Hi there.
Alice had a busy day again today with lots of visitors. Hers was the baby room today! Great-grandson Jaxxon (5 months) visited with his mom, Breanna, early in the day and great-nephew Lindsey (Tate, 1 yr) visited after supper. She described Jaxxon as 'placid' but Lindsey was anything but! Happy and energetic, he kept her entertained by stealing her new pink llama blanket and putting it over his head. He was eager to snuggle into bed with her, but as his snuggling is quite exuberant, we discouraged him from that. He re-arranged the furniture and inspected her clothing cupboard. He is quite eager to walk and was toddling around the room holding onto the furniture and any available people. He's such a happy boy--Alice smiled the whole time he was there. And his parents! I'm sure she was smiling at Kevin and Deb, too!
She was quiet for much of the time when I was in, content to listen to the conversation around her. She interjected occasionally, but mostly lay with her eyes closed. I asked her during a quiet moment if she wanted so much company. She said yes, she enjoys it when people come to visit. I asked if she wanted to rest more (thinking the closed eyes were a sign of wanting a nap) and she noted that she rests 'enough.'
Okay. Straight from the horse's mouth. She likes having visitors and enjoys your company. Don't be afraid to come in and chat with Alice and whomever else is there.
She seemed tired again today. Speech was slow and infrequent, but she managed to teach us something: some dogs drool, depending on what they eat. I think we were talking about chronically drooling breeds and eating dog food vs. people food. I didn't know this before!
A new trend: Twice today she told me that my cousin Johnathon is graduating from high school tomorrow. Both times I corrected her, saying that our cousin Hannah is graduating tomorrow night. She agreed with me and added that Johnathon and his wife Mel were graduating, too. I wondered out loud if J & M were attending her graduation? Yes, she said, getting exasperated with me, and to get their own diplomas, too!
Hmmm....Johnathon is 31. And married. And, yes, he has finished high school already. So, it seems that Alice's cognition is slipping a bit. It was a bit unsettling not to be able to iron out the wrinkles in her version of things. She really stuck to her guns on it. So, eventually I just agreed with her and let it go. There is no sense in upsetting her over what is really just a detail. Although I'm not sure where Johnathon and Mel are going to get diplomas from St. Mary's DCVI to show her!
So, for those planning a visit, as ever, sooner is better than later. Come while she can still enjoy your company and stories--just maybe don't expect all of her details to make sense. Just agree with her and keep chatting. Or take a baby with you--they are a great distraction!
That's all for now. I'm heading back to Toronto in the morning for a chiropractor's appointment (it seems to help keep my migraines under a little bit of control, so I don't want to skip too many appointments) and to work this weekend. I'll be back here on Monday night or Tuesday of next week.
Take care of yourselves.
love, Robin.
Alice had a busy day again today with lots of visitors. Hers was the baby room today! Great-grandson Jaxxon (5 months) visited with his mom, Breanna, early in the day and great-nephew Lindsey (Tate, 1 yr) visited after supper. She described Jaxxon as 'placid' but Lindsey was anything but! Happy and energetic, he kept her entertained by stealing her new pink llama blanket and putting it over his head. He was eager to snuggle into bed with her, but as his snuggling is quite exuberant, we discouraged him from that. He re-arranged the furniture and inspected her clothing cupboard. He is quite eager to walk and was toddling around the room holding onto the furniture and any available people. He's such a happy boy--Alice smiled the whole time he was there. And his parents! I'm sure she was smiling at Kevin and Deb, too!
She was quiet for much of the time when I was in, content to listen to the conversation around her. She interjected occasionally, but mostly lay with her eyes closed. I asked her during a quiet moment if she wanted so much company. She said yes, she enjoys it when people come to visit. I asked if she wanted to rest more (thinking the closed eyes were a sign of wanting a nap) and she noted that she rests 'enough.'
Okay. Straight from the horse's mouth. She likes having visitors and enjoys your company. Don't be afraid to come in and chat with Alice and whomever else is there.
She seemed tired again today. Speech was slow and infrequent, but she managed to teach us something: some dogs drool, depending on what they eat. I think we were talking about chronically drooling breeds and eating dog food vs. people food. I didn't know this before!
A new trend: Twice today she told me that my cousin Johnathon is graduating from high school tomorrow. Both times I corrected her, saying that our cousin Hannah is graduating tomorrow night. She agreed with me and added that Johnathon and his wife Mel were graduating, too. I wondered out loud if J & M were attending her graduation? Yes, she said, getting exasperated with me, and to get their own diplomas, too!
Hmmm....Johnathon is 31. And married. And, yes, he has finished high school already. So, it seems that Alice's cognition is slipping a bit. It was a bit unsettling not to be able to iron out the wrinkles in her version of things. She really stuck to her guns on it. So, eventually I just agreed with her and let it go. There is no sense in upsetting her over what is really just a detail. Although I'm not sure where Johnathon and Mel are going to get diplomas from St. Mary's DCVI to show her!
So, for those planning a visit, as ever, sooner is better than later. Come while she can still enjoy your company and stories--just maybe don't expect all of her details to make sense. Just agree with her and keep chatting. Or take a baby with you--they are a great distraction!
That's all for now. I'm heading back to Toronto in the morning for a chiropractor's appointment (it seems to help keep my migraines under a little bit of control, so I don't want to skip too many appointments) and to work this weekend. I'll be back here on Monday night or Tuesday of next week.
Take care of yourselves.
love, Robin.
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