Coming Soon.

We are happily plodding along getting closer to August with each day. When I look at the calendar I'm reminded of how far we have come, considering Mom was living alone, in her own home only 6 months ago.  Amazing to look at all the changes that have been made.  Sad, on the one hand, that the changes were necessary, but happy, on the other hand, that Mom has gone through "deep water" and has emerged in a "content" state of mind.  It would be VERY hard for any of us to make the changes she has had to make, let alone make them when you don't understand the "why" of all the changes.

With the coming of August brings the dreaded "6 month court date", Aug. 5th, to be exact.  We don't mind making the drive to Tulsa, or even going to court, but we (my Sister & I) are concerned that Mom will be very stressed by going back to the courthouse, dealing with her attorney, etc. etc. The court will be  inquiring as to how things are going, asking Mom how she's doing, and looking over her financial statements [to be certain we have not made off with her money].  I get it.  I understand it.  But, I'm not sure Mom will.  Oh-How-We-Wish she didn't have to deal with the courts.  My sister is under the impression that we will do this again next Feb (6 months) and after that we won't need to appear in court any more; only our lawyers will need to appear once a year and provide the proper financial documents.  I sure hope she's right!

Sunday

Sunday dawned sunny & bright.
Mom did not.
Usually she is up early, but this morning I woke (?) her up at 9:00 to get ready for church, as is our usual habit.  She moved slowly.  She ate her breakfast slowly.  I detected a "reluctance" on her part to get ready to go.  Lil' Mama told me that Mom had grumbled to her about going to church this morning.  *smile*  Have you ever felt like that?  I sure have...

Still, we made it out the door and into church.
Mom, Lil' Mama & HK, Me and Mister, filling our little pew.
Afterwards we went to lunch at Mom's favorite place - "Captain D's".
She was all smiles.

Sundays take a little more effort to get us all up, ready, and out the door, but it's always worth it!

I Bet you'll LOVE this!!

At my house.

Mom working on her project and entertaining Haylee Kate in the process.  

She sits and talks to her as she works. 

 HK finds her fascinating.
I could never have imagined this sweet sight,
and under my roof, at that.

Twist & Shout!

That's what I want to do!

"Twist & shout" with joy!

Mom is doing great!

She has been working on a new project for
several afternoons.

When she is finished we will take them to a local
nursing home to give to the residents.

The finished project will have a ribbon through
the top so it can be hung over a door knob.

The project came in a box with all the supplies needed
to make 24 crosses.  She is making two boxes (48 crosses)

.to brighten someone else's day.
Each box was $4.99 from Walmart.

(I share this info so if anyone else wants to do the same

it will save you time from searching.)

Peaches & Cream

Mom made dessert for us today and it was
sooooooo good.
The ingredients were layered into
a baking pan then baked.

Here it is, a work in progress.
She did this with only the slightest of prompting.

God bless my Mom, she is the bravest,
strongest, hardest-working person I have ever known.

I hope no one has the idea that people with Alz's
are in any way "dumb".  That's certainly not the case.
While the disease works to rob them of brain function,

they work extra hard to overcome and fight it's progress.
Let's all pray for a cure.
Some day Alz's will be a thing of the past.
I know that in my heart.
(stepping off my soap box now)

If you've got a sweet tooth and love "peaches & cream"
then you might enjoy this recipe as we did.
You can find it HERE.

Bon Appetit

Breakfast:   Small bowl of cereal, 2 oz fruit juice
Lunch:         Ice Cream Brownie Sundae
Dinner:        1/2 C. Beef Stew, Ice Cream w/Apple Crisp

This is what Mom ate today.
She rarely ever feels "hunger".
Each meal comes as a total surprise to her, however she is usually good to eat whatever is put onto her plate. She reminds me that she was raised in the country and they were taught to not waste food, so she tries to always "finish her plate".

Cereal is her usual breakfast - she likes the taste and she can fix it herself, which is something she is proud of doing.  I usually prepare her lunch, but today we had business across town so I pulled through a Burger King.  My daughter and I both ordered a Whooper Jr. & drink - Mom ordered a Brownie Ice Cream Sundae.  Yes, I was a bit surprised, but she insisted that was what she wanted (and all she wanted), so an ice cream sundae it was.  Later, when we sat down to dinner, I was even more surprised when she only ate a small bit of her soup (we all woofed down 2 bowls each).  She didn't "finish her plate" (bowl) - VERY unusual for her, but she did eat every bite of her dessert.  *smile*   I'm hoping this was just an "off day", and not the beginning of a problem.  Mom is quite small and it would not be good for her to lose any weight.  I understand that losing one's appetite is often another step in the Alzheimer's progress.  Praying this is not the case for her.

