We miss Baltimore already

We made it back before DC-traffic stopped moving, but it was close. Sorry that we snuck out of Levelle's before dawn and without proper good-byes, but I couldn't deal with a ten-hour drive.

It was great seeing everyone, even though it was not enough time. Thanks for the hospitality, food, drink, rides, gifts etc. And thanks for helping Mom through her troubles.

I'm thinking we need a whole family reunion in the spring. Sprinkles, off-sprinkles, and Danny's off-off. I thought that was something only old people wanted to do but I find myself looking forward to seeing all the cousins together. So, Michael, when is your next trip?

Upcoming activities...

Hello all -

With Michael and Melanie in town, I thought we could post activities here. I'd love to have everyone over to watch the Raven's game on Sunday. Just let me know if you can come. I'm having Thanksgiving dinner here on Thursday. I'm aiming to eat around 4:00, so you can come over any time after 3:00 to our Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving dinner. (up until that point I'll be freaking out, shouting at my family and shoving things in closets ;-)).

Okay - that's it for me - Love to all - Levelle

Dottie Frater

Jim's mom passed away this morning. She would have been 85 on Saturday. Recently she's been suffering with lymphoma, which she couldn't conquer.

Keep us all in your prayers. No funeral or anything being planned - she didn't want anything like that. We're trying to talk Cliff into a big party sometime soon. I'll keep you posted.

Have a scotch and toast Dottie!

Love, Lel

If you want to send Cliff a card:
301 N Lafayette Ave
Ventnor Coty NJ 08406

Nice Weekend!

I know most of you were around a lot for the weekend, but just to fill in the blanks for all...

Quinn and I went to see Mom on Satruday morning. She was mad when we got there because she was in the movie room watching a movie with a group. The aide wouldn't take her back up to the floor or let her leave. Not sure how they got her down there, but Quinn is going to make sure they aren't "insisting" on activities that she really doesn't like. After a few tears we convinced her to have her hair styled (washed - thank you again Quinn!) While her hair was being dried, Uncle Jim showed up. He took us all the Roalnd Park Deli for lunch. We all had a really nice time, talking about funny stories from when they were kids. Mom was almost articulate. Stuart and Trudy and the kids were at BG when we got back, so we also had a good visit with them in the Popcorn room. Only issue of the whole day was that Mom wanted to follow us out as we were leaving, which set off the alarm.

The St Mary's reunion was really a blast on Saturday evening!

On Sunday, Stuart and Trudy took mom to St Mary's for Mass and reception. She was enjoying that so much that Stuart ran his family back to Levelle's for the football game and returned to pick up mom. They came back to Levelles's for a long time, with mom really enjoying herself. I gave her a ride home around 5PM. I was worried about the late hour and/or her willingness to return to her new room. But she was fine. I walked her all the way to the room, even though she wanted me to drop her off. She didn't even try to follow me to the car.

All in all, a good weekend for mom and me :) Hope you all had fun, too. See everyone in a few days,

Lel

Ransom of Red Chief

Stuart thinks maybe that good samaritan was really going to kidnap mom and got as far as York and Winston before he changed his mind. Could be true...

Did we ever find out the guy's name?

First Walmart...now Loyola...

Quinn just received a call from Loyola College Campus Police. He was calling because he wanted to know if she knew a woman named Levelle Smith. It seems Mom was out walking/wandering/lost and someone picked her up and brought her to Loyola (not sure if she directed them there or just seemed like the right place to take her). They called around to local hospitals to see if they had a record of her. GBMC gave them the information to contact Quinn. Quinn has called Paul who is on his way to pick her up.

Now Brighton Gardens has just called Quinn to let her know that Mom is at Loyola and they are sending the police to get her. Quinn told them that Paul was already on his way. The lady (Tomeka) then told Quinn that since Mom has wandered off and gotten lost, they will need to relocate her to the Reminiscence Unit. Quinn asked about the bracelet that they mentioned before and Tomeka told her that they no longer offer that service. Quinn said that there should be some type of intermediate step before that leap to Reminiscence and not to move her before she speaks with them. Quinn is on her way to BGT. More to come....

Love to all and thank you Dad for sending that guardian angel to watch over Mom and get her to a safe place - Levelle