Hello From Rockville

Another full and fun day. Harlan and I joined Sarah for church today, Rick and Wes also joined us. After church we went to The Pizza Ranch for the buffet. Anyone that had gone to Calvary Community Church could just tell them at the pizza place that is where we had gone for church and receive a discount on our dinner which the six of us did. A gentleman came up to us when we were ready to leave and introduced him self to us, he was from Crystal Free where we had attended when we lived in the Twin Cities (a long time ago), we were able to talk about a lot of people we knew way back when. Their last Sunday there was when the church moved from Crystal to New Hope.

After the filling of the tummy and running out of conversation we went back, that is Harlan and I, to the VA and watched the final hockey game with the sad ending, oh well some one had to loose, too bad it was us.

We had a good day and we'll be in touch again tomorrow....Fran

Hello From Rockville

What an exciting day today was. I received a phone call from Barb, a long ago friend, her and I worked together at Chicago Cutlery a long time ago. We must have chatted for an hour and I know we could have continued longer, it was so good to hear from her. We exchanged e-mail address and will keep in touch that way and we also hope to get together for lunch sometime.

Then it was time to go and spend time with Harlan. When I got in to see him he was ready (he had his coat, cap and gloves out) to go, earlier I had told him I wanted to wash the car and he was ready. We went to Fleet farm as I had purchased a car wash coupon when I bought gas, that way I saved a buck. Just as I was ready to go through the dry cycle Rick called and said they were ready to eat some where, they were hungry and their choice was Anton's. We dried the car off and took off for Anton's just a few blocks away, then Sarah called and wanted to know if it was okay if she joined us, as the saying goes, "The more the merrier", we all arrived at Anton's at the same were seated and a short time later Wes joined us and you know "The more the merrier" is true, we had a great time. After eating I took Harlan back to the VA and I decided he was in great need of an hair cut, I conveniently keep the hair cutting supplies there so that was accomplished and he is ready for church. We are going to join Sarah for church at Calvary Community Church, that will be fun as we haven't been there for several years and we hope to see other friends that attend there too.

Today was a great day, it's special when we can spend it with special friends and when the special friends are family it's even better......Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today I had an early start on the day as I had an appointment in Sartell at 8 AM. I didn't go into to see Harlan until the afternoon.

When I went into see him he wasn't in his room (it was 2 PM) and a few minuets later he showed up, he told me he had just eaten his dinner. I try and call him at his meal time to remind him to go eat and I found out today that he tells me is going but he doesn't. His excuse - after he hangs up he doesn't remember what I had told him, I scolded him and told him I wasn't going to call him any more to remind him to eat. He told me if I wasn't going to call him he'd call me all night long every five minuets and he laughed and so did I. At 5:30 I called him to remind him to eat and about 6 he called me to let me know he had eaten his supper and he wasn't going to eat any more today. He really doesn't understand the concept of breakfast, dinner and supper, three meals a day. He had breakfast when we went to Perkins for our afternoon treat, egg, sausage and breakfast potatoes. He doesn't want me to be upset with him so we do a lot of hugs and I reassure him I love him and I really can't get too mad at him I just want him to eat his meals.

Today was an other good day.....Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was a quieter day then yesterday. This morning we took down the Valentine decorations in the community room and replaced them with St. Patrick's Day decorations, we went from red to green.

I spent the afternoon with Harlan and we went to The Pizza Ranch for our treat. I had an interesting conversation with a young lady that I thought may be the owner, manager or what ever as she was always busy with cleaning etc. but she told me her daughter was the owner, my comment was you don't look old enough to have a daughter old enough to be in business on her own then she told me she was 21, wow 21! It is always clean, between the lunch crowd (buffet)and the evening crowd (buffet) they totally clean everything, vacuum, clean windows, wipe down chairs they do what ever is needed to keep it sparkling . Everyone is so nice and she said that everyone working there has to be pleasant at all times, no sad faces allowed. We sure enjoy eating there and the pizza is great.

