Hello From Rockville

The fourth Thursday of the month is redecorating day down in our community room, we changed some of the fall stuff and put up some Halloween stuff. I left b4 that was done as I had promised to help count coupons at church, Box Tops for Education, Campbell's labels and Cash Wise/Coborn's Food Club coupons, we'll send them in at the end of the year.

Today we continued with Harlan's 83rd birthday. He had not eaten lunch, I ordered a meal of sliders at the Park Diner this included 2 sliders and potatoes, just in case you don't know what sliders are they are small hamburgers similar to white Castle burgers in size and shape. We each had a slider and potato bites, a seasoned potato that is deep fried, they were good and we split his malt, we were full when we left.

I still have a coupon to go to the Pizza Ranch, it's a $5.00 coupon for Harlan for his birthday, we'll do that next week.

Today was a good day, great weather and I had a good time with Harlan..........Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was Harlan's 83rd birthday, he started his birthday celebration yesterday with a visit from his sister Shirley. I brought in a stack of cards that I got in the mail and he had fun looking them over and kept commenting I have never gotten so many cards, he did enjoy them.

I took him to lunch, we went to the Park Diner because he would get a birthday malt/shake with his meal. Well, that did not work out as we were both too full from lunch to even think of attacking a malt. Our waitress said we could come back later or tomorrow and have it, we'll try for tomorrow.

After our lunch we went to Fleet Farm to fill and wash the van. While we were wiping it down Harlan commented, "What do you expect from an 83 year old man." This is the first time he has given his age correctly since his hospital stay, he has always insisted he is over 100 and I was not able to convince him otherwise. When we got back to the VA he was even able to quote my age correctly, the mind is strange and what he can recall, tomorrow will be different.

Today was great......Fran

Hello From Rockville

I didn't write yesterday as there was not a lot to write about, when I got there Harlan was napping with out his shirt only a t-shirt and I asked him why he said he didn't want them to take his shirt when he got his bath as he had only worn it for one day and it wasn't dirty. He did put it on and we went for a treat to Wendy's, their ice cream stuff wasn't very good we won't go back there.

This AM started with a hair cut for me, when I got home from the cut I picked up the mail for our building, did some ironing and went in to spend time with Harlan.

His sister Shirley came to visit Harlan then she took us out for a treat, we went to the Park Diner, Harlan had his usual a hot fudge sundae and coffee. Shirley had a malt and coffee and I has an orange float. We had a good laugh over how Shirley ate/drank her malt, when she went to pour the remainder of her malt into her glass it missed her glass and made a mess on the table, the part that missed her glass that is, she was so embarrassed, I did the same thing when I had my first one there.

It was so good to see her, she never changes and never gets any older. She had lunch with her two St. Cloud kids and a treat with Harlan. When she left St. Cloud she headed back to Plato.

Tomorrow is Harlan's birthday and I'll take him out for dinner, until then Good Night......Fran

Hello From Rockville

Nothing as exciting as yesterday. I took Harlan to church and because there was a baptism we left early, it's just too long for him to be in church through both, a church service and a baptism, it would have been after 12:00 when we left.

After church we went back to the VA to change clothes, I change clothes too then to I-Hop for lunch or rather breakfast. We had a good breakfast then to the VA for some rest. Before going in we took a little walk around outside and checked on the peacocks and the chickens, the little peacocks are no longer little, you can tell which ones are the young ones but they are nearly as large as the other adults. We went in and watched the last inning of the Twins game and watched them loose and with nothing much on the TV I napped and I think Harlan may have squeaked in a little nap too. He sleeps every other afternoon but not on Sunday because he is always sleeping when I come in to see him during the week.

