I am posting early today. It was a busy day with a drive to New Berlin for a wedding shower. I drove and expect that the sandman will be strewing sand all over my brain in not too long a time.

Chelsea and I and a nice walk. I got to sleep until 6:30 which is always a good sign. We ran into my friend Bill Cain and his friend Pat on our walk. Chelsea was torn. She didn't know whether she should be sniffing rocks or barking but pretty much chose sniffing rocks which makes it easier for me to visit.

I spent the morning preparing the shower gift and cleaning up the kitchen.

I picked up Bobbie at about noon and we drove with no problems to the wedding shower for Sarah Gretzinger. Sarah is Dick's grand niece, Teresa and Gary Gretzinger's oldest daughter. The wedding will be in Medford on May 10 and we are just crossing our fingers that Dick will be well enough to go. Teresa would be so disappointed if he can't.

The shower was a lot of fun. Brenda was there too. Dick dropped her off and then headed for the mall to cruise a bit. They had a big spread of food and two wonderful cakes. Then we played ONE game. We split up into groups of 5 or 6 and dressed one of our members up as a bride using toilet paper for the dress. Brenda, Bobbie, Suzi, Jeanie, Hazel and I formed a team. We dressed Hazel up as our bride. We gave her straps, a bodice, a dress, a headdress, a bouquet and the finishing touch --- a garter. She won hands down and we all got a door prize. Then we went to my favorite part of any shower. The gift opening. Sarah received beautiful gifts. She is registered at several places and many gifts reflected that. I had gotten things to surround a bottle of wine brewed by Dick and me. She seemed pleased with the gift and I love to be able to personalize. I have decided that any wedding I am invited to the gift will include the trivets that I make because I like to give something really unique and this is something of me.

From Reader's Digest. "What do you call Photographers who chase dogs? Puparazzi."

I remember when the Deeley's were in Texas for a wedding several years ago and Uncle Leif was calling for us to smile every time we turned around so he could snap pictures. We felt like we had paparazzi and loved it. We got very good at posing when we were told to. It was easier than resisting and such fun. We all treasure those memories. We are a loving family and delight in making memories.

Til tomorrow.

Love you

Mary

We had a true spring day today. It was 55 degrees at its peak and I wore my jean jacket to shoot at Rhine tonight. The pistol range in the basement was actually not a deep freeze for the first time since before the first of the year. This has indeed been a LONG winter.

This morning Dick and I did a bit of shopping. We needed prescriptions, a couple of things to complete the shower basket for Sarah's wedding shower etc. We were home by 10 and just in time to greet Jim and Michelle returning from Jim's visit to HIS doctor to remove the stints in his nose. He looked tired but still good. He is recovering very well. Dick and I bought him flowers today. Dick always found flowers comforting and wanted his son to have them as he is recovering from the surgery. We visited for a while then Dick and I had to get ready to take HIM to Sheboygan Memorial for HIS procedure. (What is it with these Kunert men lately).

This was a breeze though. Dr. Siddique did a Sclerotherapy procedure which is apparently much less invasive than the lazer. They put a chemical in the vein to eliminate it and wrapped the leg in an ace bandage. The remaining procedures will be like this and much easier to deal with. We are really delighted. It has been such a long road to travel. I am seeing an end. I hope that all of this combined with the newly prescribed therapy will provide some strength to his legs.

When we got home I was exhausted and laid down for an hour. Sometimes I just am DONE. The hour was all I needed. Then I worked on dinner and took a quick run over to Kate's to confer on stuff for the Spring Fling.

We ate a bit early as Nancy and I drove out to Rhine to shoot pistol league. I did not do as well as last week but it was not bad. Nancy did pretty well too so we are happy campers.

I fixed salmon with fresh green beans and rice for supper. Num Num.

Chelsea is staring at me. She is trying to tell me that it is way past our bedtime. She is even starting to whimper a little bit so I know she is very serious. SO. I guess it is time to sign off for the evening. Have a loverly weekend. It should be very nice for us. I enjoy Dick's family and will see them at the shower tomorrow.

All my love

Mary

Another nice day. Not warm. But it was not windy and the sun shone so we are grateful. I know that those of you in Sunny California, or Cajun Country or the Lone Star State or Florida think we are silly to be glad for days with temps in the 30s that just do not drip or snow or blow. BUT we are.

Chelsea likes them all. May poor little girl is getting SO old.


