Hello From Rockville, Minnesota

A cool sunny day, not bad for the last day of October.  

Denese finished cleaning up my patio and bringing in more plants, it would be nice if they lasted until spring.

I took Harlan to church followed by lunch at I-HOP.  Several weeks ago someone tried to make I-HOP a drive through so at this time only part of it is open while the other part is being remodeled, we did have to wait to be seated, it seems every restaurant is busy at noon on Sundays and we have to wait to be seated no matter where we go.  We had good eating and plenty of coffee and with satisfied tummies we headed over to Menard's for some shopping then back to the VA for some resting and relaxation.  I left after Harlan took his meds and neb machine.  When I got home Denese had started Apple Crisp and and the beginnings of chicken soup, I had Apple Crisp with ice cream but will have to wait for the soup.   
Today was a good day......Fran                                             

Hello From Rockville, Minnesota

It's 8:00 P.M. and I just got home from St. Cloud.

Today was laundry day and Denese cleaned up and got rid of all my frozen flowers, dug up my gladiolus bulbs, they are stored in the garage and put hoses away.  She re potted some plants to take in for the winter and also cleaned the garage, it looks so nice.

I spent the afternoon with Harlan and Saturday is bingo day, he won one game, after bingo we met Sarah and Wes at Culver's.  We had just pulled up to Culver's and Sarah approached the car so I asked Harlan, "Do you know who that is?"  Harlan, "No".  Then Wes came just behind Sarah and I asked Harlan, "Do you know who that is?"  Harlan, "No, but his is with her".  I think he has gotten so used to seeing the two together he has to see both to know who they are, he does not remember names but recognizes faces.  It was so good to see Wes and Sarah, it's been a while since we have seen them.  We enjoyed treats at Culver's, then back to the VA.

I stayed with Harlan until 5:00 then left to meet Denese at Crossroads Mall.  We shopped around then stopped for a bit to eat and came home.  Today was a great day!!!

Will watch Texas/SF, hope Texas wins, they need it, then go to bed, will write again tomorrow........Fran

invi

Hello From Rockville, Minnesota

My living room looks kind of like a greenhouse, I brought plants in that I hope will last through the winter and can be planted out in the spring.  When we brought them in I even brought in a bee, it probably wanted to live through the winter too but it choose the wrong place to do so.

I spent the afternoon with Harlan, first we checked the dinning area as volunteers had brought in a treat, a German like soup, we  were given a small bowl with a slice of buttered dark bread, Harlan did not care for his so I ate mine and his too (I can't through good food away).  After the treat at the VA we went to Culver's for ice cream sundaes, we settled for a one scooper and returned to the VA, I took a little nap and left there around five.
I had a good day with Harlan, my back is nearly back to normal and I'm thankful for that.........Fran

Hello From Rockville, Minnesota
We had sunshine today, it's still windy and cool, but I love the sun.

I took Harlan shopping, first to Walgreen's then to K-Mart and Fleet Farm and last of all for a treat at the Park Diner.  Right now I'm a bit upset with K-Mart, they advertised an item which was not ever to be in stock at the K-Mart I went to and it's the only K-Mart in St. Cloud, I knew there was a reason I didn't shop there often, this has happened to me before, I may have to make Target my shopping headquarters.

I had a good day, my back is feeling much better (not perfect but better) and I enjoyed spending time with Harlan.  I did not see him Monday or Tuesday and only part of Sunday.

I went into a page on my blog site and was so surprised to see the countries my blog has gone and the number of readers picking it up, that's exciting.  Keep reading and I'd love to hear from you........Fran

Hello From Rockville, MN

I spent the afternoon with Harlan, because my back still bothers me and it was so windy I stopped at McD and picked up coffee and McD cookies for our treat, I didn't want to go out in the elements any more then I had to.  Harlan would have liked to have gotten away but tomorrow should be a better day to get out and we'll do some things then.  I understand his frustration he hasn't been away from the VA since Sunday and I went home early then.

