Hello From Rockville

Today ends the coldest month of the year and and tomorrow starts the shortest month, winter is on it's way out, I don't want to wish my life away but that's what it sounds like doesn't it!!!?

I left home before 8:30 (earlier then I usually do), I had a strange feeling when I left for St. Cloud this morning that I was missing something, I mentally went over my check list - slacks, shirt, tie, jacket - yes, I had everything so off I went. When I got to the McD to pick up coffee I discovered I had forgotten my phone and I don't leave home without it. When I walked in the door of Harlan's room the first thing I heard was, "Where have you been, I tried calling you and you didn't answer the phone and now we are late". We drank our coffee and Harlan with my hurried help got ready and we went back to Rockville and got the phone, the day went really good after that we even got to church early. After church we went back and changed clothes then to Culver's for lunch, ate Way Too Much then to the VA for a nap, yes, I got a little one.

Tomorrow Harlan has two appointments 9:20 Doctor's appointment and 10:50 an eye check and I'll take him if I don't he will be taken by a volunteer and just left on his own and he hardly knows what's going on so I need to be with him and if he tries to go back on his own he wouldn't have any idea on how to get back. After all that we may try to eat lunch out.

Today was a really good day and I expect tommorrow to be a good day also but rather busy.

Good Night....Fran

Hello From Rockville

I brought Apple Crisp and ice cream and stopped at McD for coffee for our afternoon snack before Harlan played Bingo. Sarah had called earlier and wanted to know if we had plans for around 4:00 today, we didn't so we joined Sarah & Wes and Rick & DeeAnn at Old Chicago for food. Harlan had a hamburger and I had pizza and the rest had things I couldn't even pronounce but everything looked good and when we left no one was hungry in fact several of us left with "boxes to go". When I took Harlan back to the VA it was past his meds time, I stayed until he had taken his meds and the neb machine then came home it was way after 6 when I got home.

Today was a very good day and tomorrow will be too as we go to church then out for lunch and take a nap before I come home so until then Good Night.....Fran

Hello From Rockville

I will try and catch you up on two days.

Yesterday I spent time with Harlan, when I got in to see him we discovered that there was a treat being served on Harlan's floor we decided we'd try it. It was very good in fact Harlan had two it was, I'm not sure what, kind of like a cookie, bar or a piece of cake and flavored like a spice cake. After the treat we went to his room to rest and watch TV and Rick called so our plans changed and we went to McD for coffee, Harlan chose to have a cheese burger and coffee I had coffee and Rick just visited, we headed back to the VA and Rick went off to fix The ST. Cloud House garage door. It was good to see Rick. After Harlan took his meds and his neb machine I went home as Denese had made plans to come up to spend the night. She got up here a bit after 7:00. We watched a fun program on TV it was about clothing designers. The program like a lot of the shows on TV is going in the direction of one winner after several months. Yesterday we watched two segments the first one the designers had to fashion an outfit out of potato sacks and had one day to do so and they came up with some interesting pieces of clothing at the end one designer was sent "packing". The second segment we watched the designers were given money and could shop for supplies up to a certain amount and then had to design and make a garment with one designer eliminated. Because I have done sewing it was fun watching and if I remember next week I'll watch it again.

Today was a fun and exciting day. The YAH's group from church were to come here for a buffet pot luck and I wanted to include Harlan which is the reason Denese came up. We got everything ready in the community room then Denese went in to pick Harlan up. We had great food everyone brought wonderful stuff to eat with a great variety from hot dishes, salads, soup, lasagna, several deserts and every bite was great. Harlan had a good time and everyone enjoyed seeing him.

Because of all the activity it was hard for Harlan when we took him back so I guess at this time it will be the last time I will bring him here, he was not at the the apartment just to the community room and when he was here at Christmas time everything went so good I thought today would go well too and it did until we got back to the VA.

