I found Betty busy with cleaning out things. Her entire corner chest of drawers was empty. Don't know where she put the things.

We talked a long time about years ago. Then went for a Coke down the hall.

I took her a Fall door wreath and she was delighted.

She called me last night. She had been doing more clean out. She said Edna Bivens always had such nice things and Betty was trying to put hers in order. She mentioned that Glen had been there for a short stay. She did not sound negative or down about his visit.

I believe she is very content with her life there, and doesn't seem to think it is much different than it always has been, that is until she begins to try to find a way home. Thank goodness she is easily distracted.

She does like company! Makes me wish I was going every day!

Love,
Marcia

Yesterday I took some of Betty and Glen's P. Buckley Moss pictures, the gold figures of the boy and girl and Mother's oval mirror to her. She was thrilled. She remembered every item! I asked if she remembered who painted the pictures and she said she could almost remember. I started with "P" and she instantly put the remainder of the name with it.

I took the necessary hooks, etc. and had the maintenance man measure where to put the items. He said he would be there this morning to finish. Well, I was there at 9:00 and no sign of him. I finally left around ll:00 to run errands and returned at 1:00. Still nothing was done. The Social Services director said Corporate was in today and wanted some painting done. Guess that came before us. She is so eager to get things in place, especially the large scene over her sofa.

She has been so content these past weeks. Very seldom mentions Glen, except to say "he did this or he did that" years ago.

The nail around her big toe is seriously infected. I trimmed it and cleaned the dead skin from underneath it. I asked the nurse to put antibiotic ointment on it. His response was that he would have the doctor look at it. I checked today to see when the doctor would be there next - which turned out to be October 11 (Randy's birthday). The nurse agreed to put the ointment on her toe, and to leave her on the schedule. So Randy, Aunt Betty will have her big toe checked by the doctor on your birthday!

I'm leaving for Texas tomorrow and will return Sunday night. Will be eager to have time with her again.

Love,
Marcia

I apologize for being remiss in keeping this website up do tdate.

I had a very sweet visit with Betty today. When I arrived with cake, she was more concerned about sweeping her room, but didn't have a broom, than she was about eating the cake.

We left for K-Mart and purchased a broom with dustpan, a whisk broom with dustpan and chair pads for her 2 dinette chairs. She was one happy lady!

She has been asking for an iron and ironing board, but I knew the electric iron would not be permitted, but I knew I could provide the broom, so I feel good about that.

We picked up coffee from McDonalds and had our coffee and cake in her room.

While there, I began to picture some of her belongings I could put on her walls, things that have meant a lot to her, that will match her decor. I have tried in the past to get a couple of things put up by maintenance but haven't been successful. They have a new social services director, so I'll try her this week. Her husband is in maintenance.

When I take small things of Betty's to her, she recognizes them and seems so pleased to see them. The items I now have of hers I'll try to get put up. It will mean a lot to her and will make me feel good for her.

She is very content where she is. For now we made the right decision in keeping her there. Much of the time she seems to be so normal; it really hurts that we cannot have a more normal day-to-life with her. Just must learn to be thankful for what we do have.

One of the private duty nurses saw her today for the first time since she was using the merrywalker. She could not believe it was the same person. Said even her coloring and demeanor were different. Of course Betty has no recollection of that time. I told her about it today.

This has been a good day and I am thankful for it.

Love,
Marcia

Took Betty this past Thursday for her quarterly visit with Dr. Wiseman. She handled everything except she didn't know her age. Wiseman told her more than once that she was "amazing." This went to Betty's head. She has no idea why he thinks she is "amazing." She weighed 124 lbs.; pulse rate of 52; blood pressure was 106 over 66.
We went for a chocolate Sunday afterwords.

