Saturday- HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE!

Ceil slept in late, she wants to be rested up for the New Year's Eve party this evening.  Ceil put on "blinging" outfit today just in case we decide to venture out (if you look real close her necklace says "HAPPY NEW YEARS").  No plans for today but perhaps we'll see what's playing at the theater.  Or perhaps bowling with Ceil today, anyone up for the challenge?  We'll see what happens....you never know!
Update: Had a great time at Denise and Bill's.  Disco light was spinning and music was playing to dance to.  Kevin, Colleen, Jack H., Bonnie, Katie, Stevie, Christopher, Hannah, Ian, Jack A.,Kathy and David (and of course Rob and Linda) came to celebrate the New Year with Ceil. We toasted in the new year at around 10:00 and Ceil sang the whole song of Auld Lang Syne.....let's hope and pray Ceil continues to make progress in her recovery.  Through the love and support of her family and friends it is surely possible,  Happy New Year to everyone!!!!!

Looking good!

Heading out the door to Sam's Club (to get glasses adjusted and pick up a little bubbly for the New Year's Eve toast!

 Glasses adjusted...looks good?

Looks great!  Thanks Mary!

Happy New Year!!!!!!

Friday- Snow and more

Snow was falling this morning.  Linda took the day off today to spend time with Ceil.  Ceil was pampered to a morning of beauty treatment.  Ceil got her hair colored, showered, make-up, and hair blowed dried. Ceil was ready for her closeup after that.  Ceil treated Rob and Linda to a burger at Space Aliens.  Good deals on the lunch menu there.  We went to Shopko afterwards and picked up a few things.  No plans this evening, hopefully there's a good movie on TV.  Tomorrow is the last day of the year. Ceil is looking forward to going to Denise and Bill's for the New Year's Eve party.

Thursday Update

Ceil was and out the door with Doug this morning.  They tooled around town, and had coffee at Target.   They ran into Doris' sister, Joanne at Target.  It was then over to Dickey's for that good ole BBQ sandwich.  Nothing planned for this evening, but the New Year celebration is coming!

Joanne and Ceil

Wednesday- Thumbs up!

Ceil was up early today for her final appointment with Dr. Schlosser. Dr. Schlosser gave Ceil two thumbs up and stated she looked great.  Afterwards Ceil (and Rob) visited Linda at the ING Cafe.  Coffee and coffee cake were enjoyed by all three.  Kaite, Stevie, Christopher and Hannah joined Ceil for dinner. Homemade chicken enchiladas and rice were on the menu. After dinner Kathy and David stopped by (with a bottle of red wine in hand) for a nice visit with Ceil.  They caught Ceil up on the latest news on friends and family.  Ceil enjoyed their visit very much! We all agreed we look forward to Denise's New Year's Eve Party, but Kathy and David said they are still waiting for their invite :)

Tuesday- a time of reflection

This is Linda writing the blog today.  Next week marks the two year anniversary of Ceil's stroke.  During Ceil's stroke recovery in the nursing home, Rob and I would be there almost every evening.  We observed, we learned, and tried to make the most of her time of recovery.  Every evening we would brush her teeth, get her in her jammies, tuck her into bed, and every evening she would cry when we left.  Every day Rob and/or Doug would visit Ceil and every day they would find her either isolated in her room staring down at the floor or in the hallway staring at the floor.  Everyday they would see her meals filled with starch and unhealthy fats.  Fast forward to today...Ceil is out and about enjoying life...in the past year she has done wine tasting at a vineyard, ridden the light rail all over Minneapolis, taken a trip to San Antonio, spent 4th of Julys at David and Kathy's cabin, been shopping at the outlet malls, just to name a few.  We have had many people who read the blog tell us Ceil gets out more than they do. Most importantly though, Ceil has spent quality time with her family in HER home, not a nursing home.  Living at home has given Ceil so much more freedom than she would have had in a nursing home.  She has had the freedom to make choices, the freedom to enjoy her home, and the freedom to create a lasting bond with her first great grandchild.  She no longer dreads bedtime.  Ceil has fun in the bathroom getting her teeth brushed, often getting caught off-guard with one of our jokes and ends up spitting toothpaste all over the mirror from her laughing.  Ceil does not cry when she's tucked in at night, instead she's laughing and sticking her tongue out at us.  Rob and I are committed to giving Ceil the quality of life she deserves.  On our computer we have at least 2000 photos of Ceil enjoying life.  We also are VERY thankful and grateful to all who help us in giving Ceil the best life possible.

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