Yesterday HOT today cool and windy

Hello From Rockville

Yesterday was a busy fun day.  I spent the afternoon with Harlan, he was very tired and had a hard time getting going but we joined Rick, DeeAnn and Sarah at Culvers for a treat then back to the VA for a rest time.  I left early (B4 5:30) because he just wanted to sleep.  Came home and helped Denese put the finishing touches on dinner.  Rick brought freshly caught and cleaned ready to fry fish which I fried, they were SOOO GOOD!!! Denese made potato salad, baked beans and with the fish we had a great meal, she topped if off with fresh home made blueberry pie (home made crust too) topped with real whipped cream.  There were six of us, Rick & DeeAnn and Sarah & Wes and Denese and I we enjoyed eating out on the patio.

Today after a Dr. appointment and lunch in Cold spring I went in to see Harlan.  He was waiting for me as I got off of the elevator, we went to the PD for a treat, his usual hamburgers sliders and I settled for a cup of coffee, too many afternoon treats is making me "rolely polely" the scale nearly died at the Dr. office!  

I left the VA early, no where to park, the whole area was having a seal coating after several patching jobs and it will look nice when I go in tomorrow, our tax money at work. 

Tomorrow another "Too busy for any mischief day", but that's okay I like it busy..........Fran

Have a great Memorial day

Hello From Rockville

We took Harlan to church today, he was sure it was Saturday and just didn't understand that it could be Sunday.  We went out for lunch at IHop and he enjoyed his eggs, sausage and pancakes, after eating we went back to the VA and watched the Twins.  I had an afternoon invite for an out doors pot luck on a lake, wonderful food but we had several showers and had to retreat to a garage for protection from the rain.  It was cool and the rain made it a little cooler but it did hold off until we were done eating and by that time it was time to head back home.   Tomorrow is suppose to be nice most of the day with showers tonight and tomorrow evening, hope they are not severe.

Have a great Memorial Day.....Fran  

   

Weather is Beautiful

Hello From Rockville

Here comes a long week-end, Memorial Day, a time to remember all our Service Men and Woman, those gone that have given us freedom and those on duty to keep us free, I thank you all.

It has been several days since I have written.  There hasn't been anything to write about.  I take Harlan out daily to give him a break from the VA and he enjoys this time away.  

Memorial Day weekend marks three years since he has lived here and there have been many crises and decisions that have made, may hills and valleys to cross and most have not been easy.  My God and my family have been through the hard times with me with and without them I don't know what I would have done.  May tears have been shed and many hugs have gotten me through.  I know many of you have prayed for us and I thank you for that.

I have many surprises when I go into see him, I don't know who will greet me with something new. I may find his glasses on the floor or maybe his hearing aids or even his teeth and sometimes they are lost for several days and even turn up in another room.  He used to call me often day or night, he didn't know what time it was he just wanted to hear my voice, he is no longer able to do this.  I used to call him to remind him of his meal time but it doesn't make sense to him when I call and tell him to take his "bib" and go eat.  He has problems trying to watch TV, I don't think he has it on much.  When he came to the VA bath time was fun for him with the whirl pool etc. but now it is a chore to get him to take a bath.  When I take him out some times the seat belt gives him a hard time, he has no idea how to use it and some times he can buckle it himself with no problem, he feels bad when he can't do it himself.   

This fall will make sixty years marriage with many ups and downs and I have found that life is very precious and each day I spend with Harlan is a treasure and a blessing.  Just remember to keep us in your prayers, God always hears his Children. 

I have reminisced long enough so until another day good night...Fran 

More rain

Hello From Rockville 

We had rain today but we only had rain here no tornadoes as the Twin Cities had, I hope everyone reading this was safe. 

We took Harlan to church today followed with a noon lunch at Perkins then back to the VA and a nap.  Just after we got to the VA the skies opened up and it poured with a little lightning and thunder, good napping time.  Rick stopped to see Harlan we had a good visit.  Harlan enjoys visiting with kids he always lights up when they come.  Rick left about the time Harlan went to supper and it was time for me to go home as it was 5:30.  

