I don't have photos for now but will try to post them when I get back home over the weekend. Mom's Thanksgiving weekend srated yesterday when she got home from Talahi with Annie, Hannah, David, Leo and Cecelia Steve, Katie, Christopher and baby Lily coming for supper. After Mom was n bed Brian, Mickie and Jim came.  Mom started the day with a nice warm shower and breakfast. She picked hot cereal. (she usually chooses that when I am here.) A few quick naps in before the food was served. Brian grilled 2 turkeys. Also on menu was ham, wild rice, corn, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, orange jello, cranberry relish to name just a few of the foods prepared by everyone. Robbie and Jasmine came--they ate at Jasmine's family but still mangaed to find room for more good food here.  After dishes were done time for pumpkin pie, bars and a peacan pie. Rest time in her chair until time for bed. No Black friday shopping for me or Mom bur Annie and Cecelia might hit some stores. More later. Happy Thanksgiving!  Karen and all.

This morning (11-15-12) when I got Mom up I asked her how she was and she answered back "wonderful"
Life is pretty quiet for Mom these days. Denise takes her to P/T on Mondays and Doug gets her out on Tuesdays for their pork sandwiches at Dickie's. Wednesday she spends the day at Talahi Care Center and joins in on games and actitivies, lunch and a nap. Thursdays and Fridays I am here. Mom likes watching old TV shows like I Love Lucy and Andy Griffith. When weather permits we take a walk around the block. Weekends Brian, Kevin ,Ann, Doug (Denise) come. We celebrated Mom's birthday on November 8th.. We gave Mom a choice where to eat for supper and she chose to stay home with me. After Denise and family and Doug came for cake. She recieved cards and phone calls all day. We now look forward to Thanksgiving. I don't have my camera here to download photos but did get some from the home camera. One is one I just took today. We had a pumpkin sitting on deck on a TV tray table and some squirrels had fun chewing on it making a mess. Mom said Wow when I showed her. Other photos are kevin, Colleen and Mom picking the pumpkin from the garden. And an outing tot he re store in St. Cloud. Hope to get back sooner ---Karen

Party Time

Ceil was up and out the door by 10:45am. Brian and Ceil had a date to attend a retirement party at the Medina Ballroom. After 35 years fo being a greeter/dancer/musician Don Roers is retiring.  Ceil and Brian had a great time.  Everyone was happy to see Ceil again. Brian stated Ceil was the prettiest gal there and that's easy to believe...Ceil was always the prettiest one on the dance floor (just saying), then again us kids might be a little partial.  Ceil stayed awake all day and is now watching TV with Denise and Hannah.  Tomorrow Denise will be taking Ceil to speech therapy. We are all still hoping and praying Ceil will be able to talk our ears off once again sometime. One day at a time.

Indian Summer's Day

Ceil woke up to sunshine today!  It's an Indian Summer's Day with a temperature reaching into the upper 70's.  Karen made french toast for Ceil this morning.  It was delicious.  After breakfast, Ceil, Karen and Linda jumped into the van and headed to St. John's.  It's homecoming day at St. John's and there were lots and lots of people dressed in red ready to cheer on the home team.  Karen, Ceil and Linda took a long walk around the grounds and near the lake.  They stopped inside the church, blessed themselves with holy water and then took a few pictures.  The autumn colors are at their peak and Ceil enjoyed the walk very much.  After St. John's, they made a beeline to Arby's for some lunch.  Arby's is one of Ceil's favorite places to eat. She enjoyed a jr. roastbeef sandwich and some curly fries.  Ceil is down for a nap now.  Not sure what the plans are later. Perhaps we'll get invited for some birthday cake over at the Fletchers' house.
Update- Ceil had a surprise visit from Kevin and Colleen late in the afternoon. Kevin and Colleen came to see Ceil and to see Linda before she leaves for Texas.  Kevin and Colleen wanted to treat everyone to dinner. We tried MT's on 8th but because of the meat raffle and no open tables to sit at, the five of us decided to head to Jimmy John's for a sandwich.  Well, loud, thumping music changed our mind about eating there, so we took our sandwiches and chips to Lake George.  We had a wonderful picnic at the lake. It was warm, the sun was shining on the lake and the ducks were very interested in our lettuce from our sandwiches. After finishing off our sandwiches, we took a nice walk around the lake. Ducks, swans, and pretty flowers were out and about.  Ceil had plenty of fresh air today and is now in bed resting for a full day tomorrow.

Fall is in the air

The weekend is almost here.  Thursday is usually a quiet day.  Karen, Ceil, Linda, Rob and Christopher took a short walk this morning.  They stopped by the church afterwards to show their respects to the Olson family.  Mrs. Olson passed away. Not too many of Ceil's kids remember that Mrs. Olson brought Ceil's family two bread bags of bologna sandwiches to the house when our dad passed away.  I remember how good they tasted and thankful I was that there was kid friendly food for us in the house during that tragic time.  The rest of the day was spent hanging out and watching a little TV.

Birthday, Shopping and just hanging out

Another weekend has come and almost gone.  Karen and Ceil spent Friday together.  They did a few chores that needed to be done, there always something that needs to be done here. Denise came after she got off of work for a visit. Then Annie, the caregiver for the weekend, arrived around 4:30pm. Shortly thereafter Ceil got a surprise visit from her birthday boy, Kevin (and Colleen) Friday evening.  Ceil's baby turned 47 years old on Friday. Ceil was excited to see Kevin and Colleen. Kevin and Colleen had been camping up north all week. A spontaneous birthday dinner of pork, squash, fried chicken, mashed potatoes/gravy and biscuit were served.  Kevin and Colleen brought a beautiful pie from "Betty's Pies" (http://www.bettyspies.com). Ceil sang happy birthday and enjoyed all the family that were here.  Saturday morning Annie, Karen and Ceil did a little shopping at Penny's and Shopko.  A few things were picked up for the house. After Ceil's afternoon nap, Annie made chicken parmesan for dinner. Ceil's little man, Christopher, joined us for dinner.  Ceil and Christopher enjoyed their dinner at the heads of the table.  Ceil liked to wave to Christopher on the other end of the table during the meal, and Ceil was amazed that Christopher was eating so many tomatoes from Ceil's garden.  Ceil watched "Say Yes to the Dress" with her daughters, then it was off to bed.  Today Annie made scrambled eggs for breakfast.  Ceil, Linda and Annie took a walk with Ceil around the neighborhoods through the alleys.  The gardens seem to have been bitten by some frost a few evenings ago.  It was a beautiful morning for a walk.  Ceil is down for a nap now and Denise will take over for a few days.

One last pic of the four sisters (before Linda takes off to TX in a few weeks)

Fall is in the air

Brian and Mickie arrived Friday evening for a weekend of fun for Ceil.  The weather will be great as it appears fall is in the air. Brian, Mickie and Ceil had some errands to do first.  The trio headed to the grocery store to buy food for the weekend menu.  There is kabobs, rice, and salad on the menu this evening.  Mickie baked up four loaves of chocolate zucchini bread this afternoon. Ceil got up and the four of us enjoyed juice and fresh baked zucchini bread for our afternoon break.  After dinner there are plans to go to the St. Mary's Block Party.  A Beatles cover band- Revolution 5 is playing- Ceil loves The Beatles music. There is BINGO, which Brian and Mickie love. So there it appears that will be something for everyone there.  For tomorrow, there is a grilled turkey dinner planned.  If you are in the neighborhood stop by, I'm sure there will be plenty of food for everyone.