Moving Dad to Windmill Ponds

Hi Stan,
I check in on the blog each week and enjoy reading everything. Thanks for keeping it going.

Just about a year ago my Dad sold his house and moved into Windmill Ponds (assisted living). My step-mother had to go into Knute Nelson three years earlier and Dad had been alone in the house. As you probably know, I have seven brothers and sisters and we planned two weekends to all go to Alex. The first time was a Saturday only and we moved Dad to his new place and did some preliminary sorting of all the stuff. Then a month later we all came up, including the out-laws (that is how our spouses refer to themselves) to Alex and stayed in a motel.
As usual, we turned this 'event' into a good time (lots of laughing and food). We had a 20 yard dumpster (which we filled to the brim), we took several pickup loads to a community garage sale, and we each took a few mementos home (be careful - the tendency is to take too much home with you and then someone else will have to sort through it in another 30 years).
It was a long weekend and lots of work but we were lucky to have so many to help.

Giving up the tools
The week before we came up we had Dad go through the house and decide what he wanted to keep and then moved those things to his new place first. We had Dad stay at his new place so he did not have to watch all of his stuff being given away or thrown away. It was hard for him to give up the house, but necessary. The hardest part for Dad was giving up all his tools. He has always had a work shop in his garage and did a lot of wood working projects over the years.
This is probably something we will all have to do sooner or later and it can be a lot of work but can also be a good time filled with memories.
As we were sorting through Dad's stuff we found lots of pictures and other things that brought back lots of memories and stories and comments like "hey, do you remember ...........", "look at this!"
If any of you are looking for a good assisted living place in Alex for your parents, check out Windmill Ponds, it is a good place.
Paula (Widstrom) Hanson