The carrousel

Sweetie and the Carrousel.

It is my Sweetie's one ride that she would go on, the Carrousel. She would get motion sickness on anything that would move about quickly. 

When we would go to Disneyland, I would think to myself, what a waste of money. With all the rides, the adventures awaiting, she would just want to walk around and look. She would go on the non-violent rides, like Peter Pan, Its a Small World or the Snow White, you know the kiddy rides. 

But like everything else, we'd work out a unspoken compromise and had fun doing it. One of the things that helped the most was when we found out about the Chicken door. It was a exit point for the couples, like us, to stand in line together until the time to get on the ride. Then the non rider could exit, and wait for the ride to come to an end, and get together once more. 

If I was to compare Dementia to Disneyland, it is a wild ride, it doesn't end, and there isn't a chicken door for me to use. I'm all in. 

Thursday

We had something new added, a Bible Study. Sweetie was eager to attend. She was the Bible scholar of the two of us. Because her dad was a preacher, she paid attention to his sermons, and his living style. She has most of his reference books, and we would use them to prepare Sunday school lessons. I learned a lot from her dad, vicariously. 

When we got there, there were only two other people there, but before long others joined the group. It was a lively time, discussion, and we both enjoyed it. So, something new has come along for us, and it is welcomed. 

The other exciting, or challenging time, was going down to a used car dealer to try and sell my corvette. 

I had gotten an online price, and was willing to accept it. After sitting for over an hour, and Sweetie was getting restless, I went and asked how much longer? A sob story, and then another half hour to get the paper work. 

Nope, nada, it isn't going to happen. Too long. I'm just happy that her son was there with us and was keeping her occupied. Wanted my key back, and out the door we went. As we were leaving, an offer of the purchase price with a 5 day time limit on it, was refused by me. I hate to wait, especially when I have Sweetie with me. I really think if I hadn't asked on how much longer I had to wait. I think waiting is a tool for them to use to make it easier to take their offer and get out of there, we'd just might still be sitting there.   

With Sweetie acting up, and me not in such a good mood, you'd think we'd have a bad evening. Well, you'd be wrong. 

Home, dinner, then out to a meeting. It was just what we needed. 

Home, to bed, and good night. 

With all the twist and turn of the day, we ended up right where we belonged. Driver did it again. Navigated the Road to Dementia town, all the while Keeping Our Shiny Side Up. C'ya, Luv Ya, and God Bless. 

She just smiled.

When times were good.

I was looking for a picture I saw on my phone, and ran across this one. We're at California Country in Anaheim, Ca. One of our many trips out there for one of our much needed beach fixes. 

The need, the desire, the want to pack up the car, make some quick reservation and off we go. Looking for time away, a time of renewal, or just a change of scenery. The wants are still with me, the chance of doing it are nil. 

Wednesday

It was a replay of the day before. 

Sweetie is talkative this morning. When I was telling her about our day, the slight changes that I've made, didn't seem to surprise her, she just smiled and yammered on. 

It was a sunshiny morning, blue skies, no clouds. and off we went to the course. 

When we get there, she looks at me with a questionable look, and I tell her this is where we get out, she smiles, and tries to get out of the car while still having her seat belt on. That is one of the new behaviors that she has developed, seat belts, when to take them off, and how do you take them off. I'm just glad that she still gets in the car. 

There have been times that she won't because she isn't sure just what we are going to do. Then there are the times where she won't let me buckle her in. That is always a fun time. 

Yesterday, on the last hole, we played with a couple of men just so they wouldn't have to wait for us to get done, so they could finish. As we talked, I told them about Sweetie. One of the men said that his wife has been in a facility for five years, and they had a friend that is just beginning the trip, but is in denial of what is happening. 

Told them about my support group, and with an exchange of phone numbers, I think I was put into the service of help, again. 

Got the call from the dealership, my new car is being scheduled for delivery. That also means, I need to sell Tweety, and so far no one has shown an honest interest in buying her. Next move is to CarMax, they buy cars. Got a deal, not as much as I wanted, but fair enough. Now, working with son on transportation back home and back to the dealership when the new Tweety comes in. 

It seems that we have a lot of choices to make today, as we travel down the Road to Dementia Town today. I put all my trust in Driver, for He knows what is best for us, and He will lead us there. So, with a smile on our faces, we go, Keeping our Shiny Side Up. C'ya, Luv Ya, and God Bless. 

New photos.

We were shopping and playing.

I thought about this, and because the mall has so many different back drops, and some of them are big enough that I can take several pictures of Sweetie in different parts of the back drops that we can have a bunch of new photos for me to use. 

I was thinking about that when I choose to use these great backgrounds with Sweetie in them. In the past, using the past pictures, and then on the golf course, boring, I just ran out of pictures and cute things to say about them. I felt that what was needed was more new pictures. 

With that in mind, I've just added a challenge to myself which will force me to find new places to take pictures of Sweetie while we still can. 

Tuesday

It is time for us to get the day going. Up, showered, clean pullups, dressed and out to get breakfast. 

I've noticed her hair is getting just long enough that she is getting "sleep hair". So, I'm thinking about getting the clippers out and cutting her hair again. Then again, I might wait until after Labor Day to do it. With the Holidays coming, and hopefully we will have family gatherings, I want her to look her best. If I do cut her hair, I want it grown out enough to look good.

Changed up our day just a little. Instead of golf and home, then to the walk about. I chose to move the walk about to right after the golf. If she is in a good mood, lets walk. Keep her active for as long as I can. 

It worked well, and we even met up with a friend at the mall. He was doing his walking there too. After a chit chat, we were off to finish our assigned walk. 

Home, down for a nap, which didn't last long. When she got up, out to the front to do the never ending task of pulling weeds. 

Got a lawn chair out for her, set it up so the sun was at her back, and sat her down. All the while, I was getting myself down for the dirty job of weeding. 

What I'm doing is with a hand shovel, I'm digging under the weeds, lifting them up, and removing them roots and all. The weeds have so infested the lawn, that sometimes I end up pulling weeds and grass at the same time. The weeds inter grow with the grass and their roots are intertangled. It is hard to separate weed from grass, I do the best I can. 

Also by doing the digging, I'm braking up the crust of the dirt. Allowing the grass to reseat itself and spread over the fresh dirt easily. 

To do this job right, takes time, takes on your hands and knees time, and that is what I have more than anything else, time. So, in a couple of years, I should have a wonderful green lawn. 

While I was on my hands and knees, Sweetie was in her chair. I'm working, and she is working on her napping time. Don't we look like the "Old retired couple" living down the street? You  bet we do, and we are working hard at being just that, "The old retired couple".

Driver had turned down the radio so that Sweetie could nap in the backseat of the car. Smooth, steady driving is the tip of the day. Sweetie needs her sleep, and Driver is making sure she gets it. We're on a nice stretch of highway today, so napping is easily done, here on the Road to Dementia Town, where we are know to be Keeping our Shiny Side Up. C'ya, Luv Ya, and God Bless.