February 28, 2015--Michelle’s in Loveland, CO.

This morning, Lori, Meredith, Michelle, Connor, Natalia, and I went to breakfast at Cracker Barrel.  It is one of our favorite places to eat.  There isn’t one in Lori’s area, in fact on the whole West Coast.  So, eating there is always on their “list.”

We all ordered different things an ended up sharing.  I ordered biscuits and gravy, but I also ate part of Natalia’s pancake, and a piece of Michelle’s and Meredith’s bacon.  They shared a breakfast plate and still had enough to share with some of the rest of us.  We all left with happy tummies plus two take home boxes for extra biscuits and a pancake for Joey, who was waiting patiently in the car.

The group went different directions when we left the restaurant.  Our group went to the library.  When we got home, I was really tired and took a three hour nap.  That was what I needed while others took the dogs for a walk.

February 27, 2015--Michelle’s in Loveland, CO.

During the night, we had several more inches of snow.  Tippy loves jumping in the piles of snow.  He thinks snow shoveling is just for his entertainment. 

We had just a few flakes of snow today, but it was very cold even though the sun was shining a lot of the time.

I had an appointment with the ear doctor this afternoon.  The hearing test on my left side showed a slight bit if improvement.  It is doubtful that a hearing aid will help, but we will try.  I go back for more testing in about three weeks, so we will see if there is any change. 

Lori, Bill, and I had dinner with Meredith and Dwaine tonight.  It was very cold by the time we got home and our hot water pipes had frozen.  So much for cold snowy weather.

February 26, 2015---Michelle's snowy yard in Loveland, CO.

Meredith--"Hapa's fur is out of control around her chicken leg."



Me--"It looks like she exploded."



Lori--"It's hard to tell that there is a dog under that fluff."



She doesn't have to worry about getting cold on these snowy days

February 25, 2015--Michelle’s in Loveland, CO.

I had a relaxing morning.  Not much happening. The dark clouds came and went, threatening of snow.  

Not long after noon, David came.  Lindsey had been here doing her nurse things...blood pressure, temperature...things like that.  David made me do all kind of strengthening exercises.  Lori was watching and said most of the moves are yoga moves.

By the time David left it was snowing very hard.  And then the snow stopped.  Rats!  But before too long, the snow was falling really hard again.

Michelle built a fire in the fireplace and I sat, getting warm and watching the snow come down really, really hard.  By the time I went back out to the motorhome, the snow was beginning to pile up.  It was so pretty. 

I forgot to report yesterday, that as I sat by the fireplace, I held Natalia’s litttle hedgehog.  He is so cute, but a bit nervous.  It was fun to play with him.

February 24, 2015--Michelle’s in Loveland, CO.

This was an exciting day for us.  Lori came for a visit. .We had a lot of catching up to do.  She had lunch with Natalia, then came back to Michelle’s.  While she was gone to Fort Collins, I took the time to get my hair shampooed and set.  That is always a treat for me.  Lori and I also made a trip to Hobby Lobby and the Habitat thrift store.  

Bill and I meet lots of interesting people in our travels around the country.  Today I got a get well card from Barbara and Sammy.  Several years ago we met them while camping in the Lone Pine area.  It was love at first sight for Sammy and me.  Don’t worry about Bill being jealous.  Sammy is cute and cuddly and covered with light brown fur.  Bill knows how I love most of the dogs I meet.  Now I have a picture of Sammy.  Thanks!  I feel better just seeing his fuzzy face in the picture.

I continue to improve slowly.  David, my PT, and I are working well together to get me more mobil.  Its working!!!!!!

February 23, 2015--Michelle’s in Loveland, CO.

It was 1° when we got up this morning.  The highest I saw all day long was 12°.  That is just a bit too cold, but we kept cozy in the motorhome.

The visiting nurse came at noon.  She was able to help me with an expired Rx.  I have not had any chest pains for awhile, but it is good to have someone checking up on me.

The PT came and worked me over.  Actually, I am feeling stronger bit by bit.  He wants me to use my walker more, but I am resisting.  Maybe when the weather improves (temperature wise) I will be able to take a stroll around the neighborhood.

Lori comes tomorrow for a week’s visit.  It will really be good to see her.  Unfortunately, she won’t be bringing Tucker or Maddie.  Sniff, sniff!

