Hello From Rockville

Yesterday was a busy day, Mark and Betty came up to see us. They always make a stop at The Cold Spring Bakery, the bakery "stuff" is wonderful. I also had things to pick up. Because we were in Cold Spring we ate at The Red River Inn and had great food. After visiting eating and chatting we headed into St. Cloud and the VA where we picked up Harlan and had a treat at the Park Diner, Mark was fascinated by the Diner as it has a lot of stuff on the walls, signs telling about "new cars" like from the 50's just fun to look at. There is one like it in Baxter, the 371 Diner furnished like this one, chrome and vinyl tables and chairs, black and white tile on the floor very much like the 50's/60's.

Today I spent time with Harlan and I took him shopping, 1st stop the bank, to shop we needed money then to Sam's Club and Cash Wise and finally a treat at McD. Harlan is still having problems with breathing I wish it'd cool off and the stuff would stop growing maybe even freeze as his breathing is very difficult, the nebulizer helps for only a short time. He really needs to stay inside but he just does not understand that would be the best for him. He called me this evening because of his breathing and I was able to get him to use his call button for help. When help came he hung up the phone and did a breathing treatment. Good Night and maybe tomorrow will be better..........Fran

Hello From Rockville

Last night I was so tired I just went to bed and had a good night's sleep, results no blog.

My wake-up call came about 6:30 this morning from Harlan and he wanted to know what he should do today, I told him to go for breakfast and shave.

I went to the VA after stopping at McD to get Harlan ready for church, when I got there he was sure it was not Sunday I think he thought it was Sat. He does a good job of dressing himself if I take things out for him, buttons are hard for him as they are so small for his finger to work.

We went to church and after church we always go back to the VA to change into something more comfortable before we go out to eat. Today as we were getting ready to leave one of the nurses asked me if he had his ring on as they had found one on the floor in the bathroom I checked his hand and his ring was gone, it was his. This is not the first time he has lost it, several months ago it as it was found on the floor under his bed. At that time I asked him why he had taken it off (it's rather snug so it can't just fall off) he said he was exercising his finger by sliding his ring off and on. Denese suggested I pick him up a cheap ring for his finger so that if he looses it it's no big deal. We told him we were going to look for a new ring for him and he didn't think it was necessary and we told him he had lost it twice already he reply to that was, "It was not lost it was still in the building!"

For our lunch we went to IHOP then did a little shopping and gassed up the Van then back to the VA and watched the Twins loose, it was a good day and I had a good time with Harlan..........Fran

Hello From Rockville

I went to church and did a little work this morning and because it was Pastor's anniversary some one brought and served angel food cake with strawberries and whipped topping, a nice break as I stayed until noon. I went home had lunch and back to St. Cloud to spend time with Harlan.

We went to Cash Wise and I picked up several things I needed then we made a treat stop at McD, back to the VA and Harlan's meds and neb machine. He is having problems with his breathing he called this evening and I was able to talk him through the process of pushing the button by his bed to get help, I waited on the phone with him until someone showed up to help him. If I couldn't have talked him through the process of using his call button I would have hung up and called the nurses station for help for him, they are really prompt with answering the call for help.

Today was good.........Fran

Hello From Rockville

The time sure is flying by, August is nearly gone and in less then 4 months it will be Christmas.

Harlan wanted ice cream today, the logical place was Culver's so that's where we went and enjoyed a two scoop sundae, buy one get one free.

Harlan is still having some breathing problems but not as bad as it has been, maybe the air is getting cleaner. I stayed with him until five after his meds and neb machine.

Denese and I used my rotisserie for dinner and put on chicken kabobs, using green peppers, onions, potatoes and chicken, it turned out good. After dinner I went out to my garden and picked in some tomatoes to save and brought some to the garbage, also pulled up several of the plants and disposed of them. I have one purple pepper on my pepper plant and will leave it there for a while, they are pretty to look at but not as tasty as the green ones.

Will be in touch tomorrow..........Fran

Hello From Rockville

My house is clean, it was cleaning and laundry day.

Today I took Harlan to the Park Diner for his treat, a hot fudge sundae and I had an orange float. When I got to the VA at about 2:15 he was checking out his cold dinner and complained of cold food and warm milk he had tasted some of it but ate very little of it. He did enjoy his sundae.

He is having problems with his breathing but he is doing everything he should do to help his breathing. He usually has problems in the spring and the fall. He does better in the very cold of winter and I hate to see that white stuff come.

