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It’s A Grand Life

March 2018

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Published by Estrella Publishing LLC, PO Box 6962, Goodyear AZ 85338. Additional copies and article reproductions can be obtained for a fee by contacting info@EstrellaPublishing.com Catherine Uretsky, Publisher and Editor 623.594.9283 info@EstrellaPublishing.com Al Uretsky, Publisher and Sales Executive 623.594.9283 info@EstrellaPublishing.com All contents Š 2010-present day Estrella Publishing LLC. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in any form, in whole or part, without written permission from Estrella Publishing LLC is prohibited. Estrella Publishing accepts freelance contributions, there is no guarantee that materials will be used or returned. Estrella Publishing is not responsible for the views of contributing writers and assumes no responsibility for errors appearing within.

Opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Publisher or Advertisers. Estrella Publishing reserves the right to restrict all advertisement to their proper classification and to edit or reject any copy at its sole discretion.

Neither this publication nor Estrella Publishing is an agent of or in any way affiliated with the associated Developer nor Homeowners Association, or any of their respective affiliates. This publication has not been approved by, sponsored by, or endorsed by the associated Developer nor Homeowners Association in any way.

Catherine Uretsky Publisher & Editor

It’s A Grand Life

Al Uretsky Publisher & Sales Exec

March 2018

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From Me To You...

Welcome! to the March edition of It’s A Grand Life magazine.

Most people know that this year is the Year of the Dog, well in my house it is the Year of the Weddings. My eldest 2 children are both getting married in 2018 and the pressure is beginning to build. Thankfully I am only organizing one of them as my son and his fiancee have decided that they will be doing everything (including paying for it!) by themselves. I am not so lucky with my daughter. This is a wedding that I get to plan and pay for.

Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty of joy in the event. I get to see friends and family who would otherwise wait for me to visit them. Luckily we have a pool, and the wedding is in the summer, so that takes care of the entertainment. I am looking forward to summer evenings by the pool with a glass of wine and pleasant company. I am also looking forward to seeing people from many parts of my life mingle, to get to know each other, and hopefully have a great time.

I am sure it will be somewhat frantic as we get close to the date but that is where I have played my Ace. I hired a wedding planner. She knows who to call, who will be there when they are supposed to be, and how to take all my worries away. If I start to panic about when to send the invites for the guests from overseas - Danielle has the answer. If I don’t know who is the best DJ - Danielle has the answer. If I don’t know how much food I need to order - Danielle is there for me too.

She is so helpful I am thinking of keeping her after the wedding. Don’t know where I should go on vacation? “Danielle!” Need help finding a plumber? “Danielle!” Hard to get reservations for a restaurant on a Saturday night? You guessed it. “Danielle!”

But back to the wedding...

Along with seeing my loved ones I also get to invite plenty of people on the other side of the aisle, who I will most likely not speak more than a couple of words to. That seems unfair to me. If I had the nerve I would put out a collec-

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tion plate. Perhaps a tip jar of sorts. There was a parent I read about who sent a bill to people who RSVP’d yes to her son’s party then didn’t show up. Part of me, deep down, admires the Chutzpah of the woman. Because you know there will be people who say they are coming but won’t be there. Danielle assures me that it will all balance out because there are also people who will attend that were not invited, or changed their mind on the day. See? The woman is a gem!

I must admit, most of the planning is fun. As many of you may understand, my wedding was not my wedding. What do I mean? Well although I was the one in the big white dress standing at the altar, I chose the dress my Mum preferred, the location my Mother-in-law favored and the band my soon to be husband wanted.

Now it is my turn. I am steering the bridal couple towards choices I want. They pick the songs, but I chose the DJ. Their choice of food, my caterer. I did put my foot down with the dress. She got what she wanted, even though she tried to pick the dress she thought I liked best...

Most of the planning is done at this point and all I have to do is relax and enjoy the big day, once I decide what I am going to wear. “Danielle!”

Catherine Uretsky Editor, It’s A Grand Life Magazine info@estrellapublishing.com 623.594.9283

Anne Yost (623) 692-9563 Joe Wristen (480) 369-5804 Full Time REALTORS® and Residents

Home Warranty with a Sale or Purchase. www.yostrealtyteam.com March 2018

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March 2018

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Peace On Earth Mountaintop experiences have great power. We treasure them and long for them to occur again.

But, what do we do with the experience?

