Halloween, Kids and Cards

Mom had fun helping with early Halloween festivities at Summer Trace Weds. night. (I wish I could have gotten a photo of her roasting marshmellows for the s'more she saved to give to me later when I arrived to play cards!) Below is Mom with her friend and neighbor, Mary Bush.

Here is the only picture I got of one of the many, many children who were there in costume. They were all so cute and sweet!

After the Halloween party, we were thrilled to have new resident, Pete, join us for cards! I am so glad I have been taking photos all along because Mom's dear friend and neighbor, Mary B. in the pink sweater, moved this week.

It was a busy night - two tables! Phil was out of town, so Charlie took care of Mom's table...

... while I helped this second table of ladies play Kings-in-the-Corner.

Our card night friends, who come every Weds. to paint their Mom's fingernails, were there, too.

Our Neighbor, Sally, Spoke at Summer Trace

Our neighbor, Sally, graciously took time out of her very busy schedule to speak at Summer Trace. Mom really enjoyed it, as did all of the residents.

Sally is a Pro Cyclist and has raced in the U.S. and Canada.

She took third place in the World Championship women's mountain bike race: 24 Hours of Adrenalin. Her stories were fascinating and the residents had lot of questions.

Afterward they enjoyed looking at one of her pro bikes, completely outfitted by her supplier/sponsors.

From left are Sally's parents, Sally, Mom, and me (Betsy) wearing my "Team Sally" t-shirt from the World's competition.

Long Overdue Update - Oct. 22, 2008

The Tuesday afternoon Bible Study at Summer Trace is going really, really well. I found out how much Mom enjoys it the other day when we had to miss it due to an appointment. I said, just kind of wistfully, "I really hate to miss the Bible Study" to which Mom replied slowly but clearly, "I really hate to miss the Bible Study, too."
(To see a larger copy, click on any of the pictures. Then use the "back" arrow on your browser toolbar to return to the blog page - instead of closing the window.)

On our way back to Mom's apartment after the study this week, we stopped to admire a recently finished jigsaw puzzle that Mom's friend, Mary, has been working on with her daughter. Mary is such a lovely, gracious woman. She lives on the 4th floor on the same hallway as Mom.

This is Patty, one of Mom's great nurses.
Her baby boy is due in just five weeks!

Wednesday night, after our weekly Kings-in-the-Corner card game, Mom had a little conversation with Marge's puppy, Sparky, who was passing by. Marge is always willing to go out of her way to let Mom see one of her very favorite little buddies!

Aphasia Support Group - Oct. 6, 2008

Once a month Mom and I go to to an amazing support group for stroke survivors (and their caregivers) dealing with the devastating effects of "aphasia" which is a very unfamiliar way to describe the way speech can be affected by a stroke. The stroke survivors meet with Mary Gospel, a speech professor from Butler University (who does this on a completely volunteer basis).

Her daughter, Ali, comes with her and the group has gotten quite attached to her. On this night we got to meet the whole family.

Out in the lobby, family caregivers meet with Ann Harlow, a nurse who is a caregiver herself, who volunteers her time to help the rest of us keep our heads above water.

After this meeting, I got a call from Mary Gospel with the sad news that aphasia group member Bill Willson, (wearing red shirt below) died Oct. 27. His wife, Louise, (wearing pink shirt above in the caregiver's support group) is in our thoughts and prayers.