Great Music at the Car Show

Photos of Dad taking a nap, sitting in the chair chilling because of the "draft" on him....only one there with a blankie on. LOL

They played a mix of music....from rockin' gospel to car related tunes....Route 66, Beach Boys, etc.
Watch a video... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSnqsi6dJV0

It's CAR SHOW Time...

We are just at the point where we get the cars out to take to shows. It's just been too hot this summer and I knew Dad wouldn't be able to take the heat. Yesterday was a good day although windy to go take the Packard.

We went to church in the Packard...then off to get my car at home and off to a nearby church in Tulsa that was having a show. Naturally Rod got the time wrong....*rolling my eyes*. He must have got it confused with the time a RACE starts. LOL So we had time to kill. We left the Packard there with all the organizers. We were second in line. That's how early we were.

So we left in my car to go see what we could do. We dropped off some books at my girlfriends house...then off to Freckles for some frozen custard. We had concretes. Dad had a smores in a cup and OMG, that was so good. They roasted the marshmallows right there and I told them how much. Then in another part of the store they sell candy....mistake to walk in that area. I had to get a HUGE caramel/pecan apple. I will go back to that store.

Then we finally killed enough time to get back to the parking lot for the car show. It was filling up....he filled the ENTIRE parking lot eventually and spilled over into the lawn and front parking lot. Dad had the only Packard though. This was a fun show, no awards....but lots of good free food...hot dogs, hamburgers, desserts, pop and chips. We had the dessert first earlier but like Dad always says....."I like to eat my dessert first in case I don't have room for it later."

Dad stayed out there with us for almost 7 hours. I told him I could take him home before it ended but nope, he wanted to see the cars and so we took turns pushing him around in the walker. Next year we bring the motor cart.

Lots of great cars. Dad was in his element....he knows the years and the makes of these classics....some things he is never going to forget.

We had a good time....Oh and Dad got the autograph of Miss Oklahoma.

Next up....the STATE FAIR!

A Visit with Johnny

I think I told part of this story before but let me recap.
Dad had a friend at the Senior Center that he connected with the first day he went. They both were a few months apart in age. They sat together, ate together, and made sure they had daily time together. Johnny had been declining in health, even Dad noticed it. His daughter decided that he be served best in a home. I hate the word nursing home because it conjure up images that are not pleasant. The daughter, Donna inspires me....she had her parents in her home for 11 years. Her Mother passed away 5 years ago....and if that wasn't hard enough she lost her husband just a year and a half ago. She works full time and takes care of her Father. I told her that when I have a bad day I think of how she kept on going without ANY help daily and then I can move on. However, it has taken a toll and her Dad was a fall risk. He is mostly blind and it became necessary to move him to this new center.

Dad was very upset the last day Johnny was there. He didn't really know before hand this day was coming because Johnny wasn't really told either. It was something that might upset him and his daughter thought it was better to wait. I agreed with her.

Dad came home that day saying that you might not believe this story but Johnny is going to a nursing home. I did believe it because I had been told about it earlier in the day.
I knew Dad would be upset when he found out. He was. He started crying and I put my arms around him and told him not to worry....we would go see Johnny for sure. Dad said the hardest thing for him was the fact that Johnny didn't even get to see his Durant. Johnny so much wanted to see that car.

Again, I told Dad not to worry we would make sure that Johnny gets to see that car soon. His daughter and I have already made plans for Johnny to come to the house to see the car this month....and of course to get a ride in it.

I called his daughter to get directions for the home and she told me about the place. Rolling hills, flowers, patios to sit in the sun, wonderful staff and food.

So we went last Saturday. Donna was right....beautiful place. Staff was so nice even to us and we were just visiting. The gal that works in Johnny's section has been there since 1995. She told me how it all was set up and it's a not like any nursing home I had been in. It was sectioned off and they ate more like a family setting...they had their own kitchen in their area. Beautiful area with the newest of everything, and clean.....very clean. No bad smells as in other nursing homes I have been in.

They have these areas outside of their rooms called memory boxes. It shows their hobbies, or items they made, collected with photos. It's very nice as it helps visitors, staff, and others get to know the resident better.
When we see an elderly person, maybe one who doesn't communicate, or may not even know you are there....we don't see WHO they used to be. They were just like us, with dreams, hopes, hobbies, talents and they had a LIFE!

I have noticed with Dad that many just see an old man who has Rod and I to take care of him.

Then there are those in certain groups that know better....they are informed, they are open minded and treat Dad no different.

I have had people come up to me when Dad and I are together and ask if Dad likes a certain thing....of course, my favorite line is......"I dunno, ask him, he is right here." LOL Gee whiz people, he's old, not dead!

There they were....Johnny and Dad, visiting, laughing, sharing stories again.