When Peter, James, and John went up on the mountain with Jesus, the last thing they expected was to see him transfigured and his clothes become dazzling white. As if that weren’t enough, they heard God speak from a cloud saying, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (Read Mark 9:29) Jesus was armed and endorsed by God! Imagine witnessing such an amazing event! It would be both frightening and wondrous. I believe I would want the moment to last. I’d want to hold onto it.

Peter did. He said it was good for them to be there and suggested they build shelters. The problem was, that wasn’t the purpose of the moment. Jesus didn’t come to stay on the mountain.

He had a mission to bring wholeness and salvation to the people. Fulfilling the call meant leaving the mountain. We aren’t meant to cling to our special moments.

Imagine if we tried to stay in the wedding chapel forever or on the honeymoon? We’d miss out on shared life together and having a family. We’d miss out on opportunities to encourage and support one another and to stretch into new beginnings. The purpose of the moment was for living life together.

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Think about your children at the age you treasured most. It was a special time, but it wasn’t meant to last forever. We really don’t want to prevent them from growing up and developing all their God given gifts. We enjoy watching them become men and women.

Think about those moments of youth when you felt the whole world was there for you and nothing could stop you from reaching your loftiest goals.

Yes, it had its appeal. But, what would you have missed if you’d been frozen in that moment? You would not have experienced the challenges and successes, the struggles and triumphs. And you might not have found the path that brings you joy.

How about those amazing mountaintop spiritual retreats? Who wants to go home from those? Yet the refreshing and refuelling and renewing we experience isn’t meant to drain away into nothing.

It is for sharing, for pouring out on others, for bringing encouragement and comfort to others.

Our mountaintop moments have true meaning when we come down and act on the purpose.

Share your gifts. Spread the love, the passion, the great comfort, the joy and encouragement with all.

Easter is a great mountaintop experience. Join in celebrating our risen Lord and share His grace!

Submitted by Valerie Fairchild, pastor of Spirit Song church in Vistancia

March 2018

Pest Control Keep your home pest free this year Now is a great time to establish yearlong goals and resolutions, including home improvement goals you’d like to tackle this year. The first step is to create a pest control plan for your home. It’s important to establish good habits early in the year to help prevent potential pest problems. Unchecked, pests can wreak havoc in your home, but there are several steps homeowners can take to help avoid an infestation and keep their home safe and their family happy.

Sanitize Clean your kitchen, pantry and any other places where food is stored.

Remove crumbs and wipe up sticky drink residue to avoid attracting cockroaches and ants. Drains and sinks can be breeding grounds for flies, so keep them clean and clear. Regularly vacuuming and dusting can help prevent pests during the winter months.

Repair home damage Engage in regular home maintenance to help avoid unwanted pest entry. Insects can come in through tiny cracks and openings, rodents can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime and raccoons and squirrels can enter through large holes. Basic maintenance steps include fixing gaps or holes in broken screens, doors and cracks in your walls and repairing any other exterior home damage.

Maintain your yard Trim branches and trees It’s A Grand Life

touching your home to prevent easy access for pests. As expected by the name, roof rats and even squirrels can crawl across branches and enter your home through the roof. Keep outdoor trash cans secured to reduce the attractiveness to rodents and raccoons. Cardboard boxes and trash in your yard can provide shelter for spiders and insects.

Yard clutter, such as leaf and wood piles, may be a source of food or shelter for a variety of pests.

Monitor your home In the new year, step into a new routine of monitoring the exterior and interior of your home for holes, cracks and crevices. But also monitor for droppings, as well as chewed or damaged spots in your home. Regular monitoring for visual cues can help quickly address pest problems, and prevent future issues.

Know when it’s time to call a professional As hard as we work to keep pests out, they are working hard to get in. Even the most vigilant homeowner can experience infestations. To prevent further damage and ensure you are safe in your home, it’s important to know when a pest problem is beyond your control. Professionals are trained to locate the specific sources of infestations and provide treatment options to eradicate the problem from your home. A trained professional can use proper techniques and tools that will provide the best solution to eliminate your pesty problem.

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Outdoor Living Outdoor living spaces rank first among special function rooms desired by consumers, according to the American Institute for Architects, and so homeowners are expected to be going all-in for the outdoors in 2018.

Trex Company, a maker of premium decking and railing, has gleaned insights from contractors, homeowners and industry experts to compile the following outdoor living trends that will dominate this year: Minimal maintenance, maximum enjoyment Just because people are spending more time outdoors doesn’t mean they’re willing to put in extra hours for upkeep. In fact, high-maintenance materials like wood are seeing a decrease in demand as people are opting for offerings that deliver better performance and sustainability.

