The Party

This morning after I had Bob showered and dressed and ready for his day I decided he was doing well enough to take him to the Pharmacy with me to get his Rx's. In all honesty  I have really been avoiding taking him "shopping" because he just gets so confused and disoriented and lately "incontinence" has been a major issue.
 Sometimes I hate waiting until my son can get here to watch him in late afternoons,  because by then it is really busy there and it takes forever. So, we bundled up in our winter gear and went!
  As we were standing in line Bob was being very friendly, Laughing, carrying on, talking but not really making much sense with several others that were waiting in line. Some people were amused by his antics, some gave him , well....Lots of space.
 We finally got to the window and got our Rx's and left the store.. As we did Bob said ..  I'm glad they made it to the party...
Maybe it was all the Christmas decorations? LOL  I am glad he enjoyed " The Party"

Is it Wrong?

Have I ever mentioned how hard it is to go grocery shopping with Bob these days. I usually try to go as early as possible to avoid crowds. Because- well Bob does not do well in crowds these days. Bob used to hate grocery shopping- now he wants to go.  :)
 Bob adds obscure things to the cart when I am not looking and he also will wander off. If someone comes down the aisle Bob will turn around and follow them. If I am caught up in looking for something or reading a label I can look up and he is no where in sight. I run to the end of the aisle and he will usually be heading down the next aisle over.
 The last trip it was raining pretty hard when we came out of the store so I quickly pushed the cart to the jeep and popped the hatch to put the groceries in. Bob was right behind me. And then he wasn't.. I looked up and he was nowhere to be seen. I quickly threw the groceries in the jeep and shoved the cart into the cart catcher and ran through the parking lot looking for him. I spotted him one parking strip over, trying to get in someone else's car. I  went and got him and  loaded him in the jeep. Crisis averted,..
  Till I got home and realized  that in my haste to find Bob I had left my purse in the shopping cart in the parking lot.  Argh.
Luckily someone had turned it into the customer service desk and I got it back..  Thank you kind sir whoever you were!
Is it wrong to handcuff a person to a shopping cart? Or maybe I should attach a bell to his coat..HMMM.
  :)

A Handful

 Today we had a few errands to run so I got Bob bundled up in coat , hat and gloves. Poor Bob- the gloves were very hard to understand. He thought he had to hold them on, so he either would keep his fists clenched very tight or he would try to hold the tops of them.
 When we got home I tried to give him a bag of groceries to carry into the house and he told me he would have to come back for it because he already had a handful. :)

Shadows

Bob has found his shadow. Its a little like the man in the mirror that he talks to.  He waves at it. He does things a child would do.  He takes steps and giggles as his shadow does too.  He flaps his arms like a bird then soars like a plane.
The sun was shining bright when we went to the store a few days ago. The people in the parking lot received quite a show from "The Shadow".   :)

Frozen

This afternoon Bob and I made a quick trip to the grocery store to get a few odds and ends. Just as we were about done Bob froze in the aisle and refused to move. I said. " Come on Hon- lets go".  He refused to move and started glaring at me. I said " What's wrong?" No response. I reached out to take his hand and he jerked it away.
I thought Okay Fine. We'll just stand here and see what happens.
5 minutes later.. still not budging. I said..
 " Well this sucks"  He turned his head and looked at me. " I said "Our popsicles  are going to melt if we keep standing here."  All of a sudden-  he started walking again. I'm still not sure what that was all about but I'm sure glad I had gotten those popsicles.

BobMart

Sometimes I feel like Bob and I live in our own little bubble. People don't seem to really understand the trouble's we have or the things we struggle with day to day. Bobs memory slipping, was once the height of our concerns and now I almost miss those days because we struggle with so many other things, that it makes  "bad memory" look like a walk in the park.
 The last few months the boys and I have noticed a huge decline in his physical capabilities, his balance, and most of all his reasoning and ability to "understand". If you want him to look at something and you are pointing it out to him, he looks at your finger. You have to physically move his head in the direction you want him to look.
  We were on a pretty good roll there for a few days as we were going through his "collection of stuff" in the basement. Today he didnt seem to understand what we were doing and was constantly filling his pockets with little things and saying " I wonder how much they want for this?"... Guess he didn't realize he was shopping in his own basement--which the rest of us have now officially named " BobMart".

