Hello!! Did you miss me? I hope you did but not too much.
Thursday we had doctor appointments and shopping in the morning and then I quilted until 9:00PM and frankly, I forgot. Yesterday, we played cards with Jim and Michelle and then I called Bret in Norwalk to tell him that his card had arrived and then called Barb in Geronimo because I had promised that I would and then it was so late and I was so tired that I just went to bed.
Oops. I can't remember the last time I didn't post since we went on an overnight vacation.
So I had better catch you up. On Thursday, Dick had his blood tested and it was again within the required norm. We are 0n a roll again. This is the third perfect test again. Then Dr. Hodous trimmed his feet again. We feel now that the new insoles will help keep the callouses from forming.
We did our grocery shopping and then I cleaned the bathroom, baked some bread and spent the evening quilting. I have to get back in the mood because, I have two tops completed that need to be assembled. Time to get to work on them.
Friday I ran some errands in the morning and cleaned the kitchen. It rained most of the day.
In the afternoon, Dick and I went to see The Nativity Story at the Marcus. It is a really lovely portrayal of the Christmas story. When you leave it you have seen an interpretation of Mary and Joseph as real people. Young and trusting and very young. I liked it a lot. That evening as I said, we played cards in the evening.
Today, we took a ride out to the house in Sheboygan to check it out and run the water. Chelsea went along with us so she is a happy girl. It is quite a bit colder today, but is not raining. It weather is supposed to stay clear through Christmas which is nice as we like it that way when Dick and Brenda are traveling. We are SO looking forward to seeing them on Christmas.
Only two more days. Tomorrow, I will be all "holy" again. I am going to church at 8:00AM for the Sunday Mass and then will be attending the 10:30PM Mass for my Christmas service. Dick is going in the evening with me and Jim and Michelle are talking about possibly attending one or both. Dick and I will exchange our gifts tomorrow night after we have our supper. Then I can pack everything up to take to Bobbie and Bill's for the BIG exchange.
I have informed Chelsea of all the following rules. As she goes to visit at Bobbie and Bill's when we do, I felt that it was very important that she understand them.
HOLIDAY ETIQUETTE FOR DOGS
1. Be especially patient with your humans during this time. They may appear to be more stressed-out than usual and they will appreciate long comforting dog leans.
2. They may come home with large bags of things they call "gifts". Do not assume that all the gifts are yours.
3. Be tolerant if your humans put decorations on you. They seem to get some kind of pleasure out of seeing how you look with fake antlers.
4. They may bring a large tree into the house and set it in a prominent place and cover it with lights and decorations. Bizarre as this may seem to you, it is an important ritual for your humans, so there are some things you need to know:
(A) don't pee on the tree;
(B) don't drink water in the container that holds the tree;
(C) mind your tail when you are near the tree;
(D) if there are packages under the tree, even ones that smell interesting or that have your name on them, don't rip them open; and
(E) don't chew on the cord that runs from the funny-looking hole in the wall to the tree.
5. Your humans may occasionally invite lots of strangers to come visit during this season. These parties can be lots of fun, but they also call for some discretion on your part - not all strangers appreciate kisses and leans:
(A) don't eat off the buffet table -- beg for goodies subtly; be pleasant, even unknowing strangers sit on your sofa;
(B) don't drink out of glasses that are left within your reach.
6. Likewise, your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be important -- observe all the rules in #4 for trees that may be in other people's houses (4a is particularly important): respect the territory of other animals that may live in the house; tolerate children; and turn on your charm big time.
7. A big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night. DON'T BITE HIM !
I will get to see my Kitties too. It will just make me sad because they will probably hide all day and I won't get to hold them and they hardly remember me anymore. There is no hope.
Mary
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
I got to stay home the WHOLE Day. Look in my blog as to when THAT happened last.
I cleaned the kitchenette as planned. Tonight I am going to spend a couple of hours quilting and watching BONES on TV. I worked on some of my writing today and make a big pot of beans and ham. It is a Mexican New Year Soup. I got the recipe from my Aunt Mary Ann. It is a "Friendship Soup". It calls for about 13 kinds of beans. What you can do is buy 13 lbs of beans, all different varieties. Mix them all together and then repackage attractively in 1 lb packages and gift them with a copy of the recipe for a present. (Doesn't HAVE to be 13 kinds. As long as you have a nice colorful variety.)
Jim and Michelle came over this evening to bring us a nice bowl of Ramen Salad which will be a welcome addition to our meals for the next few days. Yum Yum
I cleaned the kitchenette as planned. Tonight I am going to spend a couple of hours quilting and watching BONES on TV. I worked on some of my writing today and make a big pot of beans and ham. It is a Mexican New Year Soup. I got the recipe from my Aunt Mary Ann. It is a "Friendship Soup". It calls for about 13 kinds of beans. What you can do is buy 13 lbs of beans, all different varieties. Mix them all together and then repackage attractively in 1 lb packages and gift them with a copy of the recipe for a present. (Doesn't HAVE to be 13 kinds. As long as you have a nice colorful variety.)