Today was a good day and we had a good time with friends and it's always good to see Denese and she was such a help to make the day great. So until tomorrow Good Night....Fran

Hello From Rockville

Another really cold day, wind chill unreal!

I stopped at McD for coffee and cookies, if you haven't had them they are various McD figures but taste like animal crackers and are just enough to have with coffee, Harlan likes them, they do not hold a shadow to Perkins BIG chocolate chip ones but they are a nice little treat.

My day started early as Sue (cleaning lady) came to clean and I needed to get my laundry done before 8:30 so I'd be on time for Bible Study, Mary and I meet in the community room for our time in the Bible, it is so good and so uplifting to start the day with prayer and God's Word. This we'll do every Wednesday for quite some time, well into the summer. We spend about an hour together.

Tomorrow we decorate for February with a Valentine theme, with a lot of red on the tables it should really brighten up the community room.

I did not stay a long time with Harlan as it was so cold and I wanted to get home, but we had a good time together and because we didn't go any where it seemed like it was more time together. We did take the new elevator (it is finally finished and available for use) we went up to two then down to the basement changed elevators and returned to Harlan's floor. It talked to us telling us what floor we were on a nice feature for people with failing eye sight. Now I think that the old elavator will be shut down to be refinished and updated, it is needed and it needs a good cleaning.

Today was a very good day, each day with Harlan is very special, so until tomorrow Good Night and keep warm.....Fran

Hello From Rockville

I'm waiting for spring and warm breezes, it's so cold!

I did not go in to see Harlan yesterday because of the weather but I did today. I needed some groceries, we went to Cashwise. After putting the groceries in the van we stopped for pizza at The Pizza Ranch. Harlan was so "cute", thought I would need help when I got home to carry the stuff in and he offered to go home with me and help. I miss not being able to have him do those things for me and I wish he could come here and spend time with me but taking him back is so hard, my heart breaks and I miss him so. It's been over a year and a half. I'll go in and see him tomorrow.

We had a good day, so until tomorrow - Good Night....Fran

Hello From Rockville

The Vikings lost but there's always next year.

We went to church then out for lunch at a Chinese Buffet, we hadn't been there for a long time and it was so good. We went back to the VA and watched the foot ball game (I napped). Harlan kept saying "You aren't a football fan are you?" I guess that's why I napped, Harlan did seem to enjoy it. He thought I should have come back to the VA to watch the Vikings play but I don't do well driving at night, he even called after I got home to see if I wasn't coming back.

We had a good day and had fun together so until tomorrow, good night......Fran

Hello From Rockville

What a fun day today turned out to be.

This morning DeeAnn called and asked if I was going to go out and I told her no as the weather was questionable and I felt home was the best place for me to be, I would not go to see Harlan. She asked me if they came and got me if I would go out, I assured her I'd be ready to go in a minuet. They came picked me up then we went in and picked Harlan up and went for lunch at Perkins and left there with two cookies in hand, there are two waitresses there that make sure Harlan always leaves with a cookie. From there we headed to the mall, DeeAnn and I went shopping and Rick and Harlan went just to sit and "people watch." DeeAnn and I stopped at Scheels and checked on their close outs, I found some cute stuff not clothing but stuff to decorate here with for fall and Christmas. After going there we proceeded down to Lenscrafters for adjustments on my glasses, they just do not sit on my face like they should I still look over the top so I'll have to go back again.

By this time it was time to take Harlan back to the VA, time for his meds and his supper.

This turned out to be a fun day, a day that my plans were to just stay home....Fran

Hello From Rockville

We are having warmer weather but now we are getting freezing rain, not good! When Harlan I left the mall the van had a bit of frozen rain on it too much for the wiper to remove from the windshield. I was having problems with my glasses not enough glasses above the trifocals so they put in new lenses and they are better and that was our reason for going to the mall. After the mall we made a stop at McD and I took Harlan back to the VA and I headed home early because of the weather.