Visited her yesterday. She was much into reminiecing. She remembered things that I had forgotten about and things that I could not remember. She enjoys playing those tests. She is quite good, especially on people's names.
Laverne

I don't think I have sent out any thing since Glen passed away. I have also been having trouble with my computer. Anyway, Betty seems to be doing fine.
Last Wednesday we went out for lunch, drove around for awhile, killing a couple of hours.
This past Saturday, we went for a chocolate Sunday and coffee and followed up by looking up their home they lived in the first stay in Sarasota. She was pretty well on. I flew right past the entrance off Bahia Vista and she pointed it out. Then to Basswood and then to Springwood and I think we found their house. Anyway I think she enjoyed the outing.
Today I visited her. She had her purse over her shoulder fixing to go out the door to work. I had brought a large photo album for her to look thru with me. After about 45 minutes, she stood up and said she had to get to work and started out. I told her that was okay I also had to leave. She said: good, I'll ride with you. I told her I wasn't going her direction and told her to go right and I had to go left. She took off and I never saw her. She was going down to the nurses station.
Marcia says she had found
Betty also ready to go to work. Those are times when I think Arden Court might satisfy her for a time. But I think she is quite happy, but wants very much to go back to Crossville.
Laverne

As I walked into Betty's room today, she had her purse over her shoulder, ready to go out the door to find boxes to pack up her belongings. She wanted to go home, but did not want to be alone at night. Her drawers had really been cleaned out. I don't know where she put everything - perhaps in her closet.

We talked a lot about Mom, Dad and Glen. She wanted to visit each of them. She quickly accepted that they had all passed away.

We went to the lounge and bought a candy bar which we shared.

When I left she seemed content.

Folks - this is not easy!

Love,
Marcia

I walked into Betty's room and found her busy, planning for the fashion show. She is taking this very seriously. Yesterday I took makeup and lipstick to her. She had applied both today and looked very alert and eager to go out.

She likes to go to Bob Evans for breakfast so that is where we headed. While traveling there she talked about Glen and his death. She said he had an awful disease and could I imagine all the boys and girls who had lost their mom or dad because of it. Great insight!

When we got back into the car I gave her the decorative recipe box that she used to keep on top of her refrigerator. She recognized it immediately and said that was her recipe box. So we had a good discussion about recipes.

It was fun being with her. She mentioned she would like to go home, but was easily distracted from that.

Love,
Marcia

Betty and I had a sweet visit today.

She was reading the list of clothing I typed for her aides last year as to what top to put together with what slacks. She said she was going to be in a fashion show and needed to decide what to wear.

She had hand-written most of my list. Her handwriting was absolutely perfect. You probably remember what beautiful handwriting she had in past years. Last year it got very tense looking. Now it is back to normal.

She was very content today. Let's ask God to keep her content, even when she misses Glen.

I hope to see her tomorrow.

Love,
Marcia

Vera and I had a great visit with Betty today The nurse came in with her meds and they teased each other about taking them. She has such a good relationship with the staff there. Of course, Vera and I created quite a stir, being "twins" walking into the facility.

Betty asked about Mindy and her baby. Neither of has had mentioned the baby at all. It's amazing the things she remembers!

She said she wanted to ask us about Glen, that she had not seen him for some time. We talked about him and I told her that he died a few weeks ago. She thought he was the "other Glen". We were still talking about Glen when a fire drill began, so she got distracted.

She wanted to walk us down the hall as we left. She was quite content to turn around to her room after walking with us close to the nurses' station.

She is looking forward to our family reunion tomorrow. She wants to stay the entire time.

We're all looking forward to tomorrow.

Love,
Marcia

Had a very good visit with Betty today. When I walked into her room it looked like she was moving out - many things neatly packed in boxes and wastebaskets. But she didn't mention moving, and neither did I.

She was very tired at 9:30 when I arrived. Guess all that cleaning out had worn her out. We talked about others in Beneva Lakes and just reminisced
about Mud Creek Church. She wanted to look at the photo album and then pointed out those she remembered.

All in all, it was good--she was upbeat.

She is looking forward to our mini-reunion here next week.

We appreciate your prayers.

Love,
Marcia