Traveling to Houlton

I began my Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat my fruit. After doing so I then had my bowl of cereal and half of an english muffin. At 8:30 I then showered and got ready for the day ahead. At 9:00 I then loaded my things into the car. At 10:00 My parents and I left for Houlton, Maine. At 11:15 along the way we stopped at Hanaford in Bangor. We were then back on the road in no time. At 12:00 we stopped for lunch. We were soon then once again back on the road. We had arrived at my Aunt Marions and Uncle Dons at 2:00 p.m. Once we had the car unpacked and things brought inside, we then sat out on the deck My aunt, uncle, parents, and my cousin Chris. We had talked till 4:00 before going on my I Pad with my Cousin Chris. He first fixed the volume for me then he my uncle took a picture of my cousin and I to post on face book. I then sat down to rest for an hour and fifteen minutes. Once I was up I had taken a shower before sitting down to eat dinner. At 7:00 I then wipped out my I pad so that I could sit down and blog.

Friday at last

I began my Friday morning at 7:30 a.m. by changing the sheets on my bed. Once I had it made I then went to the laundry room to start a wash. Once I had the wash going, I then left went for a walk/jog up and down to the driveway. At 8:30 I then went back into the house to start a load of laundry. I then sat down to drink my hot cocoa and eat my fruit platter. After doing so I then toasted an English muffin. Once I had finished eating I had brushed my teeth before hanging out the laundry to dry. At 9:45 I had shaved before starting in on my weight exercises both leg then arm. At 10:10 I then pulled out my stretching papers and began to stretch. At 10:40 I then jumped in the shower thus getting ready for the rest of then day. Once I had cleaned my bathroom. I preceded to start another load of laundry. At 11:20 I then returned to my bedroom to pack to go to Houlton this weekend to visit my Aunt and Uncle wit my parents. At 12:00 I then lied down to rest. I had slept for two hours before getting up to eat some lunch. Once I had finished eating I then called my grandmother to see how her day was going. I then went back out into the kitchen to wash some dish's. Once I had them put away, I called my friend Tim who also is visually impaired. We talked for an hour before hanging up. My friend Greg then called. we spoke for forty-five minutes until it was time for him to eat dinner. My parents had arrived home shortly afterwards. I then sat down to blog at 5:00 soon calling it a day.

Running in the driveway, YEH!

I began my Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m. by getting up and going out into the kitchen to eat my plate of fruit while drinking my hot cocoa. After doing so, I then had a bowl of cereal with a toasted muffin. Once I had finished, I had brushed my pearly whites before loading up the dish washer then I started it. After doing so, I then went downstairs to ride for thirty minutes. Once I had finished peddling, I had gone outside in the driveway to do some running. I have to say each day it feels more and more like the real thing. After ten times running back and fourth in the driveway, I then went back inside to do my weight exercises both upper and lower. At 9:40 I then stretched until 10:10. I then took my shower thus getting ready for the rest of the day. WOW I AM RUNNING IN THE DRIVEWAY! Once I had cleaned my bathroom, I then started a load of laundry. Once I had emptied the dishwasher and put the dish's away I had returned to my bedroom at 11:15 to put my clean laundry away. At 11:30 I had called my friend Tim who is blind to chat, but he was not home. His grandmother had answered the phone and let me know that he was out in the community with his helper doing his weekly shopping. At 11:30 I then called my grandmother to see how things were going with her. Once I was off the telephone I had returned to the laundry room to put the laundry in the dryer. It was a rainy day so I could not hang it on the clothing line. I then went to my bedroom to lay down and watch the news. At 1:15 I then folded the laundry and put it away. At 1:30 I was back in bed. At 3:40 I then got up. My mother had arrived home which luckily woke me up, or I probably would have slept all day into the night. After having a bite to eat, I had spoke briefly on the phone to my friend Greg before going back out into the kitchen to speak to my parents. I then returned to my bedroom at 4:45 to enter my daily blog. Just a thought for the day. "I enjoy running, but this stroke I had will not run my life."

Looking at key boards on e bay

I began my Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa while eat some fruit. Once I had done so I then had a muffin with a bowl of cereal. At 8:25 I then did some walking up and down the driveway before going back into the house to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. After doing I then took the laundry upstairs to hang out on the clothing line. At 8:45 I then went back to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. At 9:30 I then stretched. At 10:10 I then took my shower and got ready to go to Westside. I then had a bite to eat before united arrived. I had arrived to Westside at 1:00 P.m. Just in time to go to the conference room for support group. First we had a fire drill. Then to start support group we checked in. Dee Dee going camping this weekend. Linda missed Boston Trip due to her transportation. She reports her ribs are getting better. Linda passed up an offer on housing to move into do to personal reasons with her health at this time. Linda also mentioned she went biking with Maine Handicapped Skiing. Les week not very eventful. He mentions he has a hard time sleeping aches all over. Says he has a hard time to trust people since his stroke. At 2:00 during my P.T. session with Jamee she first had me ride the new step for ten minutes. I then did ten laps around the inside in six minutes. 1600 feet. Jamee then set up an obstacle course for me to walk around with cones and a latter to work on balance. At three I then had I pad group with Deb. I first looked at key boards on e bay. I then deleted email. At 4:00 Roger from United took me home. I had arrived home at 5:15 took a shower and then sat down to blog before dinner.