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

Hello From Rockville
My day started out with an 8:00 AM hair cut from there I stopped at the VA with jeans for Harlan, this is his bath day and I know he likes to wear jeans and he didn't have any. I went on to help out with a project at church and worked there until 1:00 then went to see Harlan and spend the afternoon with him. We went to Perkins for a treat, he had the biggest hot fudge sundae I ever saw, I hadn't eaten lunch so I had a pork chop dinner. Our favorite waitress was working and waited on us she sent a chocolate chip cookie home with each of us for later. I was home by four as I had started out so early in the morning.
Denese and I had surprise visitors for supper, Jenny and Becky came up for a visit we had a good time together.
I had a good but busy day and tomorrow should be quieter...........Fran

Hello From Rockville

I had an appointment at the bank and Denese went along.
Banker to me, "Sign here and date."
Me, "What's the date?"
Denese, "Isn't she great for her age?"
Banker, "Yes, she is."
Banker to me, "Sign here and date."
Me, "What's the date again?"
Denese laughing, "Maybe she isn't so great after all."
Banker, "One more place to sign and date."
Fran, "Oops, wrong date, I can fix it."
By this time we're cracking up over my "Short term memory" or lack of it.
Harlan had to do some signing also and his ability to sign his name is totally gone, it is sooooo sad.
There is no way anyone can read what he had written and his signature had to be notarized, I hope it is the last time I have to have him sign any thing.
After the banking was done we took him to lunch, he was tired and after eating we took him back to the VA and he laid down and slept. I left and Denese and I went shopping then we came back here. I hope that tomorrow will be better when I go in to see Harlan, so until tomorrow Good Night.......Fran

Hello From Rockville

I took Harlan to church, after we had settled in Harlan was taped on the shoulder by a man and was asked if he could sit there by Harlan and that was a surprise, it was Rick, we were joined by Rick and Denese. We went back to the VA, changed clothes and out for lunch at Applebees. There still another family member joined us, Granddaughter Keley, we hadn't seen her in quite a while and it was so good to see her, we had good food and good fellowship.

After filling our tummies we headed to Sam's Club looked around and left with a "jug" of fabric softener and on to Fleet Farm to gas up the van. We enjoyed a rest time and me a little nap at the VA before it was time to head home.

Harlan has been doing a good job of taking his meds but he is having some breathing issues, it seems the neb treatments do not last long enough, the high humidity doesn't help and there must be pollen in the air, he had trouble with his breathing in the spring and the fall and he has also developed a cough and allergies could be the blame.

Today was good I enjoyed all the visitors and Harlan and I had a good day.......Fran

Hello From Rockville
Did anyone miss my blog yesterday?

Yesterday I went on a Mississippi River cruise. Took off some where in St. Paul went up stream then turned around and returned. There were so many people that two river boats were fastened together to accommodate every one. This is the third year our Sr. group from church has done this and it is so relaxing, the weather was warm but the boats have AC, we cruised in comfort. Our trip down took us through rain and we also had rain when we came back but beautiful weather while we were on the water.

We returned to St. Cloud at 7:00, too late to go see Harlan but he seemed to handle my absence okay.

Today I went in to see him, it's Saturday and bingo. He didn't do as well playing bingo as he usually does but the caller today didn't call the numbers the way he is used to which may have made a difference.

I had a coupon, buy one get one free at Culver's, we went for sundaes, hot fudge with pecans and we enjoyed them!!! The neat thing is we were given the coupons back and can use them again before the end of the month.

My day went well and my time with Harlan was special, so until tomorrow Love to all.........Fran

Hello From Rockville

My day started out challenging, I over slept! My plans (oh how plans can change) were to leave here at around 7:00 AM as Harlan's dental appointment was for 8:00 AM, when I woke up and the clock said 7:00 I had to move quickly and move quickly I did I was on the road by 7:15. We were at his appointment by 8:00 and then after rushing to be there on time we sat and waited and waited and waited, it was 8:30 when he was finally called in. I had a conversation with the receptionist and explained how having him wait was not a good plan with his memory loss he gets antsy just waiting, she promised they would try and schedule his appointment better with not such a wait. At about 9:15 they came out to the waiting room to get me because he was giving them a hard time he wanted to leave and I don't blame him, 45 minuets in the dentist chair and they weren't done. He told me he wanted his teeth and he wanted to leave, we were out of there by 9:30 and we went to eat breakfast. After breakfast we went back to his room, he was tired and wanted to take a nap. I did some shopping and went home put groceries away.

