Guinness

I'm taking care of David and Gil's dog Guinness for a few days while they are on a sailing trip in Europe.   Bella and him get along famously!  We took them both up to see Mom today but only Bella went into the Lodge - the two together would have been a tad too overwhelming for the residents as I'm sure you can imagine! 

Scott and I visited with Mom this afternoon and are pleased to report she is doing really well - in fact, since I've been here, I've noticed her eyes are brighter, and she's regained a few words from her vocabulary. Perhaps recovered some degree from the mini-strokes or at least they haven't reoccurred of late? She's settling in and seems happy for the most part. 

Yesterday, Dad and I talked with the head nurse about getting Mom seated at a table with others for meals. Up until now, she's eaten on her own in her broda chair in the dining room because it seemed more relaxing for her and less stressful.  At first they had seated her at a table but noticed it was too much stimulation for her and it made it harder for her to focus on eating.  Now that she's more settled, they agreed to try it again - she ate at a table with two others for breakfast and lunch today and did really well.  Mom needs a bit of prompting and assistance to get started, and encouragement to continue but she does a good job- Bon Appetite as she would say...