Hello From Rockville
I have had a busy but fun two days.

Yesterday I took Harlan in for a refitting of his hearing aid then back home to help redecorate our commons room and back to St. Cloud for lunch with Ed and Harold & Marilyn. I picked Harlan up and we went to Pizza Ranch for the buffet, we all enjoyed eating. Harlan and I returned to the VA and I left there at five as Rick was to pick me up at my place and bring me down to St. Michael to spend the night.

Today DeeAnn had an appointment with Jenny to do her hair. It was so much fun to see Izzy and Tori, Tori took me on a tour of their home and did a great job. After the tour Denese took me to visit Doris and Bob from there Bob and Doris decided that something to eat was on the schedule and we enjoyed good food at Perkins. We chatted and ate then back to Doris and Bob's and DeeAnn picked me up and we headed back to Rockville. We did do a little shopping on the way back, DeeAnn is making me an afghan using my couch colors and she needed more yarn, it's going to be so pretty.

I did get in to see Harlan and took him out for a treat. He called me this evening and seemed down, but that can change quickly.

This has been a great two days, the next few days will be quieter and that's okay.........Fran

Hello From Rockville
Today was a quiet day, I took Harlan to Culver's then back to the VA and it was a good day.
Tomorrow promises to be much busier.

I may not write for several days as I may be in St. Michael and St. Paul, leave tomorrow and back on Friday, I'll update you then......Fran

Hello From Rockville

Not much went on today, Harlan and I had pizza for our treat then stopped at K-Mart and found a few things and back to the VA.

This evening we put the finale plans in place for our garage sale.

Harlan has an 8:40 AM appointment on Thursday as the hearing aid he is wearing causes his ear to hurt, that will be an early start in the day for me. He will have to eat breakfast earlier then normal, I hope he gets up and eats, many times he does not want to get up to eat. I think he may up at night and not getting his sleep at night and likes to sleep in.

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

Hello From Rockville

I started my day with an 8:00 AM hair cut then at 8:30 Mary and I met for our Bible Study, that is such a great way to start the week. In between my hair cut and Bible Study I got my laundry completed, now to catch up on my ironing.

Harlan I went for a treat at Perkins but first we went to Menard's, I needed rubber washers for my garden hose. I was told that Harlan had not eaten either his breakfast or lunch, he made up for it at Perkins with a breakfast meal, I had a piece of pie.

Harlan stepped on his hearing and destroyed it, I turned it in and hope he'll get a new one. Ruth thought that they would just make a new one using an old mold, I hope it fits him if that's what they do.

Today was a good day....Fran

Hello From Rockville

My wake-up call came when Harlan called me and it was after 7:00 AM, later then I like it to be when I get up on Sunday morning. We got to Church in plenty of time as I always allow more time then I need for Harlan to get ready without rushing him.

We had lunch at The Park Dinner, they do not have a senior menu (they give a 10% discount to seniors) but they should have as we got way too much food to eat and of course we both have been taught from "little" on to clean our plates especially if we wanted dessert, we cleaned our plates but then there was no room for dessert. Harlan ordered a breakfast consisting of two large eggs, two huge pancakes and two generous sized pork patties, I had a beef sandwich loaded with cheese and mushrooms plus peppers and onions. When we got back to the VA we were invited to the dinning room as they were serving ice cream sundaes or root beer floats. After all that food it was time for a nap which I did while The Twins lost.

Today was a good day even if Harlan protested when his meds were brought to him, he took the pills but only spent a short time on the neb machine, if he calls and complains about not being able to breathe I'll suggest that he try the neb and use up what he should have earlier...........Fran

Hello From Rockville

Yesterday I went to Church and with Mary's help sorted and counted coupons and labels and Kemp's bottle caps, we worked about 4 hours and got a lot done.

Yesterday was a hard day for Harlan. He called me several times while I was working and again when I got to the VA. When I got to his room he was crying and said he didn't want to die there. I really didn't understand what was wrong as some of things he talked about didn't make a lot of sense to me. He mentioned that it would be fun to go out and see where my Mom and Dad lived, I told him that I didn't think there were any of the buildings left on the property and there wouldn't be anything to see. I told him that the house his parents had lived in was still in Young America, he wasn't interested in that. I finally took him out for a treat and he was just fine when we came back. When I had talked to Mary later she said she really enjoyed working with Harlan as he was so happy and easy to work with, then I told her that when I went to see him he was crying she then told me that one of the men on the floor had riled several of the men up, not sure what that was all about but today when I asked Harlan about him Harlan told me he was gone but didn't know where he went. I know he wanted to leave but was not capable of caring for himself.

