Your Thoughts/Prayers/Voodoo Needed

[glenn514]

Today will be a therapy day for me. I rode my motorcycle only once so far this riding season...and when I did that, I discovered I had no rear brake. So, the bike went into the shop for repairs. I got it back yesterday, now with both front and rear brakes, so I plan to take a bike ride today. First, I will stop in and see my wife, and check up on how she's doing today. Then, I will head out for a lovely park in Beloit, WI, along the Rock River, where the city fathers installed benches just for our benefit! I will spend some time reading my lastest novel from the library, and enjoy this warm fall day. And I will also miss my riding partner dearly.

glenn514

 

[Newsman]

Glenn, at this point, you have to remember the good times. Keep her in your heart and when you find yourself getting down in the dumps, think of some special time you had together and hold onto it.

 

[SupervisingChildren]

Glenn,
Glad to hear that you made a little you time. Sometimes, it's what we need in order to clear our head and come back with more positive energy!

 

[glenn514]

Just before I left the house earlier today, I got a phone call from my "cousin," David Becker. David is the grandson of my Great-Aunt Minnie. He had ridden his Gold Wing Trike from central Wisconsin to the town of Beloit, and he was waiting for me to show up. I explained that it would be a couple of hours...but he was waiting for me when I finally got there.

When I arrived at Marie's bed, I asked her if she knew who I was. I got no response. After a few minutes, the pastor of the congregation I served here in Marengo appeared at the door. Regardless of what issues Marie and I may have with the man, he was still our pastor for twelve years. We had a good chat about Marie, me, and his three-week old hip replacement! He offered a wonderful prayer for Marie and for me and the girls. I appreciated his visit.

My time with David was wonderful. He's a few years older than I am, but we hung out together when I would go "up north" to visit my Great-Aunt. I appreciate the effort he took today to see me.

My "Day of Therapy for Glenn" has turned out extremely well. Soon, I will make my dinner...but that should be a piece of cake...or chicken! Marie was sleeping comfortably when I left today.

glenn514

 

[Inkleg]

I am glad to see that today was one step ahead of MOTS, you needed it.
Even though I'm not a religous man and you and Marie may not see eye to eye with the pastor, his showing compassion for others so soon after his own troubles says a lot.
I think I'd like David, next time you talk to him, tell him HBT said Thanks.

 

[glenn514]

The weather was so absolutely beautiful here today, that I just HAD to ride the bike over to Hearthstone! And it was a very pleasant ride, I might add.

When I arrived, Marie was in bed. She had just been returned there and must have been warm, because she kicked the covers off! She even greeted me, saying "Hi, there!" And some time later, she said, "Cold." So, I covered her with a sheet.

She was more aware and awake today than in several days, but she has developed a nagging cough. I mentioned it to the nurse, and she said she will check with Dr. Judy to get a chest x-ray tonight or perhaps tomorrow morning.

And that's it for today.

glenn514

 

[unionrdr]

Sounds encouraging!

 

[ChefRex]

Glad to hear you got the bike sorted, I know riding is good therapy for me!
As ever stay strong!

 

[glenn514]

Motorcycle riding over the past several days has been excellent therapy.

Sunday, Marie was amazingly awake and aware during most of my visit. She was also using more words than she has in several weeks. However, she has developed a cough that really sounds nasty. They did a chest xray, and her lungs are clear...NO pneumonia. On Sunday, the nurse was talking about a "nebulizer" or some way to get medication into her lungs to clear up the wheezing and coughing.

Yesterday, during my visit, the cough seemed worse, but the nebulizer was sitting on a chair. It had been used yesterday morning, but the nurse...a different nurse...was still thinking about some type of cough medication through her gastric tube. Marie was awake for a portion of my visit, and then had more sleepy-time.

I'm spending some time this morning getting the house cleaned and in order for the festivities this weekend: the marriage of our second-oldest daughter! Three of our four children will be here, my brother and sister-in-law will be here, and we should have a simply splendid time! Gotta go make up some beds!

glenn514

 

[Melana]

Enjoy your weekend with your family Glenn... you have more than earned a few rays of sunshine.

 

[unionrdr]

I'll second that! Times like these are rough.

 

[Temptd2]

Please allow yourself the luxury of enjoying every moment of the weekend! I know it will be sad that Marie can't be there - but that should NOT take away from the joy of the occasion any more than it has to.

Go, enjoy, mingle with the guests and put your best face on for the day. Marie would no doubt want it that way!

 

[masonsjax]

If you'd be up for it, I'd love to see some pics of you two in your heyday. Maybe some wedding pics or you enjoying some homebrews together, family portraits, etc.

