Flat Granny's Adventures

New Jersey- June 2011

2011-06-15T14:29:00.000-04:00

Granny has been having a great time in NJ!

She's been sampling some of the great food:

And she LOVED being a part of a MEPAP class-- that's the training class for new Activity Directors...

... although she did get caught texting in class:

You can see even more pics from NJ in Flat Granny's Facebook album by clicking HERE. Don't forget to "like" Granny's Facebook page!

Flat Granny was in outer space!

2011-03-13T16:03:00.000-04:00

Flat Granny took part in NASA's "Face in Space" program in February 2011. Her photo was among those that accompanied the crew of the Discovery on their mission in space. She received a certificate to commemorate the event, which you can view HERE.

The certificate reads:

This certifies that the face of Flat Granny has flown in space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-133 from February 24 - March 9, 2011. The face was flown on Discovery's mission to the International Space Station at an altitude of 220 miles above the Earth. It flew at a speed of more than 17,400 miles per hour as itorbited our planet. On behalf of my crew and all of NASA, we thank you for sharing the excitement of our mission and welcome your interest in space exploration. We were glad to have you aboard.

She had a long visit...

2011-03-03T13:41:00.002-05:00

Tuesday, March 01, 2011 6:37 AM

I’m sorry we have kept Flat Granny for SO long!! She has been through a lot with us! Very bad snow storms, staff having extended time off, and latest..the influenza virus!

We have appreciated her visit and wisdom. In my absences, my staff couldn’t have done it without her.
Mimi at Good Shepherd

Knife Throwing!

2010-12-17T15:24:00.000-05:00

NOVEMBER 3, 2010: Well, on my way to my next stop, I decided to visit the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. Let me tell you, there are a LOT of horses in that state! Apparently, 62 countries were represented, and I can believe it. I met a lot of people and all of them were more than willing to talk horse care, horse training, horse health, horse sports...pretty much anything to do with horses.

So, as I was wandering around the civic center, wouldn't you know I ran into someone right here from Xenia! And to top it off, she works at the Today Center! (The Today Center is an adult day care facility adjacent to Granny's home facility, Greenewood Manor. ) You would not believe what she and her husband were doing - knife throwing! Yes, you heard me right! I was fascinated. Melodee and her husband Kirk, and his cousin Elk took turns throwing knives into log rounds on a target board. They were even teaching people how to throw. I wasn't too sure about that, but I watched a few people learn. Then I got to try it out! I showed them what a granny can really do! It was quite invigorating and loosened up these ol/ joints - ha ha!

We got to talking and would you believe that not only do they throw knives into target rounds, they also have a show where they throw knives at a target board...WITH A PERSON STANDING UP THERE!! Kirk said he is working with Melodee on throwing knives around him, and they both stressed the around part, as opposed to "at"; however, at this time the show consists of him throwing around her. I was flabbergasted! Melodee told me the secret behind her not being nervous is that she watches Kirk's eyes so she always knows where the knife is going. Let me tell you, I just had to try that out - new experience and all! I stood up there proud as punch and those knives were winging past me into the board - WOW, now that gets the heart pumping! I was so calm and did so well, they asked if I would like to train to be an alternate target girl. I thought about it for a minute, but regretfully turned them down. I told them I had too many people to see and places to go. Who knows, maybe when the traveling bug isn't itching me so much, I may take them up on their offer. Hmmm, wonder if Flat Gramps would be interested in starting up a show?

Granny goes to OUTER SPACE!

2010-11-01T00:01:00.000-04:00

Flat Granny is scheduled to launch into outer space aboard the NASA space shuttle today!

Ok, ok... actually it's just a photo of Flat Granny. NASA's Face in Space program allowed Granny this unique opportunity. Granny's photo will join many others across the country, all of whom will be able to brag that their "face was in space". :)

Granny's photo is flying on Mission #STS-133, scheduled for launch today. The residents of her home facility, Greenewood Manor, hope to watch the launch on tv!

