Update to post from yesterday.....We were able to post the ping pong video :)
Check it out in yesterday's posting below!
Monday, August 20, 2012
Sunday, August 19, 2012
August 2012 with Kathy
Good evening to the millions following Kathy's blog,
We have been trying to post a video of mom with no luck. Forgive us we are still new to 'blogging'. How long are you going to let me get away with excuse?
Friday, August 10th, Mr. James flew into town and was able to spend a number of hours with mom (and me). We 'rocked' the house and gave Aegis a new definition of Reilly Pride. Jim and mom were engulfed in an exciting battle of Friday Afternoon Ping Pong which I was privy to witness. The table was 'hot' and the action was intense. There is this nice big room that has 'the table' along with a crisp 42" Flat screen and a large table with seating for ten. We flipped on the 'tele', SportCenter of course, and sat down for a few games of Gin and Gin Rummy. The action again was overwhelming. A couple of walking tours ended out the evening and Jim and I left mom with her cohorts for the night.
James made a very observant statement that has stuck with me the past number of days. He said, "Who would of thought we could spend three hours with mom and not have her yell at us once". This simple statement cut to the bone. Mom, aside from her memory, is having the time of her life; in her own mind, of course. She is almost always upbeat and eager to be on the move. It would be nice to watch a 2-hour movie with her, however, I don't believe that is happening very soon. She would have to really be into the movie.
Sunday, August 19th, I stopped in early (it has been over 100 degree the past fourteen days) and I wanted to press my luck by bringing in the baseball gloves and real, yes real, baseball for a morning of catch. We started across the street in an open parking area. It went off without a hitch, so we moved to the back courtyard at Aegis. Residents are 'stunned' at Kathy's muscle memory and ability to continue doing things like ping pong and 'catch'. It was a blast. Mom continually wanted to stop and get grandpa to join us. That would have been awesome, if at all, possible. For all of you who don't know, mom was the parent who most frequently took me, and Jim, out for 'catch' when we were learning to play baseball as young men. I wanted to return the favor.
I can only report that she is doing pretty darn well. Fitting in and enjoying the ride. And then forgetting it...
We have been trying to post a video of mom with no luck. Forgive us we are still new to 'blogging'. How long are you going to let me get away with excuse?
Friday, August 10th, Mr. James flew into town and was able to spend a number of hours with mom (and me). We 'rocked' the house and gave Aegis a new definition of Reilly Pride. Jim and mom were engulfed in an exciting battle of Friday Afternoon Ping Pong which I was privy to witness. The table was 'hot' and the action was intense. There is this nice big room that has 'the table' along with a crisp 42" Flat screen and a large table with seating for ten. We flipped on the 'tele', SportCenter of course, and sat down for a few games of Gin and Gin Rummy. The action again was overwhelming. A couple of walking tours ended out the evening and Jim and I left mom with her cohorts for the night.
James made a very observant statement that has stuck with me the past number of days. He said, "Who would of thought we could spend three hours with mom and not have her yell at us once". This simple statement cut to the bone. Mom, aside from her memory, is having the time of her life; in her own mind, of course. She is almost always upbeat and eager to be on the move. It would be nice to watch a 2-hour movie with her, however, I don't believe that is happening very soon. She would have to really be into the movie.
Sunday, August 19th, I stopped in early (it has been over 100 degree the past fourteen days) and I wanted to press my luck by bringing in the baseball gloves and real, yes real, baseball for a morning of catch. We started across the street in an open parking area. It went off without a hitch, so we moved to the back courtyard at Aegis. Residents are 'stunned' at Kathy's muscle memory and ability to continue doing things like ping pong and 'catch'. It was a blast. Mom continually wanted to stop and get grandpa to join us. That would have been awesome, if at all, possible. For all of you who don't know, mom was the parent who most frequently took me, and Jim, out for 'catch' when we were learning to play baseball as young men. I wanted to return the favor.
I can only report that she is doing pretty darn well. Fitting in and enjoying the ride. And then forgetting it...
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Quick Follow-up to last post
Hi,
Mom's Dr's appointment went well. Her 'vitals' are awesome (better than some of us 30 years younger than her), and she was in good spirits at Kaiser. Dr. Burke (Mom's Primary Care Dr.) authorized a Pneumonia and Shingles Vaccine for mom which we did during the visit. I have a much different appreciation for Kaiser since being involved with mom these past few years. They genuinely seem to care at all levels. Up until taking mom, I was always afraid of Kaiser, but they are very good.
Jim is coming to town next week and we are planning an outing at a Park, with Chester and Jeannette. We will be able to post some new pictures at that time.