I got a few shots of them together. Johnny sure seemed happy to see Dad again. Johnny told me this..."Odie and I went everywhere together. What I did, he did, what he did, I did. We are good friends. We hit it off right away."

I left them alone for awhile and joined Rod in the common are where he was WATCHING A FOOTBALL GAME! LOL Where else?

Lesson for the day------------You are never too old to make new friends, Dad and Johnny are the example of that. They both are 91.

Durant Day at the Senior Center

Dad had HIS day today...but he had no idea what all it took to get the Durant ready to take to the Senior Center. We have had rain for several days. We did need it but it had been getting in the way of our plans to get the cars out of storage. The rain finally ended and then yesterday I got a terrible migraine and Rod had to help me out and it delayed getting the Durant out of storage for today. So later last night Rod went to the storage to get the Durant and it wouldn't start. He had started it on Saturday but that's the trouble with these antique cars. They are tempermental. So Rod calls me to tell me the problem. I told him that I didn't care how he got the car out and got it started but we promised Dad he would have that car tomorrow so just do it. Call AAA and have them tow it here and then work on it tonight....but figure something out. It just so happened it was a dead battery and by the skin of his teeth, Rod got the car back to the house with a new battery before the storage closed at 9pm. Dad had already gone to bed although he was concerned for Rod having to get the Durant all prepared for him. I told Dad not to worry, Rod WILL figure it out.

I was grateful. I told Rod that I appreciated his efforts and he had gone without dinner and wasn't wanting anything to eat but was just going to take a shower and go to bed. I think he was relieved that he did get it started because he knew how much this next day was going to mean to Dad. After all, who knows how many good days Dad will have like this and to be able to show off his Durant is at the top of Dad's list of favorites. So in the morning, Dad got dressed....shaved, and ready to get his shoes on....THEN he asks, "Hey, how did it turn out with the Durant? I suppose Rod couldn't get it started, huh?" I said "Now Dad, you know Rod wouldn't give up....it's in the driveway!"

You should have seen the look on Dad's face. Pure joy as I would describe it.

Off to the Center at 8:30am and I told Dad that we would have the car over there by one o'clock. They weren't going to start taking photos by the Durant until then. I came home and polished the car because it was really dusty from sitting for the last two years. It's really hard for me to do this sort of labor but I kept thinking just how important this is for Dad. May not seem like a big deal to others, but for Dad, it was big.

I had plans to drive it myself.....but, as it turned out, I had trouble starting it. I know how to start it, I know how to drive it....but I got a little panicked. I called Rod and told him the problem and he said he had plans to leave work anyway. He would be there by noon and drive the Durant to the Center. I would take him back to work. Sounded good to me....I was relieved that I wasn't having to stress out about it not starting.

I came back to the center in about an hour....Dad was outside walking around talking to a sweet little old lady about his car. I was taking photos already and I walked in on a conversation between the two of them. She was wanting to know if he was still driving....and IF he got to ride in it and IF he tooks others for a drive. Okay, I laughed.....I thought, this gal is hinting for ride....WITH Dad. haha Women love men with fancy cars!!

Jennifer, who organized the day, was bringing out the people from the center in small groups. Dad was just as happy as could be talking about his car. He opened the trunk and showed some the Mother-in-law seat. lol Oh they thought that was funny! Have the old lady ride in the trunk!

Dad and I ended up standing by the trunk alone. I told him that I spent 90 minutes this morning cleaning and polishing the car. (Trying to get some credit here as Dad likes to do.) He looks at me and says, "Good for you." I said, "Is that all you are going to say?" Dad's response you might ask? A handshake! LOL

Then one guy wanted to see the motor. Dad said men like to see the motor....so he opens it with a little help from me and other gentleman. I am careful to at least let Dad try first before jumping in. He did get one side but the other was a little tight. So for half an hour these two men talk about the engine. LOL

At the end of the tour of residents...Dad was winding down himself. I took him back inside and told him that Rod would be back after work and he would ride home with him in the Durant. So I told Dad to go inside and take a little nap now...he had earned it.

Dad comes home and he said to me, "Well kid, I say it was a success!"

Yes, Dad....it WAS a success!

Took Me Long Enough

Shut my mouth and call me stupid....took me long enough to figure out how to log into my google name and post in here instead of constantly going back in forth from Dad's email to mine....sheesh. My brain cells are dying as I type it seems.
HOWEVER...I have found a quicker way to blog which should end my procrastination!
Hallelujah!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTx8IGPwrIk

Adoptive Step-Father?

Rod had plans to get the Packard out on Saturday night and too polish it to take to a car show on Sunday. We had rain all day Saturday and it was messing up his plans. Eventually the rain stopped and Rod went to get the car from storage. Dad had been sleeping in his chair while Rod had left but he woke up to find him gone.

Dad got up out of his chair, headed for the bathroom....(yes, he is walking on his own now) and turns to me and says, "Where is my adoptive step-father?"

