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From Ken on Friday, April 4, 2008

(This report guaranteed to help with insomnia issues!!)

It’s Thursday evening, some time after 9:00 p.m. I’m looking for my watch…the watch that has an inscription on it…something about “Time is the currency of life.” I’m trying to review this past week and I’m not sure whether we made a “deposit” or a “withdrawal”…but I do know we used up our time much too quickly! Tick…Tock…Tick…Tock – Whoooosh! How are all of you doing with your time?

Before I use up anymore of our valuable time together, let me simply ask for your continued prayers for Norma. Prayers are what we need most right now. We also know that all of you have your own personal concerns and needs for prayers in your lives, both for yourselves and for those you care about. So please feel free to share any of your prayer requests with us via my personal email at kenireland2@aol.com   We don’t want this to be a “one way street”!

For the sake of time, Norma really needs your prayers to ask God to heal her short term memory loss (cognitive). Let me give you an example of what I am talking about. One of Norma’s “homework” assignments from Marianjoy is to write down five things that she did that day at the end of each day. Most of you know that we are huge Cub fans. Opening Day was this past Monday, March 31 and this year we decided it would be a great opportunity to go to opening day at Wrigley Field. So Norma and I picked up her Dad (Pa Green) and our nephew Jon Munson, who is Cubbie blue through and through, and drove in for the game at 10:00 a.m. (a 1:20 start).

We were all pumped as we had not been to an opening day in years! Game time temperatures were forecast to be near 60 and showers were likely – but so what…it wasn’t going to snow today! Plus another bonus…we were playing our rival Milwaukee Brewers. The same Brewers who only last year started to celebrate what looked to be a national league central title a bit too early. Instead of drinking Miller Lite, they hit the “hard” stuff…and ultimately finished “second place” two games out behind the central division champs Cubbies!

Besides, Cheesehead pal Todd Merrifield, of the Learning Shops in Wisconsin, was taunting us with text messages that read as follows:  (It arrived on February 28, 2008)

“Since they are going to sell naming rights to Wrigley…here are some suggestions: Heimlich Field - Waste Management Field - House of Blues

(How childish…no reply from us!)

(This additional message came through on March 30, 2008)

Morning! Thought I’d brighten your day…Monday is the first game of the Milwaukee Brewers’ CHAMPIONSHIP season! Cubs R 1st victim!

Since we don’t count our cheese until it gets “past ‘R eyes”…we again withheld our reply. (Until, of course, after the Cubs victory… right!) So here’s what happened:

1. We get to Wrigley two hours before “game time”.
2. It’s raining. Ernie Banks has been honored by a statue unveiling and ceremony.
3. The game finally starts at 2:00 p.m. vs 1:20 p.m.
4. We play a few innings and then there is another 45 minute rain delay.
5. The game continues.
6. The Cubs are losing 3-0 going into the bottom of the ninth.
7. Our new right fielder Kosuke Fukudome hits a three run, no outs homer to tie the game! The fans go crazy!
8. Yes, we have Todd right where we want him!
9. The Cubs choke and lose in ten innings…4-3!
10. "Who is Todd?”…No comment from us. We don’t want to play his silly reindeer games.  Oh by the way, has anyone seen Bambi’s mom or dad around? Ask Todd.

So, wet and frustrated, we leave the “House of Blues” at approximately 6:00 p.m. We get off at Harlem to eat at Portillo’s to avoid the evening rush hour. We get home after 8:00 p.m. All in all, a full day. As proof that we were at the game, we are attaching the following photo.

So at the end of the day, we ask Norma to write down her five “things”. In her initial list, the Cubs game does not show up on her radar! Obviously we are concerned by the absence of this all-day event from her list.

Now, I suppose if you are Simon Cowell of “American Idol” or a Chicago White Six fan, they would be stating that this oversight on Norma’s part is no need for concern. Why? Simon would say in his British accent that “The Cubs are simply forgettable…No one is going to remember their performance (or lack thereof) at the end of the day.”

Nonetheless, we would appreciate your continued prayers for Norma’s complete recovery!...and also for the Cubs (Norma first please).

