Sunday, December 31, 2006

Snow! We are having a snowstorm. It started this morning when the rain turned to snow. We are now under a winter storm warning...I'm glad that I don't have to go to work tomorrow, I'm sure it will be a mess. It is pretty though.

Saturday, December 30, 2006

Today we watched the memorial service for President Gerald R. Ford on cnn. Mom seemed to be especially interested in this event. It was solemn and reverent. Mrs. Ford looked especially tired and frail.

We went to the library to see if they had the book Wicked about the wicked witch of the west. They did not and there were 73 people on the list who had requested it. So I went to B&N and bought it. Started to read it this afternoon. But I never really get much of a chance to read with Mom. She wants me with her.

Lily and Stinky were both on my bed earlier tonight and a fight did not break out. That's progress. Bought Soft Claws to put on Stinky. Will need to have the assistance of a Vet Tech from the clinic I think. There's no way I'm going to try to put those things on myself. Stinky is way too rambunctious. And she bites. Speaking of Stinky, while we were watching the memorial service today, Mom was crying and the Stink jumped up on her lap and laid down, put her paw against Mom's face and tried to comfort her. It was too weird. Mom ended up stroking her for a while and Stinky purred. It was very moving.

Friday, December 29, 2006

Today I had my intake interview for the study involving adult children caring for parents with Alzheimers. I hope that I end up in the group that gets the extra care rather than the group that gets the usual care. I need help caring for Mom.

Thursday, December 28, 2006

2006 is winding down and we are still without snow. It feels weird but it's nice not to have to worry about how long the commute to or from work will be.

Mom has been in a good mood this week. It's nice. She is looking forward to me having time off this weekend. So am I. Even though I did accomplish a lot at work this past week. Tomorrow I meet with the head of the study I am participating in for adult children who are caregivers for a parent with memory loss. I still have trouble saying the "A" word, even though I spied it on Mom's electronic health chart last week at the doctor's.

Sad to hear about the passing of President Ford. I read about him on Wikipedia, there was lots that I didn't know about him. He really did have an interesting life. Farewell to a fellow Michigander.

Sunday, December 24, 2006

It's Christmas Eve and it's sunny and mild here in Minnesota. It's quiet too; Mom and the cats are napping, I'm enjoying the tree. We took a drive this morning to the local Department 56 store and I picked up some Village goodies and a beautiful cyclamen plant. Then we stopped by our favorite spot at the lake and enjoyed the view. New neighbors moved in across the street. Can't tell if it's a family or what though. Last night we watched "Meet Me in St. Louis" on DVD. It was really good. Corny, but good. I asked Mom if she wanted to go to a Christmas Eve service but she's not really that into it. So we will stay home and listen to Christmas music.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Finally ! A J. Jill store in our local mall! Awesome!

Looks like we will dodge another snowstorm bullet. We'll be having a green Christmas. Rare for us.

Our snow village looks pretty good on our mantel. Today, my coworker and friend Beth-Ann gave me some beautiful trees to go with it and they look awesome!

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

All alone for the holidays...again. Family is just spread out too far and none of them like to travel over the holidays. Or, they just don't want to travel here. And no snow to boot! That is weird for Minnesota. But we're not giving up yet.

Mom freaked out about the bed rail and I took it off last night. Today, though, she said she wanted it back on her bed. Man, dementia sucks! I also purchased and installed a raised toilet seat which she was uneasy about but now she goes out of her way to use it (it's in the master bathroom). At first I thought it was a little too high for her but now it seems to be fine. Her hip continues to bother her so much.

I was exhausted today, maybe from the relaxant that I took last night.

Monday, December 18, 2006

Got the bed grab bar today and installed it on the bed. Already she is complaining about it. I asked her to just give it a try for a few days and at that time she reluctantly agreed. I'm sure I haven't heard the end of it. I wish I had more patience with her sometimes.

Am dealing with a painful flare which gets worse from sitting all day at work. I have to try to remember to get up and move around more often.

Still no snow here. It just doesn't seem like Christmas. I'm sure we will be sick of snow soon enough.

Yesterday we watched the movie '8 Below'. It was good, but so hard to watch. I really felt sorry for the dogs and their trainer. On Saturday night we watched 'It's a Wonderful Life'. That was good too.

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Front page article today about the raids on meat processing plants in MN for illegals. It's sad but breaking the law is breaking the law, especially if they are stealing identities from Americans. I've heard all the arguments, pro and con, but the thing is, they are changing our quality of life, they are costing us money in education and healthcare and they are not melting into our pot. They are maintaining a 'little Mexico' right here in the US and that is frustrating. I feel sad for the families who are just trying to make a better life for themselves, but this situation has gotten out of control. Why can't the governments in Central America do more to raise the standard of living for their citizens? Perhaps we need a guest worker program?

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Mom seems much more with it lately with regard to personal care. That's a good thing for me. She has been listening to music on her iPod, I gave her my old one. I put it on shuffle by song and showed her how to use the sounddock remote and she will turn it on and listen all day. She just suggested listening to music! I'm glad, because listening to music is something she has always enjoyed and it seems to have perked up her spirits.

Friday, December 8, 2006

I have started collecting Snow Village pieces. Today I bought 2 buildings from the New England Village series and set it up on our fireplace mantel. It looks very festive there.

Sunday, December 3, 2006


Yesterday Mom and I put up the Christmas tree and decorated it. It looks great! It's cold here but we have only a light dusting of snow.

She has been having lucid moments this week with some weirdness. We went to PetCo to get litter and a fountain for the cats. Stinky loves it.

Nine Years and Counting

Mom has been gone for a little over nine years. This blog was a huge mechanism for helping me cope with her illness and daily downfall. I...