Rochester Visit Recap

Back from the visit to Rochester. It’s a beautiful Friday and I’m trying to multi-task: catch up on the blog while I get some sun! Apparently it rained just about the whole time we were in the states. Logan says “The rain in Spain falls mainly on Bavaria” – Spain & France are in a drought and it’s been pouring buckets here most of the summer.

So. Family. The visit was great, the reunion fun. Mostly spent the time sitting around talking and sharing meals. We got in on Wednesday the 3rd, we had booked at different times so got different flights. I flew into Dulles, then to Rochester. Got in around 6:30 that night. Logan went through Chicago, he got in around 12:30 a.m. Brother Greg picked me up at the airport, we had dinner, I took a nap then went to get Logan – in what used to be my car. As I was leaving in May, I shipped it to Greg. So it was pretty cool to have my old car to drive. They have been using it a lot, it’s their only vehicle with AC, and it’s been hot in Rochester this summer.

On Thursday, we stopped over & visited my parents. They are on a ‘respite stay’ in an assisted living facility near Greg & Andrea. The stay is for 6 weeks (started when Dad was released from the hospital on July 8th). The place is nice, clean and bright and no smells or beeping machines; the other residents seem nice, everyone calls out a greeting as you enter. The rooms are small, and are designed that way so that people don’t hibernate in the room. This facility also has an enclosed inner courtyard, with patios off the rooms, and birdfeeders that the staff will fill, and a couple large raised planting beds for the residents.

We had lunch there with them, and the food that day was pretty good. Mushroom veggie soup, and then chicken wraps with green beans and a pasta salad. 3 meals a day are served, and the staff check to make sure that everyone has come to the dining room to eat.

After lunch, I zoomed to a dermatologist appointment. I had meant to do that in California before I left but ran out of time. Afterwards, Logan & I shopped Wegmans for some items we have not been able to find yet in Munich. (Wegmans is like a combination of Whole Foods & Draegers. Plus they make great sub sandwiches.) We bought some vitamins, tea, toiletries and Frank’s Hot Sauce – the only, authentic chicken wing sauce. I may ask for more for Christmas! That night we had subs for dinner – wonderful. I really miss good deli sandwiches in Munich. (Have heard about a place called ‘American Sandwich’ which I will need to check out.)

Friday morning we sent Logan out for a bike ride with nephew Gavin, while Andrea & I reviewed the folks finances. Dad was in the middle of moving money when he had his stroke (which is now what the docs are calling it, they didn’t mention this while he was actually in the hospital.) Everything is in pretty good shape, now we just need to have Dad continue what he was doing, and then create a trust to put all the accounts in. It also turns out that Mom has a couple separate accounts, those need to get put in the trust too. It was great to feel like we have a handle on the finances, and we know the folks can afford assisted living on their income – social security and a few pensions. So their savings, invested well, can be there if they need more care. Assisted living will only do so much. If you’re not ambulatory, or have a high level of medication needs, you need to hire additional help or move to more of a nursing facility.

Anyone out there who hasn’t pierced the veil of parental silence, please make an effort! It is really hard to figure out someone else’s finances even if the records are well kept. Power of Attorney is key, in case someone is incapacitated.

Friday night it was pizza and wings at Greg & Andrea’s, as the out-of-town visitors rolled in. First was Logan’s Mom Wanda, we did not get to see her before we left. Then Dad’s brothers and families showed up, and my brother John & his wife Amy. Not everyone could make it, but we had a great crowd anyhow.

Saturday was the actual reunion. Spent the day chatting, helping and just enjoying everything.

Sunday we all met at a Bob Evans for breakfast, and people peeled off one by one to head home. After the folks had lunch, me and my brothers Greg & John scooped them up and took them to see another assisted living facility. Nice place, but 30 minutes from Greg & Andrea, which would make it impossible to keep running stuff over to the folks as Andrea is doing now. (Have I mentioned that I think Andrea qualifies for sainthood? After Dad landed in the hospital, and Mom was so disoriented, Andrea worked the phones to get the docs on the case, and also find a place for Dad to stay that could also take Mom. I’m so grateful for all that she’s done and is doing. Plus in the middle of all this, she is in a clinical trial for a new MS drug, so she’s taking care of herself too.)

Monday I hung around the house, did some watering while Andrea worked inside. Greg had taken the day off, first thing we showed him the progress we’d made with the folk’s finances and he made a couple calls to move along the transfers (that Dad had started). Then the boyz went off to Seabreeze, a local amusement and waterpark. I didn’t go because the dermatologist took a cyst off my leg, and told me not to immerse it for a couple weeks. Boo.

Tuesday morning, Logan & I went off to visit the folks. Then we got to the airport and headed back to Munich.

It had been great to get on the first flight, I took United, and loved hearing the English and feeling like I was in the States just by boarding the plane. I really enjoyed cruising the bookstores in the airport between flights, and chatting with people.

Oddly, I am also OK with being back in Germany. That the weather has been beautiful helps. I am also planning to go back to Rochester sometime in the fall, which probably also helps.

Now, I just need to get on with the chore of getting us moved into the new apartment! We signed the lease 2 days before we left, and need to get moving. We’re going over tonight to water the plants, and then have dinner in the area. I may have found a moving company that will do the job, but they haven’t gotten back to my inquiry yet. Of course, it’s high vacation season and there’s a state holiday Monday, so they may be out. Hope to hear from them soon, because I really don’t want to have us carry 30 heavy boxes up 2 flights of stairs.

I have learned why Germany takes August off – the kids were in school through July 23rd this year, and they go back the beginning of September. So they have 5 – 6 weeks off, and everyone goes on vacation then. Some of the smaller shops & restaurants close down during this time too.

We have some fun planned for this weekend, too. Hope the weather cooperates.