This has been a very busy day...Thursday evening I upchucked all my pizza dinner along with chills and diarrhea...so the next morning I called Steve and told him I was unable to go with he and for breakfast but Dad didn't want to go because he had already eaten breakfast which I suspect was probably orange juice and cookies...however, Steve didn't want to go either..so they didn't..I stayed in bed
on Friday and Steve graciously did my grocery shopping for me..but this morning I was up and fixed a good breakfast of bacon and eggs, raisin toast and coffee...then I did two loads of wash as we are going to Fenton tomorrow and needed some clean things...then fixed a good lunch..Stuffed chicken breast, broccoli salad, green beans (which Steve gave us) and a toss salad...I sat down and watch a movie..did some packing and went in to help Paul packed but he just sat there and glared at me and said that he didn't feel like packing...so I said O.K. and picked up a bag of recycled things and took them downstairs...on the way back I stopped on the 2nd floor at the library and worked on a puzzle and talked with a friend..when she left I looked at a magazine...then came on upstairs and started to write on my blog...I can't discribe how discouraged I get at times as the only relief I have from the pain in my leg is from the medicine..and coping with Paul's moods...to be fair, I think that today I have been rather cranky and that doesn't help the situation at all..in fact, it probably makes it worse...my only hope is when I am able to spend time in prayer and meditation...this is a life saver for me...do hope that all of you have had a fulfilling day today....My love and prayers, Mary, Mom, Grandma, Sister, Aunt and Friend

This is the end of the day and I grew sleepy listening to my tape..so I dressed for bed and then decided that I would write in my blog...I did my first baking since coming here and I baked a coconut chess pie to take down to our Pizza Party evening..I didn't have any cornmeal so I went down the hall to my friend, Ramona, and she had some and loaned it to me...we had our meal downstairs tonight and it really was a nice meal, meat loaf, new potatoes, asparagus, tossed salad and dessert of carrot cake..really yummy..the size of the serving of meatloaf was so large that Paul and I brought half of it back to the apartment to use for meatloaf sandwiches for tomorrow noon lunch...it is really a nice cool night..I have my bedroom window open and a nice cool breeze is coming in thru the window..today went pretty well except when I wanted Paul to tell me if he would go to Evergreen Commons on Friday morning for a buffet breakfast, he wouldn't commit so I told him that I was asking Steve and Eileen (if she could) to go with us and I needed to call in the morning and make reservation and told him that I would ask him again in the morning...oh, and last evening while I was down play dominos with friends, Paul dressed himself up with his dress pants, nice shirt and suspenders and came down and joined us for the last 30 minutes..they invited him to come down next week and I thought that this week if he wanted we could try playing (our dominos from Fenton) before and if he felt up to it he could come down and join in...we only have one man and I know he would love to have Paul join us...he can also just come down and be with us without playing...I always invite him whenever I go down to play games but so far this is the only time he has shown any interest...I am now going to play some games on the computer before retiring...so goodnight and love and prayers from Mary, Mom, Grandma, Friend, and Aunt

Monday Evening....

