Hello From Rockville

This was a very busy day. My house is clean thanks to Sue and my laundry is caught up, to stay out of Sue's way I do laundry while she cleans. My windows are clean and boy did they need cleaning.

After Sue left DeeAnn called and asked if I wanted to go for breakfast, I would never turn down an invite to eat. DeeAnn, Sarah and I enjoyed food across the street at the Granite Edge Cafe. While there my insurance/banker gal met me so I could get some necessary papers signed.

I was home for a short time and it was time to get to St. Cloud for my mammogram, from there I went to the VA to spend time with Harlan. I noticed that Harlan had a harder time expressing himself and his words were harder to understand (some gibberish) I reported this to the nursing staff, they have added medication to take care of his pneumonia and this could be the reason, I should find out something tomorrow.

Harlan and I went to Culver's for a sundae, after eating his sundae he says, "I think I've had enough ice cream for a while!", we'll see what tomorrow brings. So until tomorrow, good night.......Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today went well, I joined DeeAnn and Sarah at Five Guys for lunch then the three of us went up to see Harlan. He was feeling much better today, I don't think the antibiotic has had enough time to work but I think the Prednisone is helping. I took him to Perkins for a treat, he had a hot fudge sundae and I had strawberry pie. When we walked in he had a coughing spell, the Hostess seated us around the corner, I didn't think anything of it but Harlan did. He said to me that we were seated there because of his cough and I think he was right, he is sharp at times, I just don't know where that comes from. After the treat we went back to his room and just rested, he has a bad sounding cough, hope it clears up as that cough is hard on him, he gets tired from coughing.......Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today has been a very trying day. I started out with Bible Study but I was not able to finish as I got a call from the VA that I should take Harlan for a chest x-ray. This showed his right lung has pneumonia. He is on an antibiotic and predisone also Tylenol for fever. This evening Denese and I went back to see him, his vitals were better but he is very tired and wants to sleep all the time. We have been through many crises with him and he comes through each one just fine.

I'll up date you tomorrow on what comes about...........Fran

Hello From Rockville fplatzer@mywdo.com

My week-end was wonderful. I was able to take an extended week-end vacation thanks to Harold & Lucille, Beryl & Carolyn (cousin) and Denese. Thursday I was picked up at my door by a beautiful motor home driven by Beryl, Harold and Lucille (sister) had joined them earlier and we headed NW toward North Dakota, destination Grand Forks. Beryl and Carolyn stayed in Grand Forks and we headed to Warren MN where we had reservations for three nights. Beryl let us use their car which they tow behind their motor home. We had several things to do for the week-end. Our first side trip on Friday took us to Edinburg ND to visit Dan and Bonnie we had a great time and wonderful food. We were taken on a tour of their area and fed well. We enjoyed a concert by Dan and Beryl and saw several old vehicles Dan had restored. With all of the above we did a lot of reminiscing as Dan is Lucille's and my cousin and a second cousin or so to Beryl, Friday was wonderful day.

The reason for our trip was a family reunion of my Mom's family. When my Grandfather and his brother came over from Sweden his brother Per settled in NW Minnesota near Oslo and my Grandfather Lewis, settled in southern Minnesota in the Kingston area, the families were known as the North Hedlunds and the South Headlunds. We met many, many new relatives, there were six that came over from Sweden. There were stories to exchange pictures to look at and food to eat even freshly caught Walleye. We were given a lot of information (too much to possibly remember) and many pictures were taken. The farm where this all took place is in the Red River Valley where the flooding takes place, their home is protected by a grass covered earthen dike that surrounds all the buildings and when everything floods the farm looks like an island from the air. Many of the farm homes in the area are protected this way. The story is told that if you pour a glass of water on the ground it does not run any where it just spreads out. They had had a lot of rain before we got there (and more while we were there) this just sat in mini ponds all over.

Denese was here to spend time with Harlan and take him places, out to eat and to church. I'm so glad she was able to do this, with out her help I could not have gone. Some of the days I was gone went well for him and others not so well, right now he has a nasty cough and a fever (not high but just not right) and tomorrow this will be checked out with an x-ray and maybe some antibiotics. My routine will be back to normal and I'll spend time with him...........Fran

Hello From Rockville

I am getting ready for a mini vacation, a family reunion on my Mom's side. I'll leave Thursday AM and return on Sunday, we'll be going up to NW MN near ND. Denese will try and spend time with Harlan and she plans on taking him to church on Sunday. I pray everything thing goes well for him and her.

