THINKING of EACH OF YOU with LOVE!!!

I hope each of you had a blessed Christmas and I wish you a very Happy New Year!     Mine was filled with happiness and sadness, which is life.....

(I had cataract surgery this year...here's my Dollar Tree - $1.00 reading glasses)

Its been 15 months since my last blog entry....how time flies!    October 5th was the two year anniversary of David leaving this earthly life and moving to heaven.   I celebrate the fact that he no longer has Alzheimer's,  but I still miss him.....9 years with Alzheimer's was a long time, but the memories of our life before Alzheimer's is such a blessing to me!!



My children and grandchildren are doing well and growing up soooo fast.    The youngest one is 12 and the oldest 25.



 

My son,  his family (and me) at a Christmas eve party at my best friend's house.   

I stay busy with my friends, family,  garden club, volunteering and church work... and....that's a blessing for me! 

   I live one day at a time and try not to think about the future.  Who knows what's next...........  

Three  of my granddaughters and me enjoying the Texas coast at Port Aransas

 My granddaughter singing and playing.... and I was there! 

I still have my precious dog, Casey and Punk the cat, they're such a comfort and joy for me.

(My dog, Casey at the beach;  when she wants to stop walking, she stops and puts her paw on the leash).

Happy New Year my friends!!!

**** SIGNING OFF for NOW ****

     

 David was a devoted family man!   He loved singing in the choir and he loved his church family.  This picture was taken Palm Sunday 2007,  with our best friend's daughter, Jillian)

David was diagnosed with Alzheimer's  October of 2005.   I  started this blog the first of January 2009.  

Over the years it's been comforting for me to post pictures and journal our journey as I reluctantly moved forward with this disease.

Here's the two books I had printed of Moving Forward with Alzheimer's .... for   myself, our children and my best friend.

Each of you who've followed our story and given me words of wisdom and loving support have been a blessing to me!   You were there for me when I needed you and it meant more to me than you'll ever know!     Thank you!

 The anniversary of David's death is almost here, October 5th.    I've dreaded this anniversary  more than any of the  anniversaries.    The memory of the weeks before his death are right now.   Me,  remembering the sadness our family and friends felt as we were watching him slowly leave us.

I still miss him so much, but   

I praise God that he is now whole again!!

I'm feeling it's time for this blog to come to an end.    I wrote and posted pictures hoping we could possibly help others traveling this journey.   However,  I discovered I was the one who received the blessings.....from writing this journal and most of all because of you!

 David was my inspiration.     He's whole again, no more Alzheimer's.....I rejoice that he's in heaven.

I'm doing well.   I'm blessed with my children, grandchildren, best friends, church and pets...... what a blessing!!!    God is good.....  

I can't believe summer is over.  It was fun spending time with our  grandchildren...sewing on the sewing machine,  teaching the girls how to crochet, going to the Alamo, swimming..... and now I'm enjoying football games with two of our grandsons.
I've started volunteering again like I did years ago......life goes on.

Pictures of all 9 grandchildren.  David would be so proud!!

   Sarah learning to crochet.   I have a hard time crocheting with two hands, she has one and does a beautiful job.   Punky was helping her with the yarn.

 

 Laura Anne practicing her crocheting.

Ellie, the artist in the family, donated her painting to be auctioned to raise money for children attending a Spina Bifida camp.    The painting sold for $1,230.00, enough money to send 3 children to camp.

J.D. is 12 years old now....this is a picture when he was 6.

The girls having fun in the pool.

Our grandson and his girlfriend were named Homecoming Queen and King of their high school.   He's the drum major of the band and also received a letter of acceptance  from Texas A & M......A good year!  

 Our grandson, Andrew, has always danced to his own drummer.

Eric, our philosopher grandson,  a student at Texas A & M. 

Francie,  graduated from college, married, has a good job and loves singing and playing the guitar on weekends.

     Grandson, Cameron....on the Dean's List at the University of Houston.

I am blessed indeed.... thanks be to God~

I love you all....

Thank you for your friendship!

Love you!