That was my day and it was good, we'll talk tomorrow.........Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was a very good and busy day, I like busy days but not several in a row.

I was up early to get my wash completed by the time Sue got here to clean at 8:00 and I met Mary in the Community Room for Bible Study at 8:15. My day had an early start so I could be at the VA by 10:00 to take Harlan to the Dr., his appointment was for 10:20. The morning really went well. I had told Harlan we would go for lunch today in Cold Spring at Red River Inn, it was a place we went often when he was home. Everyone working there greeted us like "Old Home Week". We met Harold & Marilyn and Ed for lunch along with a friend of Ed's we had a lot of good laughs and great food. I needed to see Mary Jo from State Farm and she would not be back until 2:00, we invited ourselves over to Harold and Marilyn's to pass some time about an hour then took off to see Mary Jo. It was so nice visiting with them and seeing their place, so nice and spacious with a lot of window space in the living room, they love it there.

After all of the above had taken place we headed back to the VA and Harlan suggested we stop for a treat and he wanted to treat, Culver's called out to us as we approached and we enjoyed a hot fudge sundae with raspberry topping, it was delicious!!!! When we got back to Harlan's room there was a piece of cake waiting for us, more food and calories, I ate mine Harlan skipped his.

I know Harlan enjoyed the day because it's Wednesday and Sue's bowling night and she always calls him for good luck, tonight she did but a little later then her usual time. She said he really talked and sounded so good he even commented on the fact that last week she had bowled on Monday instead of Wednesday and he thought she had changed her bowling night. It is remarkable what he remembers but it's only what he recalls, he wouldn't remember Sue's Monday bowling if I had asked him about it.

Today was a treasure, a special day with Harlan...........Fran

Hello From Rockville

I had a Dr. appointment this afternoon, because it was during the time I spend with Harlan I took him with me. After the appointment I needed to get a prescription filled, I went to the new pharmacy in Cold Spring. We had a Snyder drug Store in Cold spring but Walgreen's bought the Snyder stores and closed some of them and the one in Cold Spring was one of them closed. Thrifty White decided to open a pharmacy which they did in space available in a new building and this is strictly a pharmacy nothing else but when the old Snyder store in remodeled Cold Spring will have a drug store again, that's good as it's about a 35 minuet drive into St. Cloud from C.S.

Harlan was a little dissapointed as we did not get a treat in but tomorrow he has an AM appointment after the appointment we'll go for lunch.

Today went well and tomorrow should too..........Fran

Hello From Rockville
This will cover two days.

Yesterday on the way in to St. Cloud I discovered I had forgotten my cell phone, I dropped Harlan's Sunday clothes off and asked the VA staff to get him ready while I went home and when I got back Harlan was ready for church. We went to Church then went for Chinese, very good, we both ate too much. It was a good day.

Today I got my hair cut then went in for a 2:00 P.M. appointment, met with the VA staff and discussed how Harlan is doing. They feel he is very much the same really not much has changed and they feel he is very healthy and the antidepressant is doing the job it is suppose to. They told me that they appricate my daily visits as he is always so happy to see me.

We then went to Walmart for a few things and on to Perkins for a treat. We talked about several things then I told him that he was sleeping better at night and he says, "Give me five minuets and that can change, I'll call you every five minuets all night long."

Today was also a good day, so until tomorrow when I write again, Good Night....Fran

Hello From Rockville

Harlan and I went to Culver's for our treat, a small Sundae and coffee then back to the VA and he did a little bingo after which we took it easy and watched the Olympics and I came home around five, a very quiet day.

He called me this evening and tried to tell me someone had called and he promised them money or something and he felt he had goofed up, I really didn't understand what he was talking about so I asked if he had written a check (this would tell me he had been sleeping and was dreaming) but he told me, "You know I can't write any checks!" He does get phone calls and if I don't call they are wrong numbers. I assured him that he didn't have to worry about it and I'd take care of it. That seemed to make him feel better.

