HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hello From Rockville
It has been a little over 18 months since Harlan went Home to Heaven. God has been so good to me. Denese spent a year with me after Harlan's death and now has moved on, I am so grateful for her time with me.  Life goes on and life is good.  I keep busy if there is nothing to do I find something to do.
This past summer several friends and I went on a mystery trip, yes we had no idea where we were going, we spent time in Madora  ND a beautiful area in ND.
Christmas was spent with Denese and also several meals with many family members.
I challenged my kids, grandchildren and great grandchildren to spent 2013 reading the Bible through from Genesis to Revelation, if they complete it there is a reward, I hope they do it.
I spend Tuesdays at Granite Baptist Academy as a reading monitor and I really enjoy the children.
I wish each and everyone a Blessed New Year, and when I'm prompted to do so I'll write again...Fran

  

Cool weather

Hello From Rockville

"Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also the interests of others." Philippians 2:4

We are having cool weather but not below freezing at night so the trees continue to green-up along with the grass.  I put my geraniums out to "toughen" up for the summer and to get a head start on blooms. We are having a lot of wind which makes it seem cooler then it really is and it a bit destructive to my plants but it will help them toughen up also.

Tomorrow our YAHs group from church are having  an outing we will go to a horse farm where horses are cared for and groomed etc, it will be cold so hope most of what we see will be indoors, we stop at The Old Country Buffet for lunch before we visit the horses.

Tomorrow I also will stop at the research center to go off of  the program I was in as I had a reaction to the meds I was given. I will do a little shopping before I go home, it will be a busy day but I like days like that.

I will write again soon......Fran

Beautiful, Beautiful weather

Hello From Rockville

"Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises." Psalm 98:4

Oh, what beautiful weather, and the calendar says spring, the birds are out singing the grass is clothed in fresh green and the trees are showing green.

I continue to keep busy.  On Wednesday I spent time with a couple that used to live here, you may have heard me mention Harold and Marilyn, she is in a nursing home in Watkins and he has an apartment across the street from her so he is able to spend time with her everyday.  Harold knew I was coming but Marilyn did not, when I got there I was not sure if she would know me but her face lit up when she saw me I don't remember she called me by name but she recognized me as some one she knew.  I had lunch at the home with them and it was a great meal - breaded baked pork chop, cheesy potatoes, buttered cabbage, buttered bread and rice pudding for dessert and coffee, water or juice - I enjoyed every bite.  I had a great time and will try and visit again soon.

Sarah came over Thursday we had lunch together and it was so much fun spending time with her, in about a week she will be taking a vacation and head down to Chili for several weeks and is excited about her upcoming trip. 

This afternoon I went to an all you can eat fish fry, a benefit for the local volunteer fire department a good dinner and it was close enough to walk. 

That's it for now enjoy the beautiful weather......Fran

Spring time

Hello From Rockville

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you."  Isaiah 43:2

It has been 9 months since Harlan has been gone and I found the above Bible verse to be so true.

What a beautiful winter we have had not a lot of snow and not cold either.  I know we need the moisture so the farmers can plant and have crops.  A nice steady rain would be nice to rid the area of the dirty snow and clean everything up.  I see the grass is starting to show some green and my lilies are breaking through the ground I hope they won't be disappointed if we get some snow.  Because it's so nice I put some of my plants out, the ones I took in for the winter that will go out side for the summer when the weather is warm enough for them to stay out, now they are out in the sunshine and back inside for the night time. This weather also gives us thoughts of gardening, but of course that's a ways away.

It has been a long time since I have written and not a lot has gone on but I do manage to keep busy.  I am a reading moniter every Tuesday at Granite City Baptist Acadamy. Here we have a monthly birthday party (if some one sponcers it) and a monthly Pot-luck.  There are puzzles in the making up in our community room we can visit and do puzzles, a nice gathering place.

Rick and DeeAnn keep in touch and show up from time to time, Denese has had activities in the Twin Cities and makes detours to Rick and DeeAnn so I can spend time with them, I just did that on Saturday.  While there Rick decieded he needed to see Becky so the bonus of the day was to spend time with Becky, Walt and Luke.  Followed by a shopping trip to the outlet mall with DeeAnn a wonderful day!

I wish each one a great spring and summer, Love to you from me.

It's been a long time

Hello From Rockville

It has been a long time since I have written, with no daily trips into St. Cloud to spend time at the VA I don't have a lot to write about, right now when I went on to write I had a difficult time getting on.

