Please don't throw me away, breaking my promise

[kindred]

I

Where my mother worked the tea lady was away so she was asked to do it. She hated lifts, so pushed the trolley into the lift, pressed the button and dashed up the stairs to catch it in time! And so on and on and on! She was exhausted. I am afraid I laughed, so not popular! X

That is a fantastic, wonderful story, what an image!! Thank you. love and best, Gxx

 

[kindred]

Well now, I'm always one for a bit of an experiment! Today i decided I would not sit beside him, peering earnestly into Keith's eyes hoping for a smile. I would breeze in like the rest of the activity staff, kiss him and then sit a little way away and sing with a small group of residents. The effect was electric! He woke up, kept his eyes on me the whole time, smiled at me and tapped feet in time with my songs. I wonder if this is a way ahead, (for a few days anyway!). With the other residents, I did an activity about our times at primary school and any songs we remember from there. One resident came up with Little Brown Jug - and that was actually the first tune I learned to play on the violin.
We talked about visits to London and the resident who calls me the most boring person she has ever met, said that she loved London as it was better than pembroke Dock where she comes from.
So all round great time this morning. And when I did go and sit beside Keith he was a lot more talkative, even though not about pomegranates this time. Several residents told me they loved me today. I love them, too.
Thanks, guys, thank you. Geraldinexxxx it's one of those beautiful autumn days today, so lovely.

 

[AliceA]

Well now, I'm always one for a bit of an experiment! Today i decided I would not sit beside him, peering earnestly into Keith's eyes hoping for a smile. I would breeze in like the rest of the activity staff, kiss him and then sit a little way away and sing with a small group of residents. The effect was electric! He woke up, kept his eyes on me the whole time, smiled at me and tapped feet in time with my songs. I wonder if this is a way ahead, (for a few days anyway!). With the other residents, I did an activity about our times at primary school and any songs we remember from there. One resident came up with Little Brown Jug - and that was actually the first tune I learned to play on the violin.
We talked about visits to London and the resident who calls me the most boring person she has ever met, said that she loved London as it was better than pembroke Dock where she comes from.
So all round great time this morning. And when I did go and sit beside Keith he was a lot more talkative, even though not about pomegranates this time. Several residents told me they loved me today. I love them, too.
Thanks, guys, thank you. Geraldinexxxx it's one of those beautiful autumn days today, so lovely.

Ah, flirting a bit and playing a bit hard to get, are you. Well it worked! Bless you both. I think you are doing a fantastic job.
Well, best go and get tea, the builders are about so the day has gone by without me achieving much.
Take care of yourself. Xxx

 

[Toony Oony]

Hi @kindred and all the other 'Kindred Spirits'. Am having a frantically busy time recently, both in my life outside the CH and in it! I haven't posted on here but have managed to read what has been going on with you all every evening though.
Price of pomegranates eh? In my CH world amongst a host of other issues, Mum has taken a dislike to her teddy in a duffel coat, as he is standoffish and makes (insert flatulent noise here) when she goes past!

Had to comment about the tea trolley memories .... I worked at my Dad's company in the school hols and yes, the tea trolley was there in all it's glory including the most wonderful buttery cheese rolls! My favourite thing though was that each employee was given a towel and soap, and female employees were allowed to go and have a WASH!!! before leaving the building at the end of the working day. PLUS us ladies were allowed to leave 5 minutes before the men! So much for equality! BTW we also used to have a strange lady that used to come and clean the phones every week, rubbing and polishing them within an inch of their lives!

X

 

[AliceA]

Hi @kindred and all the other 'Kindred Spirits'. Am having a frantically busy time recently, both in my life outside the CH and in it! I haven't posted on here but have managed to read what has been going on with you all every evening though.
Price of pomegranates eh? In my CH world amongst a host of other issues, Mum has taken a dislike to her teddy in a duffel coat, as he is standoffish and makes (insert flatulent noise here) when she goes past!

Had to comment about the tea trolley memories .... I worked at my Dad's company in the school hols and yes, the tea trolley was there in all it's glory including the most wonderful buttery cheese rolls! My favourite thing though was that each employee was given a towel and soap, and female employees were allowed to go and have a WASH!!! before leaving the building at the end of the working day. PLUS us ladies were allowed to leave 5 minutes before the men! So much for equality! BTW we also used to have a strange lady that used to come and clean the phones every week, rubbing and polishing them within an inch of their lives!

X

I remember that a warning went out as being the carrier of germs and the importance of cleaning it, I must get back to sleep, builders back early again today but not this early!

 

[kindred]

Ah, flirting a bit and playing a bit hard to get, are you. Well it worked! Bless you both. I think you are doing a fantastic job.
Well, best go and get tea, the builders are about so the day has gone by without me achieving much.
Take care of yourself. Xxx

Thank you. Who would have thought playing hard to get would work in a nursing home??? Gxxxx Hope builders OK and you darling.