We had a good day and tomorrow is church and that is always a good day............Fran

Hello From Rockville

When I got to the VA about 1:00 the lower hall way was blocked off - fire doors were closed- and we were not allowed to go beyond them, I was late for the support group meeting, as everyone else was. I'm not sure what was going on, a fire drill, a real fire or what but there is some construction going on the basement level and when we went through there there was a strange odor when we left the meeting the smell was gone.

I had some papers to drop off at the bank, Harlan and I stopped there on the way to Perkins for our treat, we a half a sandwich and a cup of soup and topped that off with a piece of Key Lime pie which we shared, it was so good but rich so a half piece was enough.

Harlan does not want to participate in any activities there unless I go with him, a lot of the stuff they want him to do is stimulation for his thinking and so good for him but he is just not interested. Tomorrow is bingo and if I go with him he will play and does a good job at finding and covering the numbers with very little help from me. We'll see how tomorrow goes today was a good day, so until then Good Night..........Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was a really fun day. I made plans to get to the VA by a bit after 11:00 AM, as today was our valentine's dinner and I had bought a red shirt for Harlan to wear with a gray sweater with a lot of color in it including red. I got to the VA and there was not a spot to park in near his building nor in the next parking lot so over to the next parking area and my time was depleting quickly as we were to be seated by 11:30 and by now it was well after 11:00 and I wanted to change his clothes. As I approached the elevator the door opened and there was Harlan in a wheel chair with an escort to take him to the dinner, I had to make my mind work quickly, there was a ladies wash room around the corner and it was only big enough for one person, I told the escort I would take him in there to change his clothes and I would then take him to dinner. When we got into the bathroom Harlan in a high pitched voice says, "I'm a lady today," then we both laughed. He got his clothes changed then we took off to the auditorium for our dinner, as we take off several of the VA staff came up to us and offered to push Harlan for me, an offer I took them up on.

We got to the auditorium in plenty of time and on the table we were seated at had a red rose for each lady and one in a vase in center with cut out shinny hearts sprinkled around the vase. I also had Valentine card waiting for me. The card was very special because Harlan had signed it, wow! We had a great dinner staring with a fruit salad, main course was turkey, dressing, peas and a roll with butter, this was topped off with cheese cake, I chose chocolate/chocolate. We also had coffee, water and punch all served to us at our table. We had our pictures taken and were each given copies when we left, I put Harlan's up on his bulletin board.

I left the VA at 5 as we had our pot-luck social here this evening with more good food, a full day of eating and I really ate way too much and I'm stuffed!!!

Today was great day, I had so much fun with Harlan and I think he enjoyed him self too..........Fran

Hello From Rockville

Mary and I started the day with our weekly Bible study, that is such a great way to start the day also this year I'm working on reading the Bible through and I'm using the schedule in The Daily Bread Devotional, I'm in Leviticus in the OT and finished Matthew in the NT, it takes only about 10 minuets a day.

Harlan and I took the van for a bath and found out it's the same color it was last year, then I tried to avoid all puddles on the road even to the point of taking a different route to the VA, not a big help.

While at Fleet Farm we did a little shopping, I found a red shirt for Harlan, tomorrow is our valentine dinner at the VA so I thought we should look a bit like valentines and dress in red, I have a red sweater to wear. Last year we had a wonderful dinner, I don't remember the main course but we had cheese cake for dessert yum, yum.

When I get home it will time for me to join the "John Clark" family for our monthly social pot-luck, I'll have a tossed salad ready to go as time will be short when I get back from the VA.

For our afternoon treat today we went to Applebee's and used our free dessert coupon, I chose a dessert big enough for the two of us, a mini chocolate bunt cake with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream smothered in hot fudge it was sooo good and plenty for both of us.

