Stevie Nicks has been visiting wounded Iraqi war soldiers. Her blog is amazing. So many people are quietly doing what they can to help the soldiers and I think this is awesome. But we as a country need to do more for them. It's painful when soldiers who are severely injured are not taken care of by this country. If anyone deserves it, it is them. Congress has more 'perks' then most Americans. I think this is wrong; soldiers who fight for their country deserve these perks much more than any person in Congress.

www.nicksfix.com

Our beautiful weather continues. It's sunny and 83 today.

Mom didn't answer the phone this afternoon when I called. Of course, I worried. Turns out she was enjoying the beautiful weather from our outdoor patio. I really need to stop jumping to conclusions.

Angie has left for the UK. I hope that she has a wonderful trip and takes lots of pictures. She will be there for nearly 3 weeks. She is going to England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Sounds like fun. When she gets back she moves to MO.

I start my one week vacation today. I hope to take Mom to Lake Minnetonka and a few other places for day trips. I hope that the weather cooperates. I'm looking forward to having a whole 10 days off from work. I haven't had that much time off in a long time.

Took Mom to the dentist today. She needs a deep cleaning, she's not brushing the back teeth well enough, so we have to go back in August.

For some reason she thinks that many of the clothes she wears are men's clothes. Don't quite get that.

Today I took a wonderful walk around the state capitol grounds. It took about 30 minutes. I went with a woman whom I used to work with and we caught up on old news. That's probably why it was easy to walk for that long. I stretched out afterward so I hope I don't wake up tomorrow morning unable to move.

Heard today that Warren Buffet is giving most of his wealth to the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation. His actions restore my faith in the ultra wealthy. I've seen so many greedy acts lately, it's refreshing to see someone being unselfish. But then, what's a few billion to Warren Buffet when he has more money than most nations on this planet. I hope that this money is not mismanaged and that it can truly help not only people in this country who are in need, but also people throughout the world.

Finally time for bed. It's been a long day. Found a great album on iTunes of Renaissance music. It's very peaceful and relaxing.

I've included a counter that shows the cost of the war in Iraq in monetary terms. The cost in human suffering is astronomical. I hope this great country of mine can survive this travesty of a war.

Back from getting Mom's blood drawn. Went to the Mall afterward and parked Mom by the piano at the department store while I walked around the Mall. Got some new shirts for both of us and then went to Bath And Body Works to get some body spray. I love that store!

Mom is dozing now. She has been teary a lot lately. I worry about her becoming depressed but she keeps passing the quizzes the doctors give her to test for depression.

It's warmer today; 82 and sunny. This weekend there is a gathering at the pool that I hope to go to. Maybe Mom will want to come too.

Yesterday I noticed that one of the vanpoolers was reading the newsletter from The Wildcat Sanctuary, a wonderful place that takes in big cats (we're talking tigers and servals and such) and gives them a great place to live out the rest of their lives. One pooler exclaimed "those cats should be killed" which set me off. Cats of any kind are near and dear to my heart. I'm so glad that there are places like this sanctuary. Tammy Quist is a saint. Check it out at www.wildcatsanctuary.org. And anyone who disagrees has no heart.

“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.” -Teddy Roosevelt

My tree rose is blooming and it looks beautiful.

Took Mom for her haircut tonight. It revived the perm and looks good. Made an appointment for her for July. It was a pretty good day today.

It's cooler here and less humid. Am trying to make a date with the Fleischmanns. We hope to meet halfway sometime soon. Mom has been wanting to see them.

Mom is irritable today. I'm trying to handle it patiently but it's hard. Went to Bachmans this AM to get some spray to kill the bugs that are eating the leaves of my tree rose. Also got some more plants for the patio. They make a fuschia that can take full to partial sun! I love them so I got one.

Yesterday I met the woman who lives across the street. We got a letter that should have gone in her mailbox so I dropped it off. She seems very nice. When I got home Mom thought I had gone over there to have her come over to take care of Mom (?). Her mind is really weird. I've got to call the ALZ org just to make contact with them. It would be nice to have someone come in and spend time with her and maybe bathe her. She would have a fit about that though. Sometimes I get so weary from struggling with her to do things that she needs to do.

We had rain last evening which was good for the grass and plants. It seemed to cool off and get rid of some of the heat and humidity too. Today is a lovely day, breezy and cooler.

Just in from running errands. We had breakfast Panera again. Mom gets so confused and asks questions over and over. It can be so tiresome but I have to be patient, she can't help it.

We had heavy rain last night with thunder and lightening. It's really humid today and I think we are due for more showers. Our grass looks green after just one day of rain. My tree rose is finally blooming and it looks beautiful and smells so good.

Mom has so much trouble moving around. It's sad. She uses a cane and it hurts to get in the car for her. Her pro-time has been high so we have had to had it checked every week. Luckily I have Fridays off so I can take her to the clinic. But they are also opened on Saturdays and evenings so that is helpful too.

My family will be happy to know that I have enrolled in the Long Term Care Insurance plan through my work. If I enroll now, I can keep my monthly payments down, 32.00 per month. Plus I can take it with me if I leave my job.

Tomorrow is Mom's birthday and my nephew's graduation day. It seems hard to believe that he is old enough to graduate from high school. It was 25 years ago this year that I graduated from high school.

Anne Coulter and George Carlin are supposed to be on the Tonight Show tonight. I hope I can stay up long enough to see the fireworks. Should be interesting.

Got the pictures of Uncle's house. I can't remember details about the house because it has probably been 20 some years since I was in that house. It look like they are doing a great remodeling job on it though.