The most stupidest thing I've heard.

I love you.

Please excuse me for this portion of my posting. Last night I heard from our daycare people and the governor has made the decision to open senior centers again, that was the good news. That is to a limited amount of people, and that they wear mask. Of all the stupid things I've heard over the pandemic, this is one of those that rate right up there in the top 10. To have seniors who don't know where they are, half the time, to explain to them that they have to wear a mask is just stupid.  I've attempted to get Sweetie to wear a mask, and it last about 5 minutes. She doesn't understand, she doesn't like it and she says she can't breath with it on. So, I told our person that we will be sitting out our participation until all restrictions have been removed. The good thing about this is we've been able to work through the restrictions and so far things are working well. 

With developing the new routine, when I hear Sweetie getting up and going to her, I think I'll be able to help her more and she won't be so confused when she comes down stairs. I think that it will relieve her of where she is and what to do. That she won't be alone, and that is frightening to her. She is so attached to me that leaving her at anytime upsets her. 

We're still out walking and I've got most of the walk paths for us to equal about 2 miles a day. I know that it is best for her, and she will be healthier for it. We're now using a golf cart when we head for the course. She is getting used to the bumpy ride and we have dry pants when we go home. To me that is worth it. 

Had a very good day, and I'm looking forward to another one. We're pretty much got ourselves is a good schedule. The lunch in the backyard, sitting on the couch, watching nothing special is becoming my favorite time with her. I can cat nap and then watch her for awhile. She seems so at ease with everything. Special time is when she starts her boys story. I pray that there isn't a time when I get bored with it. 

One of the things I've put into play is a walk after lunch. Like I said, about 2 miles and it takes us about 45 minutes. It helps work off the lunch and when we get back, we go back to the couch in the backyard with a glass of ice water to sit and cool off. This way we are not sitting in front of the TV all day long, and she doesn't get bored with the TV. I don't think she can continually process what she sees if it doesn't tickle her interest. 

There He is, "it's about time You showed up." but then again, His timing is always perfect. It is time for me to get on my way, to start my day, spending that special time with my Driver. Looking to the day, driving down the Road to Dementia Town, sharing my cares and joys with Him, as He drives us, Keeping our Shiny Side Up. Care to follow us? We can stop and sit on the side of the Road to Dementia Town, in the shade of some trees and just enjoy. Have a Great Day, Love Ya, and God Bless.    

Lunch, point and eat.

So many pictures of us on the beach.

As Dementia takes over Sweetie and all her abilities that came with her personality, I just assumed many duties. One of which was the photographer. I always love to take pictures to the point that I tried my hand at taking wedding pictures. Just to stressful. When selfies became popular and smart phones became cameras, it became easy. I'm so glad that I have as many pictures of Sweetie and me to choose from. 

After the near disaster on the golf course the other day, we returned to the scene of the crime. This time to meet with a friend and hit a bucket of balls. When we do this, I bring a chair for Sweetie to sit in. She likes doing this because of all the right reasons. Number one, she is with me, and she just has to seat. She is the pro and gives me a smile when she thinks I hit a good shot. 

Lunch is turning into a point and eat routine. I'll make sandwiches for us and when we are eating, she will tell me she doesn't know how to do it. So, I found out, if I point out a beginning place to eat the sandwich and she takes a bite, from there I'll point out the next bite and then the next, until the sandwich is gone. It is a fun game for both of us. Since I found out she likes the little cups of apple sauce, they are now a main stay with our lunch. She used to be able to open it by herself, now I have to do it for her. You know they have the containers that are squeezable apple sauce, that maybe next. 

For you gummy fans, it isn't working for Sweetie. I've been giving her Cranberry supplements to help keep UTI away. When I went to buy a replacement, all that was left were gummies, and she doesn't understand about chewing them. Back to the drawing board. 

When we went for our afternoon walk, it was a longer walk then I had planned. Took a water bottle with us, Gatorade and water. As we were walking, I could tell she wasn't doing as well as I know she could, and just like that, a friend we know was just coming out of his home heading to pick up his mail. Asked if we could come in and get a glass of water and to let Sweetie rest. Of course we could, and we did. 

Refreshed, we headed back out made a bee line home. Sweetie was fading fast. When we got home, she went straight to bed. Crashed and burned right there. She came back in about an hour and we finished our day without anything worthy to report. 

Today is Pizza Day with the kids and their kids. I want to talk to them about caring for their mom. Her son is the only one that is taking any interest in her health, and I've begun to worry about if I get sick, or have an accident or die while she is still with me. This is very heavy on my heart, so, I need to address it with him. 

