Sometimes it just too hard

I know I haven't been consistent lately on reporting via this blog.

Thing is, when I started this blog I wanted to proudly show how strong my Dad is, even when facing the ugly reality of terminal cancer.
Keep everyone updated on the awful truth about Bobs cancer.
I guess sometimes the the truth is too awful.

He used to read this blog and it would amuse him.
He is too tired now to even care.
He won't eat it hurts.
The nurse said we shouldn't force him. Mom has to fight the nurture in herself to grant him that.

I keep my visits with him short, he tries to be social but it is a struggle. (It was a small victory yesterday when I made him smile... saying something totally inappropriate.. it was short lived.)

Mom is not comfortable leaving him home alone at all anymore. I agree.. we make sure that he always has one of us near.

I knew when I started writing, this time would come. It is as hard as I imagined, and then some.

Yes I will keep everyone updated.. And I am sure I will continue to be me.. snarky, sarcastic and caustic.
Just not today.

Fat cats are bad guests

Dad loves having things that are unique. (Must be why he had seven strange kids.)
His little Chrysler TC by Maserati is one of few made.
A silly old car, but not as silly as the old Valiant convertible.

Last night Mom took him for a ride in that little convertible. It was the first time in days that he felt like leaving the house. Yay, Mom!


Tonight I thought I would bring Bella over to say hi to him. That cat has loved Dad from day one.

But Bella is a cat and they are curious.. It was her first time next door, so she had to explore every room and check out the clean laundry Mom was folding, she totally ignored Dad...
Until he said he was going back to bed if she wasn't going to visit.. then she ran into his room and jumped on their bed...
That is a tall bed for a fat cat.
I took the little shit home...  We will try again tomorrow. 

Let's play twister , let's play risk. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Mom got the guts to her piano back today.
She is all set to play now. Dusty boxes of sheet music ready to be gone through.


Unfortunately the guy who was tweaking the piano has a shitty car. And it died.
So Mom being Mom drove him down to Pep Boys so he could buy a alternator. 
Then moved the cars out of her garage, so he could work on it out of the sun... (It is super hot out.)
She just rolls that way.

Dad meanwhile has been eating less and less and sleeping more and more.
Breaks my heart.
Today he said everything hurts. Grrrrrrrrrrrr.


Yesterday Mom and I went shopping for the softest sheets we could find for him.
I wanted to get these.


Not really, that is just cruel.



Somewhere over the rainbow..

We all know that Mom and Dad have listened to time share sales pitches, and other fantastically boring seminars for free cheap stuff.


But today the guys from Rainbow Vacuums were her victims..
They weren't giving away useless coupons to a amusement park for a hour of Mom's time...No! 
Finally something she could use!


Diet Coke! 2 cases free!!!!

Silly Rainbow folks want $3,500 for a vacuum... not at this address..

It's no bargain!



Will this work for a down payment?

 Dads nurse came by today... same day narcotics delivery to your door is a wonderful thing.
She upped his pain killers, so with that, and a bad night last night he slept most the day.
But he was awake long enough to say hello to the long lost trouble maker.



Hi there!



Youth and exuberance

Cousin Julia called.. Asked if she could visit.
Yay! Of course, no problem..
What we didn't know was that she brought with her a little magic.
Dad was awake and telling stories. Visiting and as alert as I have seen him in sometime.

Pain pills and exhaustion finally won out.
But it was great having Julia here for a nice, albeit quick, visit.

From Salt Lake, down to Vegas and this morning back up to Oakland... That's a lot of drive time kid. (Oh, then on to New Zealand Friday) .. Makes me tired thinking about it.

Check in at 3:00

Welcome to the Dads Inns

 and


The rooms are free for family. 

 Just leave a deposit.

July was a busy month for family.. as will August.


Bellhop Bella comes with attitude.

