Hello From Rockville 

We had another day packed with activities. Sue I went to Cold Spring for breakfast we met Ed and had a good time chatting and eating then picked up a few groceries and headed home.  Then met Rick and Sarah for lunch at Five Guys, it a good hamburger place but too noisy for Harlan, we took him there once but he didn't like it.

We stopped at McD for coffee and cookies to take to Harlan as I felt it was much too cold to take him out, wind chill was just above zero.  Then it was time for Sue and Rick to head to Minneapolis so Sue could catch her flight for home, it's been so cold she was glad to head to warmer places. 

I laid down with Harlan for a short nap and it was so cute he woke me up and suggested I go home because of the weather and I'm glad I did as it was snowing and so cold, i wish it would warm up  but with highs only in the twenties it's cold and that is what's ahead for the week.

This evening I had a meeting to go to and now it's bed time.  Talk again tomorrow.......Fran

Hello From Rockville

I missed Sunday blogging because of a trip to St. Paul.
Sunday Sue and I took Harlan to church.  I took him in jeans as I didn't have dress pants with for him and I feel he felt that was not the right thing for him to wear, but it was okay.
After church we went to Grizzleys for lunch then back to the VA to watch the Vikings win one finally. After the game we took a little rest and about five Sue picked me up and we headed down to St. Paul and Jenny's for the night.  I had the fun of bedding down with great granddaughter Izzy, she is three and sleeps where ever she wants to in her queen sized bed, I really did get a good night's sleep as the bed was big enough for both of us.
Sue took me over to spend time with Doris and Bob and she went back to Jenny's to get her hair cut.  Bob Doris and I went to Perkins for breakfast, we ate, drank coffee and visited.  I really enjoyed my time with them.  Sue picked me up and we headed back to St. Cloud in rain, it rained all the way.
When we got to the VA we took Harlan out for a treat and I wanted Sue to see the Park Diner so that's where we had our treat, both Sue and I had lunch and Harlan had a hot fudge sundae.
Sue leaves tomorrow, we had fun together and I'll miss her.
Until next time - Good Night.......Fran

Hello From Rockville

My livingroom is starting to look a lot like Christmas every where I look, the elves Denese and Sue have been hard at work, it looks so NICE!

Sue and I went to spend time with Harlan and today was his bingo day, he did well but with no hearing aids it's a bit harder for him to hear.  After Bingo we took Harlan to Antons and met Denese, Rick and DeeAnn for dinner there.  Harlan was hungry as he had not eaten  lunch so he really "cleaned his plate" of the BBQ ribs and most of his potatoes, he does enjoy ribs, that was one thing he enjoyed making and we enjoyed eating.  We had a good time together and after we ate Sue and I took Harlan back to his room and after good byes we headed back to Rockville.  Rick and DeeAnn came back just to check on dessert and left for home shortly after we got there.

Today was a great day and a good day with Harlan........Fran

Hello From Rockville
Here goes another two day blog, this is beginning to be a habit, two day blogs that is.

Yesterday Denese and I went in to have a Thanksgiving Day dinner with Harlan.  I ordered dinner in the morning and we joined him at noon, we had one dinner between the two of us as we were going to have dinner with Becky's family at 4.  We ate dinner with Harlan then left for Lakeville at 1:30.  We had a good trip down, did go through several snow showers with blowing snow but no problems. 

Sue flew in in the morning and was at Becky's when we got there we had a great dinner with turkey and all the trimmings - Oh so good!

Denese, Sue and I spent the night in Lakeville after a good nights sleep and a wonderful breakfast we headed to St. Louis Park and a stop at Megan and Paul's.  They have an adorable home and she has done a great job in decorating.  

We then headed home and after dropping Denese off Sue and I went in to spend time with Harlan. Sue went in to see him and I stayed out in the hall, I think Harlan knew Sue when he saw her at least he sure seemed to know her.  He decided a sundae would taste good and we did our thing at Culver's Sue and Harlan had turtle sundaes and I had chili, then back to the VA.  Harlan protested the neb and didn't complete the treatment, but because his breathing seems better I didn't push him.  We watched Jeopardy and headed home.
The last two days have been great and we'll enjoy time with Sue until she leaves on Tuesday,,,,Fran

Hello From Rockville
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
I have so much to be thankful for.

