Alzheimer's books

Losing My Mind by Thomas DeBaggio

    I picked this up at the library recently (in FL). The title grabbed me right away (it was one of those days). It was written by a man after he was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. It was a little difficult to follow at first. He skips between recounting recent memories, distant memories, and Alzheimer's research. The scattered style caught me off guard but I eventually got used to it. I think he used that style to showcase the disease. I'll be honest. This book is dark and depressing. He wanted to share the raw emotion of someone battling (and losing to) this disease. It also struck me that as an atheist he has no hope in an existence after this life on earth (and it shows). After I finished reading this book I looked up the reviews on Amazon. This book got great reviews there as many family members of people with Alzheimer's felt that is gave them insight into the minds of their loved ones.

The Alzheimer's Prevention Program by Gary Small

I read this book while we were still in NY (from the Marcellus library). I enjoyed reading this book. It included lots of good science and it was presented in an easy to understand way. The advice was very practical and is all the stuff we should already know (eat fruits and veggies, only drink coffee and wine in moderation, exercise, keep brain active, reduce stress). It includes quizes and exercises and a daily plan.

I need to read this one to counter-act the darkness of the first. I'll let you know how it is... (besides, I have a soft heart for cute nuns)

Update: I LOVE this book. It was exactly the right mix of science and story. The nuns were amazing. In this book, the nuns agree to take part of a brain study. David Snowdon, the researcher, really gets to know the nuns and develops a close relationship with several of them. Because the convent keep such great records the research team was able to examine early writing samples of the nuns. Those nuns who wrote elaborately and used large and varied vocabulary when they were young had overwhelmingly better cognitive scores in their old age (so read to those kids). I learned alot about Alzheimer's from this book and the infomation was very encouraging. I fell in love with these wonderful nuns and I love how gracefully they approach old age.

Setting the Record Straight

     I just finished reading Lee Binz's book Setting The Records Straight. This book tells how to make a highschool transcript and it goes into detail about course descriptions. Lee includes several samples. I like her explanations on how to keep track of credit hours. Lee described how she researches alot when she is nervous and I do the same thing. I think I could have figured out everything without this book but it would have taken me many hours to track down all the info. I love that I have it all in one place and it is set forth in an easy to understand way. I'm glad I found this book before I have a high schooler because I hope to keep my records right from the start. Lee also has tons of free info on her website.

Getting Organized

I just finished reading Sidetracked Home Executives (from Pigpen to Paradise) by Pam Young & Peggy Jones. It was a quick and easy read. It seemed slightly dated but still had lots of good & helpful information. My house is not the worse but it is not totally clean either. I work hard at organization but often get behind. This book suggests a 3 x 5 card system. Each chore is written on 1 card and filed by frequency. I'm still mentally digesting all the info and deciding on how I will use it. Mostly I would love to make time for special projects like sewing and photo books. I will keep you posted on how I do.

Sidetracked Home Executives

Update: SIDETRACKED! That pretty much sums it up. It was funnny. I finished reading this book while we were at a campground. I wrote out ALL the cards. I tried to think of every house cleaning task. I also made the dividers and filed the cards as suggested in the book. As soon as I was done... I started reading the second book, Get Your Act Together, A 7-day get-organized program for the overworked, overbooked, and overwhelmed. When I read that they had changed their program, I just about cried. I had just finished making a bazzion chore cards. I put down the second book and I thought I would stick with the first book. When we got home we did chore cards for about 3 days. Haley liked the cards. I liked being able to hand a card to a kid, but refiling those cards was overwhelming. I put them aside... and went back to yelling... I may revisit the cards (the yelling is not effective). I think I would rather just have the chore cards in a stack and go through them all then start over at the beginning again. In the mean time, my house is semi-clean.

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle
Author: Betty MacDonald
1st published in 1947
Approx. reading level: 3rd-6th

Mommy Mel says: "This is a fun book. Charming Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle is a favorite of all the children in town. The moms call her for advice and she gives them a cure like The Won't-Pick-Up-Toys Cure or The Answer-Backer Cure. This book is great for kids with a sense of humor (and hopefully they will be cured of something too). note: We won't be using The Radish Cure at our house."

8 yr. old Macy says: "This book is very funny. The Fighter-Quarrellers Cure is my favorite because they say "that's my skirt", "no, it's mine", "tis not", "tis too". Poor Herbert tried to drink water out of the hose. The grossest part is the "Radish Cure"... Eeeeewwww!

*this is part of Sonlight's Core B

Follow My Leader

Book Review: Follow My Leader
Author: James B. Garfield
1st published in 1957
Approximate reading level: 4th-8th

Mommy Mel says "This was an enjoyable book to read aloud. Jimmy was blinded by a fire cracker thrown by his friend Mike. He must learn to cope with his blindness. The breakthrough for Jimmy is when he has the opportunity to get a guide dog. Great lessons in overcoming and forgiveness. My girls enjoyed this book but it would be a very appealing book for boys."

8 yr. old Macy says "I learned alot about Braille. It was funny when Jimmy thought the walls should wear perfume so he could smell them before he ran into them. It seems that walking with a guide dog is so much better than walking with a cane. I think I could forgive Mike too but it would be hard."

                                                                 buy it from Amazon