Keeps Going and Going!

It’s been a sad couple of months. Losing Rick Sr. and then my dog Carly.
However … Gordo is doing great. At bit wacky at times … but overall … pretty darn good.
In fact yesterday he announces … “Pooker Annie … good news for me … maybe not so good for you. A man who is 83 today will more than likely live until 95.”
I’m secretly thinking … that’s special … but jokingly say “That’s great Dad … we can share a room at the home”. He seriously replies … “Don’t worry … that’s 12 years from now.”
My own “Energizer Bunny” … he just keeps going and going!

Put a smile on my face

Most of you know that we lost our beautiful dog Carly this week.
Gordo loved her too and knew she was old and sick. I explained to him that I would most likely have to make that tough decision … and put her to sleep. However my sweet pup did not put me in that position and passed quietly in the car on the way to the vet.
I went into Dad’s room afterwards to explain that Carly was gone. He assumed I had to …”make that decision”.
In fact … he had his pen and paper out … as he had done the math on dogs vs. human years. 
He had tears in his eyes but said … “Pooker Annie she was 98” and just so you know … when I’m 98 … it’s OK if you do the same with me.”  
“Oh Dad … that’s not an option for humans … but if it were … I’d never do it!  Plus … you may feel differently when you are 98.”
He thought about it and said … “Well that’s true”.
Gosh! He always manages to put a smile on my face.

Big Hug!

I observed a daughter with her elderly mom yesterday at the grocery store and could tell she was dealing with her mom’s memory issues. Much like I do on a daily basis with Gordo.
However our methods of coping were very different.
The daughter kept saying things like … “Mother … remember? I just told you.” and “We just talked about that”, etc. I could feel the old women’s frustration.

I am not a doctor … but I just can’t believe that speaking to an old person (who very often will have memory issues) as though they are deliberately forgetting things is a healthy approach. Perhaps it’s the person caring for them … that is having a difficult time with adapting to the “loss” of the person they remember.

It is very hard to watch, but embracing it … has worked for me.
There are constant changes made weekly to the “game plan”.

Just felt like putting my two cents in.

Remember to give your old folks a BIG HUG often!

Mothers ... Embrace Your Day!

I’ll be 50 in two months.
A mother for 30 of those years.
Seems like yesterday that I was getting married … having kids and buying our first house.
Life was so simple.
Although … at the time … was wishing for the moment when I’d have free time to do whatever I wanted.
How selfish were my thoughts?
Now … I would do anything to hold an infant on my chest … read more stories to my young children … and to have embraced every moment.
But when you are 19 … your life seems like it will go on forever.
Since those days of my younger years … I have had my ups and downs.
I married a really fabulous man … after I had married a really fabulous father for my kids.
Lucky woman … I am … to have had 2 pretty terrific men in my life.
Well as life went on … I lost my mom …. 10 years ago …. The father of my children passed away 2 months ago and I have given up my career to care for my dad.
Gordo (BTW) makes 3 amazing men in my life.
Do I have “Pity Parties?” … sure!
But … what God has afforded me … during this brief time on Earth has been pretty frickin awesome.
So … I give thanks … even though … at times it is challenging.
Happy Mother’s Day to all. Embrace your day!

Foiled Again!

Sometimes I think I’m the one who is getting senile.
Today … Gordo asked me if I was cooking something. I answered … “No … but I will. Are you hungry?”
“Not really … but didn't you just go to the store and buy me something?”
“Yes dad … ice cream. So I’ll go ahead and make you some lunch … then you can have some ice cream.”
Without missing a beat he says … (very seriously) … “No that’s OK … let’s just have the ice cream.”
Curses!
Foiled Again!

Two Steps Ahead

• Most of you know that I gave up arguing with Gordo a year or so ago … as to why he couldn't have ice cream after breakfast. Just really couldn't think of a reason. It’s not like his teeth will rot … he has dentures. So I was beaten.

  Recently … I thought … that perhaps … I could get cookies … to replace the ice cream gig.
  So this morning ... Thinking I was so clever … I asked him … “Hey Dad … do you want cookies …OR … ice cream?” He thought for a second and said … “BOTH!”
  OMG! … He is always two steps ahead of me.
  LOL … Have a great week my friends!