How You Do'in?

Today we went to the hardware store to pick up a few odds and ends. As I was looking for what I needed another gentlemen and his wife were shopping for something in the same aisle. Bob walked down to them and grabbed the guys hand and started shaking it.
He was saying-- " How you doing?- Havent seen you for awhile- You still working? etc etc.. I could tell from the look on the guys face that he didnt know who Bob was. But then again he had that look like he may be trying to "place" him... The man was very kind and just answered Bobs questions and said- " I'll see you later" as they left..
After they walked away I said to Bob-- " Who was that?"
Bob looked at me and said-- "That's our neighbor.. "    Then he said " Wasnt it?"
I said " Well I dont every recall seeing them before.."
LOL-- Wonder if that guy is still trying to figure out where he knows Bob from..

Are we there yet?

When I am driving Bob anywhere he is very impatient and fidgety. Constantly wanting to know How much further, or how much longer, or are we there yet.?
Today we went to a store that is 15 minutes from our house. Right next door is a most awesome Mexican Restaurant. ( I love Mexican food).
The minute we pulled away from the house Bob started in.. How much longer? Are we there yet? How far do we have to go? We've been driving forever!
I pulled up to the store and because it was busy I had to park a little further down in front of the Mexican restaurant.
Bob looked at the graphics on the sign and designs on the building and said.. I Knew it.. Now we are in Mexico. I hope you know how to get back home... I should have just stayed home.
Oy!

Bear Hugs

We shop at a Walmart near our home on a weekly basis. I also often take Bob there when the weather is really bad, just to walk, so we are not in the weather for our daily outing.
You know those Greeters they have at the door? The two or three different ones we have at our store are  very sweet elderly ladies who always talk to us. Bob has started stopping on our way out the door to give them "Bear Hugs". They get giddy and it makes him smile.. And it cracks me up-- It is so out of character for "Old Bob".  But it just seems to fit New Bob.

Be careful out there

Today it was sunny but the ground was still frozen solid. There was a layer of ice on the sidewalk, roads and everywhere snow was melting. Bob and I went to the store and ran a few errands and came home. I unloaded a few bags of groceries and was carrying them to the house. Old Bob would usually have done it all- carried the groceries to the house, unlocked the door and made sure the jeep was locked back up etc.. No more-- Now he gets out and goes to the door.
As I got all the groceries in my arms and was walking up the sidewalk to the house I slipped on the ice and fell. I was splayed out like a starfish on the sidewalk, groceries were everywhere. As I layed there assessing the damage, New Bob walked around me and went to the door-- There was no "are you okay" or "Let me help you up" or "Let me get the groceries that were scattered from hell to breakfast'. He walked around me and went to the door. He tried the knob and said-- "Its locked".
Um Yea-- I haven't made it that far yet. He stood there staring at me while I picked my soggy butt up of the ground and started picking up all of the groceries. As I got to the door I realized I didn't have my keys. I know I had them in my hand when I went "splat".. Great- So-- I spent another 30 minutes searching the snow for my keys. Finally found them--about half way out in the yard.
Got the door unlocked- the soggy groceries put away, and I sat down on a chair to peel off my soggy jeans. Bob Looked at me and said " You should be more careful out there"
Yea- Thanks Babe!

You are Here

I don't go to the Mall much these days. But in a desperate search for a few things I had been unable to find I thought-- "I'll try the mall"
It was freezing cold out and this would also give us somewhere to walk and get a little exercise  without us both freezing to death.
We got in the mall and after walking the length found one of those directory  maps telling you  the list of stores, with a map and a red arrow that says "You are here". I was half talking to myself and said okay- " it says "we are here" and I want to see this store over here...
Bob said-- I dont  think we should be here-- How the hell do "they" know where we are.. They must be watching us..