Appointment at CMMC in the speech department for estem on my throat

I began my Tuesday morning at 5:00 a.m. by getting up to do my weight exercises. After doing so I then began to do my stretching routine at 5:30. My P.T. at Westside keeps giving me new stretching exercises can to do, which is good, thus making the workout a little more interesting. At 6:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat a bowl of hot cereal and some toast before getting ready for the day ahead. United had arrived at 7:30, thus getting me to Westside for 9:00 a.m. Once I was inside, I immediately went into the conference room for yoga group. During yoga, Carol had David, Mat, and I do ten different stretching exercises while listening to music. We then ended the group with Shavasana. This is a type of relaxation. At 10:00 I then went downstairs to the gym for my P.T. session with Jaimee. I had first walked 1.131 miles at 3.3 miles per hour for ten minutes. I then did ten minutes at 3.4 miles per hour. Jaimee then strapped a gate belt around my waist and had me out in the hall doing lunges. She then had me do some side lunges. I then did some tandem stepping before returning to the gym in the parallel bars. Here she had me continuing to work on my balance by taping cones going from left to right and right to left. left, front, right. This turned out to be more of a challenge then she thought after walking on the treadmill and lunges in the hall so she had removed the cones and put down black strips. This made raising my foot a little easier. At 11:00 I then had a fifteen minute break, so I went to the lobby to sit down. Piper then came out to get me for case management. We had talked about my vial stem appointment for this afternoon and how setting up my transportation has been going. I then went back out in the lobby to wait for Sally. During my Nursing session with Sally We spoke about Doctors appointments and transportation to those appointments. She then took my blood pressure reading. 108 over 62. We then discussed my speech appointment this afternoon with Nicole at CMMC. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. After doing so, I had returned to the lobby to wait to meet with Deb. Today Deb had helped me once again send out some email and delete some email. At 1:00 United Wheelchair had arrived to take me to central Maine Medical Center to the speech department to have the electrical stimulation done to throat. Today during my appointment the speech therapist first hooked me up to the e stem machine by attaching electrodes up to my throat. She then turned the e stem machine on. There was no food today. Instead she had me swallowing my own saliva and a little sip of water every now and then, but not much water at all. After the appointment I went to the desk to several more set up. United then took me home. I had arrived home at 4:30. I went strait inside took my shower then sat down to blog before dinner.

Running in the parking lot at WestSide with Jammie durring P.T.

My Monday morning began at 5:00 a.m. by doing my weight exercises. I had run through the routine twice this morning. I must have been feeling overly energetic. After doing so, I then stretched. Before wrapping up the exercises regimen I preceded to finish up with my breathing and speech exercises until 6;00. I then went out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and snack on some fruit before eating a breakfast sandwich. At 6:45 I then returned to my bedroom to take my shower and get ready for the rest of the day. I then wrote direction on how to use my I pad in the notebook with I pad notes. I then waited for United to arrive. I had arrived at Westside for 10:00 a.m. I then brought my lunch to the kitchen to put in the refrigerator. I then made my way into the gym for my P.T. session with Jammie. Today she first had me walk twenty minutes on the treadmill at 3.2 miles per hour. I had walked 1.066 miles. We then went outside in the parking lot at Westside to do some running. I have to say, I am getting better every day. My posture, arm movement, and breathing, and controlling my stop at the end. these are some of the things I am working on to help improve my running style. It is amazing how my mind and body has forgot how to perform such an easy task as running. jammie and I then went out in the parking lot. first she strapped the gate belt on, because I was not going to be running alone. I had run 480 feet three times in the parking lot with out a break until after the 480 feet long run was finished. Believe me I guzzle down the water during this training session. At 11:00 I then went into the conference room for laughter therapy group with Flourina and Deb. Mat first played the song dinner rolls played to the tune of Thunder Roles. We then each went around to one positive thing about our week, Mat, Paul, Alisa, Flourina, Deb and I. We then did some laughter exercises before finishing up with breathing exercises. At 12:00 I had gone to the lunch room to eat my lunch. Once I had finished, I had made my way up to the lobby to catch my ride. I had arrived home at 1:45, Upon doing so I had gone straight to bed. I had slept until 4:10 before getting. I then called United to make sure that they would be picking me up tomorrow to be to Westside for 9:00 a.m. I then sat down at my computer to type in my daily blog entrée.

Another visit with my grandmother

I began my Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. by leaving my bunk house and going into the camp to drink my hot cocoa and to eat some fruit. As I was doing so My mother had made me a peanut butter and banana sandwich. Once I had finished eating I had brushed me teeth in the bathroom downstairs at camp. It makes it easier for me rather then going up and down the stairs. climbing up and down the stairs makes my parents nervous any way. They prefer being there when I do so. Things were not like this before my stoke. Every day I keep getting stronger. At 10:45 I then returned to my bunk house to change the sheets on my bed thus straightening out my bunk house. At 11:30 I then went back into the camp to sit and wait for my mother. We soon left to go back home. We had arrived home at 12:00 noon. Once the car was unpacked and my computer was set back up, I then took my shower and got ready for the rest of the day. At 12:50 I then sat down to eat some lunch. At 1:10 my mother took me down to the Pierce House to visit my grandmother. While there we played game of skip-bo and rummie. At 3:10 my mother had returned to take me home. Upon my arrival back home I had to call Fair Point to get my computer back on line. At 4:50 I then went on the deck so sit and talk with my parents. We then went in at 5:15 to eat dinner. After doing so, I had returned to my bedroom to blog.

a visit with grandma

I began my Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. by leaving my bunk house and going into the camp to eat breakfast. It was my Mother's Day off so she had made me an egg sandwhich. While I was waiting I had sat down to drink my hot cocoa and eat somw fruit. Once I had finished eating, it was now 9:30. I had brushed my teeth before returning to my bunk hous to rest. I had done so for ninty minutes. My mother had left to go to Farmington to pick my grandmother up at the Pierce House. While she was gone, I then preceded to do my stretching. After doing so, I then sat down to watch an episode od two and a half men. At 12:30 I then returned to my bunk house to relax. My mother had arrived with my grandmother at 1:20. I then went on the camp dech to play skip-bo with my grandmother, while my mother put some food out for us to eat. At 2:30 my mother then sat down with us to play tock. After we each won a game, my mother and I took my grandmother back to the Pierce House. My mother and I had returned back to camp at 6:00. Upon doing so, I had taken a shower to get confortable for the night. I then sat down with my I Pad to blog. How ausome is that.

blogging for the first time using my i pad, YEH!!!

