Hello From Rockville
Another sunny day, warmer then yesterday.
Not much to write about. I had a Dr. appointment, a follow up on my trip to ER and everything is okay. I got a phone call from Harlan's sister Shirley, a nice day brightener, we had a nice chat. That was this AM then on to see Harlan. I had requested a mirror for his room, it seemed strange there is no mirror in any private room on Harlan's wing but they took care of that today and put one in. At this point he really doesn't care if he has one or not.
Harlan and I got our coffee at McDonalds, when he got back it was supper time and I went home, until tomorrow, Fran
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Hello From Rockville
Another nice day, a little cool and windy but sunshine and no rain.
Today I washed clothes, went to see Harlan and did a little shopping.
Harlan likes to get away from the VA, we went to Walmart, Fleet Farm and McDonalds. Harlan is having a hard time telling time on a clock with hands, we went to Walmart and got him a battery operated digital clock with fairly large numbers, he seemed happy with it. While at Walmart we checked on light weight shirts with long sleeves and found many on sale, ($5.00) he picked out one he liked. I'll wash it and bring it back for him. It is cool at the VA so the long sleeves keeps him comfortable as he does not like short sleeves. After Walmart I needed to fill the car with gas and I have Harlan pump the gas, so onto Fleet Farm we went. But before going to Fleet Farm I asked him if he wanted to fill the car for me because about a week ago he said he was never going to do that for me again as I was "just using him to do those things" (gassing the car, helping me shop). I told him what he had said to me and his reply was, "I must have been mad at you, what a jerk I was". We filled the car then on to McDonalds for coffee, so was my day, and a good one it was!............Fran
Another nice day, a little cool and windy but sunshine and no rain.
Today I washed clothes, went to see Harlan and did a little shopping.
Harlan likes to get away from the VA, we went to Walmart, Fleet Farm and McDonalds. Harlan is having a hard time telling time on a clock with hands, we went to Walmart and got him a battery operated digital clock with fairly large numbers, he seemed happy with it. While at Walmart we checked on light weight shirts with long sleeves and found many on sale, ($5.00) he picked out one he liked. I'll wash it and bring it back for him. It is cool at the VA so the long sleeves keeps him comfortable as he does not like short sleeves. After Walmart I needed to fill the car with gas and I have Harlan pump the gas, so onto Fleet Farm we went. But before going to Fleet Farm I asked him if he wanted to fill the car for me because about a week ago he said he was never going to do that for me again as I was "just using him to do those things" (gassing the car, helping me shop). I told him what he had said to me and his reply was, "I must have been mad at you, what a jerk I was". We filled the car then on to McDonalds for coffee, so was my day, and a good one it was!............Fran
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Hello From Rockville
This is "Church Day". On the way to pick up Harlan I made a stop at McDonalds for coffee, he likes McDonalds coffee, after getting him ready we were on our way. After leaving church and getting into the car a car pulled up beside us and I thought some one is really late as there is no other service and it's noon, Surprise, Surprise, it was Sarah and Rick. We had a good time having lunch at Applebees and now I have enough food left over for me for several meals.
I stay with Harlan until after 5:30 (his supper time). Harlan did complain about not being able to walk out side without a"watch dog" but that is the only way he can be out and that does make him unhappy. All in all it was a good day, talk tomorrow.....Fran
This is "Church Day". On the way to pick up Harlan I made a stop at McDonalds for coffee, he likes McDonalds coffee, after getting him ready we were on our way. After leaving church and getting into the car a car pulled up beside us and I thought some one is really late as there is no other service and it's noon, Surprise, Surprise, it was Sarah and Rick. We had a good time having lunch at Applebees and now I have enough food left over for me for several meals.