D

+++ HAPPY BIRTHDAY to DAVID+++

Today,  (actually tomorrow)  August 13th is David's birthday;   he would have been 75.

 

Here's the post I wrote last year....2012.

(A precious 2 year old David)

(this post is from last year)
It's always fun to have a birthday celebration last as long as possible.     Tuesday evening our best friends (Nelwyn, Keith and Jillian) and me started off with the first  celebration for this wonderful man..    They brought 2 pints of Ben and Jerry's red velvet cake ice cream to AlzCare;  it was mixed with Ensure and zapped in the blender to make a drink.    He drank a huge glass of this sweet  concoction.     His eyes were open while we were there.   The visit was a good one!!!

(4 year old David and his sister, Norma Anne)

Friday our daughter, her husband and 3 of their children were here to celebrate his birthday.  His eyes were open.....a good visit!
 
On Sunday our son and his family were there to give him hugs and wish him a happy birthday.   His eyes were open for a few minutes and he tried his best to smile.   A good visit!

On  his official birthday, his sister will go with me to see him.   Hopefully his eyes will be open.   It will be another good day!

 

David loved his sister, Sandi so much...... he loved teasing her!

Sweet memories!!!! 

 I'm so thankful for these precious pictures!

 I started suspecting Alzheimer's when David was 63, he was diagnosed at 65.    

  

I thank God for this wonderful man and the 49 years we spent together;  even through the years with Alzheimer's we made sweet memories!

It's hard for me to believe its been almost 11 months since his death.

Happy Birthday to my sweet David as you celebrate your birthday in heaven!!

God is good!! 

LOVE IS FOREVER!!

I call this picture 'admiring eyes'....look at the sweet smile on David's face as he's admiring his first grandchild, Francie.

 

Francie is now a 24 year old woman,  college graduate, married, has a job she loves and she loves
to sing.   

 

Even though her PoPe isn't here in person, I know he's smiling and still very proud of her and all his  grandchildren. 

Here's a little bio. written by Francie... and a video of her singing in the pasture with the cows.

I started playing the guitar with PoPe when I was very young. I loved sitting in his lap and pretending to play the guitar, singing Bible songs and old country songs. 

I always loved singing!  I would put on little concerts for my family in the living room. 

When I was in middle school, I wanted to be in the church band. I auditioned and got into the band as the lead singer. On Sundays we would sing for the middle  and high school students,  I had a blast!

I  loved the summers, when we would go on mission trips and I sing in front of  everyone.

(Playing her PoPe's guitar)

Once, I was in college, everything started happening so fast and I lost touch with my music. I did the occasional karaoke night here and there and I was the rockstar in my car. But, something felt missing.

After graduating college, getting married, moving, and getting a job, something still felt missing in my life.

 

 My grandfather (PoPe) passed away in October and all that went through my head when he died was Willie Nelson's song, "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" (PoPe's favorite). I couldn't get it out of my head.   I found a  cheap guitar that my husband had as a kid and I started playing.

Once I started, I couldn't stop.
I started writing songs, singing and playing the guitar,  and I found myself again.
I began playing for friends and family, building my confidence.  

In the spring  I started singing at a couple of  bars at Canyon Lake on the weekend.    I love being in the  spotlight. 

(I made her shirt and skirt for 'cowboy day' at nursery school). 

(and here's our sweet Francie today)

 As for me, (Dolores/Sweetie).......Casey, Pumpkin and Lovey.....I'm still missing David a lot, but God is good and I'm doing good!!!

This, That and the Other

Each day when I sit down at my computer ....  this is what I see;  a beautiful picture of David and Casey.   It always makes me smile!

  

 I made it through our 50th wedding anniversary on May 24th.     My best friend surprised me with  a James Avery charm that is heart shaped and says, "the heart remembers".....  she said it was from David to Sweetie (me) thru them....in her card she writes, the heart always remembers though physically apart, the heart still loves and ...always...til we meet again.   A very special surprise from the best friend ever!!! 
 

David and I had matching 'Fishers of Men' bracelets.   As you see I put the charm on my special bracelet.   
I gave David's bracelet to our daughter and of course she loves it.

