"Tim helps a lot," said his mother.  "He helps in getting residents up out of bed and in repositioning them in bed.  He walks with them and sits at bedside some-times so I can get myself showered and changed.  Taylor has done that too.  Taylor helps with the meals and getting that set up.  Tannis helps serve the meals.  Both Taylor and Tannis will play piano for the residents and Tim plays the clarinet for them.  Our kids are very helpful.  They also help with vacuuming and sweeping."
It should be mentioned that Teresa went back to school and became a Registered Nurse, this time graduating with a degree from Normandale College.  That was in 2002.  The Victoria Care Center can therefore boast that it has an RN on site seven days a week and on call 24 hours a day, every day.
Other tasks for Teresa include filling out legal forms, doing assessments, and meeting with social workers.  "Each resident has to be assessed at least once a year," she explained, "and once a year we prepare for relicensure.  It's required."
Tom's role at the Care Center is also multifaceted.  He does the billing and payroll and helps with the cooking.  "I run the kids back and forth to all of their activities," said Tom.  "That's practically full time.  They are in a ton of activities."  They include swimming lessons, piano lessons, band, choir, drama. 
It doesn't help that each of the three children attends a different school.  Tim is in tenth grade at Waconia High School.  Taylor is in seventh grade at Clearwater Middle School in Waconia.  Tannis is in fourth grade at Bayview Elementary School in Waconia.  Their home on Stieger Lake Lane is just across the dividing line in Victoria, separating them from the Chaska School District.
The three children are not the only students in the Gregory family.  Tom is also a full time student at Normandale where he is taking classes in preparation for a degree in Elementary Education.  "I will be doing my student teaching at Eden Prairie this fall," he said.  A book entitled Statistics was on the table in front of him, ready for reading and study after bringing Tannis to piano lessons.
What is Tom's favorite part of the day?  "Five o'clock in the morning with my coffee and newspaper," he replied.

What is the criteria to be accepted as a resident at the Victoria Care Center?  "If you are at risk of going to a nursing home, you can live here," said Teresa.  "We have space for nine residents.  The stay can be long or short.  One of our residents lived here for nearly nine years."
Most of the employees at the Victoria Care Center are college girls working part time.  "Our families are also involved," said Teresa.  "I have nine sisters and I call on them when I need help.  Tom's mother also helps us."
What does it cost a resident to live at the Victoria Care Center?  "Their cost is 50% to 75% of what they would pay at other places," replied Teresa.  "We don't have the layers of management.  We don't need all of that for only nine residents.  And we are working owners.  We are hands-on owners and workers.  I do some of the cooking, for example, and Tom does some of the cooking.  There is kind of a schedule, but everybody pitches in as needed."
Teresa said that residents, or families of residents, do not have to go through Social Services in order to live at the Vic-toria Care Center.  "Families can come directly to us," she said.  "They can call us directly."
Space at the Victoria Care Center is always in demand and there is sometimes a waiting list, but currently there are four vacancies.  Families may call Tom and Teresa at 952-443-2735 if interested or with questions.  It's their home phone number, of course.

Teresa offered a tour of the Victoria Care Center, including the art gallery.  She has plastered artwork of her children on all walls of the elevator and so it has acquired the distinctive title.  Teresa knows every inch of the place intimately.  She tells how Tannis sat with an elderly resident every day for a little while, so quietly, neither of them speaking except with their eyes.  "It's like having a whole house full of grandparents for the kids," said Teresa.
Tim stands up straight and extends his hand in greeting and salutation that belie his youthful 16 years, and says, "It was nice to meet you."
Piano music filters into the foyer from the great room.  It's Taylor.  She sounds quite accomplished.  The music is lovely.  Tiny dogs scamper down the hallway. 
Tom puts down his Statistics book to drive Tannis to piano lessons.  Teresa smiles with arms unfurled for all who come her way, including Lance, Minnie, and Roho, the miniature pinchers. 

Welcome to our world!
Won't you come on in?
Miracles, I guess,
Still happen now and then.

P.S.  Thank you, Jim Reeves, for your classic country lyrics.

EDITOR'S NOTE:  Visit Sue's Album on the Home Page for a colorful delightful tour of the Victoria Care Center.