Chelsea and I slept until almost 6:30AM. That is unheard of but I wish it would happen every day the I don't have to get up earlier. We had a pleasant walk. She decided to go through the park, not the long way, but along the close side. I think the weeds that she likes to eat are now at their peak and she is liking her little snacks as we go along.
We spent the day kind of getting ready for Monday when the BIG MOVE takes place. I picked up everything from off of the floor on the couch side and stacked it so that the movers will have free space to just move furniture. I also moved the stereo away from the windows as the couch will end up there. I also cleaned out the paper and envelopes from the shelves of the desk that sits in front of our desks. This also holds the printer and fax machine. We are going to replace the fax machine as the catch shelves have broken and it is will over 10 years old and kind of bulky. We really doubt that we would be able to replace the shelves or even at this point find the ink and toner cartridges.
Dick did a lot of cleaning of his desk. We still have tomorrow and part of Monday. Time Warner will be here early on Monday to move the computer jack. I figure they can help us move stuff too or at least tell us what gets plugged in.
This is the first week of the new Mass schedule and I was a little disappointed. Fr. Van Beeck was kind of nervous about getting to Elkhart on time and asked us to do without a sermon. I hope this will not be a pattern. I like his sermons and actually since our bible study does a preread and discussion, I like to hear his comments on the readings. We will certainly be shortchanged if we do not hear his sermons.
Tonight we watched a little bit of Lawrence Welk on PBS. We were watching Big Tiny Little play the piano and it reminded me of when I was very young. Nora and I both took piano lessons when we were young from Cyrilla Danks who was a friend of Mother's and the organist and choir director for St. Mary's Church. She was a good teacher and we were good students but we definitely did not have that SPARK. I know that I was a plodding "by the book" pianist. I could sight read but was not able to shine. It has been very helpful to me throughout my life however. In choir it is a great asset and did I tell you I wrote a song? Well I did. Beth Hoegger is going to help me get it into a music program on her computer. It is a very simple song but pleasant, I think.
Tomorrow, since I am now going to Mass on Saturday's will be an at home day and we can get everything ready for the moving and Time Warner people.
Have a good Sunday.
Mary
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Chelsea and I started our day with a nice brisk walk as we usually do. It was very pleasant weather for walking and the mosquitoes were not swarming.
Sarah, the physical therapist, came a bit after 8AM. She called on her way for directions being aware that Highland Avenue is in the middle of a construction mess. She helped me figure out what length we need for a ramp, now we have to start shopping around to find exactly what we want and also to determine if we can afford it.
Dick reviewed his exercises with her also.
I called the moving company that we used when we came here and they will come Monday at about 2PM to help us move the furniture from room to room. I also called Time Warner and they will send someone on Monday morning to get the hookup ready for the computer transfers.
Dick used the shower bench for the second time and with the few changes we made he is much more comfortable. Standing is just too hard.
I had lunch with my bank buddies today. It has been several weeks so I had a lot to hear about. Everybody is well and we had a good gabby lunch. Even under new ownership, they still have the grilled cheese sandwich. That makes me happy.
This evening, as instructed by Jim and Michelle, I left the house at 5PM. My friend, Nancy, could not go after all so I did not go out shooting. Instead I went to the Exchange Bank for an egg salad sandwich and a latte, then walked back up to the Art Center for the opening of the new exhibit. The main artist is a Dolores Marusarz. She was there and is charming. As charming as her paintings. If you want to see her work, her website is http://marusart.tripit.com. There were two pieces I would like to have if I had more money and more wall space. There were two artists displayed in what they call, the Alcove. Gary Zimmerman, a photographer, was one of them and I had a nice talk with him. He has two also that I would like. One is a fox kit peeking around a tree, the other a beautiful shot of the sky from inside an old silo. Hard to explain. I told him about my red winged blackbird and showed him the poem and picture in my book.
My friend Beth Hoegger played piano for the reception. She IS really good and it was a pleasure listening to her. She gets called for the Art Center occasionally.