I started off my day meeting with my student Nurse...spent a couple hours with her and then had a cup of coffee with friends..came up and did a load of clothes..finished this and did some lunch for us..I had to take 3 Tyl #3 pills today and probably one tonight in order to rest..I then reminded Paul to take his pills and he gave me a hassle and then I had just about had it so I told him that I was going down for a cup of coffee so I went down and got a cup of coffee, hung around an empty lobby for about ten minutes and then went up to the Library and read some magazines..I was gone about an hour as I just had to get away so that is what I did...when I came back, Paul told me that he went down to the Lobby looking for me but couldn't find me...Yesterday he gave me a hassle about Church..I was ready to go and he said that he wanted to go with me so I said O.K. but he needed to put on a pair of dress trousers...his shirt was fine but he had leisure pants on and I didn't think this appropriate for a first time visit to a new church..he refused and said O.K. he wouldn't go so I said fine and went without him...I enjoyed the church worship..they have a bus which picks up here and I rode with a friend but before I got home, my leg was paining terrible...my good friend seemed to want to introduce me to quite a few people and I tried to be friendly but really just wanted to get back to the apartment...When I came back to the apartment, Paul was really sorry and tried to appologise but I told it everything was O.K. and to forget it...Johnny also called today and I was so surprised that Paul was able to answer the phone and he talked with him quite awhile before I went in to the bedroom extension and found out it was Johnny..he was interested in finding out if we had any pictures of Dad's church in Roanoke and I'm sure we do and I told him, we would try to find one and send it to him...they had just return from Roanoke where they attended Marge memorial and burial..I was so sad that we couldn't go and really miss her so much...This is just a little rambling but as usual, I'm tired at the end of the day...Love and prayers, Mary, Mom, Grandma, Sister and Friend

Saaturday Morning...

Yesterday, Paul really scared me..I came upon him in the Kitchen climbing upon my step stool trying to reach the bowls which I have stored on top of the cabinets...he said he thought that I needed to use them which I didn't and he put them back...that afternoon he started talking and I asked him what he said and he told me that he wasn't talking to me, but to the basket on the hutch...go figure, I can't...had my MRI and they asked me if I would like music to listen to while in the tube and I ask them for hymns and they gave me a headphones and played some very old, old, lovely hymns...it is raining today and that doesn't help my achin' leg..went down and put a couple load of clothes in and now they are drying...sat and talk with one of my neighbors for a little while...we do a lot of visiting as we are waiting for our clothes to wash and dry...we had a pot luck for Happy Hour last evening and I fixed a couple pounds of cocktail weiners in my crockpot...once a month we have pot luck and the food is always good and we get an hour or so to fellowship...we all have a lot in common..achy bodies, houses on the market unsold, etc.., hope all is good for all of you....love and prayers, Mary, Mom, and Grandma...............

Friday Morning.......

Got up about 5:30 a.m. and fixed our breakfast when Paul got up around 6:30..scrambled eggs with sausage, raisin toast and coffee..yesterday Steve took me to get an I went MRI to pinpoint what is causing all the pain in my left leg...that afternoon we had a blueberry Social and we invited Steve and Eileen so Steve came but Eileen couldn't because she was working...coming home from the hospital (I went in as an out patient) we stopped and got milkshakes (I was so thirsty that I got a medium instead of my regular small) and then after eating a bowl of ice cream with fresh blueberries I didn't think I would eat my evening meal but I did which surprised...boy, is my appetite ever good these days...Steve is coming by around 10:30 to take me grocery shopping...I know it will help his schedule if and when I can get our car here and I can begin to drive..it will not only give me some independence but also he will not have to take me everywhere...Steve tells me that I will be able to go back to Fenton in August to attend my very dear 90 old friend's surprise birtday party...also, I am now looking forward to my sister coming for a visit in August along with a visit from Elizabeth...how lucky can I get..not much, I think...hey, grandaugthers..leave me a line on my blurb so I can hear from you too....still sorting and discarding clothes...more later....hope the day is good for all...much love with prayers....Mary, Mom, and Grandma

Wednesday eveninag...

