Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Vacation

I didn't realize it had been so long since I posted here. Sorry about that -- not really much happening I guess. I've been trying to stay ahead of the curve with the Memory Walk stuff and so far I've been doing o.k. with it. We are only a few months away from it and we still have lots to do.

We'll be vacationing next week at Hilton Head and I'm looking forward to getting away. It has been at least 10 years since we have been down there. I don't really know why I should be looking forward to it as much as I am -- since I used to look forward to vacations to get away from work! I guess I'm interested in a change of scenery.

Alan has promised he is going to redo this blog site before he leaves for Stanford. He is going to add a place you can add comments to it. I'm not sure that is a good thing or not! Sometimes the comments might not be too good -- in fact, a few weeks ago a lady told me that "the only reason you speak out about your Alzheimer's is so that people will feel sorry for you". That upset me terribly and I haven't told anyone about that until now. I hope that isn't what everyone thinks because if it is I need to stop now!

Friday, June 17, 2005

Summer

The heat has continued here in the south. But, it looks as if it is going to cool down to the lower or mid 80's by the weekend. Alan and I have been playing some golf, I'm getting pretty frustrated with it all. Can't seem to find my swing. But, I guess I just have to play through it.

It has been nice to have Alan home to help me run errands and the like. It is hard for me to do on my own sometimes, and having someone with me really helps. I'm going to miss that when he is gone -- he's spoiling me by being home!

We still have lots we want to do this summer and although it is only the middle of June it seems like there won't be enough summer to get everything done. I guess that always seems to be the case though doesn't it?

Friday, June 10, 2005

Hot Week

Well, we jumped from spring to mid summer with the temperatures this week. It has been in the mid 80's and pretty humid. But, despite the heat Alan and I managed to get in some golf and tennis. I keep thinking it is going to help me shed these extra pounds, but so far, I've just sweated a lot!

On Monday, I went to Atlanta to do an interview/q&a type thing with Col. Nimrod MacNair (Mac) and Dr. Neil Shulman (best known for being Doc Hollywood, being portrayed by Michael J. Fox in the movie -- he is also an author). Neil's mother passed away a few months ago with Alzheimer's and Mac's wife suffers from the disease. In many discussions over the last few months with these gentlemen and the director of the Alzheimer's Association, we realized it is important to talk about the disease in "not so frightening" terms -- as Neil uses humor as a technique in teaching medicine as well as his writings. So, we had some fun and taped about an hour's worth of material. The Alzheimer's Assn. is hopefully going to be able to edit in some form that it will be useful to those suffering from the disease as well as those that are caring for their loved ones.

Mac is also organizing a fund raiser for Alzheimer's in the community he is currently living in. Heather Whitestone (Miss America 1995 (I think) who is hearing impaired) is going to be the featured speaker. She talks about overcoming diversity in her speeches. She and Mac have done some other motivational type programs in the past.

I know I haven't posted for awhile but I wanted to put something down. It seems like I am staying busy -- it is nice to be able to spend some time with Alan before he goes to California. His girlfriend, Jennifer, is in Taiwan for a month. She has been sending some beautiful pictures back as well as an account of her trip. Her parents are from Taiwan and she hasn't been over to visit her extended family for about six years. I'm sure she is seeing a lot of new things. What a wonderful opportunity.

Thursday, June 02, 2005

Staying Busy and Not Staying Busy

I feel like I am staying busy all the time, but then when I go back and look at what I did when I said I was "busy" it doesn't amount to much. The fatigue seems to be getting to me more and more -- just trying to concentrate so much and stay on task. I think that is why I sometimes don't do things because it just takes too much effort.

I have had some bad days recently. I forgot how to get home one day and had to call my husband for help. I get more confused around the house and feel as if I am forgetting more things. I try to stay as focused as I can.

I have enjoyed being with Alan this summer although our time is limited with him working in Atlanta a few days a week. But he still will "hang out" with me -- we went to play golf a few times last week and we generally enjoy each other's company. I guess I should speak for myself -- I enjoy his company anyway!

He is anxiously awaiting his trip to California and steadily looking at all the things he has to work out. His girlfriend is in Taiwan for a month visiting her family and when she returns she too will be looking at what needs to be done for her move to the west coast.

It has been raining here for days and that gets to be a little depressing at times. But, hopefully, the sun will come out tomorrow.