Comfy cozy Among the hottest design influences right now is “hygge” (pronounced hoo-gah) - the Scandinavian term for a feeling of coziness and comfort. This year, outdoor spaces will beckon homeowners and their guests to relax and rejuvenate with hyggeinspired accents, from plush cushions and throws to protective pergolas, cozy warming features and outdoor lighting.

enhancing privacy and concealing storage areas or unsightly views. With styles ranging from romantic to deco, lattice panels can be integrated into any outdoor area and applied to structures such as arbors, trellises and gazebos, or used as decorative wainscoting or deck skirting.

Fun and games Kids are not the only ones who enjoy playing outside. Outdoor play spaces for all ages are on the rise, including everything from swimming pools and embedded sandboxes to regulation cornhole courts, horseshoe pits and dedicated spaces for volleyball, badminton and bocce ball.

Beyond yard games, electronics manufacturers now offer televisions and entertainment systems specifically designed for the outdoors, taking into consideration differences in lighting and outdoor acoustics. Meanwhile, new storage options include durable wall-mounted television and entertainment centers that beautifully protect pricey electronics from the elements, while concealing all of the unsightly - and potentially unsafe - cords and cables.

For more information about outdoor living trends, go to www.trex.com.

Residential goes commercial While railing matched to the decking remains popular, an increasing number of homeowners are taking advantage of the complementary decking and railing pairings afforded by new railing materials in modern, metal finishes, as well as sleek designs inspired by commercial architecture.

More homeowners are inspired by outdoor spaces they find in commercial settings, such as hotels and urban rooftops, and want to replicate those looks in their homes. A prime example of this commercial-to-residential trend is the growing popularity of horizontal railings such as rod rail - a sleek, industrial look that’s ideal for optimizing a panoramic view.

Hide and chic With the increased usage of outdoor living spaces comes higher demand for chic decor and privacy.

An easy design trick that adds personal style and functionality, lattice panels are perfect for

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Money Matters Is a Managed Account Right for You?

As an investor, you’ll face many decisions over the years. How much should you invest? Where should you put your money? When is it time to sell some investments and use the proceeds to buy others? Some people enjoy making these choices themselves – but not everyone. Consequently, the type of investor you are will influence your thinking about whether to open a managed account.

As its name suggests, a managed account – sometimes known as an “advisory” account – essentially is a portfolio of stocks, bonds and other investments chosen by a professional investment manager who makes the buy and sell decisions.

Typically, each managed account has an investment objective based on your goals, and you may have some voice in investment choices – for example, you may be able to request that the manager avoid certain investments. Or, you might still work with a personal financial advisor who can help you identify and quantify your goals, define your risk tolerance, and track changes in your family situation – and who can then use this information to help guide the investment manager’s choices.

Beyond this basic structure, managed accounts can vary greatly in terms of administration, reporting, fees and minimum balance.

So, assuming you meet the requirements for a managed account, should you consider one? There’s really no one right answer for everyone. But three factors to consider are cost, control and confidence.

Cost – Different managed accounts may have different payment arrangements. However, it’s common for a money manger to be paid based on a percentage of assets under management.

So, if your manager’s fee is 1% and your portfolio contains $100,000, the manager earns $1,000 per year, but if the value of your portfolio rises to $200,000, the manager earns $2,000. Because the manager has a personal stake in the portfolio’s success, this arrangement could work to your advantage. Be aware, though, that other fees may be associated with your account.

Control – With any managed account, you will give up some, or perhaps all, of your power to make buy-and-sell decisions. If you have built a large portfolio, and you’re busy with work and family, you may like the idea of delegating these decisions. And, as mentioned above, you can still

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oversee the “big picture” by either working through a financial advisor or, at the least, having your goals, risk tolerance and investment preferences dictate a money manager’s decisions. But you will have to decide for yourself how comfortable you are in ceding control of your portfolio’s day-to-day transactions.

Confidence – It’s essential that you feel confident in a managed account’s ability to help you meet your goals. And the various elements of a managed account may well give you that assurance.

For example, some managed accounts include automatic rebalancing of assets, which, among other things, can help you achieve tax efficiency.

Other features of a managed account – such as the experience and track record of the manager – also may bolster your confidence.

Ultimately, you’ll need to weigh all factors before deciding whether a managed account is right for you. In any case, it’s an option worth considering.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

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March 2018

Living With Faith Mercy and humility A man brings some very fine material to a tailor and asks him to make a pair of pants.