I took Harlan to Perkins for his treat and he decided bacon, egg and pancakes would be his meal and he ate every bite. We had a good time together and hope his time with Denese will goes as well.

I will write tomorrow but that will the last until I return.....Fran

Hello From Rockville

I had a Dr. appointment today, I did not go in to see Harlan until 4:00. I took him to McD for a hot fudge sundae and when we got back we met Karon, she wanted to take him out side for a picnic. He was not sure he wanted to go, I guess I'm his "security blanket" and he wants me with him where ever he goes. I told him I would go with him to check it all out and if he didn't want to stay I would take him back to his room. When we got to the "picnic" area he could either eat inside the gazebo or out side, I took him inside and I was brought a plate of food when they brought him his, we had a freshly grilled hamburger with onion, pickle and tomato, potato chips, home made potato salad, baked beans, watermelon and chocolate chip cookies, every thing was so good. I think he enjoyed himself I sure did. After this was done we went to his room to watch TV and rest then we went to the main dinning room to play Bingo, everything, food and bingo was sponsored by the VFW. I have not stayed with Harlan after 5:00 for a very long time, I do hope he does not expect that every night.

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

Hello From Rockville

Today was a long hard day for several members of the family. Tori was up early for church then she tried out the new "water park" in Wait Park, it is a large concrete slab with water squirting out of varies places, it much like running through the sprinkler as the kids used to do if there wasn't a swimming pool near by. Tori said the water was cold, she spent a couple hours there then Denese brought her back here and they went to the school near by and played on the stuff there from there they took a walk to Eagle Park. About ten minuets after she hit her pillow she was sleeping.

I took Harlan to church, today we visited Carvery Community Church, we met Sarah there, after church Sarah, Denese, Tori and Harlan & I went to the Park Dinner then we went to the water park.

After the water park Harlan and I went McD for a cone and on to Fleet farm for a car wash which didn't turn out very good and I went back to FF and complained and they gave me a car wash ticket I will use sometime with in the next month.

When we got back it was meds time for Harlan, when he took his pills and one stuck in his throat so Mary tried giving him the pill in liquid form and he chocked on it he said it tasted awful and burned all the way down his throat and nothing I gave him to get rid of the taste helped - tums, chocolate pudding, water, just nothing helped. He said he wasn't going to eat, I hoped he would eat as I thought maybe some food would help take the taste away. We will never do that again. I hope a solution can be found as it is a medication he really needs.

So went my day, tomorrow will be better.........Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was a very busy day. It was VA family day and the kids came up to celebrate Father's Day. Denese, Jenny, Tori and Izzi were here, so was Rick, Sarah and Wes. Walt, Becky and Luke came the longest distance. Each of the kids went home with a gift or two, everyone seemed to enjoy it. We could take a horse drawn trolley car around to the back of the VA campus, also a lot of old cars on display, most were not as old as Harlan or me. We were served Root Beer floats or we could have bottled water or pop. The weather was nice a little cool and windy but a lot better then last year which was way too hot.

When we got Harlan back to his room we all gathered around him and nurse Mary took a family picture.

To help Harlan calm down after all the activity I stayed with him until nearly 5:30, his supper time then came home.

Today was a good day.........Farn

Hello From Rockville

I went to the support group at the VA after that I went to spend time with Harlan.

This was another quiet day with Harlan, I took him to Aldi's for a few things then to Culver's for a sundae and back to the VA for a quiet time. We watched Jeopardy and I came home.

After supper Denese and I went for a walk but the nats are a little irritating so after two trips around the block we came in.

I think tomorrow will be more exciting as it Family Day at the VA and I'll let you how the day goes with Harlan, there will be kids, grand kids, and great grand kids here. There will be games for the little ones and root beer floats for everyone and the weather is going to be great so until tomorrow good night.......Fran

Hello From Rockville

We had rain today with tornado warnings. When I called Harlan and told him to go to supper and he told me he was sitting in the hallway (that is the safest place as there are no windows) because of the concerns of bad weather. When I was coming home there was some hail but very little, mostly hard rain, we got a half inch and now we have sunshine.

We went to Perkins, Harlan had not eaten anything since I had taken him out for pizza yesterday so he was hungry and ate well. The VA staff told me he is refusing to eat more often, it used to be just occasionally and they encourage him to eat but he is never forced. I called him this morning for breakfast, no answer, I called him for lunch, no answer, I thought he may have been in the bathroom or he had already gone to eat but he hadn't. I called him with my cell while in his room and his phone was turned down so if he were sleeping the low ring would not have awakened him. We'll see tomorrow, so until then good night......Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was a rainy day and for now we may have enough, tomorrow we are supposed to enjoy

sunshine and this will be good as I think we all need the sun just to lift our moods.

