You are my Sunshine.

At Knott's Berry Farm.

This is how I see her today. Bright eyed, smiling that killer smile, with the breath of life permeating her very being. How short those days were, and how long ago they seem. 

Oh, I get a glimpse of them every now and then and I have learned to see and enjoy them while they are with us. 

Lately, I've been singing to her the tune "You are my Sunshine." She will hear me start and soon she will join me. It is one of those sweet, but sad songs. 

Music and songs are one of the most lasting memory the brain can store. At meal time, we sing a blessing that she taught me. There are times if I prep her, she will sing the whole song with me. If I just start singing, it takes her awhile to remember, find where I am and join me in our prayer song. 

It is the same with songs on the radio. If I start to sing with the radio, she will join me. It is as if I'm giving her permission to sing. If the music is upbeat, tapping with the rhythm of the beat, is just a much fun, too. It lets me know, she is still with me. 

Thursday 

Its going to be another early morning. Lately she has been pulling all the blankets off both of us, and thus getting cold, she gets up. This is something that corresponds with her getting up so early. I've tried to cover her back up, but that only seems to keep her awake and she takes the blanket off again, oh well. 

Because I don't know if she has wet through her overnight pad, I can't just let her walk around and sit anywhere. Got to get to her and get her changed before that can happen. 

With that in hand, I'm stopping what I'm doing to take care of her. A whole new routine is starting to make itself known. I've learned to adjust myself to what she is doing, not the other way around. 

Yesterday's beginning was on the rough side. She wasn't as willing as before to let me change her. She was OK until I started to undress her. Slapping my hands away, I had to be careful in my actions, voice and movements when she is like this. I was able to get her undressed and sitting on the potty when I gave her a morning dose of happy medicine, and into the shower. 

One of the things I've learned with the shower is to let her feel the water before I put it on her. It can prepare her for me getting her wet so she can enjoy it, if that is possible. Then there the times when she will take the shower from me and get herself wet. When that happens, I take advantage of it and wash the top half as well and the bottom half of her body. 

With her getting up earlier, it means more time for breakfast and just sitting. This is the time for me to get things done, to make the bed, to wash dishes, and do some early morning yard work before we head off for the course. 

She was being very good while we played our round. She still comes with me to some of the greens and tees, but not as much. I encourage her to stay in the cark as much as I can. It seems that I've found a phrase that helps her stay in the cart. By telling her I'll be back to get her seems to put a smile on her face and an understanding that I won't leave her there. Of course all the "I love you" and "You are my Sunshine" choruses help too. 

Had some running around to do, so after lunch, we're off. While we were out, I thought I'd try anther walk about. Keeping a close eye on her, I wanted to see how far we could go. It went well. We did our complete two laps around the mall. Then shopping and home.

Had to take Tweety to the top shop to see about getting a wrinkle out of the head liner. While we were there, I had to get in and operate the top. Sweetie just couldn't get the idea that I wasn't leaving her there, and she walked around and got in. If I'm in the car, she is in the car too. We got set up for next week to see what they can do to fix the wrinkle. 

Got home to finish the day, and we did in our normal style. A good day by all standards. 

Another pleasant day spent together. The three of us, Driver, Sweetie  and me. Going through the hills and dells with the gentle rhythm of the tires on the Road to Dementia Town, all the while, Keeping our Shiny Side Up. C'ya, Luv Ya, and God Bless.