We Live in a Pretty Place

Little Cottonwood Canyon September 30, 2012

Dorie - errrr I mean Norma

 

My sister and I are tag-team tending to my mom as she goes through the stages of Alzheimer’s.  Sometimes it can be incredibly frustrating to spend time with her.  The "looping" stories - how many times can you hear about how she first saw the mountains?, the forgotten appointments - really?  I just told you we were going to the dentist, the financial issues - yes, Mom, you do have money.  I just put forty dollars in your wallet.  I promise myself I'll be positive, I really do.  But often, in the face of the repeated stories and jobs made more difficult because of her "help," I'm challenged to keep that promise.  Yeah, sometimes I'm not my best self.  I have to remember that:

• Despite the fact that many Alzheimer's patients become cranky and even combative, Mom has stayed remarkably pleasant and kind.
• She has been able to make some good friends at the assisted living center where she now lives.  She's even learned their names.
•  There is still plenty of money in her accounts to care for her for several years to come.  What a blessing that her finances allow for good care.
• The repeated stories are worse when we're alone.  Around new people and new situations she's less likely to "loop."
• She's agreeable.  I spent much of the summer taking her to various dentist and doctor appointments to get her caught up.  She would happily go along with me even though she had no idea where we were going or for what.
• And, like Dorie, she might have extreme short-term memory problems, but she's also extremely optimistic.  She tells everyone that she's doing just fine.  And her memory is great!

So I'll reinvest in some patience and try to enjoy what I have left of the mom I knew.  I guess I need Dorie's advice - Just keep swimming...

TLAPD

Ahoy, all ye buccaneers and scallywags.  Wednesday be Talk Like a Pirate Day, matey.  Get yer landlubber tongue workin' on them piraty words 'n phrases.  

Anne Boleyn, JFK, and me

As of the beginning of this school year I have just about 1000 days left before I can get the heck out of Dodge (to mix a metaphor) and retire.  That includes summers and weekends.  Work days until the big EXIT?  About 555.  That doesn't sound so bad when I write it down.  But I'm guessing the actual doing will be a bit more challenging.

The kids this year are mostly adorable and I continue to enjoy teaching science, but Mike and I are both looking forward to moving somewhere new and exciting.  Something a little like this:

Happy new year, teachers, moms and dads, and kiddos.  Hope it's a great one for us all.

Standing at the counter at the Last Chance Cafe

About this time of year I remember that line from "You've Got Mail" about a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils.  There's something a little energizing about mid-August when every store you go to has a section devoted to "Back to School."  As a kid, I was lucky to have a mother who sewed.  She made nearly everything I wore.  But each August we'd troop down to JC Penneys or Sears and spend a hot (no air conditioning in stores those days) afternoon trying on store-bought dresses.  I remember getting one, my sister would get two.  That's because they were on sale three for ten dollars and she was the older.  So I'd be growing into the ones she picked by next fall.  I don't even remember being jealous at only getting the one, just eager for her to clear out her side of the closet so I could have last year's picks.

Yesterday Kimmi and I went bra shopping - a necessary pursuit, but not nearly as enjoyable as sale dresses at Sears.  I did manage to pick up a cute pair of Skechers, though.  I guess this means school really will start next week whether I want it to or not.  So today I'm making cookies, emailing friends, and relaxing on the couch - things I don't have so much time for when I'm working.  Happy Back-to-School to you all.

The Good, the Bad and the Kinda Stupid

 

I was at a workshop today which shall remain nameless...  There I realized that:
1.  I have been teaching a very long time.
2.  I have tried nearly all the fun things at least once.
3.  There are a boatload of younger teachers out there who haven't tried all the fun things yet.
4.  Because of where we live some people run workshops like ... um ... less secular meetings.
5.  I have very little patience watching other people's not very talented children sing and dance during a workshop, especially when it goes on for over 30 minutes.
6.  I am kind of critical in general and maybe should stop going to workshops.

But I did bring home some very nice rock samples.

Head 'em Up, Move 'em Out

Two hundred and eighty grades calculated.  Thirteen teachers contacted.  Hundreds of final papers graded and handed back (well mostly).  12 dozen pencils chewed up and spit out by grades K through 5.  And while the top of my desk is still dripping with unfinished projects and slimy science projects that need to be rinsed down the drain, school is nearly over.  What a relief!  See you next year, fourth graders.  (Glad you're on your way to middle school, fifth graders.)  Honey, I'm pretty sure that after Wednesday I won't be coming home late for a few weeks.