Welcome samesu. I love the eggnog story. It is funny how their taste changes as this disease progresses. Go ahead and increase those milligrams, but be careful not to OD her.

Sames u,

Welcome to our family. That is so very cute about the eggnog. It's so nice to hear the funny stories about our loved ones, and we must put some laughter in this as often as we can.

My mom seems to get tipsy on non alcoholic wine. So today's the day that we will be waiting for a little laughter from her when she starts on her wine.

Please come and join us whenever you get the chance. We have a wonderful family here, and lots of support.

Nice to have you here, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Jackie

Jackie, it's okay, we didn't have very many, if any special times the last many months Mom was at home, it was just plain, super hard, so hang in there and know that she really does love you, she just can't show you right now.

Welcome sames u, this is a great group of people who have really blessed me with their kindness and knowledge.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

~Kelly~

Welcome Sames u. Hope to see a lot of you here. It's almost like one big family. Only here we are all willing to listen to you and do anything we can to help. Everyone is traveling the same path some are nearing the end of the path and others are just starting. When we get lost we come here for help. Never hesitate to offer suggestions or to ask for help.

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving yesterday. We will be celebrating ours today. Our daughter from Chicago couldn't make it in until about seven last night. We decided several years ago that it wasn't the day it was the opportunity for the whole family to get together. So our Thanksgiving is today.
We are expecting 23 people for dinner. Say a prayer that Bill handles the commotion.

These beautiful moments come at the most unexpected times, don't they? I'm so glad you got one last night.

I got to see my Mom yesterday even if only for a half hour. She'll be 80 on December 30th. She recognized me and DH, but she was wanting to know why my girls didn't come with me. I forced a smile and said they went to spend the holiday with Aunt Faye (Mom's sister). She was a little annoyed/jealous that her sister was getting all the attention of my girls.

We spent the rest of the day with my cousin and my brother and their family. We took along one of our prison ministry converts with us and taught him the joys (and the pains) of playing Spoons.

We are planning to get together with as many family members and old friends as we can get to join us to celebrate Mom's birthday. Too bad she can't remember when she was born or how old she is.

Thank you all for your warm welcome!

Those moments like the eggnog 'medicine' are special because my mother is a retired nurse. We often reflect on her nursing and it helps in so many ways, convincing her to take her meds, let me bathe her, exercise, etc. I am very fortunate she accepts, whatever it is, as good for her. And it sure is good for me whether or not she knows I'm her daughter when she tells me I'm :/ a good nurse. Oh, if I only had her knowledge!

I realized I kind of snuck in the back door here on this Thanksgiving topic instead of properly introducing Mom and myself in the intro section. I'll get to that soon I hope. I have a lot on my mind, things are changing and I do need some help.

You've already eased my mind with your kindness. I look forward to coming here. Thank you.

Sames u

You sneak anytime in the back door, and when you get a chance, tell us what we can do or what you can do for us. We're not formal here, so introduce yourself wherever you please. Again, nice to have you here. We can always use another ear!

Jackie

Hi everybody. I was gone to California over Thanksgiving, but I did think about you all. I was busy caregiving long distance, as Mom's facility called me while I was in CA! I am painfully aware that the reason I was able to take a week away at the holiday time is because of my mother's continued decline. She is unaware (or so it seems) of the time of the year and becasue she is unable to meaningfully participate in her care, I am unable to care for her enough anymore to ensure her safetly and she is unable to join us for any special holiday celebrations outside of the facility. But while one door is closing, God and the universe is opening another. Behold the reason I was in California......


(I see in the preview that this is slightly distorted, but you get the idea. )

A love. I met many of his mother's side of the family (grandmother/father, aunts, sister, in-laws, cousins) and spoke with his mother on the phone. It was a good time, but tinged with sadness. I did joke with J that he had it relatively easy as he only had to meet one family person (just Mom) and she just sat there and didn't quiz him! His grandmother did ask me about my parents, so I did have opportunity to speak about Mom a little and dementia in general. It was a good time and a good introduction to the family (I think).

I'm glad to hear you all survived the frst holiday of the season! May we all be blessed.

Anaberry,

So glad you got to CA. And for that very special reason. I'm sure meeting all J's relatives was quite an experience for you, but it seems like you did well with it.

It's nice you were able to get away without any reprecussions from your mom. It makes for a more pleasant experience, and you deserve my dear to start having a new life with a new love.

Wedding plans in the future?? You know I had to ask! Go for it!!

Jackie

Yes, I know you did.

Unfortunately, we still live 850 miles apart. And with the economic conditions as they are right now, I don't know when that will be able to change. Our plans include living in the same town (or at least area) together before taking any further steps. He knows that I can't/won't move right now because of my commitment to Mom. Right now I'm enjoying the ride, so to speak.

I do think about it, though. I imagine having Mom there and not having Mom there and how each of those situations would look, feel and work. Pre-planning so I'm prepared. Nothing wrong with that, right?

I don't know how 'happy' mine was? Sometimes, no deaths, or trips to the emergency room, seems like happiness to me these days!

I do have one favorite comment from the old grinch. I got Mom's hair cut, shampooed, and I got her to let me curl it, with my chubby curling iron, it was hard to do, but it looked darling. I said "Hey, Mom, your hair looks so cute, maybe you will dare go out without your hat today? Tom says "That would be like a Turtle without it's Shell?" and chuckled! That guy has got quite a sense of humor, when he is not soooo very serious, all the time.

Isn't it amazing how little tiny things will put a *smile* on your face?

Anaberry,

I'm so glad to hear that you and your love plan on being in the same town first before you consider marriage. And yes, I do think you should enjoy the ride and preplan as much as you can. I think it's wonderful that he understands your commitment to your mother is coming first for now. He sounds like a keeper!!

When a long distance relationship goes as well as yours is, you know that the love is really there. He sounds like a wonderful man.

You will let us know when those wedding bells will be ringing though, right. Ok, see, I just had to ask again!!!

Jackie

Anaberry, you will have to forgive Jackie. She just gets SO excited about people being in love.

The picture is great by the way. If you click to enlarge it, the distortion goes away. You both look so happy. I'm so glad you have something positive in your life.