I went downstairs to check my mailbox and noticed one of the female residents talking to this old guy who was checking his mailbox. I didn't pay much attention as this particular lady is always out in the hall just walking around sometimes (I think looking for companionship) and I heard him say: Well, someone will come along sooner or later. I smiled at her in passing and she timidly asked me if I could maybe help her get her tv to work. Poor thing looked absolutely lost.
When I first moved in here two years ago, the old guy next door was having cable issues and I tried and tried to get him hooked up. Even called cable myself (and waited online for close to an hour) but they said I couldn't request a repairman because I wasn't on the account; Discovery View was who paid. So I mentioned it to the manager. She flew off the handle at me and I had only been here a very short time. I was pissed! But...I was very new and wasn't about to get in her crosshairs so I let her erupt and said nothing. I decided later that she must be bipolar because sometimes she was nicey nice and other times she was rude and crude! I felt sorry for the old guy 'cause he had a tiny bit of dementia going on too and this tv was his only entertainment. He was also very timid and not about to stick up for himself.
Well, anyhow....getting back to the lady downstairs who needed help....I went in to her apartment and unhooked cable (like I'd been taught years ago when things wouldn't work) but all we got was a message saying "no signal." I figured that probably meant cable needed to come so I told the manager to give them a call. (she was very nice about it) I went back to tell the lady cable had been notified and she thanked me. When I told her I assumed they might call her first to make sure she was home, she looked confused and looked around and said "I don't think I have a phone." I knew she had dementia real bad but I didn't realize how bad. She also didn't know who the manager was or where her office was which is why I talked to the manager for her. I sure feel sorry for her. She's obviously very lonely which is why she spends so much time in the hall just looking for anybody who might walk by and pass the time of day. I had seen her earlier out my window talking to this other guy and I bet she was asking him about her tv too. Unfortunately, I know he's a little "off" as is the guy who was at the mailboxes. But she had no way of knowing that, of course. She told me she was "stupid" and that her memory is so bad she has a hard time. I told her "you are not stupid!" You have dementia and that's a very common problem in this day and age. There are several in this building who deal with dementia so don't be telling yourself you're stupid.
I monkeyed around at the sewing machine most of the morning, just piecing crumbs together, sewing 5: squares together, pressing and trimming. Then I had to vacuum because sewing can be messy. I just stuck a pan of brownies in the oven which I'll share with a few on the floor. I did a load of laundry at 8 a.m. and messed around on the computer playing solitaire, wordle, and crossword puzzle. I'm also going to work on my jigsaw for a bit. Ended up putting away one I started yesterday as I couldn't get the edges done and I'm sure the pieces were missing. I'm working on a bird picture now.
I've got to figure out what I can buy for my hands. They keep breaking out in a itchy rash between my fingers but it's only the right hand. I'm going to quit using the foam hand soap I've got on the sink and see if it improves. I seldom have problems with hand rashes so it must be a soap I'm using. Very uncomfortable.
I just ate a granola bar. I don't usually buy those but I picked up a Safeway brand one called sweet & salty, almond flavor. Man! Was it tasty! Tonight I'm fixing a tiny pork chop and salad for dinner. Nothing on the agenda tomorrow but Saturday morning I'll attend a celebration of life downstairs in the living room for a resident who used to live here before being send to Kai Tai. My neighbor is making all the arrangements and I know she wants people to attend. It starts at 11. An hour later I'll head to the Elks Club to attend another celebration of life for my cousin, Lee. Will be taking my camera so I'm hoping I'll get some of the cousins.
Last night I went on the census website to hunt for my name on the 1950 census that came out this week. Took me a while but I found it along with my uncle Jim and Aunt Lillian, Uncle George and Aunt Lorraine, Uncle Lyall and Aunt Elva, grandpa, various neighbors, and a few classmates.
I was super disappointed that the info presented was so sketchy. Previous census records were a lot more interesting. They'd show actual birthdates, how long the couple had been married, if the woman had had any miscarriages, how many marriages they'd had, where their folks were born, and other things. I noticed my brother, Les, was listed as Leslie J. We always called him Les but his actual name was John Leslie (which he used after he became an adult). Sometimes I guess it depended on what the census taker felt like writing down. I noticed for example that most all the kids were listed by first name and middle initial although my friend, Ruth, was listed with her middle name spelled out. I wonder why. At first I couldn't find my aunt Velna but I kept looking and then found her listed under the name of her second husband. He played in the army band (and was kind of kooky) and their marriage was short. I think he was from NY or NJ but the census said he was born in WA. I know that wasn't right. Aunt Velna never seemed to get her name written down correctly in any of the census records. She's often called Velma. I'll go back again and again to look over data. So interesting. I saw Mr. Brooks, who had Brooks 5 &10 store downtown, was born in South Africa.
Well, I guess I'll go cut those brownies up now. Think I'll look for a video to share first.
AND...
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