He is starting to have more depressed feelings as today he was weepy when I left and is starting to want to go home with me, I hope that feeling subsides as I think it's harder for me then him as he seemed okay when I talked to him after I got home.That's it for now........Fran

Hello From Rockville

I joined several ladies from here for lunch in Cold Spring today, we had a good time visiting and before I knew it it was 2:30 and I needed to get going in to see Harlan. Because it was late for me to to get into see Harlan I called him and suggested he take his bingo card and meet me by the elevator, it's Sat and bingo time. He was not by the elevator when I got off so I went to his room and when I opened his door I nearly had a heart attack, he was standing on his bed looking at the light on the wall over his bed. I told him to get off of the bed as I really had concerns he would fall and after he got off on to the floor, a much sturdier place to stand, I asked him what he was doing and he told me he was looking for what ever it was he was suppose to find, he really didn't know what he was after. I think he had been sleeping when I called and did not understand what I had told him, I'll not try that again. He did well in playing but did not win a single game, maybe next time.

After bingo it was treat time and McD is near by, Harlan had a hot fudge sundae and I had a cup of coffee.

He kept asking what day this is and I told him I'd check the calendar when I got and would let him know. I don't like to tell him tomorrow is Sunday as he calls me many times Sat evening worrying how he will get ready for church and what is he going to wear, I find it is better if he doesn't know, he stress over it every Sat. If he would know tomorrow is Sunday when I get there on Sunday he doesn't remember it is Sunday and does all the worrying Sat night for nothing.

We'll have a good day tomorrow......Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was my birthday and I had a great day. The YAH's from church had an outing which was to include a pot-luck picnic in the Munsinger/Clemens Gardens park but because the weather had not cooperated we met at the Pastor's residents and had a wonder meal. After filling our tummies and having devotions we loaded into the bus and headed to the Gardens, some looked around, some shopped and some stayed in the bus. We then headed to visit a shut in that had attend our church until several months ago, today was also her birthday. After our "trip" we headed back to church and I left to see Harlan. Because it was my birthday Harlan and Denese took me out for dinner, my choice was the Park Diner, you get a shake/malt on your birthday with a meal. For the third time today I was serenaded with Happy Birthday this was from the help at the Park Diner and I was served some delicious little warm sweet mini rolls with a lite candle in it. And again with a very satisfied tummy we took Harlan back to the VA and Denese took me to shop at the new Sam's and Walmart stores, oh are they big you either need a map or a guide and neither one were available but we had a good time and found lots of goodies.

Tomorrow will back to normal and I'll be back down off of cloud nine. I have received oh so many cards, thanks everyone for making my birthday so special..........Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was our rainy day, my rain gauge showed 2" + which isn't a lot compared to what other areas of Minnesota received.

I'm doing the mail for our building the rest of September, tried to walk between the rain drops when I got the mail and decided I needed to loose wight if I was going to do that.

We were getting quit a shower when it was time for me to go in to spend time with Harlan that I had hard time making myself go and I know rain won't make me melt. I decided that it wouldn't be a good thing to take Harlan out, on the way in I stopped at McD for coffee and McD cookies. Harlan likes McD cookies, they are animal crackers with a hint of lemon. He did check the rain situation through the window several times and was satisfied to stay in. I was tired (I think rainy days are tiring) so had a nap then after his meds I went home and did drive in rain but not a hard rain so maybe it's coming to an end.

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

Hello From Rockville

The Twins did their thing and now no more pressure for a while.

Today was cleaning and laundry day, it's so good to have a clean home.

I had gotten a coupon (e-mail style) for my birthday from the Pizza Ranch for $5.00, Harlan and I enjoyed pizza for our afternoon treat.

When I left the VA I joined Denese for a hot dog, potato chips and pop at Teals Grocery store in Cold Spring and best of all it was free! While at the store we picked up a few groceries. The evening is boring, nothing worth watching on TV, so went the day, until tomorrow Good Night.........Fran

Hello From Rockville

My day started with an appointment in St. Cloud then a stop at church and breakfast at McD and shopping at Walgreen's and Cash Wise then home for lunch and back to the VA.

