WOW! My cousin lives in your neck of the woods and when she told me it was snowing I didn't believe her.

Not to worry, it's snowing in San Diego as well so you can enjoy it there too.

Edna

That's amazing, Larry!
A couple of weeks ago I saw the first little bit of snow here that I've seen since 1996. It was mixed in with rain, and it didn't stick to the ground, but it was still impressive for my area - it's been so humid/warm the past few days, I finally gave in and turned on the air-conditioning! Anyway, I made a very short video from the front porch with my point-and-shoot camera of our snow/rain mix -
{{gwi:498318}}
'Hope things are looking up for you Larry!
Sherry

Greetings!

It's definitely the global warming trend. We've had ice here. School was out 3 days. My mom and I have been inside trying to keep warm.

Larry, it's good to see you posting. You're right about keeping that walker off the snow and ice. It's possible to have a White Christmas in San Diego, but I hate to think you might have to be there for Christmas.

I kidnapped my mom from the Assisted Living center after she escaped with her walker, and a motorist found her laying in the middle of the road. He picked her up and called 911 which sent an ambulance to get her. Her Alzheimer's has left her unable to remember anything but her name. She'd make a good POW. LOL Seriously, life can be a bummer.

Guess we all better hunker down and get ready for the next round.

Merry Christmas!

Sandy

Edna - Well, it was definately warmer in San Dog when I left there 12/8 than it was in Vegas when I got back that night... as in 20-30 degrees warmer. Very unusual cold weather for Vegas and me in a golf shirt and shorts and no coat wearing sandals. Got home from the airport about 10PM but didn't get warm again for hours.

Sherry - A/C? Rub it in girl. But then, you suffer on the other side in summer when the heat and humidity are about the same number. A/C in December sounds more like it should be here - maybe I should say like it is some years. Vegas does get cold, by our standards (not most of yours) with highs in the mid 50's and lows just above freezing. But high's just above freezing are rare. High's above the 90's as early as February, and staying until November is more to my liking (except for the 3-5+ months above 100).

Sandy - Having lost my mother to Alzheimer's in December 2006 (and other problems) I know exactly what you are dealing with and I am so sorry for your family. Dementia is a very long and painful process for all concerned. My Mom in the earlier stages of Dementia used to get up in the middle of the night and go wandering around the neighborhood for hours until Dad or someone else discovered her and brought her home. Living in St. George, UT made it a safe place otherwise, but we always worried about her falling or getting hit by a vehicle. When she was found face down in the middle of the road with injuries one morning we finally had to put her in a care facility. She got so bad the end was actually a blessing when she just plain gave up the fight. A 30 year massive cancer survivor that had the spunk of a prize fighter just couldn't imagine remaining a prisoner of the facility the rest of her life I think. I don't share the beliefs that most people do as a metaphysical naturalist, but my heart and thoughts are with you, your mother and your family.

Larry

Alzheimer's and the wandering that go with it must be a growing problem, because I heard they recently had to put my friend's Dad in a nursing home, because his wife, who is aging herself, couldn't keep him from wandering all over the place.
I'm so sorry about your mother, Sandy.
Sherry

It snowed a couple inches here last week, but today it was in the 70s, and this weekend's high is in the 80s, so Houston's back to normal I guess. I'd be sad for lack of Christmassy weather if I hadn't gotten to release a monarch yesterday and another today. First ones since Ike, and took them more than twice as long as usual to come out. Smart little guys, staying warm in a crystalis and waiting for the weather to warm up again!

Sandy, I am so sorry for your mother. This might only be a very, very tiny help, but have you thought about getting her shoe IDs with her name, important medical info., and your contact info. on them? It will not fix or prevent anything, but may help a little if this ever happens with her again.

Here is a link that might be useful: shoe ID tags

Thanks, laurelily.

So far Mom has not been inclined to roam since she has been here. I've had her a little over 6 weeks now. She was very depressed where she was living and has responded well to being here. She loves my little dog and Libby adores her. I've included a favorite photo that I recently took of them together. Libby likes to go in and cuddle with Mom in the morning. But, lately, Mom is getting up on her own and getting dressed and making her own bed! I don't know how long she will stay in this stage (6), but we will make the most of it. I know that as this disease progresses, I will no longer be able to care for her.