All the best,
Bill and Jim
Mom's Dr's appointment went well. Her 'vitals' are awesome (better than some of us 30 years younger than her), and she was in good spirits at Kaiser. Dr. Burke (Mom's Primary Care Dr.) authorized a Pneumonia and Shingles Vaccine for mom which we did during the visit. I have a much different appreciation for Kaiser since being involved with mom these past few years. They genuinely seem to care at all levels. Up until taking mom, I was always afraid of Kaiser, but they are very good.
Jim is coming to town next week and we are planning an outing at a Park, with Chester and Jeannette. We will be able to post some new pictures at that time.
All the best,
Bill and Jim
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Summer, somber, days.....
Greetings to those who follow-up on mom,
Jim (Jimmy to family, James to Co-workers and 'brother' to me), visited with mom on Tuesday for a couple of hours. They enjoyed a game of scrabble and multiple walks around the facility. As is customary, Jim spent much time putting back pictures on the walls that mom keeps taking them down everytime we leave. Please feel free to send me 'framed pictures' (that you are willing to lose) if you would like me or Jim to put on the wall. Jim was also, was kind enough to, bring some treats for mom which she enjoyed.
I showed up during the last few minutes of Jim's visit (as he was cleaning the room), and found mom walking the hallways. I asked her who was visiting with her and she said, Bill Morry (?sp). I pressed her and she could not remember that Jim was right down the hall. When I said Jim is here, she said he was not there. This day mom could tell Jim that Ella was his daughter but could not remember Jackson.
This is a good facility for a person in mom's condition. People say 'hi' to mom constantly,by her name, and she fires back. There is social interaction which makes it comfortable. She is safe and that is most important to everyone. Her memory is going away and there is nothing we can do about that. Jim and I are preparing ourselves for the inevitable day when she can't remember our names.
On a side note, we have a family living in mom's house on Woodgrove Lane. They seem very nice, although they are English and we won't hold that against them, I guess. We emphasized to the Rental Agency that we wanted a nice family to 'keep up the Woodgrove Tradition' and add to the neighborhood.
I will be escorting mom to her first appointment with her Primary Care Physician today at lunch. If anything comes out of it that I think you all need to know I will post.
All the best,
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Bill
Jim (Jimmy to family, James to Co-workers and 'brother' to me), visited with mom on Tuesday for a couple of hours. They enjoyed a game of scrabble and multiple walks around the facility. As is customary, Jim spent much time putting back pictures on the walls that mom keeps taking them down everytime we leave. Please feel free to send me 'framed pictures' (that you are willing to lose) if you would like me or Jim to put on the wall. Jim was also, was kind enough to, bring some treats for mom which she enjoyed.
I showed up during the last few minutes of Jim's visit (as he was cleaning the room), and found mom walking the hallways. I asked her who was visiting with her and she said, Bill Morry (?sp). I pressed her and she could not remember that Jim was right down the hall. When I said Jim is here, she said he was not there. This day mom could tell Jim that Ella was his daughter but could not remember Jackson.
This is a good facility for a person in mom's condition. People say 'hi' to mom constantly,by her name, and she fires back. There is social interaction which makes it comfortable. She is safe and that is most important to everyone. Her memory is going away and there is nothing we can do about that. Jim and I are preparing ourselves for the inevitable day when she can't remember our names.
On a side note, we have a family living in mom's house on Woodgrove Lane. They seem very nice, although they are English and we won't hold that against them, I guess. We emphasized to the Rental Agency that we wanted a nice family to 'keep up the Woodgrove Tradition' and add to the neighborhood.
I will be escorting mom to her first appointment with her Primary Care Physician today at lunch. If anything comes out of it that I think you all need to know I will post.
All the best,
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Sunday, July 8, 2012
It is very 'hot' in Southern California. 100 degrees F, give or take. Jeannette and I entertained Kathy (mom) for a Mexican lunch fiesta on Sunday afternoon (July 8th) at our home. Jeannette created a low fat turkey and corn soft taco with spanish rice and black beans. Delicious! Mom enjoyed the chips and salsa to excess and we all enjoyed sun-tea together. For those who have not seen our house (lately or never) here are a few clues to our living conditions.
Mom is still quite aware of her environment. However, she continues to think I am taking her to see her parents. I wish I could. Her room at assisted living is empty of the pictures we continually put back on the walls. Some are missing and some are hidden. Mom is a bit of a petty thief, as I believe I have mentioned in past postings. There is always something new in her room that appears to be someone else's. She meanders the hallways but on the past few visits she is always glad to see me and tells us mostly good things about her daily doings.
On each visit, I run through a battery of question and answer items, usually while we are walking. Mom still remembers most family members but, at times, needs assistance. She will usually get the President and the Governer of California, but not always, and she never gets Biden. It is difficult to watch this happen to our mother, but we are glad to be participating, as best we can, through this time of her life.
All the best to Everyone....
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