Seems like a long time since I have written in my journal and I do not know where to begin--I will start and see where it goes.
I went to a Christmas program here at the place where I am living. And it reminded me of of all the wonderful holidays I have had with my family. And I do feel sad that there is a good chance that I may not
even know what Christmas is next year. It seems that I have lost a lot of my memory since I left Ely. Thank God for my 2 daughters who have helped me so much--seeing that I took my meds and taking me out 2 0r 3 days a week to do some things out side the place where I live.
At this time of the year I get very sentimentle About my past life. I need to write some things down.
Today, I am willing to let go of fear so that I can find out what is
real in my life.
November 12, 2002
I feel depressed again today. Seems that is becoming more common for me
as I lose my capabilities. My two daughters do the best they can and both of them work.
I still have a hard time living here at Jefferson Manor. Since I can no longer play the games that others play, I do not participate in those kind of social affairs. And I am noticing that I am
losing my spelling as well. Even the computer is harder to navigate so it is harder for me to find the web and get to sites. Thank God for
Mari who has been so helpful.
The other thing that I am noticing is that I am tired much of the time and many days I feel depressed even though I take an anti-depressent.
Today, my daughter had to show me how to use the tooth paste container I use. On the up side, I am so grateful for my 2 daughters who check on me almost every day. And I am excited that next week I am flying up to Minneapolis to stay with a friend for a few days. The night before I leave, I will be taking my daughters and 2 grandchildren to see the Rockets in Indianapolis. Happy holiday to all
of you. Alice
October 26, 2002
Seems like a long time since I have written. I have been depressed lately, so maybe by writing, I will feel better.
I know I have been watching too much TV since I moved back to Kokomo to live here in the assisted living place. I am still very homesick for Minnesota.
I am trying to get an early onset group started here in Kokomo. And I just recently was able to get into Chat. I have missed it so much.
My 2 daughters have been nice to get me places and do some shoppiing but I still have a lot of time to do nothing, which is hard for me. I hope to get some pictures on my web sight showing the lake.
I do make a lot of phone calls to stay connected with my friends up north. And I have been very sad since the plane crash in Eveleth where my senator from MN was killed. I have taken a plane to and from Eveleth which is only a few miles from Ely. Well he was a good senator and all of us in Mn will miss him.
October 21, 2002
Last night, my oldest son came over from Lafayette with his family. John turned 50 so, we went out to the Olive Garden to celebrate. John is a
flight instructor at Purdue Universiy and his wife, Sue, also works at Purdue. They have a daughter who
is also at Purdue. It is only 40 miles from Kokomo. I remember traveling that road many times when I was at Purdue! I feel so fortunate to have then nearby.
My daughter took me to Indianapolis for winter clothes, as it is getting much cooler. My son, David, is up in Mn, staying at my place there and they have
already had snow up there. I used to love living up there in the winter, with cross country skiing and ice skating.
I will miss going to Florida this winter as I had a a lovely condo which the girls sold when I had to move up here. Indiana is just cold and damp with some snow
during the winter. But at least I can get outside here and take a walk. Have some cozy winter clothes I got in MN this summer.
October 8, 2002
It seems like a long time since I have written in my journal. I have been busy getting settled here at the assisted living place since I came back from MN. My son is up there now for a few weeks for his sabbatical. I miss the fall up there with the beautiful leaves and clear blue skies.
Today, I went to a lunch meeting at the United Way. Her subject was Alz and I got to speak about my Alz and what I do to educate others. Also, I have been asked to speak at Indiana Univ--Kokomo about the things I do.
Also, I have a new project! I am planning to take some grandchildren on a trip to Europe this summer, with the help of their parents. I am so excited about that. It seems that I am getting my wish about living my life to the fullest for as long as I can! When I stop being feisty, I am really gone!
September 25, 2002
My daughter Becky is my second child. She has 4 daughters. Becky is my power of attorney and takes care of my bills and takes me places so that I am not stuck here in the assisted living all of the time.
She has a daughter in medical school, another who is a teacher, another who is finishing college and is moving to Calif with her husband and their youngest is at Ball State Univ.
My son, David is a UCC minister in Battle Creek, MI and right now he is living in my home in Ely, MN, as he is on a sabbatical
Next, is my daughter, Nancy who lives here in Kokomo and is a Christian Educations Director at the UCC church where I attend.
And last, but not least--he is 6 feet, and 6 inches!
He lives in Ohio and works for a drug company.
Today I went out to lunch at Jamie's, a place where you can get real fountain cokes!
September 19, 2002
Another warm, humid day here in Indiana.
Seems like I have not written for some time. I have tried to answer some things from people who have read my web page. Wish I could write every day, like Mari does!
I really miss the chat room and hope we can get in soon. I have been a little surprised at some of the e-mails that I read yesterday. It seems
to me that we each have our own views, just as I accept others, even though I do not concur with some one elses view. In a prgram I am in there is a saying--Live and Let Live!
I cannot go to a support group here tonight--I was really looking forward to it. I do hope to take part in the Memory walk at Hightland Park---3 miles! That may take me a LONG time
At the request of Resa, I will tell you about my children.
My oldest son, Stephen, born in 1950 and died 6 weeks later of a congenital heart disease. Of course I was devastated.
My son, John was born on Nov. 11, 1951 and we were delighted. John did well in school and later went to Purdue Univ. in West Lafayette, IN and trained to be a pilot. Later, after he worked for an Airline Co., he
left and came back to Purdue to be an instructor and teach students to fly. Simulators seem to be his thing and he teaches students to fly in other parts of the country. He and his wife, Sue, live out in the
country and they have horses. They have 2 children, Hannah, and Aaron...more about the family to come later.
September 18, 2002
Hooray! I am back on the computer and it is even better, as I am now
hooked up with cable. How much faster it is!
I am getting settled again here in Indiana and back in my assisted living apartment. It is still very hot here and I miss Ely so much. My son is up in Ely now and he will be there for several weeks. He is minister and has a sabbatical, so he will get to enjoy the beautiful fall weather up there. I feel so happy that he will be living there for awhile. I so love the place that it is really hard to come back. And I really miss my friends.
Having more difficulty remembering things--glad my daughters check on me and get me places. Today Becky and Rick took me to the country club for lunch. I ran into a couple of people and I could not remember who they were. O well!
I did buy a nice glider chair like the one I have in Ely and I am excited about it being delivered tomorrow.
Thank you God for the Digital Cable Modem!.
September 10, 2002
I wish I could get over my sadness of having to come back to live in Kokomo. I miss my home in Ely, MN so much. It is very hard to live in this assisted living place. Most everyone is much older than I am and the conversation is about the same every day. Not much stimulation for me. I think I am the only one who uses a computer. My chat room is a life saver for me.
I am working on going to Barcelona for the ALZ conference. A friend of mine from MN has offered to be my escort. I just pray that my daughter will be ok with my going. She handles my finances so we will see.
I have been having thoughts of suicide lately. And I need to find a good therapist. Would appreciate your prayers.
September 5, 2002
I have been here in Indiana for a few days, after leaving my beloved place in Northern MN. It was really hard to leave after such a great summer. It was quite warm and I swam and took a sauna almost every
day. My last swim was very special because I had a very special, hot sauna before jumping in the lake!
September 1, 2002
The days are already getting shorter and school has finally started again...