February 22, 2015--Michelle’s in Loveland, CO

Yesterday was JP’s birthday...25...a quarter of a century.  Wow!  When I called him last night, he and Rosie were at a resturarent so I called him today and we had a nice chat.

We had some more snow today, but not very much.  It was cold, so there wasn’t much melting of yesterdays heavy amount.  It is 8:00 p.m. now and down to 10°.  Br.r.r.r.r.r!

We watched the NASCAR race from Daytona this afternoon.  It was nice to sit before the fireplace and be snugly and warm.  We aren’t suppose to have any more of the fluffy white stuff for several days.  Rats!

February 21, 2015--Michelle’s in Loveland, CO

We woke up to a winter wonderland.  I think we had about 3” of snow during.  It continued to snow all day, sometimes harder than other times.

Michelle sent word that she was sitting in front of the fireplace and invited me to join her.  I spent the rest of the day keeping it warm and watching the snow fall, heavier and heavier.

At one point, I thought the patio doors were completely fogged over.  That wasn’t it at all.  We were having a white out.  I can’t remember ever experiencing that before.  It was an erie feeling.  Once it cleared enough to see the barbecue grill, it just kept snowing really hard.

I don’t know how much snow we had received by then, but it was a lot.  Bill spent some time shoveling snow and came in very tired.  I reminded him that people often have heart attacks while dealing with snow.  Sometimes he forgets he 80.

February 20, 2015--Michelle’s in Loveland, CO

I delayed my hair appointment for a few days.  I just didn’t feel like fooling with it.

The PT came at noon.  He and Bill both think I am making good progress. I think I look at it as such a long way to go.  I need to work on an attitude adjustment.

Meredith and the pups came for an afternoon visit.  When Joey lays down to take a nap, he covers half of the floor.  He’s a really big dog.  I love having the pups in the MH.

We went into Michelle’s for pizza tonight.  When we came out the snow had just started to fall.  The weather station is still calling for 8-10 inches during the weekend.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

February 19, 2015--Michelle’s in Loveland, CO

The visiting nurse came at 8:00 this morning.  All is OK with me today, but last night was a differet story.  Just before I went to bed, I threw up...and threw up...and threw up.  I don’t know what the problem was and the nurse hadn’t a clue either.  Today I was fine.

I had planned to go to the beauty shop to get my hair curled, but I decided to wait until next week for that treat.  Instead, we went to Costco.

Not a really exciting day, but no snow.  Maybe tomorrow will be better.

February 18, 2015--Michelle’s House in Loveland, Colorado

I had an appointment with a cardiologist, Dr. Green, this morning.  The purpose of the “get together” was to get acquainted.  We seemed to be a good fit.  In two weeks I will go back for X-rays and some lab work and then see Dr. Green on March 13.

Meredith and Michelle went with us.  It is good to have their memories and feedback.  My memory is not too great these days and Bill’s is not a whole lot better.

On the way home we stopped at Wendy’s to get baked potatoes for lunch.  That is one thing I am able to eat and enjoy.

David, the PT came at 1:00.  Once again, he put me through the paces.

Yesterday, Michelle took a picture of Tippy and me taking a nap in her office.  Lori, I think I owe a special “thank you” for adding it to my log.

February 17, 2015--Michelle’s House in Loveland, Colorado

It was really cold most of today.  We didn’t have more snow, but what we have didn’t do much melting.

Because I am so unsteady on my feet, Bill doesn’t like to leave me “running loose” in the motor.  While he went to get his hair cut this morning, I took a nap.  That worked out just fine with me.

After showering this afternoon, I went to Michelle’s office so Tippy and I could take a nap.  He kept my feet very warm.  About an hour later, he got up and my feet got cold.  Oh well.  It was good while it lasted.

February 16, 2015--Michelle’s Snowy House in Loveland, Colorado

February 16, 2015--Michelle’s Snowy House in Loveland, Colorado

We had more snow during the night.  It was so beautiful when we got up.  At least, I thought it was.  Bill and I have different ideas about snow.

David, the PT, came and he really gave me a workout.  When he left I was really tired, but I couldn’t take time for a nap.  I had an appointment with Dr. Huneycutt.  As if I didn’t have enough going on in my life right now, I now have a UTI.  Dr. H said it was a good thing I came in, because it is a more serious infection than I usually have.  Yup! Let’s do everything up to the max!