Today was much better, I took Harlan for coffee and cookies to McD then back to the VA for Bingo, he didn't win any games but did a good job of finding and covering the numbers.

Tomorrow is Church and he always worries about getting ready for Church. Today he asked me if I had any help in getting his clothes ready for Church, I told him no. I'll see him tomorrow about 9:15 and we'll be in church before 10:30, it will be a good day as today was...........Fran

Hello From Rockville

A beautiful day but rain would be nice, and maybe it will rain I washed the van today. I like the Fleet Farm wash and Harlan helped wipe it dry afterward, he does such a good job. After the car wash we went to the Park Dinner for our treat, I had a hot fudge malt and Harlan had a chocolate sundae we both enjoyed the treat. I had taken Harlan there last year and he always complained that his feet got cold when he was there, since he has put on weight he doesn't mention cold feet. He needed his coffee, McD is on the way back to the VA, we stopped there for our coffee then back to the VA.

Because it is light later in the day he would like me to come later in the afternoon and stay into the evening so I may have to change my time with him, I have to think about that.

Tonight he called me and wanted to know about regulations on the size of rooms and about fire escapes and the number of windows and doors the rooms should have, he is always thinking about ways to get away from there, he hasn't tried to escape but seems to be looking for loop holes. These thoughts may have been triggered because when I got there a tornado drill was in place, everyone has to be in the halls away from all windows with the doors closed to all rooms with window in them, this whole episode did not make sense to him. After the drill we did our errands and I thought the drill was forgotten but I guess not.

Today was a good day, we enjoyed our time together..........Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was my laundry and cleaning day, clean house and clean clothes, a good feeling. Then I got two phone calls from from sis-in-law Shirley and granddaughter Sarah. Shirley was having allergy problems and basement flooding problems, she said they had had 3 inches of rain and that amount can do a lot of things that aren't good. She sounded good and it was fun talking to her.

Then Sarah called and wanted me to meet her and Wes for lunch at Five Guys, they have great hamburgers but I had a hot dog and it was really good. What's so nice you can have anything added to your burger/hot dog with no added cost, I added mushrooms and mustard, a good combination. I did come home after lunch as it was earlier then I wanted to go to the VA.

I went back in at 2:00 and took Harlan to Perkins he had a hot fudge sundae and I settled for a cup of coffee after the lunch at Five Guys I was not ready for more food. We went back to the VA and watched some TV and I went home at five.

Sue called this evening and she is having problems with allergies, the Atlanta area has had so much pollen the air looks like it's really bad pollution but the air is "thick" with pollen.

My day was great hope yours was too.............Fran

Hello From Rockville

DeeAnn spent the night with me and we cleaned out the quest room closet and got rid of stuff. After we had gotten most of that done we decided it was time to eat and headed into Cold Spring to eat. My comforter needed washing so while we ate my comforter was getting washed, after eating we went and put it in the dryer and headed to the Dollar Store and found some "treasures", picked up the comforter and headed back to Rockville. On one of her many trips to the garbage DeeAnn looked at my van and informed me that I had out dated licence tabs on my van, oh! oh! had to get that fixed as they were due December '09. I checked all over as I was sure I had ordered them but no, I could find on record of that transaction so a trip into the Stearn's County building was the next step to pick up tabs. I did get them then DeeAnn cleaned of the plates and I put on the new stickers and I was set to go and now I was legal.

I took Harlan for his treat, he wanted pizza and it was good. The Pizza Ranch was busy and noisy as they had a bus load of school children (maybe third graders) there for pizza.

Today was a busy day but good day and I got some important things done thanks to DeeAnn....Fran

Hello From Rockville

Harlan and I did a little shopping at Walmart he needed cleaner for his glasses and I found a t-shirt I liked, from there we went to Culver's for a treat then back to the VA. It was a good day, he still talks about going home with me but today was good.

DeeAnn is staying over night with me and is helping me clean closets and getting stuff together for our garage sale here, and I do have a lot of stuff to get rid of where does it all come from? I think there are people that don't know what to do with their stuff and they just sneak it into my place when I'm gone or sleeping.

Until tomorrow Good Night................Fran

Hello From Rockville

Harlan and I went to church then out for lunch at Applebee's, we had steak, Harlan had french fries and I had a baked potato and it was good.

