Hello From Rockville 

Again it has been several days since I have written.  Did you watch the Royal wedding on Friday morning?  I woke up just after 4:00 AM and turned on the TV and tried to stay awake and alert   with not much success, I did see the "I Do's" but that's about it, oh I did notice all BIG hats.  The afternoon was spent with Harlan.

I had a surprise call this morning, Harlan called me and he said he called me without any help.  When I got there at 2:00 he was sitting on a chair with Emma on his lap, I better explain Emma is an adorable dog and she is so good around the men and they all just love her.  Emma always barks at me and no one else, we really don't know what I do that's different but when she is there I cannot sneak in. 

Today was bingo and I went with Harlan and watched him play,  he did well and won three games.  After the bingo I took him to Culver's for his treat then back to the VA for his breathing treatment and his meds.  He has been complaining of a sore neck and shoulder and pain meds do not seem help even with heat he said it hurt.  We'll see how he is tomorrow.

My plans are to take him to church tomorrow but if he has pain I don't I'll take him, well that's about it for now.......Fran

Warmer and Sunshine tomorrow!!!!

Hello From Rockville 

Marie and I took down the Easter decorations in the community room and put out May baskets little ballerinas for table center pieces.

After decorating I had lunch then into St. Cloud to see Harlan. He needed another pair of jeans, we had our treat at the Pizza Ranch right next door to K-Mart and after pizza we shopped for jeans.  We ordered a large pizza after we ate what we could I took the rest home for Denese and I for supper.

Tomorrow should be beautiful, can't wait to enjoy it...........Fran

Rain, Rain Go Away, Come Again Some Other Day

Hello From Rockville 
Tuesday was cold and rainy.  I picked up coffee and cookies at McD as I did not want to take Harlan out in the nasty stuff.  We snacked and took a nap a very quiet day.....Fran

Hello From Rockville

I had a nice easter Sunday.  I had dinner at Paul and Megan's and saw a lot of family including the newest family member Emma, she is a doll.

I took Harlan to supper at Perkins, we had a good time together.

Harlan was waiting for me when I got to the VA.  We went to the Park Diner for a treat then back to the VA for some R&R.  

I talked to Harlan tonight (Mary Jo helped him call) he was some what confused, he wanted me to come take him out as he was sure I hadn't been in to see him and I could not convince him otherwise.  I told him I loved him but he was not sure about that, I guess if I wouldn't come get him I didn't love him.  When we said good bye he did end the conversation with "I love you."  When I see him tomorrow he will not remember any of it...........Fran 

HAPPY EASTER

Hello From Rockville

Remember the true reason for the Easter season!

Another cool day.

When I went in to see Harlan he was sleeping, hearing aids on his night stand and a shoe on the floor, wrapped up in a blanket.  I watched him sleep for awhile then woke him up as today was Bingo.  Just after he woke up treats were being given out and Harlan chose to enjoy a banana.  He usually wants to share it with me but not today, I think he was hungry, I checked at the desk and sure enough he had not eaten anything today.  We then proceeded to the dinning room for bingo, he did not play well but did manage to win a game.   After bingo we went to McD for a treat I got him a McDouble which he inhaled so I then got him an ice cream cone and again it was inhaled.  In the mean time Rick called and wanted to stop as they were near by.  We enjoyed the company of both Rick and DeeAnn and then it was closing in on 5:30 and time for Harlan's meds, we headed back to the VA, his meds and supper.
He called me this evening just before ice cream and bed time.  That's it until tomorrow.........Fran 

Still COLD

Hello From Rockville
Because each day is about the same I have not written for several days.  

This morning was cold, several degrees below freezing and I don't think we even got to 50 but Easter Sunday should hit 60 if the wind is down it should be nice!

I needed to go to Mill Ends for thread before spending time with Harlan, I left home a little early, stopped at the post office first.  When I got to the VA Harlan was sitting on a chair watching the elevator and called my name when I got off, he has been doing that lately.  Tomorrow I won't be there at my regular time as I am going with the YAH's (Young At Heart) from church for lunch and a tour of a trading post, it should be fun.  We have an activity once a month when we go for lunch and do something fun and end the day with devotions I really enjoy this, I wish I could take Harlan but the activities are much too long.  