Paul has retired and I will try to get down some happenings today...I started my morning by meeting at 9:00 a.m. with the Student Nurse from Grand Valley University..I spend around 1 1/2 to 2 hours with her and will spend some time next week...then, I came up to the apartment and made Paul and I lunch..then, Steve took me to Yonkers to do some personal shopping (the first I have done in a long time. they had a sale and then Wednesday is Senior day with an extra 2o% of) and everyone knows how much I love a bargain...I was able to purchase a couple pair of really good shoes, a replacement for the ring that I lost, earrings, a new belt and a new bathing suit..I was really tired when I got home but I didn't have to fix dinner as we ate downstairs in the dining hall..I got ready to go down and Paul is sitting in his chair and when I told him that it was time to go down he told me that he wasn't ready to go down..so I simply told him that I was going on down to the dining hall to eat and when he was ready he could come down...I met three of my lady friends in the Hall and when they found out what was happening, they asked me if I cared if they went down to the apartment and asked him to come down with them...I went ahead down and when he came down with them, I was seated with my friends and I really didn't know if he would simply sit down with them or come over to my table and eat with me.. which he did as if nothing had occurred before...he also has been wanting to call his brother Jon and wanted to talk with him alone without either Ann or I on the phone which I did..I called Jon and explained that Paul wanted to just talk with him and when he hung up he was so concerned that the phone wasn't working all right and that he was unable to contact Johnny by himself..so I simply explained to him that his Parkinson's prevented him from being able to make the call himself and he accepted this explanation..but this has been another looooooooooooooog day and tomorrow I go for a MRI on the left side which is the side that I am having so much pain..they will try to pinpoint my problem and then know how to treat it...this has been a very hot day but we just had a nice shower and it should cool things off a bit....hope everyone has had a good so good night for now..........Love and prayers..Mary, Mom, and Grandma

End of a weary Day....

This has been a looong day for us...Paul has already retired early..we are both exhausted....he went this morning for his biopsy and then we had a time getting the bleeding to stop...Steve finally succeeded...Paul got up and had a sandwich but within the hour he was headed back to bed..in fact, he didn't even want to change into his pj's so he went to bed in his clothes..I stayed to watch a game show and to clean up the kitchen and decide on what we would have for dinner tomorrow..I am still in the midst of sorting and discarding clothing (which Mark and Leigh brought me from Fenton)...so far, I have two large boxes to donate to some charity...I am going to make this short and say goodnight and pleasant dreams to all....love you, Mary, Mom, and Grandma......

Sunday evening at the Village....

I was so pleased to get to go to the Presbyterian Church this morning...Eileen took me and attended with me...I also ran into my Counselor(the one that I just talk with) and he recognized me but couldn't remember my name...when we got to the car I took a fall as I was getting into the car...the side was downhill and my legs just gave out on me..Eileen told Dad and Steve that I was more afraid that I had grass stain on slack than that I was hurt..well, Eileen managed to help me up...I came home and fixed us some lunch..then, I took a short walk outside, had a cup of coffee in the dining room and read the newspaper from Grand Rapids...then came back up to the apartment and Paul wanted to get out of the room..so we went downstairs and out the back door and sat in a double swing which was really quite pleasant...the sun was shining, a breeze was blowing and we just sat there and enjoyed the quietness and lovliness of the day...Paul and Eileen took Dad to see about the rash which appeared on his cheek and neck....the doctor prescribed an antibiotic and again I am not sure of the diagnosis but I do know that it isn't shingles...he is scheduled for a visit to the doctor tomorrow..Paul has now retired and I am winding down for the day...this has been a beautiful Michigan day and I am ready to retire and get some much needed rest...hope all of you have had a good relaxful day....do love you, Mary, Mom, Grandma..

Celebrated Eileen Birthday....

This has been a full week for us...Mark and Leigh were over and visited leaving today....yesterday, Steve took me to a Consignment Shop and I was able to show while he did my grocery shopping...I spent an hour and came away with a couple lamps (I knocked one over and broke the Globe part of it...I found several articles of clothing...and several needed items such a small hot pot, small scale, etc...Today Eileen and Leigh picked us up before Noon and we went over to celebrate Eileen's birthday...Steve had prepare a really souper meal for us consisting of a spinach salad with strawberries, a couple pasta dishes, delicious bread and raspberry and blueberry tarts...it was sooooooo good...then Mark and Leigh brought us home..I continued to work sorting my clothes (which Mark and Leigh so graciously brought me from Fenton...washed about four rugs and dried them...clean the bath and now I am pretty tired...I am planning on going to the Presbyterian Church tomorrow and Eileen is taking me and attending...she is a little freer in the summer as their choir takes the summer off as so many do in the summer...I fixed dad and I something to eat and now I'm going to relax and either read or listen to my book on tape...hope this has been a good day for all of you...do love you, Mary. Mom, and Grandma