I wanted to see if I could find some hardy flowers to plant out now and I saw that Shopko had their plastic building building up and stocked with a few plants etc. so stopped to check it out and they had a few pansies, I picked up 3 4 packs (1 dozen plants) which will brighten up my area around the patio and pansies are hardy and will survive chilly temps. While I was there the young man asked if I wanted to get a card that I could show Shopko if I wanted to shop there and it would entitle me to 10% discounts on certain day so I filled it out and was given my discount card. He watched me fill it out and says to me, "Your last name is Platzer?" Me, "Yes." He then says, "So is mine." He was born in St. Paul but was now in St. Cloud and that's about all that was said. It's a small world, just never know when you'll run into a relative and I would guess that some how he is a relative, his first name is Tom.

We started watching the Twins at Applebee's and they were ahead, after shopping and going back to the VA they were behind and never did recover, but they can't win them all.

Today was a good day so I feel I'm on a winning streak and I hope it keeps going..............Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was laundry, Harlan needed clean clothes especially his jacket needed washing.

We had our daily treat at Perkins then back to the VA for meds, his neb and a quiet time.

He has called several times this evening as he is always concerned about Sunday and how I'll handle it with clothes for him. I try to reassure him that it will be just fine, that when he wakes up Sunday he should go for breakfast and shave. I get there a little after nine with a cup of McD's coffee and we have about an hour to get ready and drink the coffee before leaving for church which is about 5 minuets from the VA.

Again, today was a good day....Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was a very good day.

I went in for the memory loss support group at the VA and in talking to our support group coordinator she felt I had had panic attack several mornings ago, very scary but I've had no episodes since and I hope I don't ever again.

After our meeting I went to see Harlan and took him to Perkins then back to the VA.

They were testing their generator back-up for electricity so only had emergency service from 2 to 6:30 and no TV but it was back on for Wheel of Fortune and the Twins, so Harlan has something to watch.

Harlan has gained enough weight to make his dress pants TOOOOOO tight, today I took his two pair and opened the back seams and hope that he can wear them, they don't look the best but with a jacket over them they should be okay, he just doesn't want me to buy him new pants. He has a few shirts the are toooooo tight too and I may just take a piece off of the bottom and put in the sides if I get him larger shirts (to fit around the middle) they will just look too big on him. I'll give it a try and if that doesn't work we'll just have to go for bigger.

As I said at the beginning of my blog today was a good day and I cherish each one........Fran

Hello From Rockville

Another beautiful day a bit too much wind but so spring like. I stopped to see if I could buy flowers to plant around my patio but it's too early and there are none available.

I took Harlan shopping I needed stuff for a tossed salad for the pot-luck social here tonight and we were 14 of us that enjoyed the food and fellowship.

I also had Harlan's help in gassing up the van and we went to the Pizza Ranch for our treat.

After we got back to the VA Harlan had a "melt down", I feel so bad when he is upset and we've had a lot of "melt downs" in the last 2 weeks, it is so hard to see him so sad. I wish it could be different but I can't change it and it just breaks my heart.

I'll write again tomorrow, I send my love to all my readers........Fran

Hello From Rockville

This was a challenging day. Gene from the VA called me before 9 and wanted to know if I could come in as Harlan was having a hard time. Today (without any forewarning) it was decided that several of the rooms on Harlan's floor were to have the floors stripped and waxed, and when Harlan got back from having breakfast everything in his room was sitting in the hall way and he was very upset. (I had told them to let me know when this was to happen and I would make plans to take him away from the VA for the duration of the cleaning as I knew this would be very stressful for him.) When I got there they were ready to give him his bath and that went well, he got dressed and we took off for McD as I left home without breakfast, we then headed to Walmart for a few things followed by lunch at Applebees then back to the VA, guess what? His furniture was still in the hallway but it was ready to be put back in his room, we sat in the TV room watched TV for about 15 minuets then went in and things were mostly back in place. I stayed with him until about 1:30 and he was still upset over the whole and told me to go home and not come back, he would not give me a good bye kiss nor walk me to the elevator. I told him if he changed his mind about not wanting to see me to call me and I'd be back tomorrow.

I had to get back here as DeeAnn was meeting me to get my taxes done to send in (she did an e-file) and some how he thought I was going to Rick and DeeAnn's for this and he felt I was just not taking him with me to see them. I just could not make him understand that I was going home and she would meet me here. He called me several times tonight and each time he was not as upset as the phone call before but not back to being happy. It is so hard to see him so up set that he cries, he just does not know how to express himself and tell me what is bothering him. I find that his days have to follow a routine, the same everyday except Sunday and that change is okay.

Now you have heard my story and tomorrow will be better..........Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was our board meeting, it is usually Tuesdays @ 10:00 AM but do to a conflict for our bookkeeper we had it today. I went into see Harlan after and took him to dinner, we also watched the end of the Twins and their win. I stayed until after 6 then went home. He seemed a bit confused when he called this evening so I hope my unexpected change in his day straightened out and tonight will be a good night for him.