Harlan called me at noon to tell me, "They are stealing my stuff." I asked him what was missing. He told me, "My comb and the thing you put money in." Me, "Your billfold?" Harlan, "No." Me, "When I come in I'll check it out". Today was his bath day and he always takes his stuff out of his pants and puts it in the bottom drawer of his night stand and covers it up so I asked him to check the drawer that he always puts his stuff in, he told that it wasn't there. When I got in he was waiting for me, the first thing I did was put his dirty clothes in my bag to take home and his lost items were in his pants pockets. He was glad to see I had found them but then he had another dilemma. Harlan, "What am I going to do with the extra comb, I have one in my pocket?" I suggested he put it in his drawer until he needed it. (He has several extra combs.)

I needed to gas up the van, first we had our treat at the Park Diner (Harlan always pumps the gas and I didn't want his hands to smell of gas when he ate) then to Fleet farm for gas and back to the VA, I took a nap and Harlan did too, after his neb and meds I went home.

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

Hello From Rockville

Harlan and I went to church, it was just a normal day, we had lunch at McDonald's, Denese joined us and then we went back to the VA to watch the Twins loose. Harlan did his meds and really protested over his nebulizer, he just does not understand how much it helps his breathing. They brought it to him to use while the game was on and that bugged him so I just took of and he finished after the game was over.

Nothing funny went on just a very quiet day and so I'll write tomorrow.........Fran

Hello From Rockville

There appears to be a bit of fall in the air, it's cool and I have two mums that are trying to send out color, one rust/maroon and one yellow, they will be so pretty when they are in full bloom.

Yesterday morning I went to Cold Spring to help Harold & Marilyn and Ed with a garage sale and today Denese went to help when it was done she cleaned up and boxed what didn't sell and donated most everything. Everything was set up in Ed's garage. I did go in today and help after I finished my laundry.

Today was bingo for Harlan, he won two games and then we had our treat at McD, Harlan had a double hamburger with cheese and I settled for a cup of coffee.

I have a new cell phone, Sue put us on T-Mobile, I have the same number but I have new things to learn, one thing this phone opens up differently then my other phone but I'll get used to it. It has a different ring then my other phone, my other phone sounded like a land phone and I liked that, this one sounds like a cell phone. Yesterday I went to get my contacts transferred and they had a difficult time doing that, it took about a 45 minuet challenge but the job did get done. I do like my new phone.

Tomorrow is church and I'll write again tomorrow........Fran

Hello From Rockville
No rain today but not a lot of sun either.

Tomorrow I'm going to help Harold & Marilyn and Ed with a garage sale, plan to leave here at 7:00 AM and stop at the Cold Spring Bakery for goodies then on to the garage sale, it starts at 8:00. Denese and I went there tonight to put some stuff on the sale.

I do not have any cell phone service as Sue is changing from Version to T-Mobile and that won't take place until tomorrow when I get my new phone, my number will stay the same.

Harlan and I went to Culver's for a treat, we each had a hamburger and it was so greasy I'll think twice before I get another one there, no ice cream.

We had a good day, tomorrow will be good too......Fran

Hello From Rockville

Oh! did it rain today! We really don't need it.

I stopped at the mall and picked up coffee and BIG chocolate chip cookies, because of the rain I didn't want to take Harlan out, we had our treat when I got there. Harlan had oxygen on and was laying down when I got there, I'm glad I hadn't planned to take him out. He kept looking out side hoping the rain would stop, it didn't. It rained most of the afternoon and is still raining, radar shows a lot more on the way.

Just as I was ready to leave, Harlan had walked me to the elevator, he noticed some one coming in the front door he recognized. He said ,"Some one is coming in I think I know", He was right Pastor Campbell stopped to see him. I went back with Harlan to his room, Pastor read scripture and prayed and Harlan walked me back to the elevator and I went home.

We didn't go out but we had a good day together and tomorrow should be better, no rain...........Fran

Hello From Rockville
My day started with an 8 AM appointment for a hair cut.
Harlan and I gassed up the van and gave it a bath, it sure needed it and tomorrow it's supposed to rain wouldn't you know.
We were near the Park Diner, Harlan likes going there and it's near the car wash it just made sense to go there.
When I left the VA I needed to make a stop at the mall to check on T-Mobile and just across the street is Walgreen's they do flu shots so now I have a sore arm to prove I'm protected, I hope! Please all of you get your flu shot too.
Check this blog out tomorrow to see the "Latest News",,,,,,,,,,Fran

Hello From Rockville

The morning started with a weekly Bible study with Mary and also laundry day.