2010-10-17T17:33:00.002-04:00

SUNDAY, October 17th: Flat Granny left via Southwest Airlines on Friday about 4pm. With lay overs and changing flights she should arrive in Ohio by Monday.
- Mary Rohberg
- Mid Nebraska Lutheran Home, Newman Grove, Nebraska

2010-10-06T11:52:00.000-04:00

OCTOBER 1, 2010: Flat Granny has arrived at the Mid Nebraska Lutheran Home in Newman Grove, Nebraska. Flat Granny has been busy with tours of the facility and taking bus rides to watch the farmers harvest corn. Granny says Ice Cream cones at Shorty's are the best ever. Granny has also helped with crafts and played bingo. More later from a busy Flat Granny.

--submitted by Mary Roberg

2010-09-12T16:48:00.000-04:00

SEPTEMBER 12, 2010: Here are a few more pics from the Medina County Home:

And last but not least.... Granny modeling a bra!

2010-09-12T16:45:00.000-04:00

SEPTEMBER 12, 2010: Flat Granny is having a great time in northern Ohio at the Medina County Home! Here are some outdoor shots:

2010-09-05T18:32:00.002-04:00

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2010: Last we heard, Flat Granny had left Ottowa, Ohio and headed to Medina, Ohio, to the Medina County Home. We'll let you know when we hear from her!

JULY 27, 2010

2010-07-28T19:45:00.000-04:00

Flat Granny arrived in Ottawa, Ohio today. We have many fun adventures planned for her this week.

Jessica Trinko, LNHA
Administrator
Putnam Acres Care Center
Ottawa, OH

At Home with Out of State Visitors

2010-07-15T11:35:00.000-04:00

Before Granny got into some trouble last week, she had a good time at home in Ohio with some students from Mississippi who were visiting through a church camp program:

Granny's not talking....

2010-07-09T11:35:00.000-04:00

Granny was supposed to hop in an envelope and leave home last week, headed for northern Ohio. Instead, she tells us she's been detained... but she won't elaborate as to why. Hmmmm....

Great Times in Kansas

2010-06-11T15:22:00.000-04:00

FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2010
We received this letter from Granny today:

Hello family!

I tell you what, I have had a very exhausting but great week! I have done nothing but run, run, run. I don't know how these ladies do it.

I finished off the day on Tuesday talking with Sr. Jeanne Marie about her counted cross stitch projects.

On Wed. morning I had a beauty shop appointment. Keri, the beautician, didn't have much luck with this mop of mine. It was just a bad hair day!!! We even tried mousse and sitting under the dryer, but nothing worked. This Kansas humidity is wreaking havoc with my hair. I seriously thinking about getting a wig.

I met two of the nicest volunteers! Nancy has been coming for 15 years and her friend Margaret has been coming for the last two. They were so nice. They let me call the numbers for a little while and then you will never believe what they put me in charge of! PRIZES. They want miniature candy bars for their bingo prizes so that's what they get. Don't think I wasn't in chocolate heaven!!

I got to help their maintenance man Gary. He was so much fun! He even stopped and sang Happy Birthday to one of the ladies here.

I have worked with a couple of their nurses, Elaine and Kathy and I also got to learn how to play solitaire with Sr. Mary C.. She's in charge of Pastoral Care.

To relax I went out to the garden with Sr. Cecile. She and I read a book together for a while and then we visited. She pointed out how pretty the clouds were.

Their garden is beautiful and they have several different colors of roses. I went to look at the red ones and I guess Mr. Bumblebee thought I was invading his territory or something. He was not very pleasant and chased me off. The nerve of some people!!

Thursday was a much slower and sad day. One of their sisters, Sr. Graciela passed away on Monday morning. Her funeral was yesterday. They do a really neat thing though. They all got together the night before the funeral and had a short prayer service and then went to the dining room, had refreshments and told stories about her. Some of the stories they told were so funny! What a great way to share in her life. I learned that she was originally from Chile and was a pharamcist. How cool is that?!!!

