Hurricane Party

New York New York

Mom asked me 20 times today when Hurricaine Irene would be here......she's told me a number of times today that they are closing mass transit and the subways....she was concerned that we would have trouble getting to Daddy at Dialysis.  Several times today I've told her...we will be safe....it's on the coast...we don't have to worry.   Finally I told her New York will be next....they are right in the path. 

Mom looked at me and as sane as could be asked...."Sharon, you do know they don't have hurricianes in New York City don't you?"

How does she do this.....How can that random piece of information come when she can't remember what day it is, what she has eaten, if it's day or night, where she is?
I just need to remember....If I could understand this disease, I could control it......

So we are having our own hurricane party...we are going to consume an entire quart of Breyers Butter Pecan  Ice Cream and 5 Klondike bars,  and 3 orange sherbet push-ups so when we loose our power, our ice cream won't melt.  Oh what fun!!!  

I'll be the one having the Strawberry Daiquiri....

Tattoo Parlor & Parking Permits

Today Mom and I took a Detour on the way home....We pulled in at the Ringmaster..Tattoo and Body Piercing....WHAT FUN!..I thought I would just shake Mom up a little and get a photo....We pull up, I'm making my picture, had her open the car door, and out she pops, in we go, and next thing I know..we are thumbing through sleeves of tattoo designs on the wall.

A charming girl is waiting on us....She shows us her tattoo that she had done across the small of her back (top of her butt) which said Eternity cause when she looks at it she is reminded of her dear Grandmother who passed years ago....She also has a tattoo of her children's names in various places on her...which she didn't show ...The one on her wrist was quite good.it is done in green and turquoise..it can be covered with an oversized watch ...Most important that tatts are put where they can be covered....

Mom is taking all of this in and I am as well....We look at all the designs, I ask if Mom can sit in the chair and let me make her picture and the girl insists that she make the photo cause we are just so darned cute....We made her picture too...

As we are leaving our fun little adventure she asks us to come back when Jim is there because he could make us fake tatts and we could really show Mom's friends up.....Oh what fun!

As we are about a mile down the road...Mom says...."Wasn't this just the best day ever? Do you ever remember when we had more fun? I don't care what that tattoo cost, I think it's the best thing we've ever done....I'm not going to show Daddy yet though...He may not like it....But it was so much fun....I want to go back."

My only regret today was that I did not get the girl's name who was waiting on us....She was so patient and kind and generous with her time...She treated Mom like a princess....As we were leaving she tapped my arm and said...My Grandmother had Altzheimer's....She was not as enjoyable as your Mom while she was sick but I chose to remember the good times....I find on every detour I am not alone in this journey...Everyone has someone who has been affected by Altzheimer's....They all get this crazy look of understanding as soon as they realize and become so compassionate.....It's almost like a secret society....but we don't have to have a crazy handshake because it is apparent....Now if I could just get one of those blue parking plaques to hang from my rear view mirror..

Today while on the way to deliver Daddy to Dialysis Mom exclaims....."would you just look over there...they are so busy..why I.ve never seen so many customers at one place at one time....the parking lot is full...." I say.."that used car lot Mom?"....... "why yes...I think they are busy like that everytime we go by!"

Fast Men

Today Mom and I go to Lowe's for casters...we're strolling along and come face to face with a really cute race car driver.  Mom walked up to him, examined him and a clerk came by....spoke and Mom asked ..."Is he real?".  The clerk, a little unclear on the question said that yes indeed he was a real race car driver and that was a cardboard paper doll of him to advertise Kobalt Tools.  Well of course she knew that..(I get a lot of that lately) and with all that settled we made a picture, oh what fun, and moved on. 

5 steps away Mom in a real small voice says, "You do know that was not a real man...it was cardboard." She's looking at me like I look at her when I am flabbergasted .....you know like...really...like are you serious kind of look.

10 steps later..."Wasn't that just the nicest race car driver you ever met in your entire life? (I've met so many.)  And you know how busy he is and stopping me and asking to have his picture made...what a great day this has been.  I can't wait to tell Daddy!  Oh!  Wonder if he will get to the race on time, you know he's racing today."

"Mom, it's OK...It's a night race."

