Church on the Move Christmas Program

The contractor who is working on the addition room for us had invited us for a Christmas program at The Church on the Move. So we took Dad but by the time we got there they were so full that we had to sit in the Oasis Room and watch it on TV. It was easier for Dad too since it's so hard for him to walk long distances. So we sat in the room with several other people and we had a good time. It was a good program but aimed at a much younger audience. It was more like a rock concert. It was good though. So here are a couple photos of Dad in the Oasis Room.

Taking out the teeth....

I have to be in the mood to come in here and blog. It's a busy day most days but I need to be more disciplined at blogging at least twice a week. Sorry for those of you who faithfully come here to see something new when I haven't been as faithful.
However, here is a funny story about Dad that even made Dad get the giggles.
We had settled down for the night and we all were getting to the living room in our favorite chair positions...when Dad said he needed to go take out his teeth. Okay...I told him to go ahead and then come back and sit with us till it was time to go to bed.
Dad leaves the room....he is gone ohhhhhhhh, about...1 minute.....he comes back in and rounds the corner from the hall and I look at him and see he still has his teeth in. I start laughing and asked him what he did while he was gone cause he sure didn't take his teeth out. He started laughing and so did we. He said he forgot so he turns around and heads back down the hall. We wait....and wait...and in about 5 minutes here he comes again.....with the teeth STILL IN HIS MOUTH. I just lost it and laughed till I nearly peed my pants....Rod is laughing and Dad can't quite get why we are so silly with laughter....then I finally was able to get out....."YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TEETH IN...WHAT THE HECK DID YOU GO DO ALL THAT TIME?"
Now Dad is laughing hard....can't hardly turn around and head back down the hall.
This time when he came out he had his teeth out....and we had finally calmed down from laughing.
It's hell to get old and forgetful.

Christmas Time

Again, behind in posts.....

I had my second knee surgery and that sorta put me behind again. There are so many things to do to get ready for Christmas around here....with adding on a room and the every day chores to do we have full days for sure. I will catch up real soon. I have lots of photos that I need to add too. So keep watching.

Grandpa and Christopher.. Thanksgiving Dinner

To catch up a little....here is the group at the church today for the annual Thanksgiving meal. I am the odd one out and stayed home as I am still sick with food poisoning....at least that's what they said in the Emergency room at the hosptial. That was Sunday night and I am still queazy but much better. This is the group that made it to the church this morning. They said they had fun. Dad looks like he is having a good time...free food always put a smile on his face. LOL He had cherry dump cake for dessert. It's a bit cold here now...we had rain all day yesterday so that brought the temps way down.

Stories, Stories, Stories...

OH I have plenty to write....just not plenty of time. I find myself easily distracted with other things to get done. I had surgery a couple/3 weeks ago and I am still having to sit in a wheel chair. I hate it....then the second week in December I will be having the other surgery and AGAIN another 4 weeks in a wheel chair.
Rod does just about everything around here right now....he does 98% of everything for Dad. I do manage to get up and walk to the car 4 days a week to take him to the Senior Center but they come out to the car to get him. Rod picks him up then.
So we are finding a way. Rod does all the tending to Dad and insists that I don't get up. So I try to do as the Dr told me to do.
I told Dad he was going to have to help take care of ME for awhile. LOL
In the meantime, Dad has done enough funny stuff to keep us laughing, that's for sure. I have the list here in front of me on my desk.
Let me write just a few short ones just for kicks...

*I made Dad an appt for a massage...I said "She sure is pretty, Dad."
Dad says,"A pretty girl don't do me any good anymore."

*I had collected a spider in a jar with her egg sac. I could have sworn I saw the babies starting to come out....and then realized I did not. I said to Dad, "I must be seeing things." Dad's reply, "Why not, I DO!"

*This last one really isn't about Dad. It's about the other comedic in the house, Rod. I had gone out with my girlfriends to dinner one evening and Dad and Rod stayed home. That was the night that Dad was having his run of diaherra, no pun intended there. lol
We [my girlfriends} were seated to a nice evening meal and I had picked up my cell phone and noticed Rod had tried to call me but I didn't hear it. So I called him back. He said all was fine now but he couldn't find the Depends so he fixed something up. {Oh lord, I thought} I didn't ask any questions either.
I didn't think anything about it until I got home and nearly wet my pants laughing when I had seen what Rod had rigged up. He left an extra pair for the next time on the bathroom counter. {not near as bad as the clothes pole he rigged up but damn near close, inside joke to some.} Photo attached below. Just make sure you don't have anything to drink in your mouth when you look.

What's Going On....

We have been rather busy around here. Dad has been doing well in healing his cut on his brow...it's almost completely gone and has been a little more cautious.
I decided to have my knee surgery while he was still up and able to get around. That was almost brought to a halt with his fall but thankfully he didn't break anything. I really told him that I needed him to be very careful so that he could help me out when I have my surgeries. I know he feels helpless when it comes to doing anything physical around here but helping us with NOT doing things without help is the way to help us. Calling us before he tries something he might not be successful out is one way to prevent a fall.
After getting that message across off we go to get my first surgery over with. Last Thursday I had the first one. Early in the morning we all arrived at the hospital. Dad wanted to be with Rod during all that instead of going to the Senior Ctr. That was fine since I knew he would be worried anyway. Rod did take him to the Senior Center right before lunch after the Dr came out to talk to Rod. Dad was ready to go knowing I was okay. I wanted Dad to be at the center so Rod could get me home, run errands, get prescriptions, etc, before he had to go pick up Dad.
We got through that day fine...sorta, haha Just those little things that make one sigh and then keep on going. I am the detail person and when I am not running the show, Rod runs around in circles yelling, "Which way do I go, which way do I go."haha IMHO.
I remember very little about after the surgery and for the next day or so...
Dad had his lower back injection the very next day after my surgery. It had been scheduled for a couple months. Rod took him while I stayed home. All went well with that. In fact, Dad says that he didn't feel any pain in his lower back yesterday. The Dr had told Rod that he was going to try the medicine in another area to see if that is any better than where he has been putting it before. I do believe the Dr may have gotten the medicine in the absolute correct spot this time. It takes a while to find out exactly where the medicine does its best job. Once the Dr finds it, then it's so much better each time. Dad doesn't always tell the Dr helpful information about what is helping and what isn't...he saves that for when he gets home. Haha. This time it worked out well.
Dad missed going to the Senior Center on Friday due to getting the injection. So he missed the Halloween Party. I had planned to have him dress for the costume party. Now he didn't know what the plan was BUT I was going to have him dress up like an OLD LADY. LOL I KNOW he would have done it. It would have been so crazy awesome and they all would have had a good laugh with it. So I will keep that in mind for next year. I just need a good wig. I hadn't figured that part out yet so I guess it wasn't quite ready for this year. I just need a good blue-gray haired wig. I have the clothes and pearls and handbag. hehehe
Amy and Chris were here last night for Halloween. The weather was puuuuuuurrrrfect for Trick or Treaters. They passed out candy and we took photos. Dad didn't go outside to see the Trick or Treaters like he said he wanted to do just some days ago. I think he was rather tired after a busy day. We ordered pizza and had a good time watching reruns of the Munsters and Addams Family. Oh and we watched 2 old Vincent Price scary movies.
Even though I am not supposed to put any weight on this knee for 4 weeks....*sigh*, I am taking Dad to the Senior Center tomorrow. He just can't lie around here and sleep all day like he WILL do if he doesn't have something to keep him busy. He will miss all of them, especially his friend, John. Dad needs to keep up his exercise and get his good meals and coffee he loves so much. They told me that I can just drive him up to the door and they will come out and assist him in the building with his walker while I am in this condition. Of course, Rod is concerned I will fall being alone or worse, Dad will fall going out the door and then I can't help him up. I just say I will be careful and would rather take that chance than to have Dad go backwards in his mobility! Rod will have to settle for that answer. The Dr told him and me today that I could drive...I just had to keep the weight off the knee until it heals.
I will be continuing my surgery on the next knee 2nd week in December. Christmas will be a little undecorated this year....I hate that but maybe I can get Amy and Chris to come help. They will be doing the cooking this year for the holidays. That actually is a good thing for ME!

