Hello, my friends! Happy Friday! This past week felt like fall here in Pennsylvania. We had cooler morning and evening temperatures, which translated to park visits in place of lake swimming, along with that indescribable feeling of fall in the air. You know what I mean, right?? Mornings looked like this outside my window...
...and I enjoyed it immensely. Our favorite meal of the week was easy and delicious! I boiled some penne pasta, drained it, and added some Bertolli Vodka Sauce, then grated some parmesan cheese to top it off. I found some leftover hamburger buns, so I made some garlic bread with them. Soooo good. A little-known fact about me? I can cook any type of pasta perfectly. It's my hidden talent. Ask my kids.
Finally, this. Everyone has something dear to her heart, and this is mine. My dear, sweet, funny father passed from complications due to this, and now my amazing, beautiful mother is held within its grasp. According to The Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. There are 10 warning signs and symptoms.
It is awful, heartwrenching, and confusing because, as a caregiver once told me, you lose your loved one twice, first to the disease and then to death. Watching your parent, the person who brought you into the world, taught you, loved you, and supported you, retreat mentally into a place you cannot go is unbelievably hard. Learning as much as you can about this disease is crucial when your loved one is suffering. Education is vital. Most importantly? Love.
Have a nice weekend to end the summer season, my friends!
Thanks for visiting!
Billie Jo
Hi Billie Jo~ Your photos are just gorgeous! The lake is soooo pretty, I just love the fog along with the blue skies. My mom also suffered from Alzheimer's. It's such a devastating disease, but I agree, knowledge is absolutely crucial to dealing with it. But, love is the most important of all...and patience. There were always those little moments when I knew that my mom knew me, those were precious moments. Have a wonderful week-end, sweet friend.
ReplyDeleteThat pasta looks Delicious!! And your weather looks exactly right for inching into Fall. Thank you for the 10 warning signs, I didn't know them but they're good to know. I am so sad you have to go through this but your mom is so lucky to have you and your family looking out for her and keeping her best interests at heart. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteLosing my mother to this was heart wrenching, because she became a person I did not recognize, I pray for you on this journey.
ReplyDeleteCharly lost one of his best buddies to this disease a few years back. So sad. His friend was in his early 60s. I love September. We are cooling off here as well. I love the pictures of the morning fog on the lake. That pasta dinner loos sooooo good! I had never thought of using hamburger buns to make garlic bread! I am going to give that on a try! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!
ReplyDeleteWe experienced this with Mom and it is so horrible to watch them disappear right before your eyes.
ReplyDeleteYour lake photos are gorgeous!
My mom is in mid-stage Alzheimer's and it's definitely heart breaking seeing the woman who brought me into the world slowly losing herself. Beautiful pictures. I'd love to wake up to that view every morning.
ReplyDeleteAlzheimer's. I'm so very sorry Billie Jo.
ReplyDeleteWhat a privilege it was to meet your sweet mom.
Hang in here
I've never thought to use a hamburger bun for garlic bread! That's a good idea. My husband asked me to pick up some Texas Toast recently and we had that as garlic bread. Oh my word! So fluffy but crispy, the best I've ever had!
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine how hard it's been for you to watch your mom slowly disappear into the same unknown world your dad lived in. I'm sorry you're having to go through this again.
The image of mist over the lake is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your lovely mum. It's heart-breaking to watch the loved one you remember slowly disappear. I hope she remains close to you for as long as possible. X
We enjoyed being in Alaska last week. Cooler 50-60's degrees different than Oregon. Lots of clouds over glacier mountains. Its still warm in OR but its cooler at night. Your stories are good to read. My mom had Louie Bodi, which is like Alzheimer's except it's on other side of brain. She was in a nursing home for 6 years til she died 7 years ago. We had no room for her in our house or ability to take care of her. She quit walking later on. My doctor tells me to keep moving as its a good thing. ❤ Enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteI do feel your pain. It was so hard seeing my strong, independent, spunky mama become withdrawn and unknowing.
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