how about drinking?

Yeah, it would be nice if people with dementia could understand important issues... but sometimes they cannot even USE a phone, much less a cell-phone! That's okay.... I just have to understand, and not lose my patience. And as far as remembering "instructions".... that is almost impossible. You just have to "be there" for them....

Like trying to push open the back door.... It wasn't locked... just stuck, because after the new storm door was put in, I thought I could "cover-up" some of the "skinned" woodwork on the door jam. I did! With Duck Tape! But it made the door tighter! So he couldn't open the back door, and went to our neighbor's house to help him "un-lock" the back door!

I was in sitting on the couch, taking a quick 15 minute nap! I didn't hear him! And he thought he was locked out! I got up when they were both in the house, saying the door was "locked"... but it wasn't...

So I took the tape off, sanded it, and sprayed that area with white paint... And the door opens easier now.

I just have to talk to him, and remind him which button to push to "answer" the phone.... I'm thinking about ordering one of those home alarms! With a button to push, like a panic button, if something were to happen to me! You are charged monthly for this service.... A neighbor had one... I'm wondering if he would remember to use it? What do you think Kim?

Oh Thank you Lorrie! Okey.... our neighbor had one, but you really DO have to have your senses about you to use it! We DO have a land-line... but it makes sense, you HAVE to know your address, and can answer the phone! Might as well call 911, if it were me!

Our Daughter that lives here, calls at least twice a day.... Our Daughter in Orlando, just once... And they kind of know what is going on... Also one of our neighbors keeps an eye out for us.... Thanks!

That is lovely Teka. Thanks.

Chevy - my late mother had a "panic button" - it was helpful when she was doing well but as her health declined including cognition she ignored it - didn't even know where the bracelet was - she then got a necklace cuz sleeping once the panic button went off when there was nothing wrong. I remember Katie Couric saying her mother's panic button hung on the dresser more than on her mom. I think they are good ideas for people with physical limitations but not with cognitive limitations. Glad that you weren't hurt when you feel.

Our sunsets and sunrises have bee beautiful. Yesterday it was 73 in Denver - beautiful weather but not for December 1st.

Chevy - what is your neighborhood called? I know some of the ones by you. I have friends who grew up by Sloans Lake on the sough side of the lake near where the old St. Anthony Hospital. I've been covering at Bryant-Webster since September. I've also covered at Lake M.S. and Colfax Elementary plus a few others on the NE part of town. I can't believe how gentrified so many neighborhoods have become. Your house must be beautiful. I love the old houses.

Sandy - I made potato latkes on Tuesday and DH grilled chicken wings - only night my son was home for dinner. I make latkes once/year. DD#2 taught me to make them in a large pot rather than fry pan so less splatter.

Lori - I'm lucky that at least one of my three kids lives in the US and more importantly in Denver.

Regarding Israel, I've heard 2 different stories - one is that after 2 weeks the borders will open again for those vaccinated within 6 months with PCR on arrival at airport, and another on day 3 of quarantine. The other is that borders will stay closed through January. Talked to DD#2 about the situation. DH doesn't want to quarantine for 3 days so if that is the case, we will postpone the trip. Israel is really strict about quarantine. Police will call and check up on you. If they text you and you don't reply soon enough they will show up at your door. Huge fine for citizens and foreigners plus foreigners kicked out of country for 5 years.

Canada has also closed borders to multiple countries but so far not for the US. Time will tell what happens. So much unknown. How long does the booster (3rd jab last).

Good morning, Loungettes!Happy TGIF day, and boy am I glad it's Friday. Yesterday was a double whammy day. Got the positive person identified at the sister school, contact tracing included bus riders, always a fun job watching the bus videos and trying to figure out how long each student is within 6 feet of a particular other student. We got a bit lucky, one of the bus drivers has had behavioral issues and assigned seats a couple weeks ago, so that one was clear cut. We get that one all straightened out and I get a call, one of the students in quarantine from a different exposure tested positive, so I had to do a whole second round of tracing and notifications. Finally got the last phone call made at quarter to five peeyem. Today I have a pile of paperwork to finish up and then catch up on. Thank God today the students are in class only half the day, so I'll have the afternoon to work with fewer interruptions. I was on the computer answering questions until almost 9 peeyem, didn't sleep worth a damn, and am getting up still feeling exhausted. Sadie didn't even give me a hard time about getting home late last night, she just listened to me rant and rave and put her head on my feet.