Happy New Year

This morning we went to the store and picked up a few odds and ends that were needed. Bob looked around at some of the decorations and tables set up with New Years Eve type decorations.
He said "whats this?"
I said "Tonight is New Years Eve"-- then not being sure he was understanding I asked "Do You remember what New years eve is?"  He said
"Its one of those nights you do one of those party things".
LOL- I dont really remember the last time he or I actually went to "one of those party things".
I imagine our evening will be much like all of our other evenings- Bob will go to bed at 9:00 or so--Chances are I will still be up beading or working on a design so I will "celebrate" the entry of 2014 alone-- This does not bother me- Really-- Just the thought of trying to "party" seems laughable anymore- But I would like to wish everyone a Very Happy New Year- I hope we all have a Fabulous 2014- or at least as good as it can be! Be Safe and Sane tonight if you are headed to " One of those party things".

Way Back When?

Today we hit the stores- Pharmacy first and then on to a few others to get the grandkids  xmas gifts. As we were shopping Bob picked up a Toy Tow Truck and said " Boy- I sure dont miss doing that- especially in the winter."
Me--Whats that Hon..
Bob-- Being a Tow Truck Driver
Me-- I didnt know you had done that--
Bob- Oh Yea-- I had to Quit thou- It caused a lot of problems with the other employees..
Me-- Oh-- Thats to bad--
Bob-- Yep-- they didnt like that I made a Million a year when they were still making minimum wage.
Me- I can only imagine
(Another job to add to Bobs resume...)

Stress and Distress

 My thoughts are jumbled. Either Bob is rubbing off on me or I am on "overload". Stress from the upcoming holidays, or maybe even just everyday things.  I need to go gift shopping but cant catch a minute alone and I hate dragging Bob from store to store anymore.
 I did do quite a bit of Online shopping but that also means standing in line for shipping. Another thing Bob doesnt do well and trusting him to just stay in the jeep while I am in there is not a good idea.
 I did get 100% of my customer orders filled and shipped so I am feeling pretty good about that.
 My Christmas tree is up, the house is decorated - Minus the outside lights this year.
This cold is kicking my rear so maybe I am just living in a Medicine fog right now --and  Maybe-- Just Maybe--I'll feel like super woman next week. Breathe Deep-- still 3 weeks to go- Plenty of Time!

Answer the Door

I needed to go to the store . I knew Son 2  would be swinging by any second so I left Bob home alone knowing that it would just be for  5 minutes..  I get home-- Son 2 is out in the yard and Bob has the deadbolts on the door locked- I unlocked the door and we went in and Bob was taking apart the door chime--

I said what are you doing-- he said--- this damn thing kept going off-- I am fixing it-- I said well  when it goes off-- dont you think you should look outside and see who is here?  Its a door bell.. Brian has been ringing the door bell.  He looks at me and says-- no its not-- its a fire alarm-- 

(And what about the knocking?) 

Son 2 has a key to the main locks-- he now also has a key to the deadbolts--

Rude People

 

I am not a mean or violent person- Yet Today-I got in an argument at a store. Not saying I started it-- but I did "finish" it.

We walked in and made the corner to grab a cart-- Bob-as always was following behind me.  We walk in- I head for the carts then started thinking I  can carry everything - so changed my mind-- Bob being behind me, stopped when I did

This Woman ( for lack of a better word)--  started yelling at Bob for "stopping" when they were people behind him.  ( Like he has eyes in the back of his head?) She said " What the %$@  is your Problem Old  #$%^-  .

I turned around and looked at her and said " Excuse us, he has Dementia- Sometimes he just follows my lead- My Fault- "

She screams " Maybe You ought to leave him home in a %$#$%&$ cage-

I looked her square in the eye-- and said _ Chill out -- I'm sure they'll make you another donut if you dont get to the shelf before the last one is gone- 

(wow-- did that just come out of my mouth?- did I say that out loud?) -  She says-- What the  &%$#  did you say?--  I said- You're hard of hearing too--? well so is the senior citizen you were just $%^&*&^%  yelling at..  