Their local newspaper is really small and it only took Sr. Loretta and I about 5 minutes to read it!

Sr. Mary G. has this cool little red scooter that she buzzes around on. She took me for a ride and we went outside. She drives around the parking lot with this miniature broom and dust pan and cleans up trash. Their parking lot would pass even MY white glove test.

I was telling them that my flight to come home is on Tuesday and guess what....they're planning a GOING AWAY party for me on Monday afternoon. Talk about making someone feel special!

Well, it's almost time for lunch, so I'll bring this to a close. Laurie said she is sending pictures too...so be watching for them!

I love and miss you all very much!

HUGS & KISSES

Granny

Submitted by: Laurie Kloepper, ADC/SSD
Resident Life Coordinator
Dooley Center, Atchison, KS

From the NCCAP Symposium to Kansas

2010-06-11T13:30:00.000-04:00

TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 2010
Greetings!

Oh my!!! What a ride I've been on lately!!!

I arrived at the Cincinnati Holiday Inn on Friday, June 4 and had a FABULOUS time at the NCCAP Symposium! I can't even begin to remember all the names of the great people I met. I had a terrific time listening to everyone's ideas. I shared pizza with the state representatives, listened to the "WISDOM PANEL" that included Natalie Davis, Dr. Charles Peckham, Betty Cecil, Mary Ann Favale and Kathy Hughes. Remember the saying "You've come a long way baby!"....boy howdy, is that ever true!!!

Sunday afternoon I flew to Kansas. I keep hoping I will get to meet Dorothy and Toto, but I haven't seen hide nor hair of them, yet.

I am staying in Atchison, KS with the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica. They have a nursing home for the retired sisters and their family members. Oh my, what a beautiful place! It's very peaceful and quiet here and everyone is so friendly. Today I ate Long John Silvers's for lunch and I helped plant flowers in their hanging baskets for the garden. We had dirt everywhere! I wanted to make mudpies, but we were working inside, so I didn't bring the subject up. Maybe tomorrow!!!

You would think I'm a Hollywood celebrity or something with as many pictures as they have taken. I'm sure they will be sending them soon.

Well, I should go now, but I wanted to let everyone know how I was doin!

Talk to you soon!

Granny

Submitted by: Laurie Kloepper, ADC/SSD
Resident Life Coordinator
Dooley Center, Atchison, KS

2010-06-03T23:05:00.003-04:00

On Friday, June 4, 2010, Flat Granny will be attending the NCCAP Educational Symposium in Cincinnati, Ohio. She hopes to meet some new friends there!

If you've stopped by from the Symposium, please leave a comment. Flat Granny loves to hear from the people she's met while traveling!

Had a Great Visit in Indiana

2010-05-31T17:14:00.001-04:00

MAY 31, 2010:
Flat Granny is on her way to Ohio. She had a great time in southern Indiana.
She did enjoy helping Bill get the payroll in this morning:

She also helped Betty pick up some of our dirty laundry:

She enjoyed our morning exercise group and she and Jeanne L enjoyed a conversation before exercising together:

Granny really enjoyed getting down and dirty with our Campus in Color program. She helped as we planted flowers and vegetables with the residents. This is where she met a special gentleman Flat Gramps. Gramps is a retired farmer, having recently sold his strawberry farm and moved to Autumn Woods. Our local area used to be one of the largest strawberry growing areas in the United States. You may notice that Gramps has a sunburn-too much time in the strawberry patch without sunscreen. Granny and Gramps did enjoy our “Make your own Strawberry Shortcakes” social on Friday afternoon. The residents loved the fresh strawberries and the time with Granny and Gramps too.

Gramps and Granny spent some romantic moments in the moonlight. Granny asked Gramps to join her on her journey across the country. Unfortunately Gramps traveled more than he cared to while he was in the Army during WWII. He did try to talk Granny into staying with him in New Albany to make an honest man out of him. Granny reluctantly declined-saying she had prior commitments and didn’t want to let anyone down. She packed her bags and hit the road for Ohio today.
Hope you enjoy the photos. We had a great time with her visit.

