2021 Easter Report

I knew this would be our last Easter in this house. That's heartbreaking...or bittersweet...sad any way you look at it.  But I decided this was one of those pivotal moments -- you know the ones -- where you MAKE THE BEST of the situation. Instead of being sad about the changes coming down the pike...I wanted to celebrate what is good in my world right this minute.

And, of course, the biggest joy in my life is Lilly and Warren. And they LOVE a good scavenger hunt. 

I started doing Easter Scavenger Hunts for Ross and Elliott when they were growing up....and I wanted this year to be memorable. Warren had ten stations...with rhymes for clues...and he RIPPED through his hunt. 

The day before Easter -- the kids came to do Easter crafts.....Warren tried the color-your-eggs-using-shaving cream.  EPIC FAIL...

I had a dozen boiled eggs for each of them...and they experimented with various methods...

I spent six hours putting their scavenger hunts together.  Lilly (who is 12 going on 30) is almost too cool for a scavenger hunt...so I decided to make hers a bit more challenging...

Do you know how difficult it is to come up with ten actual riddles?? Oh, yes -- I CRACK MYSELF UP...

Here are the answers...(Laura got them all right)...

1. Toilet paper
2. Hanger
3. Phone or doorbell
4. Chair
5. Clock
6. Rug
7. Towel
8. Microwave
9. bath/shower
10. Printer

I had the clues all written up, and ten little Easter wrapped packages. Lilly laid out Warren's hunt...(they got here early -- so he did his before we ate).

It was 75 degrees -- so we had our first official Porch Party...A huge baked ham with pineapple and glaze, potato salad, Jeanne's green salad, homemade rolls and coconut custard pie...

After we ate -- Warren and his Mom set up Lilly's treasure hunt...

Honestly -- both kids ripped through their 10 clues in minutes. At each station, Warren found his wrapped Easter gift -- dropped it on the ground as he ran off to solve the next clue...He didn't even bother to unwrap his gifts.

And, when he realized Lilly's was RIDDLES -- he said, "I WANT RIDDLES, TOO, GRANDMA..."

Not this year, kid...not this year...

John's March Update: The VA

In March, John saw a neurologist, who diagnosed him as "late stage Alzheimer's".  The Dr. wanted to do another "battery" of tests.  But I did not see the point...the diagnosis seems pretty clear at this point...and there is no treatment, drug or surgery that's going to make a difference.  

It is what it is.

I got John signed up for the V.A. -- and that's been a WONDERFUL thing.  I would like to thank everybody who encouraged me to SIGN UP FOR THE VA...you were sooo right.

AND -- if you are married to a veteran -- here are a few things you should know.

I discovered there are different levels of entitlement.  For example, if a vet was a prisoner of war -- that's the Golden Ticket.  The VA will pay for his/her hospitalizations, medications, hearing aids, glasses, memory care unit, whatever the vet needs -- for no cost whatsoever.  The VA will even pay their spouse a monthly stipend (up to $1500) to be his "caregiver". 

Also, if a veteran is disabled because of his service -- of course, many things are covered, regardless of his financial need.

But, for most run-of-the-mill...I-served-my-country-but-came-home-fine veterans (like John) -- the  benefits he's entitled to are mostly calculated according to his financial need.

And I get that.

But, that being said -- I was happy to discover that the VA provides free "durable medical goods" for ALL veterans, regardless of their income.  That would include, for example -- a wheelchair, a walker, hospital bed or shower stool...and....wait for it...drumroll -- DEPENDS!! (we already received our first shipment!)

After filling out a lot of forms, finding his DD-214, and having three different tele-conferences -- I wasn't expecting much beyond the regular Depends delivery. (which I am VERY grateful for).

SO IMAGINE MY SURPRISE when I got a phone call from the Iowa City V.A. -- telling me they've determined that John is eligible for 11 hours a week of "home health aide" care...(I believe I will have to pay a $30 co-pay).

OMG...OMG...OMG...I cried when I hung up the phone.  

I'd already contacted the local Comfort Keepers franchise, and Friday, April 2, was the first day I was going to have somebody come to the house.   I'd agreed to private pay -- $27/hour -- to get one day off a week.  

NOW THE VA IS COMING TO MY RESCUE...and I can get 4.5 hours on Tuesday -- and 6.5 hours on Friday.

I AM THE LUCKIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD...

When the woman from the VA gave me this news, I started to cry...and she said, "please tell your husband he earned these benefits, hon.  We're happy to give you a break -- so you can continue to take care of our veteran..."

