Mrs. Dunkin #14

This is an ongoing story I've decided to write and put on my blog every Monday.   Please excuse the errors, I'm only doing limited editing.  Constructive criticism welcome.  I wish I had a cute button on the side where the story could go but I don't know how to make a button.  Even if I did I wouldn't know how to link up the story LOL.   So if you miss a chapter, you'll have to look at my sidebar for it.  The first chapter was written on October 23, 2011 so that should at least be some help, ha.

 14

I saw Clara at my door with an aide “Are you ready to go Annie?” 

“Yes, ready and willing.  You lead the way.”  We walked past the day-room to the two big doors.  The aide punched in some numbers and then pushed the doors open.  The elevators were right there and we went up to the second floor to a big room.  There were many tables and chairs.  People were coming in and filling up the tables pretty quickly.  We each got two cards and token markers.  “Clara, I haven’t played bingo since my children were young.  I loved it then.” 

“I’m sure you’ll love it now too.  If you win, you’ll win candy or a trinket whatever you pick.”

“How fun” I said laughing.    

When all the tables were filled, we started.  I won’t bore you with the details but let’s just say I had a very good day at the bingo table.  I won four candy bars.  I think that was pretty good for my first time.  I’ll probably save them for the grand-kids. 

When the aide came to pick us up Clara told her to take me on a little tour.  I followed her pushing Clara in the wheelchair.  Most of the place looked like where I was living.  Each wing had its own day-room and visiting room.  I found out the whole place only has about 200 residents.  The reason I picked it was because it was a smaller place.  I didn’t want to feel like I would get lost and I certainly wouldn’t have to worry about that here.  I was shown where the social workers, activities people, and other personnel worked.  It was a circular building and in the center was a beautiful courtyard.  The mums were still blooming and I bet it looks gorgeous in the summer with all the fall flowers. 

When we started going back to the room, I noticed a Mrs. Maria Baker outside one of the doors.  “Clara, would you mind if I stop in this room?  This is my daughter’s friend’s mother.” 

“Sure go ahead we’ll wait for you.” 

I walked in.  “Hi Maria.” 

“Yes that’s me” she said with a slurred speech. 

“I don’t know if you remember me I’m Annie Dunkin.  My daughter, Julie, and your daughter were good friends.” 

“Yes, I remember.  In fact, Sally just left and mentioned that you were here.  It’s nice to see you again.”

“It has been a long time.  How are you doing?”

“All things considered, okay I guess.  I’m in a wheelchair all the time now and I still have slurred speech but luckily, I’m still getting therapy and I’m hoping to improve.  At least I can use both arms now.”

“Then it’s all good.” 

“How are you doing?  Sally says you have Alzheimer’s.  I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Me too but I’m trying to adjust to that fact.  I’m taking some medicine that’s supposed to help slow it down.” 

“I hope it works for you, Annie.” 

“It was nice seeing you Maria but I’ve got to go.  Perhaps you can get one of the aides to bring you to my room and we can chat some more.” 

“Okay, it was nice that you stopped by Annie.” 

“Bye.”

“That was short.” 

“I didn’t want to keep everyone waiting.”  We headed to our wing and they were already starting to serve lunch. 

“Clara, I think I’m going to head to my room for a while.  I’m still stuffed from breakfast.  I’ll see you later.”

“I’ll see you later, Annie”.  I headed off to my room.   

I took my shoes off when I got to the room and sat on the rocker and covered myself with the quilt and dozed off.  When I got up, my lunch was sitting on the table.  I got up and looked at it.  I still wasn’t hungry but I took the piece of chocolate cake and put it on the dresser and covered up the rest.  I turned the TV on and before I knew it, I was dozing again.


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Down in the dumps

I've been ill with a bad cold for about a week and a half.  I'm finally starting to feel a little better. 

Besides I've been down in the dumps.  I think this cold, warm, snow, rain, dreary weather has just gotten to me.  My house is a wreck, heh.