It was good to be able to spend time with him, I do cherish our time together.

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

Hello From Rockville, Minnesota

We are having a lot of wind with a little rain making it feel cold, so glad it's rain not snow.  Some parts of Minnesota will get snow, I'm just not ready for that.

I had a Dr. appointment for my back and I'm just going to wait it out taking Ibuprofen and I'm to try some exercises to strengthen my back, either that or therapy I don't want to try that unless I have to.

I did not go in to see Harlan but I hope to go tomorrow.  

Tomorrow we were going to a funeral in New Hope but because of the wind we decided to stay put.

I'll be in touch tomorrow.........Fran

Hello From Rockville

I did not go see Harlan today and tomorrow I have an afternoon Dr appointment and hopefully I'll have some answers on why I hurt.

We are going to have some very windy conditions, I can hear the winds blowing and it sounds wicked. I'm glad that there is no snow in this windy weather as there would be very blizzard conditions out there.

When Denese got home from work she took my chairs off of the patio and put them in the garage and pushed my table over against the wall also took in all the plants we want saved over the winter or try to save.

I am going to try and see Harlan tomorrow but my appointment is so late in the afternoon I don't know what I'll be able to work out.

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

Hello From Rockville

We went to church and out for lunch right from church. We went to Perkins and it was busy, a wait to get seated, and a wait for our food, Harlan had breakfast and Denese and I had lunch. My back is still hurting so I came home right after we ate and Denese went up with Harlan while I waited in the car, he was upset because I didn't spend the afternoon with him but I came home and just rested, I feel better this evening we'll see how tomorrow goes. If this keeps up I'll see if I can get in to see the Dr.

Both Harlan and Denese are watching the Vikings in different places of course and Harlan still enjoys sports.

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

Hello From Rockville

I just got done with dinner and I'm stuffed, a hamburger, mushrooms, potato salad and baked beans also milk, a good meal.

My back is much better, still hurts some. I spent the afternoon with Harlan, he played bingo followed by a treat at McD he had a sundae and I had coffee. We had a good time together. When I left at 5:15 I met Denese at Cash Wise, we picked up a few groceries and I headed home while she went on to Aldi and did a bit more shopping.

Late this afternoon it started raining with the temperature in the low 50's it's cold and I'm not used to that. We do need the rain and because it's dry the water will soak in and that's good and one more blessing it's not white.

Today went well, take care and love to all....Fran

Hello From Rockville

My back is still giving me trouble so I did not go in to see Harlan, but I have talked to him several times on the phone, I hope to be able to go in tomorrow.

I'll write tomorrow.......Fran

Hello From Rockville
Did you miss me?

Yesterday while I was picking up around here and doing laundry my back started to hurt, not painful just mild ache but as the morning wore on it hurt more and more. I haven't had this happen for a long time, I began my ritual of ice packs and ibuprofen and taking it easy, I did not go in to see Harlan but I did talk to him on the phone and he was okay with me not coming in. He had an 8:40 AM appointment this morning so I knew I had to be okay to take him in for that, also Becky and Luke were coming up today and I wanted that to be a fun time with them.

I was able to take Harlan in for his appointment, then we went to the Commissary at the VA for a cup of coffee and a bit of breakfast, he spent some of the "books" he earns playing Bingo, in other words he bought me breakfast.

I took him up to his room and I went home and rested before Becky got here at 1:00. We went back to see Harlan at 3:00 and we went to the Park Diner for an afternoon treat then back to the VA and Becky and Luke checked out the "birds" (peacocks and chickens) while I stayed with Harlan.

I stayed with Him until 5:00 then we went back to Rockville for hamburgers, potato salad, baked beans and apple crisp.

Tomorrow the YAH's group from church are planning a trip to Delano for lunch and the Apple Orchards there. My back hurts some tonight and if it does in the morning I'll skip the trip as I don't want to make it worse.

