This was a stay at home day. Such a pleasure after busy weeks. I feel better today too. My cold seems to have subsided somewhat. I hope so because the coming week is starting to get filled up.
Jim's Michelle came to Sheboygan for the afternoon. It is nice that he has his area with the den downstairs because they can just do their thing and listen to their music and WE can do ours. I know that Jim was getting his laptop ready for her to take with her on a training business trip that she is taking early next week. Actually, she leaves tomorrow and comes back Wednesday. We enjoy having her around. She likes pork and lima beans and rhubarb pie.
Pork and lima beans is really good. Even Jim was surprised when he first had it. He was prepared to be unhappy but found out that it is good. It is VERY simple.
Four pork chops or pork steaks (preferably boneless)
1 large package of frozen green limas
2 cans of cream soups (I use the reduced fat and any variety like cream of mushroom
or chicken or celery)
1 small can of French's Fried onions
Velveeta cheese
Spray a casserole or baking dish. Layer the chops in the dish. Salt and pepper. Put a few slices of Velveeta on top of the chops. Spread the limas on top of all. Then mix the two cans of soups together and pour over the whole thing. Top with the onions and bake for one to on and one half hours at 350 degrees.
I did my research so I believe that I can fill out the paperwork for Rhine Plymouth's tax status. However, I am going to ask Bobbie and John to agree with me before I continue as the packet is 26 pages long. Granted, most of it does not relate, but one has to go throuth the whole darn thing to find that out.
I, also completed the workbook that I am preparing for Blessed Trinity's Environment Committee as far as I can at this point.
AND I sent some poems to two writing contests. One through Writer's Digest and the other through the WI. Regional Writers Association. So, whew! I was busy.
I decided to end with one of my poems. I sent it to the Milwaukee Art Museum. I don't THINK I ever put it on the blog, but if I did, you will have to read it again.
ORGANIZED CHAOS
Organized Chaos
Frenetic Frenzy
Intel dropped two
The sky is falling
Sweet juicy Mangos
Picked fresh this morning
A dozen eggs – (brown are best)
One million shares - at market
Trade you mangos for chicken
Oil is up – Buy – NO! Sell
Hand woven shawls in corner stall
Fingers stab the air – one – two – three
Red, green, blue shirts - fluttering birds
Red, gold, green, jackets - prowling foxes
Just like a hen house
Throw food and they swarm
We are getting a welcome rain and I think it is to continue for a day or two. We need it. Maybe it will warm up again too.
Love
Mary
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Friday, April 28, 2006
It was a strange day today. I think I feel worse tonight than I felt when the I was sneezing and congested. I will be going to bed as soon as I finish this, if I ever do, I already goofed up my first try. It is not very forgiving.
Dick and I went out for lunch and then over to Richardson's to discuss the redoing of our kitchen cabinets and a new sink. We decided to go Coreon for the resale value. Hopefully we will be done with that in a month. It is looking as if we may be looking at rejoining condo life in the next year or so and we want things easy.
Jim and Michelle are in Madison tonight at a Kansas Concert. They were very excited about the event. I vaguely remember the group from when the boys were young. I'm sure they both do. Apparantly they have been going strong since the 70s. Should be a really neat night for the two of them. Music from their time.
I will close with a story that I am SURE you have seen before but it is special and feel good and motivational and I reread it once in a while because I like the message.
NEED WASHING??
A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target.
We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.
The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypn! ! otic trance we were all caught in "Mom, let's run through the rain," she said. "What?" Mom asked.
"Lets run through the rain!" She repeated.
"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied.
This young child waited about another minute and repeated: "Mom, let's run through the rain,"
"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.
"No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.
This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?
"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!"
The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one ! ! came or left in the next few minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.
"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said.
Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.
And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.
Have a wet weekend. We might and it will be a good time to rinse off.
Love
Mary
Dick and I went out for lunch and then over to Richardson's to discuss the redoing of our kitchen cabinets and a new sink. We decided to go Coreon for the resale value. Hopefully we will be done with that in a month. It is looking as if we may be looking at rejoining condo life in the next year or so and we want things easy.
Jim and Michelle are in Madison tonight at a Kansas Concert. They were very excited about the event. I vaguely remember the group from when the boys were young. I'm sure they both do. Apparantly they have been going strong since the 70s. Should be a really neat night for the two of them. Music from their time.
I will close with a story that I am SURE you have seen before but it is special and feel good and motivational and I reread it once in a while because I like the message.
NEED WASHING??
A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target.
We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.
The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypn! ! otic trance we were all caught in "Mom, let's run through the rain," she said. "What?" Mom asked.
"Lets run through the rain!" She repeated.
"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied.
This young child waited about another minute and repeated: "Mom, let's run through the rain,"
"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.
"No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.
This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?
"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!"
The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one ! ! came or left in the next few minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.
