Living with Bob and "Al"

THIS is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
Sheri needs to start everyday with this verse in her head and in her heart.

Living with Bob and "Al"

"Al" the fashionista that he his, had Bob's flannel shirt tied up in a knot around Bob's waist yesterday. A trend setter for sure :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri needs to remember to bring something to church to occupy Bob's hands, the slapping was echoing through the sanctuary at the Thanksgiving Service last evening. Although on second thought at least Bob is happy and praising the Lord in "Al's " way :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob is very frustrated that no one will tell him what is going on and what the plan is. Sheri looked at the clock and at 2:00 am Sheri does not know the plan either. Sheri needs that door alarm sooner than later before "Al" makes his own plan :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

"Al" asked Sheri again yesterday if she had a choir at her work. Sheri said " yes I do" (just because it is easier) . "Al", with his thumb in Bob's belt loop stretching out Bob's back in his usual way said, "Oh maybe next time I can come hear you sing"  :)
Dear sweet man.

Living with Bob and "Al"

"Al" keeps telling everyone that his employees call him "Mr." Bob at work (code for Adult Day Center). Sheri remembers the root of the "Mr. Bob" story... and it is not a pretty one. :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri has reached the understanding that it better to let "Al" sweep the floor, (in his way) than to have Bob feel like he can do nothing. Then since the little piles he makes all over the house stay there because he forgets to pick them them up... there is always plenty of the dust for the next go round in say a half hour or so.   :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri has learned that no matter what we all want to feel needed. Bob said when he was at "work" (code for Adult Day Center), they asked him to peel the potatoes (somehow Sheri does not think so but), "Al" said it was funny that they did not ask anyone else... but he knew no one else could do it. :)
Oy vey.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri has been blessed again this year by having her blog nominated for "Best Health Blog of 2014" by Healthline.com. You can vote if you would like over on the right had part of the screen , the purple circle that says vote for me. You can vote once every 24 hours if you wish. :)
To vote for Living in the Shadow of Alzheimer's  look for this image on the right side of the blog home page. Thank you for your consideration.





Best Health Blog Contest by healthline.com

Living with Bob and "Al"

It is clear to Sheri that Bob is sliding again. Bob looked right at Sheri again last evening and asked Sheri "where is Mom?"

Subtle changes.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri wants to thank all of her readers for taking this daily Alzheimer's journey with her. Most of you are on a similar journey, and Sheri gets as much support from all of you, as you have expressed she gives you. Sheri is going to live in the moment today and she hopes you do the same. Hug your loved ones if you can.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Living with Bob and "Al"

"Al" sat and watched the news of all the snow that fell with more coming,  not understanding it was in New York.  Bob, the planner that he is turned to Sheri with a sincere question in his voice said
 " maybe I should go outside and lay all the tarps on the ground?"   :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

It feels like January in the frozen tundra right now, which made for a very long weekend. Sheri had Bob screwing nuts onto bolts for lack of much else to do. When she tried to switch activities thinking he might be bored "Al" said "No, can't...gotta get this finished."
Once a work alcoholic, always a work alcoholic  :)

Living with Bob an "Al"

"Al" miss placed Bob's belt about a week ago. Sheri is embarrassed to say "Al" has been wearing a  ladies belt ever since. But luckily the curved metal buckle is hard to see with napkins and crackers stuffed in the front of Bob's flannel shirt. :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

The frozen tundra has set it. Sheri is always so worried about Bob slipping and falling. The ice of course is worse than the snow. Bob wants to shovel, not even a chance that Sheri is going to let that happen. Although it has been only 5 years since "Al" tried to clear all 18 inches of the heavy wet snow with the leaf blower. :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob looked right at Sheri the other day, "Al" without hesitation said " Did Mom find the blue overalls?" Sheri had no idea what he was talking about but replied "yes she did", and that was that. Live in the moment.

Subtle changes. 

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri needs to start focusing on others. It seems like when she dwells too much on her own losses, her jealousy and resentment, rear their ugly heads. But when she focuses on others, her heart softens and her compassion returns. Time to get some foam to stuff behind the player piano again so it is not quite so ear drum breaking loud, and invite some of Bob's friends... oh excuse me "coworkers" over to enjoy some tunes. :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri does not like it when people say "Bob looks good" She knows they me well, but "Al" destroys from the inside out, looks are deceiving. 

Living with Bob and "Al "

Bob woke up very early Saturday morning and the only thing on his mind was "the plan" for the day, when he found out it was not a "work" day. So Sheri packed a picnic lunch and took off with Bob and "Al" and camera in tow. They left at about 9:00 am and did not return until after sunset. They had a lovely day of fall picture taking and although Sheri was exhausted, it felt good that she had satisfied "the plan". They had been home less than 10 minutes, Sheri with her feet up ( after having walked so much) "Al" moaning with back pain, in Bob's favorite chair, when "Al" turns to Sheri and says "What would you would like to do today?"
Oy vey...

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sometimes if just happens it without warning. A wave of emotion that sneaks up on Sheri in a split second. Bob wanted to help Sheri, she was trying to loosen a board on a stand she uses for photography. She was using a hammer and Bob was sure he could do it. Sheri finally gave in and gave him the hammer. Bob was Mr. Fixit , the manager of a hardware store in his last career, surely he could loosen a board with a hammer. It was not that he could not hit the board, he just could not retain what he was suppose to do. Within seconds he was reaching for an area in a different place on the stand saying "should I do this ?" it had nothing to do with what needed to be done, Sheri tried several times to show him. She wanted to believe he could do it. Bob could fix and build anything. But "Al" can't retain a thought process for more than seconds. Sheri feels terrible that she snapped at Bob. Unfortunately, her bottled up emotions snapped too. Her anger, her fear, everything came tumbling out. As usual Bob and "Al" did not notice she was upset which of course was a blessing. Sheri knows none of this is his fault, but this particular task just made it so very clear how much "Al" has taken from Bob.
Sheri HATES this disease.