I also saw other friends. Linda, who went to school with my sister Dolores, I think her maiden name was Sebald, Rosalie Hartman and Peter Ullrich. So I had a good time. The art would have been enough.
I did a bit of shopping after I left the opening and then came home. I WAS 10 minutes early but they let me in anyway. Our house is sparkling. Jim and Michelle worked like whirling dervishes. They cleaned the living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathrooms. Jim even got the fan blades for me. And Michelle got the fronts of all the appliances and the corners of the kitchen floor. I hope they realize what a big help this is to us and how grateful we are for them being here for us.
It rained again tonight. It started just before we left the Art Center and it just poured. The skies literally opened and the rain tumbled down. The light was just right because as we left we all saw a gorgeous full rainbow in the sky. It was still in its full glory when I arrived at Walgreens but by the time I left it had faded. Rainbows mean good luck and are the promise of God so things are looking pretty good about now.
Have a good weekend.
Love you all
Mary
Sarah, the physical therapist, came a bit after 8AM. She called on her way for directions being aware that Highland Avenue is in the middle of a construction mess. She helped me figure out what length we need for a ramp, now we have to start shopping around to find exactly what we want and also to determine if we can afford it.
Dick reviewed his exercises with her also.
I called the moving company that we used when we came here and they will come Monday at about 2PM to help us move the furniture from room to room. I also called Time Warner and they will send someone on Monday morning to get the hookup ready for the computer transfers.
Dick used the shower bench for the second time and with the few changes we made he is much more comfortable. Standing is just too hard.
I had lunch with my bank buddies today. It has been several weeks so I had a lot to hear about. Everybody is well and we had a good gabby lunch. Even under new ownership, they still have the grilled cheese sandwich. That makes me happy.
This evening, as instructed by Jim and Michelle, I left the house at 5PM. My friend, Nancy, could not go after all so I did not go out shooting. Instead I went to the Exchange Bank for an egg salad sandwich and a latte, then walked back up to the Art Center for the opening of the new exhibit. The main artist is a Dolores Marusarz. She was there and is charming. As charming as her paintings. If you want to see her work, her website is http://marusart.tripit.com. There were two pieces I would like to have if I had more money and more wall space. There were two artists displayed in what they call, the Alcove. Gary Zimmerman, a photographer, was one of them and I had a nice talk with him. He has two also that I would like. One is a fox kit peeking around a tree, the other a beautiful shot of the sky from inside an old silo. Hard to explain. I told him about my red winged blackbird and showed him the poem and picture in my book.
My friend Beth Hoegger played piano for the reception. She IS really good and it was a pleasure listening to her. She gets called for the Art Center occasionally.
I also saw other friends. Linda, who went to school with my sister Dolores, I think her maiden name was Sebald, Rosalie Hartman and Peter Ullrich. So I had a good time. The art would have been enough.
I did a bit of shopping after I left the opening and then came home. I WAS 10 minutes early but they let me in anyway. Our house is sparkling. Jim and Michelle worked like whirling dervishes. They cleaned the living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathrooms. Jim even got the fan blades for me. And Michelle got the fronts of all the appliances and the corners of the kitchen floor. I hope they realize what a big help this is to us and how grateful we are for them being here for us.
It rained again tonight. It started just before we left the Art Center and it just poured. The skies literally opened and the rain tumbled down. The light was just right because as we left we all saw a gorgeous full rainbow in the sky. It was still in its full glory when I arrived at Walgreens but by the time I left it had faded. Rainbows mean good luck and are the promise of God so things are looking pretty good about now.
Have a good weekend.
Love you all
Mary
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Today was a better day. I realized yesterday the my arm and shoulder hurt much less, at least for most of the day. I was sore again by morning but went in for PT again today. I think it is working. Becky said that the muscles seem much more relaxed, so I have hope.