"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said.
Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.
And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.
Have a wet weekend. We might and it will be a good time to rinse off.
Love
Mary
Thursday, April 27, 2006
The temperatures have warmed a bit. It was in the 40s when Chelsea and I walked. Chelsea seems to tire a bit lately when we walk. This morning, she pretty much chugged along, but sometimes she will just sit down an look at me for a bit. Like she is catching her breath or something. One morning, she seemed pleased to just shut it down early. Well, she is getting old. She is 84 in people years now.
Dick and I went for our usual breakfast and then grocery shopping. We racked the Marigold Wine today. Now it just has to settle a bit and then we can filter and bottle it. I think I will let it sit for one month because I detected a bit of fizz and that means that the yeast might be working a bit. Better to be ALL done before one sticks a cork in it.
I went to choir tonight and stopped at the Humane Society on the way.
They had told me that they would have the etching for Courtney done by tonight which was their Open House. Then I got a call just before 6:00 telling me they didn't get it done because they had been called on a rescue to Adams County on Monday and it took all evening. So I tried to call Randy and Donna who were going to the open house to take a picture for George and Betsy. They had already left.
Now you know why I went over there. I did manage to be there when Randy and Donna arrived and explained. The Society will call when it is done. They did send a letter of thanks and acknowledgement to George and Betsy. I heard the story of the rescue mission that they had gone on.
There was a couple in Adams County that the Society called dog hoarders. They had 75 dogs in their home. There was a job loss and apparantly the people were running out of funds to feed the animals. They had accumulated them over time from many sources - never had an animal spayed, so they were breeding. The animals had never been on grass. They were out is was only occasionally during the day and then on concrete. It is not known if they are housebroken. The dogs knew only their owners. Apparantly this rescue was done while the animals were still well fed and they are gentle creatures. I saw one of the dogs, a mother with several puppies, in the reception area. She looks well cared for, is very shy and has the cutest litter of nice rolly polly puppies. She is what you would call a sled dog. Her name is Ginger ane I watched as one of the helpers was trying to socialize with her. She was not at all against it but very shy and became very submissive as she accepted petting, literally plastering herself on the ground in front of the volunteer. What a story.
That was my day. How was yours?
Be healthy and happy
Mary
Dick and I went for our usual breakfast and then grocery shopping. We racked the Marigold Wine today. Now it just has to settle a bit and then we can filter and bottle it. I think I will let it sit for one month because I detected a bit of fizz and that means that the yeast might be working a bit. Better to be ALL done before one sticks a cork in it.
I went to choir tonight and stopped at the Humane Society on the way.
They had told me that they would have the etching for Courtney done by tonight which was their Open House. Then I got a call just before 6:00 telling me they didn't get it done because they had been called on a rescue to Adams County on Monday and it took all evening. So I tried to call Randy and Donna who were going to the open house to take a picture for George and Betsy. They had already left.
Now you know why I went over there. I did manage to be there when Randy and Donna arrived and explained. The Society will call when it is done. They did send a letter of thanks and acknowledgement to George and Betsy. I heard the story of the rescue mission that they had gone on.
There was a couple in Adams County that the Society called dog hoarders. They had 75 dogs in their home. There was a job loss and apparantly the people were running out of funds to feed the animals. They had accumulated them over time from many sources - never had an animal spayed, so they were breeding. The animals had never been on grass. They were out is was only occasionally during the day and then on concrete. It is not known if they are housebroken. The dogs knew only their owners. Apparantly this rescue was done while the animals were still well fed and they are gentle creatures. I saw one of the dogs, a mother with several puppies, in the reception area. She looks well cared for, is very shy and has the cutest litter of nice rolly polly puppies. She is what you would call a sled dog. Her name is Ginger ane I watched as one of the helpers was trying to socialize with her. She was not at all against it but very shy and became very submissive as she accepted petting, literally plastering herself on the ground in front of the volunteer. What a story.
That was my day. How was yours?
Be healthy and happy
Mary
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
This was a pleasant day.
This morning was so special. Dick and I went to Rick's Flower Shop this morning and picked up a bud vase with four perfect pink roses and baby's breath to take out to Courtney. Then we picked up Mother so she could go out with us. The day was pleasant. The temperature was a bit low, probably in the low 40s, but it was still and the sun was shining. The yellow roses were pretty much done, so Mother and I replaced them with the roses. A fitting bouquet to give to a lovely girl from HER mom.
Mother and I walked over to say Hi to Grandma and Grandpa Bowser. There is a Legion medallion on Grandpa's grave and the Legion always gives him a flag, though Grandpa Bowser actually never served in any war. Grandma was always very active in the legion and they had three sons who served in WWII so I guess they figure that he deserves it.
