Four day update- not much happening

Been a few days since the blog has been written...it's been pretty quiet here.  On Thursday Doug took Ceil on the usual morning outing.  They did make a stop at Home Depot...Before Ceil's stroke, she use to love to wander around in that store.  Friday was quiet.  Arby's has a deal on fish sandwiches so Ceil bought a round of fish sandwiches, curly fries and jamocha shakes for the three of us.  On Saturday Kevin and Colleen came to spend the morning with Ceil.  They took Ceil on a little shopping trip to the mall...I think they found some deals at Scheels (hey that rhymes).  Then it was off to TGIF (even though it was Saturday) for lunch.  Kevin and Ceil tried the sampler platter....sounded like a great plate of food to sample.  The weather got pretty cold Saturday evening so we stayed inside.  Ken and Judy came for dinner.  Ceil loves hearing "Ken and Judy stories".  We enjoyed a nice little steak dinner. Ken and Judy brought a coconut cake for dessert...OMG- that was so good!  There is leftovers, so Ceil will get another piece this evening.  Today, we were trying to figure out what to do, so we decided to take a little nickel tour of Cold Spring and Rockville.  We stopped at The Granite Edge Diner for lunch.  I said "It's good to be back in Rocksville" and then the waitress asked if we have been away for awhile.  I explained that my dad grew up in Rockville, my grandma cooked for the guests at the granite house and that I was related to probably every Gross in Rockville.  Turns out the waitress had Maggie Gross for her 4th grade teacher.  Ceil is resting now. We will probably head to Home Depot after her nap to look for mini-blinds.  Before Ceil's stroke Ceil had asked Rob to put mini blinds up in her bedroom, so now we figured we'd start putzing with a few things that Ceil wants done.  We'll see how that goes.

Blog followers have probably been wondering what's going on with Every Day With Ceil.  We, the caregivers, (Rob and Linda) have been through a rough patch with a family member.  Although it hasn't taken or diminished Ceil's care in anyway, it has worn us out a bit and the blog had to be put on hold for a few days.
Now for the update: The weekend was spent at home with the exception of a little shopping at Crossroads on Sunday. Both Ceil and Linda needed hair color (sshhh- don't tell anyone we color our hair). We found a two pack on sale so Linda and Ceil will have matching hair color. Monday Linda had the day off.  Ceil and Linda went for a nice walk in the morning. Karen, Joe and the kids came to see Ceil.  Ceil was happy to see them. They caught Ceil up on everything that was going on in their lives and on the farm.  After their visit, Rob, Linda Ceil, and Robbie went to MT's for burgers and fries. One order was big enough for Ceil and Linda to split.  As we left we saw carrot cake on the checkout counter....we decided next time we would save room for dessert.  We finished off Presidents Day with cherry pie (we bought on marked down rack at Walmart) for dessert after a light dinner.  Ceil would make cherry pie for Washington's birthday when we were growing up. Linda thought she would enjoy it as Linda reminisced about Ceil's pie-making days.  Tuesday was Dickey's Day with Doug. First stop was coffee at Target- looks like they ran into Pat and Renee, then it was off to Cashwise...Linda saw donuts on the counter after work so me-thinks a stop at the Cashwise bakery was involved.  Then it was off to Dickey's where everyone knows their name..Ceil and Doug!  Quiet day today. Denise is expected to come over this evening so the there might be some exciting stories for Ceil to hear.

Friday with the Girls

Thursday- Girls day out

Ceil was ready and raring to go this morning.  Chris, Karen and Annie had a big day planned for Ceil.  The gals had shopping, food and fun on the agenda.  The gals took Ceil to Target for the morning coffee run....then it was off for lots of shopping around the mall.  They headed to Byerly's after the mall to pick up food for lunch and dinner.  Soup was on the menu for lunch and pot roast for dinner.  Between the four of them, they figured out how to cook the pot roast.  From what it sounds like the pot roast turned out great.  I suspect they also had leftover birthday cake- yum! Tomorrow the girls have a morning planned with Ceil.  Annie and Chris are treating Ceil to a manicure...we'll see what else might happen.
Pictures to follow if I can find the camera.