Death and Cavities

This morning we were playing T V Commercial...one of our favorites.  We do impromptu commercials with whatever product is near us....Ella's commercial...

"Fruity Pebbles Rocks Your
whole Mouth!!!! And may cause Cavities and even Death"

What you may ask did a detour have to do with this?  Her original breakfast was supposed to be eggs, oatmeal, and cinnamon toast....but it's Saturday and we called a truce...she will let me say ugly things today, maybe, if I let her eat Fruity Pebbles...we'll see how this deal goes as the day progresses.

Mom got in on the action too!  

Mother forgot today that she had altzheimers!...her complaint..."I can't find my lipstick...who in the world misplaces their lipstick?....how can I not know where my lipstick is?..." well we found it...right in the drawer where it is supposed to be..."what a grand day this is going to be.. this conversation on the heels of Mom looking for aspertain this morning..."you mean the chemical that causes cancer in laboratory rats Mom? "WHY YES...daddy needs it and can.t find his." Upon investigating exactly what Daddy wanted...it was his Nutritional Drink Chocolate Boost..he said you know, the stuff old people drink....Oh My Goodness...I can't make this stuff up...there's a book waiting to happen...

I adore the new blacktop...and the machines putting it down...and the men operating the equipment....and the  asphault company that provided the hotmix..the academy...my Mom and Dad...:-) my husband...and Guinnn's shoestore for the new yellowbox sandals in my future (my silver ones melted when I stepped on it)....Tracy accused me of being a sixth grader...

My detour just got a

My detour just got a little smoother

Before

I melted my sandals

Jesus Never Misses

"Can you believe it? Jesus just never misses church...why he's always there..I just love Jesus...."

This was Mom when leaving Point Pleasant Baptist Church this past Sunday....

Mom took a detour and ended up at a Bachelor Party...she said she had never been to one...What Fun! And my those boys were so nice to invite her...

Mom told them all about her husband of 50 years....never mind that I am 61....and how wonderful marriage was and that she was so glad to be invited to the party....they loved her....invited her to the wedding so now she wants to go get a new dress.....we just might go shopping....no telling what detour we will end up on shopping for a new dress..

Mom was the hit of the party!

Mom was in Paris today! Didn't take near as long as she thought and she did not know we could drive there!

Lips That Touch Wine..Second Chapter

I am going to HELL!

 I am trying to resist the temptations of taking photos of Mom doing awful things....I just can.t help myself....She is such a willing target...even poses for me....what can I say? She is a camera hound...

Yesterday we had a little fish fry....David made hushpuppies with beer...there was just the tiniest swig left in the bottle...Mom's timing is just all wrong....She waltzes in just in time for me to hand her the beer, "Drink this Mom so I don't have to throw it away..". Of course camera is handy, what a photo op....the children all shaking their head at me thinking...Mom Is Going To Hell....
Well much to my and their surprise mom throws back that swig like a sailor, wipes her mouth, and says..."Why that tastes like Beer smells.". Now how does my Mom know what beer smells like? Is their something in her past she needs to share with me? Has she ever drunk a beer? Maybe my Mom is a closet drinker....maybe that.s why I have those "root beer" in my closet......Oh My Goodness....Mom has a past and I don.t even know about it.....if you all remember last year she got into the Apple Jack....

Mom Is All Wet!

A Fun Thing Happened On The Way To The Party!

a 2 hour drive...a 2 hour drive...I.m the Captain...Ella is the cruise director and Mom is the passenger....we are going to Aunt Chrick's birthday party at "The Home".. Along the highway we are singing, making up jokes and playing road games...Mom is in the building....She reads a sign that says Industrial Park..next right...."oh what fun...we should detour and see what all they have...I love those corn dogs and Ella would certainly enjoy the rides".
"Mom, it's not that kind of park...It's where industries and factories are located...big trucks..you know". Well of course she knew that...
We travel along, No detours, arrive at the party....as I.m helping the cousins serve cake and ice cream I hear Mother telling the biggest ole lie in the world...she is describing the rides, the lights, the food, the clowns...Oh My Goodness.....What fun we must have had...why I can hardly wait to go back to Dyersburg, Just so I can make the detour and visit the Industrial Park again!