Ladies: Help with Mother's Christmas Gift

[sleepycarol]

Well if you remember back aloooong time ago I mentioned to Babs that one of my brothers is into some pretty kinky stuff (my son got into his email one time and read some of his messages ) -- might have been a turn on for the old geezer!!

[kteague]

Ok, since we're filling Rooster's mind with images he'd rather not have... I worked in a nursing home many years ago. Was getting report at beginning of shift at 7am when the call light came on in Daisy's room. The desk clerk asked her over the intercom what she needed. All we heard was a whispered, "There's a man in my bed." We thought surely something was wrong with her because she was talking out of her head. Rushing into her room we found her crowded up against one side of her hospital bed rail and sound asleep beside her was a dementia patient from another hall. (Guess she whispered so as not to wake him.) I asked Daisy how long he had been there. She got tickled and between giggles like a schoolgirl managed to get out, "Since last night."

About gift suggestions... Many photo developers and print shops will do memory books at a reasonable cost. Our family has used them to commemorate an event, as a thank you, and other occassions. Walgreens did a good job on our last two and it only took half as long to get it as what the website says to allow. You can choose soft or hardback, layout the photos in different templates, and add captions. You can even scan images of momentos or writings to add to the pics. In our parents' day having ones own book would have been real special, and I think that sentiment would still prevail. I only wish my mother could have seen the one we made for all the close family of our trip "down home" for her homegoing. She would have treasured it. Don't know your pricepoint, but the hardback one would be quite a keepsake.

Another idea from my experiences... Mom was in an independent living seniors facility for several years before having to go to a nursing home. I remember showing up at her apartment later than usual one evening to check in on her and found her with the lights dim, TV off, sitting in her wheelchair by the radio listening to Radio Delilah play sappy love songs. When I expressed my surprise, she let me know she listened to her all the time. (Couldn't say much due to a stroke but we figured out how to communicate.) When Mom went to the nursing home, we made sure she had her radio. I so regretted the necessity of this arrangement for her, and worked hard to compensate. On a long shot, I wrote to Delilah and told her she had a fan in her 80's and asked if she could send Mom an autographed photo. About two weeks later I visited Mom and she had a large manilla envelope on the bed and told me to look in it. It was a signed 8X10 and a book. Mom proudly had me cover a family photo in a frame on her table with Delilah's. All the staff gave her lots of attention over it, and it was one of those times when I knew, "Kathy, you did good."

Rooster, you've got lots of great ideas to bounce off of and personalize for your mother. Let us know what you end up doing and how she responds.

Kathy

[Babette]

Kathy, what great stories!!!!!!!!! BTW, what's "Radio Delilah" and how can I hear it too?

Rooster.... BAD ROOSTER!!!!!

LOL,
B.

[library teacher]

Philosophy makes the best lotion. It is called "Amazing Grace". The scent is wonderful. Not too strong. It is just a nice pleasant scent. It is a little more expensive than some other lotions, but oh I love it so. They make other fragrances such as Pure Grace which is great too. You can order from QVC online and maybe get it by Christmas. Sephora stores carry Philosophy.

[kteague]

Daggone Babs, just the mention of sappy love songs and there you are! Are you in luv or something? Just go to RadioDelilah.com and then to the Where to Listen button to see if there's a station near you. I doubt it if you've not heard of her. Does dedications, has callers tell their stories, etc. I don't listen to radio at home, but it's my car program if I'm out in the evening. She's very down to earth and realistic but hasn't let life rob her of her optimism. Lately I've picked up Monique in the Afternoon (the comedienne) if I'm out and about at that time. Not exactly sappy. Good distractions when traffic is slow. I personally don't like to listen to looped music with the same songs over and over and besides, music alone doesn't help keep me alert. I don't listen to the talk shows as I like to protect my frame of mind and they are too often just some blowhards who seem to think credibility is achieved through volume and intensity.

Sorry Rooster, I digress. But back to your mother. Probably not enough time for this occasion, but since your mother likes to talk, and often old memory is better than recent, it might be nice to spend a few hours with her as an event to record some favorite old family stories and then have them put into a book with photos.

[library teacher]

I'm posting this the second time because it is not showing up on the thread. Forgive me if it shows up twice for you.

Philosophy makes a line of fragrances called Amazing Grace. Anything from shower gel to lotions to perfumes. The fragrances are not too strong and are excellent for all ages. I would reccomend the Amazing Grace lotion for your mother. You can buy it at Sephora stores or online at QVC. Another good fragrance is Pure Grace. You can't go wrong. Your wife would love this too. Get her one that is called Falling In Love. (You will love it)

[roster]

Philosophy makes the best lotion.

And maybe "Lotion makes the best philosophy."?

Seems easier that the way I lived my life.

[Babette]

I second the opportunity to record her voice talking about her memories. That's a real treasure. My family unearthed some old recordings of my father and his sister and brother "jamming" when they were in high school (1950's). Another family member in the recording business transcribed them onto more modern technology and sent all of us cassette tapes of it. I guess I should update those to MP3's now, since we lost access to him and his technology in a divorce.

My fave radio station is NPR. But I have to turn it off sometimes and hit the Classic Rock station. Or even plug in a CD. Work has turned off my access to NPR, but I've discovered I can get MSNBC. However, between each short video story there's the SAME 30 SECOND PROMO over and over and over and over....

Oh well, we're snowbound this week, and it's quiet here, and it keeps me entertained while I get caught up with my finances and filing.

This morning I've been playing Barry White. Now I'm on my Disco Greatest Hits CD. "Funkytown!"

Cheers,
Barbara