 

[kindred]

Hi @kindred and all the other 'Kindred Spirits'. Am having a frantically busy time recently, both in my life outside the CH and in it! I haven't posted on here but have managed to read what has been going on with you all every evening though.
Price of pomegranates eh? In my CH world amongst a host of other issues, Mum has taken a dislike to her teddy in a duffel coat, as he is standoffish and makes (insert flatulent noise here) when she goes past!

Had to comment about the tea trolley memories .... I worked at my Dad's company in the school hols and yes, the tea trolley was there in all it's glory including the most wonderful buttery cheese rolls! My favourite thing though was that each employee was given a towel and soap, and female employees were allowed to go and have a WASH!!! before leaving the building at the end of the working day. PLUS us ladies were allowed to leave 5 minutes before the men! So much for equality! BTW we also used to have a strange lady that used to come and clean the phones every week, rubbing and polishing them within an inch of their lives!

X

Ah cheese rolls!! Ladies leave five minutes earlier than men!! wowee! Oh that sounds so very grand. So so good to hear from you, thinking of you and all us kindred spirits! Geraldinexxxx

 

[kindred]

Went early to can come home immediately after lunch and prepare for my church group. Well, again, it worked. Sitting a little way away with group of other residents wakes Keith up no end and he became lively and some of our conversation, well some of it, made SENSE. And THEN it all kicked off because one of the residents accused the nurse of DRUGGING THE PAPER NAPKINS and said all of us were in a conspiracy to do this ... I said, yes, and I am a MAFIA MOLL and the resident said, IT WOULD NOT SURPRISE ME ... So you can see what kind of time we were having this morning! Nice activity having a who is this person (large photos, princess Anne, Terry wogan, Prince Philip etc). Every one was identified correctly by someone.
Such a beautiful autumn day. I so wish Keith could be with me as I see it. He would have loved it. Thanks, guys. all love, Geraldine aka kindredxxxx

 

[AliceA]

Thank you. Who would have thought playing hard to get would work in a nursing home??? Gxxxx Hope builders OK and you darling.

It is a bit full on at the moment with builders but going well. I had an early night and will do tonight as the builders will be back. Lining up electrician and specialist roofer.
Something good has happened, some thirty five years ago I met someone who needed a bit of a hand. A few moves etc on both sides we lost touch. We met unexpectedly last week, her retired husband does a bit of gardening, he called in as he was in the village just now. So he is coming to paint the fence and do a bit of repotting as I could not manage it now. We also had a lovely chat too about how faith helps us. He had a near death experience when he was much younger. I have always found comfort when the right person, the right book or even the odd comment from a stranger is just right for the situation. A real comfort.
Interestly the visitor and builder had so many links.
You could write a good TV series based on the antics of the residents!

 

[Sad Staffs]

OK, well of all the things that might work to get Keith engaged, have to say I would not have given much for the chances of wolves, but there you go. Back in the day, K and I used to go to the wolf centre in Reading to go on wolf walks and days as wolf keepers: we both loved this. So today, I took along one of the wolf magazines and it had an electric effect on him: Keith brightened up, gave me one his very rare now big smiles and we were away conversing about God only knows what but still, really engaged! I made wolf noises and sang who's afraid of the big bad wolf, stuff like that! I left the magazine for the others to enjoy.
It was the 90th birthday of one of the residents, home had made lovely cake and activity nurses were using posh cups and saucers. Just before it began, a visitor came in with a three year old girl dressed in Beauty and the Beast princess costume. Everyone made big fuss of beautiful little girl and one of the nurses told her about resident who had a birthday today and said that the birthday resident would tell the little girl how old she was.
And then the birthday resident who was 90, with a big grin, shouted out FIFTY TODAY. I love it!!!
Nice day. Thanks, guys. with love and best, Geraldine aka kindred. xxxxxxx

Well, what a wonderful post. Wolves, I love them. Went to a wolf wildlife park in Spain. Fascinating, the wolves had mountains to play in, and the best part.... as we were leaving one started howling, and the rest followed. Another stunning memory... thank you @kindred, it’s been a while since I’ve been on TP.
Missed you xx

 

[kindred]

It is a bit full on at the moment with builders but going well. I had an early night and will do tonight as the builders will be back. Lining up electrician and specialist roofer.
Something good has happened, some thirty five years ago I met someone who needed a bit of a hand. A few moves etc on both sides we lost touch. We met unexpectedly last week, her retired husband does a bit of gardening, he called in as he was in the village just now. So he is coming to paint the fence and do a bit of repotting as I could not manage it now. We also had a lovely chat too about how faith helps us. He had a near death experience when he was much younger. I have always found comfort when the right person, the right book or even the odd comment from a stranger is just right for the situation. A real comfort.
Interestly the visitor and builder had so many links.
You could write a good TV series based on the antics of the residents!

