Tuesday, January 6, 2009

About time for an update

As most of you can imagine, keeping tabs on everyone and especially keeping my JS forum running and "properly" moderated is taking up quite a lot of my time. On top of that I am visiting my folks.

Those of you who know my wordpress blog, I wrote a bit about the situation. I won't write about it here since my folks might read here and they do not want to read about their situation. My dad often copies all my posts for my mom to read. So far he hasn't been here. To explain: my mom is suffering late stages of Alzheimers. At times it's like she is living in the past and we are characters from her past. Yesterday she mistook my younger brother as one of her brothers. So, the whole thing is quite emotionally stressful to say the least. Both are not of the best health either. My mom is 89 and my dad 85 so it's expected.

There isn't much I can do for them except be here. I can't do any cleaning without both of them getting upset.... they hate changes. So I sit here on my comp and mess around with the forum and reading journals (unfortunately rarily getting to do that, sorry).

Occassionally I get out of the house to go shopping. Today I'll be meeting up with a JS'er (Juanderlust) once again. I talked to Kashew on the phone and we'll be meeting up soon, too. And of course I'll be meeting with Fitzgerald. I can't thank him enough for all the help he has done on moderating my forum!

I'm not comfy here yet, that's why no smilies or photos yet. For that I haven't had any time at all. But just wait until I'm back home! hah! Then the old Westy will be back up and running! LOL

Well, dad just called me for breakfast. Be sure to continue visiting my forum... I'd really appreciate it. I'm compiling a list of all users and their new journal addresses which I'll be posting soon. And I have made a section, "JS Secrets", which can only be seen by signed-in members.

So, see y'all there!

Dorrie

20 comments:

  1. I've dealt with Alzheimers with Ralph's dad, and my dad. It's tough on them and you. How nice that you'll get to see some JS friends while in the US. Take care, and keep us posted. Hugs.

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  2. I honestly don't know where you find the time! I guess I could sleep less and try to keep up! Or even work less--now, that's a thought!

    Cherish the good days with your mum. I know the huge amount of patience it takes.

    Breakfast? hmmm I'm hungry! I'm envisioning scrambled eggs and biscuits and gravy :D

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  3. Big hugs Westy... you're doing the best you can, and it IS good enough!
    We heart you!

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  4. Hey there Westy, I can relate to your post as my mother also suffers with Alzheimers, I put her about in the mid stages, she knows who we all are and stuff like that, but gets confused about what to do next, Dad has to do all the cooking etc and is pretty much thinking for the two of them, directing mum to take her tablets etc.

    You get big hugs from me.. :)

    Dx

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  5. I don't think I'll be caught up until I get home and have more time to sit and bookmark everyone.

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  6. I am sorry about your mom and dad. Where did the time go? Thank you for all that you have done for all of us JS. Most of us would have been lost with out you.
    Roz

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  7. dorrie, my thoughts are with you

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  8. Dorrie.. I'm so glad you can be there with your Mom right now.. **Hugs** I know that must be so hard to see. Know my thoughts are with you. I hope you have fun meeting up with the others. Thanks for all the work you guys do on the forum, it's helped us all stay connected sooo much!!

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  9. sending a big huggggggggggggggggg.hope all gets better with your folks

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  10. BIg hug and thoughts going your way, Westy. I can't imagine how hard it must be watching that.

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  11. Hey Westy. Hope you're keeping well. I didnt sign up to your forum but have read over it a lot in the last couple of weeks. Would you be good enough to list my new blog over there with the other JSers? Would really appreciate it, wish I could PM you!! Grrrrrrr I miss our old home! Kxx

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  12. Enjoy your time with your parents, and let us hear from you when you have a chance to post something. :)

    S

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  13. *HUGS* Enjoy your time with your parents. Don't worry about us!! You can catch up with us when you get back home.

    Gill

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  14. Hi Westy!
    You've got a lot on your plate.
    Amazing you really do find time to do all of this and still be with your parents. Hugs and hope your visit goes well.

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  15. I'm sure when your mom is in the 'present' she is very glad to have you visiting.

    My grandma is th same, she doens't like changes either, so I just had to let her have her way for 2 years unless it was something unsafe.. sometimes its just showing them why the change is good, like when we got her to use a microwave (it only took 2 years for her to actually USE it)

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  16. thanks everyone... your comments really touched me!

    I had a nice trip with Juanderlust... now to get the photos uploaded to share!

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  17. I read your other blog just a moment ago, but can't comment there. I just want to send my love to you and your family. I think it's wonderful that you are all there for each other. *hugs*

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  18. I'm so sorry to hear about your mom, Westy.
    Reminds me back five years ago when I was new to JS and stumbled across a woman's blog that wrote about her mom going through the same thing-quite heart breaking it was-can only imagine.

    Like Kate, I too send love and warm hugs to you and your family.

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  19. Best advice for being with your mom is to go along with what ever world she is in at the moment.
    I will for sure keep up with the forum. Much thanks for having that for us all.

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