Monday Memories With My Mom

The Adventures of Caring for a Mom With Alzheimer's Disease

 

     This is an unplanned post, but I wanted to let everyone know my mom is still content and safe living in the same skilled nursing community she moved to exactly two years ago!!!  This is a recent picture from a visit with my daughter, Kristin (who just turned 16).  I think of this blog often and have good intentions of posting again more often. We still see signs of her sense of humor, and just when we sometimes think she may have forgotten who I am, she calls me by my name.  Recently, the staff took her out on an adventure to Walmart.  Since she used to work there, I know she must have enjoyed being there again!!  Kristin and I gave her another manicure for Mother's Day.  My brother visits often and is very good about taking my mom outside in the fresh air.  I also enjoy taking her outside this time of year as the grounds are very nice at this senior community.

 

 

 

 

 

     Meanwhile, my daughter has finished her freshman year at Michigan State University, my twins are now 16, my son was just selected as a drum major for our high school's marching band, and his twin sister has decided to rejoin the marching band this summer/fall 2016!!!  All three are working this summer as well.  Life is full and busy!!!

    I will share a few more recent pictures of my mom and hope to check in again soon!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

The Untold Story...

     As September winds down, I find that I am not even close to being in a "groove" yet.  The routine and schedule I was craving in the summer seems to instead be that there is no routine.  No two days are exactly alike.  There are not days to regroup.  The closest we've had in awhile is...TODAY!  Somehow, the stars have aligned and today there is no football practice, no band, no soccer.  I feel better after being sick for three or four days.  And, wouldn't you know it, my husband returned from an out of town business trip today.  Today -- the day that pure chaos is not the norm!!  Of course, he thinks it's been like this all week!!

     Hang on while I take you on my own little merry-go-round of life!!!

Jacob's football season kicked off to a good start (that's Jacob, literally kicking it off!!)

 

  

THE UNTOLD STORY:  I missed the kickoff because I was down the street waiting for Megan to get out of physical therapy.

By the next game, I arrived to see my baby boy (who happens to be 13) sidelined with a tailbone injury...  I could see him struggling to hold back the tears through his helmet. 

Broke my heart. 

He should be able to start practicing again tomorrow.

 

 

In our spare time, we finally picked out a grown up shiny new refrigerator.  As you can see, we were "old school" for a long time.  

     THE UNTOLD STORY:   The morning delivery was scheduled, my husband texted me that he had turned off the water supply so that Lowes could hook up the ice maker.  They quickly found out the water supply was not shut off...

 

and now I know why I had a hard time getting a firm measurement commitment from my husband as to whether the new refrigerator would fit in our allocated space.  It did not.

 

 

But after removing some trim later that evening, he was able to slide the new refrigerator into the space! 

 

Things have been so crazy, I even resorted to doing this since nobody else seemed to have time for almost two weeks.

 

 

THE UNTOLD STORY:  When I cut the grass I had to work around this

which made it a lot more work. 

 

 

 Two days later, I was left with only this and the memories of my kids playing on the play structure.  Our well deserving friends came and picked it up.  (Truth is, I was a little bit sad, but mainly I regretted not waiting a couple more days to cut the grass.)

  

 

Then, should we even talk about the ongoing outdoor deck project.  Tons of progress was made Labor Day weekend and then...slowed considerably. 

 

 

  THE UNTOLD STORY:   Some of these boards are not nailed down...  Progress has slowed considerably, and on one recent stormy night Kristin and I were forced to try to save our gazebo (which was not weighted down like normal) from bending, breaking and blowing away from high winds.)

 

 

On a recent Saturday afternoon, we went right from a soccer game to the mall as it was Megan's only window for homecoming dress shopping.  Kristin came along to help.

THE UNTOLD STORY:  By the end of the night...closing time...this is how we all felt - exhausted, exasperated, hopeless!!!!  (No this is not the dress she ended up with!) 

 Yes -- she does have a dress!!

 

Kristin was trying so hard to be supportive of her sister at the mall...she was patient...

for so many hours

 

 

THE UNTOLD STORY:  By the end of the night even her sister agreed I should buy her those combat boots she wanted so badly.