Today was our pot luck and I promised to do scalloped potatoes and ham, I mixed them up put them in the refrigerator and headed back to see Harlan. Denese came home in time to put my potatoes in the oven and was on her way again and when I got home the potatoes were ready, I grabbed them and headed down the hall to join the rest of the resident that were ready to eat. We had a small turn out only 8 but we had a good time eating and chatting, we use as much disposable eating utensils as we can leaving a very limited amount of dish washing as no one wants to do clean-up.

Tomorrow will also be busy as the YAH's group from church will head down to the Twin Cities for a "Mississippi River Cruise." Hope we have a nice day............Fran

Hello From Rockville
Last night Harlan called to let me know that a lens had fallen out of his glasses and wanted to know if I'd be coming in, I suggested he either push his call button or take his glasses to the nurses station, and he should call me and tell what he did. I never heard from him but when I got there this afternoon they were fixed and on his night stand. He wasn't able to tell how they got fixed.

I had an appointment for 1:00 today and then I went in to see Harlan. I got there before 2:00 and there was not a place to park near his building nor in the next lot but the next one had parking places only in the far back and it was raining. I carry an old umbrella which I was very thankful to have it kept my head dry. When I get in Harlan expects to go out for a treat and rain or shine we go. I took him down to our exit and had him wait while I get the car, I have two good reasons to have him wait, my umbrella is small a one person one and I can walk faster then he can. We hadn't been to the Pizza Ranch for a while and it was so good, I bought a large one and this gives me left-overs, a great second meal. We had a lot of rain on the way over for our treat and sat in the car so the rain would slow down. (We had over an inch and a half here in Rockville). We had a great pizza, and I had a great afternoon.

You can think of me tomorrow morning as I have to be at the VA by 7:30. I'm taking him to his 8:00 AM dentist appointment and when that is done we'll go for breakfast, so starts my day......Fran

Hello From Rockville

Tuesday is bath day for Harlan, he usually has an AM bath but today he was in the bath when I got there before 2:00. We went to Perkins as we hadn't been there for quite some time and Harlan had his usual Perkins meal. He has an egg, two pancakes and two sausage links and ate them right down, mine was half sandwich and soup. After eating we went back to the VA for TV and relaxation, he had his meds and neb and I went home at 5:00.

I called him when it was time for supper and he was confused, he answered his phone with a "Good Morning" and he didn't seem to know what time it was, I think when I left he had taken a nap and was sleeping very soundly when I called, don't know if he had supper but with his mid afternoon breakfast, going without supper will not hurt him.

Today was good........Fran

Hello From Rockville

This morning Denese and I took a walk, she goes one way and I another, it works best that way as I can't keep up with her and if she walked my pace I would slow her down. After the walk I and several ladies here cut a bunch of flowers for drying, I can't remember what they are called but when they bloom they are large white "balls", depending on the soil they can also be pink or blue. We will dry them and use them for decorating the commons room.

I spent the afternoon with Harlan and had our treat at the Park Dinner, he enjoyed his favorite, hot fudge sundae and I had an orange float and we topped them off with a cup of coffee.

Harlan called me a while ago and told me, "I'm glad you are you." He says so many wonderful things to me it kinda tears at my heart and I just don't know where they come from. The day was good.......Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today is Sunday and I had not told Harlan yesterday that tomorrow would be Sunday and I did not get phone calls from him either Saturday night or Sunday morning. I did called him from McD to tell him it was Sunday and I'd be in shortly with coffee and help him get ready. We went to church then back to his room to change clothes to go out to eat. I went to his closet to get something for him to wear but forgot to tell him that I would take his tie off for him (I don't know how to tie a tie so we just loosen it and remove it over his head) and guess what when I turned around he had it removed and untied and I kinda lost it. I told him he wasn't suppose to untie it and he just laughed and told me he could tie it himself. I told him to retie it and when he had it retied we would go out to eat. He tired and tried and could not but laughing most of the time (it was rather funny to watch him try). Pretty soon he left his room and I figured he was going to the bathroom to watch himself in the mirror to see if that would work better for him I called out to him to come back to his room as he could use the mirror in his room, he finally came back but left again (he wasn't discouraged as he had been trying to get the tie retired for some time) this time he just stood outside his door and then I heard this conversation, female voice in the hall, "You want your tie tied?" Harlan, "Yes". Female voice in the hall, "I can't tie a tie". Male voice in the hall, "I can't either". 2nd male voice in the hall, "I can". At that point I went out into the hall and with instructions from Duane Brianna tied Harlan's tie and we went to lunch. The whole time this was going on Harlan thought it was funny but I must give him credit he knew what to do to "Get The Job Done", just stand in the hallway until help comes and it worked as his tie is ready for the next time it is needed.

