Moving Day

THE BIG MOVE!
We have moved !- after living at 528 Brooke Drive in Vallejo, California for nearly 22 years! Our move wasn’t prompted by an employment transfer, loss of home - by eviction or foreclosure - or an act of God. It was elective - mostly on my part. Marie didn’t want to leave. It was her home and she wanted to die there. For me, If I didn’t get some care-giver help, I felt that I would die there - in the not too distant future! This wasn’t my wish. Resistance to change is not new to Marie! Back in 1957, I was interviewed at U.S. Steel in Pittsburg, for an industrial engineering job in Hawaii. I was offered the job, over many other qualified engineers. I was really excited by the good news - until Marie shot it down. She said the same thing in 1957 that she said in 2008: “I don’t want to move. I want to stay here.” I pleaded with her like a Dutch uncle. I told her that if I didn’t accept the job I would always be wondering - “What if? She finally agreed to go but she was never happy with the move and couldn’t wait to return to the mainland. Sometimes, when you are raised in a small town (5,000 people) you become quite provincial and are comfortable in the rut!
While I did have some help in Vallejo - Meals on Wheels (for me - Marie didn’t want them); a yardman; a housekeeper; a respite provider and a Caregiver Support Group, it still left a big workload for me - shopping - preparing Marie’s evening meal - managing all of our meds - operating the dishwasher, washer and dryer - handling all of the correspondence, bill paying, maintenance, and it seemed never ending. It appears that I am asking for sympathy, but I am telling it as it was - the basis for my needing help and seeking relief. Our three daughters - Mary, Joan and Sue were - and are - most supportive and helpful. It wasn’t fair to ask them to continue to drive the 35 mile round trip from Fairfield to Vallejo, and return, on that pot-holed and treacherous- traffic- impacted I-80. Something had to give! Damn the torpedoes! So, here we are - at an assisted living facility in Fairfield - Quail Creek, part of the Paradise Valley complex. (It is owned by are retired military officers organization) near our family support group.
Our new home is Quail Creek, at Paradise Valley Estates -
2350 Estates Drive; Apts. 207 & 208;
Fairfield, CA 94533.
707-399-7908
I suggested that we make the break a couple of years ago, but Marie wasn’t interested. So, I checked out Merrill Gardens in Vallejo. Then, Mary, Joan and Sue and I visited Loyalton, an assisted living facility, at Rancho Solano in Fairfield. I was ready to sign the entrance papers - with an 11 o’clock appointment. Earlier, Mary suggested that we look at Quail Creek in Fairfield, which we did. Marie wasn’t interested plus she wasn’t feeling up to going. I was very impressed, and that is all she wrote. And, here we are - for better or worse. I hope that we will be able to stay until our savings is depleted.
The service here is tremendous - above and beyond the call of duty! (Can you sense that the facilities are owned by Retired Military officers?)
The meals are five star quality and delicious! The nurse manages, and gives us, all of our meds. Housekeeping is done once a week. There are many local activities, as well as transportation to other things in the local area. I now have upgraded the location of my computer - from the garage to my living room I now have access to the facility’s Wife internet system. I can’t believe the increased speed over my former dial -up system. Plus, it’s not a case of using either the phone or the internet. I couldn’t ask for more amenities. While the two apartment units are expensive, it is worth it to me.
The movers arrived at 528 Brooke Drive, in Vallejo, about 9:30 A.M. on Friday April 18, 2008. Mary, Joan and Sue had been there for an hour or two. They did a great job - packing boxes and wardrobes - and tagging items to be moved, with “Post-it” notes as to where to locate them in the new apartments.
The movers had loaded the van in a couple of hours, and we were all on our way to Fairfield. While Marie and I were having lunch, the movers and girls, set up our new home to perfection. When we walked in it was instantaneous home! Thank you very much Mary, Joan and Sue. You all were great and we appreciate all you’ve done for us.