This morning I counted UPC labels at church that had to be sent to Coborns, after counting and packaging I came home for lunch then in to see Harlan, we had root beer floats at the VA and I got him to play Domino's (Chicken Foot). He did remember how to play and with help from me he won.

Tomorrow will be a busy day, it's my wash day, Sue comes to clean, I have an appointment for an oil change and two new tires then time with Harlan. Denese and I are going to go down to help DeeAnn as she had foot surgery and is on crutches and can't do a lot, we'll bring food and do some needed cleaning like vacuuming, laundry and wash floors. We'll go down tomorrow evening and come back on Thursday so I can spend time with Harlan.

I guess what I'm trying to tell everyone I may not blog tomorrow..........Fran

Hello From Rockville
I spent time with Harlan today, a treat at Culver's, a stop at the bank for money then to the VA. Harlan had his meds, we watched Jeopardy and I came home. Harlan was a little teary but nothing that caused him to cry, I was able to bring him out of his sadness. Today was a good day....Fran

Hello From Rockville

With help I moved my computer into my bed room and then I couldn't get my on line to work, (no blog yesterday) the cable guy came out and set it up so I now have on-line service.

I took Harlan to Church this morning then we went to lunch and had biscuits and gravy at the Park Diner, they split an order for us and we topped it off with pie, pecan for Harlan and French Silk for me. It was good but a bit too sweet.

Because the cable guy was coming today I was going to take Harlan back to the VA after eating then come home to let him in then back to the VA, but Harlan thought it would be fun to come here for the afternoon. I made him promise that he would go back to the VA with out tears and unhappiness and he promised he would, I did have him here for the afternoon and and watched the Twins loose, it all went well, we'll see how the evening goes. He got back in time for his meds and I stayed with him until supper, and he was in a good mood when I left.

I love having my computer in my bedroom we'll see how everything works out, my room is a bit crowed.

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

Hello From Rockville

Denese and I went to Cold Spring for lunch and grocery shopping for the "good buy specials" then to The VA and time with Harlan.

The van needed nourishment, Harlan filled the van I went in and paid, after this we then stopped at the Park Diner. Not being very hungry Denese and I shared a shake, chocolate of course and Harlan had pancakes, eggs and sausage. His meal was so large he could not eat it all so when he went to the bathroom to wash his hands he looked at Denese and told her to clean his plate and doing what a well behaved daughter should do she picked up what he hadn't eaten and wrapped it in her napkin and the waitress came along and disposed of it. When he came back he looked at his plate and commented, "You did a good job!"

We went back to the VA and I stayed with Harlan, he took his meds and nebulizer, we watched Jepoardy and it was time to come home.

The day went well and we had a good time together.........Fran

Hello From Rockville

We had about a quarter of an inch of rain, just enough to so I don't have to water any thing, the down side, no sun and it's cool. I think there will be more rain later on this week.

I went in to see Harlan, did some shopping at Aldi's and had a treat at Culver's.

A very quiet day maybe tomorrow will be more eventful............Fran

Hello From Rockville

I spent time with Harlan and took him to Perkins. He ordered a hot fudge sundae and she brought him the biggest sundae I have ever seen, it was in a tall glass with the ice cream well above the top of the glass. He ate the whole thing and enjoyed every bite.

Denese is here and so today I came home to a wonderful dinner, roast pork, carrots, potatoes and gravy, oh so good and I didn't have to cook it.

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

Hello From Rockville
We had a great rain today, about an inch.

This morning I went for a hair cut then in the afternoon I spent time with Harlan. I needed to gas up the van then we went to the Park Dinner and shared an order of biscuits and gravy, they even divided and served on two plates instead of giving us an extra plate and letting us do the dividing, it was so good.

Not a lot to write about so good night until tomorrow.......Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today is Monday and I couldn't write on my blog yesterday as it was "down", I'll recap yesterday along with today.

When I left my place yesterday I had a funny feeling that I had left something at home I needed to take with me, but just didn't know what it could be and when I got to McD I knew what it was, my phone was still plugged in being charged, I had my usual breakfast and picked up coffee for both of us and then to the VA to help Harlan get ready for church and we went back to Rockville and picked up the phone and still got to church in plenty of time. He has been asking me if he can't see where I live and yesterday worked well to take him back.

After church we went to IHOP for breakfast, when we were being seated someone handed Harlan a coupon for buy one get one free if we purchased two drinks, we had great food for not too much $.

