Happy Friday, everyone!
Who is pumped for the weekend?!?
I woke up craving Tina’s Oatmeal Minus the Oats, so when it was time for breakfast, that’s what I made!
Yes, they’re blue. I added some frozen blueberries into the mix.
And some chunky peanut butter.
Hit the spot!
I apologize in advance if this post is about to seem all over the place. My thoughts are a little ‘all over the place’ right now, though. I went to yoga last night (which was amazing, by the way) and the instructor started off with a great little story that really hit home for me. She talked about a snake and its process of shedding a layer of skin. A snake sheds from its tail to its head. When the skin is at the head, the snake is blinded until the skin completely falls off. She related this to life; sometimes, we are at point A trying to make it to point B and we don’t how how the hell we are getting there. But, we have to have faith that somehow, someway, we will get there – even with blinders on. There are a lot of things that I am sure about in my life, but there are a lot of things I am not sure about. Yes, I am in graduate school pursuing my MS in Food and Nutrition. No, I don’t know if I will get a dietetic internship after I graduate to become an RD.
Some of you may know that Jon is in Air Force Basic Training right now. He called Wednesday and it was amazing! He only had 15 minutes and it felt like 2, but they were the most amazing 15 minutes. This is something that’s hard for me right now. I am so happy that Jon is in the Air Force and I can’t wait to see him in a couple of months for his basic training graduation. I am always wondering where he will be stationed and where the Air Force will take us in the future. For a girl who plans her breakfast for the next day before she even goes to sleep, this is a lot to think about. I use to freak out about the whole military thing more but I’ve gotten a lot better with it.
Lastly, my grandmother’s health. My grandfather passed away in 2007. It was the hardest thing life has thrown at me. My grandparents lived in my hometown my whole life. We were always together since we only lived 5 minutes from each other. They came over for dinner on the weekend nights and vice versa. And you bet they were at every soccer game and every track meet.
After my grandfather passed, my grandmother’s health declined. Not so much her physical health; she was diagnosed with Dementia. Dementia or Alzheimer’s? Honestly, I don’t think they’re extremely different. I’ve heard some horror stories about how violent people with this disease can be and I can say my family is blessed that my grandmother never was. She is now 97 and her physical health has declined a lot. She is still strong as a bull, don’t get me wrong but things are getting harder. My mom and my two aunts take care of her; she is sometimes at our house and sometimes at their house. Right now, she is with us and I help out a lot when my mom is working. If you know anyone with this disease, you know it sucks. It sucks to see a woman who birthed 9 children (no twins, mind you) end up in a state like this. Over these past few years, some things she says/does just make you cry and sometimes they make you laugh until you cry. For example, my grandma would have never picked up a beer if she truly recognized what it was…
No, she did not drink it! It was empty but you must make light of situations when you can!
She has been an amazing mother and grandmother to so many people and I just love her to pieces. Here is a picture of her making our family Christmas cookies.
So, needless to say, I’ve been focusing on my grandmother a lot lately and just telling myself to find faith to get through these hard times.
If you’re still reading, you deserve an award hah. Thank you guys so much for reading. It means so much!
Question: Do you know someone with Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease?
Have a great Friday!
Thank you for stopping by Totes My Oats! I'm Kerry, a 22-year-old Food and Nutrition graduate student and a certified personal trainer. This blog is dedicated to my love for food, nutrition and maintaing a healthy lifestyle. I believe balance is the key to being healthy. Enjoy!
I do not know anybody with Alzheimer’s but I am sorry you are gong through this..
Hugs!
Thank you!
So sorry you have to go through this, but it’s great that you are relishing in her presence as much as possible!
That’s for sure! Thanks girl!
Alzheimer’s is truly an awful disease for both the patient and the family. I’m so sorry but you will get through this!
It truly is. Thanks for the support
im so sorry about your grandmother and that your going through this, sending love your way ! you been going through alot with Jon and your grandmother it will get better soon, it has too. and that beer picture with her is the best!
Thank you so much! That picture makes me laugh every time hah!
I’m sorry about your grandma, five years ago my grandma passed away and my grandfather now is similarly getting worse in health. It’s hard to deal with and see them like that but just have faith and remember that the most important thing is to let them know you love them.
It is the hardest thing ever to be away from your significant other! I did it for three years but I can’t imagine not even being able to talk. Just think about the wonderful future you will have together!!!
