My angel sister, Jan and I visited my mother yesterday and were so happy to find her laughing and singing after many so visits lately, where these gifts were found to be sadly lacking.

It is such a deceptive disease, this Alzheimer's/Dementia. Doubtless, the previous recent sad visits were dimmed by her bout with aspiration pneumonia, and it was premature of me to think that she had already descended into the constant silent sleep that her future inevitably holds. She appears to be happily on the mend. Each day has different treasures to offer, and to try to dictate what the day should hold as opposed to accepting and cherishing things as they are remains an understandable error on my part.

The staff found my mother in bed that morning with an empty box of chocolates that some Mother's Day meaning-well-wisher had taken to her room earlier in the week. We know not who brought them, but are forced to spread the news that goodies in mass should not be provided to someone whose judgment remains as impaired as my mother's. Her sugar count was four times of what her usual amount was, and the nurses let us know in no uncertain terms how displeased the professionals felt about the situation.

Perhaps her happy demeanor was a result of her sugar buzz, and perhaps it was just an especially good day. Regardless, I will take what I can get, when I can get it. It was a beautiful Spring day, and my mother's mood matched it. Of course, she had no appetite for lunch... two of us trying to cajole her into eating something healthy for an hour was all in vain. And, as always, she was extremely tired and longed to go back to bed after her unsuccessful luncheon, and we, of course, complied with her wishes. They work very hard to try and please my mother and the lot of us who try to double check her care at this Senior Home- Silver Oaks. I really think that we have the best care available going for her there, and the staff appears to genuinely care. I often wonder if I will be so lucky when my time comes, and the sheer mass of baby-boomers leads me to think, probably not. But I surely will not waste today worrying about tomorrow.

After we put Mom down for her afternoon nap, Jan & I proceeded to Applebee's for a well-deserved lunch of our own while we could still afford it. I fear the worst for our economy's future and want to gather happy memories while I may. Oriental Chicken Salad will always be my favorite-nothing else for the price, even looks appealing.

Gas was at $3.89 a gallon, and I packed all I could into my truck, rightfully fearing the four dollar plus a gallon in our near future. I took no scenic routes or detours for visiting friends on the way home-though it would have been a primo day to do just that...only the barest of necessary travels these days. Sadly, my friends all live off the beaten path and I feel positive that such a picture perfect Friday would require at lest a beer, and as my drinking days are over, we just don't have all that much in common anymore. And as I really see no end to our economic status in sight when I come home to view the evening news to see foreign oil practically spit in the face of a President whose days of diplomacy seem long gone, if they ever were.

I love my dogs so much it hurts my wallet. We took them for their annual inoculations last week and told the Veterinarian that we could not afford the Senior Wellness exams that they annually insist upon. Last year, the bill was over $1,000 to tell me that my seemingly healthy dogs were just that-healthy. This year, after putting our foot down and hearing the tests the Doctor felt to be absolutely necessary (NSAID, Thyroid, Urinary Tract on one) out of three-we got out of the office with a $750+ bill. I made it clear that I was out of work, out of surgery and not able to afford the Cadillacs of Canine Health Care, and still came away with 3 Audi's-(what I have heard referenced as a poor man's Mercedes repeatedly in my past). I hear of many pet owners abandoning their pets in this economy. But look at those faces, feel that love-I could never do that. It is unfortunate though that things have come to this-when these 3 pups go th Heaven, Bubba has advised that we will no longer be able to afford the luxury of a pooch, and, sadly, I agree. Until then, we have cut back (but not cut out) on their daily tuna fish and Iam's Weight Control, and doubled up on the free love while we may. And with that-they have come to tell me that it is time for their (shhhhhh)ice cream...