President's Day Visit to my FIL at Gables Care Center

Our  children and my husband were all  off  on President's day so we all went  to Gables Care Center where my father-in-law is being taken care of.  The old folks have just got done  eating lunch when we got there so  we were  glad to  see  my FIL awake, however, he was already dozing off.  I think he was given   his medicine  after he ate so  he was falling asleep as we were talking to him.  He didn't talk very much, we let him take  a nap.

 We noticed that Dad lost some weight since our last visit.   I feel bad  for my father-in-law.  I know that he is well taken care of in that facility but it's hard that we  only get to see him once in a while. I don't know why but I feel  this overwhelming  feeling of depression whenever we are  at a seniors' facility.  Looking at  the old people  that seem miserable makes me depressed.  I can't help but think of  a future  scenario for me and my husband.  I hope that when it is time for us to go,  we can go peacefully so  we won't be a burden to anybody.  

Before we left, my daughter played some songs  at the piano for  some of the old people in the lobby.  One of the nurses there gave us a picture of Dad  and his valentine date on Valentine's day.  Another nurse approached me and asked if I am a Filipino.  She wanted to know because  she is half Filipino  and she said that she seldom see Filipino at that facility.  She  talked to us for a little while and she told us that she knows  my  FIL.  They all call him Pap.  

It was a short visit with Dad but glad to see him again.   We didn't get to talk to him a lot  but  just to see him is enough.  We  will have to go back there again  when we get a chance.  I just wish he is near  us so we can visit often.

UPDATE:
That was the last time we visited him at Gables.  He was rushed to the hospital on March 1st.  The doctor said that  he  had a flu then it became a sepsis.  He was treated at Trinity for it and he got better.  He was supposed to go back to Gables last week but  the doctor found out that his  internal organs were shutting down.  We all went at the hospital   last Friday because the doctor said that he won't last  very long.  He got transferred to the hospice that night and then he died  last Saturday.  I know that we have anticipated it is going to happen but it is  a tough situation.  Losing someone who touched so many lives is hard.  We will forever cherished all the great memories we had with him.  Rest in peace now Dad.

A Great Start to 2017

We kicked off our 2017 by attending the Sunday mass and  visiting  my father-in-law after wards.   It is important  for the  kids to spend  as much time with their Pap now  that he is still around. Dad might not  recognize us anymore but I want them to show their   love to their grandfather no matter what the circumstance is.  He was there for them  all those time since they were born and it  is fitting that they return the  love  especially now.  It's sad to see  that Alzheimer's really take a toll on Dad.  

 During our visit, I  discovered that in order to engage him fully in our conversation, we kept telling him about the times when he would rock the kids to sleep and he seems to enjoy that and  laugh about it.  So from now on, we will use this tactic to get him engage in a conversation.

 Dad will be 95 years old this year and we hope that he could be relocated  near our area so we could visit him frequently.  He   gets  very good care at Gables though so that's  a good thing although we are so far away from him.

 He was attending a church service when we arrive so after  we visited him, we decided to take him back to the church.

 Our son  volunteered to  push his w\heelchair which I thought was a sweet gesture.  I remember those  times when Dad would take the kids on a stroller and walk them around all the time.  I miss those times.

 It's really nice that the  facility   provide this kind of service to the senior folk.  The singing really entertains them.

 To end the first day of our new year, we started  building a 1000 pieces puzzle as part of our family bonding at the end of the day.

It was a great day to start our new year.  How about you, what did you guys do during the first day of the year 2017?  My Mom always told me when I was a kid that no matter what you do on the first day of the year, that's what you will  do for the rest of the year.  ABC Wednesday

There is Always Sunshine After the Rain

Hubby and I are working so hard to have  our house  project done but it's been a long process.  Never again we will refinish floors by ourselves lol.  But it is a learning process and I love it that we get to work on projects at our second home.  I think it would be worth all the  body pain and sweat when it's done, we will see.  We still have last process to do and that's the applying the poly on the stained wood and that would be it.  We are behind our schedules of moving but  it's none of our control.  We might move in on the first week of  June, we will see.  

 Having said all those busy  schedules, we haven't had the chance to visit my father-in-law after our last.  The rain was pouring hard when we last went to Gables Care Center where Dad is staying.  It was scary  because we couldn't see  the road, I even asked my husband to stop on the side of the road because I was  terrified.  We even had hail  that day!  Thank God we arrived safely and we were greeted by  Dad's smile when we came in.

 They came  equipped this time, they brought some piano books so they could play more songs to the old folks at Gables Care Center.

 It was dinner time when we came and it was nice to see how they all get together and eat at the same time.  Dad said that their food is really good and that he loves eating with his friends.

When they got done eating, they gather around again and  watch the kids play the piano.

 I found out yesterday through my niece's Facebook page that Dad was brought to the hospital.  We were always at the new house working so we missed all   phone calls, if there's no message left for us then we assume it isn't an emergency.  According to  our niece, Dad is suppose to have a cat scan on his brain and  have other tests too.  We are planning to visit him tonight when my husband comes back from work and  see what's going on.

 It was a nice visit  once again and glad that Dad like it there.  I hope that  he can recover  quickly so he doesn't have to sit in the hospital.  With all the crazy schedule that  my husband and I have, we hardly have time to really sit and relax but I  have to remind myself that there is always  sunshine after the rain so  hopefully all our hard work  is worth it.  

Test Fire and Enjoying the Wild Life

We went and visit my brother-in-law out in New Cumberland last weekend. My husband brought the hunting gun that he bought so he could test fire it at my BIL's property.

We called  Dad earlier if he wants to go with us  but he said no.  We went to his anyway and I convinced him to go.  Thanks Dad!

The humongous racing track at my BIL's game room.

This kind of activity is  so much enjoyed by our burritos.  They love to explore the nature.

While Daddy is getting ready for his  first fire..

We enjoyed posing and looking at worms, acorns, and other  bugs around.

They love throwing rocks on the stream.

Ms. Burrito can walk up and down the mountain with no problem but Mr. Burrito   catches his breath really easy.

Ms. Burrito took some of this photos.

Father and son bonding.

Have a nice day everyone!