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.