My weeks are much quieter, I spend Tuesdays as a "Reading Coach" at Granite City Academy at that time between helping children I work on "coupons" - Campbell's  labels, Box Tops for Education, Kemp's and Land-O-Lakes bottle caps and several other things which goes to getting equipment for school.  I spend about two and a half hours at school then I do some shopping and finish the day off by treating myself to lunch.  I find this very rewarding and the children are so sweet.

Every other Wednesday I have my place cleaned - vacuumed,  dusted, floors scrubbed,  and what ever is needed, Wednesday is my laundry day too so I have clean clothes and a clean home such a good feeling.

I have been "working" on puzzles sometimes in my apartment (less then 500 pieces) and sometimes in the community room (over 500 pieces) as we wander through just for a hall walk, to the garbage or to get the mail we put in a few pieces and chit chat.  

One evening a month we have a pot-luck also we have a monthly Birthday social.  Every Wednesday afternoon and Sunday evening is 500 if enough show up to play we have also talked about doing a game day/night. 

The other day I stopped at Walgreen's and got a Shingles shot as a preventative and this is suppose to be a life time thing sure hope it works, I know too many people my age that had an awful time with them lasting so long.

This winter has been so mild, my monthly heating bill has been well under $20.00, I can't complain, I love it.

Denese is still with me, I love her company.

I'll try and write again but as you can see my life is mundane even a bit boring but as I see it Life is Good!  Everyone take care............Fran 

MERRY CHRISTMAS


Hello From Rockville

I don't know what happened but I have not been able to get into my blog I hope I can publish it.

Sue came home for Christmas we enjoyed a week with her. She took me to St. Paul to spend time with Doris and Bob we went out to a wonderful Chinese restaurant and had a great dinner.  It was so good to spend time with them.

I had Christmas with my family Christmas Eve day.  Rick & DeeAnn and Becky, Walt, Luke and Kate joined Denese, Sue and  me for a 1:00 O'clock dinner on the 24th.  We had so much to eat - ham, twice baked potatoes, corn casserole, green bean casserole, rolls, pumpkin pie, apple crisp, ice cream, cookies, milk, hot apple cider, coffee and I'm sure I forgot something, we played that "famous" game Take A Gift Away.     

Christmas Day (Sunday) we went to church and was treated to a light breakfast, rolls, juice, milk and coffee.  We had the Christmas story acted out with a real baby - he slept through the narration and play this was followed by a candle light service.  

Sue and I were invited to Rick and DeeAnn's for a 4:00 O'clock dinner on Christmas Day which I missed - I slept through it - explanation.  I have been having a runny nose (allergies) and commented to Sue about it and she suggested an allergy pill she carries with her would help, I took it and we headed down to Ricks.  We did some snacking and chatting and I sat down to visit and at that point I was so tired I went to the basement and snuggled into a recliner and ZONKED out, missing out a wonderful dinner - no more allergy pills for me I'll put up with the sniffles!!!  

Yesterday I meet Earlene and Dorene for lunch in St. Cloud also enjoyed the company of Dixie, Heidi and Joni, we chatted and chatted and ate and passed around lots of hugs.  I went home with a gift of Christmas cookies from Earlene and a box of candy and a calendar from Hawaii, a gift from Dixie, it is always fun to spend time with family.  I hope we do this again sometime.

This was not like my Christmas's have been for the last several years as they were spent with Harlan at the VA and I miss him, it has been 6 months (December 14th) but this was a good Christmas as I had my family with me, I am truly blessed.....Fran

No Snow but much rain

Hello From Rockville

The last I wrote was when Sue went back to Georgia, a fast but a fun time with her.  That evening I went with Marylou to a woman's program at her daughter's church, a good program with cookies, punch and coffee.  

Last Friday was our Christmas party at church a fun dress-up time.  Marylou went with we had great food and a lot of fun games got home about 1o:00.

On Monday I met Marvin and Lynnett for breakfast before they headed back home.  We had a great visit and they shared some pictures with me some to share with family.  Even if I had just spent time with them it was fun seeing them again.
Tuesday was our second annual "Trek Through The Neighborhood," we went to as many apartments as we were invited to here in our building to see the Christmas decorating done by our neighbors and ended the time with cookies and coffee in the community room.
Today my place was cleaned, I did my laundry and three of us "girls" went shopping to Cold Spring needed stuff for our pot-luck.
Tomorrow will be our annual Christmas Pot-luck, ham is furnished and we'll "pot-luck" the rest.
It's hard to believe but Sue will be back for Christmas next Wednesday, oh the year is just flying by.
If I don't write again before Christmas have a Very Merry Christmas........Fran

Sue's visit

Hello From Rockville

It is cold had temps right around zero but it is going to warm up to around 32, oh well we know spring is several months away and it will be warm again.

