Way to go New York Times

Wanted to let everyone know very quickly that the NY TIMES is doing a whole series on Alzheimer's in their Health Section -- not just the one article that I mentioned the other day. I added the link to their Health Page to my 'helpful links' on the right side of the blog... please check it out! There are so many articles.... I almost don't know where to start!!!! Thanks again to Remy for pointing this out to me!!!! Very exciting.

It's Time To Face Alzheimer's

Last week, I worked the Govenor's Women's Conference in Long Beach. Speakers ranged from Maria Shriver to Sandra Day O'Connor to Michelle Obama to Oprah and there were numerous booths from many organizations and businesses. I worked the booth for Intuit -- most known for Turbo Tax and Quicken. However, I did get a chance to make the rounds and I walked over to visit the Alzheimer's Association booth where I shared my story and got my picture taken in front of the Alzheimer's board. (I look a little dorky because I'm in my long sleeve Intuit shirt.... :))

The Alzheimer's Association and Pfizer are teaming up to raise awareness of Alzheimer's (particularly targeting the Baby Boomer Generation). On New Year's Day, look for the Boomer Express Train, the first-ever It's Time to Face Alzheimer's float in the 122nd Rose Parade. Apparently the stories shared at the booth (including mine) will be displayed on the float along with our pictures. We'll have to keep an eye open for the float. New Year's will be here before we know it.

I also wanted to share a link to a fabulous article from The New York Times -- Finally an urgent, informative, and succinct article about Alzheimer's. Thanks to Remy for sending me the link. I was so disappointed with TIME magazine last week and their cover story... it was so boring...
The link to the NY Times article is attached to this blog. (To read the article, NY TIMES might make you register with them, but it's free... they only need your email and a password.)

Also, we're less than a week away from the Memory Walk and we've raised $1925.00!!!!! We'll easily get to $2000. If you would like to donate or join our team, the link is to the right of the blog! We'd love to have you there.

Whittier Place was putting up some new pictures on their walls, so they gave me a few of their old pictures that featured Dad. Both were taken within a month of two of him living there... you can tell his face looks fuller. Whittier place has the best activities... for Cinco de Mayo they had pinatas and virgin Margaritas! The other picture is of Dad planting one of his own Sago Palms in their garden.

Arrrrr, Matey!!!

How much do I love my Dad? Well, I went to Party City to find him a costume two days before Halloween. If you know what Party City is like before Halloween, then you know how much I love my Dad. That place was insane.

I ended up getting him some Pirate accessories and Blake had a red shirt for him. Whittier place was putting on a murder mystery with live entertainment and cookies and treats! The place was decorated with Spider Webs, Flying Ghosts, Blacked out Windows, Strobe Lights, Music and we ended up dancing to "The Monster Mash", "Purple People Eater", "Old Devil Moon", and "The Addams Family". We had a blast singing and dancing to all the songs. As you can see from the pictures, he had a pirate hook in his hand and his favorite joke of the day was, "I'm a hooker!" Hahahaha. Good old Dad.

Afterwards, Dad was getting grumpy and anxious about his living situation-- the usual complaints and then the conversation turned to Paula and he asked, "Do you know Paula?"

"Yes, Dad, she's my Mom." He's so worried that she is out there looking for him. Telling him that she's out of town doesn't really work either. The day turned from delightful to annoying in 5 minutes time. I did what I could to pacify him and then got out of there before he got more anxious.

Below is a video of Dad dancing to the "Monster Mash". Right at the end of the video, Dad's girlfriend Tabitha comes over to start dancing with him....