We had several more hours of snow this afternoon.  Sometimes, it was big fluffy flakes, sometimes balls of snow looking more like styrofoam from a “beanbag chair” than snow.  The driveway was covered in ice by the tine we went home.

I spent the evening inside Michelle’s house enjoying the fire in the fireplace.  It was so cozy!!

February 15, 2015---Michelle’s house, Loveland, Colorado

Michelle made biscuits and gravy for Sunday morning breakfast.  It was a real treat.

At a little bit after 12:00,  snow started to fall...big fat fluffy flakes.  It was a treat to watch it snow.  By mid afternoon it had stopped, but I enjoyed it while it lasted.

Meredith, Joey, and Hapa came for a visit.  That as a good dose of “get well medicine” for me.  I really do enjoy having them around.

I have lost quite a bit of weight during my 35 days in the hospital.  Michelle is cooking great meals and I am beginning to get my appetite back, slowly!  It has been good to be here parked at her house and have the benefit of all her good meals.  But, Brent. so far she hasn’t fixed liver and onions.  What’s the deal.

Some where along the way since all the sickness, I have completely forgotten how to do some things.  The main thing that I can’t remember is how to do is send photos in my log.  Hang in there.  Hopefully, it will come back to me.

Another thing is spell checking so please don’t grade my ramblings too carefully!

February 14, 2015---Michelle’s house, Loveland, Colorado

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Loveland is a great place to spend Valentine’s Day.  There is lots of decorating done, in addition of the year round things.  The old downtown area was blocked of for several blocks.  There are snow and ice sculpture competitions.  This year because of the lack of snow, large blocks of snow were brought in and stacked on top of each other.  The same was done with blocks of ice.  It limited creative efforts somewhat, but never the less, some nice things were sculpted.

Meredith, Michelle, and I walked around looking at all the sculptures.  It was interesting and fun to see the creations.  We also went to see the new restaurant where Meredith will work on weekends.  It is going to be very upscale, set to open in April. 

After eating lunch, we went back home to rest.  I took a very long nap.  I am getting very good at that.

February 13, 2015---Michelle’s house, Loveland, Colorado

Friday the 13th!  Let’s hope it won’t be full of bad luck! 

I had two “medical” appointments today.  Both of them were at the motorhome.  That was a first for me.

David is the physical therapist.  At first I thought it was strange to do workouts in the MHO, but the more we talked about it, the more I realized he will be helping me with skills I need to continue living in the motorhome.

I have a lot of weakness in my legs, but my upper body strength is fairly good.  Hopefully I will make good progress like I did with the  PT guys in Brandon.  Most of that progress disappeared with my last two trips to the hospital.  I’m back at square one.

At 2:00, the home health nurse came to see how I was doing.  That was all going well, but I was really tired by the time both of those people left, so I took a really long nap.

No more appointments until Monday.  That was a good way to end Friday the thirteenth.  Not such a bad day after all!  Yea!

February 12, 2015--Michelle’s House, Loveland, Colorado

February 12, 2015--Michelle’s House, Loveland, Colorado

Every time I would get out of the hospital in Mississippi, I would tell Bill I needed to get my hair cut, but before I could make an appointment I would end up back in the hospital.  If Halloween was approaching I would’ve been OK, but it wasn’t and I didn’t want to keep looking like Christopher Lloyd for several months.

I tried to find out if a remake of “Back to the Future” was in the works because I wanted to apply for the job.  No luck, so I got my hair fixed this morning.  Yippy Skippy!  

It amazes me how things like that can tire me out, but they do.  I took a long nap when we got home.

The weather today was beautiful.  No sign of snow.  It was way more like Spring than Winter.

Meredith and the pups came this afternoon.  It is always good to have company, especially those three.

February 11, 2015--Michelle’s House, Loveland, Colorado

We had a visiting nurse coming today to assesses any special needs I might have to hurry my recovery efforts.  I have also been assigned a physical therapy person.  It should be interesting to see what he has to say.

I seemed much weaker today that I have been for the last few days.  Maybe “David” will get me going in the right direction.  I want to get all of these problems going in the right way.  We have a lot of work ahead of us.  I need to make some progress in the right direction, and sustain it.  Seems I take one step forward and two backwards.

