It was a beautiful day for a morning walk. Crisp and DRY. Chelsea had a seizure just before we started out for her walk but she perked up so I let her lead me and we walked for over a half an hour. I do think it is good for her and that she will just sit down if it is too much. She has done that before.
I drove into the Sheboygan Falls Library this morning to hear Jerry Aps speak. Look him up. He is a prolific author, a farmer and a teacher of writing ones personal history. He has written several very well received books about Wisconsin, farming and the way of life in Wisconsin in the 30s 40s and 50s. This is the second time I have heard him speak and he is always informative and entertaining. I got to Falls and there was hardly a parking space available. Soon I realized that there was some run/walk event happening in the park so I asked a man and his son who had numbers pined on them and the father was more than willing to share. It was indeed a fundraiser for the Riddle fund. I still am not quite sure what it is but this was it's second year and it is growing.
I dropped Mother's pills off after the speech and headed for home, just in time to fix lunch. I finished the sweatshirts this afternoon and Dick and I racked the dandelion wine.
Earlier this week when I was with Nancy we were discussing the old ways of heating homes and our old memories of growing up. I recounted that Mother, when we were growing up, always belonged to a bridge club. She still does, as a matter of fact. One of the people she plays bridge with is still one of that original group.
Anyway, they would all take turns hosting the club. There were, I believe, 12 of them so that amounted to only once a year. We were always excited because, IF WE BEHAVED, we always got soda the next day. Mom would serve soda, cocktails, wine and coffee for beverages. Soda, you have to realize, was a big treat for us. With nine children on a fixed budget, koolaid or water was much cheaper and soda was a big deal.
We all remember being put to bed shortly after the arrival. Then we would lie upstairs and listen as long as we could stay awake. Our house did not have heat piped upstairs. The upstairs was heated by what was called "gravity heat", heat floating up through the ceiling vents.
We would lie awake and listen, as I said, and watch the smoke pouring through the grate. That vision is as clear today as then. Several of Mom's friends were smokers. As neither Mother or Dad smoked cigarettes this was quite a sight.
We always got our soda too.
Love
mary
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
Chelsea and I had a very nice walk this morning. I just let her lead me and she went down the street and the first cul de sac and then through and around the whole park. She didn't do a lot of running around but seemed very glad of the walk. She is still coughing quite often but I am only aware of two mild seizures since yesterday so am hoping the meds are helping.
I cleaned the kitchen this morning and assembled salmon croquettes for tonight's dinner. Then I went shopping to Gander Mountain for ammo and gun cleaning stuff. I also stopped at Amy's Hallmark at Memorial Mall to pick up the last ornament for Christmas. Eileen was working so we discussed Texas a bit. Fred is going along too. That will be so nice. Stenn will love being surrounded by family. Bart and Barb are coming too. I hope they can come down on Friday, but will be grateful for any time at all with them.
I had intended to stop at Mother's with a prescription but ran out of time. She was not expecting me anyway. Tomorrow I am going to Sheboygan Falls Library at 9AM to hear Jerry Apps speak about his new book so I will stop on my way back from there.
Nancy Roehre and I went pistol shooting again tonight. My first two were pretty good and then I blew the last one. I wish I could get my act consistant. As the guys keep telling me, I have to do the same thing every time.
The weekend is upon us. It should be nice. I intend to finish the CWI sweatshirt jackets and start on the quilting of the baby quilt.
Have a nice one yourself.
Mary
Don't argue with an indiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference.
I cleaned the kitchen this morning and assembled salmon croquettes for tonight's dinner. Then I went shopping to Gander Mountain for ammo and gun cleaning stuff. I also stopped at Amy's Hallmark at Memorial Mall to pick up the last ornament for Christmas. Eileen was working so we discussed Texas a bit. Fred is going along too. That will be so nice. Stenn will love being surrounded by family. Bart and Barb are coming too. I hope they can come down on Friday, but will be grateful for any time at all with them.
I had intended to stop at Mother's with a prescription but ran out of time. She was not expecting me anyway. Tomorrow I am going to Sheboygan Falls Library at 9AM to hear Jerry Apps speak about his new book so I will stop on my way back from there.
