Robinson Ramblings

I was the elementary librarian at Christine Donnell School of the Arts for 9 years. I absolutely loved my job! My favorite part of the job was getting the students excited about reading. I am a lover of books of all kinds and my students knew it! Each day I would end our library time by reminding my kiddos to READ, READ, READ, READ, READ! We used our five fingers to count out how to be a better reader! One year I gave the students the challenge of reading 100,000 minutes in one month. If they reached their goal, our principal, Mrs. Perry and I would dye our hair pink and kiss a pig!! The kids were so pumped to see their beloved principal and crazy librarian with pink hair and kissing a pig! They read like crazy and reached the goal so I had to deliver the prize.  The problem was that the mild, sweet potbellied pig that I had used when I worked as the program director at the Meridian Library had passed away. I searched in vain for another potbellied pig to carry out my promise. Unfo...

December 21 was my sister, Gail, and brother-in-law, Paul's, 55th anniversary! What a a wonderful milestone and an example of commitment to each other. Thinking of their day so long ago (I was a 12 year old bridesmaid at their beautiful Christmas wedding), reminded me of my engagement story. I decided to post our story on the blog about our continued journey together. At the time of our engagement both Rich and I taught school in Denver at Silver State Christian School. Although Rich taught junior high and I taught 1st grade, we came together for staff meetings each week. We both worked with the junior high youth group at church and got to know each other through ski trips and other youth activities. We started to date in 1975 right after my Christmas vacation trip back home to Minnesota - but that is another story! Rich and I became engaged 43 years ago on Christmas Eve. We were in Minnesota for Christmas with my family (the first time everyone would meet my boyfriend) in 1977 and...

I want to share what I am learning about supporting Rich as we go through our journey with dementia. Rich has been struggling with understanding what he hears - the words don't connect and make sense to him. He is also having a difficult time with finding words to express himself. If an activity or conversation has happened in the recent past, he has no memory of it. It can be frustrating and confusing for me because I am never sure what he knows. I am learning to ask him if he understands what I am telling him.  When he struggles to find the words to tell me something - I don't jump in right away and provide the words for him. I often put a reassuring hand on his leg or arm that lets him know that I'm in no hurry and he can take his time expressing his thoughts. I am also learning not to expect him to remember ANYTHING (because he doesn't). Our cat, Henrietta was sleeping in our room and it was making sleep miserable for me because I am allergic to cat dander. We had b...

Today we attended the Delay the Disease class at the YMCA. We have a little routine that plays out twice a week when it is time for class. I'll remind Rich that we have class this morning and we need to leave at 10:00 a.m.  Rich: I don't want to go this morning. You go without me.  Me: But, honey, this class is for you. I am invited to attend because I am your ride! Rich: I don't like to have an activity that breaks up the morning. Let's skip class today. Me: We pay extra for this class, it is very helpful to both of us, and you always like it when we go. Rich: I don't want to go today. When is the next class? We can go then. Me: We are going today! You always tell me that you are glad that I make you go! Rich: (Pouty face)  It helps me stay calm and firm when I anticipate this scenario to play out.  He really does enjoy the class but he NEVER wants to go.  It is so important for Rich to continue to pursue social gatherings. It is also important to do activities...

  We are enjoying a relaxing day at home after a particularly busy few days. Sometimes I think that the emotional exhaustion is harder to deal with than the physical exhaustion.  I am reading a book called "Where The Light Gets In: Losing My Mother Only to Find Her Again" by Kimberly Willaims-Paisley. It is the story of Kimberly's mother, Linda's, journey with a neurological illness called primary progressive aphasia. This is a rare type of dementia that attacks swiftly and takes away the speech and thought processes of the victim with a vengeance. The book points out how dementia affects the entire family of the person diagnosed with the disease.  We don't know for sure what type of dementia that Rich has because he seems to have some symptoms that mimic fronto-temporal dementia, Alzheimer's dementia, and Lewy-Body dementia. Rich's neurologist thinks that he has more than one type. I am trying to read as much as I can about different types of dementia an...

