Wayside Waifs Visitors

 

We have begun a happy new relationship with Wayside Waifs! Every couple of weeks I will go out to the shelter and borrow a few of their puppies or kittens and bring them back to the community to socialize with our residents in the hope that the socialization and added exposure will help the animals to get more easily adopted and because, of course, baby animals can get through to some people  and touch their hearts in a way that is hard to do any other way!

This Monday was our first visit. We got to spend time with two, 2 month old terrier puppies named Denver and Tiny. Both terriers were from the same litter even though it is hard to believe with the differences in their size and appearance. They were really adorable pups!  When I brought them to the community, Len Anderson was entertaining in building 2.  So our first stop was to visit the folks in each house who didn’t attend his music performance.

The puppies were a happy surprise and there were several folks who got to spend special one on one time with the puppies, reminiscing about their own dogs and animals they have loved and enjoying the interaction. When the music ended I brought the puppies into building 2 and everyone had fun passing them around. The puppies recieved ample kisses and love and we all had fun watching the puppies play around with each other. They were feisty and sweet and several people said that if they didn’t find homes, they could move in with them!

I’m sure Denver and Tiny won’t have any trouble finding new homes.  They are for sale for $275. each. They will grow to be small dogs.

If you are interested in being their forever home, please call Wayside Waifs to inquire.

Here is their number: (816) 761-8151 or you can just click here and go through to their website.

 

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Easter Luncheon & Egg Hunt

 

Wow! Easter came early this year! It’s hard to believe it has already been and gone.

I hope it was a wonderful time for your family, both near and far.

There were a lot of resident families that came to take their loved ones home for the morning or the day, to church or various other planned events outside of our community.

It was a perfect day! Not a rain cloud in sight! We had a great turn out of visitors-  family and friends alike who came to share Easter Lunch and our Easter Egg hunt after.

Thank you so much to everyone who came to join in the fun and importance of the day with us!

I hope you enjoy the pictures.

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Picnic at Deanna Rose Farmstead

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Going on a picnic,

leaving right away

If it doesn’t rain,

we’ll stay all day.

Did you bring the sandwiches?

Yes I’ve brought the sandwiches.

Did you bring the salad?

Yes I’ve brought the salad.

Ready for a picnic here we go.

Going on a picnic, leaving right away

If it doesn’t rain, we’ll stay all day.

Did you bring the melon?

Yes I’ve brought the melon

Did you bring the apples?

Yes I’ve brought the apples.

Did you bring the lemonade?

Yes I’ve brought the lemonade.

Did you bring the cookies?

Yes I’ve brought the cookies.

Ready for a picnic here we go.
Going on a picnic, leaving right away

If it doesn’t rain, we’ll stay all day.

Incrrrrredabowl!

 

For a couple of months now we have been gathering at Incredabowl on Wednesday mornings to bowl. It has been a great thing to do! The stories that our residents reminisce about while we are bowling are nothing short of wonderful and I can’t say enough about their smiles and our overall interactions as teams and with the staff and other people who are there bowling as well. Our bowling games have actually improved a lot since we first started going! Which isn’t the point, it’s just a lot of fun!

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Worship Of Tools

The caveman started it all with his stone tools such as the hand axe and the cleaver.

While back then the tools were not made of metal, the hard stone material made it possible for Neanderthals to carve flesh from animal bone, skin animals and fish and kill predators! For me predators would have been a number one priority!

We have come a long way baby with all of our tools from the simplest screwdriver to an electric jigsaw- today, you can even buy pink tools!

In March  we saluted the invention of tools and the wonderful people who use them! Namely, we saluted Ken!

Each house got together in top secret to make cup cakes for Ken and in the afternoon we all gathered to surprise him. The cupcakes are pictured above.

(In case you can’t tell, the blue doo dad’s on top of them are teeny wrenches, hammers and screwdrivers.)

It’s good to have a reason to celebrate!

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Tea anyone?

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When the world is all at odds
And the mind is all at sea
Then cease the useless tedium
And brew a cup of tea.

There is magic in its fragrance,
There is solace in its taste;
And the laden moments vanish
Somehow into space.

And the world becomes a lovely thing!
There’s beauty as you’ll see;
All because you briefly stopped
To brew a cup of tea.

Tea helps our head and heart.
Tea medicates most every part.
Tea rejuvenates the very old.
Tea warms the hands of those who’re cold.

(J. Jonker, Amsterdam, c.1670)

Laughter Yoga

 

I was lucky to find Adrienne Edmonson. Adrienne is a Laughter Yoga leader and is a walking, talking, LAUGHING testimonial to the benefits one can receive through laughter.  Adrienne is currently conducting a study on the benefits of Laughter Yoga with children and she comes to our community every other Wednesday afternoon to hold Laughter Yoga for our residents and team members.

 

Here are just a few nice side benefits that Laughter Yoga can create:

• Feel-good hormones. Laughing leads to the release of endorphins, a self-manufactured natural opiate that has been scientifically shown to carry messages of attachment and bonding (the scientific terms for love), and to stimulate feelings of caring and forgiveness in addition to acting as a natural painkiller. Endorphins create a positive state of mind and boost optimism, self-confidence and feelings of self-worth.
• Blood & all major organs are fully oxygenated leaving us bursting with energy. Laughter is a combination of deep inhalation and full exhalation, inspiring excellent ventilation, wonderful rest and profound release. Increased circulation helps flush the organs of waste products, helping us to operate at peak performance.
• Our lymphatic system is massaged and our immune systems boosted. Laughter causes an “internal jogging” that massages the internal organs and promotes circulation to the digestive and lymphatic systems.
• Strengthens the immune system. Laughter deepens the breath, which is shown to increase lymphatic flow, which in turn is already thoroughly documented and proven to boost the immune system with fast increases in levels of anti-viral and anti-infection cells (including the so-called “natural-killer” cells which help fight cancer). Laughter also increases the levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), the first line of defense protecting us against viral infections such as coughs and colds. Immune, digestive & sexual systems that are switched off by stress are switched on
• Promotes cardio-vascular health. Blood pressure drops and pulse rate drops after you have laughed.
• Catharsis. By enhancing the free flow of emotions, laughter can help dislodge blocked emotions stored in the body. Suppressed or blocked emotions can cause ongoing physical, mental and emotional problems.

The residents and team members in attendance for Laughter Yoga engage in a way that is hard to compare to other things that we do. If you have the opportunity to attend a Laughter Yoga session, it is truly worth doing. You will leave feeling wonderful!

 

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