Goldie--Kid brother may decide not to tell Mom anything at all about his stuff. He has a lot of tattoos on his arms, if they take a vein from an arm it will show on the tattoos, so he'll have to say something next time Mom visits them or they come home for a visit, assuming either of them travel to the other again. That will be up to him to decide. Hmm I hadn't thought about the lemon and milk thing. I thought it looked pretty. Good heavens, what happened to make an oil change take so long???

Chevy--the home alarm idea may be a really good one. There are a lot of them out there now, some can be set up so someone calls and checks every day, some have GPS built in to help locate someone who may wander off, some work outside of the home as well as in the home (good for times like the other day at the store). Would DH remember to use it if something happened? Hard to tell. It would be worth it to take a look at what is available in your area and through cell phone services. Chances are also very high that if something did happen to you, you would be able to signal for help or instruct DH to signal for help. I think if something happened to you DH would eventually go to the neighbor's house, he's done that before like he did this time. There are some serious advantages to some of the alarm systems, worth looking into.

Goldie--good points, many alarm systems do require a land line, and many do require verbal responses.

Morning, Teka, and a happy holiday season to you!

Morning Minus and misty!

Karen--sounds like Israel is really taking the pandemic thing seriously. How long the booster is good for isn't known yet. We're going to have to wait and see, like we did when the vax first came out. It's a time will tell thing.

Chevy--Yup, do talk to your doc, and do NOT stop the fluoxetine all at once!It needs to be weaned off to prevent some nasty side effects of going cold turkey. Your yard is beautiful!

Screaming Viking

Ingredients

• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ouncedry vermouth
• 1 ounce lime juice
• Celery stalk, for garnish
• Cucumber spear, for garnish

Steps to Make It

1. Gather the ingredients.
2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour the vodka, dry vermouth, and lime juice.
3. Stir well.
4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with a celery stalk and cucumber spear. Serve and enjoy.

From <https://www.thespruceeats.com/screaming-viking-cocktail-recipe-761160>

Good morning, Loungettes!Happy TGIF day, and boy am I glad it's Friday. Yesterday was a double whammy day. Got the positive person identified at the sister school, contact tracing included bus riders, always a fun job watching the bus videos and trying to figure out how long each student is within 6 feet of a particular other student. We got a bit lucky, one of the bus drivers has had behavioral issues and assigned seats a couple weeks ago, so that one was clear cut. We get that one all straightened out and I get a call, one of the students in quarantine from a different exposure tested positive, so I had to do a whole second round of tracing and notifications. Finally got the last phone call made at quarter to five peeyem. Today I have a pile of paperwork to finish up and then catch up on. Thank God today the students are in class only half the day, so I'll have the afternoon to work with fewer interruptions. I was on the computer answering questions until almost 9 peeyem, didn't sleep worth a damn, and am getting up still feeling exhausted. Sadie didn't even give me a hard time about getting home late last night, she just listened to me rant and rave and put her head on my feet.

Goldie--Kid brother may decide not to tell Mom anything at all about his stuff. He has a lot of tattoos on his arms, if they take a vein from an arm it will show on the tattoos, so he'll have to say something next time Mom visits them or they come home for a visit, assuming either of them travel to the other again. That will be up to him to decide. Hmm I hadn't thought about the lemon and milk thing. I thought it looked pretty. Good heavens, what happened to make an oil change take so long???

Chevy--the home alarm idea may be a really good one. There are a lot of them out there now, some can be set up so someone calls and checks every day, some have GPS built in to help locate someone who may wander off, some work outside of the home as well as in the home (good for times like the other day at the store). Would DH remember to use it if something happened? Hard to tell. It would be worth it to take a look at what is available in your area and through cell phone services. Chances are also very high that if something did happen to you, you would be able to signal for help or instruct DH to signal for help. I think if something happened to you DH would eventually go to the neighbor's house, he's done that before like he did this time. There are some serious advantages to some of the alarm systems, worth looking into.

Goldie--good points, many alarm systems do require a land line, and many do require verbal responses.

Morning, Teka, and a happy holiday season to you!

Morning Minus and misty!

Karen--sounds like Israel is really taking the pandemic thing seriously. How long the booster is good for isn't known yet. We're going to have to wait and see, like we did when the vax first came out. It's a time will tell thing.

Chevy--Yup, do talk to your doc, and do NOT stop the fluoxetine all at once!It needs to be weaned off to prevent some nasty side effects of going cold turkey. Your yard is beautiful!