Finally, the other day Mom is done with antibiotics.  She is cleared to get a roommate.  So, we'll see when that happens.  She seems to be starting to get back to normal.

Some of the blogs I've been reading are getting me down as well.  So much heartache; divorces, deaths, sickness.  It makes me just want to curl up and hide away.

Hopefully, now that my cold is almost gone I can start putting things into perspective.

Have a good weekend.  

Mrs. Dunkin #13

This is an ongoing story I've decided to write and put on my blog every Monday.   Please excuse the errors, I'm only doing limited editing.  Constructive criticism welcome.  I wish I had a cute button on the side where the story could go but I don't know how to make a button.  Even if I did I wouldn't know how to link up the story LOL.   So if you miss a chapter, you'll have to look at my sidebar for it.  The first chapter was written on October 23, 2011 so that should at least be some help, ha.

 13

Our trays were put in front of us.  We had pancakes, sausage, and cheerios; also, the usual liquids that I had at every meal so far.  “Boy, they don’t scrimp on the food or drinks do they” I said.

Clara answered “No, they sure don’t.  You would think by my weight I eat everything but I usually don’t.   I take what I can’t finish back to my room for later or give it to someone else.”

“Good idea.  Can I ask how you like it here?” 

“I like it okay.  There are plenty of things to do.  They have bingo, exercises, art and all kinds of other things if you’re willing to do them.   They have entertainment come in which I really like a lot.  They also have outings you can sign up for.

“Sounds like it’s up to the person to make of this place what they want.” 

“Yes, that’s exactly how I would put it.  While I can, I’m going to do everything before it’s too late.  If you know what I mean.”  I knew exactly what she meant.  I decided right then and there I would too. 

“Hey girlies.”  I turned around and smiled at Fred. 

“Don’t encourage him” Clara said. 

“I don’t want to be rude.” 

“The longer you’re here you will learn.  There are some people you just have to ignore.  He calls everyone girlie, even men” and she laughed. 

“What’s his story?”

“He’s a nice enough guy but if you get to talking to him you’ll never get away.  He was here when I got here.  He told me he’s got children but I’ve never seen them.  His wife is long gone.  He can get around pretty well but he’s always trying to get out of here and go back home to see her.” 

“I saw this morning that he tried to get out.” 

“Yeah, he does it like clockwork every morning.  I don’t know why only in the morning but that’s what he does.” 

“Around 10:00, they are going to be playing bingo would you like to play?” 

“Sure, it sounds fun.” 

“Hey Sheila” Clara yelled “mark me and Annie down for bingo this morning.”

“Will do” Sheila said. 

“They will come and get us around 9:00.  We get to get off this floor, thank goodness.  We’ll have something new to see.”

“Where is it going to be?”

“It’s on the second floor.  When they are going have something where a lot of people will attend it’s usually up there.”   

We were finished eating and I told Clara I was going to freshen up.  When I went back to my room, the phone was ringing. 

“Hello?”

“Mom where were you?  I’ve been calling for the last half hour.” 

“I was at breakfast Julie.  Is something wrong?” 

“No, not really.  I got concerned when I couldn’t get a hold of you.” 

“That’s exactly why I’m here Julie, so you don’t have to be worried about me anymore.  If you call and I’m not here that means I’m out of my room doing something.  In fact, I just came back to freshen up and then I’m going to be playing bingo.” 

“That’s nice Mom.  I wanted to tell you that Jerry’s going to be there in the morning tomorrow and I’m coming in the evening if that’s okay.”

“That’s fine; whatever you two decide is good with me.  I’m not going anywhere.I really have to go now, they will be coming to get me and I don’t want to keep Clara waiting.” 

“Who is Clara?”  “She’s the woman who lives next door to me.  She’s very nice and is showing me the ropes.” 

“Okay mom, have a good time at bingo.  Oh one more thing, Jill wanted me to ask you if you got whatever she needed taken care of. Whatever that means.”

“Tell her, yes I did and it’s waiting for her.”