I had Dick come along with me to my therapy which was at 7:30AM because he had an appointment with the orthopedic specialist Shawn Murphy for a re-x-ray of Dick's right knee. He reaffirmed that the knee is "collapsing" and the the only treatment is a knee replacement. HOWEVER, he had some hope. He said that sometimes these collapsing knees will wear smooth and flatten out and kind of heal. At least they become better and the pain is not as intense. People get along quite will with care and walkers and mild exercise. Sounds like a good hope to us. We are to continue as we are and have set up a meeting with an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Lane for six weeks from now. Lets all pray and cross our fingers.
We got home at about 10:30AM. And I did not have to leave again all day. So. I caught up on wash, phone calls and some things for Dick.
I have a call in for a proper wheel chair cushion. Mary M. is concerned that Dick should have a proper cushion so that sores do not develop. Apparently this is a common problem so we want to ward it off.
Tomorrow, I am going to have Sarah, the PT, check my measurements of the steps so that I can order a wheel chair ramp so that we can get Dick out of the house without him having to step down those stairs. I am also going to call a mover, the one who moved us here, to see if they also do furniture rearranging. I measured the rooms and the big furniture and think we have it all figured out.
The only exit to our street is Highland Avenue. Highland Avenue is being rebuilt this summer. It is all torn up and blocked off. We now have to go several blocks out of the way to get out or to get back in. This will be until August. It is an adventure - sometimes we have to stop and wait for them to move the machines to let us in or out. I hope they at least smooth out the road in the process. It has been very bumpy all this time.
I remember when I lived in California. There was a road that was a main thoroughfare and ran right by Costa Mesa Community College which was a VERY busy 2 year college. Every year they would tear it up in August just before registration began at the college and finish the construction project in about February. Then the following August they would dig it up again.
Tomorrow night I will go to the opening of the new exhibit at the Plymouth Art Center. My friend Beth Hoegger, the choir director at Blessed Trinity, is playing as part of the musical entertainment. She doesn't know I am coming. That will be fun.
I guess that's all folks. The day is winding down and so am I. Chelsea is hinting that she thinks that I should be heading off to bed and I think she is right.
So. Until tomorrow. I will tell you about the art exhibit.
Mary
I had Dick come along with me to my therapy which was at 7:30AM because he had an appointment with the orthopedic specialist Shawn Murphy for a re-x-ray of Dick's right knee. He reaffirmed that the knee is "collapsing" and the the only treatment is a knee replacement. HOWEVER, he had some hope. He said that sometimes these collapsing knees will wear smooth and flatten out and kind of heal. At least they become better and the pain is not as intense. People get along quite will with care and walkers and mild exercise. Sounds like a good hope to us. We are to continue as we are and have set up a meeting with an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Lane for six weeks from now. Lets all pray and cross our fingers.
We got home at about 10:30AM. And I did not have to leave again all day. So. I caught up on wash, phone calls and some things for Dick.
I have a call in for a proper wheel chair cushion. Mary M. is concerned that Dick should have a proper cushion so that sores do not develop. Apparently this is a common problem so we want to ward it off.
Tomorrow, I am going to have Sarah, the PT, check my measurements of the steps so that I can order a wheel chair ramp so that we can get Dick out of the house without him having to step down those stairs. I am also going to call a mover, the one who moved us here, to see if they also do furniture rearranging. I measured the rooms and the big furniture and think we have it all figured out.
The only exit to our street is Highland Avenue. Highland Avenue is being rebuilt this summer. It is all torn up and blocked off. We now have to go several blocks out of the way to get out or to get back in. This will be until August. It is an adventure - sometimes we have to stop and wait for them to move the machines to let us in or out. I hope they at least smooth out the road in the process. It has been very bumpy all this time.
I remember when I lived in California. There was a road that was a main thoroughfare and ran right by Costa Mesa Community College which was a VERY busy 2 year college. Every year they would tear it up in August just before registration began at the college and finish the construction project in about February. Then the following August they would dig it up again.
