I woke up this morning and felt the call to help Paryese and Bonnie with their unique reimagination of the Mansion activity room. The two did the painting and wallboards themselves, they are exhausted; I decided to devote my day to get them what they needed to complete their project.

They did the hard and sweaty stuff; I’m taking on many of the other stuff. Above, Tania Woodward bailed me out by helping get all these plants out of my car and into the Activities Room. Thanks, Tania.

Paryese has a hard time asking for help; Bonnie doesn’t. They are a good team. I make Paryese a little nervous,  she says she has never known anyone quite like me. (I hear this often, I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing) but she is lovely to work with.

She’s great.

Bonnie doesn’t seem to get nervous. We’ve made a difference in restoring and reimagining this room, the heart of the Mansion. Today was a whirlwind.

 

(Bonnie and Russell assemble the first three twirling ballons for the windows.)

First, I ordered four computer tablets for their media center. They have arrived and are awaiting tech support installation by the maintenance department.

They will be at the center of a new media center that will allow the residents to access the Internet, talk to their families, play games, or shop. They will sign in and out when using the tablets, which will be stored safely.

Two days ago, I ordered twirling ballons for the windows and a new giant cloth for the big round table at the center of the room and its activities, and a classy window cling.

They arrived today, and Bonnie and Russell spent a couple of hours assembling them. I ordered colorful digital clocks for the walls and for Memory Care, two cork boards to hang the resident’s art,  and a CD Music Player that attaches to the wall (the Mansion has about a thousand music CDs).

This CD Player, which attaches to the wall,  will allow the residents to hear music when they want, and the room isn’t occupied.

 

Static Cling Window Vinyl. This will go over the main window which catches a lot of sun in the summer.

In the afternoon, I went to Country Power and bought some plants to help liven and warm up the renovated room.

I got a large floor, a smaller table, a tulip plant for one corner of the room, and some African Violets to go into a ceramic centerpiece in the middle of the big round table.

I’ll bring some fresh flowers later in the week. I don’t think there is any more room for us to brighten up.

 

I got this peace lilly at Country Power Products, I’m making them all dizzy this week.

Paryese and Bonnie are  re-imaging the activity room, in the primary Mansion residence, and in the Mansion Memory Care Center (devoted to the Army Of Good.)

 

The big plant almost destroyed my back, getting it into and out of the car and into the Activity Room. Tania Woodward saved the day. It’s more than five feet tall.

Thanks to our Amazon Wish Lists, the big cabinet is stuffed with art supplies and puzzles. They have called it the “Maria Art Closet.” They are eager for her to come and do her art classes. She’s doing one tomorrow.

Maria is in great demand everywhere, it seems. And her Belly Dancing group has been asked to perform at the Bennington Art Museum in  August. I will see her dance, something I’ve only seen once or twice.

 

(The CD Player I ordered today.)

I am deeply into this idea of helping restore the Mansion Activity Room to its great potential. Paryese’s ideas for an activity room are exciting and transformational, and I am happy to give her whatever help I can. This is something the residents need, and which can alter their lives.

This is an exciting project, a sign of the post-Covid Mansion and the energy of some innovative people. The residents are already buzzing about that room, which was a dusty, sleepy, and dull place to work on art projects and watch TV in the evening.

Everything in it was old and worn. That has changed. I’m pleased to be of help.

You may have noticed I’m not asking for funds to help with this project.

Things are rough for people, and we are not a wealthy organization.  I asked for help last week getting four computer tablets for this new room, and I got what I needed. Thanks.

It’s too soon to ask again.

Our next project – and I will ask for help – will be an Amazon Wist List so Sue Silverstein can supply her amazing new art Room at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons High School in Schenectady.

We’re planning the Wish List for August. I will need help with that. It won’t be costly.

I’m handling this one. Don’t ask. I’m nothing if not willful and resourceful.