John: The March Update

A month ago, I was excited about the possibility of Jane's Place -- the adult daycare in Davenport.

I got John enrolled -- and he went on March 17th....the first day they have been open since Covid...

I took him at 9:30, and picked him up at 4:00. I was euphoric!! I planned a lunch with friends...it was a GREAT DAY.

But John hated it...and maybe I made that first day too long...

To give the place a fair chance, I took John back on Friday -- when I thought there might be more people, and I could take him a little later and pick him up a little earlier.... His second day went MUCH BETTER. John got on the exercycle, and he was engaged in a rousing game of Bingo when I got there to pick him up.

But -- the next week -- when I tried to take him for the third time -- he had a meltdown. He did everything but throw himself down on the floor and kick his feet...So, after three strikes, I had to admit daycare wasn't going to work out. Not at this point, anyway.

In my journal, I wrote, "I don't cry every day now..."

And, in many ways, that was the biggest development this month. I arrived at that place... "acceptance"...and that's a good thing. Because it is what it is. And I'll do my best...

March 2021 was tough on many levels. 

John can't dress himself in the morning. Although he is wearing Depends every day now, he doesn't really understand how they work...(I do draw the line on how much I'm willing to share)... 

 One morning, he was being very uncooperative about getting dressed, and refusing to shower...so I left his clothes on the bed and went out to the kitchen to make coffee. Ten minutes later, I went back into the bedroom -- and he had managed to put on his jeans. 

 But, instead of the t-shirt I had laid out, he had pulled the clean Depends over his head...he had one arm through a leg hole...he was STUCK...and it was all I could do not to grab my cellphone and take a picture... 

 So, even on the real bad days -- there are those funny moments... But mostly, John simply does not connect any more...with me or anybody else. He gets quieter and quieter...and he sleeps more and more.

2021 Easter RIDDLE Treasure Hunt

I'm pooped. EASTER was a lot of work...and I might be able to blog about it...but not now. Cuz...like I said...pooped...Here's why... 

Knowing this was our last Easter in this house, I wanted it to be perfect. You know -- GIANT ham dinner with all the fixings...and two AMAZING scavenger hunts for Lilly and Warren. 

Lilly is 12 years old now...and WAY beyond a simple treasure hunt.  I decided to make her hunt a little more challenging... so her clues were actually riddles....

 See how many you can figure out...

Lilly’s 2021 Easter RIDDLE Treasure Hunt

1.      On sheet, two sheets, three sheets or four -- some use less and some use more. What am I?

2.      When I put on my clothes, it takes off it’s clothes.  What is it?

3.      What has a ring, but no finger?

4.      What has arms and legs, but no head?

5.      I have a face that doesn’t frown, I have hands that do not wave, and I have no mouth.  I have a familiar sound, and I don’t walk, but I move around.  What am I?

6.      I don’t go out and play.  I just stay home all day.  I’m nice you might agree..but mostly your feet just rub on me?

7.      The more I dry, the wetter I become?

8.      I have a sound that goes beep, and though time I do keep -- my main function is to heat.

9.      Some take me in the morning, others take me at night...but one thing you should know is when I’m “taken”- I don’t really go anywhere.

10.   I have a plug, but no bath.  I have ink, but no pen.  I have paper, but no news.  And I have a cable, but no tv.  What am I?

BEST GIFT EVER..!!

YES -- I AM STILL WRITING ABOUT MY PARTY....

And, YES -- I'm aware that it's been a week.

But -- hey -- IT'S MY PARTY AND I'LL BLOG IF I WANT TO....

After Anne's slide show -- Kelcy presented me with a package.  She jokingly told me it was "Rita Wrap" -- which meant they used newspaper...

Inside the newspaper wrapping -- was a really fancy wrapping...

OMG...OMG...OMG...It's a Friendship Quilt!!

Every person in the room had contributed a block to my very special, wonderful quilt.

There was a special "gift tag" block on the back of the quilt.

The center block is a beautiful "LOVE" embroidery, by my sister Deborah Enderson -- who came all the way from Tennessee!!

Deena was the one who assembled the quilt...her daughter Kelcy gave it to me...and her daughter Myla served as our Vanna White during the slide show...

My Aunt Adda (91) was at my party -- which meant we had FOUR GENERATIONS represented!!

 

In the entire world-wide history of surprise parties, nobody has ever been MORE SURPRISED than I was last Saturday. And that certainly added to the joy of the day. 

But -- this gift -- this fabulous friendship quilt...with blocks made by the special women friends of my heart...I honestly cannot imagine a more wonderful gift.

