Paulism's. . .

For years Paul would leave newspaper clippings next to my plate....something to go with breakfast.
Many times they were photographs with new captions.
Back in '07 I decided to make a book with all the caption clippings for the year.
About a month after his stroke I saw it lying on the kitchen table...such a bittersweet reminder of his brilliance.
I wept....then laughed til I cried!
I love my book!

ps If you have trouble reading the captions...click on them to bring up a larger image.

10 000 000 000 000 Ten Trillion Dollar Donation

Jeff, from Colorado, thanks so much for your generous donation!!
LOL
I'm gonna frame that bill!

Coach Brad Childress's message to Paul

Here are still shots of the video...."Brad in Tryouts"...soon to be released!!

Brad has decided to tryout for the 2009 season...he decided that the team needs him as a player...what a guy!!
He can coach and play at the same time!!

Brad....we were rolling with laughter.

ps Notice I took a photo of the best legs in the NFL!!

W H O O P E E ! !

Brad...thanks a million....we'll play this til the grooves give out!!

Note...these are still shots I took from a CD...sorry that I couldn't download the film.

Hot....hot...hot...!!

Pushing the 90 degree mark and the trees are still leafless!
Paul is now two shades darker and drowsy from the sun.
A few puffy white clouds are hanging heavy in the blue sky...too warm to roll on.

I just made a gigantic pot of ham n' bean soup....I'm not kidding I made gallons.
Not sure how hot soup will taste on this hot day.
The neighbors are in for a surprise....I may not call them...just let them find the cauldron at their doorstep.

Sunday is the one day that we just take it easy....sorta....at least not any major therapy.
I've been starting some hot n' cold dips for Paul's right hand...trying to work on reducing the swelling. Reduced swelling means more movement...more movement means one step closer to independence. I'm also trying to convince Paul that he needs to use his right hand without any help from his left hand. Every time he uses it solo the brain gets a signal, if he continues to help with his stronger left hand then the right hand won't get stronger as fast.
His Occupational Therapists at Kessler are thinking of using 'restraint therapy'...restricting the use of the strong hand.
He can be so stubborn and will argue with me every step of the way!


I want to thank everyone for the kind, warm, enthusiastic support we've received this week!! Thanks John for your warm heartfelt note......working away with Paul can be a little isolating it's so wonderful when people respond with such warmth. I made a copy of your note so that I can reread it in the middle of the night when I can't get back to sleep.
Kim...thanks so much for everything you've done. 'Specially defending me to a bitter poster! The rice-neck-warmer you sent is like a warm hug. I've been using it since you sent it last month. Paul waved it off....I think he felt like an old man with a blanket on his lap. Then a few days ago I gave him a shoulder rub and put the warmer around his neck...now he asks for it!! LOL...I doubt he'll ask for it when we have company....it's his dirty little secret!

We're living wild now!

Thanks Nikki for a grand visit....

Paul's cousin Nikki came on Tues....bearing a bottle of red!
Thanks for your lovely visit and touching note that followed.

Sring at Kessler...

Boy it's been a long road to spring this year! That makes the sweet spring air even sweeter!

Paul had his first month Physical Therapy evaluation on Friday.
When Aaron evaluated Paul a month ago, he did a series of tests to judge Paul's balance.
The highest score is 56....and anything above a 50 means a low likelihood for a fall.
Paul scored 31...not terrible...but closer to a Weeble than we'd like.
Yesterday he scored 41!!
That's a 10 point jump in one month!
I'm thrilled...Paul is only slightly excited.

When Paul is at Kessler...Monday, Wednesday and Friday he doesn't use his wheelchair. We walk from site to site. He uses his wheelchair at home, downstairs.
I now have a new goal.
The wheelchair will be returned in one month!!
(I'll keep a light transport chair in the trunk of the car...just in case...I never want Paul to miss any fun for lack of transport!)
It's an ambitious goal...but off we go...reaching for the stars....well, at least the ceiling!

We've hit the road running....Gail, Paul and I went out to dinner twice this week.
A favorite Indian Buffet....Paul has to trust me to get the food he loves....plus I go back to get MORE of the food he loves and if I forgot any of the food he loves.
Last night we went to see Matt at Gourmet Cafe...Paul was is humming heaven...soft-shell crabs.
Humming is Paul's favorite form of verbal communication....he hums beautifully and in perfect pitch!
Today we wandered the back roads of Jersey hunting for spring....we found some early traces.
Daffodils, jonquils, weeping willows, robins, a few tulips....and green hills.
It's coming folks and were ready!!

Farm next to Kessler in Chester...

The farm next to Kessler is coming alive after the long winter break.
I love the row of birdhouses on the fence posts....every day I'd pull into the drive at Kessler and think about the birds arriving in the spring.
I can't wait to see who shows up...my money is on a family of finches!

Great rhythm developing

There is a certain peace that has come over our household.

A certain rhythm...making all the difficulties easier.

We've been ironing out all the logistics...managing all the new equipment. It took a few weeks to get used to the stair gliders...we were forever tangled in the levers, switches, footrests, etc. Paul now manages well...he can push the levers...stop in mid-ride to let me pass.

Our life is full of humor... more laughter than tears....mostly silly looks of understanding.

Yesterday Sarah & Natasha (Pauls' daughter/grandaughter) arrived.

We had a grand time going out with everyone....Barbara, Warren, Gail, Sarah & Natasha. It was Paul's first dinner out since his stroke in November.

It was wonderful!!

When Paul and I got into the car...he pulled out a pencil that he had stowed in his pocket. I then realized that he wanted to bring the new little pocket version wine book that he started a few weeks ago. He takes copious notes of every wine that he tries. His taste buds still aren't totally back on track. But last night he really gave all the wines a real try.


April 11th....2009!
Day before Easter....cheescake just came outta the oven. It's great warm...maybe even better than served chilled. I may be on to something....cheesecake pudding.
Missing Seder this year in Philly...but will fill in with cheesecake and dare I say...oh my gawd ham. I didn't say it...really I didn't mean it.
My sister will eat the ham!

Paul is starting to say more than "when".
He has actually said..."well" several times this week.
And he blurted out "get out" to Aaron his Physical Therapist. Aaron was prodding him...making sure he was ok on the recumbent cycle.
Aaron was so excited he called his wife....Paul's Occupational Therapist.
We're still dizzy with therapy...a constant motion of activity. Paul loves it, but I have to admit when he realized it was Friday he sighed with relief!
Thanks to Jill & Jim Steeg for the two gigantic boxes of workout clothes!!
Paul won best dressed at Kessler this week!!

Peter e-mailed with the LIST...the list of items he's gathered for the auction/fundraiser that's happening on May 18th.
A M A Z I N G ! !
That is the only word that comes to mind.

We can't believe what Peter has done and as a result of his efforts,
the outpouring of support from the Coaches, Teams, Owners, the NFL League, NFL Films, Wine Media Guild, Sports Illustrated, Editors, Colleagues, several law firms & Nothing is Impossible org, Friends, Family...it's such an emotional lift for Paul!
Each week Peter is highlighting a few more items to be auctioned...he's featuring them in his Monday Morning Quarterback column.
Link to Peter's Column.
The reality of going to the University of Michigan for an intensive 6 week aphasia program is looking more like a real possibility every day!
Thanks to all the support!!
One other person that is making all of this a reality is our dear friend Barbara Neibart. Oh god, I hope she'll remain a friend....she's working her *&^ off to pull all of this together.

Heading downstairs...gonna check on cheesecake...Paul may be drowning in cream cheese!!
What a way to go!

Happy Holidays to all!!

ps No time this year for colored eggs...white one will have to do!