Wednesday- Denise's Birthday

Today is Denise's birthday and Ceil had a lot to look forward to.  Linda and Ceil decided Ceil needed a makeover before the party tonight.  Rob took Ceil to Great Clips to get a fun cut....Ceil has a favorite stylist, she always gives Ceil a great cut.  Afterwards Ceil and Rob stopped by ING Direct to have coffee and an apple fritter with Linda.  It's always nice when Ceil can get out of the house and take a coffee break at the Cafe.  Ceil had a few chores to do around the house when she got home...her sock drawer was a mess and she straightened that quite nicely.  Ceil also had some dishtowels to fold.  Linda came home early to help Ceil get ready for the party.  Looking good in her black denim and black fashion boots, Ceil was ready for the birthday party.  When we arrived Denise, Bill,  Karen and Hannah were there to greet us.  Bill made some fantastic Papa Murphy's Pizza, and for dessert, as promised was chocolate and coconut cake.  Ceil sang nice and loud to Denise and they both blew out the candles.  Of course there was one trick candle that wouldn't blow out.  Denise had lots of stories to tell Ceil (next time you see her ask her about the wine at the theater story).  Midway through cake Chris and Annie showed up. Chris is visiting from D.C. Chris is the fifth sister (unofficially adopted by the Gross family many, many years ago).  Ceil was all smiles when she saw them.  Ceil listened and was enjoying all the conversation going on. Denise then opened her gifts. Denise opened her gifts from Bill.  Bill gave her some wonderful bath and beauty products. Ceil had quite a few surprises for Denise in her gift bag, including the booklet itinerary from the 1977 Blue Bird Bus Convention at the Omni Hotel in Atlanta Georgia. Paul Harvey (...now you know the rest of the story...good day) was the guest speaker at the convention. Denise ask him if she could photograph him and he responded "You're the prettiest photographer I've ever seen".  Denise love getting the booklet and says she wants to frame it.  That's the famous trip where both Gramma Gross and Gramma Beaulieu went with Ken, Ceil, Denise and Linda.  Ceil loved hearing those stories of that trip. Ceil also got Denise a silicone mini-loaf pan, a bottle of wine, and a new step stool. To top off the evening, Denise plugged in the Disco Ball that she got from Kevin and Colleen (last Sunday), and we all enjoyed the bright lights and Denise singing a disco tune. After a bit, Ceil was soon ready to leave. Because it's winter (and the darkness of the evening) and because of the damage done to Ceil's brain from the stroke, she becomes quite tired by 7:00 or so, so we headed back home.  Ceil is in her jammies now and is unwinding from the excitement.  She'll be ready for bed in a few minutes, which is good because she has a big day planned tomorrow with Doug, Annie, Chris, Karen, and then Denise (later in the day) so Ceil needs a good night's sleep.  Thanks Denise and Bill for another great evening.

Tuesday- errands and Dickeys

Doug was here this morning to take Ceil out on their Tuesday outing.  The weather is a little better than last week, so it's much easier on Ceil to make several stops on outings.  Menards, Charter, and a few other stops, including Dickeys.  It's nice that Ceil can get out and do so much with family.  Ceil's disability van is quite easy to drive and it's very little work securing Ceil into her seat belt and wheel straps.  We hope to take Ceil on as many outings as possible this year.  Today Ceil received Valetine's Day hugs and kisses phone calls from Dale and from Denise.  Ceil loves getting those kinds of calls.  Denise's birthday is tomorrow and there is pizza and cake planned.  Ceil has a few surprises for Denise and she is looking forward to tomorrow.  Also a big SHOUT-OUT to Dale and Edie who, today, are celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversary and to Larry and Noriko who. today also, are celebrating their 27th Wedding Anniversary!

Monday- recovery day

The weekend was a busy one so Monday was for rest and relaxation.  With the exception of folding a pile of washclothes, Ceil kicked back the rest of the day.  Tomorrow will be an outing with Doug.

Sunday- is Brunch Time

Ceil woke up to a sunny and warmer morning.  After a warm shower, her company arrived. Brian and Mickie arrived in town to have brunch with Ceil.  Ceil was on the phone with Larry when they arrived...the phone was handed off to Brian so that Ceil could finish getting ready to go out.  Kevin and Colleen were also arriving for the morning brunch date with Ceil.  The five headed to 5th Ave Grill....service was good but everyone gave two thumbs down on the food.  After brunch they headed across the street to Cowboy Jack's for an after brunch drink.  Colleen's parents have horses so Colleen jumped right up in the saddle,,,yeeee-haw!  Everyone came back to the house and visited for a few hours.  Ceil is now down for a nap. We'll see what happens later this day. From the pictures below, looks like Mickie was the photographer. Oh...a surprise for Ceil (after her nap) on the table from Kevin and Colleen...Valentine's Day chocolates!!!!  Ceil was all smiles when she read her card and saw the chocolates....thank you Kevin and Colleen!