Six residents and six staff made the trek to the AARM day at the Capitol to raise the awareness of increased funding for services.  Members of the group split up and talked with 5 legislators including Representative Ernie Leidiger from district 34A.  Ernie has visited our homes before is is an active supporter of our services and has suggested returning to enjoy a cookout with our staff and residents!  

Chanhassen Dinner Theater was recently on the fun agenda.  A group went and thoroughly enjoyed both the food and the production of “Hairspray”!

The CLI Bowling League hit the lanes on April 1st.  Residents from cottage #1 took on the residents from cottage #4.

Now that spring is here there is talk and work towards getting our garden up and running behind cottage #3.  The residents not only love the plants and vegetables but also feeding the birds.  And there is talk of a new bird bath!

Easter weekend plans include home visits for some and for those staying at CLI, some will attend Church services, some will enjoy coloring eggs.

Upcoming events include activities through Magnifying Abilities: Disco Dancing on April 16th and Eric the Juggling Magician on April 19th!  And on April 18th, Bingo fanatics will try their luck at St. Victoria’s Catholic Church!

The ARRM Day at the Capital Rally was a great chance to share what we do with our Representatives. Five staff (Rachel, Heather, Marea, Nicole, and Pat) and two residents (Chase and Mary C.) attended the event.  They even got to meet Governor Dayton!

Ted who has lived at CLI for almost 41 years is moving this week.  His housemates and staff threw him a good-bye party to let him know how much he will be missed.  Ted picked his favorite meal of hamburgers, fries, spinach and punch for the lunch.  Then he was presented with gifts, most which had a “western” theme, and a cake.  Ted loved loved his cake which was decorated in detail with a western scene including a covered wagon.  Good luck Ted, we will all miss you!

Bonnie, James, Kirsten and Rose attended the production of  THE LION KING at the Orpheum in Minneapolis on Feb. 3rd.  The residents loved the music!  Evidently the elephant was quite a hit during the singing of “A Circle of Life.

The CLI Weekly Bowling league continues at the Waconia Lanes.  This weekend residents from cottages 1 and 4 hit the lanes.

On February 11th Rose celebrated her birthday with her favorite meal, Pizza, and requested a white cake with strawberry icing.

Residents have been enthusiastically attending a number of community education classes!  Most recently they have enjoyed  cleaning and glazing a ceramic snowman cookie jar, making a cozy fleece blanket,  participating in floor hockey and  joining in a Mardi Gras party that included decorating mini ‘King’ cakes, Doubloon Toss and Mardi Gras Trivia!

A Typical Workday

Each day will be unique, involving some or all of these routines.

Assist residents with personal care: Assistance with taking baths or showers, tooth brushing and flossing, toileting or grooming.

Assist residents with caring for their home: setting the table, doing dishes, taking out the trash, sweeping, doing laundry, dusting, etc.

Other daily routines: Exercise (going for a walk, using an exercycle or treadmill), improving language and speech, (using flash cards, sign language, pictures, etc.), room care (making their bed, cleaning their bedroom), correspondence (make a phone call, write a letter or use a computer), hobbies (puzzles, cards, board games, drawing, reading a newspaper or magazine, crafts, sports/basketball, riding a bike, listen to music, play Wii).

Drive and supervise residents while involved in the community: Restaurants, movies, bowling, plays, concerts, shopping, haircuts, banking, parks, playing pool, sporting events and theater.  Attend seasonal events such as picking apples, holiday parades, county fairs, outdoor sporting events and school sponsored community education classes.

Developing and improving social skills: Role model and teach how to solve conflicts, appropriately express concerns and emotions, manage time, and complete tasks without reminders or coaxing.

Charting and paperwork: throughout the shift make notes, complete forms and update lists.