Sunday, March 24th

Mom went to see dad on Friday, and he was sitting on one of the couches in the big room, talking to the ladies.  He had his glasses on - guess they found them.   Dad was happy to see her, and asked her where she'd been.  She told him he had been sleeping all week, and that she had been there every day.   Guess he said, "Well, how about that."   As it turns out, Stan does wander and they are trying to work with him on that.
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Went up this morning, and dad was in church.   I stood at the back, and watched everyone.  There are a bunch of volunteers who come in and take the residents to church, and several of them walked up to me and asked me if I was there with someone.   The volunteer position is actually a church calling, and they are in that position for about 2-3 years.   Afterwards, I walked up to dad, and stuck my head over his shoulder and said hi.  He said, "Hi, little girl."  Wow.   A woman walked up to me and said, "And you are...".  Told her I was one of his daughters and would take him back to his area.  She said that was fine, she had been assigned to him, and wanted to make sure he made it back.  I liked the fact that they really keep an eye on them, and any visitors around.   Dad wanted to go back to his room, so we walked down the hall.  Two ladies, Grace and Elaine, decided to walk with us.  Elaine told me I needed to help save Charles, and when I asked her why, she said something about the big black things flying in.  Told her I would try and save him.  She then commented how softly Charles talks, and she can barely him. But, he is such a nice man.   As we got closer to dad's room, Skipper aka Naolia, was laying on the floor.   I asked her if she needed help, and she told me to go away, she didn't need any help.   I watched her and she was obsessed with the pattern on the carpet.  Pretty soon, she stood up and went on her merry way.   You never know what you are going to see or hear at this place.  Dad was cold, so I was helping him put on his sweater, and out of the blue he said,"Where's Travis and Jay?"   Wow.  Told him Jay is in Las Vegas, and Trav was in Chicago.  He then said, "They are good kids."   You just never know what is rolling around in that brain of his.   He sat on the couch in the sun, and he was facing the cars on his wall.   We started talking about the cars, and then he was telling me about living on the farm with his brothers and the cars they liked to drive.   I couldn't understand him half the time, but he was enjoying being able to talk and laugh.  He then started talking about "this place" and they sure have good food.  Lots of snacks too.   Told him it was time for me to take him back down the hall to lunch, and he asked what he was having.  Don't know.  He said he hopes it was dead.  Then laughed.   We were halfway down the hall, and the aide came and asked him if he wanted turkey or beef.  He said, "Yeah."   Then laughed.   Sat him down, and told him I would be back with mom in a little while.  He then said, "Shirley Mae?"   Yup, the one and only.   I started to leave and he said, "Hey, I want some of that stuff."  Couldn't figure it out, and he was having a hard time coming up with it, and was pointing at the glass.   Asked him if he wanted root beer...yes, that was it.  Told the aide on the way out that he wanted root beer, and she said he has it every day at lunch.

Headed to Shirl's and ate dinner with her, then we filled out insurance forms.  Will get those mailed off tomorrow.    We then went down to the home, and as we were walking down the hall, Stan started to follow us.   He is a big boy.    We walked into the Man Cave, and dad was sound asleep in his chair - deeply.  Didn't even flinch when I rubbed his arm.   A knock on the door - I answered it and there was Stan.   He said, "I wasn't sure where we were going."  Told him Charlie was taking a nap and we were going to stay with him.  He said OK, and walked off.   Mom dozed and after a little bit, I decided to take off.   Dad was still out - didn't even move when I kissed his head.  This is the first time in a month that I haven't cried when I've left him.  Guess that's a good thing.  He really does seem settled, likes his room, and it's good to see him socialize with everyone.   Pictures from today - sitting in the sun on the couch, and then snoozing in his chair this afternoon.