Story of the Week

I picked up Dad and first thing he grins and says,
"I've got a bummer for you today."
I pack up the walker and get into the car and he continues...
"Lola came up to me today and announces "You need me, Odie. I can take care of you."
Now Lola is another senior who is there during the day. She flirts with Dad if you will recall some previous stories.
"She had plans for us to get together and move in."
"I told her that I have everything taken care of and that my daughter takes care of me and she does a fine job." "I don't drive anymore."
With that being said, Dad gets up and makes the excuse that he has to use the restroom. When he came out she had moved on to the other side of the room.
Dad then says to me, "She is {still trying to remember the word he used...will get back to this later. LOL}

Dad just couldn't wait....

Dad fell, but he is okay. Healing up now with tape sutures to pull the skin together at the eyebrow. It all could have been prevented....but it was one of those days that I thought he was doing well enough to walk alone. MISTAKE! He gives me a false sense of security when he wants to do something alone. Most of the time I watch or am nearby to get to him in time but not this time.
I had cut my foot outside in the front and it was bleeding...at the same time, Dad opens the front door and I asked him where he was going and he said to the back yard to see the progress on the shed. It's really hard to tell him no when I don't want to take away his total independence BUT I should have turned him around. I asked him why he was going out the front door to the back when he could go across the living room...he didn't want to put on his shoes at the back door. haha Okay well my foot was bleeding which Dad didn't know and I had to go inside and get it stopped. I wasn't thinking at all that Dad would fall. I watched him walk slowly around the corner in the front...I hurried inside to get a paper towel to stop the blood while holding my foot in the air....yeah, it was a sight. So I get to the laundry room for some slippers and there is Dad coming around the corner to the back yard...okay, so far so good. I get the wet towel and look at the kitchen window and there he is walking slow...I look out again a few seconds later and no Dad....I went to the bay window and there he was on the cement sitting up. I ran out the door still no bandaid on my foot and I see he is bleeding at the head. I RUN back inside grab wet paper towels to compress to stop the bleeding. I check his arms, legs and ask him if he hurts anywhere....he says no. He bent up his glasses and it was the glasses that really caused the cut on his head and over his nose....however, had he not had them on, he might have broken his nose or worse. So I get him to his feet....and have him stand a moment...and he says he can walk. I get him in the house and on his bed. I get him cleaned up so I can see the cut. I decide it's a call for the emergency room. I have not used a ER here in so many years I can't remember. So it took me about an hour to actually get his treatment started. By that time Rod arrived at ER and they took a CT scan of Dad's head. No bleeding, no fractures, no concussion. That was the good news. The bad news was that he looked like he had been in a fight with Ali.
His eye was swollen shut.
Dad was joking with the nurses and I told Dad this was not the time to be funny and tell them I beat him up. haha He did that once before thinking it was funny and I told him in TODAY'S world, that ain't funny. He grinned that ornery grin.
They sent him home with an antibiotic script, a scar with tape sutures over it and a big patch to keep it clean.
He never once said it hurt....we went home and got a light supper and he was in bed by 9pm. I put his alarm pad on the bed because I didn't want him getting up by himself at night. This night, naturally, lol, he gets up every 2 hours. I asked him if this was pay back for letting him go out that front door. WHICH he can't do no more no matter how good he walks.
He actually would have made it fine had he not tripped over the edge of the cemement that sticks up on the corner.

That was last Monday....he is much better today with the healing well in progress. His eye has been open for several days. He told Chris today that it never really ached or hurt him. It was his arms that were sore. His bruises are green now...

Oh but he used the accident to get some laughs.
At the Senior Center...first thing when he was asked by the group of them that are at the door at 10am..Dad pipes up after asked what happened to him,
"I was in a fight....but you ought to see the other guy!"

They all laughed outloud....Dad's mission accomplished. Dad should have been on the stage.

Here is a photo of us yesterday at the Company Picnic at Incredible Pizza. We played games, ate, played games and watched Viva Las Vegas and ate again.

Dad was pooped when he got home and he slept for 4 hours.

The Male Mermaid...or MerMAN!

Not a day goes by that Dad doesn't come up with something to make us laugh. I am just sorry on this one I didn't take the photo. I thought about it....I almost went for the camera but Dad was in his underwear and even Dad has his limits of what I can take a picture of. I thought later I could have blocked the underwear out but it was too late then.
It began with Friday morning and Dad getting ready for breakfast and to go to the Senior Center. Dad was in the bedroom without the light on, as usual. For a man who leaves the lights on all over the house in his own home...he sure can't seem to turn a light on when he really needs it to see what the heck he is doing. haha
I was finished getting dressed myself and I walked down the hall and looked in on Dad. I just burst out laughing. There he was, sitting on the chair with both legs in the SAME pants leg.
Dad had that smirk/smile on his face that he knew I was going to laugh when I saw him. I don't even ask how he does that stuff anymore. The answer is always the same. "I do NOT know." So I sat on his bed, still laughing, and told him he looked like a Mermaid, or in his case, a MERMAN!
I told him to take one leg out and what does he say?
"WHICH ONE?" LMAO
The ONE that doesn't belong would be good. So he says,"If I KNEW which one didn't belong, I wouldn't have BOTH of them in the same leg.

And so it began the day....so much better than crying.

He is doing so very well. I have to say that even in the last couple weeks, he is better than he has been in a couple years. His mind is clear...well, as clear as it gets, haha Not counting the dressing incidents. He eats well. He remembers better about taking his meds and what day it is...and what he does on that day.
I suppose he has got into the routine here. We stay pretty close to the same routine throughout the week. I know older folks like to know what to expect on what day. However, I warned him a long time ago that there is no routine on the weekends. We might do just about anything that pops up.
In fact, today we are headed out later to try out a new restaurant. Maybe Dad will give me a new story later. LOL

Dad's New TV

Dad never had a TV in his bedroom all the years he and Mom were married. I don't think Rod and I were ever without one. I can't go to sleep until I see a little TV. Some people read books and some watch TV. Dad always said that when he goes to bed he goes there to sleep and not watch TV. LOL BUT things have changed. I had two TVs at one time in Dad's room because I would switch him in the bed because it was necessary when he first came to live with us for preventing pressure marks on his skin. Now that's not an issue so he only needs one TV. He would say to me that he can't see that little TV...but he never would come out and say, OKAY you are right, I like watching TV in bed and I want a bigger TV. hahaha You would have to know my Dad to get that one.
At night he hints that he might like the TV on....usually I ask him if he wants to watch something. Usually it's Animal Planet. Right before I go out the door, he asks if I set it to go off by itself....YEP, Pa.....in 30 minutes. That's about how long it takes him to get good and asleep. LOL

So we did look at sizes of TVs and which ones he thought would work. He ended up saying that IF he was to get one....although he would say while looking at them that they cost too much and he don't need it... {which is what he said about everything JUST before he bought it}, he would get a 32".
I have been looking and comparing prices for the last couple months. I didn't get one before we staying in Indiana for 3 months because I want to make sure I am here while we try it out in case I get a lemon...I have 30 days to complain. LOL
So yesterday I bought one while Dad was at the Senior Center. He doesn't know it yet. I will just let him find it on his own.
My sister and I discussed through an email just what he will complain about...cause he will....and it better not be the SIZE of it. LOL
Update later.