We went to Applebee's, I had steak and Harlan had BBQ ribs he really enjoyed them. I brought a bib from the VA that covered him well, the bib was messy but his clothes stayed clean.

We went back to the VA and watched the Twins win then tuned to channel 2 and the Big Band show which he really enjoyed. We had a good day, good night ........Fran

Hello From Rockville

This is Saturday and bingo day for Harlan. First we went and gassed up the van and because Harlan did not eat his lunch we stopped at McD for a cheap lunch, 2-dollar burgers coffee for Harlan and pop for me. Then back to the VA for his bingo and a quiet time for us and pills and the neb for him. He kept asking what day it was and I tried to ignore his question if he knows tomorrow is Sunday I get many calls from wanting to know how he should get ready for tomorrow, he worries about how he is going to dress and if he'll be ready in time and what time I'm coming, when he worries so much I don't think he gets a good night's sleep. I may even get late night calls and early morning calls. If he calls in the morning I can tell him to eat breakfast and shave. Hopefully I won't get calls late tonight.

We had a little rain shower this evening but not enough to make much difference in rain fall but it cooled the temperature down, no need for AC.

Well that's my story and I'm stickin' to it......Fran

Hello From Rockville

I missed writing yesterday , I did go to see Harlan and it was a good day. Today I took Harlan for a treat to McD and while we were there the skies opened up and it poured, when I got home I checked my rain gauge it had an inch of rain and yesterday we got nearly 2 inches of rain, we have had enough for a while. This is short as I've no more to say......Fran

Hello From Rockville

The Twins are loosing so I'll see if blogging goes better they are doing.

Yesterday while I was with Harlan there was a lightning flash and a thunder BOOM and the cable went out so he had nothing on TV except channel 18 which is the VA channe, it is music with outdoors pictures, flowers, mountains, water falls etc. It's very peaceful to listen to and watch. When I drove home we had a down pour and it sure cleaned up my car. I talked to my sister Doris and she said they had a mess as it rained so hard and so much it ran into their basement and they had to get help to get it cleaned up.

Today I was late in going in to see Harlan as I had a Dr. appointment @ 2:40. It was nearly 4:30 when I got there so I stayed with him until 5:30 his supper time and we did no treat, with the hot weather it was just as well we stayed in where it was cool.

Today was good......Fran

Hello From Rockvill

OH, what a warm day and more of the same is coming.

Today I met with the VA staff to discus how Harlan is doing. This went well as he is doing better then a while ago, if his routine is interrupted he has several days that are hard for him, the staff or me or all of us. I was thanked for the things I do to make Harlan's stay at the VA easier for him and the staff, I appreciated knowing that what I do is helpful.

After the meeting I took Harlan to Walmart, Cash Wise and McD for a treat then back to the VA for meds, his neb and some rest then home again.

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

Hello From Rockville

Harlan and I had a good day. We went to church, then back to the VA to change into jeans to be more comfortable and kill time so the restaurant's would have taken care of the noon rush. We chose IHop and guess what when we got there the waiting list was L-O-N-G, (they told us about 15/20 minuets) we did wait but the wait was only about 10 minuets, the wait for food was very long. Harlan didn't seem to mind.

We got back to the VA at about 2:30 and turned on channel 2 and watched their spiel for money but the programing they used was the Big Band era and Harlan enjoyed watching and even asked me if I couldn't find some money to send them.

He has been doing his meds and the neb machine with no complaining, but his routine has been the same from day to day the only change is Sunday and his Sundays are all alike. We hope it stays that way, I enjoy good days with him. Until tomorrow good night........Fran

Hello From Rockville

Harlan called me to tell me his glasses were broken, I called and talked to a nurse to see if they could fix them as several week ago a lens fell out and they were able to put the lens back in for him, no luck this time, the little screw is gone so they can't be fixed until Monday. While he was in the hospital (2 years ago) I got him glasses so he could lay in bed and watch TV they have no lenses in them for reading (no trifocals) just distant so hope they work for tomorrow. He used them today to play bingo and that went well.