Nine months ago today, July 5th  David went to his forever home.    I'm doing well, because I have the promise from God that I will be reunited with David once again.  
What keeps me going?   My faith, family, friends, my dog and 2 cats, a home that I love....   I am blessed indeed.
I love flowers, trees, bushes....I love being outdoors.

My Crepe/Crape Myrtle in my teeny-tiny yard, which is perfect for me.

For me, this is my little paradise.

Our  granddaughter, Ellie spent last week with me.  

We swam, baked brownies, I taught her how to use my sewing machine (she made 2 aprons), we played games and went shopping and had a great time together.

My best friend's daughter is the same age as Ellie.   They always enjoy being together.

 

(Jillian and Ellie) 

My niece, Laura ask if I'd make her another afghan like I made her 26 years ago.  I was honored that she ask me, so.... I've gotten started on it, but I have a long way to go.

GOD is GOOD!!!! 

"JUST SAYING"

Here I go again, looking back on last year.   Truly, I'm doing well, but I'm still at the stage of needing to look back and see what was happening this time last year and this blog makes that possible.   

 

 

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

"JUST SAYING"

 Have you noticed nowadays how often we hear the phrase  'just saying'........     Well,  I'm just saying that moving forward on this  journey with Alzheimer's has taught me some good, sad and valuable life lessons.

I've learned  that prayers for us are felt so strongly by me and they help me through each day.

I've learned  (should have known this from the beginning)....God will never give me more than I can handle.  The first few years after David's diagnosis I  felt paralyzed with fear and sadness, but one step at a time  

I've learned as bad as its been at times, I've  never felt totally alone.

I'm learning to be more patient and slow down.   Stop and smell the roses!

I'm learning (trying) not to worry about tomorrow, next week or next year.   One day at a time. 

I've learned I can live in our home by myself  (the animals sure help) without being afraid.   I went from living at home with my mother to being married......

I've learned that family and friends are such a blessing.   I knew this anyway, but not to the extent that I know it now.

I've learned that most people are so dad blasted nice!!!   

I've learned it's not necessary to have a long conversation with someone whose experiencing health issues, death or sadness.    A hug, smile or just asking how they or their loved one is doing is sufficient.

I've learned that music makes me cry, but that's okay.....tears are healing.

I've learned  that it hurts my heart when I feel David is forgotten or not ask about 

 .......

I've learned a walk with the dog helps when I'm feeling sad or depressed. 

I've learned that I love people I've never met in person.....thank you my faithful blog friends.

I've discovered who my true friends and family are......'just saying.'

Oh how I wish David didn't have this dreadful disease, but 'just saying'  there are some positives for me in spite of..........

David continues in a peaceful/stable condition and for that I'm thankful.

God is good!!! 

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***************ANNIVERSARIES*************

May the 5, 2013 is the 'anniversary' date of 7 months... when David left this world and went to spend eternity with God and our families who've already passed.  
 

It's still hard for me to believe that  7 months have passed.  Actually,  it feels much longer than 7 months!     However, I celebrate the fact that my sweet David doesn't have Alzheimer's any longer.....

Another anniversary date:

 May 24th would be our 50th wedding anniversary.

I'll be busy on that day with our son and his sixth graders ...doing math work in San Antonio.   I know being busy with my family will help me from feeling so sad.
 

I have so much to be thankful for!     We had so many good years together.... even the years with Alzheimer's... they were interesting and different.

God is good and I am  blessed!

And... oh how I love the smile on my sweet David's face..... I miss him so much!!!

I'm doing well,  but the past few days have been sad!      I know that's to be expected.     I was looking back on past post and saw this one.... and it grabbed me....... so, I'm re-posting past thoughts and memories. 

IT IS WHAT IT IS

I say POOH  when I
 read reports about eating properly and exercising to stave off Alzheimer's...... double pooh from me.
It is what it is.

(Good times at the beach)
David treated his body as a temple.   He was so healthy and took care of his body by exercising 5 or 6  days a week..... He ate lean meats, a lot of vegetables and fruits.  He didn't smoke and only  had a beer once in awhile.