This afternoon was spent with Harlan and we went shopping for a belt for him. I thought Walmart may have some bargains as they are closing this store and moving to the North side of St. Cloud just off of Highway 15 but no such luck and the belts were gigantic in size I may have to try Target or Kmart. After shopping we stopped at McD for a hot fudge sundae and a wild berry smoothie then back to the VA for a rest time, Harlan did take a nap and I think took a little one too. After Jeopardy I went home.

Well so much for a quiet day, until tomorrow.......Fran

Hello From Rockville

Harlan and I went to church as we do every Sunday but I was in a quandary what I should do as I had signed up to go on a pontoon ride at three this afternoon but I had to be home before 2:30 to change clothes. I know it's hard on Harlan if I don't keep a routine and change his schedule and it was such a beautiful day I knew I'd enjoy the pontoon ride. To make everything work we left church before the service was over and went directly to Perkins for lunch, they were busy, we ordered, ate and returned to the VA a little after 1, I helped him change out of his suit and had time to relax with him and I got him involved with watching the Twins before I left.

The weather was great and the pontoon ride was so relaxing and fun, this was followed by a snack time at the 400 Club all free provided by the Rockville Lions. They do this every year and it is for Senior Citizens, I'm glad I went.

A funny thing happened at the VA when we were walking out for church. I was a few steps ahead of Harlan and just about to the exit when I heard this loud stomping sound, when I turned around to look it was Harlan stomping as hard as he could while walking he looked at me and said, "You make a noise when you walk and so I thought I could too," that was just too funny I really had to laugh. Note: my dress shoes make a clicking sound when I walk but they didn't sound like the sound he was making.

On that note Good Night.........Fran

Hello From Rockville
Just another uneventful day. Bingo at 3:00 and he did very well he won two games then our treat was at Culver's and back to the VA for a rest time and I came home. His breathing is still giving him problems, but it does seem some better. Tomorrow will be a busy day and I'll write more tomorrow........Fran

Hello From Rockville

More rain this afternoon and evening but a nice warm-up and no rain for the week-end.

I took Harlan to the Park Diner for his treat and he enjoyed a hot fudge sundae, today was a very quiet day, after the treat we just relaxed at the VA, Harlan did his meds and I came home. His breathing is still giving him problems and I'm sure the rain doesn't help.

Maybe tomorrow will be more exciting, we'll see.............Fran

Hello From Rockville
A cool rainy day but very little wind.

Harlan was sleeping when I got there, his neb machine was running and so was the oxygen machine. I got him up and we went for the Festival of Nations in the auditorium, food was served presenting various countries, hot dogs with sauerkraut from Germany, chips and salsa from Mexico, meat balls from Sweden, root beer floats from USA and many more foods, it was all very good. I took Harlan in a wheel chair through the L-O-N-G walkway but when we left to go back I took him out the front door of the VA Clinic to his building which is much shorter then the hallway, it is also much leveler out side. It didn't rain and with no wind the walk was great, I was warm and he said he wasn't cold but when we got up to his room his hands were cold. Because we had food at The Festival I did not take him out, I was not able to park near his building and it would have been a long walk to get to the car, it all worked out well just to stay in.

We just took it easy when we got back and I put the oxygen on him and he slept. After his meds I went home in a little bit of rain, I'll be in touch tomorrow...........Fran

Hello From Rockville
My cleaning gal came and cleaned and I got my wash done. I took the van in for an oil charge and what ever else they do then on to see Harlan. When I went in to see him he was sleeping and told me he didn't feel good, he did get up and went and played bingo, once a month they play birthday bingo and serve ice cream, the birthday people are recognized and Happy Birthday is sang for them. After the games and ice cream we went back to Harlan's room and rested, I think Harlan did get a little nap in, we watched TV, Harlan had his meds and the neb and I went home. I did stop at Aldi and picked up a few groceries. This was a quiet day, we need that kind of a day once in a while, so until tomorrow Good Night...........Fran

Hello From Rockville

Harlan and I went out for lunch, we met Harold & Marilyn and Ed at the Pizza Ranch and had a great time. Harlan was like his old self with a lot of retorts to statements that were made in fun with each other, we even had people sitting near us laughing.