Today was a good day I enjoyed my time with Becky & Luke and Harlan, and we'll see what tomorrow brings...........Fran

Hello From Rockville

My day started with a hair cut at 7:30 so I could get to a new volunteer job at 9:15. Every Tuesday I will be a reading coach at Granite City Baptist Academy from 9:15 to noon. It will be great working with children that need to read out loud and have some one listen and help them with some word pronunciation, the children are so appreciative of the help I always get a thank-you when they leave my area to go back to their class room.

I came home ate lunch and went into St. Cloud and spent the afteroon with Harlan. We went to Perkins for our treat and on the way back we had to stop at a red stop light to make a left turn, I got the green arrow and Harlan says, "Ha, ha we beat you!" refereing to the vehicles still waiting at the light while we got to turn, it tickled him that we got to go first even if they were first in line.

At this time his breathing is not a problem so if he doesn't want to do his neb I don't push him and let him decide if he should, today he did it on his own after Jepardy and before I left.

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

Hello From Rockville

Harlan has called me several times this evening as part of the power on Harlan's floor was turned off, the reason I don't know. Harlan was upset as he was unable to watch TV, his only entertainment and thought I should come in to spend the evening with him.

This afternoon we went to the Park Diner for a treat after gassing up the van. It was cool today when we went out I had Harlan wear a jacket and it felt good.

Tomorrow I get a hair cut and very shortly I'll get a perm, I need all the old perm gone before I get a new perm as my hair just gets fuzzy and no curl, also the longer I wait I'll have some curl for the holidays, may be.

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

Hello From Rockville

It's Sunday, I missed writing Saturday as I was tired when I got home.

I took Harlan to play bingo, he played well but didn't win and bingo was followed with a treat at Culver's, a one scoop sundae. We went back to the VA and after meds and his neb it was five and I left.

I met Denese at Crossroads Mall to do some shopping. I needed a pair of black dress shoes, no heels, as my one pair of dress flats were falling apart and instead of one pair I walked out with two. After shoe shopping we just walked around and looked at stuff then stopped at cj banks, Becky had given me a gift card from there over a year ago and I finally had some one to go with me as I tried on clothes for an opinion on how things fit, I walked out of there with some neat things.

Today I took Harlan to church and when we were heading back to the VA he told me "I am not going to change clothes to go out to eat!" I did get him to take off his tie and we talked him into wearing a pull over sweater instead of his sport coat then we went to the China Star Buffet for lunch and he did very well with no spills. When we got back to the VA we took naps as there was nothing on TV he wanted to watch and when I was ready to leave he decided to take off his dress pants and he put jeans on, a good move on his part. I think I'll try and find some dress jeans in colors other then blue jean color and have him wear them to church as he wears all his clothes from bath day to bath day including his shoes and dress slacks just can't take that wear and tear and look okay. His clothes are changed when he has a bath which is Tuesday and Friday and I totally change him on Sunday.

We had a good time today is spite of our differences on clothes and dressing...........Fran

Hello From Rockville

Oh, the time seems to be flying by, October is about half done and so far no snow not even a hard freeze but I think it's just a matter of time and the flowers will be gone.

I met with the VA support group today so I was at the VA by 1:00 this is an hour long then up to see Harlan.

Harlan and I went to Perkins and we each had a one scoop hot fudge sundae, it was good and just enough to be satisfying and I think Harlan went for his supper, many times if we eat too much he is not hungry and doesn't go to eat supper. Yes, the evening meal is called supper at the VA and noon is dinner.

Today was good!......Fran

Hello From Rockville

When I checked my blog to see what I had written I see I had not written anything since Monday. I was so sure I had written.

On Tuesday I received a phone call from the VA, Harlan didn't want to take his bath when I talked to him he said he would but he wasn't happy with me or the bath nurse.

Wednesday was birthday bingo, he did well he won three games and we went to the Park Diner for a treat. Today I asked him where he wanted to go for a treat and he said the place where they have those little hamburgers, we went to the Park Diner for the sliders then back to the VA. The last several days have been just normal quiet days with nothing exciting going on and I like it that way, that maybe the reason I haven't written.

