Oo12oo49's Blog

Blog #10 Final Project

Cindy — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:14:51 +0000

Through this project, I learned that almost any person has enough time in their week to spend with another who needs our help and friendship. Volunteers are a very important piece for many non-profit organizations. I have learned that there is always more that I can do to help in my community.
When I started the project, I was hoping I would hear some interesting stories about the past. I did not hear any. I found that my senior did not want to talk about the past. She is living in the present and wants to just look ahead. I do not blame her for that. I suppose it makes you feel even older to always think of the past. I think the past is somewhat painful for her. That is when she lost her husband, her son, her home, her freedom … and her youth. I learned that even though someone is old, it does not mean that their life is over or not worthwhile.
This interaction with my senior will remind me to live my life to the fullest and appreciate everyone in my life because life passes quickly. I want to stay active and strengthen my bonds with my friends so that when we are old and our husbands are gone, we can still hang out! Staying healthy and active will be important while I age so that I can continue to be active in my old age. I found it very sad that many seniors are not visited by their families very often. I will want to stay bonded to my children so that they will come and see me and help me in my old age!

Blog # 9 How did it go.

Cindy — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:09:28 +0000

1. How did it go this week with your senior? What did you do? Are things still going well? Are you looking forward to getting done or not?

Things are going well with my Senior. When we meet, she always wants to know what I want to do. Fay thinks she needs to entertain me. She mentioned a few weeks ago that she wanted teach me how to knit. I think she is anxious for me to get my butt in gear and go buy the yarn and needles. I am sure by the time you are 82 years old, you have your life well organized…unlike mine! So this weekend when we met, she wasn’t too surprised that I still did not buy the yarn. I like taking her out so we went to Panera Bread for breakfast. She had never been there and she thought it was an interesting place. Next weekend she wants me to have lunch in her cafeteria. Sounds gross but the place actually looks pretty nice so maybe I’ll get lucky. They even set the tables with white tableclothes for dinner.

Fay told me her family will be out of town for Thanksgiving and she would be alone (hint hint). I felt bad and told her I would make sure to drop in on her. She felt good about that. I had orginally told my senior that our meetings would last until Christmas. So I am still in it for a few more weeks! But, I don’t think I could just drop her. She reminds me of my grandma who I was very close to and lost when I was just 21 years old. I think she fills a void for me and I know I bring some happiness to her day.

Blog # 8 What’s new this week?

Cindy — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:49:16 +0000

So, what’s new this week? What did you do this week with your senior? How close are you to being done?

This week Fay and I went walking through the indoor park in town. I was surprised when she told me that she gets over there about twice a week. So instead of me showing her around, she gave me the tour. The indoor park is a large open area with a glass roof and one wall of windows. On the other walls are the public libray and the entrance to the YMCA. The park is filled with tall trees, green plants and a waterfall. A trail winds through it with wooden benches for resting and admiring the greenery. It was a nice place to go and relax and get away from the rainy cold day. Fay and I have spent nine hours together over the last two months. The time has gone fast.

Blog #7 What have I done this week w/ my Senior?

Cindy — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:46:56 +0000

This one is very simple. What have you done with your senior this week? Describe what you have been doing. Has it continued to go well? Any problems? Describe something about your person that you didn’t notice on the first few meetings. Have you found enough things to do?

Fay moved to Woodbury two years ago from Moorhead, MN where she lived for 40 years. I have discovered that she does not know much about her new town. She does not get out much so I enjoy taking her out for a drive to shop and/or eat lunch. While on the drive, I point out different things around town. Therefore, our short-term plan is to just go out for a drive and dine together (she is very tired of the same old food at the Center!). The last time we got together, she was in the mood for junk food so we hit McDonalds. I have learned that she really like malts! She feels she needs to keep ME happy so she has decided that she will teach me how to knit. So our next outing will probably be to the fabric store where she can help me pick out some yarn. Maybe I can get a scarf made by December!

What have I learned so far?

Cindy — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:53:33 +0000

What have you learned about yourself so far? Anything that has surprised you? What does hanging out with an older person taught you about life or growing older? Anything? Has anything surprised you about the person you are hooked up with?

I have learned a couple things about myself so far and I have learned a couple things about growing older. I have found that this older phase of life is whatever you make of it. I had the impression before that older people mainly just hung out and watched the clock until the next TV show or meal. But they are all busy with things that are important to them. I learned that along the way in life, I will need to learn a craft or hobby that will keep me busy in my old age. I am not crafty at all. All of my current hobbies or interests are physically active sports like downhill skiing, for example. Hopefully when I am very old, I will still have the ability to stay active and healthy. I hope I can pick up a hobby or craft to learn along the way. My senior, Fay, surprised me with her sewing ability. I did know she enjoys the hobby but I did not know how good she is at it. Last weekend she showed me a wool dress and blazer that she had sewn. It was incredible. The workmanship was better than what you would see in a store. The seams were pressed and sewn perfectly. The dress was fitted and had multiple pleats at the hem. I was very impressed.