Due to our having to cancel Norma’s therapy on Thursday, March 20, because of our appointment delays at UIC, her therapy time at Marianjoy was moved only for this particular Friday to 10:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Norma continues to do very well in her therapy sessions. She is a very good student…and competitive!

As you all know, Norma really wants her car back so she can drive. The doctors still say no! However, during Friday’s session with an occupational therapist, Norma completed a simulated brake reaction time test and scored a 4.6 out of a possible 5. This is something she has chosen to remember and she continues to remind me daily that she is able to drive and that her “doctors” have told her so.

After therapy, Norma drives us home…just kidding! We have supper with Mom Ireland and watch “Titanic” on our basement big screen. Of course, Norm states that she can also “drive” the Titanic so she should surely be able to drive a small little car! We retire to bed soon after the movie…before “she drives me crazy”. (Some would say I reached that destination long ago…ok…change some… to… many)…okay, most…oh, alright…ALL!)

Norma’s first bad headache. She stays in bed most of the day.

Norma’s headache continues most of the day. Her “new” medication is not working as well or as quickly as her former medication which she cannot currently take because of her aneurysm.

My brother Terry and his wife Karel come for a visit after church. We hang out in the basement playing pool on Rick and Jean Colby’s contribution to our basement. Terry lets me win all but one or two games.

We order out from Fireside Grill in Sugar Grove thanks to Kathy’s help (since they normally don’t do carryout on major holidays…just like most restaurants). We eat at home.

Norma is feeling better by 5:00 p.m. and comes down to visit and have a bowl of chicken rice soup from Fireside – very tasty! Terry and Karel head for home at around 9:00 p.m. We go to bed early.

Assistant Batavia store manager arrives at 10:00 a.m. to help Norma with her homework assignments.

I work at home until 3:00 p.m.

At 3:00 p.m. we decide to take a drive to our Crest Hill store. Norma needs to know that the building is still standing without her and that all is well! We arrive at 3:45. It’s another miracle! We are still in business and yes, the building is still standing! A big thank you to Joann Stockenberg (our Crest Hill store manager), Jon Munson (our warehouse manager), Nancy Bonelli for paying the bills and all of our Chalkboard team members for guiding our ship during this storm! And thank God that Norma has always believed in empowering our managers and team members to do their role to the best of their ability. We also want to thank Gary and Amanda Birnbaum (our Batavia managers), Jan Blondin (our Aurora/Fox Valley manager), and Cindy Jakowiak (our Downers Grove manager who has set a record on get well cards and candy sent – Thank you, Cindy…oh…and she also tapes “Idol” for us every week), and all our team members at all four locations! Yes, their buildings are also still standing and sales are up for the year at all four locations! Also, a big thank you to Elizabeth Hammerstein (our catalog and internet manager) as we gear up for another back-to-school mailing!

We stay at the store for an hour so that Norma can look through some mail, but we have strict orders that she is not to be working and is limited to all work related tasks as her brain continues to heal.

We head home with Amanda. Amanda has prepared dinner (a macaroni, cheese and hot dog dish) which was delicious! Husband Gary joins us at 7:00 p.m. to watch “Dancing with the Stars.” They head for home at around 9:00 p.m.

A cute story about Amanda and Gary: Gary hired Amanda when he was managing our former store at Iroquois Center in Naperville. So Monday night at dinner we asked Amanda if she was initially attracted to Gary. Amanda, without hesitation (and perhaps not much thought) blurted out “Oh no…not at all!” We all had a good belly laugh at Gary’s expense. (The guys in our Northwestern Mutual agency have a saying: “Your misfortune is our entertainment!”) A few days later we asked Amanda if there were any “waves” or ripple effects from her statement. She said no…they both thought it was funny. However, Gary did get in the last word just before bedtime. He said to Amanda “Oh, by the way, just for the record, I wasn’t initially all that attracted to you either.” I think it is really awesome how love starts out as a seed…and grows. It just takes time, caring and patience before the bloom…and a little cold water in your face from time to time!