Have a good weekend!
Yes, showing them love is so important! And yes, we’ve done the long distance thing too! For a long time – but I was always able to talk to him. But this is only a short amount of time and I always think about how great it will be to see each other after 8 weeks!
Oh how I love breakfast, and blueberries!
Girl…. saaame here!
Aw girlie I’m sorry to hear about your grandmother! At least she is here now. My grandfather had dementia and I really do believe they still know, somewhere in there. At least they appreciate it.
Congrats to Jon for doing such a great thing. Long distance sucks, I know firsthand :/
Thank you! Sending you hugs for your grandpa! They definitely know somewhere in there. My gram is so affectionate.
Oh I’m sorry to hear about your grandma. Hang in there with Jon. You only get stronger!
Thanks Kristen!
My grandpa passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.. It’s such a sad disease. I wish your grandmother the best! We do a walk in honor of him each year.
So sorry to hear about your grandpa. I love walks for causes. Thanks for the support!
This must be a very hard thing to go through. A few of my distant relatives have had Alzheimer’s/dementia and I know it was extremely difficult for those close to them. I wish her the best!
It definitely is tough, but we do the best we can as a family! Thanks for your well wishes
Your grandma sounds like a wonderful lady. Those stories told in yoga class always speak to me too! Probably because I actually am paying attention and opening my mind to something new, which I don’t so often enough in everyday life.
She really is! Thank you.
I’m so sorry about your grandma. I know that’s got to be so hard, especially since your family is so close.
I really liked what your yoga teacher said about getting to point b from a. I’m in that same sort of situation where I don’t know 100% what I want to do and am constantly stressing about it. It’s annoying because I know this is such a great time in life but the uncertainty is killer. Just gotta stay positive I guess! Have a good weekend!
Thank you for your kind words!
My grandfather had Alzheimer’s/Dementia and towards the end of his life he didn’t even recognize his own children.
I’m so sorry you have to go through this. Cherish the memories.
Oh, I am so sorry you had to go through that as well! It’s no fun, that’s for sure.
Hi Kerry,
I have to say, do not apologize for feeling how you do. There are changes going on for you now, it’s not easy to adapt. Great regarding your guy and his training—since it’s important to him it is to you too—-which is awesome!
I really hear you regarding losing your grandpa and now dealing with your grandma and her health and mind fading. I had to go through this with my dad. He was such a smart and good honest caring family man. He had to deal with cancer and Alzheimer’s…………very tough to see him go through such big changes. it was heart breaking. All I can say is that each moment with that person and support those around your family. We can’t fix the problem or bring back our family member, but we can give them support and love—–they know it’s there.
Take care!
Amy
Amy, I am so sorry you had to go through that with your dad. It seems everywhere we turn, someone has cancer and it’s so horrible. Thank you for your words! So sweet.
Thank you Kerry:) He was a modest guy, so much a go-go-go type, loved to travel and my mom and he did get to go to Australia and Norway when he was diagnosed. I like to think he enjoyed those trips! I love all of the comments, cool to see you have online support—along with your family and friends:)
What a beautiful oatmeal background!! And such a sweet post
Thank you
Sorry to hear about your Grandma! When my Nana was dying she had a similar thing happen where she couldn’t remember her grandchildren, she couldn’t even remember who she was. So hard to see someone you love like that. Praying for you and your family and sending you strength and blog hugs!
Thank you for you thoughts and prayers, Kelsey! So sorry to hear about your Nana.
Sorry to hear about your grandmother, Kerry. My dad’s mother had Alzheimer’s (she died last year), and you’re right; it’s truly heart-breaking to watch someone you love suffer from it. My grandmother had three children and practiced medicine (she was a psychiatrist), yet she wasn’t immune to Alzheimer’s. Keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers!
Thank you for you thoughts and prayers, Carrie! I am so sorry your grandmother suffered from this disease as well. It truly is so hard to see but we just have to do our best for our loved one!
I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother. I do know exactly what you’re going through. As soon as my grandma died in July 2011, my grandfather just let go of everything and was gone by October 2011. It was incredibly difficult seeing them both go around the same time and watching them basically fall apart. But just know that your presence probably means everything to your grandmother right now. She definitely needs you know she knows what a wonderful grand daughter she has in you!