I stay with Harlan until after 5:30 (his supper time). Harlan did complain about not being able to walk out side without a"watch dog" but that is the only way he can be out and that does make him unhappy. All in all it was a good day, talk tomorrow.....Fran
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Hello From Rockville
Yesterday was not my normal day and it really goofed up Harlan. I went with our YAH's (Young At Heart) group from church and did not get back in time to stop and see Harlan as I had made other plans at 6:30. We went down to see The Kelly Farm near Mpls. This is an old farm that is in operation today, it was started in the late 18th century or early 19th century, not any modern convinces as running water, electricity, or telephone. It was hot yesterday and they had a wood fire in the cook stove. No screens on the windows, flies enjoyed that. There was a group out haying which was stored in the barn. They had pigs, sheep, chickens, horses and I believe cows as there was a calf tied up.
Because I did not see Harlan yesterday he made sure I knew he was still around with many phone calls on both the home phone and the cell. He made a call to me at 2 AM. He cannot read the time on a clock or a watch with hands, he wears a digital watch and I'm going to try and find him a battery operated clock with large numbers as the VA has an issue with electronic things plugged in, I have to get permission for it if it's plugged in and it may be easier to get a battery operated one.
we had another rain shower, the rain gauge showed just a trace not enough to count.
Until another day have a wonderful week-end.....Fran
Yesterday was not my normal day and it really goofed up Harlan. I went with our YAH's (Young At Heart) group from church and did not get back in time to stop and see Harlan as I had made other plans at 6:30. We went down to see The Kelly Farm near Mpls. This is an old farm that is in operation today, it was started in the late 18th century or early 19th century, not any modern convinces as running water, electricity, or telephone. It was hot yesterday and they had a wood fire in the cook stove. No screens on the windows, flies enjoyed that. There was a group out haying which was stored in the barn. They had pigs, sheep, chickens, horses and I believe cows as there was a calf tied up.
Because I did not see Harlan yesterday he made sure I knew he was still around with many phone calls on both the home phone and the cell. He made a call to me at 2 AM. He cannot read the time on a clock or a watch with hands, he wears a digital watch and I'm going to try and find him a battery operated clock with large numbers as the VA has an issue with electronic things plugged in, I have to get permission for it if it's plugged in and it may be easier to get a battery operated one.
we had another rain shower, the rain gauge showed just a trace not enough to count.
Until another day have a wonderful week-end.....Fran
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Hello From Rockville
Last night Becky called and was going to come up to see us, that did not work out as Luke got sick, they will try again another day.
When I got to the VA Karon cornered me and told me that she had taken Harlan for walk in the morning, they had picked a bouquet of flowers for me and she wanted to know if he would remember to tell me that the flowers were for me. When I got to his room the first thing he told was that he and this Lady had picked the flowers for me. He said she took him out side and they walked and walked and he was so tired from the long walk. He told me they cost him a lot of walking time, no money just a lot of walking time. She said she had asked him what kind of flowers he wanted to pick for me and he told her dandelions (I got many of those when the kids were little), dandelions are scarce on the VA grounds, they picked geraniums and petunias, a pretty bright pink bouquet which sits on the island.
He said he was tired but not too tired to get away for pie and coffee at Perkins. It was a good day.....Fran
Last night Becky called and was going to come up to see us, that did not work out as Luke got sick, they will try again another day.
When I got to the VA Karon cornered me and told me that she had taken Harlan for walk in the morning, they had picked a bouquet of flowers for me and she wanted to know if he would remember to tell me that the flowers were for me. When I got to his room the first thing he told was that he and this Lady had picked the flowers for me. He said she took him out side and they walked and walked and he was so tired from the long walk. He told me they cost him a lot of walking time, no money just a lot of walking time. She said she had asked him what kind of flowers he wanted to pick for me and he told her dandelions (I got many of those when the kids were little), dandelions are scarce on the VA grounds, they picked geraniums and petunias, a pretty bright pink bouquet which sits on the island.
He said he was tired but not too tired to get away for pie and coffee at Perkins. It was a good day.....Fran
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Hello From Rockville
We had another good rain, my rain gauge showed 3/4 to 1 inch, I don't know how accurate it is. I drove home from the VA in the rain and when I got home I wiped the car down, rain water removes the bugs, it looks good. Harlan kept the car cleaned and vacuumed it may feel neglected because I just don't do that.
