Mama's Keeper

Book Review: All That Matters

Mama's Keeper — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 02:04:56 +0000

All That Matters by Jan Goldstein really struck close to home. A grandmother and her granddaughter learn the power of courage, strength and trust in this book. This book showed me that no matter how bleak things get or how frazzled life becomes, with the courage to overcome obstacles and the support of a Grandma, you can move mountains.

Caregivers being replaced by robots in the future?

Mama's Keeper — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 15:55:57 +0000

Grandma tells me ever so often about her “working girl” days. She said that there was a sign in the factory that said. “One day you may be replaced by a robot.”

In Japan, they are working on developing a caregiver robot. I feel quite irritated and the thought of a robot taking care of Gram, even though with my family we had never put anyone in a home. No one else knows and can handle her temperaments like I can. I can see Grandma taking a baseball bat it it if they arrive with a cracked egg or mashed bread.

Maybe because I’m right in the sauce too, it also is biasing my views.

No more Knishes at Nathan’s

Mama's Keeper — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 06:24:55 +0000

The famous Nathan’s, Coney Island

Originally uploaded by SophieLH

I managed to make it to one of my favorite spots, Nathan’s. They now have a calorie count listed. Grandma says its a new law that went into effect this past Friday the first. However, I am really bummed since they said that the no longer sell knishes, Gram’s favorite. The guy cleaning up said that they don’t have it because he eats the whole menu and he hasn’t been eating knishes. So I checked all the menus, both inside and outside the landmark institution and no knishes. It looks like store brought knishes for Gram is in my immediate future.

Elder Healthcare Wishes

Mama's Keeper — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:19:08 +0000

In the June 16th, 2008 issue of the New Yorker New York Magazine, an article “Can One Sibling Pull the Plug if the Others Don’t Want To?” shows a case study when siblings are in dispute over a mother’s care. I have also personally seen this from friends and colleagues alike. For everyone sake, make sure you know where your elder stands in terms on their healthcare wishes and if possible make sure you get it in writing.

Waiting for Chicken Wings

Mama's Keeper — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 18:02:35 +0000

Its another Saturday in the city and Grandma sent me to to supermarket to get among other things, a tray of chicken breasts or chicken wings. The first place I went was to the poultry section and no breasts or wings. So I did my other shopping for 10 minutes and then returned to the poultry section. Still no goods. I asked the guy putting out the meat when will the breasts or wings will be out. Turns out, I wasn’t the only one “on line” for wings. He said 5 minutes that turned out to be 15 minutes. Finally, I had to go in the back to get a chicken wing tray. Of course, I can’t pick them out as well as if they were in a display. I just chalked this waiting up to being a sign of the economic times. In the end, I got the seal of approval that really counted.

Helping Grandma up the stairs

Mama's Keeper — Thu, 15 May 2008 03:32:12 +0000

Grandma informed me once again this week that the elevator went out again. This timing is all too ironic, as I saw this post from Popgadget. Maybe this will help the cause.

Eldercare and Money Matters

Mama's Keeper — Wed, 07 May 2008 21:05:59 +0000

Savvy Ladies has some good tips on financing for eldercare. One of the points stressed is that the caregiver must also make sure their financial house is in order.

Brooklyn Blogfest is coming

Mama's Keeper — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 05:30:04 +0000

We hope to make an appearance at Brooklyn Blogfest this year. This blog was “Made in Brooklyn” , period. ‘Nuff said.

Tags: brooklyn+blogfest

Papal Mass at Yankee Stadium

Mama's Keeper — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:11:09 +0000

Gram had turned into Papal Commentator during Pope Benedict XVI visit to the US. She was glued to the TV, giving me updates. The funny thing is that this lady isn’t Catholic. What was really enduring was when we were watching the last part of the Mass at Yankee Stadium, she wanted me to take a picture of the view of the whole stadium. However, me and my digital camera were too late. So I turned to flickr, and I say thank you Edwin for the shot:)

Note: Flickr had since removed the picture.

Social Security Payments on Debit cards?

Mama's Keeper — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 00:50:26 +0000

Yes, you saw right. I saw this blurp in the April 2008 AARP Bulletin. Grandma was aghast with the thought of her hard earned money going on a “credit card” instead of seeing a check.

We just have to wait and see how this all develops, but one thing is for sure, Gram’s not rushing to use any plastic.

Tags: social+security,, debit+cards,, credit+cards