Tomorrow night I will go to the opening of the new exhibit at the Plymouth Art Center. My friend Beth Hoegger, the choir director at Blessed Trinity, is playing as part of the musical entertainment. She doesn't know I am coming. That will be fun.
I guess that's all folks. The day is winding down and so am I. Chelsea is hinting that she thinks that I should be heading off to bed and I think she is right.
So. Until tomorrow. I will tell you about the art exhibit.
Mary
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
If you missed me last night, I am sorry. If you did not miss me I guess I am sorry too. Sure am a sorry individual.
I had two glasses of wine before dinner last night and for some reason, I just got to feeling awful. All I could do was head for bed and stay there.
These have been busy days. Yesterday I has physical therapy in the morning. I was so sore when I got there and when I left. But today I felt better. Maybe it is doing some good. I got home in time to meet Bob Kalies, a heating servicer, who had originally installed the furnaces in these condos. There was a free check and a fix for the furnaces. He checked and fixed ours and then I let him into Jim and Michelle's and he did theirs too. He was very helpful about explaining how we can keep our furnaces working efficiently and longer.
Shortly after he left, Rachel, the nurse came and checked out Dick's wounds and just his general health. That pretty well wiped out the day. I tried to take a nap and then had that wine and fell apart.
Well, all the sleep I had really helped. This morning I did the shopping and put the groceries away and took a little nap. Then Dick got up from his nap and we tried out the new shower equipment. We got him a transfer bench for the bathtub and a clip on rail. It was much better. We have a few things to work out but it is much safer and easier. We want a handle for him to use to get up and some bath mats. Our next step will be a ramp and rearranging the furniture.
This afternoon, Mary Meschler, the occupational therapist came. She gave us some hints for making the bath easier and reviewed his exercises.
I fixed venison teriaki steaks on the grill tonight with fried rice on the side. The steaks were SO good. Dick even asked if they were from Market Day or the Pig and was impressed that they were venison.
Nora called today. It was so good hearing her voice. I was glad to be able to report that things are falling into place around here. I told her how much I had enjoyed reading Stenn's journal of his and Bing's trip to China. They will be closing on their new home next week and are all excited.
We always each give a "word" at the end of our Writer's Club in Plymouth. The words last month were floating, weddings, vacations, strawberries, asparagus and summer concerts.
I could not get them all into ONE poem but did come up with one I liked about Peggy and Brian's son Nicholas's wedding. I think I will send it to them.
The wedding was celebrated
Under the evening sky
On a summer evening.
The violin music was redundant
As the sound of the birds was melody enough.
A concert of unique beauty
Heralding the youth and love
That were joined
Under that evening sky.
Have a neat Thursday.
Mary
I had two glasses of wine before dinner last night and for some reason, I just got to feeling awful. All I could do was head for bed and stay there.
These have been busy days. Yesterday I has physical therapy in the morning. I was so sore when I got there and when I left. But today I felt better. Maybe it is doing some good. I got home in time to meet Bob Kalies, a heating servicer, who had originally installed the furnaces in these condos. There was a free check and a fix for the furnaces. He checked and fixed ours and then I let him into Jim and Michelle's and he did theirs too. He was very helpful about explaining how we can keep our furnaces working efficiently and longer.
Shortly after he left, Rachel, the nurse came and checked out Dick's wounds and just his general health. That pretty well wiped out the day. I tried to take a nap and then had that wine and fell apart.
Well, all the sleep I had really helped. This morning I did the shopping and put the groceries away and took a little nap. Then Dick got up from his nap and we tried out the new shower equipment. We got him a transfer bench for the bathtub and a clip on rail. It was much better. We have a few things to work out but it is much safer and easier. We want a handle for him to use to get up and some bath mats. Our next step will be a ramp and rearranging the furniture.
This afternoon, Mary Meschler, the occupational therapist came. She gave us some hints for making the bath easier and reviewed his exercises.
I fixed venison teriaki steaks on the grill tonight with fried rice on the side. The steaks were SO good. Dick even asked if they were from Market Day or the Pig and was impressed that they were venison.