UPDATE to TV reaction...
Dad came home today @ 4pm and we ate dinner at 5:00. I mentioned that there was a surprise in his bedroom....he says, "Yes I know...you made the bed." I laughed and said, YEAH, I do that every day...that is not it. Then he says, "I didn't see anything." I told him when he got curious enough he will know then. Rod and I were putting away dishes and Dad disappeared. I turned around and he was gone and I didn't think much about it figuring he was in the bathroom, as usual.
Rod came up behind me to kiss me on the neck and Dad blurts out...."Now what do I want with that TV.{grinning.} He made Rod JUMP...and Rod pulled away from me like we were caught necking on the couch and I was 16. I laughed and laughed.....neither one of them had a clue why I was laughing.
Finally I stopped laughing and said to Dad...."Yep, Nola was right...you found fault with it already." Dad says, "No I didn't." LOL
I reminded him about how he complains that he can't see the little TV and now he has a big one and still finds a reason to complain.
However, he doesn't see it as complaining. He is JUST "making a comment." Oh brother!
I follow him back in his bedroom and lo and behold he sure figured out which remote it was and read POWER and pushed it. Now it takes a second for it to come on but Dad has no patience and says it doesn't work. LMAO.
Then it comes on and OMG, what a big grin on his face !! Then he wants to know how to change the channels and how to do this and that. hahaha Oh please, yeah, I shouldn't have bought it....uh huh.
Then comes," That screen is twice as big!" Next thing I know, he is laying on the bed. I leave and come back later....and please NOTE where the remote control is NOW.

More photos at the fair

Fun at the State Fair...October 3, 2010

We spent the early afternoon until 10:30pm at the State Fair. Dad was wide awake for the whole thing....he was eating all the stuff we were doing taste tests on....we got the Krispy Kreme Donut HAMBURGER everyone was talking about on TV.....it was so so....EIGHT BUCKS if you wanted bacon and cheese on it. We got corn dogs, chili fries and sweet potato fries which were really good....oh and we were sharing chocolate dipped frozen cheesecake and corn on the cob. I forgot to get my usual sno cone but there's always next year. Besides that, we were stuffed!!

We went all over the fairgrounds but missed the QT building where the decorated cakes were....I needed to stay with Dad so we could get a good seat for the Roy Clark Show. Rod did take photos of the cakes for me.

It was cold outside but DAD wanted to stay out there to see Roy and Leroy Van Dyke. He was cold but he said he was going to stay and see them. Leroy was first and the show was an hour....after 9pm I told Dad that when Roy came on and I got some photos and he got cold we could leave anytime he liked....Roy comes on and Dad is clearly enjoying it....at 9:30pm I asked him if he wanted to go and to my surprise he said no, since he had stayed out there this long...even though he was a frozen popsicle he said. LOL
Dad said he was going to tell his friends that he got to see Roy and show him the photo I print out.
He called his gal friend tonight, but she wasn't impressed. LOL WOMEN!

A Day at the ATT Company Picnic

We all went to Chris's Company picnic out at Mohawk Park, next to the Zoo.
We had a little trouble finding the exact pavillion but at last we did and we all had a good time.
Dad had plenty to eat. HAMBURGER, HUGE HOT DOG, POPCORN, SNO CONE, COOKIES GALORE, which were really really good. POP....and CHIPS!
So while he was eating he was dropping food as usual. He laughs and says he can't hang onto food...it slips through his fingers. I told him that I am surprised the critters just don't sit under him to get treats. If we had a dog they would be in heaven sitting by Dad's feet while he eats. So Dad was laughing at the food on the ground that I pointed out. I had to take a photo cause it was funny. The kids were laughing at me for taking photos of such things....but HEY, it's a story.

Scootin' Right Along....

Rod and I picked Dad up from the Senior Center yesterday. Right away he is talking about the day's events. He mentioned this retired nurse who he thinks is flirting with him. I told him that he needs to get a gal friend to play games with here but we might have to look out of the Senior Center to find one. Oh he says he is not interested but then laughs abit.
He said "I almost had one today." {smiling} This gal sit down next to me and put her hand on my knee. I got the idea that she wanted me to hold her hand....and I didn't want to do that. I got up and started to move my walker and I got entangled up with another walker and had a time getting loose. I got loose finally and went a scootin."

NO MAIL!

When you get old you don't have a lot on the agenda some days....you are lucky you get up and get dressed. So Dad was enjoying getting cards in the mail and such when he first came down here. He has recieved two cards from his gal friend and his sister since he has been here.....and I rather think that is a little disappointing to him. So if anyone is reading this and they know the address, send him something once a week maybe....once a month would be good too. Even a postcard which is 28 cents would be nice.
I read his postcards he just wrote to his sis and his gal friend and I KNOW he misses them....naturally...and he wishes he could be on his own but he knows he can't so a few cards might be encouraging to him right now.
I want him to get a gal friend down here....someone to go visit and play games or watch tv with but so far he won't hear of it....

Another day at the Hitchin' Post....

Dad has had a couple days of dementia during the night...the usual water on the floor and alligators all over the room and around his head. He is not yelling in the middle of the night but he has been talking to himself outloud, every twenty minutes as he says. Surprisingly he is still getting up and going to the Senior Center. He got up this morning at 4 am with Rod and sat at the table. He told Rod about how he had bought this race car that cost $20,000 and he was worried about how that all came about. Rod got me up and I had Dad go back to bed and get some sleep before he had to get up and head out to the Senior Ctr.
So the day goes on and time to get Dad....he gets in the car telling me everything went fine at the center. I asked him if he saw any alligators. His response.... "Nope, wasn't looking for any."

We get home and he was tired as usual. Sleeps on the couch for a couple hours until dinner. Rod wakes him up to get ready for dinner. Dad can't figure out how it's time for dinner....he was in the bathroom getting ready for bed. He starts laughing a bit trying to be convinced that it's only 6:30pm. Finally Rod helps him get his housecoat on and he gets out to the dinner table.

He is confused about the time still and where he is. So I tell him that his cousin called him today and had he been awake earlier I would have had him call him back. So I told him when he got done with dinner he could call him. Still confused and laughing about his confusion, he says, " I think I will go jump in the lake." So with that I responded in jest...."Is that BEFORE or AFTER you talk to Bob?" Dad laughs and says, "BEFORE."
So we finally are eating dinner and Dad is slurping his soup and he says,"We going out to eat?" I looked at him with my brow down and remarked....."Out to eat? When? Who? WHAT???" He shakes his head at me because apparently I am not getting it....I tried to explain that he didn't give me a complete sentence....he is still grinning and trying to get out what he meant. I said Lord only knows what you meant....with that his words were, "YES, ONLY the LORD DOES know what I meant. LOL

Cowboy Day at the Senior Center

The second photo is from the Day of Caring celebration at the Center today....they made these frames in a group. Dad brings it home and says he brought home his school project. I asked him if he wanted me to display it proudly on the fridge. He laughed. That's just where it is.