Carolyn Dial comes to our house about 10:30 a.m. or so. She helps Norma with her homework and exercises while I do paperwork.

Carolyn takes Norma to Marianjoy for her 1:15 – 4:00 p.m. session which again goes very well. Norma is making progress on several fronts. Friday will be her last day for physical therapy sessions!

Tonight is the night that we have scheduled to pick our Cubs tickets with our group that purchases most of our season tickets from us. So Carolyn drops Norma off at my office to meet with our group. It was a fun and efficient meeting. Afterwards – home for dinner, “Idol” and “Dancing” and on to bed.

It’s a blank on my calendar. Just like my mind right now. I know niece Ginger came to help out again and I know we watched “American Idol” at least…and we made it through another day…Tick…Tock…!

Norma and I go to Sue Mudry’s for our haircuts.

Norma is planning on getting her hair colored, but I tell her that I thought the doctors wanted her to wait a little longer due to her surgery. Norma insists that when we were at UIC on March 20th, the doctors told her she could color her hair. So she’s sitting in the chair, Sue is ready to go…and I’m dialing 911…okay, I’m calling the neurosurgeon’s nurse practitioner. Of course, they are all in a meeting but due to the fact that this is a crisis, they do us a favor and pull her file. Unfortunately, since it is not clearly noted in Norma’s file, they suggest she wait another week. So it’s a gray day for Norma – no color for one more week! I’m not getting any points either!

After leaving Sue’s, we head back home to hook up with Nancy, Norma’s sister. Nancy is taking Norma to Marianjoy today to give me some additional work time. Nancy is waiting for us when we arrive. The first thing I ask Nancy is if she remembers when the folks at UIC told Norma she could have her hair colored. Nancy quickly responds, “They told her on the 20th that she could do this at any time”! I’M AN IDIOT! I’m now questioning whether or not I should be driving. I already know the answer about my own personal need for therapy. Good grief! Now I have to tell Norma. ”Keeeeen…I told you so!” We call Sue Mudry. I confess. She says, “Bring her in about 11:30 a.m. tomorrow (Friday)”. So here are a couple of pictures of Norma and Sue on Friday morning. It’s a colorful day!

Norma looks “MAVALUS”! She is proudly beaming at her renewed and improved look. It’s truly amazing what a little shampoo can actually “dew”.

Out the door we go to Marianjoy – more rehab. Our occupational therapist Kelly invites Norma to play the new Wii game with another patient. Norma had actually just purchased a Wii game for our super bowl party…but we never really had time to use it ourselves because of her illness (except for that short car race game a couple of weeks back). Anyway, Bowling was the game. I’m proud to announce that Norma set a new patient record of 149. Bowler #2 ended up at 119 with some help from rehab associate Cindy. Not only is Norma looking stellar…she bowls great too! Norma is also doing great with some of the puzzles she has to solve – and some I must admit are very tough…at least for me. Norma solved a more advanced puzzle and Kelly and I had to look up the answer sheet to see if Norma was right…she was!

After therapy, we headed home to pick up Mom for a nice drive to St. Charles for dinner out at Baker’s Square…mmmm…Great pie! Now home for rest and relaxation.

A lazy stay-at-home day. Normal stuff – not much to report.

A great day. We went to church at Holy Angels for the 11:00 a.m. mass. Thanked God for all of you and for all his grace and goodness. No…I did not take anything out of the collection basket!!!!...but Norma did! (Actually she only withdrew a piece of paper with food pantry needs for the church’s ongoing efforts to feed those in need). Afterwards, Mom, Norma and I went to brunch at Apple Villa in Batavia on Randall Road. They do a nice job there and the food is always very good.

Cubs opener – already reported. Stop gloating, Todd, and wipe that ridiculous smile off your face!

I stay at home again as I want to take Norma to therapy and ask some questions. I’m scheduled to attend Northwestern Mutual meetings in Downers Grove but I have to pass.