Tonight was our monthly pot-luck with a pretty good turnout. Three of us hosted, set-up and cleaned up and it shouldn't be our turn again until later in the year, maybe August or September.

Good night everyone....Fran

Hello From Rockville

This morning Mary (a resident here) and I met for a Bible study, I think it will be good for both of us. Our plans were to meet for an hour every Wednesday but today it was about an hour and forty five minuets. After our Bible Study four of us went to Herbergers to check on new bedding for our guest room after many years of washing everything it was needed. We had fun looking and putting it on the beds, it really brightened up everything.

In the afternoon I went in and spent time with Harlan, he said he was tired and didn't ask to go anywhere and he is still having some breathing problems. Before I left he went and talked to the meds nurse and asked for his nebulizer, at this time he doesn't object to using his neb machine, I don't think he objects to taking any of his meds. I find he objects more to eating his meals but his weight is good so a skipped meal is okay.

We are supposed to get snow this week end which may affect my trips into St. Cloud, if it does I can always talk to him by phone.

Today was a good day....Fran

Hello From Rockville

I had 4 guests for breakfast, DeeAnn, Izzie, Sarah and Wes. We had eggs, rolls, bacon, juice and coffee. After filling our tummy's DeeAnn, Izzie and I headed to St. Paul to spend time with my sister Doris and husband Bob, Sarah and Wes headed to St. Cloud State for classes. Our trip down brought us near the Albertville out-let mall, we stopped for a short time of shopping and got back on the road and on to Doris and Bob's for lunch. It was good seeing them and we had a great lunch. Bob had back surgery and his return to health is very, very slow but he does see some improvement, we do pray for the pain to lessen so he can get back to normal.

After a short visit and again our tummy's filled we headed back to St. Cloud but instead of going to St. Cloud we made a stop in Buffalo so Izzie could go home with her Mom. While we were there it was decided that Denese would bring me home as she could stop and see Harlan. I don't drive after dark unless I have to so this worked really good for me as I was able to spend some time with Him. We picked up hamburgers at McD and coffee for Harlan and ate supper with him. He enjoyed Denese's visit.

I will be able to see him tomorrow but it may be questionable about the following days because of the rain/snow/freezing rain in the forecast but I'll keep in touch with him through the phone, take care everyone so until tomorrow good night.....Fran

Hello From Rockville

We had a good day, I took Harlan to church then out for lunch at IHOP, we had great food. Harlan's breathing is better he didn't have any problems today, we hope it stays that way as he becomes very anxious when he can't breath which doesn't help, I would be too if it were me.

DeeAnn called me this evening and will be taking me down to see Doris and Bob on Tuesday, I'm so looking forward to that. She will bring Izzie with her when she comes up here to pick me up and we'll do breakfast before heading to St. Paul.

Good Night until tomorrow....Fran

Hello From Rockville

I did not write yesterday, I did visit Harlan, he had problems with breathing, the humidity is high and that makes breathing hard for him.

Today (Saturday) I went in to see him early as I was going to Minneapolis for a funeral for a dear friend our ours and we were to leave about noon and the time I would get back would be after dark. He was so much better then yesterday and because of the short time I had with him we did not go anywhere.

Funerals are reunions, so many people to see and talk to. A large van and several cars came down from Crosslake and there were five of us together from St. Cloud which included Myrna. The service was beautiful, a wonderful celebration of Arlan's life. We had one of the warmer days so far this year, a safe trip down and back, I got home a bit after seven.