“See you tomorrow mom.  Love you.”

“Me too dear.”  


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Mrs. Dunkin #12

This is an ongoing story I've decided to write and put on my blog every Monday.   Please excuse the errors, I'm only doing limited editing.  Constructive criticism welcome.  I wish I had a cute button on the side where the story could go but I don't know how to make a button.  Even if I did I wouldn't know how to link up the story LOL.   So if you miss a chapter, you'll have to look at my sidebar for it.  The first chapter was written on October 23, 2011 so that should at least be some help, ha.

12

When Sheila left, I felt faint and I sat on one of the recliners.  Suddenly I felt like I was trapped like a rat. I felt like I was in a prison.   I couldn’t leave without someone going with me?    

“How ya' doing girlie?” and I looked to see the escape artist right in front of me. 

“I’m doing fine.  I wish I was a girl” and I chuckled. 

“You’re a girlie to me.  I’m 92 years old.” 

“I guess your right then.  I’m only 70.” 

“You come here often?” he said.

“No, this is my first time.” 

“Well, I hope to see you around more” and he left. 

There was a table set up with puzzle pieces on it.  I went and looked at it.   There were also games and a tall bookshelf with many types of books.  It seemed like they had a nice variety. I’ll have to take one back to my room to read.     

I looked out the window again and saw many cars going down the road. I imagined people were out doing their grocery shopping and taking their kids places.

I hoped Jerry had talked to Sue about letting Josh have my car.  It would be an ideal situation for me and them.  Perhaps I will find out tomorrow when Jerry comes. 

I took my coffee over by the computer and got on my email address and I could connect to it.  All of the email I had was mostly spam and jokes.  I deleted it all.  I decided I would email Stella.  She was probably worried to death about me. 

Hi Stella,

Who knew I would have Internet here?   I’m ready for visitors after Sunday.  Anytime you want to come would be fine.  Don’t worry about me, I am really doing fine. 

Don’t email me because I don’t know when I’ll be back on the computer. 

Love,                                                                               Annie

I hit send and off the email went.  She’ll be happy to hear from me. 

I could hear noises behind me and I looked into the day-room and could see people going to the tables.  It was filling up pretty fast. 

I took my coffee and went out to the table where Clara was sitting. 

“Hi” I said.

“Hi, I’m glad you decided to join me.” 

“Is your roommate coming out?”  “No, she can’t.  She’s bedridden now.  We had a really rough night.  Something was wrong but she seems fine now.” 

“It’s so generous of you to take care of her.”  

“Before she got so ill, we were really close.  I promised her to be there if she needed me and I’m keeping my promise.”

“Does she have any family?” 

“No, she had a husband but he died and no children.  Her sister put her here and then she died.  She kind of became my family this last year.”

“Oh that is so heartbreaking.  Does she know you?”

“I think she does.  When no one can calm her down, she seems to respond to me.  I sing to her and sometimes I even read books to her.  When I’m in the room with her, I talk to her all the time but for the last few months she hasn’t talked back.  That doesn’t deter me though, I know she hears me.” 

“I’m sure she does” I reassured her.

“That’s such a lovely necklace you have on.”

“It was my mother’s.  My father bought it for her.  It’s one of my most treasured pieces.”

“Be careful with it.  You see that woman over at the next table?” She whispered.  “She’s a thief.  I’ve had several things missing that they found in her room.”

“Thanks for warning me.  I’ll keep an eye out for her.”


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Saturday Centus #89

THE PROMPT THIS WEEK IS A CONTINUATION OF YOUR STORY USING: Hanging off a cliff!
WORD COUNT - Not to exceed 50 words total.
STYLE OF WRITING - Any
ADDITIONAL PICTURES IF DESIRED

To see other centus' go here

http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/2012/01/saturday-centus-hanging-off-cliff.html

Is it just me or did last week's centus say we were going to have 100 additional words. for the second part?  I already had it written and had to edit it so much, I hope it makes sense lol.    

