Hello From Rockville

Yesterday was busy day Denese dropped me off at Rick and DeeAnn's on her way to Jenny's. We had a great meal after eating and relaxing Walt, Becky and family stopped to take me back home.  Rick has built a great sliding hill and the Cafferys had to try it out even Luke enjoyed it,   after the sliding fun we headed to St. Cloud and the VA for a short visit with Harlan then on to Rockville for a lasagna dinner.  After eating we visited and Kate got my printer to work, it was time for them to head home.  I had a great Christmas and spent time with most of my family.
Today was an interesting day, I debated about going to spend time with Harlan as I have had a cold and didn't want to share it with Him, but it just isn't Sunday unless I and Harlan attend church and then go out for lunch.  Harlan called me rather in a panic so I went through the process with him on how to use the call button to get help.   When I got in he was dressed in pj's and when I talked to a nurse she said that there is a 24 hour "bug" going through the floor and I decided Harlan needed to stay there, he was cold so I helped him get dressed with jeans and a sweater and he was warmer.  I went to church by myself but I ordered a dinner at the VA so I could eat with Harlan.  When I left the VA another problem came into play, I couldn't leave the building the new security system put in service on Harlan's floor went into a lock down mode, no door could be opened nor any elevator would close and leave the floor this was all do to progress, a new security system had been installed to protect the resident that can't leave the floor without an escort (like Harlan) and it over reacted not letting anyone leave. After a nurse scurried around, dug out a book for instructions to disarm it I was on my way to church and I was on time, just barely.  When I got back it was lunch time but Harlan did not want to eat which was good as more food in his tummy was not a good idea, he should be okay tomorrow, so I can take him out, he really thought he was fine to go for a treat today.
I had a great Christmas but it will be nice to have some quiet time to just relax so until tomorrow Good Night.......Fran 

Hello From Rockville

My day started out with a phone call from Myrna wanting to know if I wanted to meet her for "coffee" and you know me I never turn down a chance to eat out.  I met her at IHop at 10 A.M. and we had such a good time eating, drinking coffee and catching up on news.  After eating I headed back to Rockville then into St. Cloud to spend time with Harlan.
Right now we are getting more snow not a lot but everything is coated with fresh white stuff and everything looks so fresh and clean.

I took Harlan out for a treat this afternoon and when I helped him unzip  his jacket I noticed his wedding ring was on his pointer finger on his left hand not his ring finger.  It was so tight I didn't think it was possible for him to take it off and how it ever went on his pointer finger I'll never figure out.  I asked him about it and he told me, "You came in the night and did that."  He was able to take it off and put it back on his ring finger, I do find surprises at times.  We had our treat at the Park Diner, his was a hot fudge sundae.  I stopped at the bank then we went for our treat and back to the VA.  Today was good and my time with Harlan was good too....Fran

Hello From Rockville
Wow!  I have my ironing all caught up that is until I wash again.

I brought clothes in for Harlan today so he is well supplied and can have a choice on what to wear after his bath.  I took him to Culver's for a sundae, it was good we hadn't been there for a while then back to the VA, we talked and watched TV then I went to the mall I need to see why I have so much trouble with my phone and I got no help there, will have to see what my next move will be.  

I think it's bed time and I'll write again tomorrow.......Fran

Hello From Rockville,

A very snowy day, I did not go in to spend time with Harlan, I have talked to him several times.  He called me and I could hear that he had some distress with his breathing, he didn't think so.  I called the nurses station and Jessie went down to his room and gave him his neb, when I talked to him later he was much better, he ate supper and when I called him to tell him to watch the Vikings he was all ready watching them.

Tonight Denese and I had a fun time baking cookies a lot of goofs and laughs.

I'll go in and spend time with Harlan tomorrow as the snow has stopped and it's not going to be really cold.

Until tomorrow good night.......Fran 

Hello From Rockville

It looks like yet another winter advisory headed our way with snow accumulation of up to 8 inches.  We will be assured of a white Christmas and temperatures will remain below freezing so the snow won't go away.  The Vikings play tomorrow, I wonder how they will do with the  coming snow storm. 

Harlan called me early this morning as he was having difficulty breathing and I was able to "walk him through" the procedure to get help with his breathing and it worked.  I could call the nurses station but I want him to be able to do it himself if he can't get a hold of me. 

I took Him to church, he didn't want to miss another Sunday of not going, it was cold but the car is warm, after church we went to Perkins for lunch then back to the VA and just laid around and napped, just nothing to watch on TV.  I guess that is it for now......Fran 

Hello From Rockville
DeeAnn baked up a storm yesterday and today, lots of cookies in the house.  

When I went in to see Harlan his glasses were on his night stand and rather bent out of shape and they were his favorite, I got another pair out so he could see and I hope they work for him.  I took Him in to get his new hearing aids and now it will be something new for him to get used to and hope his ears don't get sore as I think he wears them 24/7 we'll see how his ears feel tomorrow morning when I go in to take him to church.  I took coffee and cookies in for him before we went for his new aids and stayed in as it was so cold with a wind chill of about 3 degrees it was nice not to leave until I went home, so no treat today.