It's 11:30 and Harlan just called and asked, "What's new at your place?" Tomorrow is church and I'll pick him up, we'll go to church then out for noon lunch. So until tomorrow Good Night.....Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was a very unplanned day. Before I get up I try and have my devotions and today was no exception. While reading my Bible the bow on my glasses broke and I found I could wear my glasses but they did not stay on my face where they should but were doable. I made several phone calls to my eye Dr and LensCrafters and I found out that by afternoon minus a "few bucks" I could have new glasses. I then called Harlan to see if he wanted to go out for lunch. After many phone calls I finally got a hold of him. When I did talk to him he said that he'd been in another part of the building far away from his his room and he'd had a fast ride in a wheel chair, he'd had an ex-ray but didn't know why. I called and cancelled his lunch and asked about the x-ray, it was because of his difficulty in breathing during the night, they also did blood work on him. His white count is slightly elevated but in the normal range and the x-ray was no different then the last one he had. The humidity is high and he always has problems breathing when the humidity is up. I took Harlan and did go for glasses and had lunch between the time I ordered them and was able to pick them up. We had lunch at Grizzles, a sports bar in the mall, we won't go there again. The food was good but too much and too messy, we had a burger and it was topped with too much stuff. After we were done eating and I was trying to get Harlan cleaned up (each bit I took I had BBQ sauce from ear to ear) the waitress was so nice she came out with a wet cloth so I could clean him up and it really helped, we picked up my new glasses and headed back to the VA, took a nap and I went home. Harlan had a hard breathing when we went back to the VA so I took him back in a wheel chair from the car up to his room. Tonight when he called he didn't complain that he had a hard time breathing and I never ask because if he was having a hard time he'd tell me without me asking.

Today was a good day so until tomorrow again good night....Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was laundry day, clean house day and out to lunch day. I met Harold and Marilyn along with Ed and his sister-in-law for lunch at Red River Inn in Cold Spring. It was so good seeing them. While in C S I made a stop at my insurance co with questions and got answers. From there I went in to spend time with Harlan. There was a birthday celebration going on and cake and ice cream was served, good stuff and we enjoyed some. Harlan was having problems with his breathing and he wanted to get away for a bit, we got a wheel chair and I took him to the car and to Fleet Farm where we exchanged the jeans I bought earlier for a better size. I took him back to his room using the wheel chair and they gave him the nebulizer which helped his breathing. We had the cake and ice cream earlier so we skipped stopping for a treat.

The construction that is going on is loud, we hope it soon ends.

This evening he called me to tell me he was having trouble breathing, I called the desk and the line was busy so I called him back and explained to him how to use the call button. He was able to understand how to use the button but as soon as he pushed it he expected an instant response which does not happen, while I was on the phone some one came to help him and I have not heard from him so I think it was all taken care of. The humidity is very high and that does affect his breathing. I think with the warmer weather he will be having some difficult days.

Today was a good day....Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was a little on the busy side, we had our board meeting at 10:00 this morning then I had had a dental appointment at 1:50 in Cold Spring. After the appointment I went directly to St. Cloud to see Harlan, he was waiting for me and in a very upbeat mood. He was little concerned because they taken his blanket to wash and his concern was he wouldn't get it back. When I talked to him at supper time (I called to make sure he went to supper) he had gotten it back and he said it looked good. He did not think it needed to be washed but I don't think it had ever been washed so I'm sure the wash was needed as he sleeps on top of it with his clothes on.

They were very noisy with the building going on in the basement and today Harlan noticed the noise but did not complain nor get upset about it, no tears, I'm so glad.

As I was later in getting in to see him (the dentist appointment delayed me) we did not go for a treat just sat and talked and did a little TV watching and I was home a bit after 5:00. We had a good day and he seemed better then he has been in several weeks. So until tomorrow, good night.....Fran

Hello From Rockville

This morning I woke with a start at 7:40 and I had an appointment for an 8:00 haircut, needless to say I got dressed and rushed out and was there by 8:00, I really don't like to rush like that.

I went in and spend time with Harlan and told him about my morning rush and he looked at me with a straight face and said, "I bet you didn't shower."

We made a treat stop at Perkins, he had a sandwich and I had pie, then we headed back to the VA for his 4:00 appointment. The Dr. asked him what part of the day he was the happiest he said "When Fran is here." He is back to his prehospital weight, a bit over 150# fully dressed.