Today was a great day.......Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was gas-up day for the van. Harlan likes to get out and he likes to help me when ever he can, he pumped the gas and I went in and paid also bought a ticket to wash the van so when I'm not sure of the color I'll get it washed. I'll do that some day on the way home as if I washed it on the way to see Harlan it'd be dirty before I ever got to the VA. If I wash it on the way home and park it in the garage it may stay clean for about 20 hours.

Today a gentleman up the hall from me came back to see if he could do some more snow shoveling on my patio but the snow is packed and nearly as hard as ice, he moved some of it and when I got home this afternoon I moved a little more of it, if I had to get out it would be nice if the snow was gone at least to make a path in case of an emergency.

After we filled the van we then stopped at Cashwise for a few groceries then out to Perkins for our afternoon treat. I'm bringing a tossed salad for our pot-luck social on Thursday, Larry is making spaghetti for everyone here and we just have to fill in the rest.

Today was a good day, each day is special and each day is a blessing when I can spend it with Harlan.........Fran

Hello From Rockville

I started the day with an appointment with Life Line Screening my appointment was at 9:15, I was out of here a bit after 8:30. The screening was at the church we attend, Granite City Baptist Church so it was easy for me to get there. DeeAnn also had this done and after our tests (we fasted) we headed to Perkins for food and with our tummy's satisfied we headed to the mall to shop, I found nothing but DeeAnn was luckier and was able to find some much needed "stuff." I did stop to to get my glasses adjusted and I think they finally got that right at least for now it seems that way. We were done shopping and DeeAnn dropped me off at the VA to spend time with Harlan, when I got to his room he was sleeping and sleeping really hard I guess he needed the sleep. Denese and Rich had also gone for Life Line Screening, we met them at Pizza Ranch for our afternoon snack and as usual it was good! We went back to the VA and Harlan got his afternoon meds, we watched Jeopardy and I went home.

Today was a good day.......Fran

Hello From Rockville
Happy Valentines Day

Today was Sunday, Harlan and I went to church then to Applebees for lunch and back to the VA for some quiet time. Applebees was handing out Carnations and I got one, mine was a very pretty pink.

When I got to the VA this morning to get Harlan ready for church he had a piece of candy waiting for me which he gave me it was very good. I don't remember what kind it was but it was foil wrapped and inside was dark chocolate with chocolate sprinkles and the inside had a creamy soft chocolate filling, I asked him where he got it and he said a kid gave it to him and he gave it to me because he thought it was a "trick piece of candy." While Harlan was out of the room Brian (one of the staff) asked me if Harlan had given me the candy and he had given to Harlan to give to me because he told Harlan it was Valentines Day and he needed something to give me for this special day any way I enjoyed it.

We had a good day together and I'll spend tomorrow afternoon with him, will write again tomorrow when the day is done....Fran

Hello From Rockville

This morning I woke up to a beautiful out doors, we had fog making the trees and everything it settled on a winter wonderland very pretty.

This morning I finished up some sewing I had started several days ago and spent the afternoon with Harlan. He really didn't want any treat so we just stayed in his room and rested, it has a calming effect on him if we lay down on his bed together, no TV, no talking just a nice relaxing time and I get a nice back rub.

I had a good talk with one of the nurses, I found out that when I'm not there he really gives some of the staff a very hard time. One minuet he can be charming and just a short time later his attitude will take an about face, making it hard for them, I am so thankful that he always treats me great.

Tomorrow is church and he always looks forward to that even if we are there about an hour and a half, he doesn't mind.

Today was a good day.....Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was a good day. Harlan and I went shopping, I needed a few groceries and then we had a pizza at Pizza Ranch came back to the VA and watched the young man from Waite Park win on Jeopardy

Sue called, they are getting snow in Georgia and it's very wet snow, her concern is the wet snow will freeze and the streets will be a skating rink, people that do not get this weather on a regular basis do not do well driving in it, she's staying home and sleeping in tomorrow.