Denese and I planted the flowers we picked up yesterday Fleet Farm, some in the ground and some in pots.  When the garden dries out I'll get my tomato plants planted, right now it's too wet in the garden.

Harlan is doing well and I am enjoying the times we can be together, each day is a blessing....Fran

Rain on the way in and rain on the way back.

Hello From Rockville

Harlan called me in the middle of the night, I think around 3:00 AM.  He never figured out who he was talking to until just before saying good bye.  He didn't seem to want anything at least what I could understand, he was hard to understand.
I met the YAH's from church at the Fuji Steak house for lunch, a very interesting place to eat, then I went on to see Harlan and they went to the Stearns county museum.  I had been to the museum several times and really was not interested in going again.
When I got to the VA I was met by one of the nurses, Harlan did not want to take a bath and it was his bath day, why don't little boys like water when it comes to cleaning up?  With bath time behind us we went to the P D for a treat but Harlan was not hungry so didn't eat much but he did have a break from the VA.  His weight has come up he is in the 130's which is good.  I had a good time with him.
Today was a good day............Fran

Cool but Sunny today

Hello From Rockville

We took Harlan to church today, it was a good day.  After church we went to Perkins for lunch and it was like having a child with us just to recount some of the conversation. 

Harlan, "How come you got more things on your plate then I did?"  "I only got two things!"   Fran, "You have three things, pancakes, egg and sausage".  Harlan, "I only got two things!"  We decided sausage and pancakes looked so much alike (color) he thought they were the same.  Harlan looking at Denese's plate, "You got carrots I didn't!"  Denese didn't eat all her carrots so she put the little dish of carrots on his plate.  He proceeded to eat them indicating they were really good.  In taking some of the carrots several fell out of the little dish onto his plate where his pancakes were.  I suggested he eat the carrots that fell out of the dish and he looks at me and with a little disgust says, "THEY ARE DIRTY!" He did eat all the carrots (even  the  dirty  ones) and really enjoyed the whole meal carrots included.  When we got back to the VA everyone commented on how happy Harlan was, it pays to go to church.

After eating Denese took us back to the VA where we watched the game and napped the afternoon away.  And pretty soon it was time for his supper and time for me to come home.

Denese planted all my glad bulbs, a good job done as I find it hard for me to get down and up again so it was great she did that for me.  We are suppose to get frost and I had put some of the house plants out, we pushed them together put the patio table over them and threw sheets over the whole batch.

Today was a great day a day of special blessing with Harlan.....Fran

A very cold and rainy day

Hello From Rockville 

When I left to spend time with Harlan it was cool and rainy, should be near 70 and it was in the 50's BRRRR!  Not a pretty day.

This is Saturday and bingo.  He really needs a lot of help with bingo only finds a few numbers but he did win one game.  Because of the rain and cool weather I did not take him out just napped and watched the Twins and again they lost. 

He wants to go to church tomorrow so I may try taking him then we'll have lunch out.  Will let you know how tomorrow goes when I write..........Fran

Beautiful, beautiful weather

Hello From Rockville

The weather is just the way I like it.  We did not have stormy weather like it was in the cities, the Twins had a hail delay and no one knew what to do to get rid of the hail, I didn't stay up long enough to see if they played and if they played if they won at the delay it didn't look too promising.

I spent the afternoon with Harlan, they played birthday bingo and he is not doing as well as he had been doing so that seems like a bit of a "downer".  I did take him out to McD for his treat, he had a sundae and a cup of coffee, but was very tired when we got back and took a good nap (I did too).  I really looked his room over trying to find his hearing so at this time he has none.

DeeAnn and Sarah stopped at the VA to get the garage sale signs I had picked and when they are done with their sale I'll use them. 