Tomorrow will be a busy day, I'll you about it then.....Fran

Hello From Rockville

Harlan called me this AM and was very down so I told him maybe I shouldn't take him to church and I would stop after church to see him, he did not like the idea about me going to church without him, he perked up and wanted to go, I told him to eat breakfast and I'd be there to take him. I left the house at 8:30 stopped for breakfast (my usual - breakfast burrito and orange juice) at McD. I took two coffees with me to the VA. We enjoyed our coffees before Harlan got ready for church. After church we stopped at Culver's for burgers and no sundaes then went across the street to Manard's and I found a few things I "needed". From Manard's we went to Fleet Farm, Harlan pumped gas for me and we went into the store and I picked up several pair of jeans for Harlan he needs larger sizes. We had time for short nap at the VA before I left for home.

Today was a good day and tomorrow he sees Dr. Fox and we hope for help for his sadness, so until then Good Night....Fran

Hello From Rockville
Weather Forecast - It should be near normal in mid-week!

Today was Bingo for Harlan, he hasn't played since before Christmas and it went quite well for him, he never won a game but that's okay he played. We did not go out, I brought him coffee and I picked up Apple Dippers from McD.

He has decided not to eat too much as his jeans are getting too tight, too hard to button. Today he skipped breakfast and picked at his lunch. I'll pick up larger jeans for him which will help, I don't think his weight is back to 150# which is what it was before his hospital stay a year and a half ago.

I had to go back out to the car for something and when I got off of the elevator on Harlan's floor, I set the alarm off, that indicates I should not have been on the elevator. When Harlan and I leave it's suppose too but not when I'm alone. When I got to Harlan's room I told him what had happened his response was, "You have been hanging out with me too long!"

Well tomorrow is Sunday and the weather is suppose to be okay, a break from the cold will be nice, so until tomorrow Good night.....Fran

Hello From Rockville

I picked up a hamburger at McD and joined Harlan for lunch. He had lunch at 11:30 today as he had a 1:00 P.M. dental appointment. After his appointment we went shopping, I had several things to return and I wanted to keep him away from the construction going on below his room. We went to The Crossroads Mall and to Target then into the Mall looking for a place for coffee and Starbucks caught our eye, after the coffee we started back to Target as the van was parked near there. The walk was too long for Harlan and we had to make several stops to rest but when we got back to the VA the pounding had stopped for the day and it should be quiet for the week-end, we'll have to see how next week goes.

Monday he has an appointment with Dr. Fox but that is late in the day, 4:00 O'clock, he will be very unhappy by then after listening to all the noise of construction.

Tomorrow is laundry, Harlan needs clean clothes, I'll take clean clothes to him when I go in. I like to take his coat along on Saturday so I don't have so much to carry up there on Sunday. He is looking forward to going to church because of the cold we missed last Sunday.

Today was a good day.

Have a great week-end....Fran

Hello From Rockville

You don't need a weather report, it's cold or snowy or both where ever you are.

Harlan called me several times this morning, he is so upset over the building that is going on below him, it's so noisy. When he called me he'd ask me if I could hear it and I could even over the phone. When I went in today I asked about it and I was told they are remodeling an area under the the wing Harlan is in, this will be a storage area and it is really noisy. When I got there Harlan was in the hall by his room and he was crying, so one of the staff came in and tried to talk to him and then I took him out, we went to Perkins. This worked very well for us as I needed to eat lunch and Harlan had a piece of lemon meringue pie and coffee. We sat and talked and drank coffee until close to four, the time I felt that the pounding would have quit for the day. I was right no more pounding which made Him happy.

Tomorrow Harlan has a dentist appointment at 1:00, he'll eat dinner at 11:30 instead of 12:30 and I plan on joining him for dinner, I'll pick up a hamburger and we'll eat together before taking him for his appointment after which we'll take off, I need to return several items at Target and Bed Bath and Beyond this will take him away from the noise and it should be quiet for the week-end, I also need to gas up the car.