Dad got all dressed up for the Cowboy Day at the Senior Center. Before he left the house he wanted to make sure that is WAS TODAY before he went out in that cowboy hat. He didn't want to be the only one.

As I dropped him off I couldn't help but think about King of Queens show with Arthur going to the Senior Center in different costumes...that's about my favorite show and little did I know we were going to be living it one day. It's just as funny here sometimes as it is on the show.

You will notice Dad's t-shirt...one of several that I bought with funny sayings on them. The people at the center love to see what he has on next. So keep that in mind when you are looking for something to send him. I found 5 at JC Penneys for just $5 each. Always in good taste though, LOL Dad won't wear anything to offend or suggestive.

HOME AT LAST from Indiana to Oklahoma!

First story after returning home to Oklahoma last night. Dad was awake most of the trip home. He rode in front with Rod to make sure he drove right. Dad's suggestion. ha  Dad went to bed about 9:30pm last night after returning at about 8:30pm. I think he was glad to be here again. He went right to his bed to rest before he got up to do his routine for the final bedtime. He told me I did a fine job of rearranging his furniture. He said he liked it....although I had done that before we left last June. It's never too late to be thanked though. ;-) 

Dad slept in until 11am. He got up and got a shower and then ate oatmeal for breakfast. He was glad to have that for a change he said. I had asked him last night if he wanted to go to the Senior Center for a few hours, maybe 2-3 or would he rather go on Thursday and he said Thursday. 

He had a card from all of them at the center who signed it saying Welcome Back Odie! Along with it were photos of some of them especially his friend, John, who I have heard has missed Dad a lot. Dad went to the sofa to sit with his feet up most of the day....although he said he was awake but had his eyes closed. He did do his exercises somewhat. He got up to use the bathroom at 6pm...he comes down the hall. Rod is behind him and tells me that Dad had a question for me.

He asked me where his pants were.....Pants?, I said....Well, if you mean shorts you have them on.....He said, No, I don't.....then he pulls his shirt up and says, Well, I'll be darned. They weren't there a minute ago. lol 

So here we go with the stories. I do have some to post from our vacation but they will come one at a time soon as I can. So at about 8:30 Dad gets ready for bed....teeth out and clothes off....I helped him put on a tshirt and then I took his watch off....I asked him if he wanted to watch a DVD and he said sure. Then I helped him get situated in the bed and I looked down at his arm and THERE WAS A WATCH! I said, "Didn't I just take that off?" He says, "Yeah, but it was the one on the other arm." LMAO...I just looked at him.....laughing....and was ready to ask the expected question....and before I could, he says, I DO NOT KNOW. LOL

Odie the Comedian

I took Dad to his gal friend's house this afternoon and then I went to find a spot to get online to work on some things that needed finishing. If I think I have worked a lot here, I have at least 10 times the amount of work waiting for me at home. I realize that I am tense most of the time. I think I get that from my Mom. She used to just physically be tense even when sitting. I suppose I have the same condition. I am aware of it and try to relax but it is really a hard thing to do. So to relax I went for the full nail treatment including the best pedicure I have ever had. {Sorry Amy}lol

Both girls doing my nails told me to relax several times and we laughed about it. I need to find the cure for it. Anything but another pill. But enough about me and back to Dad....We have been busy almost every day.

Once in a while I have him just kick back and lay down for a nap after lunch. He tends to sit in a chair and nap which is not good for his neck or his back....once in a Blue Moon he will voluntarily go to the bed and put his feet up. I am trying to get him to make a habit of it instead of sitting in a chair....I don't mean a recliner either. He sits in an armless straight back chair and SLEEPS! Dad and my Father in law are the only two people that I have ever seen that can do that. I have NEVER ever seen my husband even attempt that. I would be picking him up off the floor.

Dad did go to his 1938 Class Luncheon today. There were eight of them at the table. That was an interesting group. All 90 year olds. I overheard a 90 year old woman in the group say, Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn. Now THAT was funny and several of us in the nearby tables heard it and started to laugh. I was sitting alone at a nearby table just to give the oldsters their own space. They wanted me to join but I would rather not as I consider it Dad's time.

Although Dad thought it would be funny to respond to a question from one of the ladies there about his '31 Durant as willing to take a good price for it. I turned around quickly and gave him a brows down look and he started to laugh. Very funny Dad. Your a RIOT....and he gets funnier....

He was trying to put his belt on earlier to go to Louise's and he got flustered unbeknown to me at the time and I heard his comment and asked,"Would it kill you to ask for help." His answer, "Yep, it might."

Another conversation between him and I today was about him taking off from the car when I had my hands full and he proceeds to go up the stairs to the front porch without me behind him. I finally get up there AFTER he is all the way up. I stand there with my hands on my hips and say, "What's wrong with this picture." His reply..."I don't see a picture."

I proceeded to explain YET ONCE AGAIN what will happen if he breaks a leg, or his arm, OR HIS BACK. I will have to call 911. He says, "Well, just call the Undertaker...."
I roll my eyes and say,"Last time I heard, they don't bury you with a broken leg." I told him HEY, I got my snappy answers from my Dad! lol

After getting Dad from Louises tonight and we get home, he is getting ready for bed and I asked if he was able to take care of himself for a couple hours while I head out to use the computer...of which I am doing right now to catch up here. His reply with a straight face, "Nope, I don't think so.....I need someone to stay with me 24 hours a day." Then he grinned. LOL He really is able now to stay for very short periods of time as long as he isn't walking around outside or trying to do something he usually has assistance for. We all need some time alone. I know I must feel like his shadow sometimes but its a matter of prevention. IF he breaks a bone, his freedom is really shattered. I want him to be able to walk unhampered and to make his own decisions as long as possible. Hopefully up to the time he takes his last breath.

And so it goes...

Delay in Posting

I don't have daily access to the Internet....mayBE I can log in once or twice a week right now and be able to answer emails. I don't have the quality time to sit and think to keep this Blog however.
We are busy almost everyday while on vacation. I will update at the beginning of September when it's all overwith and I can think once again. lol

VACATION DAYS

I think Dad was really anxious and excited to get to his house and see the old place. When he first walked in he didn't recognize it right off. I understand that because when I am at his house for 4 months at a time, I get home and it all looks so strange at first. He took the tour of the whole house and then it all came back to him quickly he said. He seemed relieved that all those dreams about the changes or destruction to the house were not really true.
The first few days were spent at a Drs appt I had set up from my home. Then came the first visits with his girlfriend. I was surprised he didn't get a big hug and kiss right there on the sidewalk but that's just me I guess....and that generation didn't show a lot of affection publicly I suppose.
He visited with a couple of his other friends on the first weekend while my sister stayed with him. Rod and I went to my 40th Class Reunion on the next night after we got here {a Friday} and then again for more of the get together on Saturday.

Rod just had a week here so it went really fast with him trying to get one of Dad's old cars started. Only to find out that he had to change fuel lines that had deteriorated away and that the fuel pump had old parts to it. So we didn't get it started like Dad and Rod wanted and a new fuel pump is on order. Rod never got a real chance to get the other car started spending so much time on the first one. He will be back in August so we will get them both going before we leave once again. Dad wants the cars with us but that will be on the next trip back to his house. We have much to do before all is moved.

I think Dad is getting somewhat bored now getting into the beginning of the third week here. I am not going to speak for him but I think there is some disappointments.
Rod and Dad did got to his breakfast with the fellows from his work. They all have retired of course but they still meet for breakfast. I think Dad was very tickled about the fact they all came together once again for DAD because the breakfast get together has nearly disappeared. One of the guys told me that as long as Dad was in town they would get together each week.