Jim and Michelle came over this evening to bring us a nice bowl of Ramen Salad which will be a welcome addition to our meals for the next few days. Yum Yum
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Today I went to see Dr. Nytis, an ear specialist because my right ear feels like it is not popping. It has been that way for over a month and I felt that there was some hearing problem in the ear too. She checked everything. My left ear has better than perfect hearing. The right ear is showing some loss. She thinks that the estruatian tube is not opening and closing as it should be . So she wants me to continue trying to "pop" it and perhaps use a decongestant to help clear it up. She said that it can take as much as three months to fix this problem.
The rest of the day we were at home. I did some writing and research. We added what was needed to the Gewertziminer Wine and I baked bread.
Such a pleasure not to be under any deadlines for a change.
I called my sister, Nora, tonight too. Mom had told me that her husband, our Leif, went for his annual physical and that he has prostate cancer. This is of course very upsetting. I asked the bible study group to pray for him yesterday and my friend, Kathy Keyes, whose husband Tom, was diagnosed last year about this time gave me some advice for her. 1. Listen to the doctors. There are five or six treatments. Choose carefully. 2. Always go together. Four ears are better than two. 3. Go to support groups. and 4 Most people die of something other than this cancer so have hope. We are planning on the latter.
Leslie's Nora has delayed her wedding to Jan 13 so that they can be married in Brandon's church. I am pleased. This will give more time for planning a memorable ceremony for her and going through a church setting will underline the importance of this commitment.
Tomorrow we will be home ALL day. This will really be a treat. We will cut Dick's hair, and do some cleaning and just relax. The next day he goes to get his blood tested again and his calouses checked.
From Dog to God:
Dear God: We dogs can understand human verbal instructions,
hand signals, whistles, horns, clickers, beepers, scent ID's,
electromagnetic energy fields, and Frisbee flight paths. What do
humans understand?
Have a nice evening.
Mary
The rest of the day we were at home. I did some writing and research. We added what was needed to the Gewertziminer Wine and I baked bread.
Such a pleasure not to be under any deadlines for a change.
I called my sister, Nora, tonight too. Mom had told me that her husband, our Leif, went for his annual physical and that he has prostate cancer. This is of course very upsetting. I asked the bible study group to pray for him yesterday and my friend, Kathy Keyes, whose husband Tom, was diagnosed last year about this time gave me some advice for her. 1. Listen to the doctors. There are five or six treatments. Choose carefully. 2. Always go together. Four ears are better than two. 3. Go to support groups. and 4 Most people die of something other than this cancer so have hope. We are planning on the latter.
Leslie's Nora has delayed her wedding to Jan 13 so that they can be married in Brandon's church. I am pleased. This will give more time for planning a memorable ceremony for her and going through a church setting will underline the importance of this commitment.
Tomorrow we will be home ALL day. This will really be a treat. We will cut Dick's hair, and do some cleaning and just relax. The next day he goes to get his blood tested again and his calouses checked.
From Dog to God:
Dear God: We dogs can understand human verbal instructions,
hand signals, whistles, horns, clickers, beepers, scent ID's,
electromagnetic energy fields, and Frisbee flight paths. What do
humans understand?
Have a nice evening.
Mary
Monday, December 18, 2006
Such a lovely day. The sun shone. It was not really too warm but there was not wind and it was pleasant. Chelsea and I had a wonderful walk through Tallgrass, around the park and through the woods to home.
Bible Study, as always, was nice. Just before Christmas and we will not meet until January 8th so we had a lot to talk about.
Also, it was announced on Sunday that the pastor of Blessed Trinity will be leaving as soon in January as the Archdiocese can find a temporary replacement. The reason is very sad. Fr. Gene Neuman has beginning Alzeimer's disease and it is beginning to affect his ability to lead and perform his duties. Such a sad thing. It explains a lot that has been happening with him though. I will keep him in my prayers.
The readings are the last before Christmas. The Gospel is the story of Mary and Elizabeth meeting and rejoicing in their children. Peggy Feider went to see the Nativity and recommends it. She said that it does an especially nice presentation of this meeting and also depicts St. Joseph as real and a whole person. He must have been really quite wonderful. To be chosen as Christ's father and protector was such an honor but also required faith and trust on his part.
The group gave me a Christmas present. I was surprised. They seem to feel that I am their leader. I loved it though. It is an Irish Santa Ornament and is displayed proudly on my tree. Two of our members, Tom and Kathy Keyes will be going to Texas to spend three months with their son. We will miss them but they always come back in the spring.
After the study I went over to Mother's house and visited for a bit. I brought her some Scalloped Potatoes and Ham and a couple slices of Michelle's Pumpkin Cranberry bread.