Nora called today. It was so good hearing her voice. I was glad to be able to report that things are falling into place around here. I told her how much I had enjoyed reading Stenn's journal of his and Bing's trip to China. They will be closing on their new home next week and are all excited.
We always each give a "word" at the end of our Writer's Club in Plymouth. The words last month were floating, weddings, vacations, strawberries, asparagus and summer concerts.
I could not get them all into ONE poem but did come up with one I liked about Peggy and Brian's son Nicholas's wedding. I think I will send it to them.
The wedding was celebrated
Under the evening sky
On a summer evening.
The violin music was redundant
As the sound of the birds was melody enough.
A concert of unique beauty
Heralding the youth and love
That were joined
Under that evening sky.
Have a neat Thursday.
Mary
Monday, June 16, 2008
This was a very strange day. Chelsea got me up at 5:30AM. Not TOO bad but I lost a half an hour sleep right off the bat.
We put the new stickers on the car so I won't get ticketed for expired plates. Then I went to Bible Study. There were 7 of us there, enough for a good discussion. We decided that Jeremiah must have been very depressed when all his friends turned their backs on him when he defended the faith and that we are pretty lucky that Jesus was willing to take us on.
I stopped at Mom's and dripped off some mac and cheese and scones for her. She is having her new stove delivered this afternoon. Donna is coming over when they do to help her.
Home again after a stop at Adams Aurora to pick up a transfer bench for the shower for Dick and a grab bar for the edge of the tub to give him some more security. Deanna at Adams is SO helpful.
Then home for lunch and on to the Cream City Writers. There were six of us there today. Our Jenna had a poem published in a book that is part of a contest she entered. We are very proud of her.
I did a couple of errands then and was able to go home and check on Dick before my appointment with Dr. Ghandi. He is a specialist and I had great hopes that he could figure out why my side is hurting, but I was wrong. He is ordering a CT scan but I am not holding out much hope. This ache is probably going to be with me for a LONG time much like the arthritis pain in the neck and shoulder. Sure is discouraging.
I ran out of day before I could water all my planters. So. Tomorrow afternoon, I will do that. We have three appointments tomorrow morning, so that will take care of that.
I was thinking of my Uncle Leo Ayers the other day at his grandson's wedding. I remember when he married my Aunt Kathleen, I was just a little girl but I remember the reception and my first REAL memory of Uncle Leo. He kept asking Dad to tell us girls to call him "Uncle Leo" and, of course, we got all coy and wouldn't.
Nice memories.
Have a lovely Tuesday.
Mary
We put the new stickers on the car so I won't get ticketed for expired plates. Then I went to Bible Study. There were 7 of us there, enough for a good discussion. We decided that Jeremiah must have been very depressed when all his friends turned their backs on him when he defended the faith and that we are pretty lucky that Jesus was willing to take us on.
I stopped at Mom's and dripped off some mac and cheese and scones for her. She is having her new stove delivered this afternoon. Donna is coming over when they do to help her.
Home again after a stop at Adams Aurora to pick up a transfer bench for the shower for Dick and a grab bar for the edge of the tub to give him some more security. Deanna at Adams is SO helpful.
Then home for lunch and on to the Cream City Writers. There were six of us there today. Our Jenna had a poem published in a book that is part of a contest she entered. We are very proud of her.
I did a couple of errands then and was able to go home and check on Dick before my appointment with Dr. Ghandi. He is a specialist and I had great hopes that he could figure out why my side is hurting, but I was wrong. He is ordering a CT scan but I am not holding out much hope. This ache is probably going to be with me for a LONG time much like the arthritis pain in the neck and shoulder. Sure is discouraging.
I ran out of day before I could water all my planters. So. Tomorrow afternoon, I will do that. We have three appointments tomorrow morning, so that will take care of that.
I was thinking of my Uncle Leo Ayers the other day at his grandson's wedding. I remember when he married my Aunt Kathleen, I was just a little girl but I remember the reception and my first REAL memory of Uncle Leo. He kept asking Dad to tell us girls to call him "Uncle Leo" and, of course, we got all coy and wouldn't.