I love seeing so much of my siblings.
I hate the reason for their frequent visits.
Dad is getting weaker.
Simple things like shaving leave him exhausted.. I hate it.. Mom hates it... Most of all Dad hates it.


Perhaps he should just shave his face and head.



Chop Stix

I leave town for a day or two and Mike and Mom go shopping.

Loved every minute!


What they bought wouldn't fit in a shopping cart.

What they purchased was only practical to get because Mike was here to help unload the thing!

Hint...
Liberace had several..


A little less bling please.



More like this.

I don't think anyone is surprised that Mom bought a piano on a whim.... (Chickering of course)
The dude is coming to tune it tomorrow... I hope she takes requests!
 I'm gonna get Bella some lessons.

Topher who?

Topher and Josh left yesterday.. We play like we miss them, but Mike is driving out tomorrow so we can look forward to that.

Topher will be back next month.

Then next month we also have Rhone and Company headed our way.
That equals two houses full of people to love.

And babies too!

Dad spends more and more time tired and sleeping. He can't visit as much as he would like.
Mom loves having her kids come hang out and keep her smiling.... Since Dad doesn't eat much, she will have new victims, loved ones to feed.

Last week, Dad was feeling pretty icky.
But yesterday he seemed a little better, he even wanted to get out of the house a little.
So off to our favorite casino! Where we all came out with a little extra cash in our pockets.


LIKE!

While Dad was resting we found a park.. we love parks.
And in the summer heat, they are light on children!
Kids on the playground just ruin a good time!

Ouch! The worst slide ever.

I'm hiding! You can't find me..

Ride 'em cowboy.






Last night the boys spent the night on The Strip.
Bella must have missed them.

Wonder if they will notice all the cat hair when they pack up today?

Potty Mouth

The thing about Topher is, everything has a double meaning and everything sounds dirty to him.
He also has a contagious potty mouth.


I try to keep it somewhat clean... not really.
But it is more than disturbing when Mom and Dad catch the lingo.
Because I never want to hear Mom say V-jay jay again... Josh came up with the brilliant idea of making a Bingo type chart.



I edited the real words for this family blog.

We decided, (Topher, Josh and I.. not The Teenagers)
That if they get bingo they have to go to church!


But who will supervise?

The only flaw in our plan is... none of us are willing to go with them and make sure they attend.

Note to self: Hide the bingo card when hospice nurse visits.


I think that word is on the list.



Whew.

Could be worse, they could be going around saying "Oh my heck!"



Fun with Tophers phone.

Today we took Dad scuba diving.

And if you believe that, we also..........

 took this ornery creature.

Actually, we got Dad all signed up for hospice.

No more waiting forever in the damn doctors office for Dad.

He went yesterday so he could get a referral.. they made him wait 2 hours to get in.. (That is with a appointment.)





Now Mom can get rid of all the red tape that comes with caring for him.

We are good with what they had to offer and the attitude that they have.

It has been great having Topher here.. We can even get Dad to smile with our inappropriate remarks and antics.

Look what I found

Some bargains are better than others!

30% off!!! I will take one!



When I picked him up I was amused to find we dressed as twins that morning.
Totally by chance.

As Dad rested, we went exploring... Found a new park!


There were too many kids playing on the playground, so we just strolled around with Mom.

Too damn hot to hit the slide anyway!  Stupid kids.



Score! A scummy pond with turtles!... I think they keep it dirty to discourage Udells from jumping in.

Hey You! Yes you, stop pooping on the sidewalk.

It would be a great place to take Dad for a wheelie walk.. but the crap on the sidewalk would be way gross...   

Tons of Canada Geese... They are okay but they have some gross habits.

And they sound funny.

And they get too close looking for food.

Down right creepy!

 

Yawn..........


Topher again?
Hope I remember how to get to the airport.

I really do.

I am glad that I get to pick him up!
I will be happy to do it anytime......


Bella, on the other hand, needs to get ready for Tophers favorite game 'Stuff on my cat"