When he comes back a week later, the pants are not ready. Two weeks later, they are still not ready. Finally, after six weeks, the pants are ready. The man tries them on. They fit perfectly. Nonetheless, when it comes time to pay, he can’t resist a jibe at the tailor.

“You know,” he says, “it took God only six days to make the world. And it took you six weeks to make just one pair of pants.”

“Ah,” the tailor says. “But look at this pair of pants, and look at the world!”

Sometimes when we look at the world around us we seem to despair. There is so much bloodshed, so much famine, so much hopelessness, and there is so much bigotry. We were created to be together in both action and deed. And this closeness often leads to contempt.

But then we realize that with just a few kind words or simple gestures we can enhance our lives and those around us. In fact, if we really wanted to get along with others we would not be so judgmental or critical. And yet, there are those who would suggest that our belief systems are different and therefore not worthy of connection. And still others who would submit that salvation is relegated to just a few.

We can, and should take a different approach to indifference. We should resolve to confront it, not with antagonism but with a straightforward appeal to decency and morality.

We can propose dialogue and exchange of ideas to remember that as we were created differently so are our thoughts and ideas. We need to propose that there is no one path to knowledge or acceptance but rather many ways to the paths of brotherhood and civility.

Perhaps we should take the time to look around and see that while we are all different in appearance, we are the same in the way we were created.

Scripture describes the birth of humanity, and the question that is raised relates to the fact that only one man and one woman were the beginnings of everything.

Perhaps the answer is too simple, and just maybe it’s simplicity is designed to help us understand that the example is there to remind us that one person Is no better than another for we come from one mother and one father.

The one ingredient that can be found in ach of us is simply the gift of choice. We have the ability to be empathetic and sympathetic to the needs of others.

We can make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. We must learn that to choose hate over love will lead us into an abyss from which there is no return.

Perhaps we should step back and take a long hard look at the world, and know that while all was created in just six days, it will take a lifetime, and many lifetimes to follow to continue to complete the task of creating an appreciation for the value and purpose for the greatest gift given us: Life.

As the winter approaches its height, let us resolve to keep the warmth of our spirit and the breath of the impending Spring, the most important aspect of the choices we make: “To do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.” (Micah 6:8) Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D. Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation National Chaplain, Jewish War Veterans, USA

It’s A Grand Life

March 2018

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Seating is Limited... Call to RSVP 1-800-915-2502 Bergen Financial Group • 20542 N. Lake Pleasant Road, Suite 111 • Peoria, Arizona 85382 This is not intended to be a sales seminar. The purpose of this seminar is to provide you with general information on retirement planning. Neither Bergen Financial Group nor any agents acting on behalf of Bergen Financial Group should be viewed as providing legal, tax or investment advice. Consult with and rely on your own qualified advisor. Annuities: “A surrender during the surrender charge period could result in a loss of premium. Surrender charge structure may vary by state. Please consult your Disclosure Statement for details specific to your state. However, some products have a Return of Premium Guarantee. Issuing companies that have Return of Premium products are Midland National, EquiTrust, National Western and Sagicor. Life Insurance: “Income and growth on accumulated cash values is generally taxable only upon withdrawal. Adverse tax consequences may result if withdrawals exceed premiums paid into the policy. Annuities grow tax deferred and life insurance is tax free under certain circumstances. Withdrawals or surrenders made during a Surrender Charge period will be subject to surrender charges and may reduce the ultimate death benefit and cash value. Surrender charges vary by product, issue age, sex, underwriting class and policy year. 1Interest is based on 10.46% effective August 22, 2017 and is subject to change without notice.” 10.46% First-Year Yield reflects 8% Premium Bonus plus a 2.9%, Fixed Account Rate, and assumes no withdrawals, net of fees. This yield applies only to premiums in the Fixed Account. The Fixed Account Interest Rate is based on current rates and subject to change at the Company’s discretion and based on $250,000 premium.” 2Tax-free refers to income taxGrand Lifefor Wills and Trusts. His license number is 029570. 4Secure income annuity offered through Security Benefit Life. Insurance products may be March 3DanielA Mazza is our Attorney presented2018

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Home Sweet Home

Barn doors moved out of the farmyard and into the house a long time ago. Recently, however, they have become an even more popular and useful feature in residential design. It’s not hard to see why.