Today I did not go in to see Harlan, the time I usually leave to go see him we were having a mini blizzard and that is not a good time for me to be on the road.

We are going to spend Thanksgiving with Becky and Walt and the family. Sue comes in tomorrow and Becky will pick her up.  Denese and I along with Sue will stay in Lakeville Thursday night and return home on Friday in time to spend time with Harlan.

I pray safe travels for each and everyone of you and a special Thanksgiving to everyone.......Fran

Hello From Rockville

I did not blog yesterday, Denese called me after she had gone to work, she did not want me to go out as it was raining and slippery, I stayed home.

Today was my day to "work" at church, I help with reading and also work on the labels etc in between.   After helping with reading I went home for lunch then to the VA to see Harlan.

Harlan called me to tell me I had a letter waiting for me, in fact he called me several times about the letter.  The letter was telling me of the meeting I have with the staff in January. 

After I had been with Harlan a short time he says to me, "I didn't know your name was Platzer."  (The letter had my name and address on it.)  I asked what he thought my name should be and he didn't know.  He asked me "How long has your name been Platzer?"  I told him,  "Nearly sixty years."  There were no more comments.
We took our break at the Park Diner and shared their sliders and potato bites then back to the VA for meds and neb then I came home.  He protested the neb but did take it.  At the diner he had a hard time trying to unzipper his jacket but had no trouble zippering it up when we left the VA to go to the diner.
Today was a good day and we'll see what the weather brings for tomorrow..........Fran    

Hello From Rockville

I try not to let Harlan know when it's Saturday as he then knows that the next day is Sunday because when he does I get numerous phone calls from him in the evening and even during the night.  That is what happened yesterday and I got at least three calls during the night and for no particular reason just to talk but it seems to upset him when he knows the day is going to be different, he looks forward to church but if I can some how distract him from knowing when Sunday is coming we both get a better nights sleep.

When he called at 6:30 this morning I told him I wasn't sure if we would be able to go church as we were getting freezing rain and the best place for both of us was at home safe and sound.  When I looked out cars were going through town and didn't seem to be having any driving issues so I decided it would be okay for me to try it.  I got ready and left for McD my first stop.  When I pulled onto Broadway Street the intersection was slippery but that area had not been sanded and I preceded on to #23, there the traffic was traveling well below the speed limit I was thankful for that.  I drove into McD parking lot for my breakfast and stepped out of the car I decided that was not for me I got back in my car and headed for the drive thru picked up breakfast and parked and ate then into pick up Harlan for church.  It was a little slippery driving but not bad.  After church I had my keys in my hand giving Harlan "orders" to stay put and I'd pick him up, I had hardly given him the orders when my keys were taken from me by Pastor Campbell and the car brought right to the door, I so appreciated that, he not only fed our souls but also protected our bodies, "Bless his heart!"
We had lunch at IHOP then back to the VA and watched the Vikings loose.  Because I was not sure of the weather I left while it was still day light with just a light drizzle.
My day was adventurous but good and I had a good day with Harlan......Fran

Hello From Rockville

Harlan had an audiology appointment and I was not sure how that would go as he has a hard time putting into action what he hears and it is important for him to hear sounds and words, the appointment was to last up to an hour but it only lasted about half that time.  When we got there, good thing we were early, I had forgotten papers in his room that Gene had filled out to be taken along, to walk back and pick them up and return was over a 10 minute walk which I did and got back just as they were taking him in, I don't like it when I goof things up!  They tested him and he will get new aids in about a month.

We did not leave for a treat as he said he was tired and he was having some difficulty with his breathing.  After his meds I left, stopped at the grocery store and came home.

It's quiet around here as Denese went to the Cities to spend time with Jenny and the girls, a nice time for them and the girls can have fun with Grandma, they all needed that.