Kate picked me up at 9:30 and we went shopping. We drove to that shopping center in Kohler up next to Hwy 43. Michaels was our first stop and we did pretty well there. I actually have a couple of Christmas presents, which is a bonus, and I got a good start on the shower present for Teresa's Sarah. Next stop was TJ Maxx. I did well there too. I now have the give all planned and only need to pick up two small items to compete it tomorrow.

We had to stop at Home Depot to pick up a toilet seat for Kate. She had to get it replaced immediately.

Then we drove over to Toni Nevicosi's to work on the CWI Spring Fling stuff. By that time I had only one hour so we worked our butts off to get the cutting done so that projects could be done quickly later. I got home at 1:30PM just in time to help Dick get his shower under way.

At about 4pm I called over to Jim and Michelle's and he is up to guests. So I went over and shared some Beef Barley soup that Kate had brought. Jim looks really good. His color is wonderful and he says the pain is not as bad as he thought it would be. I hope that continues. He is getting the stints out tomorrow. The reconstruction is causing him to have to learn how to drink all over again. Kind of interesting. If he goofs, liquid comes shooting out his nose.

We also had soup for supper. I am tired now. Don't you wonder why.

I have been thinking about my cousin Mickey Deeley. He has been gone for some time now. We were good friends when I just got out of High School. If I wanted to go out, (ladies did not go to bars alone, even teen bars) I could always call Mickey. One night he and my friend Jack Lutz ended up at my folks house late one evening and got into a discussion of theology. These were two very intelligent educated people and here was little Mary kind of in the middle of a really deep discussion that I only half understood. I miss Mickey and I sometimes wonder whatever happened to Jack. I would like to see him again. He was a great guy.

Love

Mary

It was rather beautiful today. The sun shone and more snow melted. I am finding green shoots coming up in the gardens. I may, if it is nice in the morning check down at the bottom of the yard to see if any of my herbs survived. It may be a bit early but I need to start checking.

Chelsea was a little crazy dog this morning. She loved her walk and when she came in saw Dick at the table and turned into a whirling dervish. Spinning like a top. It is so good to see her happy and lively.

We then went to McDonald's for breakfast, to the bank and to the grocery store to get the tickets and some wine. Then I took Dick, who was not feeling too well, home and went BACK to the Pig to finish the grocery shopping.

Michelle came over right after lunch to tell us how Jim is doing. Poor guy. Michelle said he is still bleeding some. The doctor instructed him as to how to avoid swallowing the blood so he is not as sick. We will go to see him tomorrow. He needs LOTS of rest. I have this urge to fix special food. Perhaps in a day or two when he can taste and swallow.

Dick did not feel up to going to the Sheboygan Theater Company production of Clue tonight, so I asked Kate. She was delighted. So it was a lady's night. We ate at the Villager. We all had Pasta Voile. A pasta dish where you pick the type of pasta, the sauce, the veggies and the spices. It is served with soup or salad and a bread stick and was really good. We all brought home enough for another meal too.

The play was Clue, the Musical. I had never heard any of the music before and each production has a different ending depending, just like the Clue board game, which cards are drawn and hidden at the beginning of the production as to who, which room and what weapon were used. Kate and I guessed correctly from the clues. Mother did not bother because she can't see well enough so she just enjoyed the music and the dialogue. It was a fun and lively production and well acted and sung.

I think Dick would have liked it.

So another busy and productive day. Keep praying for Jim and his caregiver, Michelle, who has to be nurse and everything right now. Keep Dick in your prayers too. He will be starting physical therapy next Wednesday. I am glad of that. If he has direction, I know he will do it.

All my love.

Mary

Dick had an appointment with Dr. Sharon at 2PM. He has been experiencing more weakness in his legs and some

Well, we are back on the doctor cycle again. Started off with a chilly walk. Chelsea seemed a bit tired. We went quite a way but she was not adverse to coming home a bit early.

We had to be at the Anti-coagulation Clinic at 9AM. Dick's count is a bit low but Sue said that is OK because of the surgery. If it is still down or lower next week she will adjust his thinners.

On the way home we stopped at Woodlake because they have more tea varieties that I like. I now have my Republic of Tea Green Pear. We also picked up some new rubber gloves for putting on the support stockings. I have worn out two pair now.

Then we went to the Plymouth City Hall to vote. Now I am hoping to see some results showing on the news as it is after 9 and results should be coming in. We filled up the gas tank on the way home too. SO Dick was a tired guy by the time we got home.