Thanks,

Sandy Whelan

Autumn Woods Health Campus

Possible Romance? :)

2010-05-26T12:12:00.001-04:00

May 21, 2010: We just received a note from Flat Granny's current hostess:

"Flat Granny has arrived safe and sound. She spent lunch with the residents --and they thought she was great. They enjoyed hearing about her adventures on her journey. We are looking forward to involving her in some fun things while she is here, including helping as with our Campus in Color-which is our outdooor gardening projects. We also thought she might like to meet a Flat Gramps-romance could be in the picture.

Sandy Whelan, ADC"

Home School in Ohio

2010-05-13T14:01:00.001-04:00

MAY 13, 2010:

Flat Granny visited the Bailey family in Springfield, Ohio. There she took part in their home school lessons along with the three Bailey children and attended their co-op classes, including Art, Story Time, and Ohio History. She had a great time!

2010-04-27T13:12:00.001-04:00

TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2010: Flat Granny will be headed to Indiana soon. Right now she's enjoying her time with a homeschooling family in Ohio.
We've received several postcards from Flat Granny's travels over the last month. We'll get those posted soon-- Flat Granny's Travel Coordinator has been out on medical leave, so we're a little behind in sharing her adventures. Look for the new photos here soon!

2010-04-10T10:06:00.001-04:00

SATURDAY, APRIL 10th: Flat Granny has arrived in Springfield, Ohio!

2010-03-09T13:47:00.000-05:00

MONDAY, MARCH 8th: Flat Granny just arrived today. She appears quite exhausted from all her traveling and has requested some time to rest before joining in activities at Spectrum Adult Day health. There are lunch trips, Museum trips, art trips planned for her as well as seeing the sights of the North Shore area.

... We guarantee her the best time she's had yet, which will be supported through many pictures.

Dianne Perry, ADC-- Spectrum Adult Day Health, Beverly, MA

2010-03-09T13:43:00.001-05:00

MARCH 3rd: Just a quick note to let you know that Flat Granny will go in the mail today...leaving Iowa and off to MA.

-Shelly Counsell, Activity Director
Riceville Family Care & Therapy Center
Riceville, Iowa

Getting Pampered in Iowa

2010-03-03T12:15:00.000-05:00

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2010: Flat Granny joined us for spa day. In the top picture she is getting a manicure and in the bottom picture she is getting her nails done ....notice they match her hair....Blue. I may send more later...

Shelly Counsell, Riceville, IA

She's in MA

2010-02-09T11:58:00.000-05:00

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9th: We've received word that Flat Granny has arrived safe & sound in Lynn, MA. She managed to get out ahead of this snowstorm we're having here in Ohio!

Cooking in Baton Rouge

2010-02-04T15:13:00.000-05:00

Flat Granny had an opportunity to help cook some seafood gumbo while she was visiting in Baton Rouge. Granny really enjoyed this-- seafood isn't too plentiful back at home in Ohio!

- photos submitted by Janis R. McRae, A.D, Ollie Steele Burden Manor, Baton Rouge, LA

Having Fun with the Staff in Baton Rouge

2010-02-04T15:03:00.000-05:00

Flat Granny had a great time in Baton Rouge!

This is Flat Granny with Sr. Margarida, the Assistant Administrator:

and Flat Granny at the morning Huddle meeting with all the managers:

- submitted by Janis R. McRae, A.D. , Ollie Steele Burden Manor, Baton Rouge, LA

On the road again....

2010-02-01T09:01:00.002-05:00

MONDAY, February 1, 2010: Flat Granny is on her way after enjoying a few days' rest at home. She left home via the post office last night. Before she left, she took a few minutes to update her Facebook page:

Feeling Famous!