I had a good day with Harlan, we took a walk to check on the peacocks, the three little ones are still small but have their big feathers, after his walk he played bingo then we had our treat at McD and back to the VAfor meds and I went home.

Denese has been working on pants for me and I think they will be great, a pair that will fit me. I bought stretch fabric and that should make the pants very comfortable.

Will be in touch tomorrow.........Fran

Hello From Rockville
Harlan had an appointment with Dr. Fox and he is doing okay.

After my Crosslake excursion I need to put some fuel in the van, Harlan likes to be helpful and pump the gas. There is a used clothing etc. store (similar to Good Will) next to Fleet Farm Harlan and I checked out then we went to the Park Diner for our daily treat after satisfiying our sweet tooth we headed back to the VA as Harlan was tired and wanted to rest. Today we didn't do much, after Jeopardy I went home, we had a good day together...........Farn

Hello From Rockville

I had a great time while I was in Crosslake, I saw many friends and got oh so many hugs. We had lunch in Pequot lake at a restaurant called the Tiki and I had a Tiki Dog everyone else had intriguing salads, sandwiches and soups and everyone liked what they had, oh yes, mine was good too. I had a good time with Myrna, Peterson's and McGill's and we had a surprise visit from Roy and Betty. I got into CL at 9:00 AM on Wednesday in time to join the CL YAH's and left Brainerd at about 12:30 today and was at the VA before 2:00.

I took Harlan to Sam's Club after a short shoppong spree there we had out treat at Culver's when we fot back Harlan was so tired he slept and I don't think he had supper tonight, I don't know why he is so tired. I'll see how he is tomorrow when I see him.........Fran

Hello From Rockville

A busy day - 8:00 AM hair cut for me, 9:00 AM set my neighbor's hair, 11:00 "brunch" with DeeAnn (we went across the street), 1:30 left to spend time with Harlan, 2:15 shopped at Walmart, 2:45 treat at Culver's with Harlan and DeeAnn back to the VA with Harlan left the VA at 5:00. I ate supper at 5:45, stuffed envelopes for Rockfest at 6:00. Denese and I went shopping at 7:00, it is now 9:30 PM and I need to pack as I'm going up to Crosslake tomorrow and will come back on Thursday afternoon in time for our 6:00 PM birthday party here.

While I was at Culver's my car horn started blowing, very loudly. I had accidentally hit the sliding door control and the door opened, I rushed out but I could not unlock the car with the control I had to use the key and then put the key in the ignition to start it and at that time the horn stopped blaring. How embarrassing!!!

I will not write in my blog tomorrow but will write on Thursday.........Fran

Hello From Rockville

It sure is a hot muggy day but no indication we'll get any rain.

This morning I washed clothes and went for Bible study. After lunch I went in to see Harlan, he said his neck hurt, his little finger has some swelling and it's discolored and I think it will look worse before it looks better but it does not seem to bother him. Because his neck had some discomfort they gave him Tylenol which helped and when we returned from our treat he slept. We went to the Park Diner he had a Hot Fudge Sundae which she put in a bowl making it much easier for him to eat and I had an orange float, very good all very good on such a warm day!

That takes care of today, will "chat" again tomorrow........Fran

Hello From Rockville

I went to the VA this morning with plans to take Harlan to church but he chose to stay "home", he was tired and didn't want to get dressed to go, I joined Denese and went to Sunday School.

After church we went back to the VA and Harlan was ready to go somewhere for lunch. We picked Perkins for lunch then went to check out the new Sam's and the new Walmart which is across Highway #15 from Perkins, I'm not sure it will be a place for me to shop as to get there you have to navigate three round-a-bouts and they really intimidate me, the St. Cloud area are sticking them all around, I have to go through one to go to church but it's not a busy one so that one I can handle.

This evening Harlan called me , he said he had fallen out of the closet, this made no sense to me and I was in the area so stopped to check on him, I'm not sure what happened but he had a scratch on his knee and a sore little finger on his left hand, I think Tylenol should take care of the discomfort he is having but tomorrow he may be stiff and sore. Tomorrow I'll let you know more if there is more to tell.........Fran