My Sister told be about a free program to put on my computer called picsas that is a lot of fun to work with, it sorts all your pictures and all you have to do is put names on them, a very interesting program.

I'll try and not skip writ ting again..........Fran

Hello From Rockville
Another beautiful day.

Harlan and I went to the bank then to Home Depot and Menard's and ended our running around at Culver's. Harlan had a one scoop sundae and I had a cup of soup, we enjoyed our choices. Back at the VA Harlan did his meds, we relaxed, watched Jeopardy and I went home.

Tomorrow we may get some rain and maybe I'll get rid of some bugs on the windshield.....Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was bingo for Harlan and when I walked in I put shirts away I brought in for him and because I was putting shirts away in his closet he though I was looking for his bingo card and today he knew exactly where it was, no climbing on the bed to look for it. He played very well and won two games. After bingo we gassed up the van then went to McD for burgers and a drink the back to the VA with about 45 min to relax. He took his pills but refused his neb machine but he has not called to tell me he couldn't breath so I guess skipping a breathing treatment was okay. He can not be forced to take anything he does not want to.

This was a good day and I enjoyed my time with Harlan..........Fran

Hello From Rockville

I did not write yesterday, I'll try and cover two days.

Yesterday the Crosslake Care Group met in the Twin Cities. I was able to go because Jordan's met me in St. Cloud and gave me a ride, that is so appreciated because with out their kindness I couldn't go. There was a good turnout and good food, a beautiful day for the trip. I took Harlan out for a treat when I got back, I suggested McD but he wanted to go where we get those little hamburgers so we went to the Park Diner for their sliders, he enjoys them, two come on a meal and we can choose any two we want.

Today was another busy day. I had a call from my insurance company and was informed my auto insurance would be high as my "55 Alive" had expired and I needed to take it to qualify for the discount. After several calls to AAA I found out it can be taken on line which I did but it was a long test and even with my rushing through it I was on the computer for four hours before I was able to print up my certificate and e-mail it to my insurance company but that should take care of it for three years.

I went to see Harlan and while I was there Jenny and the girls stopped to see him, Jenny gave Grandpa a hair cut while the girls played in his room. After the hair cut we went to the Park Diner for our treat then back to the VA and Jenny went on the the house to spend time with Denese.

Harlan is having problems with his breathing again and it was suggested that it may be anxiety that is causing his problems as his oxygen level is good, when he sees the Dr. later this month we'll talk about it with him.

This was a gorgeous day, one to really enjoy and tomorrow should be nice too, everyone enjoy as they will soon come to and end..............Fran

Hello From Rockville
We had a frost and now we are having great weather, Indian Summer?

I went in to spend time with Harlan and because it was so nice I took him out the front door and down the steps, I wanted him to walk around the building (it's really two buildings) to see the peacocks and the chickens but he wanted to go back inside, we walked to the ramp which takes us to the basement then out the back door to the car, he didn't want to walk any farther.

Our treat consisted of sundaes at Culver's. After the treat we went to Manard's as I needed a drain plug for my kitchen sink on the disposal side, it is gone and I don't know where it went maybe in the garbage. Now that I have it home it doesn't work too big! It'll have to go back.

We went back to the VA, watched TV and Harlan did his meds. About the time I was leaving Denese walked in we watched the end of Jeopardy and left. Denese and I went to Walmart and I looked for eye glasses, they are so expensive and I need lenses large enough to accommodate trifocals, the small frams just don't work and with my small face it's really hard to find anything that I like and will work.

That's about it, a quiet but good day..............Fran

Hello From Rockville

This was a very quiet day. I spent the afternoon with Harlan, no stopping to shop just a treat at the Park diner.

A beautiful day, I drained the water from my hose and coiled it, I'll tie it up and hang it in the garage. I also cleaned my Humming bird feeders so they are ready for the birds in the spring.