Oh what a great thing to happen, and your friend's husband coming to help with painting and repotting. How good is this. I do agree, there are little points of light and comfort like this. Well done with coping with the building lark, too. Your posts often have the little points of light for me, sweetheart. Love and best, Geraldinexxx

 

[kindred]

Well, what a wonderful post. Wolves, I love them. Went to a wolf wildlife park in Spain. Fascinating, the wolves had mountains to play in, and the best part.... as we were leaving one started howling, and the rest followed. Another stunning memory... thank you @kindred, it’s been a while since I’ve been on TP.
Missed you xx

So good to hear from you. We were taught how to approach wolves and never ever pat them on the head. Apparently wolves find this impossibly demeaning. They like their tummies rubbed! Oh yes, the wonderful howling. When we took the wolves out for walk, the wolves that remained would howl like anything to keep in touch, and the on the walk wolves would howl back! So good to hear from you thank you. With love, Geraldinexxxx

 

[Sad Staffs]

Just a quick visit today after work and Keith was fast asleep to start with, so I went to sing Nellie the elephant to the other residents only to find ONLY ONE KNEW IT. I thought that song was part of our cultural heritage, but no. Keith then woke up and was trying to have a conversation with me about THE OUTRAGEOUS PRICE OF POMEGRANATES!! As you do. I assured him I would write to the Prime Minister at once to look into it. He seemed satisfied with that. As one who partakes of professional working life twice a week, I have to say that today, Keith's home was calmer and less barmy than where I work. It was an oasis and someone kind made me a cup of tea. I am old enough to remember tea ladies and the tea trolley ... Love to all, do you remember the tea trolley? Gxxxaka kindred.

My first husband was a policeman, a very young, immature only child policeman! When they were on nights the Sargent asked the new boy to make the tea. Now you have to remember he was a spoiled immature only child who was the apple of his mothers eye. So he goes into the deserted dining area and finds a large industrial size full very cold teapot. So he boiled it up, bags included, and served it. They never asked him again. Not sure whether he was innocent or clever! xx

 

[Sad Staffs]

So good to hear from you. We were taught how to approach wolves and never ever pat them on the head. Apparently wolves find this impossibly demeaning. They like their tummies rubbed! Oh yes, the wonderful howling. When we took the wolves out for walk, the wolves that remained would howl like anything to keep in touch, and the on the walk wolves would howl back! So good to hear from you thank you. With love, Geraldinexxxx

I think I’m a wolf in M &S clothing... I don’t like being patted on the head, I too find it demeaning! xx

 

[kindred]

My first husband was a policeman, a very young, immature only child policeman! When they were on nights the Sargent asked the new boy to make the tea. Now you have to remember he was a spoiled immature only child who was the apple of his mothers eye. So he goes into the deserted dining area and finds a large industrial size full very cold teapot. So he boiled it up, bags included, and served it. They never asked him again. Not sure whether he was innocent or clever! xx

Oh I love it, wonderful story!!! Gxxx

 

[AliceA]

I think I’m a wolf in M &S clothing... I don’t like being patted on the head, I too find it demeaning! xx

Do you liked your tummy rubbed?

Oh I love it, wonderful story!!! Gxxx

Good one!

 

[Sad Staffs]

Do you liked your tummy rubbed?

Good one!

Not my tummy, but I love my back scratched! Sadly, my husband hasn’t done this for years!! Have to use the door jam!

 

[kindred]

Well, I have to report, in case this is a strategy more of us could use, that continuing to sit a little apart from Keith is having a good effect on his liveliness. It is as though he is singing and talking to get my attention, rather than my rather desperate efforts the other way round. It works! Well, yes, yes, for the moment anyway. When we did talk, he was trying to impress on me that something or other had gone up a level although I can't for the life of me understand what, unless he was referring to his attention ... Anyway, we sang if you're happy and you know it tap your feet and other things that the residents could do, and that was fun. Nice quiet morning, if you see what I mean, no aggression about. I know this kind of hots up later in the day from other visitors, when folk start to sundown. That's a peculiar business isn't it. Church tomorrow so signing off until Monday unless I remember something really important! Love and best, Geraldine aka kindred.xxx If any of you remember any really good action songs, please let me know!

 

[Sad Staffs]

Oh G you and your wonderful posts make my heart sing...
The only action song I can think of, other than ring a ring of roses, which I doubt would be allowed for health and safety reasons, is the one where I used to put my child or grandchild on my ankle/crossed legs and do ride a cock horse. Somehow I think Keith and the other residents will be a bit to big for you to do that with them....
I’ll put my thinking cap on...
Love B xx

 

[Rosebush]

I can only think of incy wincy spider (did I spell it right?) Lx