So we'll see how tomorrow goes, keep warm....Fran

Hello From Rockville

It looks like we are getting a little snow and more cold weather, also farther south is getting it worse then here.

Today was quieter then yesterday. I went in to see Harlan, today was much better then yesterday he wasn't teary eyed. We went to Walmart then to The Pizza Ranch for our treat. After the pizza treat I went into K-Mart and Harlan chose to stay in the van, which was a good idea as K-Mart's parking lot is awful to walk on, icy and very rough, I won't go back until the parking lot is better.

Harlan is still talking about getting out of the VA but today after our outing he didn't give me a hard time about going back. I hope Dr. Fox will have some answers on Monday.

My carpet looks so nice and clean, I hope I can keep it that way for a while.

It's bed time so I'll try for a good nights rest....Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was a busy day. DeeAnn stayed over night last night and cleaned my carpet today, she really worked hard to make it look good and look good it does! Today was the day we chose to take the Christmas decorations down in our community room and entrance area. We had two trees that had to have all the ornaments removed, we had lots of help and in about an hour the area was transformed to just winter time.

After my carpet was cleaned and the undecorating done DeeAnn and I joined Sarah and Wes for lunch at Applebees from there I went to the VA.

Harlan was so sad today when he met me at the door to his room he was crying, he wanted to get out of there, when that happens it just tears at my heart. He said he just wants to die and tonight would be his last day. We sat and talked about a lot of things but it all went back to his desire to get out. Some of our conversation was funny and we had to laugh which did help lighten up the afternoon. When I left at 4:30 he seemed so much better and I pray that the next several days will be better, he sees Dr. Fox on Monday which should help.

We are suppose to get snow tomorrow but not a lot, I should be able to get in to see Harlan.

Good night until tomorrow....Fran

Hello From Rockville

Another cold day. On my way in to see Harlan I stopped at Fleet Farm to return jeans I bought for Harlan that were too small, I'll take him back with me to get a better fit, this gives him a chance to get out. I also made a stop at Bed Bath and Beyond. It being so cold we decided not to to venture out, we watched TV and I left about 4:00 to get ahead of the setting sun. I see Harlan's depression seems worse, they are going to see if he can get in to see his Dr. before his regular Feb. appointment.

I'm waiting for DeeAnn to come, she'll stay over night and clean my carpet tomorrow. Until tomorrow Good Night...Fran

Hello From Rockville

Our super cold has subsided and now it's just plain cold, went above zero this afternoon so I went into St. Cloud to spend time with Harlan. We did not get to church this morning because I don't think an eighty year old women needed to be out on the roads in such cold weather. I took him to Perkins then back to the VA, the van did not sit long enough to totally cool off.

Tomorrow DeeAnn is coming to St. Cloud as she has a meeting she has to attend, after the meeting she will come here and spend the night with me as it will be late, and she plans to clean my carpet this in exchange for a clean bed to sleep in, both of us are winners, me more so then her.

Harlan just called me he said he was having problems with his breathing, I talked to Ellie and she checked his vitals and everything looked good. I hadn't been in to see him since Friday and when I left she thought it may have been anxiety from me leaving.

Sure hope the real cold is behind us as I'm looking for spring....Fran

Hello From Rockville

As I write this I see the temperature is-12 with a wind chill of-27 BRRR! If the temperature does not go above zero I may just stay home tomorrow. Just saw that St. Cloud's temperature tomorrow will not get above -6, I'll stay home.

Today when I went in to see Harlan they treated us with crackers, cheese and cold cuts along with some non-alcoholic drink, apple cider and hot chocolate, a New Years celebration.

Harlan seems okay when I tell him because of the cold I'll stay home and talk to him on the phone.

To everyone in Minnesota, keep warm...Fran