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Post by Rennie Ellen on Jan 22, 2010 16:40:01 GMT -5
It was after 10:30 AM. Amy, my aide, and I were busy working on the living room. The kitchen was perfect. The bedroom, aside from a couple of boxes out of the way, was good. The bathroom was perfect. So we focused on the living room.
Then there was a knock at the door. My front door was open to let in some light from the storm door window, as it was cloudy outside. I was sitting at the computer desk decluttering papers. I could see into the entryway and there was the inspector.
"Come on in!" I said. She entered, looking a bit surprised at my show of enthusiasm. Usually my greeting when she knocked at my door was with my head bowed in shame and a reluctantly muttered, "Come in." She probably gets that from most of the residents. And here I am, welcoming her into my home and happy she's here!
She asked how I was feeling and I told her the cardiac rehab was helping me regain some strength and endurance, but I still had to take it easy. She said she was glad to hear I was doing better and then said, "Oh no! I forgot the inspection form!" "That sounds like something I'D do," I laughed. So she had to inspect without checking anything off on her paper. I introduced Amy to the inspector and then the inspection began.
She went into the bedroom. I followed her in a minute later. "This is AMAZING!" she said with a BIG smile. "You can actually see your bed and you're able to walk around the bedroom now!" "Yeah," I said, grinning. I didn't care how silly I looked, I was just so happy to hear and see that the inspector was REALLY impressed with my bedroom. "There ARE those boxes in the corner there," she said, "but considering how it looked in November, this looks fantastic!"
"Thank you," I replied meekly. She went back into the living room and I followed. Amy was in there dusting a bookshelf and I flashed a "Thumbs Up" sign at Amy behind the inspector's back. The inspector walked around the kitchen, then came out and looked around the living room.
"Things are looking VERY good compared to what it was before, but there are STILL some boxes," she said. "The living room STILL needs some work." "I know," I replied calmly (for I was starting to freak out a little at her emphasis of the word "STILL"), "but now that I have an aide helping me on a permanent basis, it can only get better from here on out."
Then I told her that Amy did all the stuff I couldn't do and the more I felt better physically, I did the stuff that I could do, and this was why things were improving. I added that because of Amy, what would have taken MONTHS to accomplish doing alone, Amy and I did in a little over a month.
Then the inspector talked to Amy. "The living room really needs to have these boxes out of here so Rennie won't be in danger of tripping and falling, and in case of a medical emergency, the paramedics will be able to get in here with no problem."
Amy said, "That's exactly what we've been working on" (I loved how she said "WE" there) "and I see improvement after each visit. And Rennie works on what she's able to do when I'm not here."
The inspector then turned to me. "Well, because I don't have my inspection form with me, I'll have to return next month to inspect again."
OK, I admit it, at this point I freaked out. "Next month? But -- but -- I'm not on probation, am I?"
The inspector laughed. "No, no," she quickly assured me. "I just need to come back and 'make it official' for my paperwork." I let out a "Whew!" and both Amy and the inspector laughed. She continued, "But if I had the form with me now, I'd give you an "Excellent' on your apartment. And I'm sure when I come back next month, it will look even better than it does now."
I thanked her and said, "See you next month!" as she left. Then I sat down in my computer chair in total joy and amazement. "I passed. I PASSED!" I jumped up and did a little happy dance, screaming, "I PASSED! I PASSED!" while Amy laughed. "Not only did you pass, you got an 'Excellent'," Amy added. "I GOT AN EXCELLENT!!! I GOT AN EXCELLENT!!!" I shouted as I did another little happy dance.
Then I sat down again. "I couldn't have done this without you, Amy," I said. "You don't know what this means to me....Thank you for all your hard work." THEN I started to get choked up and tears came to my eyes. "Do you need a hug?" Amy asked. So we hugged and then BOTH of us got teary-eyed, but they were happy tears!
As we went back to work, we started to plan out how to take care of the areas the inspector pointed out. "I think we can get this done in two weeks, tops," Amy figured. "Yeah, and then we can get into 'maintenance' mode instead of 'cleaning' mode," I agreed. So now we have a plan, and by the time next month rolls around, the "hot spots" will be gone and ALL ROOMS will be at stage ZERO!
Just as I couldn't have done it without Amy, I couldn't have done it without your support and encouragement. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
DO THE VICTORY DANCE WITH ME!!!!!
P.S. In 12 years of living in public housing, this is only the SECOND "Excellent" rating I've ever received. Now I'm going to cry again! But they're happy tears, don't worry!
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Post by Looking_Forward on Jan 22, 2010 16:47:41 GMT -5
I'm so happy for you!
Cardiac rehab does some amazing things for people who put a lot of effort into it. Congratulations!
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Post by anonymoose on Jan 22, 2010 16:51:09 GMT -5
Rennie, congrats! I'm so proud of you (and Amy) and all the effort you've been putting in. That's awesome
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Post by sparkle on Jan 22, 2010 16:52:59 GMT -5
Oh, Rennie. You told the tale so well that I felt like I was actually there with you. There's a tear in my eye and it's about the happiest tear you've ever seen. This is just so wonderful. And, lucky me, I get to be one of the first to congratulate you. I'm not good at this emoticon stuff so you'll just have to settle for a big and a silent cheer.
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Post by messymimi on Jan 22, 2010 17:16:28 GMT -5
Rennie Ellen, Mt. Maintenance Conqueror!!!
I am so happy for you.
messymimi
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eternal
New Member
Joined: September 2008
Posts: 57
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Post by eternal on Jan 22, 2010 17:40:45 GMT -5
Well done! What a happy outcome!
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Post by phoebepj on Jan 22, 2010 18:36:04 GMT -5
yay rennie!!! i'm sooo happy for you!!!!!!!
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Post by shopgirl on Jan 22, 2010 19:20:19 GMT -5
Congratulations, Rennie Ellen! That is sooooo EXCELLENT!!! Doing a happy dance with you!
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Post by lostagain on Jan 22, 2010 19:55:06 GMT -5
WOOHOOOOOO!!!!!
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Post by limegreen on Jan 22, 2010 20:10:48 GMT -5
Rennie, that is fabulous news, next month you will get a perfect score to add to your excellent one today! I'm so happy for you!
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Post by notsomessyshell on Jan 22, 2010 20:34:05 GMT -5
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Post by Celeste on Jan 22, 2010 20:38:39 GMT -5
You are doing great, Rennie. I have every confidence in the world that you'll pass with flying colors.
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Post by xievajohnson on Jan 22, 2010 20:54:56 GMT -5
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Post by phoenixcat on Jan 22, 2010 21:03:09 GMT -5
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Post by binky on Jan 22, 2010 21:42:10 GMT -5
I'm sitting here beaming with pride for you! Congratulations!!!
Binky
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