Children in need fun day!!

marie took to the microphone with enthusiasm and peggy joined her later in a duet (which I have a video clip of) and some of the other residents helped out with some percussion!

gary arrived for his afternoon shift in his onesie - hope it didn't put the residents off their lunch!

....and Karen provided the moves.....!

the christmas fayre...

...all done and dusted for another year!  Karen chaired a relative's meeting at 1.15 in the lounge and while that was going on the finishing touches to our Christmas stalls were being made.  the mulled wine was heated,   m&s mince pies laid on the vintage cake stand and the float counted ...

we had a very successful afternoon and thanks indeed to roy and jenny who are so generous and kind- jenny made coconut ice, Christmas cake and onion marmalade. roy had made some lamps using re-cycled wine bottles, and they stayed to help me with the rush of customers!!   we had a tombola for fun (di and Sheila did the tickets just in case you wondered) and patty designed the Christmas cards which we nearly sold out of.  I will have to re-order before the end of the week as they have been so popular.

'girl wednesdays'

Marie and Eileen stepped in to run the office  on Wednesday while management were in a training session.  they answered the phone, took messages and sorted the post.  the staff kept them supplied with tea and coffee and I think they enjoyed their day!  Karen was very impressed with their professionalism and very grateful!

Tuesday

Started with keep fit where sue set the residents new challenges ...

After lunch, heather arrived to brighten up a dreary day with her 'music for health' class which was fun. Later Marise came to the library to make some Xmas cards with help from our lovely TWGS volunteers, while Eileen surfed the net!

The week starts with Rememberance Day ...

We had a special tea in the lounge, cake decorated with poppies, shortbread and poetry!

Elizabeth and Joan visited this morning for the regular culture group, lovely meeting today with anecdotes, poetry reading and chat over coffee

Sue's regular variety hour was well attended today and everyone had a great time....Eileen and Marie enjoyed their trip to sainsburys, Marise didn't enjoy her trip to the dentist and Peggy and Mary were as usual busy in the art room!

Happy birthday patty - 100 today!

We were very privileged today to attend Patty's 100th birthday party at MEH organised by her family. It was amazing to see so many of her grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends and fellow residents Joining together to toast her health and happiness. She even treated us to a drum recital and her son, Andrew shared another of her hidden talents - writing poetry- by reading a couple of them to us!

last trip of the year to burrswood....

...probably as the days are getting colder. today however, was lovely and we were able to view the trees at burrswood in all their autumn glory. volunteers Vivienne and Anne accompanied our residents on a trip to the lovely estate at burrswood, to visit the chapel, browse the bookshop and gift shop and finally enjoy tea and homemade cake in the tea rooms.

Eileen, peggy, mary p, joan s and marie had a lovely time although they missed out on jon mcdevitt playing his tunes in the lounge today!!

HALLOWEEN

its Halloween today and we have celebrated the day with pumpkin soup, and a special supper.  Debbie and beccy brought in some pumpkins and with the help of josh, Charlie, peggy and mary, they managed to carve out 4 amazing sculptures which have pride of place on the dining tables this evening.

gary delighted the residents with his witches outfit and gamely posed on the bannisters with his broom!

after supper the residents will have their pick of 'trick or treat' goodies - hope they sleep well tonight!!

Another relaxing Sunday at MEH with winds blustering outside staff and residents enjoyed the warm comforts of our home.
We had a very tasty roast beef dinner with all the trimmings followed by homemade spotted dick and ice cream cooked and served by our multi- talented Carole.
While the winds were gusting Gary discovered how much he liked photography and produced some wonderful pictures of our resident's.
Susan spent time chatting with our volunteer Izzy and then enjoyed a game of scrabble with Mary and whilst the house was having fun, Ellie our house cat snoozed peacefully in the chair in our lobby oblivious to the goings on around her!

various

We were visited today by the most adorable Shetland Ponies.
Delilah 5 years of age and Sparky 18 months of age.
These wonderful ponies were rescued by a lady as they were in poor condition suffering malnutrition.
Now they visit various places including residential homes and schools see more at www.patme.co.uk 
Resident's were most surprised to find Delilah and Sparky in their lobby and lounge.
They live in the countryside and love lots of fuss from people.
They were warmly welcomed by  staff and visitors.
We hope that they come again!

Fun was had at Hobby Craft........

Staff and residents participated in some " yarn bombing" and a knit and natter at our local hobby craft.

The idea was to knit patches to cover outside posts.

Karen, Sheila, Di, Marise, Eileen W, Eileen G and Marie set to work.

Karen relaxing with the very affectionate Ellie, who always loves a                                           good cuddle.

Thursday

Patricia came to play for us today, a lovely classical selection... After the Zumba routine at 2 it was at welcome relief

 

Wednesday

Communion today in the library, more shell painting in the games room and motivation class with Cathy ... Mary had a go on the drums and 5 of our school volunteers came along this afternoon to spend time with residents....

Busy Tuesday...

... With sonas, keep fit and a researcher from itv coming to talk to patty. Peggy started on her next project, painting seashells and Eileen started a new jigsaw.
Marie, Philip and lucille went for their morning walks but there is a definite nip in the air today. Heather arrived this afternoon for her 'music for health' session and it was not only well attended but we couldn't fit anyone else in!

Went around the garden this afternoon and took lots of autumn snaps!

Monday, the weeks starts...

with Joan visiting the residents in the library for poetry reading and gossiping over coffee and biscuits! quite a crowd in the library today, nearly ran out of seats!

after lunch it was Variety Hour with Sue - she had some quizzes and games to make the afternoon fun before tea.  Eileen and Hester waited for the session to finish and then I took them to the town ... Eileen had an errand to attend to and Hester needed to stock up on greeting cards in her favourite shop in the old high street.  we met up in a lovely café (part of Christchurch) and bumped into Vivienne who was pleased to see us!! (hello Vivienne if you are reading this!)

Manna is a café with a difference; they give all their profits to charity and justice causes and are involved in the 'suspended coffees' movement.  you can purchase something from the menu in advance for someone in need - it will then be 'suspended' and saved for a vulnerable person who would appreciate being looked after.

Eileen and Hester were really impressed with the presentation of  tea on the trays....

joan and Karen catch up after the morning session in the library, joined by the 'other cat' !!

 

she is as pretty as her sister............

Penny for the Guy?

He looks amazing! Made by carers deb and Gemma and resident Peggy, with help from Gloria ...and volunteer Beth ... He is now happily sitting in a wheelchair at the front door... Expectantly!!