Nancy Roehre and I went pistol shooting again tonight. My first two were pretty good and then I blew the last one. I wish I could get my act consistant. As the guys keep telling me, I have to do the same thing every time.
The weekend is upon us. It should be nice. I intend to finish the CWI sweatshirt jackets and start on the quilting of the baby quilt.
Have a nice one yourself.
Mary
Don't argue with an indiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
And we did get to stay home all day today.
Chelsea had a mixed night last night. She slept pretty quietly during the early part but sometime after midnight and before 5 when Dick got up she had several coughing spells and I heard her fall once. Then shortly after I got up she had the worst seizure I have seen her have. Since then, things have calmed down a lot. Every few hours she starts coughing but I have not witnessed any more seizures. Since she has now had her second dose of medicine, perhaps it is starting to work.
We did not walk far as she seemed a bit weak.
I had a quiet healing day myself. I did clean the bathrooms. I also did some sewing and Dick and I racked a gallon of current wine but mainly, I played and wrote on the computer, just hanging around.
I am looking through pictures to find any that I have of the jeep runs that we used to go on so that I can send them to Vikki. She wants to scan them on a disc for herself and for Reid Nordin, a friend. I am not finding as many as I thought I would but perhaps I have not hit the right box yet. I did find a couple of REALLY nice shots of the circle of campers and tents that we used to establish as a club when we went out jeeping. Also a good shot of the pig on the spit at one of our Thanksgiving runs. For many years, the Four Wheelers of Orange County went to the desert for the four day Thanksgiving weekend. Actually, because many people were obligated to stay home on Thanksgiving itself, we would celebrate with a group meal on Saturday. The guys got up WAY before dawn and put a pig and a quarter of beef on a huge spit that they powered with a generator. It cooked until about noon, tended constantly by one of the guys who would keep it moist with red wine and spiced with garlic etc.
In the meantime, Twila, sweet Twila, would mix up the beans. Potatoes were scrubbed and dispensed among the camper ovens and apples were peeled and put into a big pot, again by Twila, for fresh applesauce. At about 2 we would eat ourselves silly and then bring out the ice cream makers for home made ice cream.
I remember one year when Bret was little, he watched that pig going around and around on the spit and finally asked Orrin Nordin, "Can't it Oink anymore?" Orrin told him that he hoped not.
Those are nice memories. The jeep club was a nice organization, we always spoke of it as being a family organization and counted are membership not as individuals but as families.
Tomorrow will be busy. Hope you have a good one.
Love
Mary
Chelsea had a mixed night last night. She slept pretty quietly during the early part but sometime after midnight and before 5 when Dick got up she had several coughing spells and I heard her fall once. Then shortly after I got up she had the worst seizure I have seen her have. Since then, things have calmed down a lot. Every few hours she starts coughing but I have not witnessed any more seizures. Since she has now had her second dose of medicine, perhaps it is starting to work.
We did not walk far as she seemed a bit weak.
I had a quiet healing day myself. I did clean the bathrooms. I also did some sewing and Dick and I racked a gallon of current wine but mainly, I played and wrote on the computer, just hanging around.
I am looking through pictures to find any that I have of the jeep runs that we used to go on so that I can send them to Vikki. She wants to scan them on a disc for herself and for Reid Nordin, a friend. I am not finding as many as I thought I would but perhaps I have not hit the right box yet. I did find a couple of REALLY nice shots of the circle of campers and tents that we used to establish as a club when we went out jeeping. Also a good shot of the pig on the spit at one of our Thanksgiving runs. For many years, the Four Wheelers of Orange County went to the desert for the four day Thanksgiving weekend. Actually, because many people were obligated to stay home on Thanksgiving itself, we would celebrate with a group meal on Saturday. The guys got up WAY before dawn and put a pig and a quarter of beef on a huge spit that they powered with a generator. It cooked until about noon, tended constantly by one of the guys who would keep it moist with red wine and spiced with garlic etc.
In the meantime, Twila, sweet Twila, would mix up the beans. Potatoes were scrubbed and dispensed among the camper ovens and apples were peeled and put into a big pot, again by Twila, for fresh applesauce. At about 2 we would eat ourselves silly and then bring out the ice cream makers for home made ice cream.
