Out With Jodi

Harvey's gave me tickets.  So I asked Jodi if she wanted to go.  There was actually an early show.  So we did.  About the time we get to the park and ride at Delta Park we got talking about that accident from last night.  She made some comment and it really made my bones feel it.  Again.  I asked who was the driver who caused the accident.  Well it was one of my old neighbors from the apartment.  Mike's girlfriend had been staying with her so we were a little more connected the last few months than we had been after we moved from the apartments. 
My heart instantly broke for her boys.  For her parents.  We will probably never know just what was occurring that made her try to pass in the southbound lane and hit that minivan head on.  We can only hope that the investigation and autopsy tells us something. 
That news kind of put a damper on the show for me.  But the guys were funny.  We had seen the first guy before.  And his spiel was different this time.  That was good.  Jokes aren't usually too funny more than once.  It was good and I'm glad we went. 
We were home in time for old people bedtime.  ;p

Moving Day

First I again missed out on hiring movers.  And nice of the cheap ones to let me know last night at 6.  That kind of messes stuff up for finding anyone else.  So I texted Pat asking for ideas.  He came back with one friend was available later in the afternoon and he sent me a link for a furniture dolly at Lowe's. 
I gathered up what I thought I needed from home.  A nightstand and a lamp and some fresh linens.  Headed to Brookdale to drop those things off and then to Pat's for awhile.  Went and got the u-haul and then we were off. 
Oh my gosh.  It was only three (yes three) pieces of furniture to move.  We did the bed first and it was horrible.  Tempurpedic mattresses are heavy heavy and flimsy flimsy.  Who knew.  The first move we had movers.  The second move we had young guys.  This move we had us.  We managed to get the three pieces of furniture moved (although techinically the bed was six pieces).  And we were tired. 
When we got to Brookdale Pat's friend was there and helped with that part.  It went so much quicker than the first part.  Then the guys left and I finished putting stuff away.  Hanging clothes and whatnot. I waited a bit to see how Mom was going to do.  So far so good.  She had coffee with some new friends in the dining room.  I think it is going to be much better.
Then on the drive home at Brush Prairie there were big signs that said the road was closed.  That is never a good thing when there is no construction going on.  Detoured at Brush Prairie and made it home.  Got on the computer and saw there was a bad wreck down in the dip.  Three dead, one being a child.  I could feel that in my bones.  There but the grace of God. 

Paperwork

Today I went to Brookdale to sign a bunch of paperwork.  Mom is set to move in tomorrow.  Diane got a discount on the room rent for the next year.  That means that Brookdale is cheaper than Highgate was.  That makes me happy.  I signed all the paper and wrote the big check. 
Now to get ready to move Mom. Again.  Oy.

Slow Progress

I can tell I am making progress.  I'm not sure anyone else can.  Took another load to the Goodwill after my driveway free sale.  I did get rid of some stuff off the driveway.  That made me happy.  I don't have enough stuff to make it worthwhile to have an actual garage sale.  So I just put some stuff out on the driveway with a free sign. 
My dump pile is growing.  Going to need Dale to come back soon with his trailer and get rid of it.  I have stuff ready to go and sitting by the door.  So it is actually starting to look like I'm not making progress.  But I am. 
Then on the other end I am also making progress.  I can't make up my mind where I should work hardest. 

Assessment

I met the nurse and Diane at Cami's for the assessment of Mom.  Mom engaged and was responsive.  I haven't seen this part of her for awhile.  Naturally she insisted she can do all her care taking herself.  Getting dressed, managing her meds, showering, etc.  As soon as Mom started answering, I took a step back and stayed out of her range of vision and shook my head with the real answers.  Mom showed how she doesn't like my sense of humor sometimes, and then showed that she has the same sense of humor.  Cami made sure they understood that Mom is always on the go, go, go.  It was a good assessment and I felt like they got the information they needed.
Outside they told me that Mom does need to move.  She needs more interaction, needs her walker so she can keep roaming if she wants, and less frustration.  They caught right on that Cami is tired and frustrated and that that isn't going to change as Mom is not going to change for awhile.  They also made the comment that after the phone conversation with Cami, that if that was the criteria they used they would not be taking Mom either.  But that is not the criteria they use.  It was like she was purposely trying to make it so Mom couldn't move there.  Just bizarre.  I think Brookdale is going to be just where Mom belongs right now.  And again hindsight tells me I should have moved her there the first time.  C'est la vie. 

Brookdale

Somehow, sometimes I get lucky.  I called Brookdale today.  It was one of the places I looked at when I moved Mom from the assisted living to a memory care unit.  I really liked it and should have paid more attention.  They accept medicaid after a two year spend down.  But I took Mom to see Highgate and she liked it.  So that is what we went with and Highgate does not ever accept medicaid.
The lady who answered the phone seemed so familiar, but she wasn't at this Brookdale when I toured before.  But she was at Creekside when Mom first moved.  Small world.  I still liked her and felt like she was helping me.  So I went and again toured and talked.  We have an assessment scheduled for tomorrow.
Everything that I told her was right on for dementia.  And they are certainly used to people who roam and have Mom's other issues.  I'm just feeling blessed that they had an opening.
After taking care of that I went to see Mom.  Cami seemed mad that I was going to move Mom even though I had told her on Friday that I thought I might.  On Friday she told me no other AFH would take her because of all her issues and if I hadn't lied about that she would not have either.  Then she gave me the spiel about how residents in her home are family and they are not in a facility.  That may be true, but the workers in a facility are not worn out from staying up with my mom.  There is a night shift.
The move is scheduled for Friday.

Shamrock Progress

Gofer day got all messed up this weekend.  Pat had to work on Friday.  So today became gofer day.  He picked up the small shamrocks from the powder coater.  So today was set up for the engraving and get started on that.  Each one took about twelve minutes to engrave.  Ten got done.  I think Mary is going to be pleased.  Pat will work on them this week.  He will pick up the two big ones on Friday.  After they are engraved that job is done.
I included a picture of the cast offs from the torsion bar we tried to make.  I just think they are cool looking and colorful.  Many different shades of blue depending on how hot the metal got in the lathing process.