Home Is Where the Heart Is

Grandma/Muttsie/Mom has a new place to call home.  A month ago she took the daring step and sold her house, downsized all her belongings, and moved into a retirement home.  It was brave, courageous, and one of a major life change for her.  As usual this 93 year old lady is pretty amazing.

I just came back from a quick visit with her and this time I remembered to bring a camera with me.  So lets do a tour of her new home.  

 
 The living room is small but cozy.  It is called an Alcove with about 500 square feet.  When you have three floors of building to roam and join in activities you really don't need a lot of space to live in.  She is right down the hall from a fantastic lending library!

The kitchen is small but efficient.  No oven, a two burner top, a microwave, and a refriegerator (for her fruit and ice cream!).  Since she does not cook, Bill built a cover for the burners and gave her twice the counter space.  

Grandma has a choice between lunch or dinner in the dining room.  She has chosen lunch and usually brings back a sandwich or extra dessert for her evening snack.  Lunch always has a soup, 3 different sandwiches, lots of salad greens and toppings, fruit, an entree, and a surprise dessert.  And yes, she has gain a total of 3 lbs. since she moved in (and is talking about going on a diet).

There is lots of wall space left for hanging more pictures.  But for now she is content with the few pictures she has up.  The basket holds the extra blankets for the lucky one who visits and sleeps on the couch!

 And this is the most important part of her apartment.  This is the information center!!!  I caught her early in the morning getting out the daily morning emails to all of us.  She is quite a lady!  

So what else does she do.  While there her friend CaroleK picked us up and took us to the Christmas Forest.  The Christmas Forest is a yearly happening put on by St. Peters Hospital (where Grandma has volunteered for 23 years).  The trees are sponsored by various businesses in the area and then auctioned off to the highest bidder.  The trees are decorated by designers and they are quite elaborate....just down right beautiful.  If you are not in the Christmas spirit these trees will surely put you in one.

Mom/Grandma was really having a good time.  She just forgot to smile!  And this is CaroleK (another Polish lady) who showed us a wonderful time. 

Only two of the many trees.  

Oh, I forgot to mention.  She also has a huge walk-in closet that most of us would die for!

Merry Christmas to all who find their way to this blog!