I remember one year when Bret was little, he watched that pig going around and around on the spit and finally asked Orrin Nordin, "Can't it Oink anymore?" Orrin told him that he hoped not.
Those are nice memories. The jeep club was a nice organization, we always spoke of it as being a family organization and counted are membership not as individuals but as families.
Tomorrow will be busy. Hope you have a good one.
Love
Mary
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Well. This has been a distressful day and the weather has been chilly and damp to go along with it.
I told you last night that Chelsea had several seizures. Well, she kept waking us up and herself, of course, coughing and I assume seizing all night. I called her vet at 7AM and they were able to see her at 8:45AM. The news is both bad and good.
We left her there for x-rays and blood tests which showed that her heart is enlarged and that there is water around it. The first exam told them that the heart murmur is very strong.
The good news is that there are medications that should help her. She is now taking furosemide and an ace inhibitor. We find this to be a bit amusing because Dick also take furosemide and an ace inhibitor. Mother REALLY finds this amusing. We were commenting that years ago if a dog got sick like that they just had to suffer and die. Just like people.
After we dropped her off at the vet, we did our grocery shopping. The Pig has a hamburger special JUST Friday, Saturday and Sunday so I will have go go back to take advantage of that. $1.49 is a great price. Then I remember when we used to be able to get it for .25 per pound. I am really trying to be a wise shopper, especially after the class I went to last week, even if I did not win the shopping spree. I figure since I did not win, I am building up to a really big win of something. I am actually a bit disappointed. I had even asked Bobbie to be my partner.
I picked my jalapeno peppers yesterday. Since I already froze all I need, I think I will string them up and dry them. I might try a half dozen poppers too.
We had chicken and stuffing for supper. I figured out how to make a smaller batch that tastes good. I just took two cups of stuffing mix. stirred it into 1/2 cup boiling water and 1 1/2 Tablespoons butter, 1/2 chopped apple and some chopped onion. I put it into a casserole dish, topped it two browned chicken legs, roasted it for 45 minutes covered and 15 uncovered. WA LA. All done and Nummy.
Tomorrow we SHOULD with any luck at all be able to stay home all day again. I have two articles to finish and some sewing to do.
I am going to try rubbing Vicks Vaporub on the bottom of my feet tonight. It is, urban legend stuff, supposed to stop nighttime coughing. I figure I have nothing to lose. Then I will only have to cope with Chelsea if she starts coughing and seizing again.
Wish me luck.
Mary
I told you last night that Chelsea had several seizures. Well, she kept waking us up and herself, of course, coughing and I assume seizing all night. I called her vet at 7AM and they were able to see her at 8:45AM. The news is both bad and good.
We left her there for x-rays and blood tests which showed that her heart is enlarged and that there is water around it. The first exam told them that the heart murmur is very strong.
The good news is that there are medications that should help her. She is now taking furosemide and an ace inhibitor. We find this to be a bit amusing because Dick also take furosemide and an ace inhibitor. Mother REALLY finds this amusing. We were commenting that years ago if a dog got sick like that they just had to suffer and die. Just like people.
After we dropped her off at the vet, we did our grocery shopping. The Pig has a hamburger special JUST Friday, Saturday and Sunday so I will have go go back to take advantage of that. $1.49 is a great price. Then I remember when we used to be able to get it for .25 per pound. I am really trying to be a wise shopper, especially after the class I went to last week, even if I did not win the shopping spree. I figure since I did not win, I am building up to a really big win of something. I am actually a bit disappointed. I had even asked Bobbie to be my partner.
I picked my jalapeno peppers yesterday. Since I already froze all I need, I think I will string them up and dry them. I might try a half dozen poppers too.
We had chicken and stuffing for supper. I figured out how to make a smaller batch that tastes good. I just took two cups of stuffing mix. stirred it into 1/2 cup boiling water and 1 1/2 Tablespoons butter, 1/2 chopped apple and some chopped onion. I put it into a casserole dish, topped it two browned chicken legs, roasted it for 45 minutes covered and 15 uncovered. WA LA. All done and Nummy.
Tomorrow we SHOULD with any luck at all be able to stay home all day again. I have two articles to finish and some sewing to do.