Now to the photos for now....I will catch up to important happenings later as I get more computer time.

Stay Tuned...

I am updating the Blog tomorrow evening. I know I have almost stopped posting but there is a good reason. Dad and I have been on vacation for 2 weeks now and Rod has returned home only to come back in August. So tomorrow night is my night out and I will be posting from the library to catch up on the goings-on.

Dancing a Jig....

Slow to Post...

Each day gets away from me more and more. I have so much to do but I am trying to at least post once a week for right now.
Dad continues to do so well. He has made some new friends at the Senior Center these last few months. He always has stories to tell each day....either of what someone did or what was going on with the meals they serve. He loves to go outside and sit in the sun at the center.
When he gets home he likes to sit in the kitchen and watch the nature show from the kitchen window. We have rabbits,possums, birds of all kinds, and squirrels to entertain us. We live in the city. I can only imagine what we would have if we were in the country. We have been getting yard care since we were having a serious weed problem and as the grass grows I have plans for some nature enticing devices. I want a fountain to lure the critters in. I don't plan on getting any more pets so the wild critters are our pets.
Dad and I have toyed with the idea of getting a dog.....we thought a Beagle would work....but I really don't want the care of any animal. I know the responsibility of being a responsible pet owner and thinking of taking care of a dog for the next 14 years does NOT appeal to me. I know it would be a great companion for Dad but I would be the caretaker and it's not going to be an option right now.
I took Dad to the Dr on Wednesday because of his rash and he got a steroid that has certainly cleared up the rash. The Dr always seems to have the knowledge to fix whatever is wrong. Dad is feeling much better and the itching has stopped with an occasional itch.

Now to the good part of this post.
Rod brought Dad home from the Center at 4pm. We had a good supper, so they both said and they got up and were going to the living room to watch some TV. BUT before Dad got to his chair, he said to me....Well, I found out I could do something that I haven't done in a very long time. With that being said he proceeded to dance a JIG! I kid you not...I mean he DANCED a JIG. My comment was that I had NEVER seen him DO THAT EVER! Rod was totally caught off guard and began to laugh and laugh and laugh. He couldn't stop and then that made Dad laugh. After Rod got his wind back he asked Dad where he got that AT and then he said if you got that at the Senior Center then we better check into what they are teaching over there. hahaha It was just too funny. Dad admitted he learned that at the Center. I told him he HAD to do that tomorrow when I had the camera out so I could post it here. So stand by for that!!!

What's Going On?

Dad has been busy. He is doing well....no return of that dementia since that one day. He didn't go to the Senior Center on Monday but instead went yesterday to make up for missing Monday due to the Holiday.
He has developed a rash of sorts. It's red splotchy and itching. I am trying to keep ahead of the itching but on DAD, nothing much works long enough to suit him. lol I had him take an Aveno bath today and although it was soothing while in the tub, later he said it didn't do much good. I told him he could lay in the tub ALL DAY. He laughed. He didn't think I could get him out of the tub by myself since he said he nearly broke his knees getting down in the tub. LOL But I did, and it went well and he even said he didn't think it was going to be that easy. Dad will ask while he is still in the tub...."How am I going to get out of here? You won't be able to do it alone."
I said, "Don't you think you should have ASKED that question BEFORE you got in the tub?" haha Oh so it goes with Dad....he needs to know the plan long before it actually happens. I say JUST DO IT!!
I told him I would call the Doctor on Monday to see if he can get a steroid shot and prescription for the itching if it's not cleared up by then.

He is reading his Sunday School quarterly right now. I saw a tiny tiny crack in his lens in his glasses this week and I had Rod drop them off to get a new lens. It was a maker flaw that they did for nothing, naturally. haha I INSIST they do it for nothing. I am cheap! So when Rod picked up Dad yesterday at the Senior Center he took Dad to the glasses office and she adjusted them again for Dad and so now he can read better. I TELL HIM OVER AND OVER. If you JUST stop playing with them and leave them as she fixes them you will be able to read. Then he argues and says it's not right. LOL Funny how he is out there reading fine now just AFTER she fixed them yesterday. He has them all screwed up by the time he messes with them and then can't see right out of them. MEN!

Oh he said something so funny this week and I have been trying to think what it was for a couple days now. I should have wrote it down. We were getting in the car to leave for the Senior Center one day and he made some comment that made me start laughing and I snickered all the way to the Center. Now you would think I could remember THAT. Maybe it will return one day when I least expect it and then I will write it down.

I want to make a trip to JCPenneys today when Rod gets home from work. He never refuses overtime! They are having a sale on mens' long shorts and Dad needs a few. He said he would rather wear the long shorts that go below the knee. I never saw men's shorts BELOW the knee unless you wear them past your butt at the top. haha I explained that LOOK to him and asked him if that was his intentions and he laughed with a big hearty NO!

On to the weekend!!
Oh and I have just added the photos from Memorial Day to Picasa and they should show up on the blog soon.

You CAN Teach an OLD Dog More New Tricks...

I presented the idea of wearing shorts to Dad about 2 weeks ago....Oh nooooooo, he wasn't wearing shorts....I asked why. He said because he had ugly legs. That's IT? Oh gee whiz. So yesterday, being Memorial Day, I laid out some short and a sleeveless shirt. Dad laughed when he saw it and his comment was, "You are bound and determined to get me in shorts, aren't you? YEP....and he put them on and first words out of his mouth? I feel like I am half dressed. LOL
Oh but he got used to it and IN FACT, he got up this morning and put them back on for the day.
I will add more photos of the day when I get a chance.
Dad is outside with Rod working on the bike. I think he is probably glad he has those shorts on because it's 90 degrees.
Dad needs a dip in a pool for sure. lol That's next!

Today is a new day!

Dad if feeling feisty this morning....so the rough patch has passed. He is back to his smart alec answers and in the bathroom shaving!
His epidural shot went well...and I mean to tell you...that Dr is an awesome Dr. There isn't anyone like him I am sure. I only wish he was my Primary Care Dr...I really appreciate the one I have but Dr M is one of a kind. He personally walked Dad to the procedure room...Dad said that he was too slow for him but Dr M said, "You are doing fine and we are running slow today anyhow." {Later Dad asked me which one was the Dr and I told him and he couldn't believe he walked him to the room."

Dad slept all night long...he got up once at 2am but was back in bed and slept till 9am, when I woke him. Of course he had a few stories to go with his sleep.
First thing I asked this morning was how did he sleep....He said okay but that he was on the floor. FLOOR? He wasn't. So I asked another couple questions and he says, "What's with all the questions?". haha I told him I just wanted to know if he got some good rest...then he went on to say that he would have if he wasn't on the floor. I ignored that again....So then he raises up and says, "Who put me back in bed?" I told him it wasn't me and in fact, he was never on the floor. I pointed out had he been on the floor he would have never been able to get up by himself. I told him I checked on him at 7:30, 8:30 and woke him at 9am and he was still in the same position each time. Dad said I was playing games and started laughing.