I began my Friday at 10:00 a.m. by leaving my shack and going into the camp to eat my breakfast After doing so I had brushed my teeth before sitting down to call my grandmother. At 10:30 I then washed the dish's and picked up the camp before starting in with my stretching. I did so until 11:15. I then did my tension I.D. and control exercises. At 11:30 I then returned to my bunk house to rest. I did so until until 4:00 p.m. It is nice now that I have cable television in my bunk house, I don't even have to leave. At 4:00 I then made my way back into the camp to get a bite to eat. I then called my friend Greg to talk briefly. I then went back to the bunk house to get some night clothering to go back into the camp to take my shower. After my shower I then sat down to eat dinner. Once I had finished eating I then sat down to blog for the first time using my I pad connected to a keyboard. How exciting is that! I did it!

A day spent out at camp alone, how relaxing.

I began my Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m. by getting and going into the camp to eat a bowl of cereal and banana. Once I had finished eating my mother had called from work to see how I was doing. at 10:00 I then sat to catch up on my blogging. Seems things are working at home with the computer it was best for me to stay at camp at do so. After two hours of blogging I then had a bite to eat before going out to my bunk house at 12:30 to lied down to rest. I had slept for two hours before getting up at 3:00. My parents had arrived from work shortly after. I then did my ankle exercises before taking my shower. At 6:00 I then sat down to eat dinner. Meat loaf string beans, beats, and potato. Once I had finished eating I then sat down to blog.

back out to camp

Tuesday 8/20/13 I began my Tuesday morning bright and 4:00 a.m. to be exact. I got up to gather my things, making sure I had my I pad and my lap top with me to bring home. Once I had what I needed I had left to go home. My mother and I had arrived home at 5:00 a.m. That the one of the problems I have being visually impaired, I always have to depend on others to get me from point A to point B. After I had unpacked to the car, I had gone to my bedroom to do my morning stretching and weight routine. I then continued to get ready for the day ahead. United had arrived at 7:00 a.m. this morning. A little earlier then usual, so that we could go pick up Donald. We had arrived at Westside for 9:00 a.m. I had quickly gone downstairs to put my lunch in the refrigerator before going back to the conference room for yoga group with Michelle. Today michelle had Donald, David and I using the Wii to exercise by. We did yoga poses, such as the half moon, push up lunge, and side leg twist. At 10:00 I then went downstairs to the gym for my P.T. session with Jamee. I had first walked ten minutes on the treadmill. After walking .549 miles at 3.3 miles per hour, I then went out into the hall to work on modified tandum stepping. This is were the old gate belt comes in handy. Once I had finished working on tandum stepping, Jamee then had me lunging in the hall. This exercise really works on your upper leg. It really was incredible how off balance I was while doing lunges. I also have to take in consideration I was half into my session. Once I had finished lunging Jamee went to get me a glass of water. I then At 11:00 I then went to the lobby for my fifteen minute break before meeting with Piper at 11:15 for case management. Today I told Piper about the Boston trip on Friday before going over Important stuff like transportation issues. At 11:30 I then met with Sally. We first spoke about my vial stem appointments at Central Maine Medical Center and how to get transportation. We then spoke to my mother before calling the speech department at Central Maine Medical Center to set up another appointment. with Nicole for Tuesday 8/27. Sometimes appointments like these can not come soon enough. I just can not wait to clear this swallowing up. I have strategies I use, but at times that is just not enough. At 12:00 I then went to the dining area to eat my lunch. After doing so I had met with Deb and the guy from Goodwill I.T. department to try out a key board to go with my I pad. After doing so he had connected his key board up to my I pad to let me use for a week. Deb then helped to email and how to turn it on and off. At 1:00 United took Donald and I home. I had arrived home at 2:30 thus going straight to my bedroom to lied down to rest. I had slept until 4:00 before getting to take a shower before eating pork pie for dinner. I then went to my bedroom to call friends. Wednesday 8/21/13 I began my Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. after doing so I then picked up the kitchen before starting the dishwasher. I then brushed my teeth. I then went for a walk. Not far, but it was far enough. Once I had returned home I preceded to do my weight and stretching exercises. At 9:00 I then road the bike for twenty minutes before speaking to my mother who has been on the telephone with the company from out of state dealing with my transportation. At 9:25 I then called United to see what time I would be picked up. Once I had confirmed that 11:45 would be my pick up time, I then preceded to take in the laundry. I then did my ankle exercises before hanging out another load of laundry. Once I had emptied the dish washer and put the dish's away I then preceded to get ready to go to therapy. United had arrived to pick me up at 11:30. These days I do not know who is picking me up. I had arrived to Westside at 1:00 P.m. Just in time to go to the conference room for support group. Denise first explained what the group was all about to the newest client in the group Leslie. She then went around trying to remember all of our names. We then checked in with Deb and Sam and to let others know how we got our brain injury. Leslie had a stoke and is going to therapy so that he can someday not be in a wheelchair. Dee Dee went to the camp ground this past weekend. While they had a bomb fire and camp ground meeting that she attended. She also let us know that she was in a bicycle accident which gave her a concussion then later gave her a seizure disorder. Denise then let us know that she was in a car accident when she was thirty. She now lives on her own with twenty-four assistance so that she is successful. Camie is doing well with her school work. she let us know that she had a stoke and later found a tumor. She has been a client since November. At 2:00 I then made my way to the gym for P.T. with Jamee. I first walked for fifteen minutes at 3.3 miles per hour on the treadmill. I had walked .08 miles I then walked 1370 feet around the lower level of Westside. jamee then had made the statement that I definatly still need my cane for balance. I had walked 3.8 feet per second, walking one-fourth mile. Jamee then set up and obstacle course in the hall using latter and cones. I then did lunges. At 3:00 I then went to I pad group. During I pad group I learned how to e-mail and use a key board you connect the I pad to during I pad group. I also sent out a couple of e-mails. Steve the I.T. man from Goodwill let me use his key board for the week to see if I would like it. At 4:00 United then took me home. I had arrived home at 5:00. I then gathered my things and went straight out to camp for the rest of the week. Upon my arrival to camp I took a shower before going out on the deck to sit and talk with my parents. At 7:00 I then ate dinner After doing so, I spoke to a friend briefly before going to bed for the night.

