This was one of my weekends to work. Last time I didn’t have to because I found a replacement for when we went out to Iowa. For my next weekend Dad bought us tickets to an Andrew Peterson concert at Hannibal La-Grange college for my birthday. I found a replacement for that night but it wasn’t yet showing on the printed schedule when I looked. People like working on this wing because it’s easier.

The first night was about as perfect as it could be. It’s such a relief when that happens and you don’t feel the pressure of the clock with all the red dots telling you you’re behind. This time there was a lady on the floor within ten minutes of me getting there. She’d probably been there for at least 20. Thankfully she was okay and appeared to have slid out of her recliner while trying to get up. She’s a newer lady.

I seem to have found a noted weakness in my patience. For the most part the residents do not get on my nerves and I have no struggles to be kind to them. The ones where I feel resistance are with the ones who are confused and pose fall risks. They get agitated and try to get out of bed or stand up from their wheelchairs when they really are no condition to do so. You have to watch them and there isn’t always time.

Sometimes I get the feeling like I need to be helping more. When things are going fairly smooth in the evening I do have time where I could help with getting people down in their beds. The reason I have not so far is because pretty much every person on the wing requires the use of a machine to transfer them. On the summer wing I would try to help with the ones who were only stand-by assist and didn’t need that.

Even when I was an aide we didn’t use those machines because assisted living doesn’t use them and I never worked in a nursing home. In the hospital I’m sure they were there but I don’t remember ever using one. It’s one of those things where I refuse to just wing it and try to figure it out because someone could get seriously hurt if not done right. But you also have to have done it enough times to be comfortable.

Dad and the kids had trunk or treat at church. Our former DCE wanted to try and revive the fall festival when there used to be tons of kids and cars in the parking lot. It sounds like they had a good turnout with 17 cars decorated and a steady stream of preschool families showing up to participate. I’m glad it went well. They had a potluck and a bounce house so that was nice to not have to worry about supper.

With cross country being over I still have things to keep me busy. For class we need to present a total of six videos. I’ve done two so far and have my major presentation in a little over three weeks. I’d really like to spend time and do well on it. The other presentation is given to a faculty panel. Lincoln didn’t have all this though it depended on the teacher. I love(d) how it’s just normal to process things as you go.