Take Cover!

Around 6 am this morning my phone rang with a automated massage and my cell phone got a text that we were under a Tornado warning take cover now. Well I got up and turned on the tv. My storm warning messages were right we where getting hit good. I got up and got dressed. But I could not decide what to do with mom. Should I get her up or leave her in bed. If I get her up we can go into the Hallway and that would be the safest room in the house that I could get her wheelchair in. Or should I Pull her bed away from the outside wall and listen to see if I needed to put a mattress over us.I left her in bed and got something to cover us up with. But it did not get that bad at my house . Not true for the little town of Cincinnati Arkansas which is just about 20 or 30 mins from our house. 3 people were killed and 8 are in the hospital. I Have to say I was scared.The wind and rain was really bad. But I am thankful we are ok. I pray for all the people who got hit with 100 mile an hour winds according to the weather man. And I know some of my blogger friends were in the path of this storm too. I pray you are all safe.
We need to have a escape plan. I often worry about what if the house catches on fire. If mom is in the wheelchair no problem but what if she is in bed . I told my son if he is here to just wrap her up , protect her head and drag her out of bed and out the door. That is going to be hard but I think faster than trying to get her up with the lift and in her chair. I guess it depends on the extent of the fire . I pray we never have to do this. And may 2011 be happy and safe for all. I guess 2010 went out like a lion. I hope 2011 comes in like a lamb.

Don't Stress Over The Little Things

Do you get really mad when one of the kids spills or knocks over something? I never have or did. I always just say "Clean It Up". My dad used to have a hissy fit if we spilled something. It was scary. I think that is why I never did. But I must be getting old.
Tonight I decided to rearrange the furniture. That is a big deal for me because I am usually just wanting to lay down and relax. But for some reason I was wanting to do something differant. When I moved the sofa there was the biggest dried up spot under it. I mean it was big. Looked liked someone sit a full glass down on the floor and kicked it over than just left it under there. For some reason that really made me mad. No one was home but mom and I. So I could think about it a lot while I was trying to get the stain off the carpet. Our carpet is old and nasty anyway but I think what made me mad was who ever did it just left it there. They did not whip a bit of it up. It was hard and thick and dark. I used 6 wash cloths and it is still there. I wanted to text my son and ask him what happend , why is there a big stain under the sofa, why did you leave it there. I almost did 2 or 3 times . I started to than I stopped. Than I thought, Do I want to text my perfect son that helps me pay the bills and buy groceries and helps me with mom when I ask . My perfect son who has never been in trouble. Except for skipping school once. My perfect son who is in his 3rd year of college with no help from me.Just to ask him about a spot under the sofa. No I don't . I'll wait till he gets home. LOL!

Lets Start 2011 With A Laugh!!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We did . Lots of nice gift's for mom and me. My son and his girlfriend are going to Colo. after new years so I gave him gift cards and money . That should help with the trip.
Now it is time for the New Year . According to Alz.com Laughing for one minute is the equivalent to 15 minutes on an exercise bike or 10 minutes on a rowing machine. Laughter can reduce stress hormones, boost your immune system and lower your blood pressure. So pop in an old Seinfeld video, read your favorite comic strip, turn on Comedy Central, call a friend who makes you laugh or pull out old photos albums. Go ahead: laugh out loud.
I might of told you this already but mom has been talking a lot and she has started yelling even more . I know she is trying to tell me something and all she gets out is a yell. The other day I was turning her or something I can't remember what and she yelled very loud than started laughing and said " I just did that". I guess she meant she was yelling for no reason. She was just doing it cause she could. Well, I say to mom Lets Yell or even scream just as long as it makes her Laugh. !!!! Happy New Year!!!!!

End Alzheimers

House of Representatives approves National Alzheimer’s Project Act

The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA). This historic legislation is now on its way to President Obama for his signature. Passage of NAPA is a hard-earned win for the hundreds of thousands of Alzheimer advocates across the nation. With your help, the Alzheimer's Association has made NAPA a top congressional priority — and a significant first step in ending the Alzheimer crisis.
Send an e-mail to President Obama urging him to sign Just click on the Title of this post and it will send you to the sight. Thank You.

