can YOU tell the difference Between #1 and #2 ?

Monday Surprise Lunch

What A Day. What A Day :D
Our youngest daughter, Allison came by to surprise us this afternoon :D She and her boyfriend D.C. and D.C.'s 1 year old son, Dillon came for a visit.
WHAT A TREAT.  Both Allison and D.C. have been busy with work schedules so we have not seen them for a few weeks. We had a Blast. LOL. The kids surprised us with a yummy, yummy lunch, including a Large Vanilla Milk Shake for Mikey. He was in heaven. The kids got to meet Nancy #2. After Allison watched just for a few minutes at how thorough and attentive Nancy#2 is to Dad, and how happy and healthy Dad looks. Allison's next comment . . ."Geez Dad, You Shoulda Gotten Rid o' Mom A Long Time Ago and Replaced Her With Nancy #2 !"

Our Kids, along with my parents and our landlord, will be happy to know that the United States Post Office Just Chewed Us Out As Well For Moving FOUR Times Since May 13, 2011 : / whooops. . .but LOWES is LOVING us. GONE GONE GONE...ALL MOVING BOXES R GONE ! course there's always that 2nd floor large storage unit, plus the 5 storage sheds in the garage....AnyWay, Point Is , Parkwing 401 Lifers! And Thrilled About It :D xo mnnk

Friday Lunch date

Hi it's Lisa!

Today I took dad out for a little lunch date! Angie and I had gone over to see them on Wednesday for a few hours. It was a really nice day and the three of us were sitting out on the deck talking about "if Ivars still did their fireworks over Elliott Bay, mom and dad would have such a great view!"  to which I responded... "oooh Ivars sounds good! Maybe if its nice on Friday we should go dad"   So back to today, Friday.  It was a really dreary rainy day, my car was in the shop and I was planning on just walking down to mom and dads. Mom was aware of all of this.  Then I got a text from her at 11:30 saying she was coming to get me and dad was planning a fish and chip lunch at 12:45 so I could use their car.... Oh man those two! We know one issue dad is not having... forgetfulness! That man remembers everything!

Mom picked me up and we arrived back at their place. Dad appeared ready to go just sitting in his chair, shit eating grin on his face and his Seattle Prep apron on :) I just laughed at him and said "Hi dad." Of course he wasn't ready at all... 25 mins later (and a very starving Lisa) I was loading him into the car and we were on our way. I will say on a complete side note, that the Saab is much easier loading him in and out of then the Mini mobile! 

We made our way to Ivars on Lake Union. I figured we could just sit in the bar area...which worked out perfectly! I do wish someone could have seen us trying to get out of the car and into the restaurant though! Dad got out of the car and into his chair with no problem. I think he thought I was still behind him or something but I had gone to get his foot rests out of the trunk and I see him rolling into another parked car! He had taken the brakes off and was on just enough of an incline! I grabbed him and got his feet on and then we made our way up to the doors....its a bit of an incline and anyone who hasn't been to this particular Ivars, the doors are huge and fairly heavy! I quickly realized it would be easier to wheel him in backwards but even that took all my might to hold the door and pull him up! I was giggling as the hostesses welcomed us and then we quickly rolled down the ramp! I asked dad if he sometimes feels like he's on a Disneyland ride when I'm pushing him around!

Our waitress couldn't have been more friendly or accommodating! I'm not even sure that the section of the bar was open but it was the only place I could wheel dad into. Dad got his fish and chips and a vodka tonic :) We watched some ESPN and hung out for a bit. It was nice to go somewhere other than the apartment! Dad seems a lot better when he is able to get out as well. Angie and I both commented on how quiet and drained he seemed when where stopped by on Wednesday and today he had a lot more energy. Mom says that he has been sleeping a lot more lately, but on top of shaking all day long I think he might be worn out from the move. He was saying that he watched a special that Michael J Fox had saying that he is tired a lot as well and as I told mom all his shaking is a day long workout! :/

I'm looking forward to it getting nicer so we can go on more walks and just take dad more places. They are building a ramp from lower Queen Anne to the waterfront which will be really nice! I am pretty sure the entrance to the ramp is only a block or two from their apartment!!