 I am very excited to announce that I am feeling good at long last! I may get tired faster than I'd like but all in all, I have energy and no more symptoms from COVID. Whew, that took longer than I ever imagined! I am so thankful that I was able to recuperate slowly at home and not have to worry about taking time off of work. It is a blessing to be retired. Last Thursday Rich and I went to the YMCA for the first time in MANY months. Due to my bout with pneumonia and bronchitis this winter and our move to Middleton from Caldwell, I think the last time we attended class was in January. We attended the "Delay the Disease" class and although Rich did not remember the class or the people, he enjoyed it nonetheless. One of the activities that Rich has always loved to do together is to play games. On Saturday we tried a children's game called "Guess Who" and it was overwhelming for him. It is becoming harder to find something fun that isn't too challenging. We ...

I am feeling better today than I have since I got sick with COVID. That is such a huge praise! I still get tired easily but I find that I can do several tasks as long as I can rest in between. I had a set back a little over a week ago and felt that I was never going to feel better - it is amazing how our physical health is tied into our mental health! When I was discouraged, I would turn to the Psalms and Philippians - David and Paul both understood what it meant to trust God in times of trial and disappointment.  Philippians 4:6 & 7   " Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.     And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Rich has been wonderful throughout this illness. He is always asking me what he can do for me. He gets me water, coffee, blankets, and helps find my crochet hook or...

It is a little difficult to write about our time in McCall objectively because I tend to have rose colored glasses about vacations in general and McCall in particular. However, the week of Family Camp was a bit challenging for Rich because he was away from his regular routines at home. He was surrounded by people each day and although they were a bit familiar, he couldn't remember their names or how he knew them. Our assistant pastor, Bobby Truax, was at our breakfast table one morning and Rich whispered to me, "What is his name?" Bobby overheard the question and without skipping a beat said, "Hi Rich! My name is Bobby." Over and over throughout the week, the men at camp spent time talking to Rich (and often answering the same questions numerous times) and making him feel a part of conversations. I am so appreciative! We played games with several different groups and every person was patient with Rich when he didn't understand the rules or felt overwhelmed b...

I don't want anyone to think (including myself when I read these posts in the years to come) that we have dealt with dementia beautifully and without struggle. I hope that others that are going through this journey with loved ones will reach out for the help that is available!  First of all, we found a good neurologist (and his staff) that advocated for us and has a great bedside manner! We are so privileged to be under the care of Dr. Lawrence Green in Nampa. His office staff have been equally helpful and have helped me navigate getting the meds that Rich needs. Two of his daily meds cost over $550 per month and we needed help with those costs. I have learned to ask lots of questions, advocate for my husband, call the insurance company ALOT, and never assume anything (like if the insurance covers an occupational therapist). These lessons have been hard won and I've spent many hours on the phone - sometimes in tears! I am blessed with three daughters who are very savvy when it ...

I told Rich today that I was blogging about our journey with dementia. I felt that it was only fair that I let him know that I was making this public. He was characteristically upbeat and sweet. He said that he thought it was wonderful that I was putting down my thoughts and chronicling the road that we are walking together. He said that he wanted to use his journey to bring glory to God and point others to the Prince of Peace!  In the spirit of full disclosure, I must confess that I lost my glasses this morning. It is humbling to realize that I needed Rich's help to find them (and he did find them)! Perhaps we both need a pair of back-up glasses! 😆 We have learned to laugh at many things that are part of our lives now. Rich's meds evidently give him lots of air bubbles and he belches long and loud (and dare I say - proud)!! I have to admit that the many noises that he emits is a bit irritating at times but usually we bust up and LAUGH! What can you do?  Rich's favorite sh...

Last year I memorized Psalm 139 and I am so grateful that David reminded me that God sees, knows, and cares about everything that is going on in my life. It has been and will continue to be a journey of faith and the purpose for this blog is so I can look back and remember what God has done in my life and hopefully, chronicle my growth through the journey. I am continually grieving the loss of my soul mate, my lover, my rock. I am realizing anew that God is the only one that can fill the void in my heart. I thought that I knew that truth before but now I realize how much stability and confidence I put in the team of “Rich and Cilla.” Many days I feel like a single person even though I’m not a widow. It is a strange reality that I often feel like I’m a couple of one! I know that doesn’t make sense – believe me, it doesn’t make sense to live in that reality either. You see, I can’t really share the struggles and cares of life with Rich anymore because it is too overwhelming or confusing ...

