Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri had her first monthly doctor visit  for Bob at the facility yesterday, and other than "Al" firing a few of the aids (a couple of times) things are going great :)
Praise the Lord.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob is not too keen on riding the Metro Mobility bus home from "work" code for Adult Day Center. Sheri can see the change in routine has "Al" on edge . Sheri is struggling slightly with the lack of dependability of arrival and departure times of the buses as well. She hopes it will get better.
Sheri just needs to pause, praise and pray.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri tries hard to give others a glimpse of why Alzheimer's is so much more than memory loss. The things she can't show, are things like trying to explain that the music making from yesterdays video, happens all day long, and if it is not with his nuts and bolts it is with anything in his hands. Of course she is grateful Bob still has enough coordination to do that, she has had to be a bit creative herself and has found that her headphones and some hymns playing through her phone help drown out the constant banging of "Al"s music. :)

Simple pleasures.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob the handyman and "Al" the fashionista that he is, worked together to come up with a handy fashionable place to carry Bob's cane... pants have multiple uses, when you need to wave down the "choir bus" driver :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri tries hard to find a balance of living in the moment and planing for the future. It is a very difficult task. She often thinks about the expected "boom" of people affected by this disease. The world is nowhere near ready. It will take a specialized army of professionals willing to challenge the current methods of care and finding affordable options for care for these individuals. Sheri knows there are a lot of good things happening in this arena, but she is sure like for herself, the task is overwhelming. Sheri knows there are no easy answers she is just speaking her fears out loud.
Sheri needs to pause, praise and pray.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob was a build anything fix anything kinda of guy. "Al" not so much, although "Al" does have a creative side Sheri never saw in Bob. "Al" banged and twisted away for hours to create this new pencil tip design :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri needs to remind herself that living in the moment is all any of us have. She has to keep asking herself  "am I enjoying living each day the best I can in the present circumstances of my life?" To often she is not. Too much time spend frustrated by others whom she can not change, rather than seeing how she might be able to change her own behavior. Today she will start anew, trying to look for the good in her life and in others. Maybe like "Al" she should be whistling "to  God be Glory " right now.
Sheri needs to pause, praise and pray.

Living with Bob and "Al"

"Al" has been agitated and upset that someone has been stealing his beads even though they are right in front of him. So Sheri and Daughter Number 1, scoured the rooms ( and floor) for every possible dropped bead and  pipe cleaner and made them disappear. Wah la, out of sight out of mind. :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Well another first. Bob looked out the window of the tiny little house she rented and "Al" proudly announced that he had built... the neighbors house. :)
Adding home builder to Bob's resume :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob is still overwhelmed with "the bestest shoes I ever had", as "Al" says. Bob got them for free at work, or so "Al" thinks. "They" love them so much "they" wear them to bed with Bob's PJ's. 

Somethings you need to just let go of, don't sweat the small stuff :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri and Daughter number 1 ( the one who wears her heart on her sleeve) took Bob and "Al" on a short road trip this weekend to Sartel to take engagement photos. It was about an hour and a half drive. Sheri has not tried this type of trip in a very long while so she was a bit apprehensive. Sheri tried to think creatively and told Bob she was going to be his driver today, buckled him to the back seat (so that she and daughter Number 1 could talk) and let him discover the bag of pipe cleaners she brought with them. "Al" whistled a way through the road trip and even made Sheri a gift out of pipe cleaners. God is Good. :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob was never fond of the cats. Sheri thinks little Zoey the cat has changed Bob's mind...well maybe "Al's" mind, they have become bead buddies :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is sure God has a plan for her life, but she is only human. Some days (okay most days) she has to reach deep to find comfort. She feels alone, scared and fearful of the future. She looks in the face of a man she does not recognize, and then has to remember that "Al" too is staring often now, into a face he does not recognize either. This thought however painful, centers her and forces her to be more patience and kind.
Sheri needs to pause , praise and pray.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob, the problem solver that he is, talked to "Al" the  fashionista that he is, and is hoping to start a new fashion trend. Why move your sleeve to see your watch when it fits so nicely ... over the sleeve. :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob is growing more confused by the day, new behaviors confirm her thoughts. "Al" is now removing food from Bob's plate and cutting it on a napkin or just on the table.  On the bright side Bob and "Al" are still able to feed themselves.   :)
See always a silver lining :)