Learning and loving it at Sunbridge.

Let me start this out by saying, ELDERLY PEOPLE ROCK MY WORLD.

Many of you already know that my mom and I have been volunteering at a nursing home. For those of you who don't know... my mom and I have been volunteering at a nursing home.

The reason we started in the first place is because my Grandma Nini checked herself in... she turns 96 this week! My mom and I just wanted to help out with activities and get her going to more of them.

Grandma Nini with the stuffed monkey she won playing winning Pokeno.













As much as I hate to see my grandma in a nursing home, it's been good because she is so strong now, and I have realized how much visits to those people mean.

I'm not sure what everyone's story is, but I know when I leave every Wednesday, I have made someone's day-- and they have made mine.

I noticed that Ruth had gotten her hair done this week and I go, "Woah Hollywood! Ruth! Are you hitting the red carpet? Your hair looks beautiful!" and she goes "Hey girl, if you've got it, flaunt it!"

Every Wednesday, I deal blackjack, and almost every day it's the same people playing. We've got Pat, Dianne, Anne, Bill, Delores, and Ginny (my grandma). Bill makes me laugh the hardest... i'm usually pretty crabby when I get there to volunteer because i've woken up from my good night's sleep (I work nights, sleep days), and need to plaster a big fake smile on my face, but it's not too long before they have turned my entire mood around.

Funny thing is, these people count quicker than I do... and i'm alright at Blackjack, but I haven't actually been able to play since i've moved here to Boise. Can you believe that?! THEY DON'T LET YOU GAMBLE HERE! Bad news... but I guess gambling at the nursing home is legal... =) And no matter how many times Anne asks me... "No Anne, each chip is just worth a dollar. They are all the same."

After blackjack, my mom and I start setting up the room for Pokeno. For those of you who don't know, Pokeno is BINGO, but with playing cards... you have a card with 25 pictures of playing cards on it, and when the caller holds up a card, and it's pictured on your card... you cover it. Pretty easy, except... my job is to basically play 20 cards at once-- all around the room. =) My mom calls the cards, and I have to wander around the room, by certain people who can't see the cards or pay attention for very long, and make sure they got it covered. One day, this man Chester (Chet), was playing and he couldn't really see his card... so I just hung out with him, made sure he had everything my mom called and... he won 3 times. Now Chet and I are inseparable. =)



Mom calling Pokeno numbers at Sunbridge Nursing Home in Meridian, ID.












This last Wednesday I went to find Chet because he didn't show up for Pokeno... I went to his room, and found out that he had had pneumonia all week. =( He invited me in and he must've been feeling much better because he kept hitting on me, like the Good Ol' healthy Chet I knew.

Let me tell you though, Chet has a picture of himself as a man about my age in his room-- and he was pretty damn cute! As I was leaving the room I told him to "Have a great day!" and he goes "You too! But wait a second.... what if I didn't say that back, would you be offended?" and I go "Well, not offended... but I would've thought you didn't hear me." and he goes "See, that's America." He went into this long profound lecture about American's always wanting to "settle the score." It makes sense to me, and is really something to think about, but it was too profound for me to be able to type into words. =)

Far left: Gladys and Dianne playing Pokeno with the same cards... every week. If one wins, they both win-- and Dianne usually gives Gladys her candy after they've both won.







I'm almost done with my nursing home rant, I just want you all to know... that whether or not you know anyone there, if you are looking for something to do with your time, it's a great place to volunteer.


I learn so much every time i'm in there, and just to see someone's face light up when I call them by their name, makes my day. I leave feeling like i've done something that matters, even though i'm just in there dealing blackjack and making sure people don't get screwed playing Pokeno. =)


I wish I could explain in words how great this feeling is... but even after my Grandma checks out and comes back home, which she could soon (she's doing so well!), i'm going to keep volunteering...

I don't want Chet hitting on anyone but me!