Living with Bob and "Al"

Well, Sheri and Bob had quite the adventure yesterday. Sheri decided to venture downtown to an art museum. Sheri has never enjoyed driving but she has been trying to get outside of her comfort zone so she can do more things with Bob and "Al". She thought she understood the directions, her phone has one of those map gadgets on it, so off they went. Oh my what a disaster this turned out to be. "Al" was reading every sign at every exit, every marker, every everything! It was making Sheri crazy. Bob would read a sign (one saying that an exit was coming up) and then "Al" would say "but I thought we were on 494" Sheri would reply "We are that is a sign for an exit  coming up", then he would look across the freeway and see another sign... "I think we are suppose to be over there". All Sheri can say is was a nightmare trip. Not to mention they never found the museum. Sheri called off the search after she turned down the wrong way on a one way street. She retreated to her comfort zone, headed for home.It turned out okay though because at the last minute before going home Sheri  remembered they still had a pass to the Minnesota Arboretum (which is 10 minutes down the road from their home, and a straight shot with 2 turns) so off they went. It turned out to be a great day  and Sheri got to take some pictures, a new found hobby of hers, Sheri thinks they may have to just stick closer to home.  :)

Livng with Bob and "Al"

Sheri was driving Bob to "work" ( code for Adult Day Center) yesterday morning. It was 7:30 am . There were the most beautiful colors in the sky. Trying to make conversation Sheri says to Bob "Wow, look at that beautiful sunrise". "Al" replies "Yes the colors are beautiful... but wait, how do you know if it is a sunrise... or a sunset?"  :(

Living with Bob and 'Al"

Sheri has to remember that Bob is still here. She has a friend that lost his father a few days ago. He talks deeply about wanting to see his father's face again. Sheri needs to meditate and pray about that. Even thought Bob and "Al" are sharing space, Sheri can still look in to Bob's deep set brown eyes and see the reflection of the man he was. Sheri should be more grateful.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob keeps telling Sheri that he is surprised the cat doesn't knock over the plates in the china cabinet. The first couple of time he said it Sheri was not really paying attention. This morning he said it again, seeming very distressed about the situation. Sheri said "'Bob the cat can't get in there are glass doors in front of the shelves. "Al" replies " well the bottom shelf is doesn't have any glass, so she is going to get right in there and knock them over." Sheri got up and tapped on the glass to show him the glass is there, then she realized that from Bob's favorite chair he can not see the reflection of the glass down by the last shelf. Bob's Alzheimer mind then decided there must not be glass there. Not giving any rational to the fact that the glass would have to stop in the middle of nowhere on the glass door to the china cabinet. Sheri thinks it is so sad the Bob is trapped in "Al's" confused mind. Sheri hates this disease.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob commented yesterday on the ladies at "work" (code for Adult Day Center), they all love when he goes to sing at the piano, but he still does not understand why everyday, several times a day, they mention again how tall he is (Bob is 6'4). "Al" said "Why do they keep saying that, because I certainly am not going to get any shorter!"   :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is thinking back to when she first met Bob at Montgomery Wards in Texas. He was working at Sheri's store on a six week remodeling job. He was the general contractor so to speak. There were many times Sheri saw him bent over complicated blueprints and barking orders at employees. "We have to clear 5000 sq. feet a day of this merchandise if we are going be done on time, I have not missed a deadline yet, so if happens heads will roll...and it won't be mine!" ( Needless to say he was not the most well liked guy on the block.) The incredible planning it took to get the 10th largest Wards store in the nation, completely rehabbed in 6 weeks was really unbelievable. But then yesterday Sheri gave the clock to test to "Al" and he could not even put the dots for the letters down. Alzheimer's is a disease that robs you of your self. A thief that leaves your memories for someone else to remember.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri  may have to ban bagels from her house permanently. Sheri stopped buying them about 4 months ago because of Bob's shall we say over use of them. She bought them for the first time last week and "Al" fell right back into eating three or so at a time, and that was after having eaten dinner 30 minutes before the bagels.  :(

Livng with Bob and "Al"

Sheri did it, yesterday she climbed upon that mechanical walking gadget and for 30 minutes separated her thoughts from life. This morning of course, her knees are aching and she is trying to convince herself  it will be worth it.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri made a silly mistake today. Bob has always made brownies, the boxed kind. Bob made some today... simple box mix . 2 eggs 1/4 cup of water 2/3 cup oil and mix. Only Sheri is not sure what "Al" did it was more like a cake batter... so Sheri thought " It's okay, it will be salvageable" Nope, what ever "Al" did it is way to soupy. Chocolate soup anyone? I know maybe "Al" will want to dip some potato wedges in it like at New Years.   :) 

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is fascinated by the fact that sometimes Bob can articulate the problems he sees in his demented friends at "work" without any insight to the reality that he is in fact behaving the exact same way.