“Many homeowners hear the term ‘barn door’ and think of reclaimed, rustic wood, which may not be a look they’re interested in,” says Linda Jovanovich of the American Hardwood Information Center. “But contemporary barn doors offer many more aesthetic choices than their traditional image suggests. We’ve noticed a trend toward the use of solid, fine-milled hardwoods like walnut and cherry for sliding doors, which not only gives them satisfying heft but is also a great way to bring the warmth and character of natural wood into an interior.”

New York-based interior designer Laura Bohn agrees. “I’ve installed hardwood barn doors in many projects, both in the city and the country,” she says. “They provide a lot of decorative interest, particularly hung in pairs. I’d choose a clean, sophisticated design in a subtle wood like maple or birch for an urban interior. Poplar planks painted a cheerful color, or characterful woods like hickory and cypress would be better for doors in a country house.”

Along with their decorative qualities, barn doors often provide a functional alternative to conventional swing doors. “Barn doors, either singly

It’s A Grand Life

or in pairs, offer a simple and effective way to divide large spaces - a kitchen from a living-dining area, for example,” says Laguna Beach, Californiabased designer Lisa McDennon. “They can create instant separation and privacy in even the most open-plan house, which allows for greater flexibility in daily use.”

“A traditional door can use up to nine square feet of space, which is a lot in city apartments where every inch counts,” notes New York-based designer Glenn Gissler. “A barn door only takes up a sliver of floor, making it a terrific solution in tight situations such as hallways and narrow rooms. You just need enough adjacent wall footage to slide the door over.”

Barn doors offer economic advantages, too. While pocket doors have similar space-saving benefits, installing them requires wall reconstruction - a messy and expensive business. Because barn doors run on hardware installed outside the frame, they need no such preparatory construction, saving time and money. And the tracks themselves are part of the doors’ decorative appeal. “There’s a terrific selection of barn-door hardware available,” Bohn says. “Use sleek, high-tech tracks in brushed aluminum or satin-finish stainless steel for a modern urban vibe. For a more rustic or industrial statement, think blackened iron or raw steel, both of which look powerfully graphic against natural or painted wood.”

March 2018

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Yum Yum

For most of us, a little evening downtime is not a luxury - it’s a necessity. After a hectic day of work, we deserve to take a moment to slow down and enjoy some hard-earned “me time.” Instead of using this time to stream your favorite show or scroll through social media, try a gentle and relaxing activity that puts your focus on the present moment and makes this time truly enjoyable.

“For a relaxing end-of-day activity, there’s nothing quite like preparing and savoring the perfect cup of herbal tea,” says Stephen Twining, whose family founded the world-famous tea brand, Twinings of London, in 1706. The steps we take to prepare and enjoy our perfect cup of tea can help us unwind and feel refreshed, Twining says. Tea releases pleasing scents, the warm brew makes comforting sensations as we wrap our fingers around the mug and take sips, and there’s the deep and satisfying flavors of the tea itself.

Follow these tips to brew your favorite cup of tea, and try making this a part of your end-of-day ritual.

1. Start fresh: The perfect cup of tea starts with a clean mug and a clean kettle of fresh, cold water.

Never reuse water that’s already been boiled,

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because that can weaken the tea’s flavor, Twining says.

2. Don’t over-boil: As soon as the water reaches a boil, it’s time to remove the kettle from the heat source.

3. Savor the moment: Set the tea bag in the mug before you add hot water, pouring it directly onto the tea bag. Just then, it starts releasing its herbal scent, so make sure you take a moment to inhale and relax while enjoying the aroma.

4. Wait for the perfect flavor: Many people make the mistake of thinking that once the brew darkens, it’s ready to drink. However, Twining says color merely washes off the tea leaves early in the process, so don’t let the appearance mislead you., 5. Customize and enjoy: Hopefully, you will find your perfectly brewed cup of herbal tea needs no embellishment because the expertly blended herbs and flowers will provide all the flavor you need. But as Twining says, “The best cup of tea is the one you like the most,” so feel free to make adjustments.

After a long day, you definitely earned this moment, so make sure you take time to enjoy it.

March 2018

Fight For Your Sight

The ability to see is one of our most precious gifts.

Like most things in life, our vision may be impacted as we age. That’s why it’s important to learn about Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Prevalent among older Americans, it affects one in five adults age 65 and older, and is the leading cause of blindness for this population. While there is no cure for this condition, there are steps that you can take to help reduce the risk of progression, including:

1) Schedule routine eye exams. As early stages of AMD may not present any symptoms, you may not think to consult your eye doctor. Keeping routine eye exams that include eye dilation may help to identify the condition early, as well as help maintain overall eye health.