2010-01-31T17:56:00.000-05:00

SUNDAY, January 31, 2010: We've just received an invitation for Flat Granny to attend the NCCAP Educational Symposium in June. We're sure Flat Granny will have a great time there!

Home Again

2010-01-30T09:50:00.003-05:00

January 30, 2010: Flat Granny finally arrived back home this week after being delayed. She's resting up this weekend, and will head out to Lynn, MA on Monday morning.

In the meantime, you can now follow Granny's adventures on Facebook:

Flat Granny

Promote Your Page Too

Lost Luggage

2010-01-14T14:56:00.001-05:00

THURSDAY, January 14: Flat Granny lost her luggage somewhere along the way and had a little delay in her travel plans.

She's in Baton Rouge!

2009-12-22T12:11:00.000-05:00

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18th: "Granny did arrive and we’ve had so much fun with her…..in spite of the rain! Our swamp tour with her had to be canceled because of rain! But she did get to visit our Morning Huddle (our administrative meetings), Grumpy Ol’ Men’s club, Santa Claus visit, made Seafood Gumbo among other things…..Will send pix along soon……."

Had a great time in Vegas...

2009-12-09T19:24:00.000-05:00

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8th: Flat Granny has spent all of her gambling money and is ready to head to her next destination... Baton Rouge, LA!
She has hopped into an envelope and is on her way there now!

She's out & about in Vegas....

2009-12-09T19:21:00.000-05:00

Vegas bound!

2009-12-08T08:20:00.000-05:00

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6: Flat Granny emailed to let us know that she was on the plane and headed to Vegas. Here she is getting settled into her seat:

and getting excited about the rodeo:

Las Vegas Recap

2009-12-07T14:49:00.000-05:00

DECEMBER 7th: I was fortunate to accompany Flat Granny to Vegas where she "kicked up her heels" and had a fun 'ole time! Her journey began by leaving Columbus, Ohio on Sunday, December 6, 2009, on a US Airways flight where she had first class seating the whole way. She arrived in Vegas thrilled to discover that the National Finals Rodeo was in town at the UNLV Thomas and Mack Center and cowboys were everywhere out on the Vegas Strip! Of course, she tried her luck on a few of the slots declaring her losses as a donation to the local economy! She hopped another first class flight via the US Postal Service to Alabama on Wednesday, December 8, to continue on her journey.

-Submitted by Denise, NHA of Flat Granny's home (Greenewood Manor in Xenia, Ohio)

She's off!

2009-12-06T18:21:00.001-05:00

Flat Granny went to the airport today! She's had her bags packed and been anxiously awaiting this trip for some time now. She's joining a friend for a Las Vegas vacation. We can't wait to hear some updates on where they've gone and what they are doing! :)

Getting Ready to Go

2009-12-04T17:29:00.000-05:00

Flat Granny has finished wrapping her gifts:

Home Sweet Home

2009-12-03T17:31:00.000-05:00

Flat Granny made sure we had the Activity Room all cleaned up before she left!

What is this?

2009-11-30T12:03:00.000-05:00

We will soon be sending our friend, Flat Granny, out through the mail to visit folks around the United States. We are looking for places to send her... can she come visit you?

She can stay with you for two or three days, and then she’d like to be sent on her way. She would love to be a part of your daily activities, outings, meals, etc. and have her picture taken as she joins you in these events. Flat Granny might also like to visit some families or other places that aren’t nursing facilities, too.

When she visits, we ask that you send (email or snail mail) back some photos, write a few lines in Flat Granny’s journal, and then send her on (mail or in person) to the next stop. If you’d like to help Flat Granny send a postcard back to her home facility, that would be fun, too—but it’s not required. When she’s ready to move on to her next stop, we’ll provide you with the name & address so you can drop her in the mail.

We’ll be posting Flat Granny’s travels here on her blog, so be sure to check in from time to time to see what she’s up to!

If you are interested in having Flat Granny visit you, please send us an email with your name, email, and mailing address.