Thursday evening

Just a short note to tell you that the boys took their Dad to the Doctor's this a.m. she said that he had shingles (don't know how to spell) or another thing (which I can't remember what) in his brain...the was having regular throbbing sensations in in left side of his brain...they sent him home with instructions to watch for a breaking out of a rash on the left side of his face (which, thankfully, did not occur) and to give him a tylenol every four hours...he is very tired but much better and was quite talkive this evening before retiring....I have had a very full day and am quite weary but wanted to keep you posted on what happening...good night and God Bless....love, Mary, Mom, and Grandma.....

News from the Village

.This has been a very busy day...I started out this morning getting our breakfasts...then I dressed to go and see my Psychologist...it went well and I am improving and being able to cope with things...I will see him again in about 6-8 weeks...then, Steve stopped at Arby's and I got Paul and I sandwiches and shakes to bring home...when I got home I did a load of dark clothes and while the housekeeper was here I did the bed sheets which I always do when she changes the sheets...Steve went to Farmers Market and got me some fresh basil, Strawberries (which I shared with me friend Ivy as she is always doing things for me for instance she always brings our morning paper up from the lobby..she had never used the herb, basil, I gave her Steve's basic tomatoes in olive oil and basil recipe)..he also got me some fresh veggies...Dad is having reocurring pain in his head...I have given him an tylenol and if it doesn't ease up by morning, I will call Steve and see if we should do some checking..well, I,m pretty tired so that all folks...love, Mary, Mom, and Grandma ps hope everyone is having a good day!!!!

Sunday

I am a little weary tonight but thought I would write a little....Eileen came over Saturday and straighten my regular and queen size sheets and looked over my medications..I discovered recently that I was mixed up in a couple meds...they looked exactly alike so she helped me straighten this out....also, this Fall I will have a student Nurse working with me as part of her training at Grand Valley State University..I'm not sure what all this entails but felt it might be helpful to have someone to talk to about my health problems...we spent the 4th with Steve and Eileen having a cookout in their backyard...today we all went to the Chinese Buffet and had Sunday lunch together...I enjoyed as the last time I didn't have any taste and this time did....I go Tuesday to the Pain Management Center to get some help with the awful pain I am having in my left leg...this has been about 3 or 4 weeks...I had to fill out forms which I did today...well, Dad has retired and after I finish this, I am going to listen to a book on tape which Eileen got me from her Library...also, David (if you read this) I hope that you had a very special Birthday today....also, I now am getting more rest at night and this is so helpful for me...that's all for tonight....love everybody, Mary, Mom, and Grandma

Thankful another Day....................

It is a lovely balmy day in Holland (72 deg.) and I have just finished lunch for us and am dressed to go to get my hair done at 3:30...Today at the Village is Happy Hour (an hour of food and relaxation and visiting for all of us and since I am going to gone for most of it, Paul has said that he
will go down for it...I have asked a couple of lady friends to look out for him....he does pretty good but still needs some assistance..I think this is really a good thing for him because he really leans on me quite heavily...a excruciating pain has developed in my right leg and even with meds I am always in pain...I have an appointment with Pain Management Clinic next week and am hoping that I will get some relief...I have not done my grocery shopping in about 3 weeks...Steve and Eileen have so graciously done this for me...they are so good to help me in whatever way they can....I called Ella and talked with her this morning and she is doing well....Mark and Leigh are coming up in a few days and we are both looking forward to their visit...we plan to spend the 4th with Eileen and Steve......hope all of you have a Happy Fourth of July....Much love and prayers, Mary, Mom and Grandma