Cool

Don't know about where you live, but where we live it's warming up.  Matter of fact, we flipped the thermostat switch from "heat" to "cool."  Yeah baby.  In celebration I'm posting a summertime recipe here.  Enjoy!

Dear Old Dad

My dad was the best.  Nicest guy you'd ever meet.  Humble.  Full of love.  How I miss that guy.  He was 53 when we noticed his behavior was a bit strange.  He'd get lost coming home from work, not know how to get familiar places, and forget a lot of things.  Many doctor visits confirmed his diagnosis of Early Onset Alzheimer's. 

It was a difficult diagnosis to come to terms with, especially at such a young age.  Dad called it "Big Al."  He faced it courageously and became my bosom buddy so mom could keep working and provide their income.  For two years we did everything together.  Did I say everything?  I meant EVERYTHING.  It was awesome.  Two years I wouldn't give up for anything.  Difficult?  To say the least.  Rewarding?  More than you will ever know.  At 55 his battle ended and now my bosom buddy is my guardian angel.

Mom wrote a book about "Life with Big Al."  It was her greatest desire, still is, to help others who care for loved ones whose lives have been interrupted by a visit from Big Al.  The book is a diary of dad's decline and ways we coped with it.  It is also a grand expression of love. 

If someone you know or love is negotiating Alzheimer's, feel free to get in touch with the woman I am blessed to call "mom."  You can reach her, and order her book if you like, at her website. 

Just Keep Swimming

The hamster wheel I'm on is going about 90 mph these days.  Here is a list of activities I was involved in last week:

Primary activity
Young Women camp hike
Soccer game
Basketball game
City service project
Senior Ball
WalMart grocery shopping

And that was on Saturday alone.  The other days of the week keep me running just as fast.  In fact, there were a few times last week when I felt like tears were imminent.  It was at those times that these words came to my mind:  just keep swimming.  If you haven't seen Finding Nemo, you can see what I'm talking about here. 

Funny how a quote from a Disney movie came as my inspiration.  But it did.  And I did it, I just kept swimming.  And you can too.  And if you do, relief will come.  Prayers will be answered.  Hard work will pay off.  You will be strengthened.  I promise.

A Recommendation

I'm reading this book because my brother-in-law suggested it.  I think you might like it too.

Icing On The Cake

Sung to the tune "On The Good Ship Lollipop" chorus

He's a good kid,
Alex Clark
Journalism -
where he'll make his mark.
Off to B-Y-U
on a half-tuition scholarship!

I'm bursting with pride for my boy.

Rules To Live By

Lately I've been breaking all the rules, rules I've set for myself to live by.

One rule is bed by nine o'clock.  We're up at five, so early to bed is important.  Lately, little league is pushing back bed time.  I'm also tired of the bed time and feel like I ought to be able to stay up and see who gets voted off Celebrity Apprentice if I want to.  So there.

Another rule is nothing to drink after dinner.  Not talking alcohol here, just liquid in general.  My bladder won't tolerate it unless I want a three AM wake up call.  But I like to have a tall glass of milk with those cookies gosh dang it - so I'm drinking it down and paying the price. 

Next rule, exercise.  Haven't done it in weeks.  Don't feel like it.  Too tired for it (see first rule).  I'll get fit in the summer when I'm not driving kids back and forth to school, dance, basketball, baseball and soccer.

This rule is a biggie, limiting intake of soda.  I don't want to be addicted, really I don't.  But for some reason, Coca-Cola is an emotional comfort for me and if I feel like I want one, I'm having one. 

So now that I can see it on paper (well, the computer monitor) I can see that my self discipline is weak.  I must have caught a little senior-itis from my graduating senior.  Time to take a deep breath, determine to do better, and get it done.  Wish me luck, I'll need it.    

Yes To Carrots

Whenever I endorse a product on my blog I feel like a door-to-door salesman.  Truth is, I'm really just trying to hook you up with a product I use and like, because I use it and I like it and I think you might like to use it and like it too. 

So today I'd like to introduce you to "Yes To Carrots."  Yes To Carrots, according to their website, "combines high-quality organic fruits and vegetables with a special mineral elixir derived from the Dead Sea to nourish and hydrate naturally."  I found Yes To Carrots C Me Blush Lip Tint while waiting for a prescription to be filled.  I'd recently lost my lip gloss and my lips cannot go dry in the desert environment I live in.  Well it wasn't long before I was lovin the way my lips felt and even looked while wearing this balm.  I even like the small size because I carry a small purse.

So if you want to say Yes To Carrots, and I know you do, click the pic above and you'll be magically transported to a nifty website where you can purchase your very own balm, lotion, shampoo and conditioner.

Did that sound too rehearsed?  I felt like I rushed it a bit.