Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob found a new way to make music, and he was quite proud of himself. "Al" took the nut and ran it up and down the ridges on the bolt creating another sound to add to Bob's whistling, slapping, tapping and clapping. Bob and "Al" could be a one man band (wait... would that be a two man band? LOL :)

Gotta love him... and find some earplugs :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Some things just speak for themselves

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob watched Daniel O'Donnell all day Sunday, over and over again. At 4pm when Sheri finally decided enough was enough and turned off the DVD, "Al" looked up from his beads and said " What happened to my music?" Sheri replied "well, its over." "Al" looked at Sheri with big brown puppy dog eyes deep disappointment in his voice and said " but I wasn't done yet."
Heavy sigh.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri took Bob and "Al" to the Minnesota Arboretum yesterday. Bob and "Al" slapped their way through 4 hours of live music, they had a wonderful time. Although Sheri thinks she may have put the boys in music overload, because Bob was whistling "it's a Grand old Flag" in his sleep :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob is sure they have removed him from the choir at "work", code for Adult Day Center. Even as Sheri has dressed him this morning in his black pants and white shirt for a choir concert today at Gilda's Club (A Cancer Support Club). "Al" with his thumb in Bob's belt loop stretching out Bob's back in his usual way said " Well... NO ONE told me about a concert. " Bob lives in the moment so Sheri is just happy that at some moment today Bob and "Al" will be happy singing. :)

Bob and "Al" singing :)

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"

"Al" is sure they have dissolved the choir, because they did not sing at the annual Spaghetti Dinner last night at work (Code for Adult Day Center)
Poor Bob always worried about his place in the choir, but he feels like he belongs and has a purpose and that is what is important.

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"

Since Bob has no ability to remember yesterdays activity's, "Al" lives in constant fear he has been removed from the choir. Sheri worries about bills, housing, the car, snow removal ... Bob and "Al" worry about choir. But the reality is worry is worry and life is too short for any of it.
Luke 12:25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his  span of life?

Living with Bob and "Al"

Music is a wonderful thing for an Alzheimer victim. "Al" was not in the mood to sing here, but he was whistling and slapping away!  Video takes a few seconds to start.

Post by Sheri Zschocher.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob is not sure about who is who of his sisters anymore. Sheri invited his youngest sister and her husband over to the house to play the piano and spend some time with him, Sheri knows "Al" is getting worse and does not want any regrets along the way. Anyway, when they left, Sheri asked Bob if he knew who that was. "Al" paused for a long moment of thought and said questioningly "One of the girls?" Sheri was pleased he knew at least that, since he had 8 sisters, and 8 names to choose from. :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob had a choir event at "work" (code for Adult Day Center) yesterday. On the way home "Al" asked Sheri "Have you been singing in a group where you work?"  :)
Gotta smile it is so sweet.

Living with Bob and "Al"

A few weeks ago the sweet ladies at Bob's Day Center and Sheri were concerned about Sheri's Bob because Bob's best friend at work ( who was also a Bob) was moving to Memory Care facility. The two Bob's were best buds, sang in the choir together and spent all day together. So everyone was worried about what would happen when the other Bob was no longer around, well Sheri guesses sometimes there are blessing in the horrible disease, Bob has not asked about the other Bob at all, like he  never knew he existed.
What an interesting disease.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri learned yesterday from "Al", that Bob was a piano player in his younger days... Bob must have been with  "Al"  when he traveled the world with the orchestra  :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is thrilled Bob still enjoys music the way he does, but "Al" slaps his big hands against Bob's thighs so hard while listening to music, she is surprised Bob legs are not black and blue :)  

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri and Bob were watching a random piano player on TV. "Al" watching with joy on his face, declared "When I was there she invited me down to play the piano with her!"  :)
(P.S. Bob does not play the piano, but simple pleasures are all that matters :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Conversation is probably the thing Sheri misses the most. Sheri thinks she probably always did most of the talking, but Bob was interactive in his own way. Yesterday on the way home Sheri tried again to have a conversation. It was pouring down rain and Sheri said "Wow, it is really raining hard." Bob looking around and said " there is a loose gravel sign, I have been looking at the blue prints, do I have choir?" Sheri knows she should be grateful he can still speak at all, but she is human and where he is today still hurts.
Conversation... just missing true conversation.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob is not sure but "Al"  thinks he heard someone at "work" (code for Adult Day Center) talking about a choir trip to preform at the Grand Ole Opry.  :)
Gotta love him.