A new week and the string of good days continue!
I was passing by Tabitha when she reached out and caught my nightgown in her long grown out nails!
Not her fault but mine since I have neglected to keep them in check.
Louis Dean holds her while I cut them and she always hides her head under his arm.
He says it's her "I'm so ashamed I got caught!"
No shame for her but shame on me!
We begin our days out on the kitchen deck with coffee, prayers, Bible reading, devotions and conversation. We usually water while we're out there.
While this summer has been on the 'mild' side - without a daily drink of water - everything dies!
Monday afternoon we had an appointment with Louis Dean's neurologist.
Amber and Mike picked us up and Amber joined us in the visit with the doctor.
We had a good report - LD is still in the moderate stages of vascular dementia and has remained stable.
I understand this is a progressive disease and he will continue to decline - but it seems it will be a slow and steady journey. I consider this a good report.
The doctor went over all the things I should be doing to keep him comfortable and happy and I am doing above and beyond all she suggested. That's because I know and love Louis Dean and therefore can forsee what works for him. I do appreciate the appointments and her advice and always learn something at each visit.
It made Louis Dean feel good to get to spend some time with Amber and Mike and he was happy to show off his garden work and projects he's been doing.
As a caregiver, family support is so very important and I am blessed that all my children love Louis Dean and have been here for us - as has our dear friends, Billy and Brenda.
Monday night's supper!
Right after I took the pic of those gorgeous steaks - they caught fire and I had to use the water hose to put it out! The steaks were great even with the flames.
I am not a good griller and can't figure out why things flame up like they do.
Also amazed that I had enough propane to grill those steaks since I'd left the valve on after grilling last week.
Tuesday is my favorite day of the week and when I went in to have coffee with LD - he showed me his latest project.
Using things I would have thrown away - he made a stand for his music books.
The stand is on a peg that fits into a hole in a box that he keeps his wallet and such in.
He is a clever man!
Although I recently spent hundreds of dollars on my car's brakes - Sunday it flashed LOW BRAKE FLUID.....
When Mike was here on Monday, he specifically asked me if there was anything he could do.....and I forgot about the brake fluid. Now LD used to be able to do that without a second thought.
But now he can't find the brake fluid and he doesn't remember where it goes.
Billy to the rescue!
He arrived with fluid in hand and filled it up for me in time for me to be able to meet up with Brenda for Tuesday Treasure Hunting!
I found a few treasures.....
Inexpensive aprons and a winter shawl that matches one Brenda has!
I am an apron wearer!
Gardening, housework, art, projects......aprons fit all thes ocassions!
I even wear my really nice ones when I hostess.
I scored with three red Christmas chair covers - along with two chairs from Pier 1 Imports.
The dry erase weekly calendar will be good for Louis Dean. He loves calendars and writing things down.
I love spending time with Brenda and after thrifting we eat lunch at Chick Fil-A and often linger long over our iced tea. I always feel better after our visit!
Happy Hour with Louis Dean late on Tuesday afternoon.
Tabitha is turning into a lapcat - which is really strange since she's never been that before!
Today (Wednesday) was glorious!
I slept in and didn't pour my first cup of coffee and go out to visit with LD on the kitchen deck until 11:30! It was cooler than normal - though still hot enough to sweat through your clothes!
The sun was shielded by clouds and it even rained a few light showers!
Louis Dean is so proud of his new garden patch!
We moved all of our 'struggling' things in here - from rose bushes to pepper and tomato plants.
Louis Dean has been so good about staying hydrated and takes his meds as I give them to him, he is happy and loving life and so am I.
For some time, I have been praying for wisdom, knowledge, and discernment and today I realized that God has given me the tools I need to be a blessing to Louis Dean and I have adjusted my attitude and expectations as I learn more about what he is experiencing.
A slower pace of life with regular routines.
Being sociable but without a large group of people around....other than church in which he felt very comfortable - probably because of the Bells being there.
Clear projects with simple steps.
Physical work without getting overheated and overtired.
Calm evenings with wine on the driveway and a good night's sleep.
Tonight's dinner involved a good bitof leftovers but it was so GOOD!
It's nearly 8:00 as I write today's journal post and Louis Dean is already outside with his glass of chillable red wine (from a box) waiting for me to join him.
In happy memories from one year ago ...
we were at the ranch and drove to the 1925 house Dean and Sherry bought.
I helped her strip original wallpaper off......
A photo from Dean today.....
the house is in its forever place and has been leveled and the connecting building is well underway!
I miss being down there and seeing all the things happening.....
Hopefully we can visit soon even if it's just a long weekend.
I've been praising God for the milder summer we are having!
Three years ago….. I’m so profoundly grateful for every single one of my memories with my sister, Lanita Talley. I can’t remember us ever having a cross word so ALL my memories are such sweet ones…..
After she died on July 6, 2022 -I was devastated as was all of our family. I sought something to do that would give me comfort and that was decorating for fall. In 2023 I started my fall decorating once again as that ‘anniversary’ was so emotionally painful. Once again, in 2024 - I am finding a degree of peace and comfort as I surround myself and fill my home with fall leaves, garlands and pumpkins. I love you, my dear sister! Loved you on earth and I love you in heaven and I know we will love each other when I join you. I still think of and miss you every single day….
