Mary's Place

A web page about the life of a lady who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

Name:
Location: Piedmont, Oklahoma, United States

I live in Piedmont, OK, with my Husband of 50 years who has been very supportive. We have 2 sons,David and Kenny, 6 grandkids, and 6 great grandkids. I enjoy feeding and watching the birds and squirrels. Before I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, I ran a Licensed Day Care Home for Infants for 15 years. I noticed I wasn't able to remember important things and having problems with my speech. I was experiencing severe headaches. I would get lost. I didn't know how to use the computer. At the age of 55, I told my doctor. I was sent for an MRI. which showed a large amount of shrinkage. I went to a neurologist who sent me for two days of testing. I was diagnosed with dementia of the Alzheimer's type. My husband and I were both in shock. I had to give up my job. I went to see a social worker. I've taken Aricept for 11 years. I can now use the computer and even do this web page. I also host a chat room for dementia patients. This is a very lonely disease. I don't want anyone to feel as lonely as I did when I was diagnosed (I thought I was the only one over 50 that had Alzheimer's). In 2006 I started taking Namenda. Also I was told I have a mixed dementia, Alzheimer's/Vascular.

Thursday, March 31, 2005

Happy Birthday Erin!!! Erin is our granddaughter in Norman, Oklahoma… Another month is gone. Where does the time go? My days just fly by… I have been busy picking up, going through papers, paying bills, doing laundry, folding clothes, hosting chats, and helping fix supper. And in between all those things I was eating a snack. I am always hungry… Since the weather is nice I have been going out when it is time for the school bus and waving at Josh and Heather when they get off the bus. It does me good to see them wave back at me… This morning I was woke up with a phone call from the McGee Eye Institute. They had a cancellation for cataract surgery and asked if I would like to take it so I said yes. I am looking forward to getting this one done since I know now what to expect… I heard from Paula from the Alzheimer’s Assn. And she gave me the name of another phone buddy. I called her and found out she was diagnosed by Dr. Morgan, the same Neurologist who gave me my diagnosis. I invited this person to join us in the chat room at http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/mari5113/index.html … We finally got a little rain tonight. I don’t know if it was enough to do much good but every little bit helps… Alfred called and invited us for dinner tomorrow… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, March 30, 2005

David called yesterday; he said they have a new calf. Kenny came down last night and told us Josh made the principal’s honor roll again. Congratulations Josh, you make your grandma’s heart smile big… I was wide-awake all night last night and feeling flushed. This happened before when I had a cortisone shot. I finally got out of bed around four this morning and got on the computer answering emails and searching the Internet. Dave noticed I was out of bed and came to check on me… I have been busy today. Trying to play catch up for all the days I was away from home. Doing the laundry, cleaning the bathroom, hosting chat, dusting, and fixed supper... Dave got on his tractor and mowed our acreage, planted more corn, watered the garden, and fertilized the yard… I thought we were going to get some rain but it didn’t happen. We really are needing a good rain… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, March 29, 2005

Dave woke me up before breakfast this morning and before I knew it we were on our way to see Dr. Brown. But first we dropped Cindy off to be groomed. It was time for my cholesterol and liver check. They also gave me a cortisone injection while I was there. I sure hope it helps my aching joints… Then we went to Tinker Air Force base again to get the prescriptions filled that Dr. Brown wrote for us… While we were in the neighborhood of our old house we stopped by to visit Jaunita. She was as happy to see us as we were her. We never visited her much but would always wave when we saw each other out in our yards. She gave me several starts of her beautiful creeping phlox… On our way home Dave stopped by to get some more airplane fuel and then we went to Braum's for an ice cream cone. Then we went to pick up Cindy and she looks much better than I do after being groomed. It has been so windy here I look awful today… After supper Dave took a nap while I read my emails then we went out to plant the creeping phlox. Dave put them in the ground and I watered them in. We put them around our house in different areas so we can tell where they will grow best… While we were outside our neighbor Kim and Son Zachary came over. Kim told me that she and Robert are expecting a new baby. I am so excited for them. Zachary brought over his newest trophy to show me. He is involved in motocross… Paula from our local Alzheimer's Assn. contacted me and she had a new person who was wanting a phone buddy so I called that person. I also called another phone buddy and checked on her. Me being a phone buddy is working out well for those who don't have a computer… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, March 28, 2005

