I have the opportunity to be on the internet at the hotel so thought I would say HI to all. The trip here was perfect. We got out before the snow. Dick says there are 4 to 6 inches in Sheboygan.

The rehearsal dinner was SO pleasant. We got to introduce the two families and the members of the wedding party at an excellent Italian restaurant not far from her.

This morning Barb and I went on a five hour quilt hop. We both found treasures. I was freed up because Nora offered to ship things that won't fit in bags home for me. We went to three great shops.

Poor Bart is not feeling well at all. He seems to have a bug that has unsettled his tummer. We are trying to get him better for tonight.

I lost my itinerary but Barb showed me how to do this hotel stuff and I have a new copy in my hot little hands. The wedding is at 6:30 at a Chinese restaurant near here. We will get there at 6 as ceremonies are usually right on the dot and we will eat right after the ceremony. Such fun.

Take care. Until tomorrow.

Love

Mary

Yippee. I went to the doctor this morning at 8:15AM. Dr. Peschke said that my ankle is lookin' good! I do NOT have to take the crutches to Texas unless, of course, I want to play the sympathy card. (I DO NOT.) He did suggest that I use the brace for any long walks, like airports and such to provide some stability. Also, my blood pressure was back down to normal. We figure it was just the trauma of the pain of the sprain on that day that caused it to soar. So I am almost all well again and certainly ready for the trip.

I spent the rest of the day getting packed and all and trying to be sure the house is in order for Dick while I am gone. He has lots of food that is easy to find and prepare, so I am not worried about that. We got him all showered, stockinged and medicated so he will be OK until I am home on Sunday. Whew.

Chelsea was very quiet today and slept a lot. I think three days of company is very tiring for and old lady like her but she sure enjoys the company. When I get back if there is no ice, we will start walking again. That will definitely be a bonus for both of us. I am sure that by then walking will be the BEST exercise for my foot and I know that I need to be moving. I feel like a slug.

Richard made a movie of Brenda walking Chelsea. That is really a pleasure to watch. Did I tell you that my wallpaper on the computer disappeared? I wouldn't and don't care too much but I do miss seeing my Waylon looking at me. When I get to heaven, all of my critters will be waiting for me.

Now, remember, I will be gone until Sunday. I will tell you as much as I am able (depending on tired) about the trip on Sunday evening. Hopefully I will have a good picture of the bride and groom and of Bart and Barb for you.

I wrote a Haiku about getting rid of my crutches.

To talk with freedom
After being long constrained
I laugh for happy.


Love

Mary

Did you miss me? Our whole cable system was down from Christmas Eve until about 3PM this afternoon. We were really upset. The Time Warner guy came and fixed it. He found that a cable up at the top was severed. We believe that some critter has invaded our people domain as he also found corn and stuff under the TV as if it was being horded for the future. He checked all their ingresses into the house and put some DCon up into that area. There were no signs that anything could have gotten through there. As soon as I am able I will go and check our outlets for the dryer etc and see if the covers are off again. It is such a cold and snowy winter we could EASILY have some critter finding a warm spot in our pipes etc. Otherwise we may have to get an exterminator.

Christmas was truly wonderful. Bobbie and Bill, Jim and Michelle and Dick and Brenda were all here. Dinner turned out good. I fixed meatloaf, overnight potatoes, Brussel Sprouts, carrot salad and double chocolate upside down Potcheen cheesecake for dessert. All the gifts were well received and we loved ours so that went well too. After dinner we went over to Jim and Michelle's to enjoy their Christmas decorations and Boots. Altogether it was really great.

Today was quiet. We had Brenda and Dick with us until almost noon, a real delight. Then they headed up to Dick's mother's and we went grocery shopping. This afternoon was the visit from the "Cable Guy" and preparations for dinner. I have everything cleaned up and put away now.

I am trying to get ready for the trip to Dallas next. Tomorrow morning is my visit with the doctor to determine if I am healed. I am hoping against hope that I can go to Texas without those danged crutches. I do not hurt any more actually there has been no pain since the second day and have pretty much done everything I was told to do SO that should be that.

