially the stories that go with each photo. She will even add her stories.

 Here's her favorite outfit, and she is telling Tom how much she loves the coffee he made for her.

She just had her shower and got her hair washed. After the shower she said it made her feel good. I don't understand why she fights with everyone about taking a shower if it makes her feel good.

I got Mom's clothes ready and I even showed Mom the new yellow towel I had gotten for her. I picked an outfit that she really likes was her blue and white outfit. After her  shower Tom and I brought some Armenian Food for her, and yes Tom made her a cup of coffee. Mom just kept praising Tom on how delicious her coffee tasted. I showed her some photos I had taken recently and told my stories about each photo. She loves to hear the stories. She picked at the food, and then we took her downstairs to go outside for a short walk. She hesitated about going but somehow we got her to change her mind.

Once she was downstairs she told me in Armenian  that most of the people sitting here are crazy and to ignore them. She saw a  friend of her's Carmella. Mom invited her to come outside with us, and the Dot Girls told me that I had to get permission to take her out because Carmella was out already. Tabatha was in the office and she heard their remark and was laughing. When I got Tabatha's permission I then asked the Dot Girls if it was okay with them if Carmella went outside with Lucy and us. You should have seen their faces. For those Dot Girls to be in their nineties they are pretty smart even if one does swear a
 lot.

This is Carmella, who Mom loves with all her heart. She is from Italy and a very sweet lady. The poor thing she is missing half her teeth in the front of her mouth.

Here's Mom helping people with the door, and greeting them with a hello and a kiss.

This is Carmella, Mom's sweet friend. She kept complaining she has something in her eye. I gave her a Kleenex which did help.

This is Chester. He got into the conversation as he was waiting for his daughter to pick him up . He explained to me how his wife was once a kindergarten teacher, and how he worked for Blue Cross Health Insurance. Yes... he knew Miss Lucy and loved how she gave him hugs. 

This is Jasper and what a fun guy. He had lots of stories to tell us when he was a custodian at the elementary schools. He also told me he loved when Mom gave him hugs and kisses. I am starting to worry about Mom being the kisser at American House. He had been a janitor for the Wayne Westland Schools and knew the principal Mr. Hough I had when I did my Student teaching there. He told me how Miss Lucy is such a loving person, and she reminds him of his mother giving him hugs and kisses. 

Every time anyone came into the building Mom would say hello and open the door for them. She sure loves to help others. I guess Mom should be the American House Greeter.  Carmella and Mom wanted to go back inside the building. Carmella got wheeled in from Mom, while I kept an eye on both of them. Once Carmella got comfortable, Mom told me she wanted to go home. Home to her is her apartment upstairs. I explained by showing her the big clock that in ten minutes she would be eating to sit next to Jim , and Jim would help her to the dining room. Jim told her not to worry he would take good care of her. She got up and yes she gave him a big kiss on the cheek. 

I took a look around the big room where most of  the Oldies and Goodies hung out, and noticed it usually is the same people. Some of them are staring in space, some are sleeping, some are watching who is coming in and out, and there is Mom trying to help others. I also noticed that the big cushion from the couch was missing. I figured out someone must of had an accident on it.

Yes.. the Dot Girls were there sitting on the other couch watching everything that was going on which was nothing. Those two will whisper to each other, and I know they can't ear what they are saying to each other. The next thing you will hear one of them yelling what they wanted to say. From their conversation it sounds like they love to talk about the others that are down there with them.

This is Jim.... always  smiling , always loves his photos taken.

Here is Mom and Jim waiting  for dinner to be served. We just said goodbye to both of them.

Here are the Oldies and the Goodies waiting for dinner to be served. Some are sleeping, some are starring in space, and some are just watching others doing nothing.

Tom and I said goodbye to Mom, Jim and everyone. Some of the people said goodbye, and others just kept staring in space. Jim asked me if I could take a picture of him with his American Flag shirt and I told him yes. He gave me a big smile. I need to say during the time we were there with Mom she kept asking others how many of them were going to vote for President Obama. Yes... they all laughed and said no way. Mom then turned to me and said in Armenian don't say anything didn't  I tell you these people were crazy they don't even know how great of a president we have.