My day started with a wake-up call before 6, Harlan just "Wanted to hear your voice." I did manage to get back to sleep and got up around 8. One of the antibiotics I take interferes with my sleep, I feel a little sleep deprived but that too will get better.
We went to McDonalds for our afternoon coffee then back to the VA for meds and a shave.
Talk tomorrow......Fran
We had another good rain, my rain gauge showed 3/4 to 1 inch, I don't know how accurate it is. I drove home from the VA in the rain and when I got home I wiped the car down, rain water removes the bugs, it looks good. Harlan kept the car cleaned and vacuumed it may feel neglected because I just don't do that.
My day started with a wake-up call before 6, Harlan just "Wanted to hear your voice." I did manage to get back to sleep and got up around 8. One of the antibiotics I take interferes with my sleep, I feel a little sleep deprived but that too will get better.
We went to McDonalds for our afternoon coffee then back to the VA for meds and a shave.
Talk tomorrow......Fran
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Hello From Rockville
It was good to get a good night's sleep. Today was hot, in the nineties with high humidity just hot and steamy!
My day was routine. Today when I went in to see Harlan I brought along some new pictures to put up in his room. He has a bulletin board to tack stuff on and a white board that can be written on, I tape pictures to it. Today I put names with the pictures because sometimes when he looks at them he recognizes the people but can't put a name with the faces. When I was about half done he says to me, "I need my coffee you can finish that when we get back!" We went to McDonalds and had our coffee, when I got back I finished the job I had started. Harlan went off to supper I went home.
I also went to a meeting here to discuss the garage sale we had this spring and made plans for one next year and hopefully make it even better next year.
Until tomorrow Good Night.......Fran
It was good to get a good night's sleep. Today was hot, in the nineties with high humidity just hot and steamy!
My day was routine. Today when I went in to see Harlan I brought along some new pictures to put up in his room. He has a bulletin board to tack stuff on and a white board that can be written on, I tape pictures to it. Today I put names with the pictures because sometimes when he looks at them he recognizes the people but can't put a name with the faces. When I was about half done he says to me, "I need my coffee you can finish that when we get back!" We went to McDonalds and had our coffee, when I got back I finished the job I had started. Harlan went off to supper I went home.
I also went to a meeting here to discuss the garage sale we had this spring and made plans for one next year and hopefully make it even better next year.
Until tomorrow Good Night.......Fran
Monday, June 22, 2009
Hello From Rockville
I did not write on Sunday and I will explain. I took Harlan to church on Sunday and back to the VA instead of taking him out for lunch I picked up a burger at MacDonald's and joined him at the VA. I had not been feeling good since about Wednesday and Sunday was not a good day. Because I was experiencing stomach cramps and had a fever Denese came up Sunday about 8:00 P.M. and took me into ER. When tests were run and all that goes with diagnosing it was determined that I have Diverticulitis. I now know how a pin cushion feels. I am always a challenge when they need to get into a vein. They had to stick me some where from 8 to 10 times to draw blood and put an IV into me, it took four nurses to complete the job and only after they decided that they could "get by" with a smaller needle then they would normally use which then made a problem with the antibiotics, that had to be driped in slower making my stay in ER much longer. I was home by 3:30 A.M. and Denese got home an hour later as she had to drive to Dayton. So much for Father's Day, I hope your Father's day celebration was more fun and less eventfull.
Now to todays activities. I had a pleasant surprise this morning, I got a call from Granddaughter Kelsey. She just got back from South Africa where she had been going to school, it was so good talking to her.
The afternoon was spent with Harlan, out for pie and coffee at Perkins and a shave from me, then it was time for me to head home and Harlan to go to supper.
will talk again soon....Fran
I did not write on Sunday and I will explain. I took Harlan to church on Sunday and back to the VA instead of taking him out for lunch I picked up a burger at MacDonald's and joined him at the VA. I had not been feeling good since about Wednesday and Sunday was not a good day. Because I was experiencing stomach cramps and had a fever Denese came up Sunday about 8:00 P.M. and took me into ER. When tests were run and all that goes with diagnosing it was determined that I have Diverticulitis. I now know how a pin cushion feels. I am always a challenge when they need to get into a vein. They had to stick me some where from 8 to 10 times to draw blood and put an IV into me, it took four nurses to complete the job and only after they decided that they could "get by" with a smaller needle then they would normally use which then made a problem with the antibiotics, that had to be driped in slower making my stay in ER much longer. I was home by 3:30 A.M. and Denese got home an hour later as she had to drive to Dayton. So much for Father's Day, I hope your Father's day celebration was more fun and less eventfull.