(Someone swears at me-- I automatically start swearing back)- 

She says-- I didnt mean anything by what I said-- and starts backing away from me

 I said "really ? because half the %$^&*%$#  store heard you yelling at him."(One guy even started yelling at her that she was the one that belonged at home in a cage-)

By then the Door Greeter was trying to stand between us--  I took Bob by the arm and we  started walking away- She yelled at me-- You better walk away-- I turned around and smiled sweetly and said--  Dont make me go all Spider monkey on you $%^$# -- A bunch of people started laughing-- she got really red in the face and then she slammed her purse down in her cart--- it tipped out everywhere-- LOL--  AND- I am happy  ashamed to say- That made me deliriously  happy! 

Bob and I walked away-- Bob says-- Sheesh-- what did she do to piss you off like that-- He hadn't understood any of it--  I just looked at him and said- " she said I had a big ass"  He says " well shes one to talk-- LOL-- that was it-- he didnt understand what  was going on at all-- 

What the hell is wrong with people? Well I know what was wrong with me-- She got on my last nerve! The one that has been holding by a thread- It snapped.

Son 1 came over this afternoon and I was telling him about it and he said-- Mom- you are a better person then me because I dont think I would have let that go--  

Bob looks at Son 1 and says-- You should see your mom when someone tells her she has a big ass--- she is pretty scary... Now how did he remember that? LOL

Shopping- What a Hassle

I am no longer comfortable leaving Bob home alone- even for a few minutes let alone long enough to go grocery shopping.  So Bob has to go with me- which he doesn't mind. But me? Not so fond of it.
I have to watch the man like a hawk. He adds things to the cart when I am not looking, and here lately he is putting things in his coat pockets that he wants.
The last trip to the store at the checkout ( knowing that he now pockets things)  I casually checked his pockets- One Idaho Spud candy bar- and one package of 1" wood screws. Both of which I put on the Conveyor belt to be paid for-- I wanted  No chance at all of a security guy coming at us at the door- (Although sitting in on that "grilling" could be more then just a little entertaining, I'm picturing a "who's on first scenario") But-- Like I said-- Better to pay for Pocket items!
Now for all of the "extras" that were in the cart- (that I didnt add-)
One Tube of "Snail shells"   ( must be planning on having a little escargot?) gag!
1 package of birthday Cake decorations ( Those really hard crunchy letter thing-a-ma-bobs)
1 dobber of White shoe polish- (Huh?)
I can of Spaghettio's ( weird-- but ok)
and a book about Breastfeeding  (What the HELL?)

I let him keep the spaghettio's ---the rest of it --well-- lets just say --they were left behind to end up in another persons cart.
When we got home Bob was helping me put the groceries away and he saw the can of Spaghettio's and he said- " Aren't the boys getting a little old for these?
Oh-- and the Idaho Spud Candy bar?-- I was informed that he HATES those when we got home-- and the wood screws?--well why would you buy these-- we have a great big coffee can full of these in the basement--
Next time just ask me if you need some-
OY!

Flowers From the Heart

Yesterday we went grocery shopping. As we were shopping Bob said-- do I have money in my account-- I said yes- (I always have money in his old account just in case he wants something if he is out with one of the boys or something. )

Anyway-- he says-- Do I have money in my account-? I said yes-- why? He said You have been a good wife- I am going to buy you a present-- LOL-- I told him to save his money because I would probably bite his head off later for doing something stupid.. He said-- well that's still being a good wife.. Anyway-- he bought me some flowers. Back when he was working he would stop and get flowers to bring home to me a few times a week.. My Old Bob made me  all teary eyed yesterday! This morning he walked past the flowers and said- "Did I buy those for you"  I said you sure did-- he got a huge smile and said- " Good for me"...

Those are mine

This morning we made a run to Walmart to grab a few shipping supplies. Bob always likes to go back to the Sportings good dept so we made the normal rounds.  While back there he saw a pair of Camoflauge gloves and said  Those are Mine- How did they get here? I said- those aren't yours Hon- but you have some at home just like them. To which he replied- Well if they think I am paying for them twice they are out of their minds..
Oy!