New & old friends for Weds Card night Feb. 10

A new friend, Ralph, joined us for the first time for cards Feb. 10th. He likes to play Kings-in-the-Corner but we didn't have a table going for that and - since Charlie couldn't be there that night - we asked Ralph to play at the Euchre table. Phil got in on the last hand and he and Ralph won!

Our friend, Jan, stopped by which is always a real treat for me and for Mom. Linda came in to share a cat story which she knows Mom enjoys. It was a fun evening. My husband is my hero in this challenging world of Senior Caregiving.

Below is a slide show of photos for this post. For those of you who are checking this on your iPhone or your Blackberry: you may have to go to your computer to see the slide show below!

February 2010 Speech Students & Card Night

We had a GREAT Aphasia Support Group meeting this month. Mom really enjoys the Speech students who come to work with this group. Here she is with Katie (left) and Kristin (right). This was taken right before Mom got her hair cut. I love Mom's hair.

That same week we had quite a group for card night. First, we had a new friend, Jane (at right in the photo below). Kelly Potter joined us after she finished work at Summer Trace. With Kelly was her friend, Charlie. Then Peggy joined us (at left).

Kelly, on staff with Resident Services, enjoys helping Mom at Summer Trace and she is a great blessing to us!!!

Mom loved having "young" Charlie there. He had some great cards and some great plays. And every time he played a string of cards Mom would exclaim, "Oh!!!" In the photo below, Peggy had left and Mom's friend with a beautiful English accent joined us.

Phil, Helen, Bob and our "older" Charlie play Euchre. Charlie has moved down the street to Sunrise Senior Living, so we go pick him up every week for cards. He brought Bob a Ford hat for his birthday this week. Bob just turned 93! He and Helen have been married over 70 years!

Gary and Sally and their family share Wednesday evenings with us. Gary is wearing the GM hat Charlie brought him.

Grandson Michael's visit

Gram was so thrilled to have a surprise visit from her grandson, Michael, who is an airline pilot. Mike and Gram and Betsy went out for dinner at Max & Erma's. Afterward Mike showed us his photos from his recent trip to Israel and Jordan. Fascinating! And Mike also got to meet Mrs. Whiskers.

Mom really enjoyed seeing the photos and hearing Mike's stories about his recent trip to Israel. Click arrow to watch the video clip below:

Hearing Aid Greg

We have a new friend in the hearing aid business! Greg Davis, of Indiana Hearing Aid, in Castleton and Noblesville, has made the entire process of (1) getting evaluated for, (2) getting fitted for and (3) agreeing to get hearing aids a very positive and productive and doable experience for Mom. (We've started down this road several times with other businesses, but Greg was the first one who made it totally successful. Thank you Greg!!!)

We went to his office at Indiana Hearing Aid in Castleton for the evaluation (in a sound booth) last month. Here Greg is making a "house call" at Summer Trace for fitting and training.

Greg took another ear mold which was very interesting to watch. Our son, David, had the some procedure done as a musician to have "in ear monitors" made.

The thing that makes the difference with Greg is that he is not only very knowledgeable but he is kind and patient and has years of experience working with seniors.