Sticky Situation

My "Mr Fix It" has been at it again. Yesterday we were doing little odds and ends around the property and when we were done Bob took a handful of tools to the basement work bench.  A screwdriver, a hammer and a pry bar.
He was not down there long. Maybe 3 minutes tops.
 This morning I went downstairs to the laundry room and walked past the work bench. I saw a bottle of Gorilla glue sitting open on the bench. My First thought was " Oh god--please --NO...
 If you ever used Gorilla Glue-you know what I am saying-- If you have not..lets just say that this Glue is Magical.. It will hold the wings on  a Jet plane going warp speed.. Okay- Maybe not.. but this stuff expands and STICKS.
 I'm not sure exactly what Bob was doing.. and he cant remember.. but.. the hammer is glued to the basement floor.. and the screwdriver is glued inside the vise on the bench.
 And me- thinking I am super woman.. Kicked the hammer on the floor to "free" it from captivity.  YEEEOOOWWWWW.  That thing did not budge. Nor did the vise. I will need a Jack hammer.. I would try the Pry bar.. but it is glued to the Bench.

"To DO List"

Our, Or maybe I should say my last few days have been jam packed with activity. I am trying to get some things done that are on my "To Do" list as well as care for Bob, work- (still need that money rolling in), keep the house in order and keep up with my garden and canning
  Sometimes being a property owner sucks. Don't get me wrong,  I am glad I don't have rent or a mortgage anymore but the amount of time and money I am spending on home and property repairs seems to be almost as much, or maybe even more then the darn Mortgage payment.
 Now that I have the basement done, its time to move outdoors to the fence on the back of the property. It has to be replaced before winter. I bought the Fence posts, and the quickrete to set them in.  Now I need to get the supplies for the rebuilding of the gates and the rest of the fence boards and wood.. Then come the hard part- digging out the old fence posts that are set in with concrete.. NOT looking forward to this.  Bob tries to help but as much as my Old "Mr Fix" tries he cant seem to grasp the concept of what needs to be done. Which is pretty sad when I think about how many fences he built for his customers over the years.    Oh well,  with perseverance and hard work- this too we will get done.   Thank goodness I have help from Brian. ( Son 2)

Steamed

Bob used to be such a gentleman. He opened doors to cars and buildings. He held my hand as we crossed streets. If he saw me carrying anything even a little awkward or heavy he would rush to take it from me.  He was very complimentary and empathetic. He was my Knight- My Hero.
 Now as our battle with Dementia marches on Bob rarely helps with anything. If we come home with a car load of groceries he walks straight to the door instead of helping. He waits for me to open the door for him.  When we take the garbage out he watches as I carry it it all. He watches me clean house and if I give him a chore to do he starts it but never finishes it.  Today I was doing some pretty heavy duty house cleaning and tried to engage Bob enough to help so I could at least keep an eye on him. Every time I turned around he was where I needed to be, doing "nothing". I dont know why I find this all so irritating.  But I do. I finally told him to please just sit down and watch TV so I could get done. I parked the TV on the outdoor channel and there he sat while I cleaned. I know I should try harder to keep him engaged and helping-- but some days- I just dont have it in me. The more steam he loses- the more steamed I become. I know its not his fault. I think I am tired.. I'll try harder tomorrow.......I hate this disease.

Vinegar

Vinegar- The ultimate product - because it has so many uses. Bob used it not long ago to clean something..In the middle of the front yard.. Unfortunately- Vinegar is also apparently the ultimate grass killer as I now have a giant dead patch in the grass.. Sooooooo- if you need a great natural grass killer.. I'd suggest a jug of this here vinegar... a little dab will do ya...  :(

Frame up

We have had a wall in the hallway that is was covered with family pictures. Nieces, nephews, kids,  Bob's sisters, brother etc.. The last few days Bob has been complaining about "those people" staring at him.   He took the pictures off the wall and stacked them in the bedroom. After he went to bed I took the pictures and hung them back on the wall. Next day--same thing.. He took them down-- After he went to bed- I put them back.
Today while I took a shower he removed the pictures from the frames and tore them up.
OY!

Mr Fix it

Back before Bob's diagnosis he could fix just about anything. Now-- Not so much. He breaks things, loses things, destroys things but rarely fixes things anymore.

I received some literature from the doctor and also from the Alzheimer's Association. It say's the average cost a  family can expect to spend on a patient with Alzheimer's is approximately $175,000.

I dont think the average cost is including all of the the stuff I've had to replace or pay to fix since Bob's cognitive impairment started.

Today I threw away an electric razor that was in a Bazillion pieces- a can opener that the blades had been pried off of and a flashlight that had the spring ripped off of the base.

Bob looked at the 3 items laying in the garbage can and said "Those things have too many extra parts"