Not a lot going on, I have several meetings to go to this week and a concert/dinner on Friday evening, should be fun, will update you maybe tomorrow.......Fran

About a half inch rain today

Hello From Rockville 

Lucille and Harold will be leaving tomorrow for Owatonna after a stop to see Opal.  We have had a good time together.

We spent time with Harlan and took him out for a treat to McD.  I spent time with him and they went back to Rockville.  It works so well to spend a quiet time with him and stay until his supper time which I did and he usually stays to eat. 

When I got there I couldn't find his hearing aid, we went over his room looking in every area we could think of and just before I left I decided to take his bed apart and remake it, I'm glad I did as his hearing aid was mixed in with his blanket.

Today was a good day, I enjoyed it....Fran

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL MOMS< WHAT A SPECIAL DAY!!!

Hello From Rockville 
Again here goes several days of blogging.

Saturday both Rick and Becky came, I was taken out for dinner and Rick put towel bars up, a board with hooks to hang coats on and a curtain rod.  It was so nice to get that done and the bathrooms look great.  I have new curtains for my bedroom just have to shorten them.

Saturday afternoon we met at Antons for dinner then on to a commissioning service for Sarah.  She is 1Lt in the Minnesota National Guard a very impressive ceremony.  When she was commissioned I along with her Mom and Dad got to go up and put her new rank on her and her Dad (a former Army man) gave her her first salute, it was so neat.

Today is Mothers Day and all Mothers were honored at church with beautiful roses and because of my age I was given several more, I have a bouquet of roses, oh so pretty.

The next several days will be fun, Lucille and Harold came here to spend several days with me they will leave on Tuesday and we'll pack each day as full as possible including a visit with Harlan.

I spent a short time with him yesterday because the day was so busy but today I spent the afternoon from 12:30 until 5:30.  His neck is much better they are putting "stuff" on similar to Ben Gay and that seems to help he does not wince with pain any more.
Today's treat was a trip to Applebees and sliders he ate one and the rest went home with Rick.  We joined Rick, DeeAnn, Sarah and Wes.   
Today was a good day even if we had rain and I had to be out in it.........Fran

Spring has sprung!!!

Hello From Rockville

To day was a busy in fact all week has been busy.

Today our Care group got together Donna Jean & John and I hosted it here in our party room there 14 0f us a small group as so many had other commitments but it was a good group, we had great food and very good fellowship.  I did spend time with Harlan and his neck is still stiff but we did go out for a treat and he did not complain of pain.

Yesterday was the support group at the VA at 1:00 but my day started with my cleaning lady and then a hair cut and Sarah called she wanted to meet us for treat time for Harlan, we did a McD treat. 

Tomorrow will be a quiet day I may even sleep in.....Fran 

Little snow, cold and windy

Hello From Rockville
There was a trace of snow on roofs and temps below freezing.  

I had planned to take Harlan to church but several things came into play that made me change my mind.  When I got to the VA he was sleeping and had a hard time waking up and when he did I could see he held his head to the side and his neck hurt.  I could feel his neck muscles were very tight and when Denese rubbed on his neck he nearly hit the ceiling it hurt so bad and I knew he would have a hard time sitting through the church service.  The weather was so cold and windy the best place for him was any where but outside.  Denese and I went to church then Denese went to Grizzlies and picked up dinner for us.  Harlan enjoyed the BBQ ribs and I enjoyed the chicken.

As Harlan was walking down the hall one of the nurses noticed Harlan was missing a lens in his glasses, we checked under his bed and sure enough it was there (if anything is missing - his glasses or hearing aids that's the first place to check).  They will be sent down to be repaired.  
I put heat on his neck and they gave me a topical rub to put on his neck and that seemed ease his pain

After eating we took a little rest time, then it was meds time and after that we went to the lower level (basement) and took a walk.  We went to building #51 and found a candy vending machine and got an Almond Joy candy bar to share.  We enjoyed the candy in the sun room then up to his room and it was dinner time, time for him eat and me to go home.
Today was good even if it was cold....Fran