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"

As they were getting in the car yesterday, out of no where Bob asked Sheri if she wanted him to drive. "Al" had his license taken away 7 years ago, and based on his questions about "Why all the lines on the road?" Sheri better hide the keys. :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri loaded Bob and "Al" in the car yesterday and went out for a long ride. They weaved in and out of back country style roads for hours. Inevitability every single road they went on, Bob and "Al" had been there before and walked all the streets. Sheri does not know what causes that thought process for "Al" it can be quite frustrating for Sheri, but as she has learned, like with most nonsense that "Al" says to just agree and tune it out. Or in all honesty, turn up the radio and sing her heart out  :)

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.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob is sure that if Sheri let him buy a motorcycle, he could drive it. But Sheri knows "Al's" sense of  direction is a little off since Sheri has to say "turn left "as Bob heads for the bathroom :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob is still wanting a motorcycle, Sheri thinks not, since just getting dressed is a series of events that "Al" can't handle. :(

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is desperate for conversation, true conversation. She tried last night to talk to Bob like she used to. "Al" wanted to participate, speaking is not issue, making sense of what he says is another thing. Much like the not being able to make a sandwich, and getting dressed and undressed Bob's sequencing skills have deteriorated, so trying to put to together more than a couple of words before he forgets his thought process, means that conversation runs in loop over and over again. So the reality is Sheri was just talking for the sake of talking.
Sheri hates this disease.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri decided to leave the stack of dishes in the sink Saturday morning and go take more pictures. Bob was trying to feed the cats before they left.  His 6 foot four frame has a long way to go to get down to the floor and back (something he shouldn't do, but does any way) when Miss Zoey the cat surprised him. "Al" with his tender heart said "A oh, I don't think she wants me to go."  :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Thanks to a reminder from one of Sheri's blog readers and cyber friends :) tired as she was after work she loaded Bob and "Al" up in the car, grabbed her camera and went off to their favorite park. Sheri does not really understand why taking pictures brings her so much joy but it does. Maybe it is because the camera lens blocks all the chaos of her life and she is able to focus on the beauty and the freedom she sees in God's creations,  giving her hope for the future.

Thanks Lori for the reminder :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Coming home from work yesterday, Bob noticed all the political signs out in all the yards. One in particular caught his eye. The sign said LOON for State Representative. ( Which is really the persons name) "Al" with confusion in his voice said "well, some one sure did not think that through."
The Minnesota state bird is the Loon  :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob has become very critical of all the roads and drivers and still wants to get a motorcycle (even though he has not driven in 7 years.) Sitting as the first car at a stop light, Bob says to Sheri "Boy they really made a mess of this area. Sheri replies " what do you mean?" "Al" with sheer frustration in his voice says "well, they've got all those cars backed up over there (pointing to the cars at the stop light directly across the intersection but the other side of the street), but they have no cars in the lanes in front of us, these lanes are open, they should add more lanes over there so the traffic won't back up like that over there". Sheri replies ( just for the sake of conversation) "Well it is probably because those lanes are going a different direction." "Al" with a question in his voice says "What makes you think that?"
Yep, not even a bicycle for you , sorry "Al".