My toe is still sore but getting better which is good.

Sunday was Denese's birthday, we had a family gathering and a wonderful meal planned by DeeAnn with everyone contributing, topped of with birthday cake and Culver's ice cream cakes.  Sue flew in from Georgia to help celebrate it is so good to be together.  She left today but will return for Christmas.  Again we did a relay thing to get her to the airport her and I drove down to the Albertville outlet mall, met DeeAnn and Becky for lunch and Becky took her the rest of the way to the airport and I headed home.
To regress a bit Sue and I spent all day yesterday shopping, stopped for lunch at Five Guys, they have great jumbo hot dogs, then all over for shopping, hitting many different shops and met Denese for dinner at Perkins, I think we "Shopped Until we Dropped" literally, nice to relax after being gone for about 8 hours.
Tomorrow it's a hair trim for me and tomorrow evening we'll have Carolers sing in the hallway and treats in our community room.
Denese had worked very hard to decorate in here and out side, it beautiful.
If I don't write again I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and please remember it's NOT Happy Holidays it's MERRY CHRISTMAS.........Fran

When the cell phone meets the toe

Hello From Rockville

Thanksgiving has come and gone and we are now in the Christmas mode, life goes by so quickly.

I have so much to be thankful for - my family, my home, my country, my health - SO MANY BLESSINGS!!!

Wednesday Denese and I went down to Becky's we stayed over night and had a great Thanksgiving dinner - turkey, stuffing, potatoes, gravy, rainbow jello, green bean casserole, rolls, pumpkin pie, apple crisp and I'm sure I missed something.  Rick & DeeAnn, Denese and Becky, Walt, Katie, Kristin and Luke made up a table full, it's great to be together as a family to meet around the table to chat and chew.

Early Thursday morning I used my cell phone as a flash light and dropped it on my toe, the results a very sore toe but I didn't have to help just enjoyed the food, you have to look for the positive in even "bad things" and I was pampered.

We spent another night at Beck'y left there in the morning headed for St. Louis Park, Denese dropped me off to spend several hours with Mark and Betty, I had lunch with them and a great afternoon.  Denese picked me up after her visit with Paul and Megan and we headed back to Rockville and a restful evening.

Saturday Denese started my Christmas decorating and finished up yesterday, it is so beautiful.

Rick and DeeAnn came up on Saturday and brought lunch - subs - they were good and we finished the day off with pizza.  Rick replaced my car battery, I am thankful for that as I don't want to be anywhere this winter with a car that won't start.

Tomorrow I go help with reading at our school and Wednesday we decorate here and I am making lunch for the helpers.  My cleaning lady comes in the morning.  Thursday we celebrate December birthdays and Bill is our host. 

Sunday is Denese's birthday and we'll have a family gathering to help her celebrate.

I'll write again when I have something "important" to say......Fran

  

It's official Winter is here

Hello From Rockville

We had our first snow of the season and the snow on my patio table  measured just short of 5", I shoveled my patio and it was light and fluffy not a back breaker job.  The temps are to be in the 40s later this week so I hope it all goes don't need this on the ground all winter.

Because of the snow I stayed in all day just to the P.O. for the mail then to the garbage, so nothing exciting to talk about.......Fran

A cool windy day

Hello From Rockville

Yesterday was my day at school to help with reading, always a good day followed with some needed shopping.  Just as I was ready to leave church the fire alarm went off I grabbed my coat and left.  Then I was off to the dollar store to try and find things to decorate for our dinner on Thursday, an early Thanksgiving dinner, there was not a thing just Christmas stuff (too early for such stuff) so I went to Party City and picked up napkins, dessert plates and place mats in fall colors, the tables should look nice.  After a trip to the bank I went to my favorite place for lunch, Park Diner and had a hamburger.  My hamburger greeted me with a happy face made from olives and pickles thanks to the cook.  I had a happy face on my morning coffee from McD too, smiles all around I love it.

Today Sue (cleaning) shaped my place up and I had my hair cut this morning then I'm off to the VA to meet with the support group.

Tomorrow will be busy, a luncheon at noon then home to roast the turkey for our dinner tomorrow evening.  Will talk later......Fran

Several weeks of update

Hello From Rockville
It has been so long since blogging I hardly know how to do it.

Several weeks ago Denese and Becky did a relay driving thing and took me down to spend a week in Owatonna with Lucille.  This trip was very short lived as Lucille was sick, she thought she had a cold but ended up with pneumonia then another relay run to bring me home, this time DeeAnn picked me up and Denese went to St. Michael and picked me up, there was concern for my health and the pneumonia was contagious so it was a good thing I came home.  I hope to try spending time with her again when she has her health back.

