Afraid I'm not feeling too well today . . . think it might be the new med the doctor put me on yesterday. Very strong antibiotic. If it clears up the chest problems I can put up with the upset stomach, I guess.

Hi all,

I am hoping for some guidance about how to help my parents. My mom was recently diagnosed ~ early stages of alzheimers. How do you go about trying to help with things like helping to make sure that their bills get paid. Mom has always handled the finances, but some of the bills are not getting paid ~ the phone has been shut off a few times, the cable turned off. I think there has been a problem with property taxes not being paid. Mom says that she is keeping up with it just fine and doesn't need help. She won't let dad help her with it. Dad doesn't know what to do. My sister, brother and I are not sure what to do.

Thank you for any ideas/information you might be able to share.

Gayle, I'm so sorry that your mother is going through that, along with the rest of your family. It's hard on everyone, and especially hard on your mother, because she probably doesn't realize that this is happening to her. Has her doctor put her on Aricept? It is supposed to slow down the progression. It really helped my mother. My first instinct would be to not argue with your mother about it. She will get defensive then and it will makes things worse. If your dad contacts these companies, and explains the situation, can he have the mailing address changed to be sent to you or someone else? Would she miss the bill if it didn't come? Then you or someone can take care of making sure that it is being paid?

That's just an idea Gayle, I'm sure that some of the ladies here can give you more ideas too. If I think of anything else, I'll pass it on.

My mother has dementia, it's not easy, but you can get through it. Hang in there.

Susann

A quick good morning all!
I have a ton of things to do today, I just listed two pairs of ladies bib overhauls on ebay. (That takes a long time) Now I need to get outside and clean out the chicken coop. Just a couple of comments about Alzheimers and your needed advice Glynne. Isn't your dad capable of over looking the finances? Maybe he can lay out the bills or write them on a calendar and make sure they get Xed off when paid. Since she has forgotten some in the past, she shouldn't object to this if you tell her in a diplomatic way.
Susann...Tell your SIL I listed the Wii Console+sports games on Ebay. I paid over $400.00 for it, used it just a few times and selling it for $169.00. The auction is only for 1 more day and a few hours.
Gotta run!

Good morning,
Susann, Seems like it's hard to eat healthy when your tired. I hope the dog issue gets resolved soon.
Lynn, Have fun with your new muffin pans. I love new pans!! Good luck on writing your genealogy book. My book is a mainstream novel about three childhood friends traveling to Germany together and the conflicts they have with one another. I finished the novel, but it needs some editing. I started another book that's a murder mystery that takes place in Nevada. I really enjoy Father Dowling mystery novels, so I thought I'd try it. I don't think I'll try to get them published for another three years.
Cindy, I think motivation comes from life experiences. I wasn't having any medical problems to motivate me, and my doctor told me I didn't need to lose weight, unless I just wanted to, because I was in good health. I was strongly motivated to lose when I had the life experience of not being able to get into a man's truck, and he had to help me. I was totally humiliated. I stopped eating and looked up the food pyramid to find out the minimum I had to eat, and I joined 3FC. I write on 3FC everyday. If I'm not motivated to write on 3FC, then I know I'm taking the first step in heading back to my old unhealthy eating habits.
Meowee, I hope your feeling better soon. Medication upset my stomach too. I don't know what's worse, the illness or the medication.
Gayle, I agree with Susann about having the bills sent to you, or you could contact the utilities and ask them if they would contact you before they turn off the utility. I would also join a local Alzheimers support group for families, where you could vent, if nothing else.

It's nice to have the Easter holiday gone, and getting back into a routine. I watched the Biggest Loser last night. I look forward to seeing how they do each week. I wouldn't want to be those who had to decide who had to leave and then you have to tell them to their face, and then the poor person getting kicked out has to face all of them and listen to them tell you that your getting kicked off. But I guess it's worth it because Laura received $100,000. to take with her.

Hi Linda, Feel Better Soon.
Hi Gayle,
I am SO sorry to hear that you and your family are going through this. BTW – there is a 3-part special (on HBO) about alzheimer’s. Below is the link – NOTE: it is also link to the alzheimer’s association. http://www.alz.org/news_and_events_1...FZpM5Qodwlk2Qg

Hi Susann, see the link above about the tv special and the alzheimer’s association.

Hi Jada,
I watch BL every week, but I’d NEVER want to be on that show. First of all, I’d punch those trainers in the nose if they ever screamed at me the way they scream at those contestants. Also, I’m not convinced that such radical exercise routines are helpful in the long run. Many of the folks who lose so much weight in such a short time while on that show gain it all back when they get home.

Staying at home and taking it easy today. Making my muffins and some other lo-carb/cal/fat recipes. If anything turns out really good, I’ll post in our recipe thread.

