You know the one. The green utility jacket from Loft. I just showed it on an outfit last week! I have searched high and low. Where do these things go? (unintentional rhyming, but isn’t it fun when that happens??)

Lately, I am losing lots of things. Things, words, memories.

Does that ever happen to you? You’re looking at a cat…and you’re saying to someone “I’m looking at a…uh…uhm, a uh…you know, that furry purring thing that says meow?” You KNOW the word, you just can’t grasp it in the moment.

When other people express concern that they’re getting forgetful MAYBE IT’S ALZHEIMER’S, you say, “no, no, it’s a natural part of aging.” But when it happens to you it feels scary.

The Alzheimer’s Association has a great checklist if you’re concerned about yourself or someone else: 10 Early Signs of Alzheimer’s. What’s so great about it is as you’re reading each item and going “yes! yes! that sounds exactly like me!” (as one does), there’s a bit right underneath each of the signs that gives an example of a typical age-related issue. For example, do you often find it hard to complete daily tasks? Sometimes having trouble driving to a familiar location, organizing a grocery list or remembering the rules of a favorite game? Yes? Don’t panic. A typical age-related change is occasionally needing help to use microwave settings or to record a TV show. Oh. Okay. Phew.

But how do you know if you have crossed the line from “typical” age-related forgetfulness into the actual disease? The Alzheimer’s Association also has a comprehensive resource guide where you can find the nearest diagnostic centers, support groups, medical services and more. Look into one of them if you’re concerned about yourself or someone else. It’s better to know.

While there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s, there are currently drugs that can slow the progression a bit, giving you and your family more time to plan, make arrangements for assisted living, and just enjoy living life to the fullest while you’re still able.

I’m no expert, to be clear. I’m just a girl who lost a jacket. But who also sometimes can’t remember the word “cat,” or how to turn the car lights on or instructions I have just read. I’m fortunate in that I’m not aware of any history of Alzheimer’s in my family (Sister, can you corroborate??), but I’m going to keep being mindful of it and I just wanted to know what resources were out there and thought some of you might as well.

It’s a little hard to segue from THAT to “Hey, looky my cute outfit!” But…please try to visualize it with the green utility jacket over top. It would have been cuuuute!

That said, this cashmere sweater is my favorite thing I’ve bought this fall. It’s light and soft and cozy and warm. And is such a wonderfully neutral color I can wear with almost anything in my closet.

It was a cold, windy day and I didn’t last long in just the sweater. I needed to go to…

The Orange Coat. Still hanging on. Now I can actually button it all the way! Ha. I’ve had this one like six years, it’s looking a little dingey, but…I can never find a “dog walking” coat (you know what I mean) that I like better. It’s a Land’s End coat with primaloft, which is a down alternative. Super warm but also very light and thin. I can’t be wearing a heavy coat. They still make a similar style but I don’t like the available colors in my size, so…I keep it just one more year (is what I’ve been saying for the past several years). It was a gift from That Guy, so…there’s some emotional stuff tied to it, too. For better or worse.

The End

What I’m Wearing

Thanks to She Who Shall Remain Nameless for standing out in the coooold to take my pictures! It was such a joy to be off the patio!!!

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