HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM & DAD

Today my Mom and Dad celebrate

their 69th wedding anniversary.

She was 18 and he was 21 fresh out of the navy
and working in the automobile industry.
1947

Two years later my brother, Billy Jr. came along,
then my sister Susan the following year.

Five years later I was born, then Rick in 1963.

Although I found a few pictures of Mom

attending some of her sisters at their weddings,

I did not have one of

Mom and Dad's day.

Dad tells me they decided to travel up

to Toledo Ohio where there was

no wait to marry. 
They were both living

in Michigan at the time.

Mom is from there, Dad is a southern boy

born and raised.

They've seen the family through four weddings

and two divorces. Max and Kate

are their two grandchildren.

Good people, hardworking, honest.

I count it a privilege to care for them now.

Happy Anniversary

Mom and Dad

THANKSGIVING 2016

 Well, another Thanksgiving has come and gone.

I can't remember the last one I spent with my

Mom and Dad.

I've been in retail for the past 30 plus years

so "Black Friday"

has kept me confined and away.

The folks aren't really into holidays anymore,

I guess that ship has sailed.
It was still very special.

 Most people take a nap after the dinner

but my dear sweet Mom

couldn't seem to wait.

 Even though the meal was extremely easy,

it kept me fussing in the kitchen most of the day.

 We sat down to eat about 3:00.

 Everyone enjoyed it

 and had their fill.

Happy Thanksgiving

to family and friends.

ACID REFLUX FIX

I'm feeling fairly comfortable in my routine

and care concerning my Mom.

She has dementia.

Now it's time to focus on my Dad.

For a ninety year old, he's in pretty good shape,

except for his acid reflux which seems to be

getting steadily worse.

Over the Memorial Day weekend,

he gave me quite a scare.

Bad stomach ache, shortness of breath,

lack of balance, and a few other ailments.

Got him to see a doctor, who sent him into the

hospital for test...

then nothing.

The test they ran showed nothing to be concerned with.

What do you do with that?

I was determined to find some help for him.

Was I adding to his pain with my care giving?

Was I feeding him the wrong food,

or too much of it.

I read countless articles and watched

lots of videos,

the one thing they seemed to have in common was

raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar.

That's where I started.

I didn't want to go overboard so we started

with one tablespoon in a warm glass of water

once or twice a day.

He was feeling better in three days.

My reading also brought me to purchasing

some digestive enzymes.

He's feeling better still.

My last purchase was a wedge pillow to help him sleep.

It keeps his chest above his stomach

so the acid is less likely to

flow back up.

This morning Dad told me that his back

was even feeling better.

We are trying to eat healthy,

with smaller meals,

staying away from spicy and fatty foods.

I plan on continuing my research

and making more changes

as I can.

As a footnote, let me say that every change I've made

came with protest and distrust

and not just a little.

I also read that a "colon cleanse" was a good idea,

that's a whole other post.

OCTOBER WALKS

 I'm loving this cooler weather

and so I've been taking advantage

with daily walks.

I also suffer from "SAD",

so sunshine is a must.

 The house is surrounded by fields and farmland and

so I've started walking around the perimeters of

some of the many soybean fields.

 Some color change, but not much yet.

I'm keeping my eyes peeled

for anything that might work

in my fall and winter decorations.

One of our neighbors recently moved out.

We referred to him as

"the bird man"

because he loved birds and

kept many.

Homing pigeons, geese, a variety of chickens

to name a few.

I scavenged these lovely feathers from his yard.
My crafting wheels are turning.

In fact I've already put some of my finds to use.

Yesterday I stumbled upon this

little pond, two fields over.

I'm slowing learning my way around

and loving the adventure.

FRANCE

It's been two months since my last post.

In that time, my sister Susan, Kate my niece, and I

have traveled to France and back.

It was an extraordinary trip!

 In Paris we managed to meet my younger

brother Rick and his lovely wife, Terry

for a few days.

We wandered the streets of Paris

soaking up the sights and atmosphere,

stopping whenever we could at

one of the numerous outdoor cafes

for a coffee.

After saying farewell to the city of lights

and family we journeyed to

Avignon and the surrounding areas.

Everything here was so picturesque  and charming.

(a couple from Australia  we toured with)

 It was just magical...the

sights,

sounds,

and of course food and drink!

I can hardly believe this is my life.

Lastly we traveled to the land of the

rich and famous.

Monaco, Monte Carlo and

Nice.

This was the view from our hotel in Nice.

It was just a short walk to Old Town.

Kate couldn't resist

playing in the giant fountain

right outside our doorway.

Home again with a treasure chest
of memories that I can
pull out when life gets me down.

ROAD TRIP

We tried out Mom's new wheels today.

Loaded up and headed out after breakfast.

Walmart bound.

Time again for another haircut.

Boy, was it easier that using the walker

plus we have a "Disability" placket

that allowed us to park right up front.

What a style icon!

DAILY LIFE

 It's been almost two weeks since I posted.

I could tell you nothing has happened,

but that would be a lie.

Much has happened, just nothing BIG.

We continue to watch our garden grow.

 The butterflies are out in force.

Now that the butterfly weed is growing

back in our side fields, we see

more and more of them everyday.

 We wait with anticipation, on our

cantaloupe vines.

 The zinnia seeds I planted in the Spring

have erupted and not only are we enjoying them

 so are the goldfinch.

My little patio niche!

I'm just loving it.

Coffee in the morning and

wine in the evening.

"Nancy Time"

 Dad still remains obstinate to taking it slow

and playing it safe.

He throws caution to the wind,

he's gonna do what he's gonna do.

Lastly, we've got new wheels!

Doc gave Mom a prescription for a

new wheel chair.

Now we can go out and about

"in style".