Some mornings are exhausting, and I can't wait for my Driver to show up and stick His head in the door way, enticing me to join Him. Relax He says, for He will be with me all day long. Life's highway is a journey that should be enjoyed, and that is way we spend the day together. He is more than willing to point out the panoramic view, pull off to the side of the road to rest, knowing that we are on the Road to Dementia Town, pacing ourselves as we go, Keeping our Shiny Side Up. If you need rest, you too can pull off the road, find a shady spot, lean back and take a nap. The Road to Dementia Town will be waiting for you to return. So enjoy the ride as long as you can. Seeking out Easter Eggs where they are hidden. Wave as you go bye, I'll know you because you will have your Shiny Side Up. Love Ya, God Bless.   

    

Experience: that most brutal of teachers.

Nose to nose with a rose. 

“Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But

 you learn, my God do you learn.” C. S. Lewis. 

The demon Dementia has a secondary spirit and is more frightening then its master. The demon of De-hydration. How insidious it can be. It will strike at the most unpredictable times. Dementia will fight the intake of liquids at almost anytime. The most devastation part is the timing of when it shows its ability to disorientate and disable their host. 

We had a bout with De-hydration yesterday while out playing gold. I always keep an eye on Sweetie where ever we go. I sometimes feel like a walking monitor, watching for any sigh of something that may not be right showing up and it did yesterday on the last hole of the course. I had noticed that something just wasn't right, she was breathing heavier then normal, so I got out my bottle of Gatorade and tried to get her to drink. De-hydration was working hard to have a grandstanding performance and wouldn't let Sweetie drink. What little she did drink only postponed the inevitable. We had gotten to the last tee, and as I was talking with the other players, down she went. This wasn't my first experience with De-hydration, so I didn't panic. 

We had a cart come out and get us and take us to our car. I got her home and in bed, when she woke up, all was better. Damn, De-hydration is so sneaky. I thought I'd been giving Sweetie plenty of liquids, I was wrong. Going to have to hydrate her today. 

Easter Eggs, I got her into some new sweat pants and she likes them. Woo Hoo! And on that same day, the new shoes I'd ordered showed up. She put them on, and she likes those also. A double Woo Hoo. 

This morning, while me and my Driver were talking, He showed me something old but new. Mathew 25, it was this. Asking when did we do these things? He answered, to the lest of these, you did it unto me. I saw Sweetie all over that answer, the sick, the lonely, the one in prison, the hungry. That hit my heart, and I know she is all of those, and this is my yoke and I take it on willingly. A big Easter Egg. Well, it seems that I almost have a full basket, but there  is room for more. On the road we go. While my Driver is skillfully navigating the highways and byways, I've got my head out the window, eagerly looking for more Easter Eggs that I know are there, as we drive the Road to Dementia Town, me with my cool sunglasses on, depending on my Driver to get us where we are suppose to be, Keeping our Shiny Side Up. If your Solo on this road, be careful that you don't lose your way as you Drive with Your Shiny Side Up. God Bless, Love Ya.      

Sundowners on the golf course.

There are days when I have to remember who she was. 

Our Governor has deemed that only groups of 5 may gather, and because of this, she has now completely closed our recreation. Sweetie and me were able to get in our last round of golf till the Corona Virus threat is done. 

I was really worried about our last outing on the course. Things were going well for awhile. Then she started acting like her sundowners was acting up. Was it too long on the course, and of course, I didn't have any Hemp Oil with me, so we struggled to finish. 

When we got into the car, I was able to give her another dose of "Happy Medicine" and she was able to calm down again. Her sundowners are like the waves that come onto the beach. 

As an old surfer, I was able to sit on my board and watch the for waves. I learned to see where they were, how big they were going to be, and if I was in the right position to catch it and get a good ride. It is the same with Sweetie. I can usually catch her sundowner wave approaching and get her her CBD and stop the crash before it happens. Then there are times when the wave has already built enough energy, that now matter what I do, it is going to be a tsunami. Oh how she suffers through those crashes. My heart just breaks as I hold her, or just talk to her, reassuring her everything will be OK. Then, there is a lifting, small at first, then it grows until she is back again. 

We're going to try some more yard work today, and I have some other projects to try. My fear is, that right in the middle of whatever we are doing, she is going to take off, and I have to drop everything and chase after her. There are days when I would wish she wasn't as mobile as she is. Then on the other hand, walking with her, hand in hand is one of the greatest joy the we have left. 

Speaking of joy, my Joy Master is here and is ready to go. He has some new sights for me to see. Something about a relaxing drive today. I sure could use one of those after yesterday. He's got the door open and is ready to go. So, down the Road to Dementia Town we go. Me and my Driver, tunes on the radio, cool sunglasses on, and as always, Keeping our Shiny Side Up. Remember, there will always be Easter Eggs out there, if you look for them, as you too, drive yourself, Keeping your Shiny Side Up. See you tomorrow, Love Ya, God Bless.