Day 698 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Another warm day again today, although it only got up to the high 80s – a cold snap is obviously on the way!

Grayson has had a series of "slow" days now. He has had enough slow days that we expect that he will be becoming more alert in the next day or so and have a series of better days. Such is the way of our funky cycle. As I have said before, at least he is loving and sweet so even though he is cognitively challenged, he still gives you a big hug.

Counting our blessings!

Pax!

Brant

Day 697 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

It was over 100 today – what is up with this? The forecast says it is going to chill down to the mid 80s next week. Now that's more like it! Fortunately the Trojans won up in Northern California tonight.

Grayson was really off his game today. Perhaps it's the heat, perhaps he is tired (he was awake when Regina went in to check on him at 7:30 this morning), perhaps this is just another of his cycles. Nonetheless he had difficulty all day.

Perhaps tomorrow will be an easier day for all.

Pax!

Brant

Day 696 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

It was 97 here today. We turned off the furnace and turned the AC back on. What a change from last week!

Grayson was off his mark today. Things just did not come easy for him. His attitude and disposition were sweet as always but he just couldn't seem to accomplish some very basic tasks. As always when he is off his mark, he went to bed and fell right asleep. He must need the rest tonight.

Let's see if tomorrow is a better day.

Pax!

Brant

Day 695 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

It is warming up again in Southern California! Just when we think that winter and those cold 45 degree nights are here, the weather warms up again. It was in the 80s here today and it will be in the mid 90s for the next few days. Time to turn the furnace back off!

Grayson was a champ today and a bit more alert than normal. "Alert" almost always goes along with an active mind that has a difficult time switching off at bedtime, and tonight was no exception. He kept walking out of his room long after I put him to bed. I am hoping that the perimeter alarm stays silent so that Regina and I can get some sleep. It has been 10 minutes – let's hope this time he is down for real!

Pax!

Brant

Day 694 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Grayson's routine was disrupted today. The carpets at the house were cleaned today and so Regina whisked him out for the afternoon so he would be out of the way and not tempted to walk on the wet carpets. They meandered through several stores and eventually returned with plants from a nursery, food from the grocery and tales of a great afternoon together.

The evening's movements were rather restricted, but after dinner Grayson went up to our room and watched some TV while lying on the bed.

Grayson was a happy camper through all of the disruption!

Pax!

Brant

Day 693 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Grayson was a champ today. I managed to get him up and out to church on time this morning (Regina was the assisting minister so was out of the house at the crack of dawn). The service was particularly good and Grayson was engaged – he even laughed during a funny story in the pastor's homily.

This afternoon we did a few chores around the house. Grayson and I made a light grocery run late in the day. As always he was my "cart driver" and I always love watching him solve the problem of keeping the cart in the aisle and not scraping along the product shelves. This is therapy in the community! He is pretty good but you do need to keep sharp eye out when going down the candy aisle – many things seem to wind up in Grayson's hands as he cruises these aisles!

I think that he has finally drifted off to sleep – the perimeter alarm has been going off for two hours. Let's pray that he has – I'm off to bed now also!

Pax!

Brant

Day 692 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Saturday – always a great day! Today, since USC had a bye week, we spent most of the day working around the house. Grayson spent a fair share of his day going up and down the stairs also!

This evening we had a treat – Austin and Xixi joined us for dinner. Because of our various commitments, we hadn't spent time with them in a while. We had a great time visiting, sharing news and planning upcoming winter events (like skiing!). Grayson listened to the conversation and was engaged and laughed with us – until the food arrived. Then he was much more interested in eating than conversation!

It was a fabulous day!

Pax!

Brant