2) Address symptoms immediately. See your eye care professional right away if you experience sudden or gradual changes in vision quality. As AMD progresses, straight lines may appear distorted, central vision may look dark, blurry or white, or changes in color perception may become noticeable.

If you have been diagnosed with AMD, you should also regularly check your eyes with an Amsler grid tool that helps track incremental vision changes.

3) Lead a healthy lifestyle. If you smoke, quit.

Regular exercise can also help to maintain eye health and minimize the risk of progression. Other risk factors for AMD include obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

4) Eat right. A diet rich in green, leafy vegetables as well as healthy fatty acids may also help reduce the risk of progression. Foods that contain these nutrients include: spinach, kale, broccoli, cabbage, romaine and chard, and fatty fish such as salmon, sea bass, herring, whitefish, mackerel, anchovies and sardines.

5) Consider supplements recommended by the National Eye Institute. If you’ve been diagnosed with moderate to advanced AMD, The National Eye Institute recommends taking a specific nutrient formula based on the AREDS 2 study, that may help reduce your risk of progression. Talk with your doctor to see if an AREDS 2 formula eye vitamin is right for you.

To raise awareness of this public health issue, Bausch + Lomb, in collaboration with Prevent Blindness, the nation’s oldest volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight, has launched the Why Eye Fight campaign.

To learn more about AMD, what steps you can take to help fight for your sight or to watch the patient stories or PSA, visit www.WhyEyeFight.com. You can also join the online conversation and share your story using #WhyEyeFight on Facebook and Twitter.

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Life As A Caregiver Anyone caring for someone with Alzheimer’s has been told that the disease effects people differently.

Some patients become mean and hard to handle.

Others lose themselves in the disease and are quiet and unresponsive. And still others suffer from depression. My mom has stayed pretty true to herself. But…depression DOES rear its ugly head from time to time. The disease and her inability to do things for herself makes her sad and frustrated.

The disease also creates what is called “episodes” from time to time. Episodes where her behavior changes drastically. When they hit, they last for about 24 hours. Mom doesn’t sleep during any of that time. She doesn’t eat much, becomes very restless, doesn’t remember that her mother, my father, and her siblings have all died, and asks a million questions. This particular time, though, she thought I had a daughter (which I don’t) named Joyce, was sad that she spoiled a dinner outing with my husband (I haven’t had a husband for a very long time) and thought I was a friend of the family.

During this particular episode, she had a very hard time trying to find the words to express herself (a common trait of Alzheimer’s, but not for my mom as of yet). It made me literally sick to my stomach.

My mom didn’t know me. She recognized me, but didn’t know why or who I was.

This ‘episode’ was a rough one…..seeing her struggle with information that she knew well; having her not know me as her daughter. Oh man!

I cried for a good part of the day when she wasn’t with me…. partly because of the confusion she was experiencing and partly because I wondered if this was the beginning of the next phase of Alzheimer’s. I had done my homework several years ago and chose a group-home nearby where I thought my mom would be comfortable when the time came to move her. But not yet!!

remember what had happened and was perfectly content to sleep and regain her strength.

I learned a lot from this ‘episode’. I learned that I can deal with the day-to-day routine of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, but not the extreme behavior changes that occur once in a while. That no matter how much you’ve prepared or understand about what’s happening, seeing someone you love in discomfort is extremely painful. I became SO emotional this time that it really made me look at my behavior during the crisis.

What I experienced was my lack of control over something negatively effecting someone I love. And when we are used to being in control and taking charge, as caregivers must be, there is nothing worse than NOT being in control. I couldn’t help her.

I couldn’t make it better. I couldn’t make the bad stuff go away. And that broke my heart. Once she started feeling better, then I started feeling better.

So….lessons learned here? Its normal to be angry with the disease. Its normal to be upset when you see your loved one in discomfort. Its normal to have your emotions rip your heart out. And I’m told we will know when the time is right to take on next steps. I’m counting on THAT! And I will be ready.

Submitted by Kathy Linton, West Valley Resident

What has usually happened when mom has had an ‘episode’ is that after the 24-hours passes, she crashes. She has an enormous headache, she sleeps for almost an entire day and begins to eat normally. Her new normal returns and she knows me and recognizes all of her surroundings. And so it was this time, too. She didn’t

16 It’s A Grand Life

March 2018

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Puzzles & Games Sudoku for March Numbers from 1-9 must appear only once in each row, column and box. Good Luck! Solution is on our website www.EstrellaPublishing.com

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20 It’s A Grand Life

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