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

Hello From Rockville

This morning I had a lab appointment then out for breakfast and some shopping then home to pick up a few clothes for Harlan and I spent the afternoon with him.  We went to the Park Diner for our treat then back to the VA and I gave him a badly needed hair cut.  It was really getting shabby at least he looks better for Christmas.

This evening DeeAnn and Sarah joined Denese and I for supper, on full tummies DeeAnn and I baked several batches of cookies and will do more tomorrow.

This was one of my quieter days but a good one, so until tomorrow, good night..........Fran

Hello From Rockville 

The weather has warmed up but still below freezing.  Parts of Minnesota got snow last night,we did not, the roads I drive are good and mostly dry.

Today was car care day.  First I picked up my car license tabs, then got my very dirty car washed and got an oil change and grease job, only to find out I have a few things that need fixing, must make arrangements for that.

I went in to see Harlan early and took him to IHOP for our treat then back to the VA and just rested, I manage to get a little nap in while watching TV.  I received several call from him this morning and he seemed confused but this afternoon he was better.  While we were at IHOP he says to me, "This is the place that a car drove into isn't it?"  We had not talked about it so where that came from I do not know, at times he just amazes me at what he recalls and then again he can't do the simplest everyday things like his seat belt or the zipper on his jacket.
I got home with a little time to spare before our Christmas dinner in the community room.  Mel and Rale prepared ham and everyone else filled in the rest to make it a great dinner and social.
Today was a good day and tomorrow should be even better. 

Hello From Rockville,

Today was a quiet day spent with Harlan.  The day was hard for him and I don't know why.  My first call from him came early this morning before I was up and when I looked at my cell phone he called me a total of 9 times today.  When I checked with the nurses he had taken all his meds, I thought maybe he had refused some.  He was really down and teary eyed, when he is sad I hurt too.  I needed a few groceries we shopped at Cashwise, I needed to make an appointment for an oil change we stopped at McKay's and we needed a treat we stopped at Park Diner.  When I took him back to the VA he was so sad, he walked me to the elevator but called me just after I got home and I could hear the sadness in his voice so I talked to the nurses and asked them to try and pay some attention to him and give him some extra love.  He has not called this evening so I hope he is resting and doing better, I will see him tomorrow.

I enjoyed my time with him even if I couldn't take his sadness away and I know tomorrow will be better......Fran

Hello From Rockville

What a busy day and it was cold, it's suppose to warm up a bit and I can't wait but there is snow in the forecast.

The morning started out with temps below zero and today was my day to help with reading at school, I ate lunch with the students and helped a bit with setting up for our Ladies Christmas dinner then joined Harlan for his Christmas party at the VA.  Harlan just could not understand how I knew about his party and didn't tell him, then Rick and DeeAnn showed up and he just couldn't figure out why they were there for his party either.  They served us meat balls, crackers with cheese and sausage and a Christmas cookie.  Gifts were handed out to the residents and their spouses, and we had entertainment, Harlan enjoyed it and everyone had a great time.  
I stayed with Him until five then headed home to get ready and go back to St. Cloud for our dinner at church.  Denese and I ate well and enjoyed our time there, we also had a gift exchange and came home with lovely "white elephant gifts", Denese with a ceramic pumpkin and me with a candle, jar of jelly and two red dollies, we both did very well. 
So much for a busy day, tomorrow should be quieter, I hope...........Fran

Hello From Rockville
Tomorrow will be another cold day, AM starts with temps below zero in the teens, BRRR!

When I went in to see Harlan the temp was about +3 so we went to McD for our treat, he had a hot fudge sundae and I had a fresh coffee of decaf.  While we ate Harlan started having difficulty with his breathing I carry an inhaler with me so I gave him several puffs and it helped his breathing but as soon as he was done he wanted to go back to the VA which we did and I had them give him a breathing treatment using his neb machine and that really helped him.  I have not heard from him so I think his evening went better.  They were doing cleaning at McD so maybe there was something in the air that caused it.

Tomorrow is his Christmas party, because parking is limited I'll try and go in early so I can get a parking space close to his building, it's just too cold to walk too far.

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

Hello From Rockville

We are having very cold weather but the snow has moved out of here which is good.

Denese and I went to church but I decided it was just too cold to take Harlan out.  After church we picked Harlan up and went to Perkins where DeeAnn and Rick joined us, we had a good time eating and chatting.  Denese dropped Harlan and I off at the VA and she went shopping.  Harlan and I just watched TV and relaxed until Denese picked me up.  We had a good time and Harlan had a good day too.  

Tomorrow evening we are going to go on a walk through to see how everyone has decorated for Christmas and then meet in the community for cookies and coffee, everyone here is welcome to go on the walk but we will only go in the units of those who wish to let us see them, I think this will be fun and give us ideas for next years decorating.  Denese has worked so hard at decorating my place it is so pretty.
Until tomorrow good night.....Fran

Hello From Rockville

We are supposed to get snow and wind tomorrow, we have blizzard warnings.  If we get the snow etc., I may not go in to see Harlan.

This morning we had our board meeting and we had a lot to cover, it was a long meeting, 9:45 to 12:30, we will meet again in about two months.  