Tomorrow is church we'll see how that goes............Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today the support group met at the VA, we always meet at 1:00 after that I go up to see Harlan. Tomorrow will be our coldest day so far this fall, but we have no snow so that's good.

I spent the afternoon with Harlan, first a trip to the bank then a stop to fill the car and last a treat.  We had our treat at the Park Diner, Harlan a hot fudge sundae and me a glass of Sprite.  When ever we stop there Harlan always goes back to wash his hands and the waitress many times will stop to chat and she sits where Harlan sits, when he comes back she tells him she is just keeping his seat warm, today when he came back there she was sitting "to keep his seat warm".  My comment when he came back, "She never keeps my seat warm, see how you rate!"  I decided my hands needed washing and when I got back my seat was being kept warm.  She had quite a conversation with him, he told her he had known me a hundred years and had been married that long and they all were wonderful years, memory loss has it's blessings!
They have started rerouting traffic on Veterans drive on the bridge going over the river, it will go down to one lane of traffic each way , I understand it will be like this for a long time, what a mess.  I will find a different way to get to the VA to see Harlan.  
See you all tomorrow........Fran

Hello From Rockville 

I had an early start on the day as Harlan had an 8:00 AM appointment in audiology.  I was at the VA before 7:30, Harlan had had breakfast and we left his room at 7:45 I used a wheel chair to get him there, just too far for him to walk.  They will remake the aid that hurt his ear and try and retest him for new hearing aids, I'm not sure how that will work as he has a hard time responding to instructions, his appointment is on Saturday at 3:00.     

After his morning appointment he took me to breakfast at the VA, he gets books worth $1.00 when he wins at bingo and they can only be spent at the VA, we both had a good breakfast.   I stayed with him until 11:00 then headed home and made pumpkin pies for our Thanksgiving pot-luck, while they were in the oven I helped Mary set up for our dinner, we had a great turn out over twenty of us and we had a great dinner, in fact when I got home Denese and I took naps, didn't see much on TV then Denese went to bed and I did my blog.

This is it until tomorrow..........Fran

Hello From Rockville

We had a good day, Harlan and I enjoyed hamburgers at the Park Diner, then back to the VA for TV and a nap, a quiet day.  Tomorrow Harlan has an early morning appointment for his hearing aids, I'll leave here at 7:00 AM (in the dark), his appointment is at 8:00.  One aid is too tight and it makes his ear sore and the other one is so loose it hardly stays in, we'll see what can be done.

I'll let you know tomorrow what the results are.......Fran 

Hello From Rockville

Harlan and I went to Culver's  for our treat, sundaes what else?  And they were good!  After the treat we both took a nap.  When he meds nurse came around Harlan was not too happy and really didn't want to take his neb and only took part of it, some of the med nurses seem to handle him better then others the one today was gruff and demanding and that doesn't go well for Harlan he really needs some one with a lot of patience and understanding because of his inability to understand and remember.  He didn't call me this evening saying he couldn't breath so I think he must have gotten enough of the neb to help with his breathing.
Tomorrow is another day will write again...........Fran

Hello From Rockville

It is so chilly, I'm not ready for winter and this wet weather makes the car dirty and when I get it washed it only looks clean as I exit the car wash, when I get on the road it's ready for another wash and on it goes.

I took Harlan to church then we went to Perkins for lunch.  Denese joined us and after lunch we went back to the VA and watched the Vikings loose.

The day was quiet but a good day, will write again tomorrow.......Fran

Hello From Rockville 

WINTER IS HERE!!!

I did not write yesterday as I didn't spend time with Harlan. At 8:30 I went into St. Cloud to take a refresher class for driving as this reduces my auto insurance considerably and at 1:00 I had a budget meeting here, not leaving enough hours in the day to do everything.