Counting

1. Sunday
2. Monday
3. Tuesday
4. Wednesday
5. Thursday
6. Friday
7. Saturday

Mom is doing very well!!

According to Me

Things have been going so well for the past month.  A little success breeds hope for a better future, ya know.   I understand that ALZ 's is a progressive disease with no cure, but I also understand that some people, can maintain the disease quite well, with the proper med's, for quite some time.  My prayer is that this will be the case for Mom.  She is taking her meds well.  She seems to have lost the anger she once felt about me carrying her "red card" (bank card), and this afternoon we were eating our lunch and watching a TV program and she actually laughed out loud.  I admit that her laughter made my day.  She makes her own bowl of cereal for breakfast each morning.  She also showers, chooses her clothes and dresses for the day.  So she begins her day like most of us do.

Actually I find my biggest challenge with Mom, at this point, is keeping her occupied.  Left to herself she will sit in her room and read all day and all evening, except for coming out to shower and eat her meals. Mom is small and somewhat frail and I feel strange asking her to do things that I can actually do myself, but I am reminded of what the doctors tell me, "at this point it's a matter of use it or lose it sooner".  They encouraged me to keep her busy and somewhat challenged. . .Today was laundry day and she folded 3 loads of laundry for me - two loads of towels and one load of baby clothes. I tried to engage her a bit by eating our lunch on TV trays in front of the TV - she has a TV in her room but has only had it on twice, and just for a couple of minutes each time. . .Friday she has her beauty shop appointment then will go to the library to check out more books.  Most days, tho not every day, I can find ways for Mom to interact with the outside world, at least to some degree, but the one thing that is still lacking at this time is a friend her age.  This would enrich her life a lot.  I'm still looking.

A "first"

Mom's first movie in 3D.

It was almost worth the price of a ticket just to hear all the kids in the theater laughing, and yes we laughed along with them.  M & M & M (Me, Mister, Mom) spent a fun afternoon wearing our 3D glasses enjoying the movie.  

Small Things

We went to the library today.
Mom reads a lot and enjoys getting new books.
Today she got her very own library card.

Thank you to the library workers who made this happen even though some of the required documentation was lacking.  They thought though all the possibilities and came up with a way to issue the card.  

Sometimes it's the small things that give a person a lift.

Flying Colors!

Mom's doctor appointment went off with "flying colors"!  

The appointment was hands-down the best doctor appointment I have ever been to with her.  She was a little on edge to begin with, but by the time we arrived she was in good spirits.  She welcomed me to go into the doctor's office with her, which is usually a BIG issue.  Mom was smiling and mostly upbeat as she visited with the doctor.  She told the doctor she wished she could live in her own house, but that both her daughters were very good to her, etc. etc.  I couldn't wait to get home to call my Sister to tell her!! The doctor left her on all her current meds and she doesn't need to see him again for four months.

It is so good to see my Mom smiling and content.
"To God be the glory great things he hath done"!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

After the doctor appointment we went to the nursing home 

to leave the crafts we had made for the residents.

Mom had fun working on these and I hope they brighten the holiday for others.

Have a Happy, blessed, and safe, 4th of July!

Dare I say it?

Things are moving along quite calmly now.
Mom has eased back into a routine and most of the time she seems happy.  Not "happy, happy, joy, joy - Happy", but rather a "comfortable, contented, peaceful - Happy".  She is pleasant, calm, and satisfied most days. I am thankful to my core that she is doing so well.

Tomorrow will present the first possible "stress-er" since she has been back with us - she has a doctor appointment with her neurologist.  I won't tell her about the appointment until this afternoon, as she will worry about it if she knows very far in advance.  This is the doctor who prescribes the strong combo of ALZ meds, and he is also the doctor she saw while she was in the hospital a couple of months ago.  She seems to have forgotten all about that hospital stay and I'm hoping that seeing the doctor will not stir up the past memories that left her so angry with me.

Mom and I had a good afternoon crafting 4th of July Favors.  Perhaps after her doctor appointment we can take them to give out at the Nursing Home.  I think she'll enjoy this and it might get her mind off the doctor visit. 

 Here are the door hangers we made.

Wish us Luck!