I spent the afternoon finishing stamping and filling the envelopes with seeds that are going into the gift bags. Now all I have to do is finish the book we are preparing. Kate dropped by this afternoon with two meals of soup - broccoli and 12 bean. They are a welcome treat.

Shortly after we got back we got an email from Michelle that Jim was in surgery. Later, she let us know that he came through with flying colors. The doctor was VERY pleased with what he was able to do. Then she asked me to feed Boots as she decided to stay with Jim. He is sleeping a lot. Michelle said Morphine Jim is funny. They will be home tomorrow sometime. I sat with Boots for a while tonight while Dancing with the Stars was on.

Now it is time to wind down for the night. Keep Jim in your prayers, once that morphine wears off I am sure he will be very uncomfortable. However, they are letting him eat semi soft foods, like eggs and mac and cheese.

Take care


Mary

A full day. Chelsea and I started out at 6:30 with a nice walk. It was not raining then but had before we went out. We did a nice long 4o minute walk. I am trying to do that every day as we were really hampered during this long impossible winter.

Bible Study was almost a reunion. Tom and Kathy Keyes were back from their long sojourn in Texas with their son and Helen Morgan was back from her vacation too. We were 9 strong and had some very lively discussions. The readings were about Jesus revealing himself after the resurrection and somehow we got off on the subjects of moral issues versus legal issues. But it makes us really think.

The Epistle is 1 Peter 1:17-21 and actually is quite beautiful. I found it quite gentle when you consider it comes from Peter who was such a hothead. He speaks of journeying through a strange land. Could that strange land just be our lives?

After Study I went and visited with Mother. She is just fine and has a busy week ahead of her. She was planning on going across the street to play cards with the Seniors at Church. I hope it didn't rain when she was ready to do.

I spent the afternoon putting nice labels on water bottles to put in the gift bags for the CWI Fling. Now I just have the seed envelopes and the book left to do.

We had pork riblets with potatoes and cucumbers and tomatoes for supper. I invited Jim and Michelle over for dessert. The apple pie. I figured they needed a treat before he heads in for his surgery. Would you believe that Jim ran into Brenda and Dick across from the Milwaukee Public Library in Milwaukee today? They were seeing wonderful sights in Milwaukee to celebrate Brenda's birthday. She emailed that Dick was treating her like the royal princess that she is.

Keep Jim in your prayers tomorrow especially at 9:45AM and later because that is when he has his surgery.

We were talking about confirmation today at bible study. I was confirmed when I was 12 and I confessed that in my holy younger days when I got confirmed, I kind of was disappointed because I did not have tongues of fire coming down from the heaven onto my head. No doves flying overhead either. I have come to realize that wisdom sometimes comes with a whisper. So I try to listen.

Love

Mary

It was a super Sunday. Chelsea and I had a chilly walk. A few large snowflakes even came down while we were walking and melted as soon as they hit the road. There was frost all over the grass.

I went to the 8AM Mass. Poor Fr. Van Beeck. He will soon be the pastor of St. John the Baptist in Plymouth AND St. Thomas Aquinas in Elkhart Lake. He is having difficulty deciding HOW he can pastor two separate parishes and laid out some of his problems to US this morning. He is willing to say four masses on a weekend but will be only able to do one each day at each parish. Someone will be unhappy no matter what he does. I told him that I had been through the Blessed Trinity merger, which is even harder because you have to CLOSE churches and this makes people really unhappy. I mentioned that I got a glimmer of the hurt that this entails when they changed the name from St. Mary Help of Christians. After all, my grandfather helped choose that name. That was when I realized how little I was giving up after all. Anyway, I told him to be brave.

When I got home I fixed breakfast and put the Spinach Egg casserole together and baked a Market Day Apple Pie. At about noon, I drove out to Rhine Plymouth to shoot three league targets. I did pretty good. I was a little worried because my shoulder has been rather sore but it didn't hurt while I was shooting and my scores were all above 50.

Then I took a nap. I drove to Falls to pick up Mother to join us for dinner. We had a lovely evening with her as usual. She mentioned that she was on her last bottle of wine so we sent two home with her. A Gewertziminer and a White Zin.

Now I am home and settling down for the evening.

Today I sat down to rest for a bit and Dick had the travel channel on to Samantha Brown's European show. She mentioned that the mountains where she was touring looked almost like they were painted on the sky. That reminded me of the Grand Canyon. It is so big and massive and full of color and also looks JUST like the paintings you see of it. Incredibly beautiful.

Love and stuff and have a great week.

Mary