montemover

Hi all you wonderful people. I hope 2008 is treating you well so far. It certainly is treating me great. Here are some pics of where I am. The second is the CARE Center and the first pic is where I’m parked (across the street) in proximity to where I do most of my volunteer work at the Center. The CARE Center is on the left, someones truck in the center and on the right you can see my rig with my little red car in front of it.

I’m in Livingston, Texas at the Escapees CARE Center where I’m volunteering 24 hours a week in exchange for free hookups, and all meals for 6 days a week. I’m on my on for meals on my day off. Yep, only 24 hours a week work, but it’s usually 6 days a week. Often time arranged so that I actually get 2 days off. The work is hard, at least harder than I’m used to doing – scrubbing pots and pans, helping cook, serving food, washing dishes (separate from pots and pans) taking out trash, doing kitchen laundry, vacuuming dining area and mopping the kitchen. These are daily tasks divided up among about 6-8 teams of volunteers (2 people to a team). I also drive residents to local Dr. appointments.

Besides the volunteer work, there are all sorts of other activities going on here. I’ve never seen such a busy place for activities, including Texas Hold-Em 4 nights a week. I’m working up my courage to sit in on a game the next week. Volunteers are encouraged to participate in all activities with residents and it’s easy to do since everyone is so great here. The friendliest folks I’ve ever met and the residents are really dears.

The CARE Center is set up to assist anyone who does not need overnight nursing. We have a team on call at all times to handle any emergencies, night or day, and the residents have panic buttons to call for help to the on-call folks who determine whether 911 needs to be called. We have a day-care center for folks whose spouses need a break, some of the residents at the day-care have Alzheimer’s. There’s a full-time nurse on duty 5 days a week, and two CNA’s. And all the residents are so appreciative, never a shift goes by but what residents come up to me to thank me for being there. The staff and volunteers are terrific too.

I’m definitely making this a regular stop on my travels. This is a super time to be here. Sorry all you folks in cold country, but the temps here at night are in the low to mid 40’s and the days are in the 60’s and 70’s. Pansies are blooming in the flowerboxes, the enclosed garden is green and pretty with flowers coming up. The fields and grounds are greening and wild flowers are blooming. The humidity is taking a little getting used to, but hey, I’ll suffer!!!

Kris

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