catching up on my blog

Friday 8/16/13 United had picked me up at 6:30 a.m. to bring me to Westside for 8:00. Upon my arrival to Westside, Sally the nurse went over Medication with clients making sure that they had all that they needed for the day. Michelle then passed out our t-shirts we are to wear while on the trip, so as to be easily reconised. At 8:30 we then boarded the bus. We then left for Bay Side at 9:00. We had arrived at Bayside at 9:50. Upon our arrival, Bay Side clients and staff boarded the bus. We were then on our way. Along the way everyone broke open their bag lunch that they were responsible for taking to eat. At 12:00 we had arrived at the museum of science. Once off the bus Sally and her group of clients joined John and his group of clients to walk around and take in the educational spectrum surrounding the museum. At 3:30 we then loaded the bus and headed over to the ocean aquarium. While there we looked at all different sorts of fish. We even had the opportunity to touch their backs as they circled around the tank that they were in. Before the day was done, John had to get me a wheel chair to be pushed around in. My legs just could not take anymore walking, they were done in. At 6:00 we had left to go home. Along the way we had stopped for dinner at McDonalds and burger king. They were side by side. Bay side went to Burger King while West Side went to McDonald's. At 7:30 we were back on the road. We had watched the movie Caddy Shack while on the bus. We had pulled into Bayside in Portland at 10:15. My sister was there to pick me up. She then took me to her house to spend the night. We had arrived home at 10:15. I then went straight to bed. Saturday 8/17/13 I began my Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. by getting up to take my shower. My sister and then left for camp. Along the way we had breakfast on the road. At 1:00 we stopped at rite aid in Farmington so that I could drop some film of to be developed of my trip to Boston. We then stopped to pick up my grandmother to bring her to camp. We had arrived to camp at 1:40. Once we were there I had gone out on the deck with my grandmother to do word search puzzles. At 2:20 we then played cribbage. Feeling tired at 2:36, I then went to my bunk house to take a nap. I had slept until 4:45 before getting up. I then made my way into the camp to eat dinner with my family. I then took a shower before sitting out on the deck. with sister and mother. At 7:00 I then spoke to my friend on the phone, before going to bed at 8:00. Sunday 7/18/13 I began my Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. by going out into the camp. My father had made me breakfast before leaving to go home at 10:45. We had arrived home at 11:45. Once inside, I had taken a shower, thus getting ready to Weld to visit some friends for the day. While there I had sat to visit briefly before going for a boat ride on Webb Lake with Kevin, Joana, and their kids. We were back on land at 4:30. We then made our way back to the camp site to have something to eat with my parents and my friend Kevin's parents. At 6:00 we then left to go home. We had arrived home at 6:00. I had called Fair Point to fix my computer, but I had no luck. I then called it a day. Monday 8/19/13 I began my Monday morning at 5:00 a.m. by watching the news. I then got up at 5:15 to do my weight and stretching exercises. After doing so I then took my shower and got ready for the day. United had arrived at 8:30 to bring me to Westside. I had arrived for 10:00 a.m. for my P.T. session with Jamee. Today she had me doing lunges in the hall and exercises in the parallel. I also walked ten minutes on the treadmill. At 11:00 I had joined laughter group with Deb and Flourina. today we each took turns naming a laughter exercise to do. At 12:00 I then had lunch before going home. Upon my arrival home I had gone strait to camp. Once I was there I had gone straight to bed to sleep for three hours. I then got up to catch up on my blog inside the camp before eating dinner.

Boston Trip Day

Well up bright and early this morning getting ready to go to Boston on a trip with Westside and Bayside. It looks to be an o.k. day weather wise not to hot and not cold. scattered showers in the mountains but I will be leaving that area of the United States. my first stop Westside. then on to the Boston's Museum of Science and aquarium. Looking forward to an educational time learning mentally and physically trying myself to see how long my body will go both mentally and physically today. It will be the longest day since I left the hospital. I be staying at my sisters tonight which will nock off two hours off my travel time so I should be home at 9:00 instead of 11:00. I will let you all know how the day trip went when I return.