I pointed out it was HE that was playing games! We could have argued that one all day and he would have enjoyed every minute of it but I had stuff to do. ha
Then he told me that he was all tangled up in the sheets again. I asked how he could do that and be on the FLOOR and he laughed and smirked at me and said he took them with him. He pointed out how he had to TIE the sheet to the bed to keep from falling off....hahaha I laughed and laughed when I saw that INDEED he HAD tied the sheet corner to the bottom of the bed post. *shaking my head* I asked what good that would go when he was laying on TOP of the sheet? He didn't have an answer for that and again said....while laughing..."Well, you proved me wrong again!" hahaha

So after that little skit that plays out in and around the house, he got up, got dressed and ate a hot cooked breakfast with some PROTEIN! *I argue that cereal is not protein, when he would rather eat cold cereal. The fact that he was out of SILK milk and he had just taken his thyroid pill fixed the fact that he had to eat a cooked breakfast instead. {cow's milk / thyroid pills don't mix}

So the quote/question for the day from Dad is: What time is it outside today? {he catches himself and says....Or Inside for that matter?} haha Very funny!

Off to the Senior Center for 10:30 Bible Study!

Ghosts Abound....

Dad has been dreaming a lot lately. Well, more than usual and he has been confused about what was real and not real. He was eating breakfast yesterday morning and told me about seeing Mom over his bed and putting the covers back on him. He started to cry about it....I patted his hand and said I wish I could see her. I don't know if she is really there or not but he believes it and I let it go at that. There are spirits around us I believe so why not Mom hanging around Dad?

He sees a woman in his room with a little baby sometimes. She never says anything, just walks around with the baby. He was seeing her without having dementia so it's something else bringing these visions to light. They sure make good stories for Dad to tell though.

Dad is having a bit of a set back in the last 24 hours. Not sure what brought it on other than the connections in the brain. I have noticed several changes in the last week. There were a couple times he asked me questions that were a bit fuzzy. Yesterday he went to the Senior Center. I picked him up around 4pm and we went to the foot dr. I noticed in there he was getting days confused and was concerned about what to say to the dr about how he was doing. He couldn't remember how he was doing with his feet. I told him to relax and just wait for the Drs questions and just to tell him what he is feeling NOW...it all worked out and Dad was able to tell him what was going on.
When we got home I told Dad to change into his robe and be more comfy...which he did. He had not slept good the night before with dreaming and seeing people so I thought a rest might be in order before dinner.
He slept restlessly for about 2 hours and then when he started to wake up he was weak and needed both Rod and I to help him up off the sofa when he could get up all by himself not less than a day ago. I have been concerned about little signs I have seen but this was by far not good. He knew he was going backwards too. I told him he is bound to have some setbacks....and to keep thinking about how far he has come. It's been rainy and damp and we all have had achy muscles and joint pain. He did get to the table but he was being slow at eating and somewhat messy. His hand started to jerk a lot more last night. He asked me if Bob and his son was here. (his cousin) I just replied back in the form of a question....Did you think Bob came all the way to Oklahoma? Then he thought for himself saying he didn't know what he was thinking.
He also thought that he had some coins in his pockets that were hot. I assured him there were no coins and that it was Dementia that was creeping back in and to fight it the best he could. He said it seemed so real and would try to keep it all straight.
His appetite was good though....he had room for some carrot cake!
He went back to the sofa to watch some TV with us but soon fell asleep. He was moaning most of the time which was an old habit several months ago. I let him sleep until 10pm and then woke him to go to bed. Rod helped him to the bathroom and then I got Dad ready for bed. He was rather "out of it" but he would answer me when I asked a question. His hearing has been especially poor in the last few days. Not sure if there is a relation but it is curious. Some months ago his hearing actually improved with the dementia. Odd.
So he finally did get into bed. I asked him if he needed the alarm on the bed again and he said yes. So with that yes I figured he knew something was up and didn't trust himself to get up alone. We all went to bed and I awoke at 4am and realized Dad's alarm never went off. So I checked on him and he was SOUND asleep, and still in the same position as he was when he went to bed. That never happens. He was apparently just wore out and with the bad nights sleep prior to last night, he was finally getting some real good rest.
I had set the alarm for him to get up at 6am so he could have breakfast because after 7am he couldn't have anything to eat or drink until they do the epidural today. He didn't stir much when I tried to wake him so I decided sleep was more important than food so let him be. By 6:45am he was getting up and then I went back in the room to offer cereal again and yes, he was ready.

The nurse came at 9am and Dad had gone back to bed after breakfast. Then Diana, the bath gal was here by 9:30 and Dad was moving much better but still needing assistance in getting from one place to the other.

He is resting on the sofa watching the Price is Right. In an hour we wll be off to get his "booster" steroid shot in the back.

Let's hope that this was just a short set back and that the dementia does not take over his mind again.

Dad is entertaining...even early in the morning.

I had set my alarm for 8am but I never manage to get up as it goes off. Instead, I hit it several times wondering why it keeps going off. I didn't hear Dad at all so I thought I could get a few more winks. As I lay there I heard the water running thinking he had just got up so I knew that I had to get up at that point. I get up and go past his room and he is not there...go past the bathroom and no Dad....so I wander out to the living room and from there I can see Dad at the kitchen table eating. I get a little closer and then I just burst out laughing. There is Dad....eating with one arm in the long sleeve of his shirt and the other arm completely out of it and the shirt is upside down. Then he starts laughing asking, "Isn't this something?" Yes, I thought, but WHAT?
So here comes the explanation as IF I haven't heard it before. He couldn't find which hole to put his second arm in and he just gave up and decided to just eat in the shirt that way until he was rescued. I asked him what would he have done had he been all alone and he said he would have stayed that way. LORDIE! What a character.

Continuing to do well...

Dad's home health services are coming to an end soon. He still gets his twice a week bath lady to come in and I do it the rest of the time. His PT has ended because Dad is doing so well. He does his exercises daily on his own. He also exercises at the Senior Center 3 times a week. He is getting plenty of exercising.
We get out a lot during the week.
After our meeting on Thursday night we ended up at a new German restaurant. Dad said he wanted to go back and if DAD wants to go back you know it's a good place to eat. He didn't complain about one thing. haha He had Hungarian Goulash and Hot German Potato Salad and pretzel bread. Oh and for dessert he and Rod shared an Apple Streudal. Dad said he had to come back to try all the other dishes. We met the owner and had a nice visit.
One of the waiters had stopped to talk to us and he was telling us where he was from....and was asking about Dad and telling us that his own Grandpa lived to be 102. So I asked him to guess how old Dad was and he says.....oh about 72....boy, you should have seen the grin on Dad's face. When Dad told him NINETY, the guy couldn't believe it and told Dad he must be doing something right.
These sort of conversations keeps Dad going. In one thing for family to encourage but an other ball game altogther when he gets affirmation from strangers.
He continues to tell stories from the Senior center. He still can't wait to relay some story of the days events. Just at dinner tonight he remembered another one from yesterday.

There is one that is a little hard to take and Dad disapproves, let's say. I know who he means because I had a run in with him out in the parking lot. He is the type of guy that has to comment on everything, knows it all, and tells you what you should be doing without solicitaion. He grabbed the arm of another old lady and Dad said he about wanted to get up and POP him one. Can you imagine that one?.....hahaha Rod told him to accidentally swing that cane in his direction. Dad can think of stuff to do but he rarely acts them out. I see where I get that at when watching and listening to Dad on a day to day basis. The lady was rescued by a volunteer. Now Dad has it in for this guy....doesn't want to be around him at all. I can't say I blame him. I told Dad just to stay away from him the best he could.

Rod has to work in the morning...he has been doing a lot of overtime. We usually go garage saling on Saturday morning so now Dad and I will venture out by ourselves to at least a church sale. It's suppose to be raining all weekend. Nasty wet week we have had. It's been chilly too.