Last Monday I again was able to spend a day with Joyce and Jim thanks to Cheryl and Shirley we had a fun day and enjoyed our time together.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and our pot-luck social is Thursday, two of us will make the turkeys and everyone one else will fill in with the rest of the dinner, this is fun and we all eat well.

Tomorrow it will be 5 months since Harlan has been gone and I do miss him and my trips to the VA, I miss getting him ready for church and out for a Sunday dinner.   Life does go on and life is good but I will always miss him......Fran

Crisp fall weather

Hello From Rockville

Yesterday was a day filled with emotions.  I felt it was my last "Good-bye" to Harlan.  I went to the memorial service at the VA, it was good, very nice.  Special music "Love Remains" .. beautiful and several songs were sung, "O God Our Help in Ages Past" and the last one "Amazing Grace" was sung at both the committal and Memorial service for Harlan and yesterday at the VA.  Each Veteran's name was read and a bell rang in memory.

The following is a poem that was read -

I STOOD BY YOUR BED  Author Unkown

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep,
I could see that you were crying, you found it hard to sleep.


I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."


I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour your tea, you were thinking of the many times your hands reached down to me.


I was with you at the shops today, your arms were getting sore.  I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.


I was with you at my grave today, you tend it with such care. I want to reassure you that I'm not lying there.


I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key. I gently put my hand on you, I smiled and said "It's me."


You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair,  I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.


It's possible for me to be so near you every day, to say to you with certainty, "I never went away."


You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew ... in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.


The day is over ... I smile and watch you yawning and say "Goodnight, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."


And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide, I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand there side by side.


I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.  Be patient, live your journey out ... then come home to be with me.


Yesterday was hard but I'm so glad I went.  After the service I stopped at the Park Dinner and had an Orange float, when Harlan had a Root Beer float I had an Orange float.
Today is our Social pot luck and I'm using some of the many apples I have for Apple Crisp.  Following the Social will be a meeting to put our fire drill safety into use so everyone will know what to do if a fire should happen. 
Will write again soon.........Fran

It was a cool day

Hello From Rockville

I woke up to a very cool day and it was that way all day.  I needed to gas up the van but chose not to as I didn't wear a coat will have to do that tomorrow.

Tomorrow will be the Memorial at the VA and that may be hard for me but I am looking forward to going as that will be my final "Good Bye."

I did my "job" listening to the children read this morning, they are such a joy, then I picked up my wedding ring.  It broke a short time after Harlan passed away and it's so good to have it back on my finger, I am just not ready to remove it and I don't think I'll ever be able to.  

I was going to do a little grocery shopping but forgot my coupons at home so it will give me something to do tomorrow afternoon.

I had a nice surprise today, while watching TV my cell phone rang with DeeAnn at the other end, "Where are you? Are you home?"  Me, "Yes."  "We are in your driveway, can we come in?"  If someone wants to visit me I never turn them away, Linda was with her they came in we had a little chat and lots of laughs, she wanted to show Linda where I live, good seeing both of them. 

I see my blog writing has really slowed down just not a lot to write about, I'll let you know how tomorrow goes............Fran

Weather is Beautiful for October

Hello From Rockville

A week since writing but nothing exciting to write about.  

Denese went to spent time with Jenny and Megan and she dropped me off at DeeAnn's for the afternoon.  We had fun cooking, I helped her make a meat loaf, apple crisp and two kinds of soup we also did some shopping.  Denese and I had supper with Rick and DeeAnn, meat loaf, sweet potatoes, green beans and apple crisp with whipped cream, all very good and with satisfied tummies we headed home.  I have a lot going on this coming week but not a lot of exciting things, I do keep busy.  

I'm still doing well but I miss Harlan......Fran     

Beautiful Fall

Hello From Rockville 

It has several days since writing.  Sue has returned to Georgia and back to work.  Friday we made a stop at the cemetery, this was my first time back, we had to make sure Harlan's dates were correct on his part of the marker.  While there we also found Baby James grave, he was our first Grandbaby.  The cemetery has a lot of maple trees and they were dressed in their best fall wardrobe just beautiful!!!  We all had a great day.  

Before leaving Minnesota we had dinner with the gang - Me, Denese, Rick, Sue, Becky and Luke, we never tire of visiting.  Sue hopes to come home for Christmas and the way time moves that will be here before we know it, less then three months.

I have a new e mail address as we have a new server for phone, internet and cable, there are several things to "iron out", in fact I was without internet service for several days, as of now I am back on and everything seems to be going okay. 