Thanks to Erin in Norman, Oklahoma for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… I woke up this morning at ten till six and thought the clock said ten o’clock. I knew we had a lot to do today so I woke Dave up and told him it was ten. Needless to say he wasn’t very happy with me. We both have been dragging all day… Dave took me to get groomed. I got a haircut, manicure, and pedicure. Tomorrow is Cindy’s turn… We went to an appreciation dinner tonight and I am so tired of going. Tomorrow I have to go again to the see the doctor… David called... Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, March 27, 2005


Trevor with basket of eggs. Posted by Hello


Jake with basket of eggs. Posted by Hello


Macey finding an egg. Posted by Hello


Madison and basket of eggs. Posted by Hello

Happy Easter...
We left around noon to go to David and Lori’s in Norman for dinner and an Easter egg hunt with the grandchildren. We also celebrated Erin’s birthday. There were eighteen of us there… The weather was just right. We were supposed to have rain but we didn’t get any… We got home just in time to see the sunset… Kenny, Kathy, Josh, and Heather walked down tonight, so I got some time with all my family today. You can't beat that... Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, March 26, 2005

It has been one of those good for nothing days. Very cloudy and looks like it may rain… I did laundry, picked up, took care of the houseplants and played dominoes. One good thing about today you don’t notice the dust and dust bunnies as much… I picked up some nice strawberries at the commissary yesterday and made us some strawberry short cake. Yummy… I had a phone call from Chip in Florida. He sounded chipper and is enjoying having his granddaughter and her friends from Ohio visit them on their spring break… We are getting several new members to DASNI and since I am a moderator and vice president it is keeping me busy… When we were having dinner tonight we saw our first red headed woodpecker at the feeder. We are getting new birds everyday… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, March 25, 2005

Good Friday...
Today has been a very busy day. We dropped off some clothes at the laundry then went to Tinker Air Force Base to pick up prescriptions, looked around at the BX, and got groceries at the commissary… I am very tired tonight, so tired that I can’t talk straight… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, March 24, 2005

I was really tried after the DASNI AGM last night. It was stressful for me so I slept in this morning. I would like to invite you to visit our DASNI site. Here is the link for it: http://www.dasninternational.org/ … Our Financial Manager came this afternoon to catch up with us… Dave and I walked up to the garden and we can’t tell too much about it right now but the onions are looking good. On our way back we noticed deer and turkey tracks on our property… My friend Rosalie called and it was good catching up with her. Years ago we used to have a ladies night out once a month and she was one of us… I called David and Lori and their cow’s foot is improving but still not so she will put any weight on it… I did laundry, cleaned the oven, fed the flowers, and hosted chat… It was a very pretty day up… Dave spends most of his days in his workshop “hidey hole” (hiding from me) LOL… Today Dave and Kenny were flying their sailplanes and the wind came up and Dave’s plane was gone. Kenny and he retrieved it about a mile away… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma


Me and the dogs. Karmelita, Tootsie, Daisy Mae, and Cindy Posted by Hello

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

I have had a great day. Erin our granddaughter who lives in Norman called this morning and said she was coming to visit us and bring her new puppy Daisy Mae. It is a Yorkie and so tiny and adorable. She wore herself out playing with our three little dogs… When school was out I called Josh and Heather down to see Daisy Mae and they both fell in love with her… Tonight is our AGM for DASNI and I need to go now and get ready for that… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma


This is our great grand puppy Daisy Mae Posted by Hello

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

We have had a light rain all day and that is great for our garden and lawn but I prefer sunshine myself… It has turned cold again and is to get down in the low 30’s tonight… I folded the clothes that I had in the dryer and got them all put away. I answered emails that I have been forgetting to answer, cleaned up my computer of unwanted emails, and hosted the afternoon chat… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, March 21, 2005

