Life is about learning

Why is it that we are not expected to learn new things, I for one and my totally brain dead yet. When I attack a new project and accomplish it sometimes people are surprised. Yes it takes longer and yes sometimes I don't learn it, buy for heaven's sake let me try and encourage to learn new things. That is what life is all about or that is what they say before you get diagnosed. Another thing that I have learned is a good thing about Alzheimer's I don't hold bad feelings the way I used to unless................. If something is not made a big deal out of it then I will usually forget it and go on. I pray their are things I will forget and things I will remember. Life is short , will you look back on today and think just maybe I could have handled something a little different and savored the moments I had.

Hey ya'll

I know it has been a week. When I use to get on the computer I was at home all day by myself, now my grand daughter is living with me and I don't get on the computer as much or any most days. Besides I had a few days where I slept. Either because I stayed up all night or was tired, from what, nothing. Just tired. Today Jesse and I cleaned up and rearranged my little get a way room and I found the following article that was composed by people in the early stages of dementia. I am sure it probably came from one of the support meetings. Anyways here goes....

Please Talk With Me

• Please take a little more time and have patience
• Don't fuss or make a big deal about my memory
• I may remember, please give me more time
• Don't turn your back and ealk away- that really hurts
• Talk slowly and don't rush me
• I do not want pity
• Don't always assume that it is due to Alzheimer's
• Keeping busy makes me feel better
• People with Alzheimer's are able to have really good days
• I do not see Alzheimer's as the end of my life. Rather, it is the beginning of a new era in my life

I find people sometimes go over board one way or the other. Meaning they either don't see me as having any thing wrong or they think I am further gone than I am. Just accept me as I am. Have a good week and I hope to get back here sooner than this week. I have a busy week though so we will have to wait and see.

Acting like a kid again

Boy it really was a lot of fun mud digging. For you that don't know what I am talking about, we took the 4 wheeler and went with some more couples and headed for the woods. Then we found the biggest and muddiest mud holes and had fun. Yes we were muddy. But who cared. For a few hours all we thought about was having fun. Being a kid again. Life is too short enjoy every minute, it may be your last.

Memorial Day Week End

Well, I hope eveyone had a wonderful week end. Ours was pretty quiet. Saturday, Jesse cleaned the pool and Lynn and Dennis came down. Sunday we took Chris to south LA. so he could start his training for offshore. Monday our nephew bar-be-gued and I crocheted. My kind of week end slow and quiet. We haven't started our meetings yet and I haven't gotten the library going yet. Last week was a slow one and this week is almost half way gone. I really am getting content just sitting at the house more. Days of always having a full schedule is in the past. Have a blessed day.

Get up and go-------------GONE

Hey everyone,
I am still here. Slower than normal but here. I have been so tired and sleepy lately. Taking naps and going to bed early. I haven't been in the chatroom because I am usually asleep or headed there. Today has been really bad I have not had the desire to do ANYTHING. I can't get motivated. Not much going on just lying around reading some. Have a good day.

New beginnings

Chris has graduated and Jesse and I are alone for the first time since we married. We have always had a kid to finish raising. Yesterday I started going through the house and cleaning up one room at a time. I have asked my granddaughter to come and spend a couple of weeks to help me get orgainized then we are going shopping for her new baby due in a few weeks. This is going to be a new experience for me and Jesse but one we have looked forward to. My tidbits for today continues to be from Coach Broyles, on home safety:

• Try to make their world simple
• Use plain-colored placemats, tablecloths, bath towels and sheets
• Block off stairs so they can't fall up or down them
• Have all of you house locks keyed to the same key
• Place safety latches up high and down low on doors leadin gto the outside
• Have them wear an ID bracelet if they wander, and sign them up for the Alzheimer's Safe Return Program
• Use locked cabinets for soaps, cleaners, poisons and medicines

I can understand all these being important. Designs on things make them too busy. I have seen people try to pick spots up off the tile on the floor. You just never know. Coach Broyles book is really a good guide that he developed with his wife. Have a good day. Remember to live today like it is your last, because it may be.

Weekend

Well, we spent antoher weekend camping. I know we are going to het more organized one day. Fish are never biting when we go, what's up? Anyway we had a relaxing day chilling and enjoying the outdoors. Well, my tidbit for today is also from Coach Broyles, Communication:

• Pay attentions to what they are trying to tell you
• Keep what you are telling short and simple but not child-like
• Use one-step commands when telling them what you want them to do. This will decrease their frustration level and make each activity a success for them
• Don't tell them more than they need to know at one time
• Be patient. Give them lots of time to answer your question
• Is they lose the thought, ask the same question again
• Give them lots of time to finish what they are trying to say
• Don't argue with them. It is easier to agree with them and then do what you had planned anyway
• Don't try to reason with them. You will just get angry and they won't know why. Change what you're talking about to something they like
• Don't correct or fuss at them for getting something wrong. Does it really matter? It may only make them feel bad
• Don't say "I just told you that." Just repeat the answer you have already given to them
• Don't ask Them to "remember" things that happened in the past. Talk about what you remember happening and how they were a part of it
• Don't say "You can't." Say "Do as much as you can and I will help you."
• Don't demand things from them. Always sho them what you want them to do

Funny some of these things are things I have been trying to get the girls to understand. 'Don't correct.............................' Life is too short to sweat over the little stuff. Ya'll have a good day and I hope to get back on here more on a regular basis. I get to crocheting and forget about the computer, or I get on the computer and forget about crocheting. Take care and life today like its your last, because it may be.