This morning started with laundry and then Denese and I headed to the Treasure Chest and shopped for clothes, she finds really cute things there.  I found a really nice winter coat and several other things.  We lunched at the Red River Inn in Cold Spring and then came home.  At 3:30 Harlan had an appointment to see if he could get new glasses without trifocals just bifocals as he doesn't like all the lines, I'll find out Monday if they will do that.  After his appointment he played bingo and then we went to McD for our afternoon treat.

I left early as I don't like snow and I don't care to drive after dark when there is snow or rain coming down.

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

Hello From Rockville
Applebees has a free meal for anyone that is serving in the armed forces or has served, Sarah went ahead and made reservations giving us a wait of 40 minuets.  I took Harlan there and we met Sarah, Wes and Sarah's girl friend (sorry I don't remember her name) at Applebees and had a great lunch everyone had  a free dinner except me.  After eating I took Harlan back to the VA so he could nap and I left, a quick stop at the grocery store and I came home and just laid around.
Today was a good day for both Harlan and I and it's aways good to eat and not cook.  I hope your Veteran's Day was as good as mine...........Fran

Hello From Rockville

This is Veterans Day a very special day to remember all our Veterans and all the Men and Women that are serving to keep our country free.  

Thank You and enjoy your very special day, a day just for you!!!

Hello From Rockville
I know, I'm a day late!

The day started with Bible study at 8:30, Mary and I are studying James followed with a short meeting at 10:00.  Mary Kay donated a beautiful Christmas tree to be used here in our building and we had to decide where we could store it after it is taken down. 

I called Harlan to encourage him to go to lunch, he did not answer the phone but one of the nurses answered as she was there to get him to go for lunch said he would not answer the phone, I'm sure he knew it was me and didn't want to eat..  He told me he didn't want to eat as he didn't feel good, his stomach hurt, I suggested that he at least go down and drink his milk and many times when he goes to eat he will eat his meal even if he says he's not hungry.   When I got there he had an empty glass that had a bit of milk in it so at least he did have something to eat. May times I suggest that he check his dessert out and skip the rest, the kids remind me that when they were little I never allowed to them to skip the food and go right to their dessert, oh how things have changed.  Harlan's treat consisted of a hot fudge sundae at the Park Diner and coffee for me.

After treat time we went back to the VA for Harlan's meds and TV, I left at 5:00 to meet Denese and Cheryl at Grizzlies for "Girl's Night Out" we had a great time and Cheryl looks fantastic, not a wrinkle, not a grey hair and so trim, well enough about her!  We had a great time and wonderful food and we need to do that again.  After all the eating and chit-chat Denese and I went to Target to pick up a few thing then home to listen to Bush's interview only to realize we missed most of it, we were an hour late as the advertised time was 7:00 Eastern time not Central time.

I had a fantastic day with Harlan, Cheryl and Denese........Fran 

r

Hello From Rockville

Rick and DeeAnn came over and we had lunch together.  Denese made lasagna and we had apple crisp for dessert also made enough to send some home with them.

I spent the afternoon with Harlan this being Saturday it was bingo for him and he did win one game.  After bingo we went to McD for our treat, a sundae for Harlan and coffee for me.  Harlan was very surprised when Rick and DeeAnn walked in, Rick was concerned that Harlan wouldn't know him as  it had been a long time since  they had been up but Harlan knew them and enjoyed time with them.

When I left the VA I went to the mall to do some shopping and picked up my new glasses then home for the evening.

Today was a good day and it was so good to see Rick and DeeAnn..............Fran

Hello From Rockville

Oh! What a day.  First I joined the VA Support Group for Memory Loss, we were a small group only three of us then I headed up to see Harlan.  In heading down the hall past the visiting lounge to his room I was stopped by several staffers, they wanted to talk to me before I saw him.  I stopped and I was told to sit down, my thoughts went a mile a minuet, "Now what, what's going on?"  Some one said, "Oh, it's not that bad".  Then I was told he had shaved off his eye brows, and they thought I should know before I went in to see him.  We laughed about it and I got up leave, took a few steps down the hall then turned around peeked into the room and said, "Both of them?"   When I got to his room I asked him if he wanted his glasses cleaned (I usually clean them when I'm there) he handed me his glasses and YES, his eye brows are GONE every single hair, he has a bald forehead! I asked him why and he told me there was stuff in them and that was the only way to get them cleaned.