This morning soon after breakfast I wanted lunch and Dave told me I had just finished breakfast and that I was always hungry and he is so right… I also want something sweet after every meal. Then I wonder why I am so big. LOL… I washed a load of clothes and put them in the dryer and they are still in there. They are dry and are clothes that need to be folded and I hope to do that tomorrow…. I spent a lot of time today just looking out the windows. We have such large windows in this house and I love my views. In the back of the house where we have our meals I get to watch the birds, the cows, and Josh and Heather get off the school bus. In the front where our study is and where I spend most of my day on the computer I have the neighborhood children to watch when they get off the school bus. They jump on their skateboards, scooters, and bicycles and ride up and down our driveway. They like our driveway because it is on a hill. I also have a beautiful view of the sky and today the clouds were beautiful and that is where I get to watch the beautiful sunsets too. I am so lucky… We were under a tornado watch today. It is that time of the year. I am thankful we have a safe room in the garage where we can go if we have tornado warnings…. I helped fix supper tonight and hosted the afternoon chat…. Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, March 20, 2005

It is the first day of spring I can hardly believe it is finally here but so glad it is. I went outside and checked on the trees and flowers and watered some… Dave put out the Bougainvillea and Petunias that I had stored in the garage for the winter.Dave sets up my medication for me every week and he will set a pill cup on the counter for me to take three times a day. Once I take one container he will set out another one for the next time and so on. This afternoon I went in and saw the pills so I poured me a glass of juice to take them with and picked up the glass and walked into the study and worked on the computer went back an hour or so later and there on the counter were my pills. That is how my days go… I took the sheets off the bed and washed them and Dave hung out the pillows to air out… Thanks to Heather's suggestion, my nightmares have stopped… Dave planted our first batch of corn... Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, March 19, 2005

Thanks to Joann in North Carolina for visiting Mary's Place and signing my guest book…
This morning I listened to the lawn and garden talk show on the radio. I do the listening and then tell Dave what he needs to do… I spent sometime outside and while I was out there I fed the pansies… I hosted the DASNI chat and did some laundry… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, March 18, 2005

This has been a rest day for me I have accomplished nothing except hosted two chats and answered some emails… Lori called and invited us out for Easter for an Easter egg hunt… I went outside today and noticed the new roses Dave planted for me are looking good and I also noticed the peonies are peeking through the ground… Spring is really just around the corner… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, March 17, 2005

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!!! I had another nightmare last night. This time I was being chased my a mountain lion… Dave and I left this afternoon and went by Alfred and Martha’s to see their new furniture, then had lunch at Subway, then we went to the RV show. We saw some beautiful RV’s… When we got home I fixed supper and called Sandy in Ohio… A beautiful day but very windy… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, March 16, 2005

The nightmares continue every night and I wish I knew what to do to stop them… We had sunshine today and got to watch the sunset… I did laundry, took care of the house plants and picked up around the house… We saw turkeys across the road this afternoon… Dave has planted peas, potatoes, onions, and beets in our garden so far and he flew his sailplane… Martha called and I called Faye… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Thanks to Phil in Oklahoma City for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… Kenny came down last night…
It has been a dismal rainy day. No sunshine or sunsets today… I watched a robin this morning on our patio and I noticed our forsythia bush is starting to bloom. When we were going to Oklahoma City yesterday I noticed they were already in full bloom there and also the Bradford pear trees were just beautiful, especially around the capitol. Our Bradford pears are pretty but still not that large yet… I have mostly rested today but did do a load of laundry and fixed supper… David called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Monday, March 14, 2005

Dave woke me up early this morning. I am sure glad I rested yesterday because we had so much to do today. First off we had to go by Dr. Brown’s and pick up a prescription for me. We had to take our motor home in to McClain’s for some work to be done… Then we went to get our fishing licenses and then to the nursery to get some pre-emergent for the lawn, seed potatoes. Dave bought me a couple roses, a Cecile Bruner and a Queen Elizabeth. We then went to Aldi’s to get some groceries and salt for our water softener. I think we did other things but can’t think what they were now. Anyhow, I am sure tired tonight so I will be going to bed early… I called Carole in Missouri to ask her to host chat for me… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, March 13, 2005

