Snowy, Blowy Tuesday - Happy Birthday Doug!

Ceil is enjoying her breakfast now.  I made her scrambled eggs with rice and cheeses, bacon, and toast.  The weather, as you know is quite awful today.  So, we will not be going for a while, or at least until the roads have been cleared.  Ceil now wakes every morning, just a little more bright eyed and smiling.  She is enjoying the simple things again, rather than just being there.  She now laughs at the funny things that are said on T.V. and watches movies with great interest.  It is also great to watch Ceil live a fuller life and have a more active role in her own recovery.  We did go to Mexican Village for Doug's birthday lunch.  Ceil enjoyed, and shared the seafood enchilada with Linda.  Doug and Ceil reminisced about the day he was born.  It was a nice time for Doug and Ceil today.   Happy birthday Doug!

Denise came this evening and helped with Ceil's cares.  They had a great time together and Denise stayed to watch T.V. and put Ceil to bed for the night.  Always lots of stories and laughs when Denise comes over.  Thanks for all the help Denise!  Therapy for Ceil on Wednesday.  See you all tomorrow.

Monday

Ceil went to therapy with Doug this morning.  She had OT only, and according to Doug, she did very well with the OT.  The OT felt the Ceil was much more alert and able to problem-solve better than ever today.  We are so glad to have her off the Diliantin.  What a difference it has made for Ceil's quality of life!  The weather is starting to get ugly.  So, it looks like cooking shows and a quiet evening for Ceil.  See you tomorrow.  Keep in touch!

Ceil can still fold towels with lightening speed.

Sunday

After breakfast, Ceil got a call from Annie.  She really enjoys the phone calls from her kids.  Not sure what we will do, but the weather looks good, so keep checking back to see what happens with Ceil today.  We did get over to Walmart today.  Ceil had a prescription to pick up.  We did a little looking around and came back for lunch and a nap.  A nice quiet day for Ceil.  Back to therapy tomorrow, and more stories and progress to write about.  See you then!

Hello Annie!

Saturday

Ceil got her hair cut today at Great Clips.  We also went window shopping and I bought us all lunch at Arby's.  Ceil liked her hair cut, and looks even younger than ever, if that's possible!  Great to get out and do some of the things that Ceil really enjoys doing.  Dinner this evening at the Fletcher's.  See you then!

Ceil, getting her haircut this morning.

You just never know who you might run into at the mall!  Ceil was tickled pink ;^ )

The Kukloks came by for a visit.  The big discussion was, who will make the Christmas cookies this year?

Denise, Ceil, and Linda by the tree.

Hannah and Ceil.

Yummy soup!

Bill was a great host as always.

Bill and Denise sharing one of many laughs during Ceil's visit.  They did such a great job taking care of all of us, and especially Ceil.

Doug and Doris enjoyed the great food and conversation at the Fletcher's.

Blog 200!!

Wow!  I can't believe we are at blog 200!  What a great time we have had caring for Ceil these past six months.  We have seen so many changes and improvements during our time with Ceil caring for her in her home.  It has been challenging at times, but well worth it, as Ceil is now flourishing and living life to the fullest.  What a blessing!  She has experienced so many wonderful things being in her own home.  From the joy of doing simple daily things in her home, to the many road trips and events that have meant so much to Ceil over the past six months.  Linda and I look forward to writing many more blogs about Ceil, and expect many more stories of her recovery and ever improving health.  Ceil is no longer just recovering, she is living life!   Please stay tuned!

Ceil getting her hair colored by Linda.  She was getting the "star" treatment.

The finished product.  Beautiful!

Steve stopped by after black Friday shopping with Katie.

                                               Two pretty ladies at Culver's today.

Denise was here to do Ceil's nails.

