Liked in the past.

My Sweetie.

I think this is the best picture of Sweetie on all of 2021. I'm sure there are more to come. As we swing from day to day, always looking for those times when we are happy, and scrambling when times are not as happy as they could be. 

When I think about the times that are gray and shadowy, I try to get through them as positive as I can. Simple things, like, last night's dinner. I thought I had made something that she would like and could handle. It was a rice stir fry. Easy to make, all in one dish, and eat it with a spoon. Sounds easy, and it is was something that she enjoyed in the past. 

That was my first mistake, something that she liked in the past. As it turned out, that wasn't a good idea. With all the ingredients in one bowl, it was too much for her to understand, let alone eat. Which brings to mind now, that she is separating food groups on her plate. That old idea of observation and putting into practice are two separate things. I now know what not to do, and at the same time, what to do. 

Tried something new, brushing her teeth and I now know why she has stopped brushing, it is her elbow. She cannot reach her mouth with her right hand, and I just thought it was her forgetting what she was doing. I was wrong. It was and is pain in her arm. So, yesterday, I decided to try and brush her teeth for her. I was able to brush a little, and right now that was a whole bunch better. I have a soft brush and will keep at it, now that we have started. 

Got her an elbow brace, and got it on her. It is also a Tendinitis support. I got it on her and she left it there. Yea. I feel better that she will wear it. I've noticed that she is trying more and more to use her right arm and hand. That's a good thing. 

Last night, with her not wanting to eat my stir fry, she got up and went to bed. Not wanting her to go to bed without eating. I made her a sandwich, poured her a glass of milk, then got her to come back to the table and eat. And eat she did. With two cholate chip cookies as dessert, I was satisfied she eat something good for herself. 

When I did put her back to bed, I left the brace on. It would be too much of a battle to get to it, and off. I don't think it will hurt this one time. I'm just hoping that with some relief from the pain, she might renew some of her strength. 

Day in and day out, sitting with my Driver, as we travel down the Road to Dementia Town, worn down or lifted up, it is never the same. For as the road changes, so do I. He teaches, I learn, and life goes on. For we are always Keeping our Shiny Sides up. C'ya, Luv ya, and God Bless.