Dad keeps in touch with friends via phone....he forgets sometimes to make calls. I have to remind him when it comes to his older friends who can't remember either. haha
He plans on going to the reunion in July and travel to Illinois. I told him I would see that he gets there. So he called his cousin and told him to plan on it. I am glad that Dad will be able to travel and get around this year and be able to enjoy it. I know Ede will be so very happy to see Dad up and around.

Dad has had one epidural pain shot and going for the second one this next week again. It helps Dad to stay walking around. If I had just thought about it sooner I would have had him to get them sooner last year when he started to fall. Sometimes the answer is right there in front of you and you just can't see it. Dad has come so far in such a short time and it is nothing short of miraculous and he knows it.

Now if we can just get him to stop eating sweets!!! He lives for dessert and I am a sucker for making them. I had to cut most of them out and remove the chocolate candy he bought to a safer place.....but boy can he find hiding spots. He is now at 184 pounds. That's where he has to stop because I told him if he gets down again, I won't be able to lift him. He is healthy, good heart sounds, and no fluids on his lungs or around his heart. He has not been sick with any colds or sniffles. I know he eats sweets but he gets plenty of proteins and fresh veggies and good nourishing soups and fruits. I never miss his meds either. I remember HIS before I remember mine and they are right there next to each other for heaven's sakes!

I think he is looking forward to going to the play. He was looking through his classic car magazine and saw a 65 Ford Convertible article.....he thought we could get it out and drive it to Muskogee for the play. I said that's a good idea, mention it to Rod cause he never does what I want. hahaha Dad is good to have around cause Rod would do just about anything for Dad. Sneaky aren't I? Yep, I told Dad I learned that one from Mom. Dad laughed. He remembered.

Wasssuppp?

Dad is taking a nap today....usually he takes one in the living room with his feet up. Dad just learned to use the TV in his bedroom. haha Family joke with Dad and the remotes. This TV is easier to use and he learned it in one lesson last night after he asked me how to turn it on. I use the timer at night so he can fall asleep with either the Bible on CD or watching Animal Planet. I think he is getting hooked on TV at night like the rest of the world. Mom and Dad never liked a TV in their bedroom and I can't go to sleep without watching the TV for a little bit. Funny how we all have our rituals and get stuck in them.

I asked Nola to take some photos of Dad's house so he knows everything is still there and okay. When he was having dementia so much that was a main concern for him. Now he knows that he was hallucinating. To him, they were very real. He can remember all that too. Even if I had the photos back then, I don't believe he would have believed me anyway. Dementia if very powerful I have learned. Not something I ever want to have for myself one day.

Dad misses home and his friends. He is so looking forward to his next visit.
Dad knows that he has to live with me. I am unable to take care of Dad alone. I thought at one time I could come and stay with him but there is so much to do that I can't physically do anymore. He knows I need to be home. He used to say that when I came to stay with him but I pretended like I could handle it when I really couldn't. He had enough worries.
So now we have come to decision making time about selling the house. It's coming and he says it has to be done. The market is lousy right now so we are just waiting. Dad wants to do things NOW but there are times when you just have to wait. One step at a time.
He does enjoy checking out nature here....and my flowers... He will sit in the kitchen for hours and watch the birds and squirrels in the back yard. I am going to make an obstacle course of sorts for the squirrels so Dad can have that as entertainment. We have 4 squirrels that stay in our yard most of the time. They chase each other and entertain us very well. I am hoping the Orioles are coming back this month for Dad to see. We had so many last year it was the most incredible site. I have an orange out on the picnic table to see if they are around yet.
Dad keeps watching.

May 4th 2010

Dad after dinner in the kitchen.

This weeks news...

I am a little behind in posting...lots going on...but Dad is still doing well. He has had a couple incidents of dementia but it's cleared up fast. He still thinks he has to "go upstairs" to get to the kitchen. Not sure why. He is stooping over more when he walks...I try to keep after him about standing up as his PT did. He had his last session with the PT guy, Mark last week. Although we can start it up again as needed, Dad is getting scheduled exercise from the arthritis foundation at the Senior Center 3X a week. We are going to continue baths as that helps me out a lot. As long as they will do it free, I will ask for it.
Dad is very clear thinking most of the time....he loves to tell the stories of what happened at the Senior Center. All the time he has some new ones to tell me that I either forgot or never heard. I have one to share later as I get the time.
We are going to see a play this month. Dad's first! I will have photos and such to share with that later too.
Dad has a busy schedule and I am thinking of how I will keep him busy in Indiana. I can't have him just sitting in his chair all the time. I am hoping to get him in a schedule at some place that he can go and be with his age people to stay busy.
He has a good friend at the BA center now...his name is John and I will post a photo when I can get one.
Today one of the girls asked me where I got the cake with the car on it. I told her and she said that JOHN is telling everyone that was the best party he has ever been to and he wants a cake with a picture on it too. haha Very cute! John will be 90 in December and it's really good to know that he has every intention of seeing that 90th birthday. He has even picked out the photo for the cake for his daughter to order. Dad told me today that he and John has a lot in common they found out. They both live with their youngest daughter for one. John has been there for 3 years and knows the ropes. Dad says they try to set together for lunch and for discussions. It really means a lot for Dad to have a really good friend since he is away from his others. Now that Dad is a little more settled I have been asking him about if he wanted to go to church. He hasn't been too interested in it but I do ask. He seems fairly stuck with the one in Logansport and I think he is worried about going to a new place. He just doesn't like new situations, even if we are there, he still asks questions before we get there about what to expect. That's nothing new about Dad though.
More later...

Dreaming...

Yesterday we stayed at home...the weather took a turn for the colder for a couple days. I figured Dad needed a good rest anyway.
Dad was on the sofa with his feet up dozing off now and then. THEN all of a sudden I hear him hollar out...."I WILL GET THEM OUT OF HERE. LET ME TAKE CARE OF IT."
I jumped up off the chair in my office to see what was going on. Rod had been out of room for a little bit so he didn't witness Dad's outburst, but he heard it all the way back to the bedroom. LOL
By the time I got to the living room Dad was trying to get up off the sofa. I think he was still half asleep. I asked him what was wrong...he stared at me for a second and then said he was going to get that bunch out of his house. I told him that there was no one here and that he was in OK and all was fine. He looked at me and THEN realized he was dreaming. He scared me for a moment because that was what happened when the dementia set in.
He told me who was in his house and tearing things up and taking his things and I assured him that was not so and to not worry. {a reoccuring dream it seems} Then he almost acted embarrassed that he even got that far with the dream.

It passed and Dad seems to be just fine again. For a moment I thought, Oh no. I sure don't ever want Dad to go through that dementia again. That's more torturous than a physical condition.

All is well today...he was anxious to get back to the Senior Center this morning. He had on his new shirt to show the crowd. I think Dad will miss some of these new friends when he takes his vacation to Indiana.

Birthday Party at Home...

Dad seemed to have a great time at his birthday party here. We had planned for a quiet evening at home since we had been on the run all week. Dad had PT Friday morning and his bath gal came about noon. Then off Dad and I go to run errands. We stopped at the bank to open an account for him. I asked Dad if he had ever been to Chick Fila and he said no, so that's where we had lunch. We topped it off with a peach shake and then off to Kohl's to spend my free $10 coupon. Off to Sam's to get the cake for that night. I didn't let Dad see the cake yet. Nothing was going to top the Durant cake though!
We got back at the house and Dad wasn't tired yet, it seemed. I suggested a nap before the party started but he stayed up for a couple hours watching TV. Rod gets home and then they BOTH fell asleep later.
Chris arrived first, then Amy and Monica arrived. Rod went to No 1 Kitchen, {which is excellent btw} for Chinese. The food party started. After the food we had Dad open presents. It was a lot of fun I must say. Dad entertained us with some funny stuff. Dad was moved by all the attention. When he read some of the cards he had to tell us all that he was very happy to have us to care. He said he was grateful that we took him in and he started to cry and Amy jumped up and gave him a big hug.