Today I needed several grocery items and I had to return a shirt I got at K-mart, I took Harlan out for the shopping followed with a treat at McD, he had a sundae, his favorite thing at McD.  I spent an hour with him when we got back to the VA then headed home.

We went (Denese and I) to church for the annual adult Christmas party.  We had ham and everyone brought something to fill in, such good stuff we both ate too much.   Denese won a door prize and we each got to take home a wooden letter or napkin holder pastor made.  

When we left church Denese and I went to Walmart and picked up a few items.
If you are where the winter storm is keep safe and warm.....Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was a quiet day, I took Harlan shopping at K-Mart first we had pizza at the Pizza Ranch, we ordered a large one and I took half home which was supper tonight, then to K-Mart.  I needed address labels for my Christmas cards and also found a Christmas sweat shirt and turtle neck to wear under it which I'll wear to "death" until after Christmas then save it until next year. 

Nothing BIG happened as I said just a quiet day............Fran

Hello From Rockville 
This is Tuesday and my day to help children with reading.  I came home for lunch then went in to spend time with Harlan.  
I had just parked the car and my phone rang.  
Me, "Hello."  
Harlan, "I have company, some one you know." 
Me, "Who?"  
Harlan, "His name starts with R."  
Me, "What's the next letter in his name?"  
Harlan, "I."  
Me, "Rick."  
Harlan, "Yes, and someone else, hurry and come."  
Me," I'll be right there."
And of course I was right there as quickly as I could, just minuets.  He was so excited about Rick and Sarah and couldn't believe how fast I got there.
We went to Culver's for treats on Rick.
Today Harlan was so much more awake than yesterday and we had a good time together....Fran 

Hello From Rockville
Today was another cold day.

I went in to spend time with Harlan, he was tired and just wanted to sleep, no treat today.  I'm glad I went and put gas in the van as I just didn't want him to be out in the cold and the wind when he didn't feel good.  We just had a quiet time together and I left early, he got his meds before I left.  He usually walks me to the elevator but today he just stayed in his room and "I let myself out."

My tire light had been on since last Thursday, I stopped by McKay's they put air in for me and said all the tires were low, glad I stopped.

Tonight we had carolers in the hall, Girl and Boy Scouts and after they were done we were able to go down for cookies and hot apple cider, they were so cute.

That's it for today.........Fran

Hello From Rockville

It's cold here and not much sun, our highs and lows are about 15 degrees below average.  The wind chill is down around zero or less in the morning.

So much for the weather I spent the day with Harlan we went to church and out for lunch at Grizzlies, I had their chicken and Harlan had the ribs he really enjoys them right down to the bones.  After eating we headed back to the VA and watched the Vikings win -two in a row!!!

While watching the game Harlan had visitors - Santa, Mrs. Santa and their helpers and also a young man in uniform, he received a bag of goodies.   Mrs Santa called him "Harlan Darling" and that went right over his head.  The visitors really brightened up the day.

Shortly after the game finished I left for home.

We had an other treasured day I enjoy being with him and we have a good time together....Fran

Hello From Rockville

Happy Birthday Denese!

It's very quiet here this evening, Denese went to St. Paul to spend time with Jenny and the girls and celebrate her birthday.  She'll be back tomorrow.

I had a surprise phone call from Shirley she was in town and spending time with Harlan, he enjoyed that.

I went in and spent time with him later and did not see Shirley. He played bingo and was able to win one game and then we went to McD for a treat, we each had a burger he had coffee and I had a side salad.  When we went back he took his meds and neb which he needed, his breathing has been more difficult and I came home, I try to leave before dark when it's cold or snowy.

I haven't brought him to Rockville or Cold Spring for a while and he seems more content when he stays close to the VA.  I do notice he is haveing more difficulty expressing himself not being able to find the right words and this frustrates him, it seems to satisfy him if I tell him I'll check on it or we'll talk about it later and he drops what ever he is trying to tell me and that seems to take away the frustration. 
We had a good day and as I always say each day together is a special blessing.........Fran

Hello From Rockville 

I met John and Donna Jean and went to Minneapolis for our Christmas care group, we had a great dinner.  After we returned to St. Cloud I spent time with Harlan.  He had gotten his new glasses but it seams he doesn't care for them, I'll try and encourage him to wear them when we go out as they are bifocals and it should help him when he tries to read or eat. 

I then came home and met Denese, we went to Cold Spring for our "evening meal", samples at the grocery store, the purpose of the samples was to give us ideas for our holiday parties, the samples was very filling and tasty.  

After eating we headed into St. Cloud and Aldis to pick up cookie baking supplies.
Today was a busy day but a good one.........Fran

Hello From Rockville

This is Wednesday and my home is clean also I have my laundry caught up, now to get my ironing done.

I spent time with Harlan and the weather was much better today not as windy as yesterday but still much below freezing, he dressed warm and I was able to take him out.  We did our thing at Perkins but there is road construction going on and we will not go there again unless it's Sunday with less traffic, and I did hit the area at around four and people going home from work.

I was with Harlan when he took his meds and that went well then I left for home.

We had a good day...........Fran