Now to todays activities. I had a pleasant surprise this morning, I got a call from Granddaughter Kelsey. She just got back from South Africa where she had been going to school, it was so good talking to her.
The afternoon was spent with Harlan, out for pie and coffee at Perkins and a shave from me, then it was time for me to head home and Harlan to go to supper.
will talk again soon....Fran
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Hello From Rockville
The VA had a Family Day, the day was warm and sunny. Denese, Rick, DeeAnn, Sarah, Tori, Graham, Matthew, and Clair joined us. There was a horse drawn wagon for giving rides around the grounds with a tour guide giving history of the St. Cloud VA. There were dogs going through an exercise track as if they were in competition, lots of antique autos, game with prizes for the children and root beer floats, a good day. I went to see Harlan early so I left early and when I talked to him after supper he did go to the dinning area and ate. If he doesn't want to eat and doesn't go even if he is encouraged to go they will bring something to him to eat in his room, he doesn't have to go to bed Hungary. This was a good day and I'll write again tomorrow...Fran
The VA had a Family Day, the day was warm and sunny. Denese, Rick, DeeAnn, Sarah, Tori, Graham, Matthew, and Clair joined us. There was a horse drawn wagon for giving rides around the grounds with a tour guide giving history of the St. Cloud VA. There were dogs going through an exercise track as if they were in competition, lots of antique autos, game with prizes for the children and root beer floats, a good day. I went to see Harlan early so I left early and when I talked to him after supper he did go to the dinning area and ate. If he doesn't want to eat and doesn't go even if he is encouraged to go they will bring something to him to eat in his room, he doesn't have to go to bed Hungary. This was a good day and I'll write again tomorrow...Fran
Friday, June 19, 2009
Today was a quiet day.
We are setting up a web site for our Co-op. It will have information about us and units available will be listed and lots of other stuff, I'm excited about it. It will be on line in about a week.
I went into the VA to meet with a support group, all who have husbands with memory loss, some worse then Harlan. This is the first time for me, they meet twice monthly the first and third Friday of the month at 1:00 and family members are welcome. One lady there said they had been married 66 years. There will be no meeting July 3rd but they will meet again July 17th. I plan on going as often as I can.
After the support group I went up to see Harlan, Friday is bath day and he did not want a bath today he said he didn't feel good, he gets one Tuesday and Friday. When I talked to the staff they said he just didn't want a bath. A long story short he did have his bath. We went to Perkins for our treat today, he had pie and ice cream and I had a dinner, needless to say I didn't need to eat when I got home. At 5:45 he went to supper and I went home. He called to see if there was anything to watch on TV I gave him several ideas, The Twins and Millionaire. I don't know if he watched any thing.
Take care and I'll "talk" again tomorrow.......Fran
We are setting up a web site for our Co-op. It will have information about us and units available will be listed and lots of other stuff, I'm excited about it. It will be on line in about a week.
I went into the VA to meet with a support group, all who have husbands with memory loss, some worse then Harlan. This is the first time for me, they meet twice monthly the first and third Friday of the month at 1:00 and family members are welcome. One lady there said they had been married 66 years. There will be no meeting July 3rd but they will meet again July 17th. I plan on going as often as I can.
After the support group I went up to see Harlan, Friday is bath day and he did not want a bath today he said he didn't feel good, he gets one Tuesday and Friday. When I talked to the staff they said he just didn't want a bath. A long story short he did have his bath. We went to Perkins for our treat today, he had pie and ice cream and I had a dinner, needless to say I didn't need to eat when I got home. At 5:45 he went to supper and I went home. He called to see if there was anything to watch on TV I gave him several ideas, The Twins and Millionaire. I don't know if he watched any thing.
