Another Celebration for Marie's 101st Birthday!

That birthday party was small compared to her big 100th birthday party. Marie's son, Roger and his wife, Virgie came from Texas and Fran and I.
Marie did ask me if this was all the company she was going to have. I explained that yes, this year, we were it. She smiled and said, "That's alright."
Roger and his wife gave heer a gift certificate for a new perm at the beauty shop which she really liked. We got her a new sweater of course, a cake with the special candles: 101.
It's always nice for Marie when Roger comes to visit because he generally stays a week.
I'm sure there will be more birthdays to celebrate with the lady that I am proud to call my mother-in-law.
March 2019: I found the sweater we gave her still in the bag after she had passed. She loved her old blue sweater....

Marie Celebrates 100 Years With A Bang!!

This story is about Marie's 100th birthday party. It was on July 6, 2015.
She had about thirty relatives, neighbors, and friends all wishing her well. Among them were her son, Roger and his wife, Virgie, his son Roger and his wife, Kelly and their little boy, Ryan all from Texas.
Marie's brother, Charlie and his daughter, Donna, both from Texas and her grandson, Chuck and his wife and two daughters from Massachusetts. Her granddaughters, Rhonda, Tina, and Amanda with their children and husbands and friends. Her grandson Albert and his family were here. Her grandson Joe couldn't get vacation time in July, but he visited with his family in June with his gal Brenda and her daughter and her friend.
One granddaughter, Tricia Watson got to talk and see Marie on Facetime. Her daughter, Marie talked to her via Skype also, although she was very ill.
We had good galore. Spaghetti and meatballs, brisket, hot dogs, brats, hamburgers, and a turkey, that my son, Mike smoked for us. He was up all night with that. Guess what, it was gone in an hour!

We had mac and cheese, BBQ chicken legs, corn on the cob, cupcakes, small cakes, and a big cake from the bakery with her picture embedded in the frosting. She was amazed. To tell the truth so am I. There were two big peach cobblers and ice cream and many salads and relishes.
Last, but not least of course, Presents. She talked about her party for days and weeks. In fact she mentions it every once in awhile even now.

Thank you all for coming and celebrating with her. It was a memory maker party. There were hundreds of pictures taken and saved on flash drives. A grandson, Roger Lizotte,Jr. made a video of her with her cake with background music of Frank Sinatra singing, "Young at Heart." It is on YouTube for your enjoyment.
Every family had a turn having their picture taken with Marie.

When Things Were Just Going Good.....

Marie was doing so well. All the therapies had discharged her. She could walk with assistance and her appliances. She was doing sitting or laying down exercises. She was laughing and visiting, just like the "old Marie." Every day I would go to her house to do some things and visit. If I wasn't there, Fran was.
A couple of days ago, Fran's brother called and said she had fallen. She wanted to go to the E.R. so off we went. After x-rays it was apparent that she had broken her wrist. Her arm was put in a splint. That was a really good idea. She seemed to feel better quickly.
It is taking her awhile to gain her strength, but if I know her. she will be better soon.

This Is Just Like The Center!

Since Marie has come home from the rehab center, she has been inundated with therapy services. The first week she had a bath aid, nursing, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Whew! Several times she has commented that this was just like the "center." There was a bit of an edge to her voice.
The phone would ring and she would say, "It is probably a therapy person."
She has now been discharged from nursing visits. She will be continuing her physical and occupational therapies.
Her walking needs some work. She needs a wheelchair, walker, and electric wheelchair or the combination thereof.
I wasn't feeling in tip top shape this morning so I called. Generally I go to check on them once or twice a day. Her son answered the phone and said that "we are making meatloaf." Yes, she is back at the helm!

A Broken Window

Since Marie has been in a rehab facility, we are able to listen to more stories without any interruption from television. We are careful to go when she is not scheduled for therapy. Today we heard a story that was new to me.
One day Marie came home from work. It was a hot day and she was very tired. She told the kids that she was was tired and hot and was going to the yard and sit for awhile under the big shade tree. She told us that she said, "Do you think you kids can stay out of trouble for just a little while, while I rest?" They assured her that they could.
Marie said she had just got settled and crash! The not so subtle reminder that little boys cannot stay out of trouble when mama was tired and needed to rest. She ran towards the crash and the small one (Roger was the youngest son) was innocently playing basketball. He reached up to catch it and his arm went through the window. Well, of course, blood was every where. Off they went to the hospital where everything ended up well. I know this story is true because he was just here visiting this summer with his son and his grandchildren.



  
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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.