In memory of...

One thing about working at an assisted living facility for elderly with dementia, I definitely have stories to tell!

Today my favorite resident (who shall remain nameless) was found in someone else's bed with her pants and shoes off! I walked in to the room expecting to see the resident who lived there and saw her instead! I gasped and said "This is not your room! We need to leave! Come on!" and for at least 20 minutes she tried to convince me that she was too tired to move and surely the owner of the bed wont mind if she just rests for a minute or two. Eventually I got her to get up and put her pants back on, but her shoes were no where to be found! I searched the entire room as well as several other's rooms and was left empty handed. I wonder if we will ever find those shoes!
I don't know why I was so shocked at what I saw, this is typical behavior for this resident. One time, around Christmas, I found her in someone else's room wearing nothing but a jacket (unbuttoned for the world to see) and underpants, shoveling Christmas cookies into her mouth with both hands. I walked in and exclaimed, "[her name]! You are NOT supposed to be in here! Let's go!" She grabbed another handful of cookies and mumbled, "Just a few more." and through laughter I said, "You can't eat those! They're not yours! Let's go, quick!" I just love her, there is never a dull moment!

On a more solemn note, my second favorite resident had recently been admitted to the hospital for an illness, and I just found out the other day that she only has a few days left before they expect her to pass away. I know this is part of the job, and it's inevitable. I know that these folks have lived a full life and that most of them are ready to go. But that certainly does not make it any easier on us caregivers. This one is hitting me particularly hard. She was special. Her memory was not that bad, she actually knew my name and asked about me when I wasn't there. She also knew my boyfriend's name and my mom's name and asked about them frequently. She knew that my mom and I were best friends and every day she told me to cherish my mom because someday my mom wont be here. Then she would tell me stories about her mother and how much she missed her and couldn't wait to die so she could be with her family again. Even knowing that, it still hurts. She was like family to me and there is going to be a hole in my life where she used to be. I will miss her stories, and her hugs and her songs. She sang to me every day. One of her favorite songs to sing to me (because I have brown eyes) was "Brown eyes, should never be blue." Well today, and for a long time, these brown eyes are blue.

Unintentional Hiatus

"I can't stop drinking the coffee! If I stop drinking the coffee, I stop doing the standing and the walking and the words putting into sentence doing." ~ Lorelei 

The only good thing I have found about being sick is the unlimited time it frees up for me to watch episode after episode of Gilmore Girls. Hence the quote above. It amazes me that I can see these shows over and over and never get sick of them! I guess that's true love folks. 

Another thing I have realized during my time of being bedridden, is that I would like to start blogging again. I'm sure you have noticed that I have taken a hiatus (which is a lie since a hiatus implies an intended break when if fact it has just been a case of neglect.) Anyway, so I would like to get my blog up and running again, the only problem is, I have no idea what to blog about. I don't want to be one of those girls that blogs about her life and boy problems... but I don't necessarily have a hobby per-say to enlighten the world about. I have considered doing the whole book blog thing, which my mom is heavily into as well as many blog friends, but then it makes my reading seem more like homework than pleasure which causes a delay in posts. Any suggestions?

Still in shock

A week ago someone asked me if I heard about a young man that went to Davis Bible College (where I graduated from) that had jumped or fallen into the Chenango River, got swept away with the current and was never found. Terrified that I may know this man, I asked if they knew his name. They did not. Yesterday, my fears were brought to life as I found out it was a friend of mine.

Keith Slater - aka - Laminin

He went to David Bible College to become a minister and anyone who knew him, knew how seriously he took his calling to serve the Lord. On one of the first days of school he stood in front of everyone and gave his testimony of the huge obstacles he had overcome in his life and how he had come to love God. He was the kindest, most gentle spirited person I've ever met. His voice was so soft and comforting and he always greeted with a hug. 

He asked us to call him "Laminin" which is an important protein molecule that basically tells cells what they are supposed to do within the body, the molecule that is holding our body together... this protein molecule just so happens to be in the shape of a cross. Laminin wished to be nicknamed after this molecule because it represented his relationship with Christ. That Christ is the glue in our lives that holds us together and tells us what we are supposed to be in the world. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0-NPPIeeRk A video on laminin and how it relates to our relationships with God.

These are new clips about his disappearance into the Chenango river.
http://watertown.ynn.com/content/top_stories/558972/family-mourns-man-last-seen-in-river/
http://www.wicz.com/news2005/viewarticle.asp?a=20413

Like my title says, I'm still in shock, as are most of his friends and family. This is something you see in a movie, stuff like this doesn't happen in real life. I told my mom, I'm only 23, I should not be experiencing this many deaths among friends already! It's almost like my brain can't process this. Like, because they can't find his body... maybe he's not really gone? But I know that's not true, it's been a week, he's gone. I just can't believe this happened. It's so sudden and unexpected and so shocking. Maybe when/if they find his body, we'll all have closure.

Laminin we love you and miss you! There will be a huge gap in our hearts until we see you again in heaven.