Take care and I'll "talk" again tomorrow.......Fran
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Hello
Another full day. This morning Pat Benson called and wanted to know if they could stop and take me to lunch. We went accross the street to Granite Edge Cafe, I hadn't seen them since last fall just before they left for AZ. Pat and Ken entertained at Harlan's 80th birthday and they have entertained at the VA. We had a good visit and good food.
At 1:00 I had an appointment for the final "step" in my phyical, a mamogram (ouch!) which I am sure will be okay. This appointment was near the VA my next stop of the day. I spent about four hours with Harlan which included a trip to Perkins for coffee and pie, carmal apple with ice cream for Harlan and fresh strawberry for me, yum, yum, good!!!
Tonight was our social pot-luck here in our building and I made a hot dish to share. We always have great food as every one brings nothing but their very best. I had asked granddaughter Sarah to join us which she did and she came in uniform, she really looked nice.
It looks like we may be due for some rain so will close until tomorrow........Fran
Another full day. This morning Pat Benson called and wanted to know if they could stop and take me to lunch. We went accross the street to Granite Edge Cafe, I hadn't seen them since last fall just before they left for AZ. Pat and Ken entertained at Harlan's 80th birthday and they have entertained at the VA. We had a good visit and good food.
At 1:00 I had an appointment for the final "step" in my phyical, a mamogram (ouch!) which I am sure will be okay. This appointment was near the VA my next stop of the day. I spent about four hours with Harlan which included a trip to Perkins for coffee and pie, carmal apple with ice cream for Harlan and fresh strawberry for me, yum, yum, good!!!
Tonight was our social pot-luck here in our building and I made a hot dish to share. We always have great food as every one brings nothing but their very best. I had asked granddaughter Sarah to join us which she did and she came in uniform, she really looked nice.
It looks like we may be due for some rain so will close until tomorrow........Fran
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Wednesday 6-17-09
Hello
Today has been a fun and good day. I have a cleaning lady come in every two weeks and is here for 2 hours. She makes my mess look so good, she does such a good job and will help me with anything I want her to, scrub floors, do windows, clean fans what ever I need.
DeeAnn (daughter-in-law, Rick's wife) called and wanted to join me for lunch as she was coming to St. Cloud, just after I hung up from her Granddaughter Sarah (DeeAnn's daughter) called and also wanted to join us. Sarah picked me up and we headed to Cold Spring to meet DeeAnn for a lunch buffet, oh so good. We have a wonderful purse store next to the buffet and when ever we are in Cold Spring we always check it out, sometimes buying and sometimes just looking, today was a looking day.
After all that I headed into St. Cloud to spend time with Harlan and he and I headed to McDonalds for our afternoon coffee break. While enjoying our coffee we had another surprise, neice Cheryl(Harlan's sister Shirley's daughter) came in and plopped herself next to Harlan, we had a great visit. We had not seen Cheryl in some time, it was a wonderful surprise. After coffee and visits we went back to the VA for meds and a shave, then supper for Harlan and home for me.
"See you tomorrow".......Fran
Today has been a fun and good day. I have a cleaning lady come in every two weeks and is here for 2 hours. She makes my mess look so good, she does such a good job and will help me with anything I want her to, scrub floors, do windows, clean fans what ever I need.
DeeAnn (daughter-in-law, Rick's wife) called and wanted to join me for lunch as she was coming to St. Cloud, just after I hung up from her Granddaughter Sarah (DeeAnn's daughter) called and also wanted to join us. Sarah picked me up and we headed to Cold Spring to meet DeeAnn for a lunch buffet, oh so good. We have a wonderful purse store next to the buffet and when ever we are in Cold Spring we always check it out, sometimes buying and sometimes just looking, today was a looking day.