Blog #5 What we are up to

Cindy — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 03:39:31 +0000

My senior, Fay, likes to sew, knit and crochet. When I visited this weekend, she was in the middle of crocheting a child’s sweater. She was flustered because she had the individual pieces completed but could not figure out how to put them together. I could tell she wanted my help. It was funny because I am not crafty at all. But, I thought, lets approach it like a puzzle. So she was glad to hand me all of the pieces and when I laid them out like a puzzle, she was like “uh huh – I see”… I was glad to help her. The weekend before, the other residents and she put on a Bazaar. So she had all of her items she had sewn at it. I made sure to visit all of the tables and meet the other ladies.

I have offered to take Fay shopping soon. She is looking forward to that. She currently only shops via catalog and really dislikes it.

Web blog #4 1.

Cindy — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:35:57 +0000

Reading the book If I Live to Be 100 has definately helped me to prepare for meetings with my senior. I feel that I am more respectful because I have more insight into what their life might be like. Reading how Neenah interviewed and the types of questions she asked will help me to prepare. The quote I like is at the end of the book when Neenah talks about “Ruth Ellis’s admonition to “remember the seniors” and her simple reminder to say hello to someone who is sitting alone.” It makes me realize that there are many seniors, besides my new friend, who can benefit from some attention. At the senior center, I make sure to say hello to the seniors I see and I am getting to know their names. I also try to make a good connection with my senior and make her feel special.

Web blog #3

Cindy — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:38:10 +0000

This weekend I met with my senior friend, Faye. Faye is a small woman. She is about my height at 5’3″ and weighs about 110 pounds. She has short, wavy, gray hair and friendly eyes. This was the second time we had met. The first time we met was mainly just introductions and small talk. This time she was not as shy. We met in the large, comfortable foyer area of the senior center. We sat in a couple straight back chairs by the fireplace. The fireplace was too warm for me on a nice summer morning so I made sure she sat closer to the fire to warm her bones. Faye seemed a little uncomfortable with our meeting arrangement in the foyer and did not seem ready to talk. So she took me for a little walk and showed me around the center. The senior center is a very nice building with modern furnishings, light fixtures and decorations; solid oak furniture and trim; and, comfortable couches and chairs. She took me down a hallway and showed me the chapel, the exercise room, the salon, and meeting room. We spent a little more time in another open area which had more comfortable seating, another fire place and tables and chairs. This area also opened out onto a nice deck surrounded with flowers. We spent time on the deck chit-chatting and we both started feeling more comfortable. In fact, to my surprise, she soon invited me into her apartment.

Her apartment is small but big enough for her. It has a small kitchenette, living room, bedroom and closets. She has a large window looking out onto a pond. I could tell where she liked to sit on her couch and chair by the worn indentations on the velour fabric. I made sure to sit on a little used section.

She showed me pictures of her children and her late husband and shared stories from her childhood. Now that I have been in her apartment and know more about her life, I feel a bigger connection with her. In fact, I cannot get Faye out of my mind. She does not get many visitors and rarely leaves the building. I can’t stop thinking about her and what I can do for her. I am looking forward to seeing her again.

Blog Journal #2

Cindy — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:45:03 +0000

1. This is a very timely question for me. This week a good friend of mine died suddenly. He was too young for his time on earth to be up. It makes me think of my mortality, what my purpose in life is, and how it is important to make everyday count. I think the mark I will leave on this world is my kindness. I try to be friendly with everyone I meet and have an open mind. I do not have too many goals in life. One of the goals I have is to finally earn my college degree. My other goal is to live a happy active life. I love being outside so I try to walk, bike, fish, swim, ski and travel as often as possible.

2. The most important things in life are family and friends. They give life purpose and meaning. I strive to make sure my kids have opportunities to achieve their dreams. I try to spend time with my friends and familiy as much as possible because life flys by so quickly. Just as we talked about in the last blog, I ask my friends and family questions and truly listen to the answers because they are important to me.

First Blog assignment #2

Cindy — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:27:48 +0000

I believe listening is a very important trait. You can learn so much from a person by just staying quiet and listening to them. The more quiet you are, the more they will share. People appeciate a good listener, too. I think people, in general, are not good listeners. They are more concerned about what THEY have to say or are thinking ahead to what they WILL say. I find that it also depends on the subject and who is conversing. If the conversation is between two good friends, then I think there isn’t an issue. If the conversation is about a hot topic and there is a group of people talking, then there is less listening and more shouting!

I feel that being a good listener is a common courtesy.

Cindy Giefer