NO MORE PITY PARTIES !

For those of you who have come to my pity parties lately ... big HUGS. 
Now that they are over ... I have to get in gear for Biba's weekend "Eggstravaganza".
Plus ... I have to find some bunny ears that will fit on Gordo's head!
Have an AMAZING Thursday my friends !

Little Black Dog

Gordo gave me this poem in a frame a few years back. It hangs right in front of my computer.
In honor of Good Friday and Toby (Dad's little black pug) who died earlier this year ...

THE LITTLE BLACK DOG
by Elizabeth Gardner Reynolds

I wonder if Christ had a little black dog,
All curly and wooly like mine:
With two long silky ears and a nose, round and wet,
And two eyes, brown and tender, that shine.

I am sure, if He had, that that little black dog
Knew, right from the first, He was God;
That he needed no proof that Christ was divine,
And just worshipped the ground where he trod.

I'm afraid that He hadn't, because I have read
How he prayed in the garden, alone;
For all of His friends and disciples had fled
Even Peter, the one called a stone.

And, oh, I am sure that the little black dog,
With a heart so tender and warm,
Would never have left him to suffer alone,
But, creeping right under his arm,

Would have licked the dear fingers, in agony clasped,
And, counting all favors but loss,
When they took him away, would have trotted behind
And Followed Him right to the Cross

Some Days

Some days I post funny things about Gordo, but today it was hard to find humor.
He needed to sign some papers so that we could do our taxes. He couldn't remember how to sign his name. I ... of course ... made light of it ... and helped him.
He forgot why he wore diapers, so he's been wearing his briefs. At 3:00am ... I'm getting a call to help him ... because his shorts are wet. He feels terrible about calling me , changing him and his sheets ... but of course ... I made light of it ... and said "Change is Good".
When he got confused after his shower and thought he was supposed to take his teeth out ... of course ... I chuckled ... and asked ... How will you eat your pork chops?
Today was a little sad for me, but Gordo is happy with the new silk boxers I ordered and that's really all that matters.
Love You Daddy!

Still my BIG baby.

I posted this a year ago today ... all still holds true ... but I hardly ever cry anymore.

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON APRIL 4, 2011
I've learned quite a bit about caregiving for an aging adult ... who can no longer live independently . Realizing that this is just the beginning of what could be a very long journey, here are just a few things that I thought to share in case you or someone you know is dealing with the same. For what it’s worth. 1. Facing … then … embracing that my life will never be the same. 2. Letting go (but still remember) of the person you once knew and accepting and loving the latest version. 3. No matter how mad or irritated you may get with them … try to keep smiling … and remember that they are living it every second of every day. You can go in the back yard … have a cry … and DON’T feel guilty for your brief pity party. 4. Routine is paramount. Keeping things in the same place. Doing daily activities at the same time … like eating, bathing, taking meds. etc. 5. Announcing and also in our case writing on a white erase board … what day and date it is … and what today’s plans are. 6. Mental and physical stimulation. Make sure that they move around several times throughout the day. Ask them questions and take time to listen. Get movies and books that they prefer. Take them out of the house for short jaunts of something fun … sitting at the park … picking up lunch … visiting friends, etc. 7. One of the hardest things is helping with the physical “un-pleasantries”. Bathing, going to the bathroom, dressing, cleaning up accidents, brushing teeth, etc. All I can tell you is how I mentally cope with all these things. I go back to taking care of my babies. Did all these things and then some. Taking care of Gordo is somewhat like caring for a toddler. Granted … a very large one, but still in need of these very same things. Plus …. HE currently sleeps through the night. Lol. So far … so good. Knowing that each day will bring a new lesson and that I just have to ACCEPT and EMBRACE each of them. HUG your old folks TODAY! Photo is from the 1980’s show Mork and Mindy … Jonathan Winters played ... Mearth… their VERY big baby.

Just Silky

Gordo likes pocket T-Shirts because he can carry around his Tic-Tacs, but he only has a few. So I told him I would buy him some more, then I (jokingly) said ... and some silk boxers to go with them.
Well ... I went to Kohls yesterday and bought him several pocket T-Shirts in a variety of colors and some of his favorite (gold toe) socks. Took them home and was showing him what I bought. Pooker Annie ... where are my silk boxers? Dad ... I was kidding. He seriously replies ... but that's what I wanted the most. Thinking quickly ... I say ... they don't have silk boxers at Kohls. He says ... then go to Macys.
Oh for Pete's sake! I know ... I started it.
Well I did not go to Macys, but ordered 5 silk boxers on-line. They will be here Monday, so I told Dad. He says ... I really wanted them today, but I guess Monday will be OK.
REALLY?