All in all it was a great night. His friend, Walter S. had called to wish him a Happy Birthday. I could hear him on the other end telling Dad how wonderful it was to see such a change in him. Afterall, Walter had seen him flat on his back and unable to move before we left. I am sure it was impressive to hear him on the other end having a party and talking as well as he was talking. I never tire of seeing it myself.

I took videos of which I want to edit....I haven't figured out the complexities of how this video works like I want to figure it out. {my camera is smarter than my computer and it seems that my computer won't process the higher speed SD card correctly...but alas I will figure something out so you can at least see the Birthday Boy in all his glory!

We settled in the living room to watch AVATAR, which had just come out the day before. Leave it to Amy and Monica to have the LATEST in videos!! lol Inside joke. The movie was great. I wouldn't mind having it myself one day. Dad stayed awake for half of it. lol It WAS 3 hours long. I asked Dad if he wanted to head to bed an hour into it and he said no, he wanted to stay with all of us....but at 11 pm I did wake him up to say it was okay if he stretched out in bed...the movie was almost over anyway.

Dad got some fun gifts....Nola made him 2 summer English caps, shirts that he wears to the center. Louise sent Dad MONEY, which always makes Dad's eyes light up. Rod and I got him 2 T-shirts of which I put iron on sayings on them. One was 90 and Single, the other was a photo of him with the words This is what 90 looks like! Oh the comments he got with the 90 and Single was way too funny. Keep in mind that he wore it all over town while we went shopping on Friday! I got him some new shortie socks....first he ever had and I thought he would not like them but he does. We also took him out to dinner at his choice for his birthday, remember?..the frog legs.
The guy at Braum's Dairy store wanted to know if he was advertising. lol I made Dad some business cards with the Durant on them...and his email address and this Blog address. I thought he could take them home and pass them around to his friends as he visits. Amy got him this awesome silver card holder...outside was OGR and inside was a personal message of love from Amy. It was so neat how it opened...it's magnetic so it will be so easy for Dad to get it open unlike the snapping kind. Chris bought Grandpa this HUGE bag of Russell Stover variety chocolates. They are individually wrapped and the ultimate chocolates. I told Dad I hoped he wasn't counting how many were in there and gone. LOL
Debbie V. sent him a another gift card from Panera. {His fav place to eat ya know.} We ate there yesterday. He sure loves it there but now is critiquing the tomato soup....it was a "little tangy". lol
Dad didn't want gifts he said...but tsk tsk tsk, ya gotta know that no ONE refuses chocolate!!! Not in this house. He seemed pretty content in spite of all that has happened to him. As he was getting into bed, he told me that he was a pretty lucky fella. "I can walk, I got all my limbs, and I feel pretty good for an old man."

Yep, Paw....life can be darn good at any age!

What a Happy Day!

Just a short note to say that Dad was the Center of Attention at the CENTER!
He almost cried when he saw the cake....I think he was overwhelmed with it all. I think he had a good time though. I can see he has some very nice friends at the Senior Center. I mean really caring people who care about him. John is one of his good friends there already. John is the man setting next to his left in the photos. I will add more later as I took many but here is one for now.
I have videos too. They need editing and will be working on that and getting them uploaded soon.

Dad and the Hershey Kisses...

Among the Easter half~priced candy Dad bought, he got a bag of Hershey's Kisses.
He was eating them last night while watching TV.
I was joking and said, "HEY, you could take the empty bag back to Indiana...hold it behind your back and tell Louise that you have been getting plenty of Kisses! But don't wait too long to tell her the rest of it and then pull out the bag!"

He thought that was funny....so this morning as we were driving to the Senior Center....he says, "I got a good idea....I will mail her the empty bag and tell her that I have been getting plenty of kisses but no hugs."

Let me tell you all......You are NEVER too old for Lovin'.

Dad Reading

Here's Dad sitting on the sofa in "his spot". I said smile and this is what I got.

Sneak Preview of the CAKE for the Senior Center

I retrieved the cake tonight but Dad hasn't seen it.
He has a bit of a headache due to getting some medicine at the Pain Center today. He got his steroid injection in the back and he is doing fine. He doesn't remember most of the day!! lol
At 3pm he wanted to know when was breakfast...that will give you an idea how well the medicine worked. He is still resting in the living room. I gave him some headache medicine and he was feeling better. He has his feet soaking right now getting ready for his pedicure.

Tomorrow is the BIG DAY! I found 90 on party decorations and couldn't believe it.
I made T-shirts with clever sayings on them. The Senior center will get a kick out of them. I will take photos later at the party @ the Center and on Friday night.

We are planning a party at the house with Chinese food....one of Dad's fav...and movie night. Amy is in charge of the movie. We will have another cake surprise that evening.

Dad got the Motherload of Birthday Cards today. He said he gets more cards being in OK than when he was in Logansport. LOL I said you should come here more often on your Birthday!!
I will list who and what later he got as he gets everything open.

I need to get cracking here because I am making him a wild hat for Friday night.

Note to Self: Don't set half and half next to Dad at Breakfast table...

We were up and getting ready this morning to get to the Senior Center on time. I had an eye dr appt after I dropped Dad off. I was in the bathroom trying to get ready when I heard Dad walking down the hall and so I let him go for about a minute. I knew he would be chomping at the bit to get breakfast done. So when I got out there he was in the pantry looking for the cereal. I don't care if he gets his own breakfast BUT he never can find anything, reach it or finish finding it all. lol It if funny sometimes. He is trying to help but sometimes it just better if he lets me waite on him. So I asked him what he wanted and he ended up saying oatmeal. So I get the REAL oatmeal out and it took about 10 minutes to make....IN THE MEANTIME....I am getting a little pitcher ready of the little milk I had left and some heavy whipping cream. I had the cream for creme brulee, but that's another story. lol
So I mix the milk with the CREAM, hence the half and half. The little pitcher is clear with a spout on it....like for SHARING with your cereal????? So I turn my back and there is Dad DRINKING THE ALMOST over the line HALF AND HALF right OUT of the pitcher before I even have the oatmeal made. I nearly choked. But I thought....oh well, what can I do now... He finished his breakfast and off we go to the Center.
Comes time to pick him up and I had to call Rod to go get him because I was at another Dr appt and was running late.
I get home and Dad tells me the sad sad story of how many times he ended up in the powder room at the Senior Center. I am thinking to myself, IT'S NO WONDER with the CREAM you drank this morning...but I didn't say a word.
Oh but how I wish I had grabbed that cream out of his hand today and dumped it down the drain.....
I am cleaning dishes off the table, and Rod helps Dad a little to the bathroom....a minute later Rod comes walking briskly out to the kitchen with a grimace and says, "Uhhh your Dad made a big mess." {MY Dad....hahaha}

To make a long story short.....let's just say......DAD is NOT getting anymore Whipping CREAM and the Bathroom has been BLEACHED nearly top to bottom!!!!! Use your imagination!

So what does he say to me in the process of giving him a bath and cleaning the bathroom....
Well, girl, when you were little I clean your poopy diapers many times....hahaha I laughed and laughed, cause well, there was nothing left to do and I was the only one here brave enough to clean it.

So lesson for the day is: Payback is hell!