I am going to try rubbing Vicks Vaporub on the bottom of my feet tonight. It is, urban legend stuff, supposed to stop nighttime coughing. I figure I have nothing to lose. Then I will only have to cope with Chelsea if she starts coughing and seizing again.
Wish me luck.
Mary
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
I still have my cold. I am not happy about that. In my mind a cold lasts a week and it is almost that long now. If anything it is worse. ( Don't tell Dick.)
Chelsea and I (me all bundled up) took a nice walk this morning. Exercise is always a good thing. It gets the blood moving. I ate an egg for breakfast. Also very healing. We were home all day and I really DID relax.
Nora and Leif stopped by on their way to Mother's so they could see the condo. Nora loves to look at houses and I like to share too. We were able to have another short little visit. I told them that the next time they come I would prepare a meal for them. I DO love to cook for people. Jeff and Kathy were coming in and taking them and Mother for a tour of the Kettles and St. Michaels. Nora said that she is sure that she was out there at some time but that it has been years. I am sure that it was beautiful. Just the color out there should be breathtaking now.
The rest of the day was very quiet. I rested, watered indoor plants, did a very little bit of sewing and puttered on the computer. I am really tired.
Chelsea has had a very bad evening. Yesterday or Sunday she had a seisure. But tonight she started coughing and has so far had four of them. She is totally exhausted now and sleeping. I hope the worst is over. If she continues, we will take her to the vet for a checkup. Her heart could be failing. We surely hope not.
I took a picture yesterday of the big hickory tree over between Jim and Michelle's condo and Jeanne's. With the sun shining through the leaves - it was spectacular.
Except for grocery shopping, we should be able to stick close to home again. So I will continue to doctor myself.
Have a good Wednesday.
Love
Mary
Chelsea and I (me all bundled up) took a nice walk this morning. Exercise is always a good thing. It gets the blood moving. I ate an egg for breakfast. Also very healing. We were home all day and I really DID relax.
Nora and Leif stopped by on their way to Mother's so they could see the condo. Nora loves to look at houses and I like to share too. We were able to have another short little visit. I told them that the next time they come I would prepare a meal for them. I DO love to cook for people. Jeff and Kathy were coming in and taking them and Mother for a tour of the Kettles and St. Michaels. Nora said that she is sure that she was out there at some time but that it has been years. I am sure that it was beautiful. Just the color out there should be breathtaking now.
The rest of the day was very quiet. I rested, watered indoor plants, did a very little bit of sewing and puttered on the computer. I am really tired.
Chelsea has had a very bad evening. Yesterday or Sunday she had a seisure. But tonight she started coughing and has so far had four of them. She is totally exhausted now and sleeping. I hope the worst is over. If she continues, we will take her to the vet for a checkup. Her heart could be failing. We surely hope not.
I took a picture yesterday of the big hickory tree over between Jim and Michelle's condo and Jeanne's. With the sun shining through the leaves - it was spectacular.
Except for grocery shopping, we should be able to stick close to home again. So I will continue to doctor myself.
Have a good Wednesday.
Love
Mary
Monday, October 08, 2007
I am posting very early today. It is only a little after 5PM. But I had a VERY busy day and with my cold am not really feeling much like staying up late, even til 9PM when I usually post.
We started off this morning with a very pleasant continental breakfast at 52 Stafford with my sister Nora and her husband Leif. I told you they were visiting and that we planned to meet for this. Nice catch up time. We found out a bit more about the wedding plans of their son Stenn and his fiance Bing. I found out that they, like Jim and Michelle, met on a computer dating service. We are trying to figure out how to get Bret computer literate, or perhaps WE could just interview the prospects and send them over to him.
Left there and went to bible study. We had eight strong and a lively discussion of faith and gratitude. Then over to Mother's house. Leif and Nora were there and then Randy and Denise showed up. Randy walked their little poodle over and Denise had just come from shopping at Kohls. I had lunch with Mother, Leif and Nora then went on to the Sheboygan Writers Club where I turned in my selection for the little book we will be publishing again this year. I ordered copies for mother and all my children. We did a similar booklet last year. It is a nice way to share our works with each other. I even submitted an original little sketch that I did to accompany the poem.
Then HOME!!! I am feeling a bit undone. Probably did too much in one day. At least now, I do not have to leave the house again until Wednesday morning. Dick said that I can go to bed as soon as I want to and he will take care of Chelsea. It was pretty hot today, but the promised cold front is moving through and it is raining a bit too.