Ceil's beautiful red nails.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ceil had a great Thanksgiving at Brian and Micki's today.  They laid a wonderful feast that included; grilled turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, salad, the works.  All of it was so good.  It was so mellow too.  You could see that Ceil was so relaxed and enjoying herself.  Thank you Brian and Micki for such a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner!  Ceil really enjoyed herself today.  We give thanks every day that Ceil can enjoy her family.  Especially during the holidays!  That's what it's all about! 

What great time Ceil had with Brian and Micki today!

First course, a wonderful salad.

Doug was there with dinner rolls in hand..thanks Dougo!

Uncle Fester at his best!

Larry called to wish Ceil a happy Thanksgiving.  Then, minutes later, Ken called from Japan to wish her a happy Thanksgiving!  Like father, Like son.

Just when I thought I had eaten too much... Adam

     

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Good Morning at the Plaza II

Ceil had a great morning at the plaza!  She was so alert and did everything so well.  The OT was very impressed with Ceil's ability to problem solve with taking off and putting on her shoes and socks.  The PT was also impressed with Ceil today, and also noticed that she was more alert and able to do perform the tasks without stopping and losing her breath, like before.  Very good things ahead for Ceil at the plaza. 

Oops! That's Rob's coat!  ha ha!Ceil did so well with the OT this morning.

We got a little snow today here in St. Cloud.

Who are the People in Your Neighborhood?

We were out and about with Ceil today.  You just never know who you will see while your out shopping.  Ceil had a great day, and is doing so good with the new seizure medication.  Ceil is alert and interested again in the things around her, and expresses herself so much better than before.  Let's keep it going forward!

Christmas tree at the mall.

Romi and Ceil at Walmart.

Souk and Ceil at Walmart!

The tall Christmas tree at Walmart!

Monday

Ceil went to therapy with Doug this morning.  Doug reported that Ceil did well with OT, but struggled with PT due to the new brace.  The PT will have the orthopedic guy come to therapy on Wednesday to assess the problem and get it fix.  Robbie came by today and visited with Ceil and brought his dog, Sadie as well.  Ceil was delighted to see Robbie, as he seldom stops by because he now lives and works in Princeton.  Denise is coming to do Ceil's nails this evening.  Linda and I will take Ceil for a hair cut and color tomorrow.  Thanks for the comments and see you tomorrow! 

Robbie and Ceil.

Denise and Ceil.

On the phone with Maxine.  What a wonderful surprise for Ceil!

Icy Sunday

We woke this morning to an icy Sunday.  It has been a quiet and mellow morning for Ceil.  We will continue trimming the Christmas tree and watching holiday shows.  We will see what the weather does and perhaps get out if the roads shape up.

Saturday

Ceil enjoyed the morning with Kevin and Colleen.  They went to Fleet Farm and then to lunch at TGI Friday's.  Ceil really enjoy their visit and was so alert and engaged.  We will be putting up the Christmas tree this evening.  Check back to see the pictures!

At Fleet Farm with Kevin and Colleen.

Ceil with the Grinch and his henchmen Thing 1 and Thing 2.

Where shall we start?

Ceil putting on the ornaments with Linda.

Rob was looking on with his usual happy holiday face.

A little video of the decorating.

Friday Update

Ceil was so alert this morning!  What a difference a med change makes!  We had a nice morning, and went to Linda's doctor appointment.  The doctor was amazed that Ceil was 80.  She said that Ceil looked so good.  Denise is coming over this evening to give Ceil a shower, as Linda is still not able to lift or bend during her recovery.  onward and upward!

Thursday Update

Ceil did really well at therapy this morning.  The new leg brace does make a difference, what made the real difference today was the wakefulness and alertness of Ceil during therapy.  After dropping the Dilantin down by 30mg, it was clear that this medication was keeping Ceil in a drowsy fog.  We will be converting over to Tegretol starting today.  Dr. Larson believes it will make a big difference for Ceil.  We are delighted to see the difference already, and so is PT and OT at the plaza.  Keep praying and believing!

Christmas at Kmart.

Passing the peace pipe with Frosty.