We have had so much snow here that this morning it had to be hauled away, the "main" street here is a county road so the county had to take care of that problem, if we get more snow we may have to do the same thing, hope not cause that will be money out of my pocket.

We'll write again tomorrow...........Fran

Hello From Rockville

The last two days have been quiet I spent time with Harlan both days and we went out for treats both days.

Yesterday was my cleaning day and also Mary and I spend time together for our weekly Bible study and that is so good.

Last night four of us spent time putting plans together for our third annual garage sale which we hope do in mid May if there is enough interest and help.

Today Harlan and I took some time shopping for a new razor for him, he has a Reminton razor which needed a new "cover" over the cutting blades I think a "foil" and when we checked on it it cost $21. + and I discovered that it should be replaced every three months needless to say we did not replace it, we bought a new one instead and not the same brand. I have it charging and he'll try it tomorrow.

Each day when I leave he asks when he'll be able to go home with me, I find that to be a hard question to answer.

Today was a good day we had a good time together...........Fran

Hello From Rockville

Our snow is done at least for now!!!

As I was getting ready to go in to see Harlan I has two surprises, the first was a phone call from Sarah asking if She could meet us for a treat, Rick was in town cleaning up the St. Cloud house driveway and they could meet us at Culver's, I thought it was a great idea. After the phone call I happened to look out on the patio and my patio was being cleaned off and now I was able to look out and see more then a snowy "wall." The son of one of our residents in here was out there really working and he lowered the snow but there is really no place to put all the snow, it is not cleared down to the patio floor but I now would be able to get out if I had to.

When I got to The VA I could not find any where to park near building 50 and I knew it was much too far for Harlan to walk, I called Rick and he came and picked up Harlan. Sarah and Wes had ridden with him, they piled out of Rick's truck and we went and got my car and met the two guys at Culver's. Rick and Wes paid for the treats, a very good day!!! Harlan and I had a hot dog each and shared fries. They split the hot dog open and brown it on both sides and put it in a bun with what ever you want with it, even chili which we didn't try, it's just too messy to eat but it was good and I'd get it again!!! Harlan said he wouldn't order it again for a while because he'd rather try something else.

I did not go see Harlan yesterday so today was really fun, so good to spend time with him and until tomorrow, Good Night....Fran

Hello From Rockville

Because of the weather I did not go in to see Harlan but I talked to him several times on the phone and he seemed okay with me not being there. I watched the snow fall and with the wind I can not see out of my patio door, the snow is piled higher then I'm tall so it's very private in my living room, I can't see out and no one can see in. When snow and wind can entertain you know it doesn't take much to entertain, that's about it for today will try and write more tomorrow.....Fran

Hello From Rockville
We have snow, not a lot but we are to get more maybe up to 10 inches.

I spent the day with Harlan, we went to church then lunch at Perkins and we were given Chocolate Chips to take home and enjoy while watching the Game or news.

He really thought he should come home with me to help shovel snow, I told him I didn't shovel anymore because anyone over 80 doesn't have to shovel snow and he asked me, "Who's rule is that?" I told him mine, then he asked "Does it work?" I told him, "Yes, I don't shovel snow any more!" We had a good day today and I think tomorrow will have to be lots of phone calls as the best place to be will be here, so until tomorrow Good Night....Fran

Hello From Rockville

The day started with laundry then in to see Harlan. We went for a treat as soon as I got there, we went to Perkins and while we were there Harlan noticed the t-shirt I was wearing, it has two giraffes on it as he looked at he said, "One is a male and the other a female", that peaked my curiosity, "How can you tell?" I asked him, "The one with the horns is a male", he informed me and sure enough one does appear to have horns and I'm not sure about the other one. He then checked the drink menu over which was on the table and the iced coffee caught his eye, "Why would anyone want Iced Coffee especially in the winter?" I wasn't sure so when the waitress took our order he asked her and she didn't know either but thought it was a summer drink then added, "I haven't had anyone ask for it and I wouldn't how to make it."