Not only will I treasure it FOREVER...I'm now planning an entire room around it!!

Yes...I am a lucky, lucky girl...and I know it...

These Are My People...

Here's what I know for sure. I have people...and I know who they are. SO DO YOU.

My peeps are at the heart of this blog. My sisters, my cousins, my TMBC, MDF, my Sewing Sisters. I've known and loved some of these women since the day I was born...

And my young friend Anne put together a presentation meant to honor every woman in the room... really. It was brilliant...

Aunt Adda had a slide...so did Jackie, LK and LP...

The TMBC...every week....solid as a rock. Sandy, me, LK and LP

The four of us had a most amazing Retreat...and Sandy, of course, is a CORE MEMBER of the TMBC.

 

 

She's one of the OG

Her sewing is meticulous

She is so thoughtful, NEVER forgets a birthday -- and makes the most amazing cards...and she makes and sends cards to Lilly and Warren on every special occasion.  Her cards are their sole experience with "snail mail"...

Sandy completed the Splendid Sampler -- then moved on to do MANY Row by Row quilts...did I already say meticulous?...

And SANDY DIDN'T HAVE A SLIDE IN MY BIRTHDAY SLIDE SHOW?? WHA???

Sandy exchanged emails with Anne and Deena about planning the party...she brought a bowl of fruit, she rolled the napkins...she is a major player in my posse...

SO -- HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?? 

Remember -- Anne lives in Cedar Rapids and she doesn't actually KNOW my people...and she didn't realize there were TWO Sandys.   Because I never use last names in the blog -- when Anne was looking for a picture of "Sandy" -- instead of TMBC Sandy Steinke -- she made a slide using a picture of MDF Sandy Randolph. (who wasn't at the party)...

Anne felt terrible about the two Sandys mishap, and she said, "It was just a bunch of mistakes of too many people and my being disorganized. You can tell her I'm well intentioned, but still very young."

To TMBC Sandy -- Here's a link to the CORRECTED Rita's Party PowerPoint ...

 https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1X8RSgkU-BepuvmcrVwISew5CygJGxjC-pmbSN01Hl2o/edit?usp=sharing

Tomorrow -- the BEST GIFT I EVER GOT...!!

My Party Entertainment!!

So,  AS IF the surprise party, with all the wonderful food and good friends wasn't enough -- this crew actually had ENTERTAINMENT...

Put together by "my young friend Anne"

When I saw Anne preparing a projector --  and a screen -- I thought this would be one of those "This is your life" presentations.  Which might be entertaining for me -- but it could be boring for everybody else -- kinda like watching vacation slides...

BUT I NEEDN'T HAVE WORRIED...!!

Hello, I’m Rita’s friend Anne. I live in Cedar Rapids with my husband and our 18 year old twins, Sam and Sarah. Although I live in Cedar Rapids, I’m kind of a Scott County girl. My mom lived in the house next door to this church until she was 5, and her first cousins are Lloyd Clausen and Loraine Mickelson. It’s always good to be back here.

 Deena and I have been emailing and she asked me about a little entertainment for the party. I happened to have the framework for a presentation already, so here we go. It’s a celebration of how much we all love Rita, some trivia fun, and a little demonstration of what a busy body I am. Keep in mind, I’m not really a professional busy body, and I’m afraid that I have probably left out important people or got the real story wrong. I’ll need your help to get through this, so just shout out any helpful information or feel free to add in extra stories.

THEN -- she proceeded to do a presentation that included every single person in the room....!!  AND , she had pictures of the person (from my blog) -- and something I'd written about them (on this blog)...

OMG...Genius!!  

I can't figure out how to put a PowerPoint presentation on this blog -- but here's an example...for my sister Deena, she picked this photo, and something I wrote about Deena in 2017...for her Christmas b'day...

“My thoughts usually go something like this, "Oh, crap, I forgot to buy Deena a birthday present. Again..." Deena is a wonderful mother and grandmother -- always there when her kids or grandchildren need her. And, of course, it goes without saying that she is the BEST SISTER…”

My friend Val Brekke had a slide...

Rhonda Pierce

Mary Mulari

Anne

Anne did such a wonderful job. She prepared the slide show, and even had trivia questions -- all from this blog!!  THEN -- she enlisted Lilly and Kelcy's daughter Myla to be her assistants.  They handed out Hershey kisses for correct answers (everybody let Warren win)...

 

IT WAS BRILLIANT...and I was sooo delighted that everybody in the room who came to my surprise party got to have their own little blog moment... 

Except for one special person who was inadvertently left out....