Want to hear a cute story about Grandma Bowser? One year my ex husband and I were visiting Wisconsin and stopped at Grandma and Grandpa Bowser's for breakfast the morning that we were leaving. Grandma placed some fresh blueberry muffins on the table, and my ex said. "How come you never make fresh blueberry muffins?" Grandma said that it was really easy and she went into the kitchen and brought in the empty Duncan Heinz box. Needless to say, I got a box or two after we got home.
Now I make them from scratch.
Grandma was quite the woman. Whenever I want to know how to behave like a lady and with dignity, I use her for an example. Did you ever see the picture of her as a young woman? She was a beautiful woman.
I do seem to have caught a cold. I was supposed to go out to Rocky Knoll tomorrow to play bingo with the residents, but cannot go out and infect those people. Now I am going to head for bed.
Have a great evening or morning, whenever you happen to read this.
Mary
This morning was so special. Dick and I went to Rick's Flower Shop this morning and picked up a bud vase with four perfect pink roses and baby's breath to take out to Courtney. Then we picked up Mother so she could go out with us. The day was pleasant. The temperature was a bit low, probably in the low 40s, but it was still and the sun was shining. The yellow roses were pretty much done, so Mother and I replaced them with the roses. A fitting bouquet to give to a lovely girl from HER mom.
Mother and I walked over to say Hi to Grandma and Grandpa Bowser. There is a Legion medallion on Grandpa's grave and the Legion always gives him a flag, though Grandpa Bowser actually never served in any war. Grandma was always very active in the legion and they had three sons who served in WWII so I guess they figure that he deserves it.
Want to hear a cute story about Grandma Bowser? One year my ex husband and I were visiting Wisconsin and stopped at Grandma and Grandpa Bowser's for breakfast the morning that we were leaving. Grandma placed some fresh blueberry muffins on the table, and my ex said. "How come you never make fresh blueberry muffins?" Grandma said that it was really easy and she went into the kitchen and brought in the empty Duncan Heinz box. Needless to say, I got a box or two after we got home.
Now I make them from scratch.
Grandma was quite the woman. Whenever I want to know how to behave like a lady and with dignity, I use her for an example. Did you ever see the picture of her as a young woman? She was a beautiful woman.
I do seem to have caught a cold. I was supposed to go out to Rocky Knoll tomorrow to play bingo with the residents, but cannot go out and infect those people. Now I am going to head for bed.
Have a great evening or morning, whenever you happen to read this.
Mary
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
I think I am getting a cold. (Darn it). I have been sneezing all day and my throat feels funny too.
Today was quiet. I got my hair cut early, then came home and cleaned my desk. I took a nap after lunch and did a bit of sewing. After that I stuffed and sealed 300 envelopes for the Senior Saints at Blessed Trinity. I sent them a little cover letter summarizing what will be happening the rest of the year, an invitation from St. Mary School for them to attend the annual Spring Sing put on by the students and a brochure that I made up for them that lists all the services they can get from Blessed Trinity parishioners and committees in times of need and a few important Sheboygan County Resource numbers.
Tomorrow I will pick up the flowers Betsy wants for Courtney. Tomorrow would be her birthday and she asked that I put pink flowers, preferrably roses on the grave. I called Rick's and he is going to have a bud vase with four pink rosebuds and baby breath ready for me in the morning. Dick and I will then pick up Mother and take her with us. She would like to go out. She said that she wanted to also visit Grandma and Grandpa's graves across the path. I mentioned that when we were leaving the cemetery on Saturday, I mentioned to Dick that I hoped that Grandma & Grandpa weren't hurt that I had not walked over to greet them.
It is comforting to have so many roots in this community. And so many relatives and friends. Our friend Lucy Carderelle says that you can't talk about ANYBODY. Everybody is related or tied in SOME way. She came from somewhere else and is a wonderful person. She seems to be a big mother hen to lots of little old ladies, my Mom among them. She takes them to the Senior meals and several of them shopping and other errands too. There sure are a lot of kind people in this world. Most of them unsung.
I am going to take some nighttime cold medicine and "hit the sack" as Dad would have said. When I was a little girl, Mother used to say "Up the wooden hill to four corners."
Til Tomorrow
Mary
Today was quiet. I got my hair cut early, then came home and cleaned my desk. I took a nap after lunch and did a bit of sewing. After that I stuffed and sealed 300 envelopes for the Senior Saints at Blessed Trinity. I sent them a little cover letter summarizing what will be happening the rest of the year, an invitation from St. Mary School for them to attend the annual Spring Sing put on by the students and a brochure that I made up for them that lists all the services they can get from Blessed Trinity parishioners and committees in times of need and a few important Sheboygan County Resource numbers.
