Sometimes Up and Sometimes Down

Most days I'm up but occasionally that changes. I'm not one to dwell on the past or relive times gone by but this week I've gotten caught in a little of that. From time to time I look around and think "Gee, we're soon going to the the only ones left." I have no family left and I don't spend a lot of time thinking about the deceased.

I think I'm more aware of Bob's family because they're in the process of passing from our lives and sometimes it bothers me. This has been a week that I've been sad. We have an extended family member in the last stages of Alzheimer and it bothers me. I wish her days to be few. A friend has fallen and broken her leg just below the hip joint. She's now healing around screws, bolts and metal plates. Her days of independent living may be over. Then there's always my concern for Bob's twin's wife. I've been very close to her for 54 years and it still bothers me to see her make poor choices. She's living at poverty level income now, and refuses to do anything that might make her health better. You'd think I would have put her aside many years ago but I can't seem to do that. I can't do anything to help her but it still bothers me.

This morning I told Bob we have much to be thankful for in our lives. My goal now is to see that neither of us gets bedfast. I figure if we can stand upright and walk a few steps we'll be okay.

Bob is still able to walk outside some and he's very committed to walking up to get the mail every day, saying he needs to keep moving. Lost words are something he's struggling with and truthfully, it bothers him more than me. He asked daughter, while she was here, if the doctor could give him medicine for it but there's no pill for what ails him, old age. What bothers me more is what I call his 'babbling.' He's a little short on breath at times and doesn't always have enough air to pronounce words clearly, the last syllables often drop off. I suspect his pulmonologist will be able to help that by increasing his COPD medications a little. We'll be checking in with him soon. The grocery store phase has finally passed and that makes me happy. Daughter did take him to Costco while she was here just because she knows how much he enjoys shopping there, but he seldom mentions going to the grocery store anymore.

I've been walking more lately. Exercise is never anything I particularly enjoy doing but the older I get I can see how important it is for my overall health. I have to admit I can see a big improvement when I'm getting in some walking time. I don't like to walk when it's hot, cold or raining so that doesn't leave a lot of days that I enjoy.

I looked over President Obama's summer reading list suggestions and decided I could live without those books. I like to see what others are reading. I suddenly have an abundance of books waiting to be read.  Not sure what frustrates me more, too much to read, or nothing I want to read.

What are you reading this summer?

It Is Over Until Next Time

Daughter's visit is over. She hopes to come again the end of September. We always enjoy seeing her and since we were both feeling better we enjoyed her visit more than usual.

Yesterday we received very good news from the cardiologist. I had taken a report of Bob's blood pressure readings in to his office for him to review. He thought they looked good and said to keep him off his blood pressure medications. Yippee!!

Daughter lives in Texas where temps right now are in triple digits. Here temps were in the high 60s and low 70s. She thought it was heavenly so we spent time walking and enjoying the cool weather.

In my working days I suppose we experienced the first round of 'organizers.' I am the queen of organizers. Daughter tells me when I become senile she will just open an organizer full of papers and spill the contents. That will entertain me for hours getting it all organized again, and the next day she will repeat the process. 

Not working I don't have a lot to organize anymore so I haven't done that kind of shopping in twelve years. Yesterday I made up for that time. Not sure what I'm going to do with all this stuff but I could not resist. What the heck, maybe I'll just sit and enjoy looking at it.

Did you ever use organizers?

Grandson Like Grandfather

My father has always held a special place in the life of our son.  They formed a tight bond the summer Rodger was three years old.  He walked many a mile following his grandfather.

He shares many of my father's habits and traits.  Sometimes I wonder what is genetics and what he copied from my father those many years ago.

My father has been dead since 1988 and Rodger still refers to him often.

Thanksgiving he showed up dressed like his PawPaw, striped overalls, my father's old glasses, his pocket watch, etc.  He wanted to make a picture of him today to see how much he he resembled his grandfather.

What do you think?