Hello, surprise its me

I began my Thursday morning at camp at 9:00 a.m.by going into the camp from my bunk house. Once Inside I had a bowl of cereal with cut up banana and all kinds of other fruit. Along with my hot cocoa and a toasted slice of banana bread. Once I had finished eating, I then picked up the kitchen before sitting down to watch a movie. At 11:00 my sister had called. my mother had given me her cell phone, so I had caught my sister by surprise when I had answered. I then told her to call mom at work. My mother then called shortly after I had hung up with my sister. At 11:20 I then went upstairs to take a shower and get ready for the rest of the day. As I was doing so, my grandmother had called and just like my sister she thought she was calling my mother. HA HA!!! At 12:00 I then sat down to watch the news while having at bite to eat. I then sat in the recliner and shut my eyes while waiting for my mother to arrive. She had brought my grandmother along to get her out of the house. At 1:30 I then left to go home. I had arrived home at 2:40 thus going straight to bed. My mother had asked if I would like to go grocery shopping with her, but I was dead tired. I had slept for two hours before getting up. I then took a shower at 5:00 then finished packing for tomorrow. On the way home from Boston I will be dropped off at Bay Side Neurorehab where my sister will pick me up to stay with her for the night. I then went out to eat some dinner before going to my computer to blog.

Getting ready to go on the trip to Boston

I began my Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m. by getting up to eat my breakfast. Once I had finished easting I then loaded the dishes into the dishwasher and started it up. I then returned to my bedroom to take the sheets off my bed to bring to the laundry room so as to start a load of laundry. At 8:15 I then exercised on the swin air dine for thirty minutes. After doing so, I then returned to my bedroom to do my weight workout with my arms and legs. Once I had finished my morning workout it was now 10:00. I now decided to get ready for my trip to Boston I will be going on Friday with Westside. They had gone a couple of years ago for the first time, but as you know I was in the hospital at the time recovering from my stroke. Any one can sign up as long as you are a client of Westside but only a handful get chosen. Of course, The clients that did not go last time get first pick this time. While there we will be visiting the Boston Museum of science and the New England Aquarium. It sure does sound exciting and educational. They wont be pulling into Westside until 10:30, so I had asked to be dropped off in Portland so as to stay with my sister arriving home an hour earlier. At 11:00 I then folded the laundry in the dryer then I had put it away. After doing so, I then continued to pack for my trip. After doing so I then took my shower thus getting ready to camp for tonight. I then sat down to blog.

Congaradulations Abby and Chris

I began my Tuesday morning at 6:00 a.m. by getting up to eat a quick breakfast before getting ready the busy day I had ahead of me. Once I was ready my father and I jumped in the car and took off for Gardenar to my friends Stacie's. Dad first stopped off at the shop to give me a haircut along the way. For I was to attend a wedding later on this day. Upon my arrival to Stacie's she and I took off for the wedding. Upon our arrival Stacie and I helped out by frosting cupcakes. At 12:00 I then pumped up a beach ball to be played with. We then had a bite to eat roast beef sandwich. Made with cold cut and bulky rolls. At 1:00 the wedding took in a field near the beach. At 2:00 there was then conversation and more food. I spoke with one of Stacie's brothers and his wife. Eric and Brenda. I skied with their daughter who was also there at the Wedding. At 4:30 Stacie and left for gardener to meet my father at Hannaford. Dad then took me home. I had arrived home at 6:10 thus taking a shower thus getting comfortable for the night.

Jimmy McHale my friend, I will never forget you

Sunday August 11 I began my Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. by getting up to do my weight and stretching exercises. At 8:00 I then went out into the kitchen to eat a big bowl of cereal with blueberries and strawberries and banana. Once I had finished eating I had gone back to my bedroom to get ready for the rest of the day. I then packed a bag to go to camp. Once I had done so my mother and I then left to go pick up my grandmother to go to church. Once church had let out we then took my grandmother back to the Pierce House. My mother and I then went to Hannaford to pick up a few things to bring out to camp. along the way back home we had stopped off a Pike's to pick up some corn. We had arrived home at 12:10. Upon doing so I taking in laundry off from the clothing line. I then made myself a sandwich. Once I had finished eating my mother and I had left for camp. We had arrived at 1:15. Upon doing so I had visited with Judy and John, Jeanie and Richie, and my parents. As I was talking I had started to get tired, so I slipped away to my bunk house to rest. As I was laying there I was thinking, I really do miss my boat. I had not used since the summer before my stroke, so I had decided to sell it. I did have some good times with Blue Thunder. Water skiing with friends and easy rides around the lake with my family. Someday maybe I will...... Maybe someday? I had rested from 2:00-5:00 before going back into the camp to watched t.v. with Bob, who was here visiting with his wife Mary. As Bob kept Dozing off, I glanced out at the lake. What I would give to be back out there again. The others were gone on a boat ride on a friends party boat. At 7:00 we all gathered down by the dock as Judy had spread her husbands ash's on Porty Lake. The thoughts that went through my head as she emptied the earn slowly into the water. Now I know every time I go for a swim, I will be swimming with my friend Jim. Monday August 12 I began my Monday morning at 4:30 a.m. by getting up at camp and going straight home with my father. Once I was home I did some stretching and weight lifting before going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. My father had made me scrambled eggs and toast. I then went back to my room to take my shower and get ready for the rest of my day. I then gathered my things and went to the door to wait for my ride. Not only did United wheelchair pull into my door yard but community concepts followed right behind. With the transportation problems going on in the state of Maine I am not surprised that this had happened. Well of course I had jumped in United and off we went. I had arrived to Westside at 9:00 a.m. I had mentioned to the front office what had happened. I then had my nursing session with Sally. While meeting with Sally we first called my sister to make arrangements for her to pick me up after the Boston trip on Friday from Bayside in Portland. We then spoke to my mother about the appointment for my throat at central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. At 9:30 I then had my case management session with Piper. We had spoke about my treatment at Westside and how things are going. We also spoke about the recent confusion with transportation recently. At 9:45 I then had a fifteen minute break. I then went to the kitchen to wait. At 10:00 I then had my P.T. appointment with Lidia. So I had gone into the gym. First Lidia had me walk on the treadmill for ten minutes at 3.3 mph. After walking .545 miles Lidia strapped the gate belt around my waist. She then took me out into the hall to do walking lunges really putting weight on my legs. I then ran eight times down the hallway. A total of 1600 feet. While doing so she had me working on control when coming to a stop. I then took a brief break and had a glass of water before continuing. Lidia then had me doing side lunges in the hall. I then went back into the gym to do bridges on the mat. I then did planks, holding for ten seconds each. At 11:00 Butch from United then took me home. I had arrived home at 12:15. Once inside I had sat down to eat my lunch. I then started a load of laundry. I then continue to eat my lunch. At 12:20 a friend had called. I spoke briefly before starting the dishwasher. At 1:15 I then hung the laundry out to dry. I then played words with friends until 3:00. Feeling tired I then lied down to rest. I had got up at 4:45 organizing my clothing for tomorrow. I then called Stacie to confirm time to meet. I then had some dinner before sitting down to blog.

