Escapees CARE Center

I know this has been a long time coming, but we have been very busy. We came in on Nov.1, and have been on the go ever since. We did have one day off, which we spent running errands and catching up on personal jobs. For those of you who have no idea what CARE is, here is the scoop. This facility has been a God send for RVers, who for one reason or another can no longer travel. CARE gives them the opportunity to still stay in their RV together, and receive the care they need. I guess you could say, it's like an assisted living facility. We provide all meals, a snack in the afternoon, root beer floats one day a week, and birthday cakes for those who get to celebrate another year. We have nurses, CNAs, activities directors, and lots for the folks to do. Poker games and scrabble are big hits. There is also bingo, art, sewing, crafts, and more. Everyday there is something fun to do.
Tom and I have done so many dishes, and sanitized our little hands off. It's like a joke with the sanitizing. We help the cook, do pots, serve the food, do dishes, chop onions, do dishes, make coffee, do pots, wipe tables do dishes.......you get the point.
Sometimes, we are on call. That means we watch the phones all night. All of the residents have a connection to the center. All we do is transfer the office phone out to Emily, and we are all set. Then we get up and open the center in the morning. We had no calls. No problems.
The folks here are just great. There's Pete (who is really Davida) who is an author and PhD. We have Bob and Inez who are sweet as can be, and very knowledgeable about anything. We have Miss Ellie, who loves to give hugs and kisses. She has to get both cheeks. Then she asks if she hurt you. What a sweetheart. We have Kieth and Sophie. Keith just lost his eyesight, and has been taking trips to the eye doctor. So many wonderful people. They are such a joy.
The staff here is remarkable. The nurse who has been here for 4 years, just left yesterday. She is going for her RN. She will be missed. Since we have been here, 2 couples have left. They were such a big help to us. Les and Sharon Askew, and Jim and Bonnie Wert and Scoobie. They have passed the torch to us and Hazel and Ed, who came a few days after us. A few more couples are coming in in the next week or so. Two couples just for maintenance. Every resident couple has a shed, and they need to build 3 more new ones. This will be the most residents ever in the center.
Yesterday Tom took a couple to Houston to the hospital for some tests. It was a long day for him. I guess I didn't tell you we also drive folks to appointments, or where ever they need to go. Some of the couples still have cars, which one can drive. Other than that, volunteers take them. Tom will also take them next week one day for follow-up. The hospital here in Livingston, sent them there for more extensive work.
Speaking of Jim and Bonnie and Scoobie, We just fell in love with Scoobie. He is part Lab and part Chow. I think the only chow park is his tongue. It has black spots. He was wonderful. We even asked if they could get along without him. We wanted to keep him. I always have dog treats with us, and one day we opened the door, and he was sitting there looking in at us. It was hilarious. Wait till you see the pictures. What a great dog!!!
On the days we work, we get our meals. On our day off we fend for ourselves. Today we won't eat even though it's free. It's tamale pie. We don't eat Mexican food. Tonight is ham salad and chicken salad sandwiches. We'll pass on that, too. On Friday morning, we serve a great big breakfast for the whole park. The CARE center is part of Rainbow Park. Headquarters for Escapees. Folks can come and get eggs any way, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, grits, toast, all the coffee, juice and milk you can drink, all for $3.00. Everyone pays, even residents. All the money goes to the center. What a buy. Boy did I make lots of coffee today.
Tom will post pictures later. He is working at the moment. Pots for him today. More dishes for me tonight. They are all so appreciative of us all. Makes it all worth while.
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