Kristen is here for a few days while Bob is traveling and working hard in SLO. I love having her here and we always have such a good time together. We saw a movie yesterday and then watched 'The Voice' for a few hours. That’s not Bobs favorite show so it’s nice to binge watch when he’s traveling π
Last week I was actually able to travel with Bob down to Fresno. I haven’t done that in a long time and I was happy to spend time there, and have the chance to meet some of his work friends. I have family there too. I was born there and went to grammar school for a few years before we finally ended up in Modesto. I was very young when we lived there but I do remember some of the landmarks around town, especially in the Tower district.
I was able to have lunch with my cousin Lauren and later that day spent some time with my cousin Meg Geary Hoff’s son, Kyle. I guess Kyle is my second cousin... I’m not sure how that works. Anyway, I had a great visit with everyone and especially enjoyed Kyle & his wife Amanda’s new puppy Luna! She was the cutest little thing. Their sweet daughter Berkley and I played together too and she read some books to me which was really specialπ She is such a sweet child.
The sad part of my visit to Fresno was that I couldn't see my 92 year old Aunt Nancy, Kyle's grandma! She's in a senior living environment and their entire wing was on quarantine due to illness. No one could go in or out of the building. I was pretty upset but realized it was out of my control. Expectations can lead to disappointment so I try not to get my hopes up, but I definitely was sad I couldn't see her.
The other big event that happened two weeks ago was our East Bay Alzheimer's Walk! I have been raising money most of the year and doing what I could to raise awareness and ask my friends and family to walk with us. We had a great crowd and a huge walk team! Thank you to all of you who donated and who were able to walk with us. I was holding the blue flower again this year with four of my friends who are also living with the disease. It was pretty powerful and emotional. No surprise there! We hosted lunch afterwards and at this point have raised over $34,000!
A week after our Alzheimer's Walk we traveled down to Los Angeles to speak and participate in Maria's Shriver's fundraising event, Move For Minds. We've been attending this event for several years and it's always inspiring and encouraging. My good friend Teresa Valko was there too with two of her friends and we all had a great day.
The next day I was at the Orthodontist getting my new Invisoline Braces! Yikes, I've never needed or had braces in my life but my teeth have shifted so here I am at 64 years young with my first set! I've been doing well with them so far and they definitely have stopped me from snacking! I need to wear them 20 to 22 hours a day!
On top of that, the next day I was UCSF for Infusion #6 for the Eli Lilly Tau clinical trial. I can honestly say these past few weeks have been the busiest I've had in a long time. Thankfully I have this entire week to rest, relax and enjoy this gorgeous weather we're having.
So that's what's been happening in my life, our lives. I am grateful every day for all your support, prayers and for my continued good health. I have lunch later this week with my sister and bestie Andi and next week Bob and I will be in Sacramento for our first meeting of the Governor's Alzheimer's Preparedness Task Force. I am so grateful for the opportunity to stay involved, especially considering that my term on the National Alzheimer's Assoc BOD has ended. My goal is to do the best I can and to use my brain and my voice every single day to raise awareness, funding and support to #ENDALZπ
I hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday with your friends and family. This year we will be in Twain Harte with Bob's sisters and family and hopefully a few doggies π