Part 1

Dot watched the ball drop from Times Square on TV and then her phone started ringing like it had done for the past 45 years.

“Hello, Sister.”

“Hi Dot, Happy New Year.” 

“Happy New Year.” 

“Talk to you later.  Good night.”

“Good Night.”

Next year might be different, Dot thought.  Would I even be here?   She knew she should have told someone that she went for the biopsy but she just couldn’t. Not yet.   

She was nervous about the results and felt like she was hanging off a cliff.  

The phone started to ring. 

“Dot, this is Dr. Jones.  I’m sorry….”

Part 2

to be calling so late.  I had emergency surgery and saw your test results were in. I didn’t want you to have to worry longer than necessary.  The tumor was benign. Happy New Year, Dot.”

“Thank you so much for calling, doctor.  You have a happy New Year too.  Bye.”

Random thoughts

1.  They put mom on another 14 days of the antibiotics for c  diff.  She's feeling fine though, just lonely from having no roommate.

2.  2010 Christmas, hippie and I got gift cards from Macy's from my brother and his wife.  I've been wanting to start trying to buy more things made in the USA.  With the money they gave me this Christmas,  I was able to buy 4 place settings of Fiesta ware.  

3.  I really need new drinking glasses, for some reason this year I was clumsy.  I'm thinking of buying them from Anchor Hocking - again USA made.   

4.  Does anyone watch Biggest Loser?  The last couple of years, I can't put my finger on it but Bob Harper really seems to have changed.  I don't like him as well as I used to.   

5.  I've been in a little bit of organizing mood lately.  I tackled a container that I have with things that I've saved over the years.  I really went to it and got rid of more than half the stuff.  I mean, who needs cards from our wedding that people gave us 34 years ago, ha.  I haven't looked at them for years.  Also, what do you do with all the pictures you get in Christmas cards?  I have hundreds of them.  Some people didn't put a name on or how old they were.  I don't even know who some of them are lol.   

Mrs. Dunkin #11

This is an ongoing story I've decided to write and put on my blog every Monday.   Please excuse the errors, I'm only doing limited editing.  Constructive criticism welcome.  I wish I had a cute button on the side where the story could go but I don't know how to make a button.  Even if I did I wouldn't know how to link up the story LOL.   So if you miss a chapter, you'll have to look at my sidebar for it.  The first chapter was written on October 23, 2011 so that should at least be some help, ha.

11

I woke up around 5 a.m. the next morning.  After seeing Clara singing to Helen, it was so heartbreaking I went to sleep.  I thought I would get my shower over and done with before my medication came. 

When I was done, I came out to brush my hair and the medication was sitting on the table with a small glass of water.  I took the pills and began brushing my hair when I heard.

“Hi Annie, my name is Jane.  I was wondering if you’ll be going to breakfast.  I’m one of the housekeepers and I’d like to clean your room.  Usually after the first full day someone is here, we start our routine of once a day cleaning.” 

“It’s so nice to meet you.  I was thinking of going out to the day-room for breakfast but I could sure use a cup of coffee before then.” 

“There’s some coffee in the visitors room that you can go and get.  There are nice comfy chairs and even computers that the residents can use.”

“I didn’t know that.  As soon as I get done with my hair, I might go check it out.  Where is that room at?”

“It’s right across from the day-room.  You won’t be able to miss it.  When you get back from breakfast your room will be cleaned.” 

“Thank you dear.”

“You’re welcome” and Jane left.

I finished brushing my hair.  I opened up the locked drawer and pulled out earrings that had little pink roses on them and the necklace that matched.  It would look lovely with the pink shell and cardigan I was wearing.  No one here will probably care if I match but I still do.   

I decided to go and find the coffee.  That was always the first thing I did in the morning when I was home.  I was never much of a breakfast eater but I do love my coffee.  As I went passed Clara’s room, I could see Helen in her bed but couldn’t see Clara.  I went down the hall and got to the day-room.  A few people were in their but not Clara.  I saw the visitor’s room and went in.  No one was there but me.  I got myself a cup of coffee and stood and looked out the open blinds.  The trees were starting to turn lovely colors; yellow, orange and fiery red.   Fall is always my favorite season.  I started looking at the computer when I heard someone come into the room. 