another beautiful day in the state of Maine

I began my Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to get my hot cocoa to bring back to my bedroom, so as to have to drink while I was doing my exercises. Once back in my bedroom I began to do my weight exercises. After a moderate and controlling weight lifting session I then stopped for a breather before starting in with my routine stretching regamind. At 8:50 I then preceded with my ankle exercises. At 9:00 I then returned to the laundry room to bring the wash upstairs to be hung out to dry. Slowly one step at a time I carried the laundry basket up onto the deck. Few, I made it! There are times I do have my doubts.s I then returned to the kitchen to eat a bowl of cereal with a blueberry muffin. Once I had my fill, I then went back to the laundry room to start another load of laundry before riding for thirty minutes. Once I had finished my ride, I then gathered the second load and brought it up to be hung out to dry. It was now 10:30 I then took my shower thus getting ready for the rest of my day. At 11:00 I then spoke to a friend before laying down to rest. I had slept from 11:45-2:30. Once I was up my mother had given me a letter addressed to me in the mail. It was from some friends of mine who use to live at the end our street when I was growing up as a child. Judy and Bob. Once I had finished reading the letter I then had a bite to eat. After doing so I then grabbed my I Pad to play words with friends until 4:45. I then took in the laundry before taking a shower. I then sat down to blog before eating dinner.

Dreaming of the day I will be able to run wild and free

I began my Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out to the kitchen to have a bowl of cereal and a toasted blueberry muffin along with my hot cocoa. Once I had finished eating I then put my workout clothing before going downstairs to ride for thirty minutes. At 9:00 I then went into the laundry room to put the laundry in the dryer before starting another load. I then went up to the kitchen to start the dishwasher. After doing so I then went back to my bedroom to do my weight exercises both arm and leg. At 9:30 I then did my stretching. Once I had finished with my workout I then took my shower, thus getting ready for the rest of my day. At 10:20 I had cleaned my bathroom before starting a load of laundry. I then folded the laundry in the dryer and put it away. At 11:10 the dishwasher had run its course, so I had emptied it thus putting the dish's in there proper cupboard space. At 11:30 I then put the second load in the dryer. While I continued to keep myself busy, I am anxiously awaiting for Monday to arrive for my P.T. session, so that I can get out there and do some more running. In the meantime I do what I can do to keep getting stronger. I then returned to my bathroom to fill my empty pill containers before sitting down to chill out. At 12:00 I then lied down to rest. I had slept until 2:45 before getting up to have a bite to eat for lunch. I had made myself a tuna fish sandwich. Once I had finished eating, I had returned to my I pad to play words with friends until 4:30. I then broke open my blog and began to type.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA

I began my Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat my fruit. I then had my bowl of cereal and a blueberry muffin. At 9;00 I then began to ride for thirty minutes. After doing so I had returned to my bathroom to brush my teeth to get the breakfast taste out of my mouth. I had gone straight to ride directly after eating breakfast so as to be able to start right at 9;00 a.m. At 9;45 I then began to do my weight exercises. After doing so I then stretched. At 10;30 I then began to get ready for the day ahead. My sister had arrived at 11;00 to pick me up to go the Pierce house to celebrate my grandmothers birthday with she my mother and my aunt. Along the way my sister had to stop to get my grandmother a card. We had arrived at the Pierce house at 11:30 for lunch. My mother, aunt, sister and I sat in a separate room to eat with my grandmother, aside from all the other residents. When it is your birthday at the Pierce House you get to plan the meal. My grandmother chose Lobster rolls, steak fries, and blueberry pie. So that is what we had. At 12:45 my sister brought me back home. She then left for home herself. I was so tired I lied down to rest and slept until from 1:00-3:45. Once I was up I spoke to a friend on the telephone before sitting down to blog. It is nice to spendtime with family.

Going to Best Buy to look at key boards for the I pad in I pad group.