I had planned to take the car for a grease/oil change but the VA wanted Harlan to have a chest x-ray because of his breathing difficulty, I'll take care of the car at a later date, maybe tomorrow.

His x-ray did not show any difference from last time so I guess we'll just have to wish for a frost to kill all the weeds then he'll probably do better.

Good Night Friends and Family............Fran

Hello From Rockville

The day was rainy, when I went in to see Harlan I drove in rain and when we went out for our afternoon treat it rained and when I came home it was rainy and we had a shower of rain after dark and radar looks like we may get more.

After our treat we watched the Twins win and this keeps them on top.

Harlan's breathing was a little better today and I hope it continues to improve.

A quiet day today but tomorrow will busy and I'll write again tomorrow..........Fran

Hello From Rockville

Here goes two days again. Yesterday was a fun day, I spent time with Harlan, he played Bingo and he played well but no luck with the card he had. He wanted to throw it in and get a new card, I suggested he use it one more week then throw it in. He does so good at finding the numbers and that's really all I want him to do. His breathing is still a problem, Gene talked to me about it and I don't have any answers except maybe if we had a freeze and all blooming stuff died maybe he'd get some relief, with all the rain everything just keeps on growing. Rick and DeeAnn joined us for dinner, we had brats, buns, fried potatoes, potato salad, baked beans, CC cookies and smoothies. Saturday was good and we had a good time together.

Today I had an early wake-up call, just before 6:00 too early to get up and too late to go back to sleep as I might have over slept. I had breakfast at McD and picked up coffee to enjoy with Harlan before getting him ready for church. Harlan told me to tell them when I cancelled his noon meal to also cancel his supper as he was taking me out for supper, we just did lunch out. We went to church then out for lunch at the Park Diner then back to the VA to watch the Twins win. I didn't understand the error that let the Twins win but Harlan knew immediately what happened, at times he really amazes me. When the baseball season is over we'll concentrate on the Vikings, maybe I'll learn to like football?

Today was not the best for Harlan's breathing but we had a good day.......Fran

Hello From Rockville
After watching the game last night I was too tired to write.

I hosted our Birthday Party last night, we have a monthly social with a dessert and coffee, only seven showed up. I served ice cream smoothies and cookies with coffee and ice water.

Today I took Harlan out for a hamburger at the Park Diner then back to the VA for meds, neb, TV and rest. I was ready to leave when Harlan had a bad coughing spell, he coughed so hard he passed out and fell back on his bed like a rag. I called for help and within seconds help was there. He was given oxygen and seemed better, I left and he went to supper and have been on the phone with him several times this evening and he is still having breathing problems but is much better. This was a very scary time for me, tomorrow will be better...........Fran

Hello From Rockville

Last evening Sarah called and we made plans to meet for an afternoon treat at Culver's, I'd pick Harlan up and we'd meet about 2:30. Today DeeAnn called and we had a good time chatting, I always enjoy talking to her. Both DeeAnn and Sarah met us, we had a good time.

I brought clean clothes in for Harlan and when I got there the oxygen machine was running but he was not using it and he didn't know why it was on. An explanation from the front desk explained - Harlan had difficulty breathing and his oxygen level was 87. They said that the neb was not doing a lot to help but the added oxygen helped and he went to sleep with it on so when I got there he was awake and had taken it off and his breathing was much better. He told me he didn't like the "needles" (the prongs on the oxygen tubing) in his nose, I know what he means I didn't like it either and it's hard for him to understand how much it helps. If his breathing is difficult for him tomorrow I'll just bring a treat for him there and we will not leave the VA.

Until tomorrow, good night......Fran