“You must be Annie.  I’m Sheila the weekend day nurse.  I dropped your pills off earlier but you were in the shower.” 

“Hello Sheila, I took them.  It’s nice to meet you.”  Suddenly, I head a beeping.  “What’s that?”

“That’s probably Fred doing is usual escape act.  I’ll be right back” and she headed out.

“Fred, where do you think you’re going?” I could hear her say from the hallway.  Then I heard a man’s voice say, “You caught me again girlie.  I’m going back to the table right now.”  “Thank you Fred.” 

I saw a man in a wheelchair go past the visitor’s room and to a table where he put his head down.  Sheila came back in the room.  “That Fred” she said.  “He does that every morning.  He knows he’s going to get caught but I think he likes to keep us on our toes” and we laughed. 

“How come he’s not allowed out?” I questioned. 

“Annie this is a locked floor.  People can come in but if you want to go out you need to know the code.  We have to be careful because we are responsible for everyone.  They could get out and walk right out the front door.  We put alarms on some people.” 

“Oh” I said with some trepidation. 

“If you want to go somewhere off the floor Annie let us know and we’ll have someone go with you.”  “I have to get back to work but I’ll be seeing you later.” 

“Okay, dear.”


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Saturday Centus #88

It looks like I picked a good day to come back and do the centus - NOT, lol.

Jenny chose a literary device the rules are:

THE PROMPT THIS WEEK IS: Hanging off a cliff! (Might as well be literal while we're attempting to use this literary device!)
WORD COUNT - Not to exceed 100 words plus the 4 words of the prompt. 104 words total.
STYLE OF WRITING - Any so long as you utilize a cliffhanger writing device to wrap your story up. Next week we'll do an additional 100 words for the rest of the story.

My prompt will be in blue.  Check out the other centus here: 

http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/2012/01/narrative-ends-unresolved-to-draw.html

Dot watched the ball drop from Times Square on TV and then her phone started ringing like it had done for the past 45 years.

“Hello, Sister.”

“Hi Dot, Happy New Year.” 

“Happy New Year.” 

“Talk to you later.  Good night.”

“Good Night.”

Next year might be different, Dot thought.  Would I even be here?   She knew she should have told someone that she went for the biopsy but she just couldn’t. Not yet.   

She was nervous about the results and felt like she was hanging off a cliff.  

The phone started to ring. 

“Dot, this is Dr. Jones.  I’m sorry….”

Random thoughts

1.  I had a pretty good Christmas Eve and day.  My brother and his wife came over  later than usual on Christmas Eve.  Christmas day we went to my son's girlfriends house - she was home over the holiday.  It was fun.


2.  New Years Eve hippie and I were asleep before midnight LOL.


3.  Luckily, the Armageddon they were predicting for the whole area didn't happen except for the snow belt this week.   We probably didn't even get 3", ha.


4.  We'll be celebrating with hippies family Christmas on Jan 14th.  My sil, where we are having it, moved to a condo last year.  I can't wait to finally see it.


5.  Unfortunately, son can't come home.  Oh well.   


6.  Even though it's past new years, I'm still deciding if I'm going to pick a word to focus on for 2012.


7.  We took our decorations down before New Years eve.  I was ready.


8.  The patio saga continues.  When he finally came, he couldn't do anything because of the weather.   We decided to wait to have it fixed in the spring.   


9. Mom's still in a private room at the nursing home. When she gets cleared, she won't be going back to her old room.  They gave it to someone else.  She's been a little confused but seems to be starting to get back into her routine somewhat.


10.  Words I'd like gone from the English language in 2012 "job creators" and "I approved this message" but I know with the election coming up it's not going to happen @@.