OH! Our weather is wonderful but we need rain in our area, haven't had more then a sprinkle since our snow melted. Today we had our sprinklers turned on but it's so expensive to water to keep it green so if we don't get rain we may have to go brown, I do like green so we'll see.

Nothing more to write so until tomorrow Good Night........Fran

Hello From Rockville

I wrote on my blog yesterday but it did not get posted, I'll write something for yesterday and today.

Saturday Rick was in town and stopped to see Harlan, Harlan was tired and didn't want to be disturbed he told Rick to go home and when I got there he didn't want to wake up either but we talked him into going to McD for a treat, the VA staff told us he didn't eat lunch, Rick and Harlan both had a hamburger and I had a pop, I wasn't hungry. After our treat Rick headed home and we went back to the VA and Bingo.

Today being Sunday I took Harlan to church then out for lunch at the Chinese Buffet and we both ate way too much but it was so good, we hadn't been there for a while, so it was a real treat. We then went back and watched the Twins, I took a nap and missed most of the game and when I woke up Harlan said we was cheering for the wrong team but if that was the case I think the team he cheered for won.

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

Hello From Rockville
This was a quiet day. I had gotten some coupons from Cash Wise that were good buys I took Harlan and we picked several items that I thought I could use, one was water in small bottles, I picked up two cases and Harlan was sure the weight of the water would make the van run lopsided as they were so heavy. And he thought I needed help in getting them out of the car so he told me he should go home with me to help me put them away.

After our shopping excursion we got our treat at The Pizza Ranch and it was good! Then back to the VA, meds and Jeopardy and before I leave we have a little prayer time. I left for home about 5:00.

It was quiet day and I'll write more tomorrow.........Fran

Hello From Rockville
Today was much better then yesterday. Harlan had an appointment with the Dr this morning at 9:00 and he changed some of his meds. After his appointment we went back to the VA and watched The Price is Right then out for lunch at I HOP. Harlan got a new wardrobe closet, it couldn't be put in the area where the old one was because the new one was larger and just wouldn't fit. It is on the wall where his TV is and his rocker is where the old one was, he can now watch TV and enjoy his chair at the same time. I came home earlier then I would normally as I'd been at the VA since 8:30.
Today was good and I hope tomorrow will be too as the day should be a normal day, Harlan does so much better when there are no changes just a routine day....Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was a hard day with Harlan. I did not go in to see him yesterday. DeeAnn stayed over night with me as this was required because of the procedure I had had yesterday, I was not to stay alone. We had a good time together. Today was laundry and cleaning day after all of this was finished we went into St. Cloud and stopped at Crafts Direct then on to Bed Bath and Beyond, DeeAnn and I needed yarn and at BB & B I picked of a much needed sheet set for my bed. After all the shopping DeeAnn took me home, picked up her over night stuff and we met Sarah for lunch. After lunch I went in to see Harlan, I got there about 1:45. He had called me several times and he was upset because they had removed the security bracelet from his ankle and put it on his wrist because they wanted to prevent him from leaving the building and with it higher up on his body it would make the alarm work better then when it was closer to the floor. He demanded a scissor to cut it off or a knife or anything that would take it off. I then took him with me to gas up the van and wash it and I made a stop at Sam's Club and we made a stop for our treat at Culver's then back to the VA and he was so unhappy. He had three bracelets on his wrist, one for identification, one indicating an allergy and the security bracelet. I went to the desk to talk to them about it and to see what could be done to make him feel better and while I was there he walked up with the identification bracelet in his hand he had torn it off. He really doesn't have an allergy to the meds listed on the allergy bracelet that medication did not work for him. I talked them into removing that one and they told him they would remove the security bracelet but had to put it on his ankle instead of his wrist, he would have none of that as he really wanted it removed. We went back to his room to talk some more about the bracelet and in the mean time the meds nurse came with his meds and he told her he would not take them and she should leave. She did leave the meds on his night stand and left and again I tried to reason with him to let them put the security bracelet on his ankle and he finally agreed to do so, we went up and they did make the change and we went back to his room and I was able to get him to take his neb and meds. Because of the hard time he was having an appointment was made with the Dr. for tomorrow morning at 9:00 and it works best if I go with him, I hope tomorrow goes well or at lest better then today.

He called me several times this evening and he was in a really good mood and his sense of humor was back, he kept asking me how I could associate with a fruit cake or a nut and I told him as long as the fruit cake had bananas and pecans I loved it and he just laughed. He was aware of the the difficult time he was having and giving to others but just didn't know how to fix it.

