As Usual....

Yup, as usual, I spoke too soon!  Weather back to "normal" here in beautiful Michigan.  Let's see - so far today we have seen a little snow, a little frost, a bunch of wind, buckets of rain, earth shaking thunder and lightning and hail.  Yup, that seems about right for March.  I talked to my Mom yesterday.  She said it was 82 in Oklahoma and her car air conditioning wasn't working.  Just wait till she gets back!  At least the pollen is down and I can breathe.  Oh, and no tornadoes!

I was looking at the community college class list the other day and they are offering an online class on spiffing up your blog.  Since I started this I've been paying a lot more attention to other blogs and how nice they are with all the linkies and blinkies and all.  Plus, I understand that there is a way to put pictures where you want them instead of just uploading them and seeing where they show up!  So, think I will take the class and maybe fairly soon this will start looking a lot better.  I love the computer, but was not raised on a computer like kids are now and I still feel a little intimidated by all the web stuff.  But I'm willing to learn.

In the back of my mind, I have a "bucket list."  Things that I would like to do when this situation at home changes.  Right now everything I do goes through the filter of what can K do? or how will this effect him and his stability?  K has been telling everyone lately that we are going down to Gulf Shores Alabama.  I totally understand this - I would LOVE to get away for a week and enjoy some new scenery. And shrimp!!!  But I took him to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, another of our favorite spots, last fall and it didn't work out so well.  As soon as we got there, he wanted to come home.  He wanted to stop at Hershey, so we did.  He was in the factory store about 15 minutes, didn't want to do the tour or any thing else.  Bought some chocolate and started home.  And he argued all the way home that I was going the wrong direction.  Couldn't understand that all the signs said West - yes,  he read them, yes, he knew what they said but obviously all the signs were wrong and I should turn around and head the right way - at every exit.  Gulf Shores, Alabama is an 18 hour non-stop drive.  No way am I going to drive to Gulf Shores.  I've tried to compromise with driving down to Nashville and looking around where we used to live and work.  He'll agree and then the next thing I know he is telling some one about our upcoming trip to Gulf Shores.  You know, I do want to do with him the things that would make him happy.  He really doesn't know what that might be and so he wants to relive enjoyable times from the past.  He has no comprehension of the fact that these things no longer are things that he really wants to do.

K has always been a golf fanatic.  I try every day to suggest that he go out and play at a course he has enjoyed in the past, but he always has an excuse.  I think he is afraid he won't be able to play golf.  I so hope he is wrong.  I need those golf days - when he is occupied with something for a few hours. 

So, anyway, back to the bucket list.  Ever since I saw J's pictures of swimming with the sharks, that has looked like a good idea to me.  Maybe I could start with dolphins, but still, it looked great!  I'd like to take a zip line somewhere.  A Can Am Roadster is also starting to have a real appeal to me!  If I knew I wouldn't break down somewhere, I'd like to put a Teardrop trailer  behind the Buick and visit National Parks.  I don't know what I'll do, but you know, it is fun to think about crazy, fun things to do.  Maybe I ought to start by buying a lottery ticket for that $620,000,000.  Half a billion dollars in one fell swoop!  Wouldn't that be something.

On a more serious note - K's neurologist has started him on Namenda.  It is the first med that they have seen positive results with for FTD.  It won't slow the disease, but it might help with some of the behavior issues.  K was on Aricept before he was diagnosed and I actually think it made him worse.  I'm so grateful that our insurance is picking up the tab on this one.  So far we have been incredibly fortunate with our insurance.  Hope we can do as well after Medicare kicks in in August.

Gotta go.  One last good thing in our house - The guy I hired to take care of the yard this year came yesterday!  The yard is mowed, trimmed, edged and blown clean!!  Yes!!!  What a relief that I don't have to worry about the yard this summer!  And he does snow removable as well!  Guess I really did hit the lottery!