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.

Saturday, December 30, 2006

Throw that Kathy made me for Christmas. Click on it to make it larger.

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Macey our youngest great grandchild and Me

Christmas Eve with my family

Happy Belated Birthday to all that I missed while I was away. Carole in Missouri, Larry in Tennessee, and Alan in New Zealand… Happy Birthday Lucy!!! Lucy is Dave’s sister in Huntington, West Virginia… I am back! Between Christmas and my asthma I ended up just resting the past four days. I am still not feeling the best but better than I was… We got out of the house this afternoon and ran some errands… I called Lucy and Joyce in Black Forrest, Colorado… I had a wonderful Christmas with my family, hope you all did too… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma
marylockhart@atlinkwifi.com

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Happy Birthday Jenni!!! Jenni is our granddaughter in Moore, Oklahoma… I didn’t get out of my jammies until this evening. I had to then because Kenny and Kathy took us out to eat… I did a load of laundry, helped with making the cookie dough, and hosted chat… Norma in Canada and Richard in Smithville, Tennessee called and I called Carolyn in Canada… I wish all of you who follow my journal a Very Merry Christmas. I am going to take a couple days off from writing in my journal. But I will be back… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma
marylockhart@atlinkwifi.com

Friday, December 22, 2006

I slept much better last night. I found my Albuterol and some cough syrup and I will be sure to use it tonight too… I dusted our bedroom, cleaned bathroom, hosted the afternoon and evening chats and fixed supper… We kidnapped Sammy this evening while Kenny and Kathy were still at work and it wasn’t long till Kenny and Kathy were here to get him. It is fun to watch Shiloh and Sammy play. Whenever we want to be entertained we go get Sammy… David and Janey in Illinois called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma
marylockhart@atlinkwifi.com

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Thanks to Penny in Dana Point, California for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book at http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/mari5113/index.html I had a rough night, I kept waking up because of my coughing and then I had a hard time falling back to sleep each time… I rested mostly today. I need to get better before Christmas Eve… We delivered our Christmas gifts to our neighbors this evening… I made a meatloaf for supper… Kenny and Sammy came down for a visit… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma
marylockhart@atlinkwifi.com

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Five more days till Christmas and I am looking forward to Christmas Eve when our family will all be together here at our home… I did laundry, picked up around the house, and watched a tv movie “Tuesday with Morrie.” I have also read the book… So far I have been remembering to feed my beta fish everyday. I have named him Mickey… We got a good rain during the night and the sun came out today. We could use much more rain… More goodies brought by tonight by three of our neighbors. My clothes are all shrinking… I had a phone call from Jeanne in Hawaii. Jeanne, it was so good to hear your voice again… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Happy Birthday Roger!!! Roger is our nephew in Colorado Springs, Colorado…
It felt so good to just stay home today and rest… I fixed our lunch, folded laundry that was left in the dryer, and helped fix supper… I talked to both of our sons. I always like hearing from them and to see how their day is going… Our Internet was down most of the day so I watched a movie… Foggy and rainy tonight… Lori called, she is so tickled with their new remodeled bathroom. I am happy for her and I can’t wait to see it… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma
marylockhart@atlinkwifi.com

Monday, December 18, 2006

I woke up with a scratchy throat this morning and I was very hoarse. But it got better as the day went on… After lunch we got ready to go to Tinker to pick up prescriptions and finish up our Christmas shopping. Thank God we are finished shopping now. Most of the cards are in the mail and most of the gifts are wrapped. We still have to do the cookie dough later this week. I do think we are going to make it. There for awhile I was wondering… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma
marylockhart@atlinkwifi.com

Sunday, December 17, 2006

I have had a great day. I did the laundry this morning and it is all done except for folding the clothes that are in the dryer… Alfred and Martha came out and we exchanged gifts and Martha helped me decorate the Christmas tree. It really looks pretty. Dave got his plane out and flew it so Alfred could see how the big plane flew… Kenny and family went to Lawton for Kathy’s family Christmas. Dave brought Sammy down to meet Alfred and Martha. They fell in love with him… I fixed lasagna, broccoli, and hot bread for our dinner and Martha brought a pumpkin pie… It was a great afternoon and evening. The neighbors continue to bring us homemade goodies. We have never lived in a neighborhood like this before. The neighbors are the greatest… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma
marylockhart@atlinkwifi.com