When we were on the elevator back up to their place, dad said... Nancy #2 isn't a very good cook. "she burns everything" So I think that was his way of saying...thanks for taking me to lunch :) HA! Overall it was a good day! I dropped him back off to his Nancy's and when I left he was doing a good job of bossing them around...

                                                     Dad saying "Cheers!" at lunch :)

                              Angie & Dad chatting while Nancy #2 helps him with is breakfast!

                                             The Views from the new apartment 401

                                     Their bedroom view... I think the entire reason for the move.

Dinner at Johnny's Place

 I (Johnny) had mom and dad over for dinner at my place in Kirkland on Monday night. It'd been a while since they had been over and since I had the day off from work I thought I'd attempt to cook them a good meal. They were right on time, highly unexpected, and I was not prepared at all. The salmon was not finished cooking so we started with the salad and garlic mashed potatoes. It was pretty good, but not as good as the dinners dad use to make. What with the new move that mom and dad have just finished, their TV has not been hooked up for the last few days, and dad was pretty content watching TV throughout his stay.

After dinner I took dad downstairs to have a look at the Alfa. He hadn't seen the car in about a month or two so a big grin came across his face when I asked if he wanted to go see it, and an even bigger grin when I started it up for him. It's too bad it was raining otherwise we could have gone for a ride.

Making sure it is running well

Putting the Alfa to bed

Moving to 401...NEW ADDRESS ALERT!!

Today is moving day.... I (Lisa) mentioned it casually in last weeks post because I didn't think those two nutty parents of mine could be serious about moving again for the 3rd time in less than 6 months but was not shocked when I found out that sure enough they were moving! They are staying in the same building, still Parkwing, but moving to a different unit on a different floor.  Its a beautiful unit with Pergo floors and fantastic views. The floors do help dad wheel around on his own much better and they are moving away from the smoker on the 3rd floor that drove them crazy.  I told them though if they wanted this I was not going to help them move again! So I am being typical snotty Lisa and avoiding their apartment building today! Don't worry, they had professional movers :) I'll go down next week when they are a little more settled...Their new and official address is...

                                                    620 5th ave w #401
                                                    Seattle, WA 98119


Nancy #2 started on Monday and apparently mom and dad LOVE her! Dad says she is just great and mom says she is "very cool and not too sexy, fortunately for me!" It might be fortunate for Nancy #2 as well or she might have Mr Flirty Mike Kissler to deal with :) Which reminds me of a few months ago,  when we met with Corina who helped get us into Providence Elder place... She is super cute, mid thirties, very put together. Anyway, Dad was in sweats as it was like 9am when we met with her and then he decides he's cold but instead of a sweatshirt he makes mom get him his sport coat :) He was definitely turning on the charm as he likes to do :)

It sounds like Dad has a busy week next week. He has his first Physical Therapy appointment through Providence Elder place on Tuesday. Mom is really excited about his physical therapist Cindy! And then they have an occupational therapist coming as well to make sure their place is set up for all of dads needs! And hopefully they haven't scared Nancy #2 away and she'll be back next week as well :)

Below is a picture of Dad with his new "My Zone" headphones. He's really into ordering things off infomercials late at night... problem most likely, but this is just too funny not to share! Johnny hooked them up wirelessly to the TV so dad can zone everyone out and watch his show!!

