Gramps' New Pad! ~ July 24

We went to see Gramps at his "new" house. He is now in the first house on Quail Ln. It is a much bigger house and much brighter (more windows). Everything oddly is pink & mauve with dolls everywhere, but it's clean and cozy.

Gramps was eating lunch with all of his housemates (which are all women). I really didn't talk to them much b/c they were almost done eating. One lady is sweet, but does not talk. The other lady, Goldie, talks but cannot hear! Areli thought that was funny. Geri is also at the firs house. She doesn't like eating with everyone else, so she came out later.

Gramps ate every last crumb on his plate and then proceeded to gobble down a big piece of cake and ice cream! He's really looking good. His head is kinda beat up (he has some chronic rash/scabbing on the top of his head), but his cheeks are rosy. Look at the difference between the day he came to Arlington and today!


(Click on the pics to see them bigger)

After lunch, we looked around the house. Areli asked me if I was an eye doctor b/c Gramps had told her that I was. She laughed and said she wondered if it was true. He has a very nice room to himself right off the kitchen. He and Mason had a chat about his birthday. Gramps even remembered that Mason turned 11!

Afterwards, he walked into the living room and Mason played piano for a while. Goldie was also in there listening. She kept wanting Mason to play over again and again.

Gramps was very alert and talkative today. It was nice to see him like that. Here are some pictures from today.

Melody

Gramps Moves to First House

Gramps has moved to the first house. It is the one with white pillars on front. He has his own room and he likes it there. The room is much better and has big window that looks out. It also has own bath room and recliner. Areli went with him for day shift. Rosey is 2nd shift and Daniel (Miriams brother) has night shift.

They closed the second house temporarily and moved every one to 3rd house or first house. Hazel is at 3rd house in case you want to go see her. The reason they closed 2nd house was due to staffing issues and I suppose $$. Anyway we got an upgrade w/o paying extra. If gramps likes first house he can stay there. You can still go see him anytime. Just go in front door.

Dave-O

More Karaoke and Friends ~ July 10

Today, Bill, Nick, Dave-O, me and Mason and Davey went to see Gramps. He was pretty quiet at first, but Susan, the karaoke lady, showed up and things got goin'!

We met Gayle Whitehead who is Gramps' nurse. She drew some blood which Gramps wasn't too happy about.

Gramps sang "Beseme Mucho" again and then Bill had a turn singing "Crazy". Susan got Gramps up and they danced. He loved it. Bill sang another, "When You're Smiling" and he danced with his darling Areli. I got some video of this and I will try posting it soon. It was nice to see him smiling so big today!

Nick sang "American Woman" which was...well...hilarious...wish I had video of that!

Bill sang a couple of Frank Sinatra songs...very impressive!

It was time for lunch, so Areli took Gramps to the table. Then, amazingly, he said a prayer just like the old Gramps. It was unbelieveable, the clarity of his words and thoughts during that prayer.

Anyway, it was a fun filled visit. Gramps was looking great and in good spirits.

Enjoy the pictures!

BINGO!!

I just received this note from Debbie. Everytime I hear from her, it makes me smile! She is such a blessing. I will have to get down to the house to take her picture w/ Gramps. We need to see her sweet face!

My friend, Amy, just wrote me to say that she had been emailed a website by her boss. It turns out, her boss is Debbie and the website was Gramps' blog! Wow! Debbie is the director of the preschool program at my church!

Thank you Debbie!!!
Melody

DEBBIE'S NOTE/UPDATE

I went to see Pops today ( July 8). He was asleep in his recliner. I ask him if he knew who I was and he said yes the bingo lady. We did play bingo. Pops, Mrs. Hazel and
Mrs. Eunice. Pops won the first game. His prize was a package of M & M's. He shared them with the ladies. We played 3 more games because Mrs. Hazel said she wanted to win some M & M's which she did win a package. All of them were very appreciated for playing the game with them. I enjoyed the time with Pops and the ladies. I stayed with them about two hours and told them when I come back I was going to bring some music for us to exercise. Pops said Okay he would exercise with me.

Debbie

Update from Debbie July 5

Hi
Debbie Beckham here. I went to see Pops yesterday ( July 5) and I took with me Steve Beckham ( my husband) and another friend that Pops worked with in Tyler , Carrie Tyner. He did not know them but I know he knew who I was but could not call me by name. When I mention to him Steve Beckham he opened his big blue eyes wide and said OH Steve Beckham and gave us a big grin. It was a kodak moment wish I had a camera.He just held my hand. I asked him if he thought he could see a regular size bingo card and he told me he would try. So I am going to blow up some bingo cards and we are going to play bingo.
Ms. Hazel said she could play bingo. I will try to be back to see Pops tomorrow and as soon as I get the cards blowed up we will play a game or two of Bingo.

If you need me for anything, give me a call.

Debbie

July 3 Visit

We got there at lunch as usual. Gramps was very quiet and not eating much. I asked him if he was feeling alright and he just said he wasn't hungry. I tried feeding him and he ate a few bites, but didn't want anymore. He seemed tired and I really had to push him to talk.

We talked about Debbie Beckham coming to see him. He remembered her (I think she had just been there that morning). Hazel said Debbie had even gotten him to take a short walk outside one morning. Everyone said Debbie was like a fresh breeze coming in the door. I'm glad Gramps has another person who can show him how much we love him! They all said Debbie was coming back tomorrow to play Bingo!

Gramps is so funny. One minute he's almost asleep, then I get my camera out and someone will say, "Hey Buddy! Smile for the camera!" and he'll open his mouth real big and give a smile. So cute.







Areli made a pretty cake w/ sprinkles on top and he ate most of that later on. The kids were happy to have some cake, too!


Today, Hazel had several visitors. Vicki (pictured at the table on the right sitting next to Bill) came to chat and brought some magazines. I'm not sure how Hazel knew her (I don't think Hazel even knew), but she was a sweetheart.


Then, Hazel's daughter, Susan, came. She had never been at that time and was happy to finally meet little Allison.



She brought Hazel some chocolates and a lighted hand magnifier. We were all laughing at Allison. Areli had bought her a little princess cell phone and she already knew what to do with it!


When we left, Areli had taken Gramps to the bathroom and then put him back at a chair at the table saying that maybe he wouldn't go to sleep if he was sitting there (versus his comfy recliner). But, he preceded to drift off anyway. He's never in a deep sleep because we gently woke him to give him hugs and kisses goodbye.

Hazel always comments on how loving our whole (Peck) family is...always hugging, kissing and saying "I love you" to each other. She joked and said "We don't do that in our family".

Hope everyone has a fun & safe 4th!!

Melody