Tonight was our pot-luck and as usual we had a good group and good food.

It's getting close to bed time and I'll write again soon......Fran

Hello From Rockville

It has been several days since I have written.  It has been quiet.  Things are about the same with Harlan.  I had my meeting today with the staff and there was not much to talk about.  Karon told me she had Harlan participate is some of the activities, they played something like wheel of fortune and with a few letters he was able to identify several words, it just amazed her. It may not happen again.  Gene commented on his weight about 127 and how he is slowly going down also how close we were to loosing him this winter, my comment on that, "He's like the energizer Bunny, just keeps on going."

We did have a treat, went to McD for a cone and coffee.

When the weather warms up I hope to take him to church, he will have to wear jeans as he has nothing to fit him

Today was a great day I enjoyed every minute of it, I treasure the time spent with Harlan...Fran 

Hello From Rockville

I took my car in this morning to fix the AC and all it needed was coolant, they couldn't find a leak, hope that takes care of the problem.

I spent the afternoon with Harlan.  When I got there he was in the dining room for birthday bingo and he won three games, his lucky day.   After bingo we went for a pizza treat at the Pizza Ranch then we shopped a bit at Kmart, he needed a pair of jeans and as usual I found several things I needed.  Back to the VA and meds and the neb and I went home at 5:30.  I had a good day with Harlan....Fran

Beautiful Spring Day

Hello From Rockville

This morning I helped children with their reading, that is so rewarding I do enjoy it.  I also counted coupons between the reading.  I did go home, changed clothes and brought clean clothes for Harlan and spent the afternoon with him.  We did our treat thing at the Park Diner and split a Slidder meal.  We then went back to the VA and we both napped.  I stayed until his supper time then went to church for our monthly Ladies Ministries.  We had a very nice meal and meeting.  Tonight we also revealed who our Secret Sisters were and received a gift from her.  I always love to get gifts and my gift was a set of three fragrant candles, I love candles.

Tomorrow appears to be a busy day also and I'll write again then.....Fran

Hello From Rockville

Just as Denese and I were ready to leave for church the phone rang, it was Priscilla from the VA.  She had Harlan there and he wanted to talk to me when I talked to him he told me he loved me but was unable to hear me, I said good bye and he hand the phone back to Priscilla.  I told her to cancel his lunch and I would take him out to eat.  After church Denese and I headed to the VA to pick him up.  We got off the elevator and he was sitting in a chair with his "bib" waiting to eat so we took him back to his room to get him ready to go out and he was rather "giddy" just silly and nonsensical maybe a bit wound up.  We retrieved his glasses from the floor near his bed, cleaned them and his teeth and shaved him and took off for IHop.  There are three restaurants right close to one another (You can park and walk to either one) IHop, Texas Roadhouse, and Grizzlies.  We had breakfast and Harlan ate his total meal and some of Denese's and my potatoes, he ate well.  After eating Denese dropped Harlan and I off at the VA, we watched the Twins loose, took a nap and had ice cream sundaes.  Denese picked us up at 5:30.  I had a good day, never did figure why Harlan was so silly.....Fran

Another Twins Win!!!

Hello From Rockville

I had a busy day.  DeeAnn and Rick came up, DeeAnn to file my taxes and Rick spent time with Harlan and I at the VA.

First we had lunch at Granite Edge then Rick and I headed to St. Cloud and the VA and DeeAnn decided she need to go shopping and Denese headed back to my apartment to do some painting. I think Denese got the "raw" end of the deal but my place really is looking very nice.  My kitchen, living room, hall, bed room and bath room look so nice, I love it.

Rick and I took Harlan to Culver's for a sundae, DeeAnn met us there.  
Back at the VA Harlan took his meds, neb and watched the Twins win then it was supper time and I headed home, only to get a call from Denese to meet her Tuesday Morning.  A fun place to shop and I left there with a few things.
Today was good.........Fran

WOW! The Twins won!!!

Hello From Rockville

It's official spring has to be here, Minnesota is expecting stormy weather Sunday night.