Today Harlan had an appointment at 8:20 AM, I took him then when we got back to the VA he was tired and wanted to nap and I went home to finish my wash.

I went back to spend my usual afternoon with him. We returned a shirt I bought at Fleet Farm and had our treat at the Park Dinner. Today was a good day, we had a great time together. Harlan has been put on medication for Sun Downers and I along with the Doctor think it is helping his sadness, I hope it keeps helping him, the Dr. seems to feel it will.......Fran

Hello From Rockville
Jan left for home this morning after breakfast.

Harlan and I went to McD for coffee and cookies then back to the VA for Bingo, he played well. After the Bingo games we went to Perkins for supper. He commented about the lunch he had and tried to describe what he had had for lunch. He said his lunch was the worst he had ever had.

Harlan, "It was long like beans."

Fran, "Was it spaghetti?"

Harlan, "No."

Fran, "What color was it?"

Harlan, "Kind of yellowish brown."

I could not figure out what he had, I checked the menu and found out it was french fries.

When we got back his room was cool so I turned on the heat and told him he needed to cover up with his blanket not sleep on top of it. He told me he would keep his jacket on to stay warm. I told him his jacket was not a blanket and he should take the jacket off and cover with the blanket, he then pulled the collar of his jacket up over his mouth and talked into it, "Are you a blanket or a jacket?" and in a deep voice he replied "I am a blanket!" It broke me up, he can be so funny at times.

Today was good day, I enjoyed my time with him.........Fran

Hello From Rockville

Jan and went shopping this morning, I had some returns and I had a coupon for Bed Bath and Beyond we had to spend. First to Fleet Farm to return a shirt for me then to Cash Wise. We went to B B B and walked through the store and really didn't find any thing either of us needed. We came back here and had lunch then I headed into the VA to get to the support group for spouses with memory loss at 1:00. I went up see Harlan and went out for a treat, we hadn't been to the Pizza Ranch for a while, we enjoyed pizza and I brought half of it home. It makes a good noon or evening meal for me.

While I was with Harlan Jan went to my hair dresser and had a perm so she is all curly and ready to head home tomorrow.

I have enjoyed the time Jan and I have had together, it's fun to have some one to talk to and eat with, I'll miss her when she leaves.

Today was a good day so until tomorrow Good Night............Fran

Hello From Rockville

Jan called me last evening and asked if I wanted company and I never turn company down. This morning shortly after 9:30 she came and we've had a good time eating and talking. We had lunch in Cold Spring and after lunch I went in to see Harlan she stayed here and had supper ready for me when I got home.

We had our Birthday Party this evening up in the community room each one brought something to share as we didn't have anyone that would sponsor it, there were 8 of us that showed up. After the goodies Jan and I went for a short walk then back here for more conversation.

Tomorrow she has an appointment for a perm and I'll go in to the VA for the memory loss support group and at two I'll spend time with Harlan.

For our treat time I took him to the Park Dinner for root beer floats, they were good, when they were served we were given a small glass of root beer on the side, this was new to me.

I took him back to the VA, he did his meds, we watched TV and I came home to supper all prepared.

That was my day, a good one although Harlan did call this evening and he was a bit unhappy, I hope he has a good night's sleep.........Fran

Hello From Rockville

Harlan had a 1:00 PM appointment to talk with Maggie about how he feels etc. She felt it was not something that would help him, she told Harlan if he ever wanted to talk to her she would set up an appointment in her office as he felt he needed to go some other place then in a room on his floor when he has an appointment.

We went and gassed up the van then went to the Park Dinner for our treat, he wanted a breakfast and it was SOOO BIG we should have shared it.

We went back to the VA for his meds and I left for home at 5:00. The day went well but I got several calls from Harlan this evening and he was sad so I'm not sure if the meds they are giving him for Sun Downers is helping or not, we see Dr. Fox next Monday and will talk about it with him.

Good Night.....Fran

Hello From Rockville

We were promised rain today and tonight but it doesn't look like that's going to happen and we are getting dry.

Today was a very special day for Harlan, his sister Shirley stopped for a visit and he really enjoyed his time with her. She brought him a BIG cup of coffee, he said it was the biggest cup of coffee he had ever seen. She spent about an hour with him.

I went in at my usual time, I took him for a treat at Culver's and then we went back to the VA for some quiet time, he did his meds, we watched Jeopardy and I came home.

Today was a good day.

Tomorrow Harlan has an appointment at 1:00 and I'll go in to be with him, he just does better if I'm there. So until tomorrow - Good Night...........Fran