Saturday, December 16, 2006

I woke up feeling much better this morning than I did yesterday… We did some shopping and I was surprised that the stores we went to weren’t that crowded and I was happy for that… I hosted the afternoon chat then called Chip and Ben, a couple of DASNI friends to check on them… I fixed us a breakfast for supper… I called Aunt Flo and George… Our tree is up and the lights are on it. Now to get it decorated and the gifts wrapped…. Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma
marylockhart@atlinkwifi.com

Friday, December 15, 2006

My asthma returned this morning and our Bichon dog Cindy was very concerned about all my coughing… Between the asthma and my cloudy head didn’t make for a good day… We had planned to go shopping today but that was cancelled. Tomorrow will be a better day…. Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma
marylockhart@atlinkwifi.com

Thursday, December 14, 2006

This morning I took care of the houseplants and fixed our lunch. Then we got ready to go to the mall… After we finished touring the mall we went to pick up Alfred and Martha. We all went to Amber to Ken’s Steakhouse for a delicious prime rib dinner. This was to celebrate Alfred and my birthdays… We stayed out too late and I am really tired tonight… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma
marylockhart@atlinkwifi.com

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Happy 8th Birthday Trevor!!! Trevor is our great grandson in Moore, Oklahoma…
Thanks to Norell in Happy Jack, Arizona and Ann in Sierra Vista, Arizona for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… I have been keeping busy approving people to join DASNI. Thanks to the US News article, the NBC and CBS nightly news. Alzheimer’s is getting a lot of coverage, especially for the younger people being diagnosed. If you would like to join DASNI go here: http://www.dasninternational.org/ … It was late afternoon before I got my shower and started cleaning the bathrooms and doing laundry… It was a beautiful sunny day with no wind. Having no wind is very unusual for Piedmont… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma
marylockhart@atlinkwifi.com

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Thanks to Angie, Joseph in Oceanside, California, Kenny in Piedmont, Oklahoma, and Susan in Canada for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book at http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/mari5113/index.html … As I told you the other day I would let you know today what our Christmas gift was that was delivered today. It is a 40 in Sony Television for our living room. I know we will get very much enjoyment out of it. Santa is good to us… I had phone calls from George in Kentucky, Mary in Canada, and Linda in California… I have been curled up on the couch with my electric throw watching our new TV most of the evening. We had been watching an old Curtis Mathis TV, it was my Mother’s. Really old but still had a pretty good picture but it didn’t fill the hole in our TV cabinet and our new one is HD… Kenny came down tonight with his puppy Sammy… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma
marylockhart@atlinkwifi.com

Monday, December 11, 2006

Happy Birthday to ME!!! Today is my 67th birthday and I have had a wonderful birthday. David and Lori fixed us a delicious roast beef dinner and birthday cake. I left there with some very nice gifts… When we left David and Lori’s Dave and I went for haircuts and went by the vets to pick up some HeartGuard for the dogs, then to pick up a few groceries… It was around seven when we got home… Kenny, Kathy, Josh, and Heather took us out to dinner and then we went back to their house for cake and ice cream. They gave me more gifts. I am so blessed with my kids… Thanks to all who called and sent cards. You all made my birthday very special … I forgot my afternoon pills but otherwise it was a perfect day… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Sunday, December 10, 2006

I made us potato soup for lunch and I have mostly rested the rest of today. I have a big day tomorrow… Watched three movies Mommy Dearest, Santa Baby, and Cheaper by the Dozen… Phone calls from Richard and Norita… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Kenny and Kathy stopped by with Sammy this morning. They had just taken Sammy into the vet for his shot. Sure didn’t slow that puppy down any. Dave trimmed the hair around Sammy’s eyes…. This afternoon Dave and I went shopping for our Christmas present. We found just what we wanted. It will be delivered on Tuesday. You will have to wait till Tuesday to find out what it is… I did some more laundry. Now I need to fold them and get them put away. Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma
marylockhart@atlinkwifi.com

