Sometimes you just need CAKE ...

[bazooka111]

This has been a pretty hard few days here in the USA, so I thought I would take a moment and share a wonderful couple of days from last week with my Momma:

As you all know, pictures are worth a thousand words, but with CBD/PSP, a picture does not tell the entire story. These pictures capture seconds, which was a two day process.

Day One was making the cake, and Mom actually used an electric mixer --- of course I helped. Her most favorite part was getting to lick the spoons and beaters! As soon as we were finished, she looked at me with pure exhaustion, but she was so happy at the mere fact that she was able to make her most favorite chocolate cake! The backstory here is, that any time anyone would come and visit my Mom throughout the years, you can always expect that she would have a cake to offer, most of the time it was her favorite chocolate cake. After we put the cakes in the oven, Mom took her nap, and about an hour in, she called for me -- I walked in her room, and through her sleepy eyes she said with a whisper, "Is it time to ice the cake?" My heart just melted. So, I told Momma, "Lets have them cool, and we will ice the cake in the morning, and she smiled in agreement"

Day Two was icing the cake! The right middle picture captures her trying to ice the cake; bless her heart that was a real challenge, but --- we did it together, and it looked beautiful ... oh, and it tasted so yummy!

I think it is so important to try and re-create moments as best as we can -- and I also know there will be a time that it will not be an option, but its worth the work right now to get it done.

Now, time for a piece of cake and tall glass of cold milk!

Blessings to all --

Kim

"A party without a cake is just a meeting" - Julia Child love that

[raincitygirl]

Love this! Extra Hugs during this stressful time - You are a shining light 🌟🌟🌟

Anne G

[bazooka111 in reply to raincitygirl]

Thanks for the hugs, I needed that Times are so stressful right now, and we are trying our best to maintain a positive attitude ... xo Kim

[gmunsot]

Bravo! ! !

[bazooka111 in reply to gmunsot]

Thank you!!!!!! I'd share a piece of cake if I could!

[Helen119]

Yes please, just a small piece thank you xxxx

[bazooka111 in reply to Helen119]

But, of course --- handing over a virtual piece -- so very good!

[Doublereeder]

We'll be right over!

[bazooka111 in reply to Doublereeder]

You better hurry, I may have to eat it all!

[Doublereeder in reply to bazooka111]

[AliBee1]

Very precious. How lovely to capture the process and to give your Mum such joy. Love AliBee xx

[bazooka111 in reply to AliBee1]

It was a very special moment, I would say right there at the top of the list --- I didn't really expect to feel so emotional about it, but Momma genuinely loved making that cake!

[daddyt]

... and ice cream too. Still love her smile.

Tim x

[bazooka111 in reply to daddyt]

AND YES of course ... vanilla ice cream! Boom!

[NannaB]

Making more happy memories. Well done XxxX

[bazooka111 in reply to NannaB]

Thank you NannaB -- I thoroughly enjoyed doing this with her -- one of the first signs that something was wrong (before diagnosis), Mom would say I can't crack eggs anymore. I would like question that --- and say show me Momma -- Sure thing -- her right hand was not working right, and bless her heart, the egg would just crush in her hand. That was a sad moment, and realization something wasn't right. So --- this time all of her eggs were cracked and all she had to do was add all of her pre-measure ingredients -- I think she felt like a television chef --

It was really fun! I have video of her laughing, it is precious precious precious!

[HilsandR]

Honestly, Kim, you never fail to surprise me with your latest adventure with mom - incredible how you keep the wind in your sails though I completely get it that a picture doesn’t always tell the full story. You said yourself that the time will come when these moments will no longer be an option so just live in the now and keep doing what you are doing; your mom’s face says it all. She was truly blessed the day that she brought you into the world and you are giving back, 10 times over, the love and care that she gave to you and your siblings. Well done!

The cake is amazing! I have to agree with Tim that it needs to be complimented with ice cream. For me, a nice chunk microwaved for about 10 seconds to get the chocolate icing nice and gooey, with a dollop of ice cream on the side, is my idea of heaven. Has to be vanilla ice cream though.

Lovely post - made me smile, as always.