Yesterday was a day full of giggles! I (Lisa) went down to my parents around noon and dad and I had lunch together!  This allowed mom to get things done around the place but at the same time we all got to visit! Mom and dad are wanting to move to a unit on the 4th floor of their building. A little smaller but amazing views and pergo floors...which dad loves. So I spent some time measuring their current space to compare...however all they had was a yard stick which was comical in itself! Anyhoo... mom was telling me how starting next week there is a lady named Nancy (ironic) coming for in home care for dad! I immediately asked why he wouldn't be going to the providence elder place center..which I thought was the original plan! Mom explained that the dr, and dad didn't think it was a good idea because the people at the center are A LOT older than dad and in very different shape! It isn't the most healthy environment for him mentally and it is just as easy for someone to come to their place.
Dad went on to tell me about his first experience alone at providence!  "I got on the bus they strapped me in and started to head down Mercer Street... The driver exclaimed 'SHIT there is so much traffic' he turned off and headed a different direction to which a women in the front started to panic and turned around to me 'I've never been this way, have you been this way? where are they taking us'"  Then dad said he got to the center and after his appointment was going to have lunch and they helped him into the area and sat him down at a table with a few people. One man just stared at him another talked about how handsome he was... Dad telling this story is much more entertaining then me trying to write it! But needless to say mom and I were both in tears laughing!
So starting Monday Nancy #2 will be coming Monday-Friday 2-8pm! Although we will probably not have her come on Friday's and Angie and I can spend that time with dad....its much easier when there are two of us to make sure he is fed and that we don't leave the place a disaster for mom when we leave! :)
I'm not sure how helpful I was, but it was a fun visit and allowed me to spend time with both mom and dad! They have become pretty entertaining those two!

Tues Feb 7th.

So this Tuesday when I got to Mom and Dad's, Dad was sound asleep.  It was 2:00 and he was snoring on the couch with jazz music playing in the background. He had gotten up early that morning and needed a nap as he does often now. When he woke up we got all ready and went on a walk. We were headed for the park but ended up at Dicks instead :) We sat there for a while enjoying our burgers and Dad had a vanilla shake. Vanilla ice cream, Particularly Trader Joe's vanilla mini cones, is Dad's current favorite thing. I don't think he can ever eat enough! It was nice to go out to eat with my dad even if it was just Dicks :) On our way back home I almost launched him out of the Wheelchair a couple times. If you hit a bump or crack in the sidewalk it just stops the chair abruptly and practically gives us both whiplash.  I have really become aware of how non handicap friendly a lot of places can be...Struggling with this for a couple blocks all the while chatting to Dad and stopping periodically to put my ear to his face to listen to what he has to say.  It's hard to hear him over the traffic noise, he has lost most of the volume in his voice. It is mostly just a whisper something that is very frustrating for Dad and those of us trying to hear him. When we were a half block away from home we started walking down the alley and Dad said "Hey Ang, I'll push you." What? OK you sure?? "Yep" so we traded places and Dad did great.  He does this in physical therapy, pushing his therapist in the chair. He pushed me a half block down the alley and we even managed to get a nice neighbor to take our picture after I failed several times attempting to take our picture myself :)

Attempt
#1

Attempt #2

#3

Thank you neighbor :)

Here comes the sun!

Hi everybody, it's Angie.  So I 'm posting a little late about my visit with Dad this past Wednesday.  We had a great day hanging out on the deck and enjoying the sunshine while Mom got some stuff done.  Dad said he wanted to to try and "get a little color" which I think he accomplished :) We took a walk around the neighborhood and Dad pointed out places where people he knows used to live or things that he knows about certain buildings as he likes to do.  I love hearing these stories.  Later in the afternoon I brought Mom and Dad over to my house to visit the Dogs and made dinner. Dad loved seeing the new house and was full of paint color suggestions and ideas about where I can blow out walls and expand.  I don't think he can walk into a place with out remodeling it in his head.  He has all sorts of ideas about improvements to their apartment.  I know he misses this part of his life. He was still working on beautifying houses, his own and others, just a year ago.

                                            Dad on the deck

                                             Me and Dad with our matching glasses

                                            Mom ducking "so you can see the water"

                                            Reading this blog.