Friday, December 08, 2006

Today was a better day than yesterday but there is still some room for improvement… I got up early this morning to get ready for the maids visit. I laid out the flannel sheets for them to put on our bed. When they finished I gave all three of them a Christmas gift… I took care of houseplants and noticed I have a bloom on the Crown of Thorns that Lori had given me. The Violet is blooming but no signs of a bloom on the Christmas cactus yet. I never know when it will bloom. I think last year it bloomed for Thanksgiving. I did more laundry. Where do all these dirty clothes come from? … Sammy came down for a visit this afternoon. He sure is a good puppy as long as I can keep him away from the cords. He likes coming down to play with the other dogs. Sammy is barking now and he is loud… I attended a DASNI board meeting tonight… I called David and Kenny… Looking forward to crawling in between the flannel sheets tonight… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma
marylockhart@atlinkwifi.com

Thursday, December 07, 2006

This has been one of those cloudy days for me. I don’t have them very often and I am so thankful for that. Tomorrow will be a better day… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma
marylockhart@atlinkwifi.com

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Happy Birthday Chris!!! Chris is our grandson in California…
I had nightmares all night long, one right after another. So I ended up sleeping till almost 11:30 this morning… I hosted the afternoon chat and then we went to get our tag for the motor home and run some more errands. By the time we finished the moon was out. We picked up a lemon/pepper chicken for our supper… I will go now and finish watching Medium… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma
marylockhart@atlinkwifi.com

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

We have been watching home movies that we made over 40 years ago. I am glad we have these. They are so much fun to watch again… I finished up the laundry today and got to see the bottom of the hamper. I even washed the mattress covers and comforter… If you are reading my blog and would like to vote for me you can do so by going to this link http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/mari5113/index.html and clicking on the first Top Alzheimer/Caregiving site it is located right under my picture. Just follow instructions to vote for my site. You can vote once a day… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma
marylockhart@atlinkwifi.com

Monday, December 04, 2006

Happy Birthday Lynne!!! Lynne is our friend in Iowa Park, Texas… Thanks to Shannon in Kentucky for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book…
In case you are wondering what happened to me over the weekend. Well, I will tell you. I was having a whale of a pity party. I didn't invite anyone because I wanted it to be my pity party. I have managed to get over it with a slight hangover. LOL… Today I am out of bed and doing the stuff I got behind on. I have never watched so many movies in all my life as I did during my pity party… I cleaned the bathrooms and got caught up with the laundry. The sun is shining and the snow is starting to melt… Tonight Kenny took Kathy, Heather, and me to see the Christmas lights in Kingfisher. Josh was doing homework and couldn't go. The lights were beautiful. Thanks Kenny… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma
marylockhart@atlinkwifi.com

Friday, December 01, 2006

Emmett Kelly Jr.

Happy Belated Birthday Alfred!!! Alfred is our friend in Bethany, Oklahoma… I wasn’t able to post a journal yesterday because I wasn’t able to get on the Internet all day. We were snowed in and no Internet. Sometimes life isn’t fair… With the sleet and snow and sleet and snow. We feel very lucky that we didn’t lose power. Just in case we did loose power we planned ahead and filled the bathtub with water. We lose power we also lose our water… I just found out that my favorite clown Emmett Kelly Jr. had died. He passed away in a Tombstone, Arizona hospital, he was 83. Dave and I have had many face to face with Emmett and we even attended his 70th birthday celebration dinner that was held here in Oklahoma City. I have collected his figurines for years and he signed them all. Emmett is from my hometown of Peru, Indiana… Last night we were in bed watching some old video’s we had recorded. Some were eighteen years ago. It was fun watching them. We are getting ready to transfer them to DVD’s… It is so hard to believe it is December already. Dave got the reindeer out the attic and put them in the yard. I enjoy watching the deer all lit up and moving their heads from the window in the study… Lori called telling me she was getting all her snow globes out that I had given her and how much she is enjoying them. I have given her a Santa snow globe ever since I have known her so she has got quite a collection… I cooked a chicken today and with Dave’s help we made a delicious tortilla soup. The dogs go crazy when we cook chicken. The smell of chicken gets them all excited… Carole called and I was so sorry to hear she had to put her Papillion down. My Papillion never leaves me. Right now she is in the chair with me as I type. A lot of times she will walk across my keyboard when I am typing trying to get her 2 cents worth in also… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma
marylockhart@atlinkwifi.com