Hope your week is pleasant and happy.
Love
Mary
We started off this morning with a very pleasant continental breakfast at 52 Stafford with my sister Nora and her husband Leif. I told you they were visiting and that we planned to meet for this. Nice catch up time. We found out a bit more about the wedding plans of their son Stenn and his fiance Bing. I found out that they, like Jim and Michelle, met on a computer dating service. We are trying to figure out how to get Bret computer literate, or perhaps WE could just interview the prospects and send them over to him.
Left there and went to bible study. We had eight strong and a lively discussion of faith and gratitude. Then over to Mother's house. Leif and Nora were there and then Randy and Denise showed up. Randy walked their little poodle over and Denise had just come from shopping at Kohls. I had lunch with Mother, Leif and Nora then went on to the Sheboygan Writers Club where I turned in my selection for the little book we will be publishing again this year. I ordered copies for mother and all my children. We did a similar booklet last year. It is a nice way to share our works with each other. I even submitted an original little sketch that I did to accompany the poem.
Then HOME!!! I am feeling a bit undone. Probably did too much in one day. At least now, I do not have to leave the house again until Wednesday morning. Dick said that I can go to bed as soon as I want to and he will take care of Chelsea. It was pretty hot today, but the promised cold front is moving through and it is raining a bit too.
Hope your week is pleasant and happy.
Love
Mary
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Another hot day. I got up at 6AM as I went to the 8AM Mass. Chelsea and I had a very nice walk. We stayed in Tallgrass today as it is getting pretty dark that early and I don't like to be too far from home. As winter moves in, I will start taking her out for a chance to do what is necessary early and we will take our walk a bit later, after my shower and breakfast.
I picked up some bacon and cold medicine on the way home from church and stopped and got gas. With my "Pig Points" I was able to get .20 of per gallon. Now that we can get the gas right here in town, I will be much more aware of how I spend my grocery money.
This afternoon, I went to Rhine with my friend Nancy. Her brother Jack has lent her his 22 pistol so she is rather excited about shooting. She does quite well too. I think if she continues, she will be a good competitor for Lil and Me. Actually Lil is outshining me by a mile lately. That's OK. I will just keep plugging along.
We had leftover chicken and fresh mashed potatoes for supper tonight. And pumpkin pie for dessert.
I am going to try potato scones, a recipe that I found in a cookbook at Bobbie's house when I was feeding kitties. I will let you know how it is and if they are good, give you the recipe which is really simple.
Nora called tonight. They were at Mother's house. Dick and I are going to meet them for breakfast tomorrow at 52 Stafford where they are staying. If we decide that we want more that a continental breakfast, we will take them down the street to the Family Restaurant. It will be nice to spend one on one with them.
The Packers are playing and doing quite well. They are ahead but one of their receivers has fumbled twice. Not good. The Packers are holding them and keep getting the ball back though.
Til tomorrow
Mary
I picked up some bacon and cold medicine on the way home from church and stopped and got gas. With my "Pig Points" I was able to get .20 of per gallon. Now that we can get the gas right here in town, I will be much more aware of how I spend my grocery money.
This afternoon, I went to Rhine with my friend Nancy. Her brother Jack has lent her his 22 pistol so she is rather excited about shooting. She does quite well too. I think if she continues, she will be a good competitor for Lil and Me. Actually Lil is outshining me by a mile lately. That's OK. I will just keep plugging along.
We had leftover chicken and fresh mashed potatoes for supper tonight. And pumpkin pie for dessert.
I am going to try potato scones, a recipe that I found in a cookbook at Bobbie's house when I was feeding kitties. I will let you know how it is and if they are good, give you the recipe which is really simple.
Nora called tonight. They were at Mother's house. Dick and I are going to meet them for breakfast tomorrow at 52 Stafford where they are staying. If we decide that we want more that a continental breakfast, we will take them down the street to the Family Restaurant. It will be nice to spend one on one with them.
The Packers are playing and doing quite well. They are ahead but one of their receivers has fumbled twice. Not good. The Packers are holding them and keep getting the ball back though.
Til tomorrow
Mary
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