Friday Adventures with Dad

We are having a beautiful weekend here in Seattle! Everything is better when the sun comes out :)
Yesterday I (Lisa) took dad over to his friend Tim Firnstahls house. After loading dad and his chair and all his goods that mom so diligently sent me with in the mini mobile we were off! We got to Tim's and I unloaded dad and all his stuff and Tim said, lets go out to lunch... after discussion we decided the view at the Firnstahls was much nicer so I got dad all settled and headed out to get the boys some sandwiches! Tim had knee surgery a few weeks ago so I was getting a kick out of the two gimps! We decided to have lunch outside since it was close to 60 degrees outside!! The two boys babbled about life and I took some pictures :) It was a great visit and really nice to be outside with such a beautiful view!

So dad and I made our way back to Queen Anne. I called mom to let her know we were on our way since we didn't have a key to their place. She was about a half hour out so I asked dad if he wanted to go on a drive...he said no he wanted to go pick up the key from her. That of course made me think he was eager to get home! So we went and got the key and then were turning into their apartment and dad says "lets go to Safeway and get some apples" he likes to do these fun requests at the last minute! So I said, sure but he was staying in the car and I would just run in... So thats what happened. I was in and out in maybe 6 minutes. To my surprise (or not surprise) when I was coming back down to the car,  who was practically running across the parking lot? OH good old Mike Kissler! I said WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!!! He said "I just wanted to see if they have those carts you can drive and I was going to meet you up there!" So I laughed at him and told him they only have those at QFC and helped him back to the car (which he left completely unlocked with all the windows and sunroof open) He proceeded to explain to me that all the doctors are saying he is bored and that's why he does these silly things... Hopefully going to Elder place a few times a week and getting out of the apartment will help this! Who knows though...hes always been a bit of a loon! :)

Once we got back to the apartment I got him all settled with something to drink and eat and was going to take a load off for a bit before I had to leave. He wouldn't have it! He asked me to hang a mirror that weighed probably a little less than  I do.  I asked him if Josh and I could come on Saturday and hang it and he said sure. Then within minutes he was on standing on the couch trying to hang it himself... long story short, I hung the mirror.


Everyday is an adventure with that man, that's for sure! He is cause for a lot of giggles though even though at the time he might be driving us nuts! The newest challenge that he is facing is that he has a hard time turning at all. It used to just be hard turning right but now its both ways which is tough when he decides he wants to walk across the parking lot on his own. He's doing great though and taking it all in stride! I think I'll make some chili and head down for the super bowl tomorrow :) We'll see what stories that brings!


Hope you are all having a great weekend.

FINALLY!!!!

Hi it's lisa :)   

We have been waiting for months for approval into a program called Providence Elder place. It is run through Providence hospital here in Seattle and we were thrilled when we got the call that Dad was going to be accepted into the program February 1st!  Everything has been great so far! He had to switch all of his doctors from group Health and UW, but Absolutely everything is covered! His medicine, his dr visits, he is eligible for in home care! It is a fantastic program. They also pick him up and take him to his appointments and he can go 7 days a week if he likes to their facility for physical therapy or just for social interaction! Again they will pick him up and bring him home! Although I make fun of him for riding the short bus to school, he giggles and couldn't be happier! It is a fantastic program!

Within the first few days of being involved in the program he has met and LOVES his new medical team! Mom says that Dr. Theressa had dad grinning ear to ear! She says that everyone is extremely detailed, compassionate and attentive! Moms most favorite thing was that they delivered a weeks worth of medicine, all sorted and perfect to their front door! She is so excited about this service :) "No one ever delivers anything directly to our front door! Not even the crystal springs water guy!"

Mom also said in an email thanking providence... ."it has felt so lonely for the past few months trying to cope with dads disease and they are finally giving dad the health care he deserves!" We are all thrilled about it and know dad is finally in great hands!!

Below is a cute pic of dad with his new medical team!