Nice memories.
Have a lovely Tuesday.
Mary
Sunday, June 15, 2008
A lovely day. Father's Day and we had a nice warm fuzzy day. Jim and Michelle, Bobbie and Bill joined Dick and Brenda and Dick and me for breakfast this morning. I went to the 8AM mass and got home at 9AM, in time to prepare a nice egg dish with sausages on the side for the non vegetarians. Jim and Michelle brought a special coffee and I had baked really great fresh cranberry scones on Saturday. It was a nice finish to an altogether special Father's Day weekend.
After breakfast the Dick and Brenda and Bobbie and Bill headed up to Green Bay to visit their mother Barbara who is back in the hospital. Pray for her. She has been having difficulty breathing and they are saying that the cancer is back. Her poor body has really gone through quite enough.
The rest of the day was quite. Chelsea is relieved. I think she is longing for the quiet days when people seldom came by our place. Here she is getting old and we are having all KINDS of people invading her space and disrupting her routine. Just when she thought she had us almost trained.
I make Wolfgang Puck's recipe for mac and cheese today. I had to make a few adjustments because (forgive me Wolfgang) I just COULDN'T see spending $50 for mushrooms for an experiment. I used portabella mushrooms, which the produce manager at the Pig said are another "woody" mushroom. It would be interesting if I could taste Wolfgang's and find out if there is a lot of difference. We liked it a lot, but Dick really likes the traditional Cheddar, (and I think Velveeta) based mac and cheeses best. I might make this again though. It WAS good.
This is turning out to be fun. As most of you know, I have been trying a new Mac and Cheese every month. This is the 5th. So far Dianne Sawyer's is our favorite, with Robin Roberts coming up a healthy second.
Tomorrow will be a busy day but I will have to take the time to water all the pots on the deck and porch. Everything is green and most of the plants are growing. I planted several tomato plants. I have never in all my 68 years done well with tomato plants. Watch - this year they all all do well and I will not be able to find homes for all my produce.
Talked to Bart today. He sounds good. He had some suggestions for us to ask the doctor about pain management for Dick's knee. He is the expert on that and I have made notes. We see Dr. Murphy on Thursday.
Love
Mary
After breakfast the Dick and Brenda and Bobbie and Bill headed up to Green Bay to visit their mother Barbara who is back in the hospital. Pray for her. She has been having difficulty breathing and they are saying that the cancer is back. Her poor body has really gone through quite enough.
The rest of the day was quite. Chelsea is relieved. I think she is longing for the quiet days when people seldom came by our place. Here she is getting old and we are having all KINDS of people invading her space and disrupting her routine. Just when she thought she had us almost trained.
I make Wolfgang Puck's recipe for mac and cheese today. I had to make a few adjustments because (forgive me Wolfgang) I just COULDN'T see spending $50 for mushrooms for an experiment. I used portabella mushrooms, which the produce manager at the Pig said are another "woody" mushroom. It would be interesting if I could taste Wolfgang's and find out if there is a lot of difference. We liked it a lot, but Dick really likes the traditional Cheddar, (and I think Velveeta) based mac and cheeses best. I might make this again though. It WAS good.
This is turning out to be fun. As most of you know, I have been trying a new Mac and Cheese every month. This is the 5th. So far Dianne Sawyer's is our favorite, with Robin Roberts coming up a healthy second.
Tomorrow will be a busy day but I will have to take the time to water all the pots on the deck and porch. Everything is green and most of the plants are growing. I planted several tomato plants. I have never in all my 68 years done well with tomato plants. Watch - this year they all all do well and I will not be able to find homes for all my produce.
Talked to Bart today. He sounds good. He had some suggestions for us to ask the doctor about pain management for Dick's knee. He is the expert on that and I have made notes. We see Dr. Murphy on Thursday.
Love
Mary
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