I began my Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. A bowl of chereo's with blueberries and banana. Along with a blueberry muffin. Once I had finished eating, I then began my workout. First I had ridden the swin air dine for thirty minutes. After doing so, I then called Westside to let them know I will be needing a day off this month to attend a wedding. I had spoke to Courtney the receptionist. She said she would pass the information on to the scheduler and my case manager. At 9:00 I then preceded to brush my teeth before beginning with my weight exercises. At 9:00 my grandmother had called to ask me how my vital stem went yesterday. I then preceded with my weight exercises. At 9:30 I then stretched for thirty minutes. After doing so I then grabbed a container and went outside to pick more blueberries. At 10:20 I then began a load of laundry. At 10:30 I then took my shower thus getting ready to go to therapy. Once I had cleaned my bathroom, I then emptied the dishwasher thus putting the dish's away. At 11:00 I then hung the laundry to dry. I then grabbed my duffle bag. United had arrived at 11:40. Upon my arrival to Westside for 1:00, I had made my way to the conference room for support group. Today during support group Sam and Melisa talked with Tina, Camie, Denise, Dee Dee, and I. Camie finds out tomorrow what she will be taking for classes. Now that her testing is complete. Denise went to goodwill and a restaurant in Lewiston. Sunday she went to church then to Rang Pond to spend the day on the beach. Tina doing great now that her 16 year old daughter is living at home with her. Tina also bought her a cell phone. Dee Dee went camping. The camp director spoke to Dee Dee and let her know that there is no swimming in the pool while you are alone. Animals have to be on a leash at all times. Dee Dee also mentioned concerned feelings for her father who seems to be going down hill. She also mentioned her fathers poor health might be the cause of a tic. Dee Dee has had three brain surgeries and just has now ambition. "I just want to die." Dee Dee said. I then spoke about the vital stem I had yesterday. At 2:00 I then went to the gym for my thirty minute P.T. session with Nancy. In this time I first did some standing exercises. My blood pressure then read 122 over 82. Nancy then downloaded a yoga app onto my I pad. At 2:30 I then had an extended I pad group. Denise and I went t Best Buy with Laura to look at key boards to go with the I Pad. We then went back to West Side to look at prices on Amazon. Laura then downloaded another app for me. United then took me home. I had arrived home at 5:00. Once inside I had taken a shower before putting some clean laundry away. I then went out to the kitchen to eat my dinner before sitting down to blog.

Having my first Vital Stem treatment done

I began my Tuesday morning at 5:00 a.m. by getting up to do my weight exercises. Once I had done so, I then stretched. Once I had done my ankle exercises, I had shave before going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast at 5:50. At 6:10 I had returned to my bedroom to take my shower thus getting ready for the day ahead. Once I was ready, I then packed things in my duffle bag. United arrived at 7:30. We then went to pick up Donald before leaving Farmington. Upon my arrival to West Side I had put my lunch in the refrigerator before going to the conference room Yoga group with Michelle and Carol. Today Donald, Matt, and I first did some breathing exercises. We then preceded to do some yoga. We then ended the group with some relaxation. At 10:00 I then made my way to the gym for my P.T. session with Jamie. Today she first had me walk for ten minutes on the treadmill at 3.2 miles per hour for a warm up. I had gone .53 miles. Jamie then strapped the gate belt around my waist before going outside to do some running. I had run total 1600 feet. 1200 in the parking lot and 400 feet on the hill in the parking lot and another 200 on flat ground. We then went back into the gym. I then went into the parallel bars. Jamie had placed three cones. one on the right, left and in front of me. she then had me tapping each cone with my right leg and then left, without holding on. She then had me standing on a piece of foam. I was able to without losing my balance for 16 seconds with left foot in front of right and for 30 seconds with right foot in front of left. I then had a fifteen minute break before meeting with case management. Today I had spoke to Piper about my appointment to have the vital stem done on my throat later on today. At 11:30 I then met with Sally for nursing. During our time we spoke about my appointment later on today, she also prepared me for it with the paper work and face sheet. 118 over 74 and that was after running. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. At 12:30 I then met with Deb. During this time Dr. Ablitz sat in to show me his keyboard he has that goes with his I Pad. I am thinking of getting one to go with my I Pad. My mother had picked me at West Side at 1:00 to take me Vital Stem done on my throat to help with my swallowing. Once we had arrived at the Office where I was to be treated, I had met with a speech therapist. She first had asked me questions. She then hooked my throat are up with electrical cords. She then had me eat some turkey, gravy, Potato string beans to see how things would go down, while my throat was being stimulated. She the had me eat pudding and some apple sauce. I had to explain how everything was going down. I then had me stick my tongue out to say ahhhh. she was listing to the sound. At 3:00 mom and I had left for home. We had stopped to shop briefly before arriving home at 4:30. I then went straight to my lap top to blog.

Taking the Lady's out to lunch

I began my Monday morning on a day I am usually scheduled to go into West Side by taking the day off so that I could spend some time with my Aunt who was up from Florida visiting. I was awakened just the same by United Wheelchair who arrived at my house at 7:30 a.m. Although I was not on the schedule, these things tend to happen from time to time. Well, now that I was up, I had gone out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. After doing so I had returned to my bedroom to brush my. At 8:30 I then began with my weight exercises. At 9:00 I then stretched. At 9:20 I then took my shower, thus getting ready for the day ahead. At 10:30 My mother and I left for the Pierce House to visit with my aunt Joan and my grandmother. At 11:30 we then went to Wilton to have lunch at Calzolaio Pasta Company. A nice little quaint town next to Farmington. I had a plate of spaghetti and two meatballs. At 12:50 we had left the restaurant to ride around the town of Wilton and Farmington my aunt Joan, Grandmother, Mother and I. At 2:15 we then brought my grandmother and aunt back to the Pierce House. My mother and I then arrived home at 2:30. Once I was inside, I then went straight to bed, sleeping from 2:30-5:00. I then got up to take my shower before sitting down to eat dinner with my parents.

