Paul's Update - 05/08/08

Dear Friends:

We’ve had a busy week! Friday I took off from work a little early so I could get some things together for the church yard sale. Friday night we stayed home. We usually eat with Bill & Ronda but we stayed home and had sandwiches for dinner. Dad & Carolyn went to the church to help deliver the things for the yard sale on Saturday. Paul & I stayed home.

Saturday morning started early with Dad heading to the church to help do the yard sale set up. Paul slept in a little late. Once Dad came back he got Paul up and dressed. After they had breakfast Dad & Paul walked down to the church. For those that don’t know our church is only two lots down the street from us. It is all downhill but Paul used his walker and did very well. They stayed for a couple of hours. Dad bought a treadmill for Paul to start practicing on. He hasn’t tried it yet but hopefully he will be able to do that soon. Dad stayed and helped clean up while Paul & I went to Warrenton with Bill & Ronda for lunch. Bill was able to help Paul in and out of the van. He also helped with sitting and standing and going to the bathroom. We managed very well.

Sunday morning we missed breakfast at Yorkshire Restaurant. Max came in time for Sunday School. During our worship time Max came into the sanctuary for the children’s moments and saw Pap-Paw & Daddy in the front pew. He decided he wanted to sit with them for a bit. I sit in the choir so I viewed this moment with joy! It is nice to see the three generations of Johnson’s together!! Max spent the day with us. When I came home from church everyone was sitting in the front yard while the kids (Alysa, Max, Lou, Nadia & Chris) were playing. Carolyn had gotten two riding toys for the kids and we already had a riding car, all of which were being used! Bill & Ronda & Serenity were sitting at the swing with Carl, Paul & Carolyn. We went out for lunch with everyone. Tony’s Pizza didn’t know what hit them!! LOL Max napped for a bit when we got home (so did Pap-Paw). Mommy didn’t get back until late and Max was tired from his busy day!

Monday was a beautiful day. Pap-Paw & I had Chris for the morning while Carolyn ran a special errand! I had a hair appointment at noon. Paul seems to enjoy having the babies here. He doesn’t do a lot of interaction with them but he enjoys the activity they bring. Dad was able to run a load of stuff to the dump in the afternoon. Most of the debris in the yard is now gone. The shed will be started soon! Dad saved an old motorcycle (which is really a piece of junk) for Paul to work on at some time. It may be good therapy for him! Dad & I had an appointment later in the afternoon. Paul stayed with Dora. Paul has been staying up until almost 11pm most nights. Several times Dad asks him if he’s ready for bed and he will start down the hallway, get to the end and turn around to come back to the living room. I think he just needs to stretch!!

Tuesday Dad had some errands to do and met me for lunch. We actually use to do that a lot and it was nice to spend the time together. As much as we love Paul, we don’t get much time alone anymore!

Wednesday Dad & I had a funeral to go to. Please keep the Rudolph & Russell families in your prayers as they grieve their loss.

Thursday is therapy day. Occupational therapy was at 10:30am. They worked on pairing up cards, putting 2’s together, 3’s together etc. When he got to 5 she held up a 7 and asked “is this a 5?” and he said “no”. Then she held up a 9 and asked “is this a five?”, he said “no”. She held up a Jack and asked “is this a 5?” and he gave her a strange look like “are you crazy?” and said “no”. When she held up the five he said “yes”! She had him do a special exercise where she had him putting cards in order and when she rang a bell she wanted him to stop and begin putting coins in a box. Then she would ring the bell again and he was suppose to stop and resume matching cards again. He didn’t do very well, he didn’t want to stop and had to be encouraged to stop and begin the next task. This will take a little more work. They worked on some visual exercises, batting a balloon and balancing a ball which he didn’t want to do. Physical Therapy was at 11:30. He had a substitute therapist. They worked on some exercises to start. Then the therapist put some plastic cones on the floor and he had to walk around them. He did very well with that. He understood what he needed to do and walked between the cones without knocking over more than one of them out of four passes. She tried to have him face the wall at a bar and stand on his toes but he didn’t seem to understand when she wanted him to do. Thursday was bible study night. Ronda brought a favorite for dinner ... Calico Beans & corn muffins! Paul enjoyed it ... so did we! Again, Paul wanted to stay up late and took a couple of walks down the hall before finally being ready to go to bed! It looks like we are heading for another busy weekend!

Have a great one! TGIF - Lynne & Carl