I’m still concerned about some of Norma’s behavior. For example, she is convinced we have extra cats hiding in our home that she can’t find. She wants to make sure they have food, water…and of course, litter boxes. So it is very common for us to do a home search in all closets, rooms and storage areas. Given the fact that we already have seven indoor cats, I am not surprised by her assumption that more are “on the way”; but all our cats have been “fixed” to prevent any more insanity on our part.

When I talk with our professionals, they reassure me that Norma’s behavior is normal for this point in time. She had a serious bleed on both sides of her brain…and it is simply going to take time to heal and retrain. There’s that “patience” thing again! I have to constantly remind myself to give up control and turn this over to God and your prayers. We are not in control. We are just along for the ride. I’m trying to be patient.

After therapy, we head for home, dinner, “American Idol” and “Dancing with the Stars”. (Are we hooked or what?)

I have an appointment at 10:00 a.m. so Amanda Birnbaum arrives with a wonderful beef, cheese and ham meatloaf. She visits with Norma until my return at about 11:30 a.m. Amanda heads out to do some errands.

Norma and I take a drive to Crest Hill to check for survivors just in case the building has collapsed since our last visit on Monday, March 24. Thank goodness we don’t need to use our shovels, flashlights and jack hammers. All is well. A smoothly oiled, finely tuned running machine! We have been blessed with awesome and talented help! No worries here.

We spend a couple of hours checking in and then check out for home and more “Idol”, etc. The flashlights will come in handy tonight though as we search for more cats. I’m happy to report that we still have only seven! Norma, however, does not sleep well through the night.

That bring us back to the beginning of our report and up-to-date. (Yes, another miracle!)

We get an early phone call from Carolyn Dial, who again will be taking Norma to therapy. She wants to know if she can pick up Norma early to go shopping and do lunch at Geneva Commons. I cheerfully respond with a resounding, “Yes. That would be great!” I’m thinking to myself, “I’ll have her standing on the curb for pick-up!” (We live in a safe neighborhood). This will be great. I’ll get some more quiet time to get work done! Plus, Mom is going over to Sue Mudry’s at 11:00 a.m. for her hair appointment.

Carolyn arrives at 10:15 to pick up Norma. I go out to the garage to move Mom’s car out and…click…click... Her car won’t start! Carolyn offers to drop Mom off at Sue’s house (more curbside service) and I’ll go pick Mom up when she is done. So off they go!

Back at the ranch, I get Mom’s car started by jumpstarting it and I pull it out of the garage, front facing towards the street in case we need to jump it again. I write a couple of time-sensitive checks (doing a lot of that lately) and I drive over to Sue’s to pick up Mom. Upon arriving home, Mom’s car won’t start so I jump it again. Vrrooom – it starts. Mom insists she can drive her car to Batavia to replace her battery and I can stay back home and get some work done. I’m not buying it and tell her I’ll follow in my car. We go to pull out and her car dies again. We re-jump the car and now I’m definitely following her. As we get to our destination, Mom’s car shuts down again – not quite making it to her chosen parking space. Long story short – This car still had the original nine-year old battery. When they removed it from her car, it was so corroded that it fell apart.

At first I was saying to myself…”Oh, woe is me. I can’t seem to get anything done.” It turns out we had another angel looking over us. The timing and outcome could not have been better!

Mom’s safe, God’s in control and He got us to our destination – another blessing in disguise.

Therapy again goes well. Carolyn brings Norma home safely and departs to be with husband Dan for the evening. the phone rings and it’s neighbor and friend Jan Lagerloef calling. She and husband Gerry recently opened a catering business in Sugar Grove – The Catering Gourmets located at 60 Maple Street (630-466-9211). She was closing up the kitchen and wanted to know if she could drop off dinner – some homemade chicken pot pie. We said that would be terrific. I’m (we’re) telling you that this was the best chicken pot pie we have ever had. The crust was like fine pastry and the taste was incredible. Jan had added some sausage balls to the mix and it was super tasty. Thanks, Jan and Gerry! (Can we get a key to your dumpster?? This is some serious good eating!)

So the gifts continue…Thanks to all.

With love,

Norma & Ken

kenireland2@aol.com

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