Dick has not been sleeping well and is not feeling as well as he should. I hope that maybe with me gone he will have a chance to rest. With my foot he has had an awful lot to do. Of course he will still have Chelsea, but I think that Jim and/or Michelle will help him with her. I am really looking forward to the break actually.

ANyway that is where I have been. I will post tomorrow night and then you will not hear from me again until Sunday night.

I know that I have put this in the blog before but at this time of year it is worth repeating.

Love

Mary

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand & a glass of wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Can you believe that there is only one more day before Christmas. Christmas Eve is TOMORROW.

We stayed home all day today. I was very disappointed. It IS Sunday and I hate missing Mass, but it was slippery out there and the wind was horrendous. Not a great place for a 67 year old woman on crutches.

My foot feels fine. I weathered the Clancy Legacy with no complications and have now begun exercising the foot as the doctor instructed. I am determined to travel to Texas without crutches.

I started doing the prep work for the Christmas Dinner. I figure a little at a time is the best way. Today I made the carrot salad and the bread. I did get a pain in my side this afternoon, probably because I am holding myself oddly when I do some things like cleaning the microwave.
We wonder how long it will take Chelsea to realize that I am back "on the job" when I am all healed. Today Dick took her out several times and Jim and Michelle kindly came over an took her for as much of a walk as their poor little bodies could stand. Chelsea with her long fur coat seems to think that EVERYBODY should be able to stay out as long as she does. HAH! She is wrong. But she did get some exercise anyway.

Remember the Christmas pageant with "Gold, Common Sense and Fur."

Here is another one the at my brother and sister in law, Jeff and Kathy sent to me. It think it is great.


Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the
holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial
entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.

So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly
taken aback by its bold title.

Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy
mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.

Those in the front row - center stage - held up large letters, one by
one, to spell out the title of the song.

As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the
letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding
up his portion had presented the complete message,

"Christmas Love."


The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a
small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down -
totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W".


The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's
mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall,
proudly holding her "W".


Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter
continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.

A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant,
we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the
first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our
festivities.


For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:


"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"

And so He was and so He is. We are almost to his birthday celebration. Let's give Him the gift of peace and love.

All my love

Mary

A perfect day. We got up this morning at our usual time. I am on my second day of adding weight to my foot and tomorrow will start foot exercises. I still have no pain and am grateful.

The morning was rather quiet. I did a little cleaning in the kitchen and fixed breakfast and lunch for Dick and me so am feeling a bit useful again.

Jim and Michelle got home from a short jaunt to Minneapolis to the Mall of America this afternoon at about 2PM. They had a great time and seemed very refreshed. Dick asked Jim to pick up Chelsea's leavings as neither he nor I can bend down to to it at this time. Soon I think I can handle it again. That was alright BUT we had the door to the garage and the garage door open and Chelsea zipped down the stairs. When I realized she was there I called, but of course, she is deaf and didn't hear me. Poor Jim chased her all around the cul de sac. I don't think he is quite as relaxed as he was when he got home. She kept running just out of reach. Dick gave her a lecture when we got her back in. He told her that she had behaved in and unseemly manner and that he was ashamed of her.

Then at 3ish, Peg Payne arrived followed closely by John and Toni Nevicosi. We visited for a bit and then headed down to the Clancy Legacy concert at the Irish Center in Milwaukee. We took a side trip, despite the fog, to St. Francis to a polish restaurant that John and Toni like. I ordered a Polish Sampler plate which had Pierogi, stuffed cabbage, a polish sausage AND a potato pancake. It was delicious. I brought some home for us to share tomorrow.

Then on to the concert. It was great. We found out about half past 7 that there was a preact. A Jeff Ward, who was really good. I bought his CD. Then Robbie, Aoife, and Donel came on and gave us the nicest Christmas concert of music both instrumental and vocal and poetry. We were all delighted. I found Robbie during the break and we had a nice little visit and I gave him a copy of my book to give to Roxanne. They are hoping to be home by tomorrow night, Good Lord Willing and the snow and airlines cooperate. I bought Donel's CD also.

We are home save and sound well before the temperatures are supposed to drop and the snow to fall. I hope they are wrong about that as I would hate to miss Mass again. This has been a really bad year with snow and ice.

Now Christmas can come. I will spend the next couple of days cooking.

Love

Mary