Alzheimer's and Stroke

My parents - Dad has Alzheimers and Mom had a severe stroke - like I have said before.

For months now, mom has been house bound since she cannot get into a car anymore. My wonderful big brother and his wife shopped to get a mobility van. This is a SLICK van. All automatic, very cool.

Friday: Dad cannot learn to drive it, and did not want her to go in it. I begged him to show me how to use it - and us three went to Olive Garden for lunch. It is very uncomfortable for him to sit in back seat, and a huge blow to his pride.

Saturday: Dad agreed to let sister Judy and I to take her for a ride, but "don't let her get out of the van" - I think I forgot that. First we drove past our old houses, looking at The Nut Brothers house, which is still there! These 2 brothers lived in this house with no electricity! They would come on their porch each morning to shake out their jeans (in their underwear) and they scooped up free horse manure to sell for their money. Smart dudes.

We then went to Del and June's to see if she could get in their house with electric chair. She DID! Went around to back, make shift ramp, and COFFEE TIME! BAD news about that - her fatty wheels picked up a ton of mud that we did not see until we got back home and it got all over the place. It was dry enough for me to follow her around with a broom and dust pan like a clown following horses in a parade - minus the red nose.

Sunday: Most blessed news- I took mom to church for the first time in one year! Hallelujah! She is so beautiful and sweet - it melts my heart.

Monday: I go to the doctor with mom with a list of ailments. I narked on her, saying that mom can no longer get in or out of bed by herself. The doctor looked shocked and asked mom if she exercises. Mom LIED and said YES! I once again narked on her and she was busted. 

• FUNNY THINGS: One morning Dad was telling me that MOM has Alzheimers...oh boy.
• In dining room, we sat in Howard's table since he was not there yet. The entire hall was looking and waiting for the fight to come - Howard did not come! We laughed and laughed about what he would do when he came - I was in his chair, so I was preparing to hang on so he could not push me on the floor.
• Next dinner time, Dad forgot all about how we did that to Howard :( 

Palettes and Pairings

So I have done this once before. I am not an artist - at least with paint - well at least with acrylic paint. I can do much better with oils actually. BUT four of us did this. It is fun. First things first - you get a glass of wine (probably to numb your senses so you don't get too embarrassed by your artwork)

You have to follow directions. Wow - that is not as easy as it sounds when you are with friends. I think we got in trouble a few times. Get TWO pumps white, one pump other colors. That sounds easy - not. The pumper thingys didn't work very well.

THEN stucco-look your canvas - after painting water on it. Was the water supposed to drip? Who knows...who cares. Where did that window come from? I don't remember putting it up there - we thought it should go on the door, but then she made us put it on top. Weird. We obeyed.

Add stairs, and red and black paint. Weird again. Just blob it on - all over...who cares. Go for it. More. Just do it. It is very blurry isn't it?

Well now, fancy that - add more colors on top the red and black and it kinda looks like something. Wow - the greens and pot look almost real. I could almost see myself GOING here. Pot as in flower pot - this IS Washington State, afterall. Gotta clarify.

No casa is complete without a sign by the door. DANG - why did I marry a Tolentino? Oh well, I guess Vanderhoff is no better. Got it. (REALLY ~ it is better than Dekoekkoek though)

SO fun to see them finished. We were told they look better from afar - like my face.
Love my friends. Love my fun. Love my life. Thank you God.

Notice how this started out clear, then got more blurry as it went. Really, I only had one glass of wine. Really.

The end. Palettes and Pairings Issaquah.