Mrs. Dunkin #10

This is an ongoing story I've decided to write and put on my blog every Monday.   Please excuse the errors, I'm only doing limited editing.  Constructive criticism welcome.  I wish I had a cute button on the side where the story could go but I don't know how to make a button.  Even if I did I wouldn't know how to link up the story LOL.   So if you miss a chapter, you'll have to look at my sidebar for it.  The first chapter was written on October 23, 2011 so that should at least be some help, ha.

10

I was finishing up eating when a woman started wheeling herself into my room.  “Can I help you?” 

“What are you doing in Sally’s room?” 

“Sally?  I don’t know who she is but this is my room.  I came yesterday.  My name is Annie.” 

“My name is” and she reached into her pocket pulling out a little piece of paper and said “Clara.  My name is Clara.” 

“It’s nice to meet you.  I don’t know what happened to Sally.” 

“Clara, what are you doing in here?” Kate said coming into the room. 

“I came to see how Sally was doing.” 

“I’m sorry to say Sally is on another floor now. Let’s leave Annie alone.”

“No, that’s okay.  Clara can stay if she wants to.”

“I’d like that” Clara smiled.  Katie left the room. 

“You know when they say they’ve moved someone to another floor, its code?”

“Code?  Code for what?”

“That means the person died but they don’t want to tell us.”

“Oh.”  I decided to change the subject.  “How long have you been here Clara?” 

“I’m not really sure but probably a couple of years.  I don’t remember a lot of things anymore.”

“I’m having trouble with that myself lately,” Annie said.  “Do you have children Clara?” 

“Yes, I have a son, Johnny.  I fell and broke my hip and I’ve been here ever since. My mind just wouldn’t let me walk anymore that’s why I’m in the wheelchair.  I wanted to live with Johnny but his wife and I don’t get along very well.  So, he left me here.”

“I’m sorry that happened.” 

“Why should you be sorry you didn’t have anything to do with it?   Also there’s that woman.” 

“Woman?”

“Yes, she visits me quite frequently.  She says she’s my daughter and I’ve tried to tell her I don’t have one but she’s very nice to me so I just play along.  She’s been better to me than my own son.  Do you have children?”

“Yes, I have two but I didn’t want to stay with either one of them.  I’m too independent.” 

“Well, at least you had a choice.  My son used all my money for my living expenses.  I can’t believe it.  All those years my husband and I saved and it’s all gone.” 

“Clara we need help with Helen.”  the night nurse,Amelia, said coming into the room. 

“Helen’s my roommate.  She’s not doing well at all.  Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow.  I’m the next room down” as she hurriedly left the room. 

“What’s wrong with her roommate?” 

“Clara is about the only one that can calm Helen down now.  She spends a lot of time when Helen’s awake talking to her and holding her hand.” 

“Oh, can I ask a question about Clara?” 

“Sure.”

“How many children does she have?” 

“She has two but she doesn’t remember her daughter anymore.  Her daughter comes every weekend even though she doesn’t remember her. She lives quite a distance away.  It’s very hard on her but she loves her mom.” 

“That is sad.  She doesn’t seem to care much for her son’s wife.”

“His wife is very nice.  I think she blames her for not being able to live with them when it was more the son’s decision and Clara just can’t handle that so she blames her instead.”

“Couldn’t she have lived with the daughter?” 

“Not really, before Clara even got here she didn’t remember the daughter anymore.”

“I see.” 

“Can I get you anything, Annie?  I’m going to go see how Clara is doing with Helen.” 

“No, I’m fine dear.  Have a good night” and Amelia left. 

I watched some TV and started getting tired.  I put my nightgown on and the hallway lights were starting to dim.  I was ready to get into bed and I could hear someone singing.  I looked out in the hallway and I could hear it was coming from Clara’s room.  I timidly walked out and crept over and peaked into the room.  I could see Clara sitting in her wheelchair next to Helen’s bed.  She was holding Helen’s hand and singing a lullaby to Helen.  I turned and walked back to my room.  



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