When we got back to the VA Harlan got in on a couple of Bingo games then we went and gassed up the car and I also picked up a car wash coupon. After Harlan took his meds I left and got the car washed, oh did it need it and I suppose it will look like it wasn't washed when I get home tomorrow with the snow coming in.

That's about it for today, and a good day it was until tomorrow Good Night.....Fran

Hello From Rockville
I had a pleasant surprise this morning, Marilyn, Harold and Ed stopped bringing goodies all I had to supply was hot chocolate and coffee. We had a nice visit and lots of laughs, it was so good to see them, they all used to live down the hall from me.

We had our support group meeting at the VA a new lady joined us, she is having a difficult time I must remember to pray for her. We had a good time together and we'll meet again in two weeks.

I went to see Harlan when our Support Group meeting ended and brought in a treat left over from our morning coffee, I believe it was an Apple Fritter, very good.

Harlan's choice for a treat was pizza and you all know what that means, Pizza Ranch and again we enjoyed a great treat, then back to the VA.

It is staying light later in the evening so I'm more comfortable driving home later, I left after watching Jeopardy. Three of the final Collage constants have upper Midwest connections, one from St. Cloud, one from The University of Minnesota and one from Wisconsin. so Jeopardy is a must watch for me next week.

Today was a good day and each day is a blessing and each good day is a Special Blessing, Thank You Lord.......Fran

Hello From Rockville

I call Harlan at meal time to remind him to go eat, breakfast is at 8:00 and when I called him this morning his response was, "It's breakfast time." I think he has caught on to my phoning him at meal time, funny!

They had banana bread today at the VA for a treat so we had that instead of going any where away from there. We watched TV and just relaxed, we had a good day.

Tonight was our monthly birthday party we meet at six and there were 4 of us having birthdays in February and about a dozen of celebrating, we were served cup cakes, cookies and valentine candy also a cold drink, coffee and water. Several of us hung around visiting until 8:00, it was a good get together.

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

Hello From Rockville

Yesterday was a very quiet day. Harlan and I went shopping first to Sam's Club then to Aldi's. I found a cute t-shirt at Sam's but when I got home and tried it on I needed a larger size. Today I took it back and picked the next size up. We also found a pair of medium brown pants for Harlan that will look nice with the sweater Denese gave him for Christmas.

Tomorrow is the St. Cloud/Minneapolis Care Group get-to-gather at Jordans and my contribution will be a salad so we grocery shopped at Cashwise. Tomorrow I'll put it together and head over to Sundquist's for my ride. I ride with Sundquist's for several reasons, they are near the VA and I'll stop to see Harlan when we get back, it cuts down on a parking problem at Jordan's and most important I'm not sure about getting to Jordan's when I drive by myself.

After shopping today we made our treat stop at McD, Harlan ate his lunch late and wasn't interested in anything big.

We had a good day, tomorrow will be a shorter time with him then I usually do we may not do a treat time, so until tomorrow, Good Night......Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was a snowy day, not a lot of snow but it lasted a good share of the day.

Harlan had a Dr.'s appointment 9:20 this morning, I left the house about 8:30 and when I got there he hadn't eaten breakfast with encouragement from me and Nurse P. he ate a good breakfast, pancakes, bacon, cereal and most of his milk we then took off for his appointment. From there we went to Sam's Club and a stop at McD for cookies and coffee completed our morning. He was suppose to have an eye appointment but the Dr. cancelled that appointment and it will be rescheduled at a later date.

Because I'm a chicken when it comes to driving in snowy conditions I left early afternoon and have had many phone calls as he just doesn't know what to do when I'm not there. His current question is, "If we are married why can't we live together?" I just don't have an answer to that that he can understand. Today was a good day and I hope tomorrow is better....Fran