Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob works on trivia sheets at 'work" code for Adult Day Center. These sheets were about holidays. "Al" must have been thinking about Bob's Mom ... all year long :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

When Sheri helped Bob get ready for bed the night before her surgery, She realized "Al" must have missed Bob's pockets when he swiped snacks from"work" (code for Adult Day Center) because a school of goldfish crackers swam out of Bob's pants and joined the village of dust bunnies living  under her bed. :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob has been very proud of his name badge for "work" code for Adult Day Center he has been wearing it for 4 years now.He wants to wear it even when he is not at "work". "Al" picked up the name badge yesterday that was sitting on the living room end table by Bob's chair and said "what is this?"
Subtle changes. Sheri just needs to Pause, Prasie and Pray.

Living with Bob and "Al"

"Al", with his thumb in Bob's belt loop stretching out Bob's back in his usual way, said he thinks it is  time to "have a little chat" with his team at "work" (code for Adult day Center) ."they need to make a career decision as far as he is concerned."   :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri was driving Bob to "work" (code for Adult Day Center)  yesterday morning. There was construction everywhere, and for the sake of conversation Sheri said "they really have this road torn up." "Al" looks out the car window and with worry in his voice says, "Oh, no! Then we won't be able to have choir practice."
Dear man. :(

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob is thinking that the choir at work (code for Adult Day Center) is ready for the " big show". Sheri is not quite sure which "show" but they have been doing quite well. The link below is their recent performance. This is audio only no pictures (privacy reasons.) Bob did not have a solo in this one, but if you listen carefully you can hear a deep voice in there some where. Amazing thing they do with a room full of "Al's. Thank you Open Circle!   :)

Open Circle Choir

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sometimes it seems Bob's brain just takes the few things he knows and rolls them in to one. "Al" was apparently having his employees working on his nuts and bolts project at work again yesterday and "Al" was very frustrated that he had go back and sort them all out again. Sheri just went along with the story reassuring him he had always been a great organizer. Which was followed by "Al" with his thumb in Bob's belt loop streching out Bob's back in his usual way saying " Yeah.. but I am paying these people."   :)
Heavy sigh...

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri was only 51 in 2008 when Bob was diagnosed with both Frontal Lobe Dementia and Alzheimer's. Her daughters were 17 and 15, Bob had just turned 64. (Seems like a life time ago) Looking back Sheri realizes "Al" had moved in many years before that diagnosis. Sheri still works full time and would be lost without the full time day care that Open Circle Day Center provides for Bob and "Al" he has been attending now for 4 years full time 5 days a week. He is so much a part of the family there. Last week when Sheri picked him up from "work" they had done these memory type papers, things they knew about him, it had the Montgomery Ward logo, music notes for the choir he loves dearly. It was very sweet and brought a tear to her eye. Thank you Open Circle you are all great. :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob would like to know who hired his "crew" at work (code for Adult Day Center). "Al" said with the familiar sound of disgust in voice "they certainly were not his choice."  :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob's work (Code for Adult Day Center) did their version of the Academy Awards yesterday. Bob was thrilled he had received an award and asked Sheri repeatedly on the way home if he had shown it to her. She said she was very proud of him and that he was very deserving of the award. After about the tenth time of Bob asking Sheri if she had seen the award, "Al" with great pride (and a tad bit of conceit) in his voice explained to Sheri that he was quite sure no one else's award had this pretty gold trim around the border edge :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

When Sheri picked Bob up at work (code for Adult Day Center) she had to park in an area that made her circle back past the day care. Bob read the sign aloud with confidence "Open Circle." Sheri said "Yep" you know that place." "Al" replied with confusion in his voice "No, no I don't think so."  :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri went to one of Bob's choir concerts yesterday. Sheri is amazed that the choir director can fill the room with such joy, with a room full of "Al's"  :)
Thank you Open Circle Adult Day Center staff, you are very special people,
“Are you asking me if there is a god?' he said, still in that soft voice. 'All I can say is, I believe there is. I feel him when I sing. He has responded to my prayers countless times. He guides my actions and he dwells in my heart. I know he is there.” 
― Sharon Shinn, Archangel

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob has a very nice heavy winter coat. It has two different zippers, one for the inner closure and the main one that closes the front of the coat. (we live in the frozen tundra you know) anyway, the zippers are two different sizes as well. "Al" managed to hook and zip one half of each zipper half way together. Sheri guesses those big strong hands of "Al"s had to work long and hard to get that unmatched zipper pulled half way up Bob's chest because when Sheri got him home the only way she  could get "Al" out of Bob's coat was to wiggle his arms out of the sleeves one at a time and slide the coat down and have 6 foot 4 step out of his coat.
Oh vey...

Living with Bob and "Al"

When Sheri picked Bob up from "work" yesterday (code for Adult day Center). "Al" was quite frustrated. "My people aren't very bright " he said. "They just don't seem to get what I am trying to accomplish."  :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob told Sheri this morning that he is sure his employees at "work" (code for Adult Day Center) have never been able to put a nut on a bolt as good as he can.  :)
Dear man.

Living with Bob and "Al"

When Sheri dropped Bob off at work (code for Adult Day Center)  yesterday, she told Bob to have a good day and not to work to hard. Bob got out of the car, and then "Al", (first stretching out Bob's back in his usual way), poked his head back in the car door and said "well, maybe I'd better....just to get it done."  :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob was apparently "extremely" busy at work (code for Adult Day Center) yesterday. "Al" reviewed all the personnel files and looked at what department they all worked in. He said he "tried to decide if he could move them around a bit, but you know that doesn't always work out because some of them can only do one job ." Sheri enjoyed the short conversation, even though that is the only thing Bob said the rest of the evening. Oh wait... he did mention fixing the boiler yesterday too. :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob was frustrated when Sheri picked him up from "work" (code for Adult Day Center) yesterday. "Al" said "the crew he has just doesn't seem to get it, they just don't want to work."  :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob has been speaking "Al's" confusion more frequently lately and "Al" is much more social than Bob ever was. When Sheri picked Bob up from "work" code for Adult Day Center he said "nobody quite had it together there today." Then "Al" with a bit of that familiar disgust in his voice told Sheri they were having a party and he was not invited.
Bob always hated parties... "Al" apparently, not so much.  :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri really does not know anymore what Bob knows or what "Al" still remembers. She is not sure what made her ask, but she threw it out there. "Bob" she said "Where did you and I meet?" Bob paused clearly pondering the question. "Al" with an air of confidence in his voice replied "must have been about the time I joined the choir".
Well, Sheri should have known better than to ask the question, but at least she is associated with something he enjoys :)