Love Hils

x

[bazooka111 in reply to HilsandR]

Hils it was a highlight memory maker for sure! I took me by surprise, I mean I knew she would enjoy it, but completely surpassed my expectations. Truly unforgettable for me. Funny story: She and I sat on the front porch a couple of weeks ago, and I was doing a brain exercise with her -- Asking her to list (and I will write them down) .. Top 10 things in life, that she can think of that she really enjoys or enjoyed doing ... current or past. She looked at me, smiled, and started with her list -- #3 on the list was making a chocolate cake! My brain instantly went into gear ... lets make that happen.

Now, let me tell you -- microwave and topped with vanilla bean ice cream .. that will change your life!

I hope you're having a great week ... sunshine, no clouds today --- had to turn the television off today, and refocus my heart with all that is happening in our society here. Unbelievable, truly.

By the way, I would have totally invited you over for cake and ice cream ... hands down friend.

..... Side note: I sit here next to mom as she is laying in bed, tossing and turning due to some pretty significant dystonia in her right foot --- I've called our primary care and left a message tonight -- they have to do something, these meds are not working, and it is happening more than once in a while. Her right foot, 4 out of 5 toes are like curled and clenched. Bless her heart -- this stuff can really make one feel helpless.

x

Kim

[daddyt in reply to bazooka111]

Kim - Botox has worked wonders for me, it's worth a try.

Tim x

[bazooka111 in reply to daddyt]

Really! For feet also? I’ve been told that it’s incredibly painful to have done — I may have to look into this more then.

[daddyt in reply to bazooka111]

It isn't as painful as you might think, the relief mitigates any discomfort. I would get the injection in the sole of my foot. The new MDS injects the Botox in and around my calf guided by ultra sound to see exactly what muscles he's targeting.

Tim x

[bazooka111 in reply to daddyt]

I am going to call today --- it was suggested about a year ago that we may need to consider the Botox injection, but he warned me that it is extremely painful -- but, honestly, what she is dealing with is pretty bad, so the alternative of some relief ... thank you for this insight. Waiting for their office to open this morning ... they get to hear my cherry voice

[HilsandR in reply to bazooka111]

Oh how helpless and heartbroken these darned illnesses make us feel, Kim - each new symptom throwing up yet another challenge. My heart truly goes out to you and mom and indeed all on the forum that are trying to navigate this awful journey. My caring journey is over, as you know, but I still feel the pain of others stories, sometimes as if I were still living it.

As I’ve always said, we only see the snapshots of your treasured memory making moments with mom, that have given you both a moments respite from the reality of the real story. Turn the page and the story behind the scenes is very different.

Tim has given a good tip - check it out with mom’s medical people - it’s worth a try. I think it was also Tim who said, “keep doing what you are doing until you can’t do it anymore.” That’s all you can do and you will have done it exceptionally well.

Finally, you tickled me pink with your line:

“Now, let me tell you -- microwave and topped with vanilla bean ice cream .. that will change your life! .....”

That’s the best bit of advice I’ve had in a long time - lol. Good job we are not neighbours - I suspect we’d be a very bad influence on each other!

Wishing you a day of some precious moments.

Love Hils

x

Sent from my iPad

[bazooka111 in reply to HilsandR]

Your words are so true; turning the page for sure is a completely different story, at least for the past 24 hours here. It's an early morning for me (without much sleep)... a long night with Mom. Whew! Tossed and turned, her poor feet never stopped, even through sleep, mNew challenge today is to get her some relief through some adjustment in meds to relieve this dystonia pain. --- First cup of coffee down, second please ... Kim

[Hiking13]

Fabulous and wonderful photos - lots of happy memories xxx

[bazooka111 in reply to Hiking13]

Thank you! Making memories is all I've got right now --- in-between the hard days ...

Hope you're well

Kim

[ncgardener799]

How wonderful is that story!!!! A bright spot in the midst of all this chaos and isolation. Did you see the wonderful Video posted by AliBee? You Momma might enjoy it. Keep the smiles coming -you are an amazing daughter and caregiver .

[bazooka111 in reply to ncgardener799]

I did see that video from AliBee -- we watched it on the larger screen, and Mom enjoyed that! Thank you for your kind words -- ((hugs)) x Kim

[Kellsbelles]

Lovely memories 😊 She looks so happy! That cake looks amazing too! Are you taking orders for international delivery? 😂 x

[bazooka111 in reply to Kellsbelles]

HA! I wish we all didn't live so far apart ... For sure, a happy Momma. xo

[Skye04]

Looks yummy...and your mom looks so happy!!Bless her lovely smile!..Liz