I hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas, I am sure looking forward to a new year and hopefully a fresh start.
Ian and I have attempted three times in the past two weeks to complete our police check. The first time, we only had one piece of ID each, not two, so we were told to come back. We had no time to retrieve the information right away so we left it for another day. The second time, we got to the police station with the proper ID but I left the papers at home. Again, we had no time to get the papers and come back, so we were out of luck. Today was the third time. There was a sign on the door that said "Closed until December 29th" -- GRRRRRR!! I just want this police check completed so we can begin volunteering.
We have the last half of our orientation tomorrow at 10:30. Thank goodness I decided to update the blog tonight or I would have completely forgotten about our appointment tomorrow. My mind feels like it is lost in an autopsy room lately.
That is all :) Bring on 2011!!!
Peace,
Becca
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Day 21
Wow! I am so sorry that it's been so long since our last update, I have been so busy with shopping, birthdays, and work.. but still - no excuse.
We went to our orientation last Thursday. It was so fun! Again, the Volunteer Services Manager (Lois) is such a kind, bubbly lady. I admire her enthusiasm so much. She is definitely the perfect picture of someone who should be working with the elderly. She created a Volunteer Package for Ian and I to go through once we were home. It has a lot of information on the rights of the elderly, which I think is definitely a necessity in this day and age. She told us more about the Leacock Centre - They are at full capacity right now with 145 occupants, and the nursing home is divided into 5 sections (better known as communities). Each community has it's own dining and living area. Lois' explanation for this was that it was easier for new resident to feel comfortable when they do not feel overwhelmed by strangers. Lois compared the experience to your first day of high school, walking into the cafeteria and knowing no one. If the cafeteria was a quarter of the size than what it was, you would feel more comfortable and at ease. The communities also provide a safe environment for the seniors who are slowly being affected by Alzheimer's Disease. I think this is ALL just so awesome! Everyone we met has such a great outlook on life and on how to treat seniors.
We had to get a tuberculosis shot injected into our skin (yes, skin, not vein, weird, I know) to ensure that obviously we do not have tuberculosis. While we were walking to the Nurses Station we passed through a group of about 10 ladies. I think Ian felt a little overwhelmed, because he has never been in a situation like that before. I stopped and spoke to a funny lady named Dixie. She was so adorable. I cannot wait until we start volunteering.
We go back next week to complete the orientation, which is just a tour of the residence. Then we can get started!! We probably won't be actually volunteering until the New Year, but at least we have put a step on our path. I love that with each month not only do we have a different task to complete, but these tasks last with us for a lifetime, and we learn something about ourselves along the way.
Thinking of everyone this Holiday season! Have a safe and very Merry Christmas.
Becca
We went to our orientation last Thursday. It was so fun! Again, the Volunteer Services Manager (Lois) is such a kind, bubbly lady. I admire her enthusiasm so much. She is definitely the perfect picture of someone who should be working with the elderly. She created a Volunteer Package for Ian and I to go through once we were home. It has a lot of information on the rights of the elderly, which I think is definitely a necessity in this day and age. She told us more about the Leacock Centre - They are at full capacity right now with 145 occupants, and the nursing home is divided into 5 sections (better known as communities). Each community has it's own dining and living area. Lois' explanation for this was that it was easier for new resident to feel comfortable when they do not feel overwhelmed by strangers. Lois compared the experience to your first day of high school, walking into the cafeteria and knowing no one. If the cafeteria was a quarter of the size than what it was, you would feel more comfortable and at ease. The communities also provide a safe environment for the seniors who are slowly being affected by Alzheimer's Disease. I think this is ALL just so awesome! Everyone we met has such a great outlook on life and on how to treat seniors.
We had to get a tuberculosis shot injected into our skin (yes, skin, not vein, weird, I know) to ensure that obviously we do not have tuberculosis. While we were walking to the Nurses Station we passed through a group of about 10 ladies. I think Ian felt a little overwhelmed, because he has never been in a situation like that before. I stopped and spoke to a funny lady named Dixie. She was so adorable. I cannot wait until we start volunteering.
We go back next week to complete the orientation, which is just a tour of the residence. Then we can get started!! We probably won't be actually volunteering until the New Year, but at least we have put a step on our path. I love that with each month not only do we have a different task to complete, but these tasks last with us for a lifetime, and we learn something about ourselves along the way.
Thinking of everyone this Holiday season! Have a safe and very Merry Christmas.
Becca
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Update..
Wow, I've been so busy that I nearly forgot to post an update. This past Thursday Ian and I went to the Leacock Centre, a local nursing home. We did a volunteer interview type of thing and it went great! It was actually suppose to be me going with Ian tagging along so we could go out for lunch after, however he surprised me when we were there and told the lady that he too was interested in a volunteer opportunity!
