Detours and tight turns.

Me and my friend

Some commentted that I frame this picture, and I just have to get it done. It will be a picture that goes on the wall, or fireplace mantle. 

I know that I have so many pictures of her and me. They all seem to capture us in our "Loving mode" and yet, this is different from all the rest. I think it is because we are not wearing our red Angel caps. 

Each day with Sweetie, is time to hold on to. We are heading into another attitude change. She is wanting to wander more each day. I've noted this before, and it is getting stronger in her each day. 

I have to pay attention to her when we are out. On the golf course, she will start, and I have to call her back to me. In our meetings, before, and after the meeting, if she isn't holding my hand, off she goes, heading for the door. By calling out her name, she will see me, and return. This my sound silly, but I think I might look into getting her a harness to wear, so that when she does take off, I have something to hang onto to bring her back. 

The other solution is to leave her home, and I don't want to do that. If I'm not there, what will she get into? What harm can she cause? 

She is also waking up meaner each day. I am thinking of giving her a dose of CBD before I do anything. For she seems friendly enough before the struggle to get her out of bed starts. Let the CBD start working, so she is more ready to get up. 

Monday

I can see she is awake. When I go in, she seems happy to see me. Knowing what she is like now, I try to let her get accept the idea that it is time to get out of bed. Open the curtians, and talk to her. Tell her that she will be getting up soon. 

After that, I leave and hope that she will be in a more willing mood when I return. I do this one more time before we make the move to get her out of bed. 

If it was up to me, I'd might just leave her in bed. Knowing that if I do, she will have a sore and raw bottom from her wet pullup. So, the battle begins, I pull, she resists, then resigns to the fact she is getting up. 

This also sets up for her not to cooperate with me. She just wants to be left alone, and that isn't going to happen. 

Once she is cleaned, dressed and headed for the table and breakfast, she is in a better mood. In the past, I could talk to her while she is eating, and she would respond to my voice. Lately, she doesn't seem to know me, or react to me until I call her name, then she will look at me. 

Sometimes, it is like pulling her out of a hole that she has fallen into. She doesn't seem to know what is going on until she is at the edge and can help herself. 

After breakfast, I have to be careful to get her willing to come with me. I bring her shoes, and put them on the carpet next to her. It is then I ask if she wants to come with me, and needs to put on her shoes. So far, this approach is working well. 

It has been cold in the mornings, so we bundle her up. Bringing gloves helps, and a handfull of tissues for her runny nose. Using the tissues on her nose is tricky. Times when it is OK for me to wipe her nose, and she may even blow for me. Then there are the times, she baucks and I have to insist on wiping her nose. In some sense, she is like a little baby, not knowing or caring that what I'm doing to her, is good for her.

Don't know how much longer I will be able to play golf with her, if this wandering behavior continues to develop. One eye on her, and the other on the golf ball doesn't lend itself to good rounds of golf. 

The end of the day was our normal. The only difference was, we sat at the table and had dinner there. Wanted to see just how well she can feed herself. Did a darn good job and we just may do this some more. I'll help only when I can tell she is stuck. 

All in all, the Road to Dementia Town wasn't that bad today. We did have some detours and tight turns along the way. At the same time, we were still able to Keep Our Shiny Side Up. C'ya, Luv Ya, and God Bless.   Arthur.