One of the staff at the VA called me this morning because Harlan wanted to talk to me, he wanted to know when I'd be in, he doesn't seem to be able to dial the phone himself, I assured him I'd see him this afternoon, I spent the afternoon with him.  I had to do a little shopping and we had a treat at Culvers, it was so good, warm weather brings ice cream time.

After the shopping and treat we went back to the VA and watched the Twins play and saw them take the lead about the time Harlan went to eat and I went home.  Today was a good day, we enjoyed each other.....Fran 

Spring is here

Hello From Rockville
Yes, I think spring is here, we had a beautiful day!

Harlan had a good day yesterday.  His sister Shirley came up to spend the afternoon with him she lives in Plato about an hour and a half drive.  She was fun to see and looks so good and most of the time with her was spent at the Park Diner.  She knew that Harlan likes the Sliders so had to try them to make sure they were good and they both enjoyed them with the Batter Bites.  When we returned the VA I dropped her off at her car and I walked Harlan up the front steps of building 50 a really long walk for him, he was winded when he got to his room.  It was a good day for both of us.

Today I picked Harlan up and we gassed the car, gave it a bath and did a little shopping at Mills Fleet Farm then stopped at the Park Diner for an ice cream treat (it's near Fleet Farm).  While in the area we checked on Antons to see how the "flood waters" were and it was not as bad as the last two years, two years ago they had to close and last year the water lapped at the door but they managed to stay open.

This AM I had a Dr. appointment to check a spot on my forehead, he felt it was okay but did freeze it and I'll keep an eye on it to make it's gone when the area heals.  

Today was a good day, we enjoyed our time together..........Fran

Hello From Rockville 

Today was windy with a few sprinkles of rain which made for a chilly day.  We need a good rain just to clean everything up and to get rid of the dirty snow.

I spent the afternoon with Harlan and took him to the Park Diner for his treat, he had a couple of sliders along with Batter Bites and except for a few of the Batter Bites (which I enjoyed) he ate every bite.  I'm not sure if he had eaten any breakfast or lunch but he ate like maybe he hadn't eaten.  I stayed until his supper time when he walked me to the elevator then he went on to his table to eat, I hope he ate at least part of his supper.

I shopped for a new comforter as Denese painted my bedroom and the new bed cover will freshen up the whole room and the color will tie my bathroom and bedroom together.  

Harlan and I had a good day.....Fran

Hello From Rockville

Yesterday Harlan called me twice in the morning by the afternoon when I took him out he didn't remember how to open the car door, such a change in such a short time.  He played bingo then I took him for a treat, we went to McD.

Today I went to church then to the VA to spend the afternoon with him.  When I got there he didn't have glasses on and they weren't on his night stand so I checked the floor and there were not one but two pair of glasses, I cleaned them up then put one pair away.  He didn't want to wake up must less get up so I went home and returned around 4:30 and again he was not ready to get up but when he did get up he had problems breathing, the Meds nurse took care of that.  

Several days ago he had taken his wedding band off and put it on his pointer finger and it was really tight on that finger and hard to get off, today I soaped his finger up and was able to put it on the correct finger and I hope it stays there as the fit is much better.

It was too late to take him for a treat, I stayed until 5:30 took him to his table to eat then went home.

Tomorrow is another day and I hope I can take him out to eat, he needs to eat all he can as his weight down to 125# I wish we could trade weights it would be much better for both of us.  That's it for now.......Fran 

Hello From Rockville

Today was a fun day.  I joined the support group for memory loss, we meet twice monthly at the VA, we talk about what we are going through and how our husbands are changing some times in a short time and some of us are experiencing a gradual decline.  It is supportive to know we can really say how we feel and there is never any criticism and even some suggestions that will help us through a difficult time.

Just before the meeting ended I received a call from DeeAnn they were on their way up to St. Cloud and wanted too see Harlan.  I took him to the Park Diner for his afternoon treat.  He had his favorite, two sliders and batter bites.  After visiting with Rick and DeeAnn Harlan and I went back to the VA for some quiet time.  After we got back to the VA Harlan was teary and I don't know why but by the time I left and he went to supper he was better.  We napped, Harlan took his meds and I went home a little after 5:30.  

Today was busy but a good day...........Fran