The room we sat in was decked out in historic furniture. Every piece told a story, it was so beautiful. Of course my huge history buff boyfriend loved it! During the interview the lady told us that the man who invented the credit card spent some time at the nursing home which is pretty neat eh? Anyway, I insisted that I have direct communication with the residents, which the lady absolutely loved! Ian did that too, as well as stating that he is able to help life heavy things, transport wheelchairs, help residents place things on a shelf when they can't reach - you know, the "manly" stuff. LOL!
We told the extremely kind volunteer services manager all about our 30 Day Challenges and about Annabelle -- she was so empathetic. Note empathetic, not sympathetic. Never show sympathy to an Angel parent, it does not contain as much compassion as empathy does. Anyway, overall she was a wonderful lady and truly tried to understand why this meant so much to us. I hope Annabelle is looking down with a huge smile on her face. I know she would have loved helping any and every one in her path, which is why this volunteer opportunity is so important to the both of us.
We were invited back on December 21st to go through some Health & Safety training as well as take a tour of the residence and meet some staff and other volunteers. I am SO excited, yay!
Love you always my dearest Abby girl.
The room we sat in was decked out in historic furniture. Every piece told a story, it was so beautiful. Of course my huge history buff boyfriend loved it! During the interview the lady told us that the man who invented the credit card spent some time at the nursing home which is pretty neat eh? Anyway, I insisted that I have direct communication with the residents, which the lady absolutely loved! Ian did that too, as well as stating that he is able to help life heavy things, transport wheelchairs, help residents place things on a shelf when they can't reach - you know, the "manly" stuff. LOL!
We told the extremely kind volunteer services manager all about our 30 Day Challenges and about Annabelle -- she was so empathetic. Note empathetic, not sympathetic. Never show sympathy to an Angel parent, it does not contain as much compassion as empathy does. Anyway, overall she was a wonderful lady and truly tried to understand why this meant so much to us. I hope Annabelle is looking down with a huge smile on her face. I know she would have loved helping any and every one in her path, which is why this volunteer opportunity is so important to the both of us.
We were invited back on December 21st to go through some Health & Safety training as well as take a tour of the residence and meet some staff and other volunteers. I am SO excited, yay!
Love you always my dearest Abby girl.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Trying Hard!
I emailed many of the local nursing/retirement homes in hopes that one will soon be in contact with me to begin volunteering. I also left a message with a local church (the church I would be going to if I was 100% about the religion I was raised with) that hands out donated food on the third Wednesday of every month... hopefully they'll need some help as well. I LOVE volunteering, it makes me feel so wonderful.
I've had the busiest weekend! Christmas shopping.. lots of it... ahhhh!
Keep your fingers crossed for me! Ian has been swamped with homework so he has yet to begin his volunteer search. I hope I find a great volunteer opportunity soon!
On another note, we are missing Annabelle so much - especially with our Birthdays and the Holidays right around the corner. I think she would be so proud of us for helping other people, in memory of her. I know that if she were here she would be volunteering wherever she could when she was old enough.. she would have loved helping people, just like her Mumma and Daddy.
Becca
I've had the busiest weekend! Christmas shopping.. lots of it... ahhhh!
Keep your fingers crossed for me! Ian has been swamped with homework so he has yet to begin his volunteer search. I hope I find a great volunteer opportunity soon!
On another note, we are missing Annabelle so much - especially with our Birthdays and the Holidays right around the corner. I think she would be so proud of us for helping other people, in memory of her. I know that if she were here she would be volunteering wherever she could when she was old enough.. she would have loved helping people, just like her Mumma and Daddy.
Becca
Thursday, December 2, 2010
DECEMBER CHALLENGE!
Okay, so the December Challenge is...
Volunteer for 30 Days!
Yay! I SWEAR we did not choose this one on purpose. Ian drew it out of the bear's mouth.. The "bear" is actually a bear rug we have, and Ian prefers to draw it out of the bear's mouth instead of a hat (like normal people do). Anyway, This will totally be a challenge considering I have no available time during December between homework, mine and a fellow angel mom's book, and WORK! I know it will only get worse as we near the New Year, but I am accepting this challenge with open arms and it is such an appropriate time to start something so awesome!
Wish us luck everyone :) November's Challenge was kind of a bust considering I have yet to learn Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.. but hopefully I'll get around to that eventually.
Peace, love, and hugs!
Becca
Volunteer for 30 Days!
Yay! I SWEAR we did not choose this one on purpose. Ian drew it out of the bear's mouth.. The "bear" is actually a bear rug we have, and Ian prefers to draw it out of the bear's mouth instead of a hat (like normal people do). Anyway, This will totally be a challenge considering I have no available time during December between homework, mine and a fellow angel mom's book, and WORK! I know it will only get worse as we near the New Year, but I am accepting this challenge with open arms and it is such an appropriate time to start something so awesome!
Wish us luck everyone :) November's Challenge was kind of a bust considering I have yet to learn Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.. but hopefully I'll get around to that eventually.
Peace, love, and hugs!
Becca
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