 

 

We have only had one home football game so far this year and this rainbow appeared right before the game started.

 

THE UNTOLD STORY:  The band may have played harder than the team that night --

and we lost the game :(

     Kristin again tried out for the middle school volleyball team this year.

 

 

THE UNTOLD STORY:  She did not make the team...and, perhaps worse, a part of me was relieved because our schedule is already very full.  I am hoping her getting cut had more to do with the fact that she did not touch a volleyball for a year

(and not my already full schedule). 

 

Kristin went to the neighborhood church fair with a friend.  I ran down the usual rules with her, but apparently I didn't think of one...

 

 

THE UNTOLD STORY:  She came home with SIX goldfish.  I have honestly never been a big fan of portable fairs and rides...this didn't help! 

 

 

 As with many schools around the country, the football players wear

 a shirt and tie to school on game days.

 

 

THE UNTOLD STORY:  I honestly don't know how to tie a necktie (I know, that's terrible) and my husband was out of town.

Jacob quickly learned how on You Tube yesterday morning.

 

 

This week, with my husband gone and me being sick and all, I am grateful that Megan has been getting lots of rides to and from school and extracurricular activities.

  

  

THE UNTOLD STORY:  The rides are from one of her BFFs who just got her driver's license on Monday, and I am trying so hard not to be nervous!!

  

I went to the middle school and high school curriculum nights without my husband this year.

  

 

THE UNTOLD STORY:  I like it better when my husband goes along because then I can chat with the other moms and I don't have to pay attention to finding the classrooms --

I just follow him!!

 

 

We all have uploaded iOS 7 to our iPhones and iPads and I am liking it so far...

 

 

  

THE UNTOLD STORY:  I, for once, secretly wanted to be the first one

in our family to get it, but Kristin beat me!!!

 

If you're still here...thanks for following and playing along with THE UNTOLD STORY!!!

 

Yep, She Was the Queen...Kristin turned 13!!

    Yep, another birthday(s) in our family in June.  June was crazy busy!  It always is, but combined with the struggles we were having with my mom's care, grad parties, Father's Day, end of the school year and then my little big birthday, my head was spinning!! 

     Jacob and Kristin (my twins for those that don't know) had not had "real" kid birthday parties since they were 10.  I had promised them birthday parties when they turned 13 -- they did not forget!!!  Let's face it, 13 is a pretty big deal -- TEENAGERS!! 

     It's tricky trying to plan a kid's party in June...for all the reasons stated above.  Kids are busy these days, vacation plans, camps, family obligations, etc.  One thing Kristin knew for sure...and never backed down on -- she wanted a party "just like Megan's" 13th birthday party.  To be honest, I had just barely recovered from Megan's 13th -- and that was almost three years ago!!  This year, their birthday fell on a Saturday so we decided to take advantage of that.  My husband took the boys (post to follow) and I was in charge of the girly fun!

     In an effort to "make it her own", we chose a different mall and some of the details for Kristin's party, but the concept was the same.  It was a "Mall Madness" shopping, scavenger hunt, sleepover extravaganza!!! 

 

We decorated...  In fact, we even cleaned up quite a bit.  Funny thing about cleaning up -- not one mom or parent even got out of the car or came in my house to drop the girls off!!!  I did know all but one of the parents, but I still thought it was almost funny how quickly everyone was dropped off.  (Perhaps we all needed a break from our "teens"!!?)  I guess it's never a bad idea to have your house extra clean though!!

 

 

But not before the invites were drafted up sent out...

The favors were put together...



Then the real fun began!  We went directly to the mall, and our first order of business -- a scavenger hunt.  The girls went in teams, maps and cell phones in hand, and were off on a scavenger hunt until they completed the two-page worksheet of questions relating to all things in and about the mall and stores.  First one back with correct answers was declared the winner.  However -- in this Mall Madness scavenger hunt everyone's a winner!!!  Each of the girls received gift cards to three of the stores in the mall.  The only requirement -- they had to spend them right then and there -- shopping together! 

 

Thanks to some great sales and their own treasure hunting skills -- everyone was able to put their own nifty goodie bag together, and they had fun doing it!!!

