Life on the Ranch is Good

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New Roof

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We have a new roof. Our tile roof was supposed to last a lifetime, but it was put on incorrectly and so we've been fighting leaks ever since we moved in. We had some bids offered on both a new tile roof or on several different types of metal. We chose a metal roof because I grew up with a metal roof and loved it and because it was less expensive than the tile. It took the crew seven working days to take off the tile and put up the new roof. They did a great job and we really love it. We were worried at first that it wouldn't be as beautiful, but we really do like it. Now I want to repaint the front door though.
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Positivity

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Positivity is our new motto. My sister got us some bracelets with the motto and I ordered more today. Here's why. My dad was recently accepted into a study for a new way to fight Alzheimer's. When the doctors in the study looked at his latest MRI, they decided that he had Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. They kicked him out of the study and sent us to a Neurosurgeon. Dad went to see the doctor and learned more about the disease and his prognosis. This disease has three main symptoms and dementia is one of them. The best thing about this disease is that is it treatable. His doctors are saying that he has both Alzheimer's and NPH, but we aren't so sure. We are hoping that maybe they are wrong and that he only has NPH. After all, Alzheimer's can't be totally confirmed until autopsy. The way to treat NPH is by placing a shunt in the brain and draining fluid. My dad is going to have the surgery to place the shunt on June 5th. I would like to ask you to...
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My Dad has Alzheimer's Part 2

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My dad is brilliant and charming and full of swagger. My dad is poet. When I was a little girl I often mixed up my dad and Bob Dylan. My dad dreams big. He has an idea and then he has the balls to just do it. He has made and lost several fortunes that way. My dad is an ancient Christian Buddhist who believes in Navajo. My dad is a first class groover. My dad has early onset Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's has taken his brain and filled it with plaques and tangles and it makes it hard for him to remember. This has been so hard. Hardest for him. Hard for everyone. Alzheimer's is a cruel disease. For eight years we have struggled. We, as a family, have watched the disease creeping into our lives. My dad calls it "the storm". It can isolate someone. But we won't let it. My dad still has a lot up his sleeve. He still has so much to contribute. He's way too young to hang with the geriatrics and he has always been so, so social. He still plays in his b...
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