I wish I had my camera!

I was going to go to the park with Gidgey today...thought maybe I'll take Nana too.....I was excited to use my new parking pass for her.

We get there, and they were all exercising!  My mom was in purple and counting up and down.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10!!  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1!!! "And that's all" Peggy would say every time.

Sandy had them all going, I helped, they were moving in all kinds of directions.  Then Sandy put on the dancing music.... I got a little dizzy.  Lots of energy in the room.  Everyone joined in and helped everyone participate.

Peggy was happy in her world, she was happy to see us.  We said goodbye, see ya later!!!
And we went to the park.

Alzheimer's Reading Room: Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Art Museum Team Up for Alzheimer's Program

Alzheimer's Reading Room: Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Art Museum Team Up for Alzheimer's Program

Runny Nose and Galantamine

Peggy has developed a runny nose over the past few weeks.  It's driving her crazy.  We went and talked to Dr. Stern about lots of things yesterday and I brought this up.  He thinks it's the Galantamine, or Reminyl or some other name they used to call it.  (As if it isn't hard enough to keep all the drugs and side effects and combinations straight they constantly change the names of them!) A running nose verses a delaying memory loss.  In our opinion Peggy's memory is not going to improve, but we can give her some peace from that constant drip that drive's her crazy.  So, no more Galantamine for two weeks and see if that stops the aggravating nasal drip.

Paul McCartney

I usually stop at Whole Foods before we visit Peggy.  Flowers, smoothies, healthy snacks and today I picked up this live album for the floor...for all of us.  The people that work there, the visitors, the residents, the air, the carpet, the mood.  Sandy said she felt like she was on rollerskates as she was wiping residents mouths and serving food and managing the two gals that really wanted to go "out" for lunch, and smiling.

My V Allen tine

Tonight, we spent Valentine's Day at Sunrise.  This is my husband Allen.  This is why I love him so much.  Tonight, instead of a romantic dinner for two, he went with us to Sunrise to celebrate. This is a photo of him, letting Gidget comb his "hair" in the dress-up part of the Alzheimer's floor.  I'm sitting next to my Mom, in a fluorescent lit room decorated with paper hearts while an Elvis impersonator sings Karaoke songs to her.  When I looked over and saw them, I felt like this was the most romantic valentine's day anyone could ever have.

Click here to see more pics of our romantic dinner

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUNNY!

Sunny turned 7 on Feb. 11th.  She reminds me of me when I was her age, or maybe it's just that I start to remember myself when I was 7. And that reminds me of my mom....doing all the things I do now.  Like trying to make things special for her birthday. ... see her serving the kids in our basement.

Dog Therapy

 Dogs are great therapy. They both were so calm just hanging out on the couch, my mom was petting her the whole time.  I brought treats to keep there so my Mom could give her some.   One of the ladies was so excited to see a dog, she motioned me to come over as she pulled something out of her purse, wrapped in a napkin, lots of napkins.....unwrapping it slowly while we were standing there just waiting to see what it was?.... OH!  A piece of meat!  Thank you. I think, yuk!  Bee ate it up and that was that.  Except for the look on my face, which I'm afraid I couldn't hide.  How long was that in her purse?  Does she save some every time she eats, an old habit of saving some for the dog?  ....we had dinner in Peggy's room that night.