Tomorrow I will pick up the flowers Betsy wants for Courtney. Tomorrow would be her birthday and she asked that I put pink flowers, preferrably roses on the grave. I called Rick's and he is going to have a bud vase with four pink rosebuds and baby breath ready for me in the morning. Dick and I will then pick up Mother and take her with us. She would like to go out. She said that she wanted to also visit Grandma and Grandpa's graves across the path. I mentioned that when we were leaving the cemetery on Saturday, I mentioned to Dick that I hoped that Grandma & Grandpa weren't hurt that I had not walked over to greet them.
It is comforting to have so many roots in this community. And so many relatives and friends. Our friend Lucy Carderelle says that you can't talk about ANYBODY. Everybody is related or tied in SOME way. She came from somewhere else and is a wonderful person. She seems to be a big mother hen to lots of little old ladies, my Mom among them. She takes them to the Senior meals and several of them shopping and other errands too. There sure are a lot of kind people in this world. Most of them unsung.
I am going to take some nighttime cold medicine and "hit the sack" as Dad would have said. When I was a little girl, Mother used to say "Up the wooden hill to four corners."
Til Tomorrow
Mary
Monday, April 24, 2006
I forgot to post yesterday. Guess was so tired, and I just forgot. Last week was SO exhausting.
Yesterday was busy busy busy. I stopped at Mother's before the Volunteer Dinner at church an was able to say goodbye to Nora, Leif and Stenn and to George and Betsy. A bittersweet parting. Mother was really tired. She decided not to go to church for the dinner as she was not up to all the people who would have been trying to comfort her and talk about it. I am really glad she did not go. It was hard enough on me.
George and Betsy had gone out to the cemetery Sunday Morning and were so comforted to see that the hole was all filled in and smooth and whoever had done it had carefully arranged the yellow roses on top of the grave. I talked to one of the guys that works out there and was able to thank him for the care. He actually got teary. The crew out there is so caring and helpful.
Today, I took the money that we, as a family, had collected over to the Humane Society. They will etch Courtney's name and a statement about her on the glass of a door in the "cat house". It will be ready by Thursday when they have an open house and Randy and I will go an take pictures. George wants pictures of the building, the yards, the animals and Courtney's dedication. We will get them all.
The Volunteer Dinner was a great success. We had 150 to 170 in attendance. The meal and companionship were pleasant. And the cleanup was a snap. It is nice to cater to volunteers - While we were washing the silverware, they were policing the hall and had it done before we knew it. I was home by 8:00PM. Good thing. I was, as I said, exhausted.
Today, Bible Study, the trip to the Humane Society and Rhine Board Meeting.
Tomorrow, will be quiet. Darn good thing. It will be nice to cave up. I mentioned that I had made chili on Friday. The guys had it Sunday and Dick and I ate it tonight. Boy is it good. I had enough venison, so I just used it and chorizo for the meat.
Jim went to have supper with Michelle tonight. She was quite sick on Sunday but was feeling better and in need of company. That way he can see that she DOES eat and is OK.
"You'll never get to be a saint if you deny the bit of devil in you." from the Cadfael Book of Days.
Have a great Tuesday.
Love
Mary
Yesterday was busy busy busy. I stopped at Mother's before the Volunteer Dinner at church an was able to say goodbye to Nora, Leif and Stenn and to George and Betsy. A bittersweet parting. Mother was really tired. She decided not to go to church for the dinner as she was not up to all the people who would have been trying to comfort her and talk about it. I am really glad she did not go. It was hard enough on me.
George and Betsy had gone out to the cemetery Sunday Morning and were so comforted to see that the hole was all filled in and smooth and whoever had done it had carefully arranged the yellow roses on top of the grave. I talked to one of the guys that works out there and was able to thank him for the care. He actually got teary. The crew out there is so caring and helpful.
Today, I took the money that we, as a family, had collected over to the Humane Society. They will etch Courtney's name and a statement about her on the glass of a door in the "cat house". It will be ready by Thursday when they have an open house and Randy and I will go an take pictures. George wants pictures of the building, the yards, the animals and Courtney's dedication. We will get them all.
The Volunteer Dinner was a great success. We had 150 to 170 in attendance. The meal and companionship were pleasant. And the cleanup was a snap. It is nice to cater to volunteers - While we were washing the silverware, they were policing the hall and had it done before we knew it. I was home by 8:00PM. Good thing. I was, as I said, exhausted.
Today, Bible Study, the trip to the Humane Society and Rhine Board Meeting.
Tomorrow, will be quiet. Darn good thing. It will be nice to cave up. I mentioned that I had made chili on Friday. The guys had it Sunday and Dick and I ate it tonight. Boy is it good. I had enough venison, so I just used it and chorizo for the meat.
Jim went to have supper with Michelle tonight. She was quite sick on Sunday but was feeling better and in need of company. That way he can see that she DOES eat and is OK.
"You'll never get to be a saint if you deny the bit of devil in you." from the Cadfael Book of Days.
Have a great Tuesday.
Love
Mary
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