(the 4 of us)
He took one day at a time and didn't worry about 'things' like I do......he kept his mind active by reading, music and math.

(fun times with the grandchildren at the beach)

I knew David's Alzheimer's would progress, but I never let my mind go so far to think  of  him in bed or in a big recliner chair all the time.    I never thought he would need to be fed.  

(with best friends at the beach) 
Silly me!!!   I suppose,  I thought because his body was so healthy, it would stay that way......

(David and his dad at the beach)
I wish David didn't have Alzheimer's!    
However,  because of it, I've learned  so much about the faithfulness and love of family and friends. 
I've learned to better appreciate the small things in life.

(David, our son and grandson)
 God is good...... HE's  given me a gift that I appreciate so much.   It may sound  'hokey'......but when I'm feeding David,  it feels like a 'holy' time.   That's the only way I can describe it..... a sacred or holy time.  A gift to me.

(David and granddaughter)
Yesterday when I was leaving..... I told David I loved him and he said, "be careful."   The caregiver said, "did you hear what he said...."    Yes, I did,  another gift for me!!!

(Good times)

Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behaviors. Keep your behaviors positive because your behaviors become your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.

Gandhi

 (Sweet man, sweet smile....sweet grandchildren

 

Oh my gosh...... I am so blessed with these wonderful pictures and precious memories of my sweet David !!!

God is good indeed!

.....................AN EASTER SURPRISE................

I received a surprise gift from David on Easter Sunday.   Our son, his family and our granddaughter and  husband  were here.   They ask to see some papers I have of  my ancestors in the 1800's.  

We were digging through papers and came across a sheet of paper with David's distinguishing (actually hard to read) handwriting.     It was a poem of sorts that he'd written to our son, when our son was 29 and expecting his first son (21 years ago).    We read it and looked at one another.....what the heck, we'd never seen this poem.      

 

Apparently David wrote the poem and decided he didn't like it and tucked it away.    I'm glad he tucked it away;  seeing his familiar handwriting and reading what he'd written, was  a wonderful surprise Easter gift to us!!

Its been six months......sure seems longer!!!



(Casey and Punky are the best of friends)

 

 

(Something I read and immediately liked)

If a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy. 

Take naps,  stretch before rising.  Run, romp, and play daily.

 

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

 

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.


There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it.
 You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good, so, love the people who treat you right.
 Think good thoughts for the ones who don't ~ life is too short to be anything but happy.
 Falling down is part of LIFE... Getting back up is LIVING...
 DON'T COMPLAIN ABOUT GROWING OLD
 FEW PEOPLE GET THE PRIVILEGE

GOD IS GOOD!!

 

 

 

MY RAMBLING THOUGHTS

I don't know who wrote this, but I love it!! 

Be kinder than necessary,

For everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Live simply, Love generously,

Care deeply, speak kindly,

And pray continually.

It's not what you gather, but what you scatter

That tells what kind of life you have lived.

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.

Love the people who treat you right

And pray for the ones who don't.

(the girls playing in the cold water)

Going to the beach was melancholy for me, but life goes on......       I thank God for my precious memories of  the past, present,  and I'm working on looking forward to the future.

I received a beautiful book, card and letter in the mail from my blog friend Janet.   The book 'Hope for an Aching Heart.'     An excellent book...   Thank you Janet!

My church project is keeping me busy.   The photography is finished.   The company photographed 293 families.   I'm now working on the cover and lay-out of the activity pages on the computer.

I'm so glad our daughter said to me at the beginning of this project, "Mom, do you know how you eat an elephant?    One bite at a time."     Her words have echoed through my mind for weeks.... I usually look at a whole project and get overwhelmed.   This has been a good lesson for me..... one bite, one step at a time..... and so it is with my life right now.... one day at a time.

I'm doing well.   For those of you who've asked....thank you so much for thinking of me.   I love hearing  from you.  

Today was confirmation Sunday.  Our grandson and our best friend's daughter were confirmed.  It was a beautiful and meaningful Palm Sunday and confirmation service.   I wished David was sitting next to me, but he's in a better place.

God is good!!