Reality Check

At my new job I see a range of health issues, physical and mental. It's hard to watch sometimes, but such is life for so many elderly people these days. I am grateful that they have a facility like mine to come to instead of wasting away at home alone, or being shut up in a nursing home setting when it's not necessary. Unfortunately, since my facility is the step between them, we have to make the difficult decision of when to move them to a more skilled facility/nursing home.

We have two residents right now that are on the cusp.

After only being here about a month, I've already grown close to one of them, and I will be so crushed to see her go. She's so sweet and funny, and never gives us trouble when we need to help her do things. Honestly, I want to keep her here as long as we can. I don't think she would last long in a nursing home type facility.

The other resident, however, is a totally different story. At first he was perfectly fine and coherent, but just in the last few days he's done a complete 180. It's hard to see them be a totally different person than you are used to. This man went from gentle, calm, and generally nice to frustrated, angry, and sometimes violent so suddenly due to his cancer. I think the worst part of the situation is that his family was in denial about how bad he had gotten. Last night was the last straw for us, he had an outburst in the middle of the night that was disturbing that entire half of the building. My boss had to call his family, who was not happy about the situation and though we were lying to them, and then call an ambulance for this resident. Needless to say, he can no longer live at our facility. We don't have the man power, nor the resources to care for him like he needs.

It breaks my heart to see people deteriorate like that and there isn't anything I can do to help them or their families.

What do you do? What do you say?

Seeing all of this makes me so grateful for my (relative) health, for Hubs health, and for my family's health. It makes me grateful for the days that I do have, the things I've been able to experience, and the people I've gotten to meet. I can't put into words how much good this job is doing for me, no matter how stressful it gets. This is the Lord's work.

What are you grateful for?

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Conversations with...

My residents

*All names have been changed to protect their privacy*

My new job as a CMA in an assisted living facility for seniors gives me plenty of time to spend time with people up to 3 times my age. They have some pretty neat stories to tell, but they can also say some hilarious things too.

Jerry rolls out of his room and into the common area, which is unusual for him to do other than meal times. 

Me: Jerry, whatcha doin' out here?

Jerry: Well, I thought I'd come out here and sit a minute.

Me: That's nice. Why don't you go hang out with Regina and Kate, they are watching TV right now.

Jerry: Naw, I'll just sit right here and listen so I can catch up on the gossip.

Me: Gossip, huh?

Jerry: Yep. But you know what?

Me: What's that?

Jerry: The womenfolk around here don't gossip enough for my liking. *chuckles*

Me: *trying to stifle my laughter* Well I'll see if I can stir things up for you then.



Part of my job is passing out the resident's medicines. Most of the time they are pretty good about taking them, and sometimes we get little situations like this:

Nadine, my administrator, hands Iris her little cup of pills and a glass of Koolaid. (they LOVE Koolaid)

Nadine: Here you go Miss Iris.

Iris scrunches up her nose and just sits there pouting.

Nadine: I know, but you gotta take them.

Iris still doesn't move.

Nadine: *in a joking manor* You better take those or I'll stick you back in the shower!

Iris: If you do I'll kick your ass!

Nadine: I'd like to see you try!

Iris laughs and takes her meds.

Again, I'm trying really really hard to stifle my laughter.



Gold mine. My work is a gold mine I tell you! The more time I spend with my residents, the more I get to know them. I know I should try not to get attached, but it's really hard not to.

Now I want to introduce you to my two lovely co-hosts this month, Christine from The So-Called Homemaker, and Melissa from The Rambling Llama!

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An InLinkz Link-up

Sisterhood of The World

This award is to acknowledge the blogging sisterhood around the world, to inspire, to encourage, and to spread the love. Today I am honored to accept and pass along the torch, and lift up my #Tribe. Huge thanks to my favorite Llama for nominating me!

Ok. Let's get to the questions from Melissa. 

Something or someone you miss from childhood?
I miss my siblings. We were all so close, and now we've all gone our own ways, making our own lives. Your siblings are your first best friends, and I feel like I've lost touch with mine. I know the phone works both ways, but it's hard when you feel like you don't know them anymore.

What do you think would be the hardest thing you'd have to give up if I said you had to give it up in an hour?
Chocolate. And don't you dare try to make me give it up!

What was the worst punishment you got as a child?
Oh gosh. Probably having to eat cooked spinach from a can. That crap was slimy and bitter, but it was a really good punishment. I sure as hell didn't roll my eyes at my mom (that she saw!) ever again!

If you had the chance to be invisible for a day, what would you do?
I really thought long and hard about this question, and I would probably go to the GA Aquarium and just wander around. Listening to conversations, watching people get excited over the creatures in the tanks. I'd probably sneak into the penguin habitat and pet one, or take a swim with the dolphins. But most of all I'd spend as much time as I wanted with the Beluga Whales. They are my absolute favorite.

Who is your favorite superhero and why?
My mom. She's a superhero so stop laughing! Wanna know why? She raised three kids all on her own while still staying fit, keeping herself presentable, and working full time. She's my hero, my role model, and the best mom in the world.

What was the last item you bought? (bonus points: convince us we need to buy it too!)
Cadbury Mini Eggs. They are my absolute favorite Easter candy and if the brand Cadbury doesn't make your mouth water you are crazy. These little wonders are melt in your mouth yummy goodness and I think I've already consumed about 16 bags all by myself in the past month or so. #dontjudgeme

If you could teleport by blinking your eyes right now, where would you go?
To Georgia. Specifically wherever my mom is at this moment. I miss her so, much. Plus that puts me closer to my sweet Llama and several other wonderful ladies I want to finally meet in person!

What is your favorite black and white movie?
This is so hard! I love old movies, especially anything with Fred Astaire or Judy Garland in it. But any version of Pride and Prejudice will always be my favorite. Including the 1940 production starring Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier. 

Would you rather be a tree or live in a tree and why?

Tree House! I would totally live in a tree! Or have a house built in and around a tree. That just sounds really really awesome.


Would you rather play on the beach or play in the water?
In the water. Tubing, parasailing, or snorkeling anyone?

Now for my nominations!

Cassie from Sage

Christine from The So-Called Homemaker

Anne from Love The Here and Now

Kendra from Kenji is Here

Emily from Ember Grey

Faith from Life with Mrs. G and The Artist

Chelsea from The New Wifestyle

Questions for my nominees:

If you had to eat a food that was your favorite color, what would it be?

What is your favorite inspirational quote?

What is your favorite piece of art in your home and why? (post a picture!!)

You're out with your besties, what song do you pick to sing for Karaoke night?

If you could have picked your own first name, what would you have chosen?

If you could plan the best weekend getaway for you and your significant other (real or imaginary) and everything was being paid for by someone else (with lots of money to spare) what would you do? where would you go?

Just some "rules" for you:

:: Answer the questions from the person that nominated you.

:: Nominate some of your blogging sisterhood. There is no set number for this, go crazy!

:: Ask your nominees some very important questions. Again, no set number.

Easy right?


What are you doing to lift up the people in your life?

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