Then off to Johnny Rockets for some burgers and fries, and a little embarrassing "Happy Birthday to You" tribute to Kristin by the waitstaff!!  They caught her off guard, and it was hilarious!! 



 

 

 

Hours later, it was back to our house for some cupcakes and relaxing...

 

THEN, we made a late night stop at Menchie's for some fro-yo and more good times!! 

 

Once the girls came back, it was time to open presents and to settle in for a movie -- Safe Haven.  Sometime after midnight, I was officially worn out and the girls were settled in.  So, I gave them some space...  When I woke up the next morning, I found a bunch of sleepy heads -- even the balloons were worn out!!!  It was after 10 am so I started putting together some breakfast -- yogurt, granola, bagels and cream cheese, fresh fruit and juice.  They still didn't wake up!  Finally, as the noon pickup time loomed closer, I got Kristin to stir and they gradually came and had some breakfast.  I guess the party went until at least 3am or so....  By all accounts, the girls had a great time and were very polite and thankful!  Kristin was over the moon happy with her day and sharing all of her favorite things with her friends!!!!!

That's what it was all about -- starting the teen years off with a happy-birthday-celebration!!!

 

 

 

 

Silent Sunday, Easter 2013

 

 

 

Reflecting on 2012 on New Year's Day...

   
     Well, I may be a day late (and a dollar short), but this ol' blog helps me reflect on the days, weeks, months, and now even years gone by.  Although I haven't been as disciplined about capturing everything I would like, I do love all the connections I have made, pictures I would not have otherwise taken, and memories captured here.  I am definitely going to keep at it!!

     2012 was a good year and a pretty busy year.  Here are some highlights:

     We went on a family trip to the Scottsdale and Sedona, Arizona areas which I blogged about here.  We love Arizona and had a great time!!

     There were, of course, several things that came up with regard to my mom and caring for her.  One of the more alarming days was when I picked her up for a doctor's appointment and found what she had done to her hair.  I am sure my blood pressure was through the roof that day.  Then, there was the call I received when she fell and was taken to the hospital while I was up north with my family.  That was scary and has a sense of deja vu to it.  I think a lot of us remember this past summer as being especially HOT HOT HOT!!  We got a surprise call that the power was out at my mom's senior apartment complex, so Grandma came over for a sleepover with us and we helped her "keep cool".  We were also very happy to celebrate her one year anniversary of living at her senior living apartment.  There were times we were not sure it would work.

     I was proud and lucky enough to travel to Orlando, FL to see Megan perform with the high school marching band at the Magic Kingdom at Disney World.  It was a fun getaway and a once in a lifetime trip for Megan.  Megan also survived her freshman year of high school and hasn't looked back.  She also took driver's ed and is driving with a permit.  She was very busy with soccer, marching band and her heavy class load.
     Jacob and Kristin turned 12 in June and had a small celebration with some friends.  They survived their first year of middle school, played soccer, volleyball, and football, and kept good grades during an extra busy fall.
     We did not get to our place up north as much as we would have liked.  However, we did have a great time when we did as shown here and here.
     The highlight of our summer was traveling to the East Coast for a family visit.  The weather was noticeably cooler and more bearable and we all had a great time!!
     All of the kids and the parents were exceptionally busy during September and October.  The past four months have gone by super fast.  You can always check out what Megan was up to.  Megan remains a very responsibly student.  She loves anything to do with One Direction (obsessed) or music and her friends from school.  Jacob kept busy, too and enjoyed his first year of middle school football.  He has developed quite a sense of humor and I am enjoying watching him become a young man who is also smart, polite and sensitive.  Kristin is always happiest hanging out with friends, but kept super busy with soccer and volleyball this past fall.  She is kind hearted, diplomatic, and has become quite creative with her arts and crafts this past year.  We laugh together a lot!
     Once November hit, things really went by fast preparing for the holidays, going to concerts, a visit from my mother-in-law, and some post season football games.  It's all been quite a ride and we look forward to a clean slate in 2013 and making the most of all the new year has to offer!!!

     Looking forward to following you on your journey, too!!