Last night my foot was hurting really bad and I was too tired to even think about posting a journal. I had been doing too much walking and that makes my foot hurt. I now have a lump on the bottom of my foot so I am afraid the tumor is growing… I will try and play catch up now… We had a nice visit and dinner with Martha, Alfred, and Helen on Friday evening… Saturday David and Lori came for a visit and had lunch with us. Lori brought me a beautiful red rose. She knows how I love flowers… Dave and David were busy doing their thing and Lori and I talked about the grandkids and we walked all over our acreage checking our trees and flowers. I showed her the winter honeysuckle that was blooming, the rose that was sprouting, the mums that were coming up, and the area where Dave will make me a rose garden… We sure did enjoy their visit. I wish they lived closer to us… The flower and vegetable seeds I ordered came in and Dave planted the wildflowers and he will plant the peas today… I watched the church services on TV this morning and watched the morning news before I got out of bed. I am still very tired today… I am making a list of things that we need to get done tomorrow and that makes me even more tired… I have been cold all day… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, March 12, 2005


Grandchildren Josh 15 and Heather 13 and me. They live behind us.  Posted by Hello

Friday, March 11, 2005

Dave gave me my vitamin B-12 injection last night. I was a little late getting it but at least I got it… I had nightmares last night and I was glad to wake up and find out they weren’t real. When I first woke up I couldn’t even remember where I was living but after having my coffee I finally figured it out and I sure felt better after that. It was very scary for me for a while… I picked up, took the sheets off our bed, and did laundry. The maids were coming today and I was sure happy for that. Now we have a whole month to dirty it up again… Nancy called and I called Chip… We have invited Martha, Alfred, and his mother over for dinner tonight and I am looking forward to meeting her… It has been a beautiful day… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, March 10, 2005

The phone rang around seven and woke us both up and after that I wasn’t able to go back to sleep and I sure wasn’t ready to wake up. Dave had no problem falling back to sleep. If only I could have been so lucky… It sure felt good not have to go anywhere today…. I have been busy picking up around the house, doing laundry, taking care of the plants, and hosted two chats. I did take time out to watch the birds at the feeder and the cows across the highway… Our Bradford Pear trees are blooming and the Pansies are sure pretty right now… I was able to get in the whirlpool by myself and got out with a little help from Dave… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, March 09, 2005

We left early this morning for my follow-up appointment with the pulmonary doctor… She changed my restless leg medication to Sinemet. She wants me to stay on the 250 Advair for three months and then she will probably reduce it… We then went to David and Lori’s so I could get my grandkid fix. Madison was outside watching for us when we drove up. She made Dave and I both a valentine and put it in an envelope with her little mark with a crayon on it. Lori fixed us a nice lunch of Enchiladas and rice. Yummy… I fed and sang to Macey, Yes she still lets me sing to her. Of course Madison looks at me funny when I sing. LOL… Dave went with David and Madison to take care of the cows. David had to leave soon after lunch for a dental appointment. We came home with plenty of leftovers and some honey. Thanks David and Lori for everything… We left there and went to check out some funeral homes. We are thinking about pre-arranging our funerals… We already own a crypt in a mausoleum… We stopped at the school in Piedmont and picked up Heather. She had stayed after school for cheer leading school… Nancy called me… I am tired tonight… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, March 08, 2005

Last night Kenny invited us up so Dave and I got in the car and drove up there. I got to see Josh and Heather. While we were there Kathy burned a CD for us… I didn’t make a list of things to do so I have just done things as I thought of them. I helped Dave do our taxes and did a load of laundry… The Schwan man came so we now have plenty of food… I called Martha… Oh, what a beautiful Oklahoma sunset tonight. I am going to watch Billy Graham on TV… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma


