Today is Wednesday, May 12, 2009. Last night at supper I was talking to mother about daddy and I realized then that she really had no idea who he was. She has completely forgotten him and ever being married to him. But, she still laughs when you talk about BUT and anything about "men" or sleeping with men, makes her laugh. She is eating a huge bowl of ice cream every night and she thoroughly enjoys every bite. Last night when I was tucking her into bed, she said you are the best mother in the world. I really believe she thinks I am the mother and she is the baby girl. She's also having more trouble swallowing her pills and gets chocked more frequently. I don't know why that is happening, and it worries me. We rode around on the hill and by Aunt Joyce's old house. They tore it down today and the lot it was on is really a pretty lot. I don't know what they plan to do with it, but it's a lovely lot.
On another note, I have less than a month left at Dyersburg Middle School. Then I am back to Dyersburg High School to be the Director of Student Services. I am sad about leaving DMS because it's been a great six years, but I am also excited about going back to a new challenge at DHS. If everything lined up in the stars right, I could retire when this freshman class, The Class of 2013, the class I will follow graduates.
It has rained so much this spring. I hope we can get some this summer when we really need it. The farmers are probably pretty nervous. Today I helped Harold move his BIG screened in room to the hill. Lance also helped as the rear escort. He's getting ready for his birthday party there on the hill. His 70th birthday is May 16. Tommy mowed today, but the mower messed up and he had to take it to the shop. I sure hope it's not a costly venture.

Today is May 10, 2009. My daddy, William Campbell died 1o years ago today.  It also happens to be Mother's Day.  Mother really never understood what today was.  She got up early, and I got her dressed to go to church.  Vickie took her and met William Paul there.  Brother Bill gave mother a ceramic angel with a rose on it for Mother's Day.  WP gave her a rose and she really liked it.  We ate steaks and trimmings that I grilled while they were at church.  She talked with Aunt Macky, Aunt Kay and Michelle.  Hunter and Rebecca and David, Julie and Marlee visited with her.  She was kind of confused all day, really.  We usually do a big family thing on Mother's Day but this year, I just wasn't up to it.  I went on the hill early before I got mother ready for church.  The grass is getting tall because of all the rain and the backwater is going up just as quickly.  It rained even more today.  I hope we have a little letup this week.  We didn't mention anything about Daddy today because mother really doesn't understand.  I miss him so much.  When I am on the hill, I feel his presence.  Maybe that's why I like to be on the hill so much.  Anyway, it's been an emotional day to say the least.  Tommy's in Chicago and will be home in the morning.  I talked with Marie and told her Happy Mother's Day and Jenny, Troy and AC came down and brought me a card, which I really appreciated.  I am going to be bed now and rest for a busy week at school.  

Today is Thursday, May 7, 2009 and I have decided to attempt to write a little bit every day to keep up with Mother's progression of Alzheimer's.   I have tried to think back of when Mother started her decline, but I honestly can't remember.  When daddy died on May 10, 1999, I think she was probably doing fine.  Over the years, however she has gradually gotten worse.  I may go back and write more reflections of the past few years, but tonight I am just going to talk about today.  Mother has been getting up earlier and earlier each day.  We started giving her an Ambien about a month ago and it has helped her sleep, but it hasn't helped her stay asleep longer than about 6 or 7.  Not too long ago, she was sleeping to almost 9.  She can't get herself dressed all by herself.  She can try, but she is likely to put her shirt on backwards,  two different colored socks, pants on backwards, no bra (she deserves not to have to wear one) not matching, etc .  She takes a long, long time to sort out what she wants to wear.  She may pull out ten pairs of pants, and put on two or three panties.  If I am not working, I wlll get her ready.  If I have to go to work,  she will normally get herself ready.  Tommy will fix her breakfast and give her meds to her but if he is working, Ann or WP or Jeanie will give her the meds and breakfast.  Today Tommy was home, then WP and Jeanie came by.  When I got home from school Mother and I went on the hill.  She sat in the chair in the sunshine for almost an hour.  Then we came home and she went with Vickie and her family to eat at Dusty Joe's for Mother's Day.  She was gone until almost 9. When she got home she ate a big bowl of ice cream, which she loves and then I gave her a bath and she went to bed around 10.  Tomorrow is hair day and an appointment with Dr. McKee.