 

[glenn514]

Didn't make it over to visit with Marie yesterday. I've been scurrying around the house, getting everything ready for some very important house guests!!!

Today, she was in her chair when I arrived. And she is still coughing...although it sounded somewhat better to me than it did on Monday. Not long after I arrived, the CNA's came in, put Marie back into bed, got her cleaned up and changed and mentioned to me that she was off the nutrition! Due to the cough...which does involve the diaphragm, the doctor has temporarily taken her off the nutrition. According to Karen, the day nurse, she is getting water and her meds. But coughing apparently was forcing some of the contents of her stomach backwards up the gastric tube. The staff is most definitely keeping an eye on the situation.

Other than the cough, Marie was awake and alert when I arrived. After the CNA's were finished, however, she quickly nodded off to sleepy-time.

And that's it for now.

glenn514

 

[glenn514]

Marie was in bed and alert when I arrived. Gretchen and Joe [daughter and son-in-law] arrived shortly after I did. Marie is back on nutrition, and the cough, although still kind of nasty-sounding, is actually quite improved.

Lisa and Christina were her two CNA's today. They are certainly good to Marie! Amanda [youngest daughter] arrived a bit later, so not only did she get to visit with her Mom, she also got to visit with us.

Tonight is the wedding rehearsal, with dinner following at a nearby restaurant. The hoopla gets cranked up a notch!

glenn514

 

[petey_c]

Glenn, I hope everything went as well as possible this weekend and you and your family will have tons of pictures to show your wife. Pete

 

[Temptd2]

Can't wait for an update on the wedding festivities!

 

[Melana]

Is it too much to ask for a picture of the happy couple? Hope your weekend went well Glenn.

 

[glenn514]

Yes, indeed, the weekend went quite nicely. The weather for the wedding was overcast and very, VERY windy. Needless to say, the outdoor photos were shot quickly. My "support system" of three daughters and two sons-in-law were always supportive of me and gave me strength to enjoy the day. The maid of honor was our youngest daughter [the Ph.D.]; the best man was a good friend of the groom.

 

[Melana]

Unfortunately i can't see those pics from here...

Now I can see the pictures. Looks like a lovely wedding.

 

[Temptd2]

Oh they're lovely - what a great-looking couple - you must be very very proud! I'm glad your day went off well, aside from the wind!

 

[glenn514]

Unfortunately i can't see those pics from here...

Now I can see the pictures. Looks like a lovely wedding.

I am so glad that you could finally see them. And I absolutely agree...it was a lovely wedding. My daughters were both beautiful...and there are two more of them! Put all four together, and the light shining off of them is brighter than the sun!

The ONLY downside, other than the wind, was the fact that neither the mother of the groom nor the mother of the bride was in attendance. My daughter asked me to give the blessing before we ate...and I included both of them in my prayer, commending them into God's care.

One of the highlights was that my brother and sister-in-law attended. The best man called upon my brother to offer advice to the newlywed groom, since he and his wife have been married for SIXTY-FIVE years. My brother stated first: "Find a blonde Dutch girl." That is exactly what my sister-in-law is! But he continued, "But if you can't find a blonde Dutch girl, find one whose last name is Mahnke!" And that just happens to be our last name! I didn't know my 85-year old brother had become a standup comedian!

glenn514

 

[Melana]

Wow Glenn... four beautiful daughters. You are blessed.

 

[glenn514]

Wow Glenn... four beautiful daughters. You are blessed.

And they certainly don't get their beauty from me! My dear wife had LOTS of influence on them as they grew up. Now, I've got 3/4 of them married, and the youngest one [just turned 30] has a "male friend." There is hope!

glenn514

 

[Melana]

Grandchildren?

 

[glenn514]

Ooo, ooo, ooo! I just remembered that I have photos from #3 daughter's wedding of a year ago August on this computer...so here is a photo of Mom, Dad, all FOUR daughters and granddaughter! Make sure you are wearing sunglasses, both for the feminine beauty, as well as the sun reflecting off my head!

glenn514

 

[Melana]

WOW What a family. You have a lot to be thankful for.

 

[Temptd2]

Oh that is a gorgeous picture! Makes me smile AND tear up.

The bride looks VERY much like the young woman my stepson married a year ago.

 

[glenn514]

Grandchildren?

We have a grandson, Boaz, who will be four years old in December, and we have a granddaughter, Lydia, who will be two years old next week Wednesday. And #3 grandchild will be born a bit later this month.

glenn514

 

[Temptd2]

We have a grandson, Boaz, who will be four years old in December, and we have a granddaughter, Lydia, who will be two years old next week Wednesday. And #3 grandchild will be born a bit later this month.

glenn514

I highly recommend the 16th - happy to share my birthday with your newest grandbaby!