The Details

How did I miss a day?

I guess I was going to post about the air fryer and totally forgot...

Ok... first the air fryer and then I'll give more details about the senior day care centers that I visited.

This past summer while in San Diego I went to my favorite shopping 'mall'... the mall has about 10 thrift stores and across the street is the Salvation Army. This Salvation Army has a 75% off everything every Monday! I love shopping there.

I went to look for a soda stream machine, but didn't find any... Well... I did find one, which I should have bought... anyhow, that's another story!

My sister wanted me to find a toaster for her, so I was in the appliance section of every thrift store. One day it was the green tag special. Anything with a green price tag was 50% off. On the shelf was a Black and Decker air fryer -- 10$... green price tag -- 5$! I had no idea what these things can do... and it was kind of heavy. But for 5$... I decided to buy it. I couldn't bring it back when I returned to Taiwan in August, but I knew my sister was coming over in January. So, I left it for her to lug. She did... Thank you, Annie and KR! While she was here, I had no time to test it out...

We came back from the cruise on February 3rd and I have used that thing so often. It's now one of my favorite appliances. I fry onion rings, French fries, meat of all kind... It's fabulous. The kids love it. Alan loves it. It's the second most used appliance... the first being my soda stream machine.

Now... for the senior day care centers.... Mom enjoyed them tremendously. The social worker let Mom join the program in the afternoon... and Mom got to meet and talk to about 12 different ladies. The oldest being 94! So, next week on Monday, Mom will go get a chest x-ray to make sure she is healthy. Then she is going to go for the day on Tuesday from 9-5pm. I will have to pay 1000NT$. I will also pick up the paperwork and get that started. While the paperwork is being processed, the lady in charged said my mom can come whenever I like to drop her off... but I have to pay out of pocket! I don't think I will be doing it too much as I'd rather wait until I get the government approval... Plus my part time classes have not formally started. I just wanted to try one full day to see how that goes... I want to see if my mom will sleep better at night by joining these kinds of programs. I will definitely keep you posted.

Seek Him First!

Two Nice Possibilities!

I took Mom to the two different places this morning...

Yes, it's at least a 20 minute drive... but the people were super nice...

I'm not sure all the paperwork that's involved... or the fees... They are going to send me more information and tell me the steps that I will have to go through...

But one place was very open to having Mom there even before the paperwork is done. The lady in charge was like, "She can come next Monday if you'd like!" But I will have to pay out of pocket!

I will ask about the cost for the day and maybe on Monday, March 4th, I will let Mom try the elderly day care center from 9-5pm. I might also reserve a van for pick up... then I won't have to drive back to pick her up... I will keep you posted!

I was quite happy to see that they have the space to take her as most of these day care centers are completely packed! If she goes on Monday, then I will ride around the Neihu area to see if I can find another private elderly day care center...

That's one of the biggest problems right now... because I have to take care of my mom, I can't be taking my scooter around to do things... I try not to leave Mom home alone! With the kids and Alan gone all day, I have no free time to get these kinds of things done!

I will keep you posted.

Overall, I felt very positive about the two places! (Tomorrow... I will post more details!)

Seek Him First!

Day for Housework!

Yes, I decided that I really needed to take the day to get some housework done...

So, after cutting my mom's hair, I changed her bedding... changed our bedding... and did two loads of laundry!

Of course, I had to sweep and mop the floor and spray down the showers, too!

At 1pm, Mom was ready for a nap and so was I. She again was up and walking, walking, walking last night... I shouldn't say 'walking' more like restless pacing! The other night she got up, put on makeup and changed her clothes... and then went back to sleep... then got up and changed back into her pajamas and then went back to sleep... She is up at least three times each night...

In the afternoon, Mom watched Little House and I went for a short quick run! It wasn't raining... but it was cool...

Abby had her fellowship tonight and then went to the library... The high school joint college entrance exam scores were released today... Many students were either elated or very down in the dumps...

Isaiah had tennis practice as he has decided to go every other Monday.

Alan and I had a quiet evening... We had a counseling appointment but the lady had to change the time... So, it was very nice to be together with Alan... after Mom went to bed!

Seek Him First!

Not A Restful Sunday!

I can't say it was a restful Sunday... but the message at HOP was great.

It was talking about authentic worship.

Seek Him First!

Calling Possible Places

I spent the morning looking on the internet and calling several places... What did I find out?

1.  Elderly care centers are very packed these days.
2.  The process of evaluation to gain government subsidies takes about two months.
3.  Full time elderly care for dementia individuals will cost 35,000NT$ per month! That's living there, 24/7.
4.  Both places in Neihu for part time care are completely full. Waiting time for admittance is indefinite.
5.  Two other possible places are about a 20 minute drive. I've made an appointment and will go and check them out on Tuesday of this coming week. The social workers sounded very nice and they charge per day. The rate is reasonable.