Pennsylvania

Last weekend I was supposed to go to my college room mate's wedding in Long Island, but unfortunately circumstances wouldn't allow that to happen. So instead I went to Pennsylvania with my parents for the weekend. My dad drives truck for the oil rigs (I don't fully understand how all that works, who works for who, and who hires who... so if you want more information about what he does, go to my mom's blog where I'm sure she explains it better than I ever could.) While he's working, he stays in a trailer in PA and my mom and I went down to visit his "home away from home." I am disappointed that I didn't get to attend Holly's wedding, but I am glad I got the chance to go to PA because I had so much fun!

Austin & Holly, so happy for them! Truly an amazing couple!

The state of Pennsylvania is so beautiful! I could move there at any time and be perfectly happy!

On Saturday we went to the Oldest House in 4 counties. There was a little festival going on there! 

Do you know what this is?

How about now?

 It's a turkey call!!! This man made them and was demonstrating for me :)

He also hand carved these guns from maple trees! They start out just a hunk of wood (right) and turn into a beautiful gun! (Now, I'm anti-weapons, but I can appreciate art when I see it!)

 

 This is Pete. He's a Native American and we're engaged now. In this picture he is showing me how to throw an arrow.

Oh... were you waiting for me to explain the engaged part? Well we're not really engaged, sorry! He was explaining to me how tribes were passed down through the maternal line, and he said "So for example, if I was to marry you, I would move in with you and we would take on your tribal name and our kids would be from  your tribe." So I asked him if that was a proposal! haha We stood there talking for a while and at one point he put on a poncho that was very beautiful and I told him that I really liked it. He said, "Well, you know, traditionally if you share your poncho with someone you're considered married." So it became official. I'm engaged to Pete the indian. :)  

These were some of the household items that were preserved over the years. 

On Sunday we went out for breakfast and drove around being tourists and checking out the local sights.

This is what the oil rigs look like at night! 

Local Library

See, I fit right in!

There was so much flood damage, it was devastating. On one road, I saw a shed that was upside down and leaning against a tree, it must have been completely swept away by the water. Seeing that really shook me up. I gasped and started crying. It's just such a terrible thing to have happen. :(
There were so many houses that had piles of trash sitting outside from all the water damage.

The pavement on some of  the roads and parking lots was completely destroyed.

This part of the train was not on the tracks anymore, it must have floated away and this is where it landed.

You can see where the water line was from all the mud left behind on the house. All the way above the first floor windows!

My "roomies"

I'm in a long distance relationship with a guy that works the overnight shift and sleeps all day, and I live in a small studio apartment by myself...



... with 7 plants and two fish.... Think maybe I'm trying to compensate for my loneliness?

State Fair

David took me to the state fair last week! Last year David gave me my first state fair experience, but we weren't dating then so it was nice to walk around as a couple this year, hand in hand. He got to do the manly charade *grunt* I'll win you that toy baby *grunt* :-) The entire day was a blast! We went to the art gallery and saw some amazing paintings, photography, sculptures etc. I was blown away by the talent! There were sheep, cows, horses, and my favorite... GOATS!!!

After we left the goat tent David said "Okay okay, you can have a goat or two when we get married!" I also got to hold a baby chick! (I know a chick is already a baby so saying "baby chick" is like saying a baby baby chicken but it makes it sound so much cuter!)

There was a seal show going on, you would not believe the crowd that gathered around to watch!

There were also a lot of rides that I would have liked to go on, but David doesn't like rides so I made a sacrifice for him. I also let him buy me a Yankee's t-shirt. I don't really like baseball but the day before I had decided to become a Pirates fan because they are from the same city as my Pittsburgh Steelers. But... when we got to the fair David saw a 2 for $20 deal on Yankee's t-shirts and begged me to be a Yankee fan like him so we could have matching shirts. #1 That was such an adorable suggestion how could I pass it up? and #2 free shirt!!! So I guess I am now a Yankee's fan, Rivera specifically, who I heard is quite attractive. 

We passed by a memorial for those who died fighting for our country. David had a Grandfather that died in WWII so I took some pictures in his honor. When I looked at the pictures after giving them some special effects in photoshop, the final product made me tear up. 

On the same day that we went, there was supposed to be a Maroon 5 and Train concert that night. MONTHS ago I had told David that I really really really wanted to go to that concert, but he hadn't been able to get tickets. I didn't let it ruin the amazing day we had but in all honesty I was upset that we didn't go. However, the next day I saw on the news that a man had shot himself in one of the parking lots after the concert! Later that day David called me and said "Baby it's a good thing we didn't go to that concert!" and I said "Yeah, because of the man who killed himself right?" David said "Babe, he shot himself in the lot that we were parked in! We probably would have been there when it happened! Do you know how traumatizing that would have been to have seen that!" and I quietly replied "God was looking out for us David. That's why we weren't able to go to the concert!"

David and his mom are going again on Thursday and they asked me to come with them so I'll have some more pictures to show you soon!

Garden

As you can see, I started my garden! I'm so excited about gardening. There's just something about knowing that you can create something and care for it that's just so thrilling. Imagine what I'll be like as a mother haha. I've planted radishes, carrots, lettuce, green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers and peas. Can't wait to start eating all the delicious veggies!

In other news, I went to a worship concert with my new friends from church, Dawn and Ellie. Here are some pictures of that fantastic evening!