Blog

What incredible weather we’ve been having. I was waiting for my ride after exercising in the SJH staff fitness center Monday when I stepped outside and found the mild temp and steady rain delightful, so I pulled up a chair. There was some lightening and thunder, a soft rolling storm. I couldn’t help but think how this is just what I would do if I was home. Sit on my front porch and watch the storm. So I enjoyed it. It was amazing that on November 14th, I could sit outside and enjoy such a wonderful moment. The next time I wait for my ride it could be snowing, or blustery, or who knows what? So, that’s how I started the week, enjoying a wonderful rain storm sitting on the elders’ porch on November 14th.

This week brought us cocktail hour where the SJH Band played. What talented musicians we have here! An elder from the Meadows has joined the group.

A sock hop was enjoyed by many in the 2 South neighborhood. They were “cuttin’ up the rug” – Check out the pics on our web photo gallery. In the afternoon, many SJH folks were entertained by the Oasis Tappers, a group of tap dancers ranging in age 63 to 81! They tapped their way into our hearts and were pretty snappy for their ages. Another example of how age is soooo much an attitude. I hope to join that group some day!

If you’re walking through our halls these days, you can smell the aroma of pies baking. Many neighborhoods are preparing for Thanksgiving and some of the neighborhoods have already been enjoying the tastes. Pie night, Harvest pot luck (all day) and decorating too! As they say, “Tis the season!”

Our week ends with a friend and colleague retiring from our home. We will miss him. Thanks for making us feel safe and secure. The best part of his retiring is that we are all celebrating this afternoon at the Distillery. Cheers!

The Happy Hastings Lobby Blogger

With no Bills game last weekend, there wasn’t much chatter this morning. No one hanging around the lobby is watching the World Series either. Such sport apathy this week. I’m a Nascar fan and no one around wants to talk about that either. What a quiet Monday.

Tuesday began with lots of sunshine and cool temperatures. We had many visitors from within today. It’s nice to see people who work here and come down to say “hello” and see how we’re doing. See – that’s all part of nurturing relationships. That’s what we do – check up on each other and make sure we’re ok.

Wednesday was dark, dank and cool. The weather didn’t stop us from having our own sunshine. I guess when it rains, everyone decides to call the nursing home cause the phone rang off the hook today. Parking was a challenge too. What is it about the rain? Back to the sunshine. We got kissed by several therapy dogs and a couple of real cute kids “high fived” us. We also made 4 pots of coffee today – a sure indication that the weather is changing.

Friday’s sunshine certainly changed everyone’s mood. Moods are generally elevated due to the fact it is Friday. Had fun with the kids from Generations at St. John’s today. They were all interested in our pumpkins on the desk. Those little faces are soooo cute. Kids can make you forget all your troubles with their innocence and believable nature. We’re lucky they are on our campus and visit us daily. Enjoy the weekend.

The Happy Hastings Lobby Blogger

Woweeeee, back from vacation and missed the Green House dedication. From the pictures we’ve seen -it looks amazing.:) This has been a long time coming. Every Eden Associate at St. John’s Home has been waiting for us to open a Green House home. It is finally happening – deinstitutionalizing care for the elders in a neighborhood setting. Yipee!!!! Such a busy Monday, those Bills won again and much of the mumblings were about how great they are doing -which they are.
Mr. Parks was in for the employee of the year luncheon. So good to see our former CEO.Teresa Cannon, from dining services, won. Well deserved.
Tuesday brought great weather for October 11. Warm and sunny all day. We had over 30 student nurses in our lobby this morning -all in their white jackets and uniforms. It’s nice to see our future nurses while they are in the learning process. It’s even nicer that we can teach them things. Another friend, from MediCab, dropped in to say hello. He use to drop off someone from the Day Break program. It’s always soooo good to see old friends. The fact that he stops by to visit us demonstrates how we develop relationships with those who come to our home.

The lobby was busy with another quick folding job on Wednesday. Done with our work early, that left us with time to do our usual meet, greet, laugh, and clown. Some days I wonder what kind of impression we really give to people?

Thursday was the cookie bake off between the 6-Reservoir, 2-Reservoir, 3-Hastings, and 1-Hastings neighborhoods. As luck would have it, the Hastings Lobby happy blogger was asked to be a judge at this bake off. The cookies were presented and judged on taste, appearance, originality, texture, and aroma. 6-Reservoir was declared the winner and cookies were passed around and enjoyed by all .Thank goodness we have Jazzercise classes in our fitness center for staff to help burn off all those delicious calories consumed.

Friday began with our usual visitors in the morning enjoying a cup of coffee and reading the newspaper. By the afternoon, a long time volunteer came in with her daughter to visit. Rita has volunteered with us for over 30 years. She is in between setting up her transportation and hasn’t been at our place for a little bit now. It’s always so good to see her. She always brings with her a wonderful sense of humor, bright smile and funny stories. Happy weekend.
The Hastings Lobby Happy Blogger

Monday was so filled with excitement about the Buffalo Bills game Sunday. There are a lot of Bills fans here and boy ‘o boy they were all happy about them beating the Patriots. It was the talk of the day. As for us lobby dwellers, it was work, work, work. Another mailing and another productive work day.

Tuesday we had visitors from the 2 Hastings neighborhood. They enjoyed a cup of coffee and we even put on a Tony Bennett record. It’s been a long time since we played records in the lobby. We had a tender moment too. A family member of an elder who passed away wanted to express to our gardener her appreciation for his involvement with her Dad. They were Green Thumb Society members together and it meant the world to her Dad. That’s what relationships are – meaningful – and that makes a difference.

Wednesday was a work day all day. We were so busy stuffing and labeling envelopes, we didn’t notice that the day went by lickety split.

On Thursday, we watched the wireless installers work in the lobby. I’m surprised they got their work done with all our shenanigans and practical jokes. It’s called wireless connection, but they were pulling wires everywhere????

Friday was a fun day. We had several elders visit this day. Jokes, cookies and coffee were shared. It was one of those days that flew by. There was a lot of conversation, laughing and general fooling around. What a wonderful way to spend the day.
How lucky we are to have relationships like these. It’s so true – at St. John’s we embrace living each and every day