Mom stayed home and didn't want to watch In Touch. I think she forgot she liked this program. The only program she wanted to watch is Little House!

Abby and Isaiah had morning basketball practice. Isaiah stayed home in the afternoon watching Taiwanese soap operas. Abby had a free facial through Mary Kay. I hope they don't sell her stuff as she is trying to save money.

The weather indeed was cooler, but not as cold as it is in San Diego. Mom Bea said that it was really cold there.

Seek Him First!

An Uneventful Friday

Except for the drastic change in weather, today was quite an uneventful day!

Mom went to her morning program.

Alan and I had a date.

We then took Mom with us as we did several errands. One of the things we're trying to do is to find some way to convert our slides into digital files. It's crazy... but we have about 1000 or more slides.

Mom took a nap and watched Little House while I went for a short run.

The kids were home for dinner and this evening was our family time!

The weather is going to stay cold for the whole weekend!

Seek Him First!

Teaching Again...

The Foreign Police invited me back to teach on Thursday mornings in March and April... And NSB will also be starting... NSB has not gotten back to me as I requested the class to be changed to Monday evenings as Alan and Isaiah are both home on Monday nights! Then I can leave to go and teach. Tutoring is working out well...

But with all these teaching opportunities, I'm really looking for a part time elderly care center/program for my Mom! I called this morning and she has not moved up at all on the waiting list... I will have to start calling other places! The church programs twice a week are great... but they are only for 3 hours on Tuesday and Friday mornings. That's not enough! Tuesday morning is when I have my Bible study group. Friday morning gives Alan and I time to have a date! Those do not cover my teaching time!

I'm hoping for Wednesday and Thursday from 8-5pm and hopefully no more than 5,000NT$ a month! God will work this out...

Seek Him First!

Trying to Open A Bank Account for Abby

I never knew there would be so many hurdles just to open an account for Abby.

First of all, it turned out that she's considered to be a minor here in Taiwan... so we had to have both parents present with two IDs and Alan even had to bring his passport.

Then because Abby has a US passport, there was a special form to fill out and Alan said, "Wait... I need to find out what the US tax laws would be on that..."

So after more than an hour, we did not finish the process. Alan is going to check before we turn in this US tax form required by the bank.

This also brought to our mind that if Abby were to move out right now, she would have a difficult time finding a place to lease. No landlord here would rent to a MINOR without asking for the parents' signature. They want to make sure they are going to get their monthly rent. The only way for her to have a place is if one of her friends who is renting somewhere sublet a room to her or is willing to share the room with her with the full knowledge of the landlord. We will see what happens with that!

One positive thing that we found out was banks in Taiwan will not issue a credit card to minor... and if the person is no longer a minor, he/she must prove that they are financially secure, meaning a full time job or prove of employment is required!

Other than that... the day went rather smoothly!

Seek Him First!

Morning Bible Study

It was a great day as Mom went to her program and I had my Bible study.

We hadn't seen each other for a whole month, so we had a lot of catching up to do... and the lunch was delicious.

In the afternoon, I rested, went for my usual short run (my legs were able to go faster) and did some housework. I tried to find a picture from the run on Saturday... NOTHING!

Alan and Isaiah were at school until after 10pm. Abby came home and worked from home.

Mom's cough is getting better.

Today was Lantern Festival... but I forgot to buy the sweet dumplings. I will have to get some tomorrow.

Seek Him First!

Getting Back into the Swing of Things!

Alan and the kids were off early this morning.

I then helped to organize Abby's room as she got two huge bags of 'new' clothes. We couldn't figure out where to put everything!

Mom was not in a hyper mode... it might be from the codeine cough syrup that I've been giving her. Yes, her cough is getting better...

Again, while she watched Little House, I went for my usual 30 minute run... My legs felt good even though I could barely walk yesterday... The body is an amazing thing...

We had leftover spaghetti that I doctored up... YUMMY... Plus chicken soup!

Seek Him First!

I Finished!

Yes, 12 hours of running around a 670m loop...

I made some new friends...

I used the time to pray and pray and pray some more...

The pain was excruciating...

I did not reach my own personal goal in terms of distance, but I did finish! Out of 76 runners, I placed 39!

Alan, Abby and my mom were there for my last 40 minutes.

Abby rode my scooter home for me as my legs could not have sustained my 50cc scooter.

After a shower, I felt 100% better.

I think it'll take two days and I should be fully recovered...

There are still runners out there as the 24 hour and the 48 hour runs are still going on. I was thinking of going over there to see the finishers, but we have church...

Seek Him First!