I will write again soon just keep checking..........Fran 

Minnesota Vacation Part 2

Hello From Rockville 
The past six days have been fast moving and oh so much fun!

As I told you earlier I spent my birthday with my sisters, and I don't know how long it has been since that has happened, and back home on Monday.

Sue and I spent Tuesday here unpacking suit cases and doing laundry so we'd be ready to take off again on Wednesday morning this time heading north and west with first our first stop at Lowry near Alexandria to spend time with Joyce and Jim. We had not seen their Minnesota home, they are on a lake and are in the process of remodeling, a project that is keeping both of them very busy and I dare say out of mischief.  It was so good to be able to visit with them, after chatting we headed into town for lunch, a Chinese buffet was chosen and Sue and I both left filled to the "brim."  After "Good Byes" and a stop to fill the car we headed to North Dakota then noticed the temperature on the car thermometer registered 91 but as we got nearer to our destination it did cool down to mid 80's and by evening it was very comfortable.  We spent the night with my cousin Dan and Bonnie and really enjoyed their hospitality, had good food a nice place to sleep and lots of fun looking at old pictures and talking about our childhood etc. with lots of memories and laughs to last a long time.  Wednesday morning after a great breakfast they took us into town as Sue wanted to pick up something from Edinberg North Dakota to take back home we then headed east toward Minnesota.  Oh yes, Dan's dad and my dad were brothers.

Our third stop was to Oslo Minnesota in the Red River Valley (this area of Minnesota floods every spring) to visit relatives on Mom's side of the family.  Again we had a wonderful dinner and again we ate more then we needed but it's hard to know when to stop when it tastes so good.  We talked about family and looked at many pictures some I knew and others I did not but again we had a very fun afternoon.  Before leaving we were treated to a fresh raspberry dessert and coffee and we were back on the road by mid afternoon and got home a bit after 7:00.  

I am so thankful to Sue and the time she took to drive me around Minnesota it's been a fun "Minnesota Vacation."........Fran

Vacation part one

Hello From Rockville

Sue came in on Friday, Jenny picked her up at the airport and did some fun things to her hair and Denese brought me to Jenny's house.  From Jenny's I spent the afternoon with Doris and Bob, I spent several hours with them then I was picked up and Sue and I headed down to Owatonna to be with Lucille and Harold, enjoyed dinner with them then Cheryl joined us for cake and I received several packages (it was my birthday)  each one contained goodies for our trip, candy and nuts we'll snack on the way.  Our last stop today was time with Becky, Walt, Luke, Kristen and Kate.  We had dinner with them then headed home to Rockville.  We'll do a few things here then head out west and I'll fill you in on more activities when i get back.....Fran.

Another busy day

Hello From Rockville 

Denese woke me up before leaving for work she leaves at 6:30 on Friday, I had an 8:15 Dr. appointment in St. Cloud and I needed to leave here by 7:30.  I did stop for breakfast @ McD then on for the appointment and that went well I don't need to go back unless I have a problem.

The appointment behind me I did a little grocery shopping at the Aldi store and Cash Wise, then home to put stuff away and on to church for our YAH'S outing.  We went for lunch at Bonanzas then a tour of a granite mining area called Quarry Park.  This was so much fun, we were able to ride through, we had a guide on board to tell us about it, just too far for Seniors to walk, they no longer take granite from there, some very deep holes that are filled with water over 100 feet deep, you can fish for rainbow trout, there is rock climbing, and swimming.  There are many walking trails for summer and winter recreation and ski and snowmobile trails for the winter time also. 

I hadn't been home very long when Denese called to see if I wanted to go out to eat she took me out for my birthday we went to an all you can eat fish place, it was okay but I don't think we'll go back again.

It is now time to get ready for bed as a busy day is coming up tomorrow........Fran

Hello Hello Hello

Hello From Rockville

A very nice day, it's cool and cloudy but no rain.

I must talk about yesterday.  Building 50-1 had a pizza party, all the pizza you could eat and pop for drinks.  This is the floor that was home to Harlan for nearly three years and the best was I was invited, it was so much fun to see the staff and the residents that were there when Harlan was there.  There has been some changes as residents come and go for many reasons.  I got hugs and more hugs from both staff and residents, I was sung to as my birthday was close enough for birthday greeting.  SOOOOO much fun.

Yesterday was great for other reasons too, my home was cleaned and Sarah spent the afternoon with me, I love spending time with family and mine is so great, God is so good to me.

Today was a shopping day I went to Cold Spring for lunch saw Ed and he bought me lunch for my birthday.

Tomorrow will be another fun day, YAH's has a fun activity planned and on Saturday Sue comes and I'll begin a Minnesota Vacation..........Fran