Harlan took his jacket and we headed to Fleet Farm for gas and and a car wash, after gassing up and washing the van we stopped at the Park Diner for our treat.  Harlan had a hot fudge sundae and I had a Sprite.  Again I asked him about his eye brows, this time he said they were full of gum and cutting them off was the only way to get rid of it, he doesn't chew gum.

I left early to avoid driving into the sun, this weekend when day light saving goes away my problem will be gone.

Today was a good day.....Fran

Hello From Rockville
The weather was cool and windy, not one of our nicer days.

I needed groceries and the van gassed up but because Harlan always pumps the gas we decided it was just too cold for him to stand out and pump gas, we skipped that part.

I did go and pick up some groceries and from there we had our treat at the Park Diner, Harlan had his little burgers (Sliders) and his favorite potatoes.  After the treat we headed back to the VA and watched TV and he did his meds and neb and I left for home.

I am going to go in earlier to spend time with him and leave earlier because my trip home is directly into the setting sun, I travel SW not good this time of the year.

Tonight was our November birthday night, there were seven of us the group is getting smaller and smaller.  

The wonderful smell of cinnamon is drifting past my nose, Denese just took apple crisp out of the oven and I must try some before I go to bed, I wish I could share it with each and everyone of you, you'll just have to take my word for it that is is good, on that note good night........Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today's weather was cool and windy.

I spent time with Harlan, we went to McD for our treat, Harlan had a hot fudge sundae and I had a smoothie.  Sue called and Harlan was able to handle the cell phone and talk to her.  We were at McD when she called.

We had a good day together, nothing exciting but a good day........Fran

Hello From Rockville 

Today has been a busy day, first I voted, then a stop at McD for breakfast then to church to listen to the children read, I volunteer from 9:15 to noon on Tuesdays.  After that I went home changed clothes and headed back to St. Cloud and the VA.  They are installing a new call system for the residents and the installation takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours per room and it's best that Harlan is not there as he gets so upset when he has to stay out of his room for any length of time.  I grabbed a McD hamburger, a drink and apple dippers and joined Harlan for lunch then stalled around until 1:30 and took off for the mall and T-Mobile.  My phone has been giving me a hard time, to stall for time that was a good place to stop and I got my phone fixed, I hope.  After that we went to McD for our treat, yes, my third stop there today.  When we returned to the VA Harlan's room was ready to be occupied, we rested watched TV, Harlan did his Neb and meds and I went home.

Today was a good day and now it's time for bed, I'm tired......Fran

Hello From Rockville, Minnesota

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!
My day started with an 8:30 Dr. appointment for a blood draw, it went well.  My appointment was a fasting one so after that I headed to the Red River Inn for breakfast then up stairs to drop off my auto insurance payment and to pick up POA papers.  We have a neat Dollar Store in Cold Spring and I found several things with "my name" on and I really needed and bought them, then on to the bank for more money and home for a bite to eat before heading to the VA for a 1:45 appointment with the staff involved with Harlan, just to know how things are going and to exchange thoughts on the best way to care for him.  I wanted to know when he had had his last hearing aid and eye check as neither hearing aid fit well and he needs new glasses, he has trifocals and really doesn't need that, a bifocal would do him just fine.
After the appointment Harlan and I went to Bed Bath and Beyond for a few things then to the Pizza Ranch for pizza, we got a large one with enough leftover for Denese and I for supper.  
I stayed with Harlan long enough for him to take his meds and neb machine and we watched Jeopardy and I came home.  
After Denese got home we headed to Cold Spring as I had to pick up a prescription and we both found a few things we needed and back home for our pizza.  After eating and relaxing we watched SF win the World Series, now that that's over with and tomorrow all the political stuff will be over with too maybe TV will be back to normal (what ever that is).
My day was great hope yours was too.........Fran