Greetings from “The Home” front …
We started off last Sunday with a May Day Reminisce – after all it WAS May Day! I was shocked that very few residents or staff had ever participated in this sweet tradition of hanging a small basket of flowers on a loved one’s door and then running away! Nor had they ever participated in a Maypole Dance!
We took care of the door hanging tradition on Monday afternoon when the residents made May Basket door hangers. ChiChi did a great job of helping everyone arrange silk flowers in cone baskets then had them hanging on our residents’ doors. Our hallways look so festive and Spring like – sure wish the outside felt that way! There was Newscurrents on Tuesday morning and we played Jeopardy and Family Feud in the afternoon. Father Bob was here for Catholic Mass Wednesday morning followed by Short Story time. Our crafty crafters made spring greeting cards later in the day. Then Molly went shopping for the residents at Dollar General and Millers. Pastor Deb led Bible Study on Thursday and the ladies got their nails done at Pretty Nails. Plus, we celebrated Cinco de Mayo with treats and had Bingo in the evening. Pastor Deb was back for church on Friday morning and everyone enjoyed TGIF Happy ½ with meatballs and crackers, yum! Saturday should be a fun day right after Sit & Be Fit there is Bingo and then Hat Decorating in honor of the Kentucky Derby. We should have some might fine millinery on display.
Molly will be here for a Mother’s Day reading on Sunday at 2 p.m. but we will really celebrate on Monday. There will be Songs about Motherhood at 10 a.m. and then a Ladies Tea Party at 2 p.m. We are also squeezing in a Resident Council meeting and Bingo in the evening. There is Newscurrents on Tuesday and Lysa will play for Rhythm Band in the afternoon. Father Bob is back for Catholic Mass on Wednesday and then there is Choir and Crafting. Looks like the residents will be making spring butterflies to hang in their rooms. Lysa and ChiChi will be doing a cooking demo at Kitchen Capers in the afternoon while Molly is out shopping for the residents. We have Riddles on Thursday and then pretty Nails, Noodle Ball and Bingo! Pastor Deb is here for church which will include communion and, in the afternoon, there is special music by Larry Charon – he always does such a good job with his singing and playing.
April 9th through 13th is National Nursing Home Week which is always a fun time. Everyone gets into the spirit by wearing clothing appropriate for that day’s theme. Monday is Pajama Day, Tuesday Hawaiian Day, Wednesday Western Day (Hee-haw!), Favorite Sports Team Day on Thursday and Decades Day on Friday! I wonder if I still have my old Poodle skirt!
Our staff have been at the North Dakota Long Term Care Convention in Bismarck this past week. This is an opportunity for staff to get together with others from across the state – compare notes and ideas, hear wonderful speakers and learn about the latest news and trends in nursing home operations. We are looking forward to putting what they learned into operation here at LMH.
We have three resident birthdays next week – Clyde Cooper on May 11, Marie Rindy on May 13 and Darrell Stoebner on May 15th. There are also several staff members with birthdays coming up – Jordyn Wilson (May 9th), Teresa Cota (May 12), Joseph Clagg (May 13) and Kori Fenske (May 15). Happy Birthday to all of you and enjoy your special day!
Our sympathy to the friends and family of Howard Ostrom who passed away April 30. Howard was with us a short time but enjoyed listening to music and watching TV. Blessings to Howard and may you rest in peace.
Until next time … a thought for the week from George Clooney … You never really learn much from hearing yourself speak …