We'll talk again tomorrow.....Fran

Hello From Rockville
I did not go see Harlan today as I had an appointment for a procedure to check my bladder and kidneys, I have a lot of infections and everything looked good, it was suggested that I try and eat yogurt to see if that will help. I'll go see him tomorrow.
So until then Good Night...Fran

Hello From Rockville

As I write this I'm upset, (I am not upset with the VA they do all they can to keep him safe) I received a phone call from Mary Jo at the VA a short time ago. She was calling me from Harlan's room to tell me Harlan walked away, (this is the second time this has happened) he went out the front door and when it was discovered he was gone they called the VA police and he was found and brought back. Everything went so good yesterday we both had such a good time but his time away just gave him the taste of freedom and he just wants to get away. Today I had a hard time understanding him as his speech was mushy or garbled and he did not make a lot sense at times. I just don't understand what happens to his thinking and I nor the VA can do any reasoning with him, you can't explain to him he has to be there for his protection. This is one more reason I can't care for him here as he could do the same thing here and just walk away. He was dressed warm when he left with his coat, cap and I think gloves on. I'm sure he will be evaluated and they will have to decide if there is anything else they can do to keep him safe as for me and my taking him out any other place then a treat in the afternoon I don't think it will happen.

Today we met Dave and Marion at Perkins for our afternoon treat and he seemed to enjoy that, he also recognized them when he saw them. They are moving to Maple Grove so this was the last chance for a visit with them before they move, it was a fun day....Fran

Hello From Rockville
Today was great day.

We had an invite to Rick and DeeAnn's for an Easter dinner and I wasn't sure I wanted to drive down there. Sarah said she would ride with me to make sure I made all the correct turn etc. so I decided I could do it and I did.

This is how my day went. I took Harlan to the Chapel at the VA for church and had to be there at 9:30 so my day started by leaving here at 8:15 with a stop at McD for breakfast and coffee for Harlan and I then on to the VA to get Harlan ready for church and he wanted to dress up, I didn't plan for enough time so we were a little late. Then Sarah and Wes met us at the VA at noon so Sarah could ride with me. I had to take a little detour as my tire light came on indicating a low tire and I needed air in my front left tire, Sarah took care of that for me and I guess I need a tire gauge in my car as I have problems with low tires every once in a while and now I know how to do it myself.

When we got to Rick and DeeAnn's dinner was ready and we sat down to an absolutely fabulous dinner. Ham, delicious scalloped potatoes, scalloped corn hot dish, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, fresh strawberries and rolls, everything was great and no room for dessert. A couple hours later every one was ready for dessert which included strawberry/rhubarb pie, apple pie and cheese cake with cherry topping.

Harlan and I returned to St. Cloud and the VA at 5:00 in time for his meds and the neb. We had a good day and I'd do that again.........Fran

Hello From Rockville
HAPPY EASTER! I hope everyone remembers that Easter is not about the Easter Bunny but about Jesus and his triumph over death giving us eternal life if we only ask him to forgive us our sins so he can change us and give us eternal life.
Today was a cool day a jacket felt good.

When I went in to see Harlan we went to McD and picked up a cup of coffee and went back to his room picked up his Bingo card and went to the dinning room for his weekly Bingo playing. He does do well in finding the numbers but doesn't always hear well enough to hear all the numbers. After the Bingo we went back to McD for a treat he had a Carmel sundae then back for his meds and by then it was 5:00 and I came home, a very good day.

So until tomorrow good night......Fran

Hello From Rockville

WOW!!! Another beautiful day and now a pretty sunset. God is so good, He gives us so much to be thankful for.

I spent the afternoon with Harlan, first to McD for coffee then back to the VA for a treat to go with the coffee. After we had our coffee we went back to Harlan's room and he had his afternoon meds and the Neb machine. We had time to enjoy the out doors, and we took a walk out the front door of his building and we walked around building 51, past the area where the birds and chicken are kept (too cold for them to be out just yet) and around to the back of building 50 and back into his building, the walk took about 20 minuets and Harlan was glad to sit down. We watched Jeopardy and it was 5:00 and time for me to leave. I forgot to mention between the time we had the coffee and he had his meds I gave Harlan a hair cut so all in all it was a long day for him. After the hair cut he wanted me to shave him but I told him I didn't want to take that job away from him as that gave him something to do and he could do that in the morning.

Tonight was our monthly birthday party, there were 9 of us to enjoy cake, cookies, coffee and juice with some candy and nuts.

So until tomorrow, good night....Fran