10 Days Till Christmas!!!

It's getting close to Christmas. I think I am going to make it.
There is even a present under the tree for me . It appeared today. I think at any age seeing a present under the tree with your name on it makes you smile. It is from my son so I can't wait to open it. He also got me Netflix. He will have to pay $9 a month for it which I hate but I have to admit it is the best present for people who can't get out when ever they want. I have watched 2 movies on my computer and 1 that came in the mail and he only signed up for it a few days ago. It's great. Before mom got sick we would go out to eat every week and to the movies a lot. But now getting to go to the movies is rough and the last few movies I went to I went by myself because everyone was busy at the time I could get a sitter for mom. Well now I can just get on my computer and watch a movie anytime and when ever I want and I have a list of movies coming in the mail. You watch one send it back and they send you another one. I love it. It is a great gift for caregivers that love to watch movies. When I was renting movies I could never get them back in time or I would have to ask my son to take them or my sis. Which they would but I hate to ask. My son used to drop them off before or after class. Still it is just one more thing he has to do and he is a busy boy. Anyway I love my Christmas present.
Mom has been doing so good. She is talking and visiting with me. She is yelling alot but than she will stop and laugh. She said I was just doing that. I guess she meant she was just yelling for no reason . It is great.
So far this week as been good. She isn't sleeping much. In fact she stays awake most of the night but she is not sundowning because she is not confused or upset . She is just laying in bed and looking around. The nurse it going to try some sleeping med. on her. But I am not sure if she needs it. I will see how it affects her. She does need her sleep . I do to. So it might be good. Anyway Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All.
Oh!!! Arkansas is going to the Sugar Bowl. GO HOGS!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

I think I am looking forward to Christmas. I was dreading Thanksgiving. Everyone had plans but me. And when one person would ask me what I was doing I would kind of lie and tell them I had plans with another person. That way they could do there thing and not worry about me. Of course I was expecting leftovers and that is all I wanted but that did not turn out so good. Since I got a case of the flu or something. But all better now. I think I am looking forward to Christmas because I am pleased with what I got for my son and content with not buying for everyone this year. Since mom's eye surgery in Sept. we have bills coming in left and right. So I decided no presents for big kids just the little ones. In fact the only presents under my tree are my son's and his girlfreind's. Usually it is a mix of mine and mom's nephews,nieces, brothers,sister with there wives and husbands and grandkids and great- grandkids. Well not this yr. I actully mailed presents to the little ones I wanted to get for and sent cards to the bigger ones telling them money is short so no presents. LOL! Well maybe not like that but they get it.
I found some tips online for surviving the Holidays. I have not really read them yet just copied and pasted. So here goes . I am reading them now. Have a Very Merry Christmas and remember Jesus is the Reason for the Season.

1. Try to maintain routine as much as you can. Don't allow holiday preparations to become disruptive or confusing. If the Alzheimer's patient normally naps after lunch, allow time in the schedule for that important activity.

2
Include the person with Alzheimer's in the activity to the extent she is able to participate. Simple activities such as folding the napkins, peeling the potatoes or setting the table will help the person feel that she is participating.

3
Because reminiscing can often be therapeutic for the person with Alzheimer's, invite family and friends to tell stories of times they have shared with that person. Include children in the telling of family stories.

4
Don't ask "Do you remember?" Testing the memory of a person with Alzheimer's Disease can be demoralizing to that person. Instead, introduce people by name and repeat the name frequently. Say something like "Your granddaughter Susie wants to tell you about the time you took her to the movies for the first time."

5
The sights, sounds, and tastes of the holidays may stimulate your loved one's senses. Sharing the singing of holiday songs is often an extremely enjoyable activity. The sight of a tree may stimulate fond memories of holidays past.

6
Try not to have too much going on at any one time, as it may confuse the person with Alzheimer's. If the number of people or the noise level causes distress, redirect the Alzheimer's patient by sitting quietly with him in another room or taking him for a walk. You might also consider sending the children to another area for a time.

7
Consider the time of day. Some Alzheimer's patients experience "sun downing" or evening confusion and may derive more pleasure from a lunchtime celebration.
.Alzheimer Care Facilitieswww.nursinghomes

Read more: How to Enjoy the Holidays with an Alzheimer's Patient | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2116319_enjoy-holidays-alzheimers-patient.html#ixzz17L8sFQDW