Life in the A-Zone

How do we continue to embrace life while caring for the people we love? In this heartfelt episode of Life in the A-Zone, Peggy Sweeney-McDonald welcomes longtime friend, film industry professional, and creative inspiration Lisa Annitti for a conversation about friendship, caregiving, creativity, and choosing joy. Lisa shares her funny food story, A Coconut Pie and a Bottle of Wine" that inspired P...

In this episode of Life in the A-Zone, I sit down with author, podcaster, and caregiving advocate Jennifer Fink for a heartfelt conversation about the realities of long-term caregiving. Together, we discuss balancing work and family responsibilities, navigating the caregiving fog that so many caregivers experience, advocating for loved ones, and the importance of caring for ourselves along the way...

Host Peggy Sweeney-McDonald welcomes author Jen Allee to Life in the A-Zone to discuss her new book, When Waiting Feels Like Withholding: Trusting God When You Doubt His Goodness. In this heartfelt conversation, Peggy and Jen explore seasons of waiting, wrestling with doubt and fear, the power of journaling, and the small Pink Cloud Moments of grace that help sustain hope along the way. Jen shares...

In this heartfelt episode of Life in the A-Zone, Peggy sits down with hospice nurse consultant Craig Schaap for a deeply moving conversation about caregiving, end-of-life care, and the unexpected moments of grace that can arise during life’s most difficult seasons. Craig shares his experience spending six years at the bedside of terminally ill patients and their families, and his current work with...

There was a time when Easter felt like magic. New dresses laid out the night before. White shoes worn just once a year. The smell of ham in the oven after church. Baskets filled with chocolate bunnies, jellybeans, and just enough surprise to make you believe in something wonderful. And at the center of it all… family. But as life moves forward, holidays begin to change. The tables look different....

In this deeply moving episode of Life in the A-Zone, Peggy Sweeney-McDonald sits down with author Karen McCord to talk about the life and legacy of her daughter, beloved sports journalist Carley McCord, who tragically lost her life in a 2019 plane crash while traveling to cover the LSU playoff game in Atlanta. Karen shares memories of Carley’s vibrant life—from her early days as a pageant queen to...

A memoir writing class at the 2019 Louisiana Book Festival planted the seed. During COVID in 2020, I began sharing my caregiving stories from a walk-in closet—creating the Life in the A-Zone podcast. That journey became my memoir, Life in the A-Zone: How I Embraced My Mother’s Alzheimer’s—One Pink Cloud Moment at a Time, along with two Pink Cloud Moments companion journals. This episode captures t...

The holidays can be complicated—especially for those who are grieving, caregiving, or missing someone they love. In this episode of Life in the A-Zone, Peggy shares a tender Christmas story from the heart of her Alzheimer’s caregiving journey with her mother. This episode gently holds space for both the grief we carry and the moments of light, laughter, and unexpected joy that still find us. This...

In this heartfelt episode of Life in the A-Zone, Peggy welcomes back artist and journal designer Jackie Begue to reflect on a meaningful milestone: being invited to speak at the very first meeting of a new caregiver support group that has chosen to use the Pink Cloud Moments™ Caregiving Journal as part of their weekly gatherings. Peggy and Jackie share how this special evening came together—beginn...

In this episode, I sit down with artist and co-creator Katherine Martin to talk about the journey of bringing the Pink Cloud Moments: Divine Angelic Inspiration Journal to life. Katherine shares how her angel artwork began as a personal practice of healing and blossomed into a source of comfort and inspiration for others. Together, we explore the concepts of the Angel of Inspiration, the Angel of...

  In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down with my friend, artist Jackie Begue, to talk about rebooting, resilience, and the creative spark that can emerge from life’s unexpected turns. We share the story of her beautiful “Resilience” artwork of waterlilies — and how it inspired me to invite her to illustrate and collaborate on my Pink Cloud Moments™ Sacred Space Journal for Caregivers, launchin...

Peggy and her sister Shannan rush back from Washington D.C. when her mother takes a turn for the worse. Miraculously, they are able to be by her side with the family as she took her last breath. The sky glowed pink hours before she passed and whenever family or friends see a pink sky, they will remember it is a Sherry Sky.     #Alzheimers #Alzheimersjourney #caregiver #grief #dementia #personalsto...

Peggy and her three sisters plan a 62nd-anniversary party for their parents at the Memory Care facility after their Mother is placed on Hospice Care. Alzheimer's may have taken his wife's health and her zest for life, but it was important to their father to celebrate their lifetime of love. 

Peggy spends the night with her mother at the memory care facility and in a moment of peace, her mother tells her everything will be alright. Peggy realizes her mother's struggle with Alzheimer's is slowly coming to an end. 

Peggy's mother is barely speaking these days as she grows weaker from Alzheimer's. However, in a special moment of clarity at the Memory Care facility, she shares a beautiful and heartwarming life lesson.

Peggy takes her mother to the hospital and everything changes as she is placed on palliative care. Alzheimer's is winning the battle and Peggy surrenders to the bleak reality.  

As her mother settles into her new life at an Alzheimer's Memory Care facility, Peggy and her father begin to adjust to an empty house without her. The Alzheimer's struggle at home is gone, but so is her mother's love and spirit. 

The last weekend with Peggy's mother before moving her into a memory care facility has arrived. Nothing can prepare the family for this life-changing moment in their Alzheimer's struggle. Friday night is bittersweet as Peggy and her mom share beignets in the backseat of the car creating a special memory.

Peggy realizes it's time for her mother to leave the nest as the family prepares to move her into an Alzheimer's memory care facility. The beloved home her mother built will never be the same once she is gone.

Decorating for the holidays is bittersweet this year. Peggy realizes this will be her mother's last Christmas at home and she longs for Christmas of yesteryear as a lifetime of memories fills her heart.

Another step down the ladder of the Alzheimer’s journey is inevitable as Peggy’s mother begins walking out of the house unnoticed. Trying to figure out the next move to keep her safe brings confusion and frustration.

Taking an Alzheimer's patient on a cruise may not be a great idea, but Mom's 82nd birthday deserves a big celebration. Her smiles and endless laughter make it worth the awkward moments, and we are blessed with special memories.

Peggy and her father make plans for special trips with her mother, but soon realize road trips with an Alzheimer’s patient are challenging, exhausting, and emotionally draining. Their best-laid plans are trips to nowhere.     

Peggy plans a “good day” for her mother decorating the house for Easter sparking many childhood memories. Celebrating Easter may be different these days, however, creating new memories can be just as heartfelt and special.

Peggy's stressful day over her mother's choice of clothing for Grandparent's Day turns around that evening when her family goes to hear live music at a local bar. Watching her mother and father tenderly slow dance under the stars creates lasting memories of the love between her parents that will live forever.