Screaming Viking

Ingredients

• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ouncedry vermouth
• 1 ounce lime juice
• Celery stalk, for garnish
• Cucumber spear, for garnish

Steps to Make It

1. Gather the ingredients.
2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour the vodka, dry vermouth, and lime juice.
3. Stir well.
4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with a celery stalk and cucumber spear. Serve and enjoy.

From <https://www.thespruceeats.com/screaming-viking-cocktail-recipe-761160>

Lorrie, i could see my picture.... up a few posts....i was going to post it again, but let me know if you can find it! And I could always use either the home phone, or my cell phone to call for help....

Yes, okay Kim, I'm going to call the Doctor... But I hope he can just stop taking it at some point.... I happened to look up the SE's of that drug, and found a lot that is happening to him.....that's why i am going to call the Doc. And it DOES say, don't stop cold-turkey!

Seasons Greetings from Twisted Butternut

Spicy Sparkle Pants checking in here. Last night with "surf & turf" (branzino in parchment with veg. & herbs, plus the Regalia leftovers), Beaujolais Nouveau. Tonight I'm chilling the last of our 2019 Clif Family "Rte Blanc" (Sauv. & chenin blanc) because Bob plans to bring home grilled calamari & octopus for dinner (blowing off a prepaid nurses' party in a so-so banquet hall down in the SW suburbs because I'm sure they'll all rip off their masks as soon as they shed their coats and start drinking--generic house wine, cheap bottle beer, & rudimentary cocktails--and dancing. It's MAGA country and I suspect many of the nurses opted to test weekly rather than get vaccinated).

Kim, for the first time in recent memory I have all the necessary ingredients for your DOTD (basically a lime vodka martini). May make it tonight. (Is the lime juice Rose's sweetened, or is it actual fresh lime juice)?

Oh dear, Smelly Tipsy Toes here! Thanks Jazzy.

ED, so that IS your house? It's adorable, I love it. Looks like a country cottage. Let me know if you want me to take it off here.

Sandy, you have a cute elf name.

Mornin Reader. Love me some Baileys. I have some Tequila Rose in the freezer, but I always forget about it!

Worked outside most of the day yesterday, trying to get things cut back. What a chore. I also have to dig up my Iris's and replant. I did one yesterday, except replanting. I've texted Cami a few times, no response. So I reached out to her DD yesterday. No response from her yet either, but it does show that she read it. Sold our mini excavator, so that is being picked up today. Hopefully get more garden work done.

DOTD: English Country Garden

INGREDIENTS

1. 25ml gin
2. 25ml St. Germain elderflower liqueur
3. 2 springs of mint
4. 1/2 a lime
5. Ice
6. Apple juice

1. In a large highball glass, place 1 spring of mint and 1/4 of the lime in the bottom. Using the end of a rolling pin, bash the mint and lime together. Fill the glass up with ice and add the gin, elderflower liqueur and top up with the apple juice.
2. Garnish with the other sprig of mint and lime wedge.

NM- I just saw your post on Facebook. My heart breaks for you.

Step away from your mom right now. You are entitled to be sad with listening to her nonsense.

Sending much love to you friend ❤️🙏

OMG - NM - I am soooo sorry to hear about Sadie. I admire your decision even though it will mean loneliness for you. And what a crappy time of year. You are entitled to drink all day - or even all weekend - and re-live wonderful memories.

And your Mom!!! I agree with Jazzy. You HAVE to step away. Even just to tell her "I can't talk right now" if she calls & hang up & don't return the calls. She'll leave a message if it's critical. I understand she's older & probably lonely, but she's TOXIC and you don't need that now. For 40 years I cried after every single phone call with my Mother - so believe me I know what I'm talking about. Take some time. Build up some defenses. And next time you see her or speak with her, when she starts in just say 'I'm not going to listen to this or talk about this' and hang up or walk out. You can add 'I'll check with you later after you calm down' if that makes you feel less guilty.

Holding you in my thoughts!!!

Kim, feeling with you and for you. We had to put down a 13 year old dog just a few weeks ago. He'd been going slowly downhill for about three years and finally had a stroke. Sadie was such a big part of your life, please feel free to grieve your loss as suits you, no matter what your mother or anyone else says! Sending hugs and good doggie thoughts your way. Take care of yourself, too.

Oh Kim, So sorry for you loss.

NativeMaine: so sorry to hear about your sweet pet. after our Beans died I had his picture tattooed on my arm. Pets arefamily

NM,

My heart aches for you. I feel I have come to know Sadie and her silly antics through your stories and across the miles. As we all know here, grief is complicated. Give yourself the grace to grieve for however long and in any way you want without judgement. Our hearts are breaking with yours.

Be well,

Jane