84

Jo Ann is 84 today. John has work stuff today, a fundraiser, so he came home yesterday for Mom's birthday celebration. Since John is off the animal products I decided to make a big pot of chili, which mom loves anyway, she loves all things soup and bean, and left some of it vegan and the carnivorous Mallaneys had some spicy sausage and a touch of beef broth stirred into theirs. I gotta say, with some toppers of corn chips, sharp cheddar, sour cream, green onions and cilantro, along with some corn muffins, it really hit the spot on a cool fall day. I made this no-bake cheesecake stuff Mom has made as long as I can remember, with pineapple and cream cheese and cool whip and a graham cracker crust. It was a good day. Mom will definitely want her favorite Aurelio's pizza for her birthday meal, but with John off the cheese we will have it another day. 

Mom doesn't get up anymore, she is in bed all the time. She is holding steady. Her appetite is pretty good and she is in a good mood (usually). Sometimes though we all get tired and short.  Sometimes she can't hear. Or chooses not to . . . lol. Once in a while she is totally out of it, but I've noticed those periods usually follow a bad sleeping night. Like the other day she said "Well, I suppose I'll get out of here one of these days!?"  And then one night she said "I don't suppose a person can get a cup of coffee and a cookie around this place!?" I mean come on Jo Ann . . . we always have coffee and cookies! LOL  I asked her where she thinks she is, and told her she was at her house on Benton Street where she has lived for 50 years. She told me she doesn't remember Benton Street, she remembers Douglas Street (pre-children) and the farm. I said OK, and got her coffee and cookie.  The next day I asked her where she lived and she looked at me like I had two heads, and she knew the Benton Street address and informed me that she moved here in 1972. Then I think she mentioned to Joe that Kay is slipping. Sigh. It was pretty hilarious. She is still getting visits from the nurse and the bath aide, which is incredibly helpful and makes me feel better about things.  

October seemed to go by in the blink of an eye. I think I say that every month. 

It doesn't seem fair to me that as he ages John's hair is getting black and mine is getting a white as can be. Though I admittedly would look quite strange with black hair. 

Aren't the prices of things crazy! Good lord. Groceries and gas and life! And the time change . . . I can't believe I forgot to change my clock at work on Friday. Kills me going in there on a Monday morning and turning it back an hour! Ok . . . done whining. 

Pretty quiet around these parts. Quiet is GOOD! Hoping to finish up the fall yard work today, John helped with some stuff yesterday, so almost done. 

Best to all. 

Kay ☘