Will communicate with you tomorrow, today was a good day...........Fran

Hello From Rockville

Are we having nice weather or what? It's going to be even nicer then today, I love it.

I spent the afternoon with Harlan but first this is Monday and Mary and I met for our Bible study. When I talked to Harlan I told him I had a lot of shopping to do and several places to go and asked him if he wanted to go along and he always wants to get out so we got "on the road" just before 2:00. First stop the bank, you gota have money to shop. Next stop the grocery store, I had gotten a rain check from Coborns about a month ago for lean hamburger, the month was up today and if I wanted it today was it. When you're in the store you always see things you need, at least I do, from there to Bed Bath and Beyond, I had a coupon for 15% off of one item, today was the day to use or throw it, I needed a potato peeler and found one there. After all those stops it was treat time and we went to Perkins, Harlan had a breakfast and hot chocolate and I had coffee and a GIANT chocolate chip cookie, oh so good. After the four stops we went back to the VA, Harlan wanted to know where else we were going as he wanted to go more, two hours of running around was enough for me.

It was a good day, I enjoyed my time with Harlan.......Fran

Hello From Rockville

I called Harlan to tell him to go for breakfast and when he was done he should shave and I'd be in to get him ready for church. When I called him he was sure this was Sat and church wasn't until tomorrow, he did understand about today being Sunday. I told Him I'd bring in clothes for him, his comment to that, "Is that where I get clothes, I didn't know you brought them in." When I got there he had all his under clothes out to change, shorts, t-shirt and socks and he had taken off his shirt and t-shirt and was waiting for me. He had also washed him self using a wash cloth he had scrubbed under his arms and had made his armpits raw and the deodorant burned when he put it on. I have to check his underarms tomorrow to make sure he doesn't get an infection.

We went to church then to Applebees for lunch. I love their steak and Harlan loves ribs, he ate a rack of ribs and really enjoyed them, I thought I might have been able to bring a few ribs home but he ate them all even to the point of "licking" the bones. It was so much fun to see him enjoying them. They are so messy to eat and I wanted to keep his clothes clean, I bring an adult bib with and he doesn't mind wearing one and I don't have to be concerned about dropping anything on the front of him or in his lap and he can even wipe his hands on it.

After lunch we headed back to the VA, watched a little TV, he did his meds and I went home.

Today was good day another treasure.......Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today started early, Denese and I were out of here at 6:00 AM and at church by 6:30 to be in Rosemont by 9 for an all day event. There were very good speakers and interesting work shops. We left there about 5:00 and back in town at 6:30. My phone quit working so Harlan had no way to contack me nor could I call him, Denese did talk to him several times and he seemed okay but chose not to eat supper. As soon as we got to town I headed for T-mobile to get my phone working again but because it was late in the day I did not see Harlan today but will spend tomorrow with him.

I had a good day and it will be good to get in to see Harlan tomorrow..........Fran

Hello From Rockville

I'm am still sleeping when Denese leaves for work but not this morning. She wore a new pair of shoes that looked dangerous, platforms held on by ties around the ankle and I asked her if she was going to bring an extra pair of shoes along as I thought she might fall and break her neck, I think you get the picture.

I went in to the VA early as I thought the support group was to meet today. I went to the area where we are to meet and I got no answer when I rang the bell, I then went up stairs to spend time with Harlan it was shortly after 1:00. This being Friday is Harlan's bath day and he was scheduled for his bath after lunch. A little after two we went for our treat, Culver's has good stuff, Harlan had a sundae and I had potato/cheese soup it was good. Then back to the VA, Harlan did his meds and I went home.

Now back to Denese........When I got home she was on the couch with her leg up, you guessed it she fell at work and had a grapefruit size lump on the front of her leg and it's now turning very dark, one thing good it does not hurt, hope it stays that way as the Ladies from church (us inculded) are headed to Rosemont tomorrow for a Ladies Extravaganza and there will be a lot of walking say nothing of the ride down and back, we leave here at 6:00 tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow is another day and I'll update you on how things go.............Fran