Today was the Plymouth Writers Club Christmas Party. We had fun. I took some Scripture Cake and the recipe to share. We exchanged gifts which is always fun. I got a wonderful sepia picture of the Christ Child as a child not a baby and a really pretty soap dish with angel and heart soaps. Bev, the president and our host, served hot cider and cranberry apple dessert. We read lots of readings and just talked and it was such a lovely day.
Home again. I was tired and took a nap. Then Dick and I had Chili Bowls and salad for supper.
HOLIDAY EATING TIP
Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.
Later. We are on the count down to the big day.
Love
Mary
Bible Study, as always, was nice. Just before Christmas and we will not meet until January 8th so we had a lot to talk about.
Also, it was announced on Sunday that the pastor of Blessed Trinity will be leaving as soon in January as the Archdiocese can find a temporary replacement. The reason is very sad. Fr. Gene Neuman has beginning Alzeimer's disease and it is beginning to affect his ability to lead and perform his duties. Such a sad thing. It explains a lot that has been happening with him though. I will keep him in my prayers.
The readings are the last before Christmas. The Gospel is the story of Mary and Elizabeth meeting and rejoicing in their children. Peggy Feider went to see the Nativity and recommends it. She said that it does an especially nice presentation of this meeting and also depicts St. Joseph as real and a whole person. He must have been really quite wonderful. To be chosen as Christ's father and protector was such an honor but also required faith and trust on his part.
The group gave me a Christmas present. I was surprised. They seem to feel that I am their leader. I loved it though. It is an Irish Santa Ornament and is displayed proudly on my tree. Two of our members, Tom and Kathy Keyes will be going to Texas to spend three months with their son. We will miss them but they always come back in the spring.
After the study I went over to Mother's house and visited for a bit. I brought her some Scalloped Potatoes and Ham and a couple slices of Michelle's Pumpkin Cranberry bread.
Today was the Plymouth Writers Club Christmas Party. We had fun. I took some Scripture Cake and the recipe to share. We exchanged gifts which is always fun. I got a wonderful sepia picture of the Christ Child as a child not a baby and a really pretty soap dish with angel and heart soaps. Bev, the president and our host, served hot cider and cranberry apple dessert. We read lots of readings and just talked and it was such a lovely day.
Home again. I was tired and took a nap. Then Dick and I had Chili Bowls and salad for supper.
HOLIDAY EATING TIP
Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.
Later. We are on the count down to the big day.
Love
Mary
Sunday, December 17, 2006
We had a sunshine day today. The temperatures were only in the low 40s but it was pleasant with the warm sun.
It was a quiet day for me. I went to the 8AM Mass and did not have to go to another place ALL day. Fr. Van Beeck pointed out a very interesting and probably truism. If we were asked to do something really hard and kind of heroic that would help all mankind or bring relief to lots of people we would step up and do it. But to just do a little bit every day - a little small effort - probably won't happen.
The 2nd reading was from St. Paul and he said that we are not to be anxious about anything. Now you and I know that that would be impossible. But I read today that what we can do today is make a LIST of everything we are anxious about and change them to a prayer.
So, with a wholeay at home. I finished some things on my desk but generally took it easy and watched the Packers WIN.
We had scalloped potatoes and ham, fresh corn and salad for supper. We asked Jim and Michelle to join us because we had a few "house" things to talk about and it seemed like a good time. Michelle brought a really good Pumpkin Cranberry Bread and we had a bit of that and stollen for dessert.
This week will be fairly quiet except for three doctor appointments. Tomorrow I get to go to a Christmas party for the Plymouth Writers. I seem to have lost the letter telling where so if Kate doesn't call me back, this could be rather interesting. I know it is on Hill and Dale Road but I can't remember the hostess's last name.
Just think. A week from tomorrow is CHRISTMAS. I am ready.
Love
Mary
It was a quiet day for me. I went to the 8AM Mass and did not have to go to another place ALL day. Fr. Van Beeck pointed out a very interesting and probably truism. If we were asked to do something really hard and kind of heroic that would help all mankind or bring relief to lots of people we would step up and do it. But to just do a little bit every day - a little small effort - probably won't happen.
The 2nd reading was from St. Paul and he said that we are not to be anxious about anything. Now you and I know that that would be impossible. But I read today that what we can do today is make a LIST of everything we are anxious about and change them to a prayer.
So, with a wholeay at home. I finished some things on my desk but generally took it easy and watched the Packers WIN.
We had scalloped potatoes and ham, fresh corn and salad for supper. We asked Jim and Michelle to join us because we had a few "house" things to talk about and it seemed like a good time. Michelle brought a really good Pumpkin Cranberry Bread and we had a bit of that and stollen for dessert.
This week will be fairly quiet except for three doctor appointments. Tomorrow I get to go to a Christmas party for the Plymouth Writers. I seem to have lost the letter telling where so if Kate doesn't call me back, this could be rather interesting. I know it is on Hill and Dale Road but I can't remember the hostess's last name.
Just think. A week from tomorrow is CHRISTMAS. I am ready.
Love
Mary
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