It was colder today than it has been, so I have been wrapped in a blanket a lot of the day.  We are both missing the warm Arizona weather that we usually have at this time of the year.

February 10, 2015--Michelle’s House, Loveland, Colorado

February 10, 2015

We didn’t have anywhere to be this morning.  Of course, there were always Home Depot and Lowe’s calling for Bill’s attention.  And he did a good job of keeping them busy.

At 2:00, we went to Ft. Collins.  Natalia had made an appointment for me to get a manicure at her school.  My nails had grown quite long and are so strong I can’t cut them.  It is good to have them back to a length I can tolerate.

On the way back to Michelle’s, we stopped for a treat at Sonic...a Diet Dr. Pepper with lots of Sonic Ice.  Yippy, Skippy!

Monday, February 9, 2015, Michelle's in Loveland, CO

Today I went to see Dr. Huneycutt to review all that happened in MS. Needless to say there were volumes of paperwork but he reviewed them all including the medications and listened to Bill, Meredith and Michelle recount my experience.

Natalia made an excellent dinner tonight.  We had bbq in the crockpot, squash & zucchini, mashed potatoes and salad.  No one left the table hungry! I have been having a hard time eating but tonight I had a "happy plate"!

February 8, 2015 Michelle's in Loveland, Colorado

Sunday, February 8, 2015



M&M writing the blog tonight...... Today Mom, Natalia and Meredith went to Steak n Shake in Greeley for lunch.  Mom has had trouble eating and Natalia would not let Mom into the Subaru until she ate ALL of her slider.  After dinner Natalia brought up Wally her hedgehog. He is the newest member of the family. He is so cute and provided great entertainment. Today was sunny and warm.

This is a joint effort for Mom's rehabilitation.

February 6, 2015 Michelle's in Loveland, Colorado

Michelle sent a text at 11:30 saying that Mom and Dad had arrived at her house.  I think that it is safe to say that the whole Dane clan let out a huge sigh of relief.

The afternoon was spent resting, it has been a long five days since they left Mississippi.

If you would like to send a card to Mom, Michelle's address is:
1268 Tupelo Dr.
Loveland, CO 80538

February 5, 2015 Amarillo, Texas to Limon, Colorado

Today was a long, exhausting day for Mom and Dad: 337 miles which is 11 hours of driving.  The good news is, is that they are 140 miles from Loveland.  Whooooooo hooooooo!

Happy birthday to Meredith and Michelle!

February 4, 2015 Vernon, Texas-Amarillo, Texas

Today ended up being a short day for Mom and Dad.  There was a bad wind storm so Dad pulled into a Walmart for the rest of the day.

Hopefully it abates by tomorrow so that they can hit the road once again.

February 3, 2015 Longview, Texas to Vernon, Texas

 Mom and Dad made it to Vernon, Texas today, about 320 miles.  The best part of the day was lunch at In-N-Out in Arlington, Texas.  Happy tummies!

Their goal for tomorrow is Lamar, Colorado.

Making good progress, Mom and Dad.  There are 4 grandchildren,  3 pups, 2 daughters, 2 son-in-laws, and 1 hedgehog anxiously awaiting your arrival!

February 2, 2015. -Brent's to Longview, Texas

Dad fired up the coach and was on the road by 9:00.  They crossed two borders today, I'm sure that there was lots of honking and cheering going on.  

They arrived in Longview, Texas this afternoon.  

Happy 20th birthday, Joshua!

Today's mileage: 280 miles.

February 1, 2015 - Brent's in Brandon, Mississippi

Mom and Dad are hitting the road tomorrow.  I know that they are both looking forward to firing up the coach and pulling a Willie Nelson.

While we are sad that the Seahawks lost the super bowl today, it was a close game and they fought to the bitter end.

January 31, 2015 - Brent's in Brandon, Mississippi

Mom called me this morning and was quite chipper.  They moved the coach from the campground back over to Brent's.  The plan is that they  will watch the Super Bowl with Brent, GO SEAHAWKS, and then hit to road Monday morning. 

A decision has been made to go back to Loveland where Mom will meet with her regular doctor.  The hope is that he can coordinate the different specialists she needs to see.  Once her medicines are regulated and she is stronger, they will hit the road again.