After all that I headed into St. Cloud to spend time with Harlan and he and I headed to McDonalds for our afternoon coffee break. While enjoying our coffee we had another surprise, neice Cheryl(Harlan's sister Shirley's daughter) came in and plopped herself next to Harlan, we had a great visit. We had not seen Cheryl in some time, it was a wonderful surprise. After coffee and visits we went back to the VA for meds and a shave, then supper for Harlan and home for me.
"See you tomorrow".......Fran
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Tuesday
Hello Everyone,
The much needed rain has come and the radar shows there will be more, I think we have gotten over an inch. Even with watering we were starting to get dry places in the lawn.
This morning I made a clothes protector (bib) for Harlan, they do have them at the VA but he likes them to be long and the ones there are short. I picked up a small size bath towel and cut an opening at one end and put ribbing around the opening and I put his name on it.
Today was bath day and it went well, he was proud of himself as he took his bath without any fussing which doesn't always happen.
Today when I went to see Him they were making chocolate chip cookies, we each had one with coffee then Harlan thought if one was good another would be better, so he had another. His weight is down so an extra cookie was good for him. We stayed because there was a 20 min church service conducted by one of the chaplains in the same area we had the cookie. A few hymns are sung, he reads scripture and talks a little.
After this we went to McDonalds for our afternoon coffee then back to the VA, when we got back it was time for some meds and his nebulizer (breathing machine). He takes the neb. with out too much complaining as when he is done I shave him, he no longer has any desire to shave him self. (The shaving part is DeeAnn's job when she is there, he likes to have her shave him) After some more chit chat it is time to leave, I stay until it's supper time when he goes to eat it gives him something to do and does not mind when I leave.
The much needed rain has come and the radar shows there will be more, I think we have gotten over an inch. Even with watering we were starting to get dry places in the lawn.
This morning I made a clothes protector (bib) for Harlan, they do have them at the VA but he likes them to be long and the ones there are short. I picked up a small size bath towel and cut an opening at one end and put ribbing around the opening and I put his name on it.
Today was bath day and it went well, he was proud of himself as he took his bath without any fussing which doesn't always happen.
Today when I went to see Him they were making chocolate chip cookies, we each had one with coffee then Harlan thought if one was good another would be better, so he had another. His weight is down so an extra cookie was good for him. We stayed because there was a 20 min church service conducted by one of the chaplains in the same area we had the cookie. A few hymns are sung, he reads scripture and talks a little.
After this we went to McDonalds for our afternoon coffee then back to the VA, when we got back it was time for some meds and his nebulizer (breathing machine). He takes the neb. with out too much complaining as when he is done I shave him, he no longer has any desire to shave him self. (The shaving part is DeeAnn's job when she is there, he likes to have her shave him) After some more chit chat it is time to leave, I stay until it's supper time when he goes to eat it gives him something to do and does not mind when I leave.
Monday, June 15, 2009
My daily routine, most every day
June 15, 2009
We are in need of rain and it's suppose rain this evening. It is beautiful, temps are great.
Today as most days I spent the afternoon with Harlan, I took him out for a little shopping and pie at Perkins. Every three months we have a meeting at the VA to discuss Harlan's care and what can be done to make things better for him. I was told today that he has gone "down hill" a lot in the last 6 weeks. He is not happy there but continues to show off his sense of humor, I'll try to include some of it in this blog from time to time. He is going to be featured as the Service Man of the Month on his floor, this will be in September his birth month. I have been looking for pictures to display.
I hope to make this a fun project and up lifting for me and I know there will be many ups and downs.
We are in need of rain and it's suppose rain this evening. It is beautiful, temps are great.
Today as most days I spent the afternoon with Harlan, I took him out for a little shopping and pie at Perkins. Every three months we have a meeting at the VA to discuss Harlan's care and what can be done to make things better for him. I was told today that he has gone "down hill" a lot in the last 6 weeks. He is not happy there but continues to show off his sense of humor, I'll try to include some of it in this blog from time to time. He is going to be featured as the Service Man of the Month on his floor, this will be in September his birth month. I have been looking for pictures to display.
I hope to make this a fun project and up lifting for me and I know there will be many ups and downs.
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