{{gwi:553952}}

BTW, Libby just got her Therapy Dog certification about the time I kidnapped Mom. I'm really proud of her! She loves people and visiting retirement homes.

Sandy

What a wonderful picture, Sandy! Is Libby a papillion?
If anything can speak to a dying mind, it'd have to be a dog - you're so sweet to care for your Mom!
Sherry

Sherry,

Libby is a 3.5 pound Long Coat Chihuahua. She's 2 years old. I got her as a pup and she's been the most loving dog I've ever owned.

Actually, this has been the only time in my Mom's life that we have really gotten along! She's an angel, having been rather testy before. Isn't life full of irony?

BTW, Merry Christmas!

Sandy

Sandy, my heart goes out to you. I've been watching my mother in law go through the various stages of Alzheimer's for 3 years.

Just remember to take care of yourself too. Your mother is a beautiful woman. Dogs can be the best therapy for any one going through a disease, depression or any kind of illness.

Hugs to you,

Edna

Thanks, Edna. Dogs are great therapy, even for the caregiver!

Ladobe, sorry I hijacked your thread!

Sandy

Not needed Sandy. My thread was not important and just to generate some traffic on what appears to be a pretty uneventful off season forum. You and your Mother are important, to me and to your many friends on this forum.

I wish you both a wonderful tomorrow.

Larry

Sandy, your Mom and little Libby look very content and peaceful together...a beautiful sight.

Funny feeling when the child becomes the caretaker but some special moments can be had during these times.

Bless you for your generosity and caring.

My little BST babies and I owe you lots for all your support this past summer. :)

Ladobe, so good to see your post.

All week when I thought I just couldn't stand doing one more thing for the holidays I felt my Mom whispering to me...do it for them.

This forum is especially frequented by people who "do it for them" in all forms and it's really special.

Peace to all and heartfelt thanks for all your kindnesses.

Sandy,

Boy, do I know what it is like dealing with Alzheimer's and being a caretaker. My 92-year old mother-in-law has had the disease for a number of years now and we get her every third weekend (if not more often) since a niece is the primary caretaker (niece and nephew but she's the primary) so that they can have weekends off and away from mom. Mom's gotten to that point where she doesn't recognize anyone at all and she can't possibly even get up to go wander (which is definitely a blessing!) so we don't worry about THAT.

It's more the bodily functions, if you know what I mean, that are problematic, for my husband, ever since mom started slapping me this year, causing some dissension in the ranks.

As you have noted, the dog has been the BEST thing! Chelsea is also a registered therapy dog, having received her CGC and also her therapy dog certification this year. I think that dogs instinctively know (or at least some dogs do) when someone isn't 'all there' just like they know when someone is ill. When mom is with us, Chelsea loves to go up and snuggle with her on the sofa. She gets so excited to see 'gramma' that oftentimes, we have to say, "Chelsea, wait until gramma sits down or she will sit on YOU!" (which would be a very BAD thing, indeed!)

Be sure to take good care of yourself, Sandy. It is no small task, to be the caretaker of an Alzheimer's patient. This is why we all pitch in to give Lika the weekends off. You need to take good care of yourself, too.

Watching the deterioration is sad.

Hang in there.

Sherry aka tdogmom

Thanks to all of you for your kind words and thoughts. We are doing well. Mom still has control of bodily functions, much to the surprise of her doctor. I'm thankful not to have to deal with that issue yet.

We've had a good holiday. Yesterday and today we've had some confusion, with her thinking she is back in an assisted living center. At noon yesterday, she turned to me and said, "Do you think they're going to feed us today?" I assured her "they were." (chuckle)

I bought her a pot with 3 amaryllis bulbs for Christmas. One morning she said, "I don't know why they gave me such an ugly thing." (another chuckle) Now leaves are starting to sprout, and she checks frequently to see the progress. She's excited about the changes taking place.

Each and every day it's like she wakes up on a new planet and has to learn the procedures all over again, such as where to eat, where the bathrooms are, and how to swallow the pills--no, don't pour the juice into the pill cup!

Have a great day, y'all. I plan to.

Sandy