I looked at him oddly with my brow down and asked, "WHO?"

Dad said, "Rod".

I laughed a little, thinking over again what he called him.

Funny how Dad's mind works.

The Mystery of the Egg

Last Thursday I was slow in getting up to get Dad ready for his day at the Senior Center.
Just a few more moments of sleep is all I wanted....but eventually I gave in and got up only to find Dad asleep. I didn't really want to wake him so I tried to call the Sr Ctr to let them know we would be late and I would get breakfast for Dad, but the phones were out in the BA center.

I passed Dad's room and he was just trying to get out of bed. So we got dressed and off to Braums we went for breakfast. As we drove up he wanted to know what we were doing there. I told him the story and he fell right into the surprise change in routine.

Dad wanted to try something different so he had eggs put on top of his gravy and biscuits.

I was watching Dad eat the eggs and something just occurred to me....maybe it had occurred to others but it was my first moment of wonder.

I said to Dad...."I wonder who was the first person in the world that decided to eat an egg?
I mean was it a cave man wandering the fields....looking down in the grass and maybe seeing a bird squeezing out an egg....then walking away.....then thinking to himself.....HEY, how about if I eat that white oval thing that just popped out of that bird's BUTT?"

So we both laughed and I got the giggles for a little bit....Dad was still eating his eggs laughing.
By now others around us were sorta smiling because laughing is contagious even if you don't know what others were laughing about. Had they known they might have got the uncontrollable giggles themselves.

So after we calmed down a bit from laughing DAD, out of the blue, naturally....says,
"What really puzzles me is these little black specks in the gravy......why would they put dog's heads and animals heads in my gravy?"

I started laughing again.....eventually laughing till I had tears in my eyes.
Dad again had taken my story of the egg and turned into an Odie, The One Man Show Stopper.
He just sat there looking at me laughing and looking down at his plate of gravy, biscuits, eggs, and oh yeah, THOSE BLACK SPECKS of PEPPER!

Wednesday Night Church Dinner

Here's some photos from Wednesday night Church Dinner.

Our church started up the Wednesday night dinners and choice of classes afterwards. I say it's great cause I don't have to cook. Dad loves a good meal for cheap prices. lol So for the 3 of us we can eat for $7.50 but Rod always rounds it off to $10. Can't beat that.


There are classes after dinner....lots of great choices but we chose to go to Intimacy in Marriage group. Dad went along of course. He was awake the whole time too! I asked, "Are you making notes just in case you decide to get married again?" LOL He laughed and said "NO!"

I could see if there is a class for him but it's hard to separate from him because if he needs to go to the bathroom he can't go alone. If there is a class for the Seniors in the future I think I will make the arrangement that someone in the class can just call me if Dad needs me. Maybe he can meet a lady to talk to. He always says no, he don't want to meet another lady....he has Louise to talk to but she is so far away.

He just hasn't found anyone yet. He says those old ladies at the Sr Center aren't "all there". LOL Now that's funny!

Horse in the Pasture...

Setting the scene~Monday afternoon...Dad just spent 1.5 hours eating dinner. Tried to pour his water on his garlic bread, telling me that it was honey. Yes, I said HONEY....I think the water would have been an improvement. He was really aiming for the honey on the turntable and kept grabbing his water, trying to pour it. He got miffed at me because I kept trying to stop him from soaking his food and garlic bread with water.

If Dad had all his senses of smell back he would actually gag himself for some of the things he comes up with. (Strawberry jam on biscuits and gravy is an example.) He says it sweetens the gravy.
However, that has nothing to do with my story. So he gets done eating, goes to his chair in the living room. I am moving a table around while he is sitting in his chair.
The following back and forth conversation goes as written.

Dad...That horse is trying to get ahold of the sheet.
Wendy...What horse?
Dad...The horse behind you in the pasture.
Wendy...Oh lordie, pasture....what pasture?
Dad...The one the horse is in...didn't you hear me?
Wendy...Open your eyes, Dad....
Dad...They are open. (his eyes are completely shut)
Wendy...Open your EYES, Dad!
Dad...(opening his eyes)
Wendy...Now where is the horse?
Dad...He is gone now.
Wendy...Funny how those things disappear when you open your eyes....ever think about that?
Dad...Nope.
Wendy...Put two and two together and what do you get?
Dad...(laughing) FIVE!
Wendy...That explains a lot of your problem right there.
Dad...(falls asleep)

Feeding Tube? I don't think soooooooooo!

Just think, two and a half years ago when Dad had his gallbladder out in Indy, the Drs wanted him to be tube fed because he was aspirating food....he wouldn't hear of it. They had him on a thick liquid diet.....nasty texture and he sure didn't like it. They strongly advised it because it would lead to pnemonia and death if he continued to eat regular food.
What did they know???
If only they could see him now eating popcorn. LOL