Where have I been???

Almost 2 weeks ago, I woke up to a humming sound.  I thought at first it was a smoke alarm.  We had replaced 3 of them the day before and I was a little leery of Andy doing the work.  He insisted he could do it and I didn't argue with him.  So when I heard the humming, I assumed it was because he did something wrong.  Oh, me of little faith! 

I got Andy to investigate and he discovered it was the computer making that noise.  So he unplugged everything.  It hadn't even been on, so whatever happened - it did it while the computer was off.  And the hard drive is completely gone.  Completely!

I know the importance of backing up our data and have a good plug-in back up device.  But as often happens when things go along merrily with no problems, one can become complacent and let backing up slip.  I hope I've learned my lesson - unfortunately, the hard way.  I had backed up on Sept. 14, but I had done a lot of adding and subtracting to our financial data files on Sept. 30 (pay day).  I was pretty bummed when I discovered that our computer guy could not recover that data.  It was completely gone.  Completely!

I prayed a lot over this and asked God to be merciful to me and help me remember the data that needed to be updated.  By checking our last visa bill and the check book, I think I was able to bring everything up to where it needed to be.  He's so good to me and demonstrates his great love by carrying my cares.

So I've been without a computer at home since Monday, Oct. 13th.  I guess it's a good thing I'm still working and can access the computer at work.  And currently, I'm using Andy's lap top.

Meanwhile, life goes on.  Two Saturdays ago, Andy and I drove up to see the Lindsays.  We just sat around in the kitchen and talked.  The two oldest girls joined in the conversation.  The boys were outside playing and didn't even know we were there till an hour or so later.  We love being with that family.  The kids are the best and fun to be around.

Then on Sunday, Oct. 12, we drove to see the Eberly family.  Katy's birthday is on the 10th so we went up to celebrate.  When we came in the house, I said to Katy:  "Happy birthday, Katy."  She looked at her mommy and said, "Am I not 4 any more?"  That cracked us all up.  She is the funniest kid.  I did get some pictures that day.  It was a little cool but nice and sunny.

the birthday girl - does she look happy?

All in all - it was another good time with the grandkids.  They are also the best kids! 

And then there are the Sherf kids - also the best!  We get to see them a little more often.  Kasey is growing and getting bigger.  She recognizes us and smiles when she sees us.  Kira loves to play with her Poppop, and Dawn often stops by the church for them to play in the gym together. 

Each one of our 10 grandkids is special.  I love thinking of them and looking at their pictures.  Some are quiet, some are lively, but each one is unique and special.

Proverbs 17:6:  "Children's children are a crown to the aged..."  (not that we're aged - but we might be some day!)

A Bit of Good News

It's been a year since we got the diagnosis of Alzheimer's, 11 months since Parkinson's was added to the mix and 16 months since the prostrate surgery to fix the constant urinary tract infections.  What an up and down ride but this past week, we were encouraged at his neuropsychologist appointment.  This is the doctor who diagnosed the Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.  Several months ago he prescribed some new meds and suggested physical therapy.  It seems that these in combination have contributed to Andy feeling better than he's felt in a very long time.

He has been faithfully doing his exercises every day and sometimes twice a day.  Exercise is good for oxygenating the blood and contributing to overall health, including brain health.  As we walked back to the doctor's office, Andy and the doctor walked together down the hallway.  The doctor looked over at Andy as he was walking and said, "Wow!"  Then as we sat in the office with him and we told him how Andy was feeling, he actually smiled!  That was significant to us.  How often have we sat in doctor's offices and heard bad news?!  But not this time.  Andy asked the doctor what we could expect.  The doc said everyone is different and the disease progresses at different rates for different people.  But he might stay at this level for a long time.  He is on a pretty low dosage of the meds so there is room for increasing them in the future if it's needed.

Andy has been not only doing his exercises specifically designed for Parkinson's patients, he is also riding his bike again.  The nice weather has been helpful and he rides back and forth from the church to home, sometimes several times a day.  

Oh, it's good to feel good!  Of course, riding to church and back is not nearly up to his 50-60 miles at a stretch like he did several years ago.  I made him promise he wouldn't ride that far - mainly because 1)  he might get lost and not know how to get home; and 2) he might have an accident and be stuck out there on his own.  

Here he is on one of his rides to the shore several years ago!

Biking is in his blood - he loves to bike.  I remember him telling me once that when he was a kid, he saved his money for a very long time so that he could buy a bike.  And now with a sore knee, sore ankle, sore feet and sore toes, biking is about the only exercise he can still do.

clowning around

Serious biking!

In our journey, sometimes people read articles or hear of a new supposed cure for Alzheimer's.  We've had all kinds of advice from coconut oil to you name it.  While I appreciate all these well meant suggestions and ideas, the bottom line on everything I've read is that "there is no known cure."  But this week, we got the best possible cure of all sent to us by one of our dear daughters.  

 Andy now has an excuse to drink beer!  All 5,636 bottles!  After all, this may boost brain power.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/09/30/beer-flavonoid-may-boost-brain-power/

Who thinks up these things?