Lynn

O.K. You gals have inspired me to dig out my muffin top pan which I purchased last year and never used. I have a question about frozen zucchini, last summer I shredded and froze a bunch in two cup packets. When I thaw these out, they get all juicy, do I use that juice as part of the recipe or drain it off?
One more question and I gotta go, I purchased the frozen mango and want to puke. Did I get a bad package or does frozen mango's taste like FISH? Let me know if I should take the opened package back to the grocery store for a refund.
I sometimes wish I lived in town, I run back and forth soooooooooo many times a week. I have a hair appointment today plus have to stop at the food co-op for something called, "Sleep Rescue". Sometimes I wake at night for a potty run and then can't get back to sleep. The sleep rescue is a tiny spray bottle that instantly puts you back to sleep (calms your mind so you stop thinking about stuff) and last night I was awake from 2:16 until after 4a.m. and out of the spray, Bummer!
My crocus were in full bloom yesterday, both purple and yellow. I just let the chickens out awhile ago and the air smells so wonderful out there, I couldn't help thanking God for that wonderful clean air smell and wishing I could bottle it.
Have a great day everyone.

Jada, ty for your comments about motivation. I hear ya!

Bobbi, I thawed out my frozen mango I had in the freezer. I was not impressed! I am glad I did not mix it with my fresh pineapple, it would have ruined it. Mine did not taste like fish but it certainly did not taste good to me either!

I put in a extra effort yesterday with my walking and did get on the scale this am. It moved a bit! Very encouragining indeed!

Morning all.....OMG Bobbie! Mango does not taste or smell like fish! Pack it up and take back asap.

Having a totally blah morning. Have to do the baking/cooking for the game tomorrow and I can't even get my shower done. Might have something to do with total eating meltdown last night. Ate everything that wasn't in the deep freezer or walking around. Then couldn't sleep because my stomach was rolling......sighhhhh....I will grow up some day.

Gayle...Alzhiemers is so cruel. It affects everyone in the family. Your dad will need your support as he assumes more and more taking care of her. I think the saddest thing is that they have times when they know they are losing their mind. Those moments of lucidness used to break my heart. There is nothing that prepares you for the reality of watching Alzhiemers delete the esence of a loved one. Be sure to check out the website Lynn posted. For you post here often and let us give you cyber hugs.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm, finding self trying to keep sitting here posting instead of working.........be back when at least the cake for 97 yr is done. Karen3

Hi there . . .

Having a very, very busy day. Spent the morning at the hospital with a friend and then I hve to go back this evening for my own chest x-ray.

At least the sun is shining, but it is just barely above freezing.

You know, most frozen fruit pales in comparison to the fresh stuff. I love mango, it tastes a little like a cross between peach and pineapple to me. Try a fresh one before you give up on it entirely.

I have had frozen mangoi and while definitely not worth going out of your way to get, I've never thought it tasted fishy. I agree, take it back.

Anyway, gang, stuff to do and places to go . . . see you later.

Good morning,
Bobbie, Too bad you didn't like the mangoes, or you just got a bad batch. It's hard to describe how they taste. Meowee described it best. I never heard of sleep rescue. Sounds like great stuff. Your flowers sound beautiful. I miss the days of living out in the country and getting my own chicken and duck eggs. My oatmeal cookies tasted so great with duck eggs. I prefer the city, but I still miss it sometimes.
Cindy, I've heard mango is an acquired taste. Luckily, I liked it from the first bite. I would be lost without it. I keep my mango frozen, and eat one piece at a time, like I would frozen grapes, when I have hunger pains between meals. I did defrost 12 pieces this morning and put it in my cereal. It was great. I didn't have to add any sugar.
Karen3, Gotta hate those food cravings. I feel for you. I hear it happens to everybody, but it's no fun, especially when your tummy feels too full. Not fun.
Meowee, I'll have to try fresh mango, especially for cereal.

I look forward to hearing how everybodys muffins turned out.

Hmmm - I used fresh zucchini & it was not juicy. I'd say drain it.

Lynn

Hello everybody! We just got back from MO. last night and we loved the house we went to see! We went ahead and made the arrangements to buy it and the closing will be on may 15th!! YAY!! Now I just hope and pray that this house in Colorado sells quickly!

Now we have gone to store this morning to stock up on some groceries since the weather forecast is calling for a major storm with 2 or more feet of snow predicted!! I sure hope they are wrong! We have way too much to do to have to wait for 2 feet of snow to melt!!

Anyway, I just wanted to share the news with you and I'll probably be pretty busy the next few weeks but will try to pop in ever once in awhile and let you know how things are going.

Hey Karen, congrats on finding your new home, can't wait to hear about it.

I'm doing pretty good on my low protein diet, lost a couple more lbs. but feel better on it especially now that my cold is over.

Gayle, as with any illness, gather all the info you can and maybe join an on-line group for extra support and people who will understand the situation. I know that has really helped me with my kidney disease.

Hi to everyone, the sun is finally out here in Ohio and it was a beautiful day, I do believe that Spring is here.

Phyllis

PHYLLIS!!!!

Great to see you. How are you liking living in OH? My cousins from OH/FL are thinking about moving back permanently to OH. What's up with this?

Lynn