receiving the mesage on how greatful I should be for what I do have and not dwell on what I don't

I began my Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. by getting up to do my arm and leg exercises with my weights. After doing so I then began to do my stretching. Once I had done so I preceded to do my ankle exercises hopefully someday that will be strong too. At 8:35 I then shaved before going out into the kitchen to have some homemade blueberry muffins my mother had made this morning with the blueberries I have been picking. Once I had my fill, I then returned to my bedroom to take my shower and get ready to go to church. Once I was ready, my mother and I had left the house to go pick up my grandmother. Once we were at church we went to sit in front like we usually do. The message I receive each week from the cerman really makes me think. on how great full I should be for the things I do have and not dwell on the fact that I have had three strokes, I'm legally blind, I can't drive, My short term memory is really bad and how I have been struggling since my most recent stroke to get back on my feet and strengthen every muscle in my body once again. on and on and on. But I do spend every day thanking god for what he has left me with and what I am able to do and be great full that I can get up every morning and go to therapy and that I had the attitude to keep moving forward. I will get there, I know I will. Once the mass was done, we then brought my grandmother back to the Pierce House. My mother then brought me to Hannaford so that I could pick up my medication. We then arrived home at 12:30. Upon doing so I had eaten some lunch. I then brushed my teeth before laying down to rest. I had slept from 12:40-3:00. I then got up and spoke to a friend on the telephone before sitting down to play words with friends on my I Pad. At 4:00 I then did my speech and breathing exercises. I then took a shower before sitting down to blog. I then went to eat my dinner.

Watching the movie Despicable Me 2

I began my Saturday at 8:40 a.m. by getting up to do my weight exercises. Once I had finished exercises my arms and legs I then began to do my stretching. While sipping on my hot cocoa. After I had finished with my stretching, I then preceded to do my ankle exercises. Hoping to strengthen that area so as to be more supportive for my walking. At 9:30 I then went out to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. My mother had made me French toast. At 9:45 I then went to my bathroom to brush my teeth. After doing so it was now 10:00 a.m. I then went downstairs to ride for thirty minutes. After doing so I then took my shower thus getting ready for the rest of my day. Stacie had arrived at 11:30. We then went to subway to have lunch. We had a six inch sandwich with something to drink. Once we had finished eating, we then took a ride over to Wal-Mart to kill some time before going to the movies for 1:40. While there we saw the movie Despicable Me 2. We had to kill some time while at the theatre because the movie did not start until 2:40, so we each got a gelato before going into sit down. The movie had let out at 4:45, we then went back home. We then played a game of words with friends the board game. Stacie then left to go home at 6:00. I then took a shower before having something to eat. I then sat down to blog. What an eventful day!

A Wal-Mart day today

I began my Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to my fruit while drinking my hot cocoa. After doing so I had a bowl of cereal and a toasted muffin. Once I had finished eating, I then went downstairs to ride for thirty minutes. I then returned to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. At 10:30 I then brushed my teeth and shaved before stretching. At 10:40 I then took the sheets of my bed. I then went to the laundry room to start a load of laundry. At 10:45 I then returned to my bedroom to make my bed with clean sheets. At 10:55 I then began to stretch. After doing so, I had gone outside to pick some blueberries. Adding those to the blueberries I had pick yesterday, I must now have a cup. There the small ones so it takes a while to accumulate. At 11:35 I had hung laundry out to dry until 12:05. which probably was not a very good idea. Because later on this afternoon it rained and they got all wet. After I had hung the laundry, I then spoke to my mother on the telephone. she had called to let me know that she would be picking me up after she got out of work to go to Wal-Mart. I then took my shower and got ready. At 1:15 I then called the Pharmacy to order my medication. At 1:30 I then had left for Wal-Mart with my mother thus picking up my grandmother along the way. While there I had picked up a few things. We then went to Dunk-N-Doughnuts. We then brought my grandmother back to the Pierce House. I had arrived home at 3:30. Upon doing so, I had taken care of the things I had bout before sitting down to blog.

A day spent with grand ma playing games at the Pierce House

I began my Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m. by going into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat some cut up fruit. After doing so I then had a bowl of cereal and a toasted English muffin. Once I had finished eating, I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. After doing so I then returned to my bedroom to continue my workout with my weight exercises. At 10:30 I then spent my last thirty minutes stretching. At 11:00 I then went outside in our yard to pick blueberries. After picking about a cup and a half, I had brought them inside. I then went back outside to stack some wood so that it would dry. At 12:00 I then went inside to take a shower and get ready for the rest of my day. After doing I sat down to have something to eat. Once I had picked up my mess, I then took in some laundry that was dry while waiting for my mother to arrive home after work so that she could bring to the Pierce House to visit grandma. I had arrived to my grandmothers at 1:00. Once I was inside we started our visit with a game of rummy. We played for thirty minutes before switching over to cribbage. At 2:30 we then played a game of skip-bo until 3:00. We then just sat to visit for forty-five minutes while waiting for my mother to arrive. I finally arrived home at 4:00. You will never guess what I did? That's right, I took a nap. Could barely keep my eyes open. Once I had hit the bed, I had slept from 4:00-6:00 before getting to take my shower. I then went out into the kitchen to eat my dinner. After doing so I had returned to my desk to sit down and enter my daily blog.