Marie's Recovery

As you know, Marie fell and broke her hip last week. She spent a week in the hospital and then was transferred to a rehab center that is very close to our home. We go to visit her once or twice a day. She is working hard at her therapy even though it hurts. She does therapy she is not asked to do so we are extremely pleased at how well she is doing.
The facility is beautiful. When you walk in the front room looks like a rain forest. The plants reach to the ceiling. It is filled with flat screen televisions, sitting rooms and asmall ding room for family get-togethers, and two activity rooms. It has a very large dining  as well for the residents. Marie really likes the food. She has a choice of two different entrees for every meal.When we visit she likes to tell us what she eats and what she does in therapy.
She is making friends with her roommate. She likes to tell her the stories of her life. The lady was amazed today at what a large family she had because hers was small. Today Fran and I attended a combo music activity which was fantastic. Marie could go because the pain pill made her so terribly tired.
I will continue to post updates on Marie's progress.

Marie Wanted To Play With The Boys

Marie broke her hip on Monday. She is an independent lady who likes to do things her way. Some say she is stubborn. She has never wanted any help, but now she has decided it is not such a bad idea.
She was in a lot of pain at first, but today she was sitting up eating her meals and telling us her stories. Today was different. Even Fran said the same thing; new stories.
Marie was one of thirteen children, and it seemed she always had to be the one to do grown up work in the house. One day she wanted to go play with the boys who were much younger than she was. She didn't care. They were having fun.
In those days they didn't salt the highways when there was ice on them. The highway department sprayed a thin layer of sand on them. The sand was gotten from what they called the Sand Bank. So she jumped in that big pile of sand just like the boys did. One thing was different. She landed on a 2x4 with two spikes in it. One of them went through her foot. The foot waas bandaged and the doctor told her not to be such a tomboy.
Her eyes twinkled when she told us that story. Even if she was hurt you could tell she had had fun and the hurt was worth it.

96 And Counting

Nobody likes a party better than Marie! Every year like clock work she has another birthday, a pretty cake, company and presents!!
This year was no different. The only thing different was it wasn't as big. Last year she had several grandchildren and children at her party and lots and lots of gifts.
As people get older people don't know what to get them because for the most part they already have what they need. This year she had no problem telling her son from Texas exactly what she wanted, a new electric can opener. When she opened it she told me, "Oh this is just what I wanted, mine is so slow I was afraid it was going to quit someday."

She loved her cake. It was a yellow cake decorated with orange roses. She announced to the group that she did not want any of us to eat at the end where the roses were because she was going to take it home. I begged and pleaded with her to have a bite of roses and then she laughed and said, "Of course you can." She took the lions share of the cake home, a rose bush, a can opener and fresh catfish that her two sons caught for her at our lake. I would personally hate to choose which gift she liked the best. I would bet on the catfish! She got money and cards in the mail and phone calls as well. For the majority of the day she wore a smile.

The pictures show what a good time she was having even though it was a small party. I think the whole thing is that when people come to your very special party that love you, it makes a wonderful party, don't you agree? Even great grandchildren, grandchildren and children, Oh and don't forget the daughter-in-law!