It is July 20 and the temperature is slated to get up to 95 degrees. It has been very hot over the past week but we have been enjoying summer to the fullest. Most days Rich and I sit outside on the front porch and have our morning coffee and our Bible reading. Now that our patio has been enlarged in the backyard, we’ve been sitting out there in the evenings. Our front yard gets the shade in the mornings (actually until about 2 p.m.) and our backyard gets the afternoon and evening shade. It is really the perfect scenario. Rich has been doing great! He is happy and upbeat most of the time. He gets confused and a bit disoriented in the evenings especially but even then he has been so sweet. The other night he asked me when his memory condition started. It was a hard question to answer because I’m not exactly sure. I knew that he had a problem the summer of 2017 and that we needed help moving forward. However, in actuality I had been wondering what was going on for a couple of years prior ...

Well, I planned to start blogging again in January but several months have gone by without any posts. SIGH! That has been the way this year has gone so far – unpredictable! We had a wonderful trip in January to Maranatha Village in Sebring, FL. The four Carlson siblings along with our spouses had a week long reunion. We were also able to spend two days with the whole Mincy family. The entire week was such a delight! We got to hear Paul preach, enjoyed an old fashioned singspiration (think Fourth Baptist Church in Mpls.), reconnected with old friends and made new friends. Most importantly, we spent hours reconnecting and savoring our family time. Pure bliss! When we returned to Idaho, Becca and Brent told us that they were considering putting our home up for sale and finding something that would be less upkeep and less expense! That was such a surprise and I will admit that I wasn’t excited about the idea. However, God had been speaking to me about being willing to joyfully follow His l...

I am excited to start blogging regularly. I want to write about what God is teaching us on our faith journey. Most of you know that my wonderful husband of nearly 42 years, was diagnosed three years ago with Fronto-temporal dementia. This disease has affected almost every part of his life. He no longer can drive or even help me with directions to places that he used to know quite well. He is always saying, "I'm sure glad that you know where you are going." This could be on the way to church or to the house on Addison where we lived for six years. Tasks are difficult because he can't remember what he is doing half way through a project. He can't follow more than one direction at a time and even that can be overwhelming. Reading is slow and he often doesn't comprehend what he is reading. It is heartbreaking to see my bright, articulate husband deteriorate little by little. When I become overwhelmed with sorrow, I remember that God planned for our marriage to go ...

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Some of these pictures were taken before the wedding and some after - they are in no particular order! :-) The weather was warm but beautiful! The wedding was held at the outdoor Idaho Shakespeare Theatre & the facilities were great. We had an area for the wedding ceremony, two rooms for the reception - one for the dinner buffet, one for the cupcakes, coffee, tea, and ice water as well as mingling with the guests. Then there was an outdoor patio. We had about 25 tables outside for the guests. The outdoor areas were just beautiful - some of the trees were changing colors and it was breathtaking!

Here are some more pictures of the wedding.

Wow, it has been forever since I blogged! I thought that I'd put on the blog some pictures of Kelly's wedding that I downloaded to our computer. It was such a busy time so I didn't take many pictures myself but Derrick took some for us with our camera.

We had a wet Valentine's Day but it was sweet anyway!! My sweetie gave me beautiful earrings and a card with Fergie on it (at least it looked like Fergie!). Love to each and everyone of my family & friends that check my blog. You are very special to me! Here are some pictures from our family time during the Christmas season. The beautiful shawl that Kelly crocheted for me and gave me for Christmas. I cried . . . it is so stunning! Henry and Nana standing in front of the gingerbread house. In front of the ice rink at "The Village in Meridian." The Robinson girls with Jack at the Watson's house on Christmas Eve! Becca and the boys keeping warm in front of one of the many fire pits at "The Village."

We had a nice Thanksgiving Day dinner at Brent's sister's house with the Watson clan. It was very relaxing for me (we just brought an appetize). On Friday afternoon all the family (except Brent) met at our house for another Thanksgiving dinner. This one was exhausting but so much fun!! Becca, Hollie, & I made tons of food. Kelly's friend, Justin, joined us for the feasting and giving of thanks! Thanksgiving at Jamie & Thad's house My sweetie! Justin, Kelly, and Becca - note the beautiful crocheted purse that Becca made Kelly for her birthday! Hollie and Jack giving Fergie some attention! Henry is ready to eat at his 2nd Thanksgiving celebration.