This a picture of Lori, Me, and Kathy.  Posted by Hello

Monday, March 07, 2005

This morning before I got out of bed I made a list of things that I wanted to get accomplished and I got them all done and then some… Dave gave the three dogs a bath and I washed their bedding, I cleaned out my closet and got stuff ready for the Salvation Army. I called them and set up a date for them to pick up our stuff… I paid our insurance premiums on the car and motor home. OUCH… I made out a list of vegetable and flower seeds and ordered them. I fixed supper and watched a DVD “Shall We Dance.” I am sure I did something else but that is all I can think of for now… David and Kenny called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, March 06, 2005

I didn’t sleep well at all last night so I have been dragging today… I hosted chat, paid bills, fixed supper, and watched a TV movie… I had phone calls from friends Gayle in Washington and Carolyn in Indiana and I called Laura in Tennessee… Good Night All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma


This is a picture of our sons and me David on the left and Kenny on the right. Posted by Hello

Saturday, March 05, 2005


Kenny and Dave with planes Posted by Hello

March 5, 2005

Thanks to Alice in Idaho for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book. You can sign my guest book too,, just go to http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/mari5113/index.html
Last night right after chat Kenny came down with his telescope and we all went to the back patio and I got to see Saturn. It was so neat… I slept well again last night. Before I got out of bed this morning I made of list of things I wanted to get accomplished and I managed to mark off every one of them. Maybe I need to try that more often… I washed my sheets, mattress cover, hung out the blankets and pillows to air out. I am taking advantage of this beautiful weather… I saw some deer tracks in our back yard but haven’t seen any deer lately… I answered a couple email letters that I received from friends in Indiana and Idaho… Dave got a lot accomplished too and then he and Kenny flew their model airplanes. I took some pictures of them, I hope I remember how to post pictures here if I do I will post one of them with their airplanes… We went out to eat Chinese with Kenny and Kathy tonight… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Friday, March 04, 2005

Happy Birthday Chris!!! Chris is our granddaughter Jenni's husband in Moore, Oklahoma... Happy Birthday Phyllis!!! Phyllis is our friend in Alabama… I was exhausted last night after chat. We had Dr. Mitch as a guest and trying to follow it was more than my little brain could handle… I slept good but got woke up around eight by a phone call. I was sleeping so well when I got that call… I called George and Carol and Norita called me… I folded and put away yesterday’s laundry, trimmed a rose bush, hosted chat, worked on Schwan’s order for next week, and cooked supper… I think we hit 70 today, a beautiful day… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Thursday, March 03, 2005

Happy Birthday Jamie!!! Jamie is our granddaughter in Kentucky...
Thanks to Barbara in Kokomo, Indiana for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… Today would have been my Mother’s 90th birthday. I know she is having a big celebration today in Heaven with Daddy and my three brothers and sister. Happy Birthday Mom!!! I miss you so much… I woke up way too early this morning but one advantage to that was that I got to hear the birds singing… Dave spent the day at a safe driving school. It is put on by AARP. He will get a discount on our car insurance for attending it… I spent my ME time doing laundry and got it all finished. I also made a big pot of Chili… Today in our weekly newspaper Josh’s name was in there for making Principal’s honor roll for first and second semester. Josh is a freshman. Josh we are very proud of you… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Wednesday, March 02, 2005

My foot with the tumor in it woke me up this morning. The tumor I have had for quite some time and is too large to remove so the only thing that can be done is to remove my foot. It hurts me all the time and sometimes really bad, but not so bad that I am ready to have the foot amputated yet… Madison, our three-year-old great granddaughter, called and says she misses me and wants me to come see her. I miss her too. So hopefully next week we can do that… I had a phone call from Chip and he sounded good and cheerful as always… I took care of my houseplants and helped Dave fix supper. We have gotten so we work pretty well in the kitchen together. It has taken us 45 years to reach this point… It has been a beautiful day with lots of sunshine with temperatures up in the upper 50’s. I went outside for a little while… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, March 01, 2005

I would say March came in like a lion. It got down in the 20’s last night… I have been helping Dave most of the day getting our tax stuff together. I had to make a couple phone calls to get 1099 information that we couldn’t locate or didn’t ever have… I watched the birds at the feeder and I am so happy to finally have birds here to watch. I do miss the Cardinals though… Beautiful sunset tonight… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma