Today was a nice day.

I got to sleep until 6AM which is always a plus. Actually, Dick said that Chelsea was acting really strangely. She just sat on his side of the bed and kept staring at him, but never came over to try to wake me. We had a lovely walk. It was cool. Not quite Fall-like but getting there. We ran into an elderly lady that we see often and Chelsea seemed happy to see her. We heard a "lone goose" flying overhead honking his head off. Then we were home.

Dick was back in bed, so I put all the planters back on the deck. The decks have been resealed, also the front porch railings. The decks look great and so do my planters. I have mainly herbs in them but enough flowers and veggies to be interesting. Chelsea liked that too because we went in and out of the house several times.

The rest of the day was reasonably quiet. I did go to a good bye party for my friend Esther Hasler. She is leaving for Florida to be close to one of her sons who wants to take care of her. That is a good thing. Esther is a good soul with a lot of health problems and a wonderful attitude. I just wanted to be able to say goodbye to her. As she said, we have email and can keep in touch. Just think how it was in ages past. When someone moved to another state or another country, the odd were you would not hear from them for months or even years. Often, these people were lost forever and never heard from. First telegraphs and good mail service, then phones and now email has mad this world so much smaller.

We got in all three of the sequential compression sessions and I just have to clean and dress wounds before going to bed. We got a good bath in too. That is difficult because we can't get his feet wet AND he has so much difficulty standing. But we did it.

Now night is here and I have heard from both of the Johnston boys and Barbara. They both called to check on Dick. Good boys. They are both doing quite well. Barbara is worried about her father. He has health problems also.

Bret and I were remembering Zero tonight. Bret was laughing as he remembered how sometimes he would sit on the couch with a bowl of cereal or ice cream and Zero would jump up next to him to keep an eye on the spoon as it moved from bowl to mouth. The only problem he had is that he would end up falling asleep watching, sitting up and leaning on the back of the couch.

What a dog. Zero the wonder dog, worth a little less than nothing. But priceless.

Love

Mary

Today was a rough one. Dick was very uncomfortable. The foot that had the surgery is starting to really hurt. As long as he does not use it, it does not but he has to do bathroom etc. I think it is also part of the healing. We had to go to the Plymouth Clinic for his blood coagulation test. We are GLAD that we can do it at the Plymouth Clinic now, that saves us at least 20 miles a test and Deb, our new nurse, is very nice and helpful.

He was exhausted and lay down for a nap. I left to give blood at 10:30AM. I was scheduled for 11 but did not get called until almost 11:45. So I was getting nervous because I really figured that I would not be gone much over an hour and a half. Once they got me in, it went really fast. I ended up with quite a bruise this time. It didn't seem too bad when they put the needle in but they did have to shift it a bit and it must have been just enough.

I got home totally exhausted. We hooked Dick up to the sequential and I lay down on the couch to rest. Did pretty good for about 45 minutes, then the door bell rang. It was the medical supplies from VNA and as soon as I lay down again the phone rang. We didn't answer that. When I got up, we checked and it was Leslie. So I called her back.

Good news. Leslie and Bill are driving up on September 20 and will be here on the 21. They are going to stay for a week. This is a good thing and Dick and I are very pleased. We were so disappointed when they had to cancel August. So now they will be here. It has been way too long. Leslie feels that way too and wants to see her Dad.

Then I had to go to Rhine to work the first night of Fall Trap League. I did the gun room. Nancy came out with her grandson, Colin, and we DID go down to shoot our first targets for pistol league and let Colin shoot for the first time. We had mixed results but ended up pretty good. Colin liked it and MAY decide to shoot league too. It would be wonderful to get young blood in there. He is 15, Nancy said and a very nice young man. He listened carefully to our instructions.

Tom and Doc let me come home early so I was here by 8:30 which is great because I was able to change Dick's dressing and put him on the compressor again. I will be in bed by 10, Thank God.

My Bret called while I was gone but said he will call back tomorrow. Now I have something to look forward too tomorrow.

I received the following this morning. I think I saw it before, but decided to share it tonight because it is cute. I love "all I ever learned" things.

Mary

> 
> Noah's Ark
>        Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah's Ark ...
> 
> ONE: Don't miss the boat.
> 
> TWO: Remember that we are all in the same boat!
> 
> THREE: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
> 
> FOUR: Stay fit. When you're 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
> 
> FIVE: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
> 
> SIX: Build your future on high ground.
> 
> SEVEN: For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
> 
> EIGHT: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
> 
> NINE: When you're stressed, float awhile.
> 
> TEN: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
> 
> ELEVEN: No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.
> 
> My instructions were to send this to the people that I wanted God to bless and I picked you.
> 
 
> Most people walk in and out of your life......but FRIENDS leave footprints in your heart. 

A lovely comfortable rainy day. No thunder or lightening, just a nice gentle steady rain all day long. Our plants should be very very happy.

I got my haircut today. I actually had an appointment last week and forgot. I was so embarassed when I remembered and called right away. Jessica forgave me and let me come today. This time we put my number with the name, just in case. Jessica understood what was happening last week. She is a real dear and does a nice job on my hair.

Dick had a followup appointment with Dr. Cheryl Ziegler for his eyes. She is just keeping an eye on the cloudiness that is starting to appear in his implants. There has been no change since last time so we are OK until next April. This was a new adventure. We took the wheel chair because I felt it was too far to walk in with the walker and we did not know that Advanced Eyecare has a wheelchair. They do, so next time I won't have to load the chair which is heavier than the walker. I am pleased though that I now know that it is doable and don't have to worry about that.

We just had bacon cheeseburgers for dinner tonight. That is more than plenty. I had make hamburger soup for lunch.

Tonight I went to Blessed Trinity for the choir practice for Celtic Mass. We had a BIG choir. Members from Blessed Trinity, St. John's in Kohler and St. Peter Episcopal all joined together to make a beautiful sound. It will be GREAT on Sunday. I had to leave at 7:45 to get home to hook Dick up to the sequential but was there for most of the songs with parts.

The kids sang first. They are singing Brendon before Mass and are singing the first Communion song. We have dancers this year too. I am excited. The CWI Sheboygan County group is also having our meeting after Mass out on the grounds. I am excited about that too. I will be gone for several hours but Bobbie and Bill are coming here at about 11:30 to spend some time with Dick so he won't be alone too long. I figure on coming home at about 2PM.

So the end of a busy day. Tomorrow is not much better. League starts at Rhine Plymouth and I have recruited a couple of more people for the pistol league. We should have fun. I will have to work tomorrow too. Jim and Michelle are here for most of the time I will be gone so I don't have to worry then either. They have been such a help and I DO appreciate the time away when I don't have to worry.

I have to change the dressing on the right foot, not the foot with the surgery, but the wound on the other foot twice a day now. The left foot is really looking good. Keep praying.

Today was my Bret's birthday. I think I have mentioned that he was born ON Labor Day and there were about 6 ladies all arriving at Santa Ana Community Hospital, two of us on the same elevator. One of the nurses came in and said. "Just because it is Labor Day didn't mean you ALL had to come in at the same time."


Have a good Friday.

Love

Mary

Well, this has been an up and down day.

Started off at about 6:15. Chelsea did not try to wake me up at 5AM. Probably because Dick locked her out of the bedroom. But it was a nice walk. Oh - Something odd. We saw a dead opossum on Highland Avenue. That surprised me a bit.

I got a hold of Dr. Moreno's nurse at about 9 or so and we set up an appointment for 2PM because of the change in the wound on the right foot. Then I went grocery shopping.

We met with Dr. Moreno at 2PM and, indeed, the wound is getting worse. Needless to say I am really upset. No matter how hard we try things don't seem to heal. Dr. Moreno cleaned the entire callous off, built a special shoe for him to reduce pressure, gave me explicit instructions as to how to change the dressing twice a day and we are to see him next Monday. Please keep praying. It is so distressing after all the work and care to have this happen. Dr. Moreno says that there is every reason to believe that we can turn this around.

So we will go with that.

I called Kate today and her Ron is also having health problems so lets all pray for these guys. We ladies will take the very best care that we know how.

Today, Dick and I were listening to a program on Public Radio about a man who received the winning football from his really shining game in high school, some thirty years or so after the event. He was describing the ball and how hard it was to hold on to as it was not leather, but a synthetic and it reminded me of a story of Bret when he was playing Little League. I may have told this before but it would have been a long time ago.

After the first year or two of Little League, the kids would have try outs and the coaches would choose their players based on what they saw, taking turns, and no kid was ever left out if he wanted to play. Anyway, they were pitching to the kids in turn to see how they could hit and there was a bunch of about a dozen boys including Bret at the end of the field just milling around waiting for their turns. The young man at bat hit a really hard one and it sailed down right into t that bunch. Everybody scattered. Except my Bret. He just watched the ball coming an caught it. That's my boy. He saw an opportunity and grabbed it.

Take it easy and enjoy the rain that we need a lot.

Mary

Pretty flowers from Leslie and Bill. They add a nice bit of sunshine.

Love

Mary

Hey. Today was not bad.

I got up at 6:30ish. (Chelsea got up much earlier, but Dick shut her out of the bedroom.)
We had a lovely walk. It is quite cool these mornings and very pleasant for our walks. Chelsea is a wild puppy in the mornings and then a tired little puppy the rest of the day.

We had a quiet morning. I picked up a few things and did a load or two of wash and then we headed out to see Dr. Fehrman. That went VERY well. Dr. Fehrman is pleased with the condition of the wound . He said that it looks even better than he expected. We had him look at the other wound on the right food and he said he will send an email to Dr. Moreno. I am concerned, the callous is getting thicker and more separated and reminds me of the one that got so deep. Dr. Moreno will be back in the office tomorrow and we want Dick checked as soon as possible.

On the way home, we stopped at Rick's House of Flowers in Falls and picked up a bouquet for Mother. This is the anniversary of her and Dad's wedding and I always bring her flowers. It is such a joy to see the pleased look on her face and she always relives their wedding day. I could not stay long because I needed to get Dick home but she said that this was a hot day and so was her wedding day. I know she has told me before about the heat and that they went to Milwaukee for their honeymoon.

We stopped and got a blizzard to share for lunch and then both laid down for a nap. I was just ready to lie down when their was a knock at the door and it was a florist truck with flowers for Dick from Leslie and Bill. They are beautiful. Yellows, and oranges and greens with a kicky balloon topping off the whole thing. I will take a picture tomorrow and send it to you. I is such fun to share special things. Dolores called today and we had a nice visit. Another special thing. It is so good to know that others are thinking of us.

Now it is evening and things are quiet and peaceful around here. I don't think there is anything undone that I was supposed to do. A good feeling.

Tomorrow will be another day unto itself. As they say Carpe Diem. Sufficient unto the day.

Love

Mary

Another quiet day. They are so few and far between. Chelsea tried to get me up at 5:30AM but I shut her out of the room with lettuce until 6AM. We saw a lot of the regular walkers this morning. I was really a perfect day for it.

The rest of the day was delightfully dull. I catalogued all of our video tapes and DVDs. There is a box of them that Dick has to go through. I hope he does this soon. This is something that he SHOULD be able to do just sitting there. Since he cannot do much walking one would think that these type of thing would get done.

We had an wonderful supper of sweet corn, beets and tomatoes from Jeff and Kathy's garden with the last cupcake from Bobbie's gift. It was really scrumptious. I almost said truly scrumptious but controlled myself.

Beth Hoegger called today so we could review the worship folder for the Celtic Mass. It was good talking to her. We must pray for her daughter Julie who is having some tests done tomorrow.

Tomorrow, we go to see Dr. Fehrman. I hope all is well. It should be and I am going to ask him to look at the other wound.

I hope your holiday was restful, or fun or exciting or ALL of the preceeding.

Love

Mary

A picture of Mom, Dolores and me at the Reunion of the Clans out at St. Michaels this summer.

Mary

Now is the quiet part of the day. Chelsea and Dick have gone down for a short nap. It is about 7PM. Dick is very sleepy these days, I am sure his body is working on recovering from those two days of invasion. He is feeling overall pretty good. He has little to no pain and there has been no bleeding since the very first day. We will be relieved when Dr. Fehrman looks at it on Tuesday.

Today, we got to stay home ALL day. Chelsea woke me up at 5:15. What a little you know what. I finally took her out at 5:30 and then went back to bed. Dick had to shut her up in the old office to settle her down. For some reason she wanted me up. Maybe she did not feel too well, but I was sure glad to get more sleep.

I finished crocheting a penguin today. I had found some patterns for three animals, a penguin, a koala bear and a turtle on the Women's Day site. While I was sitting with Dick on Wednesday when he had his stint put in, I got almost all of the penguin crocheted. All that he needed was one little wing. So today, I made him his wing, stuffed his little parts and put him all together. He is really quite darling. Jim and Michelle came over for a minute after they got home from the fair with a couple of freebees for us and when I showed it to her she loved it. I found out she likes penguins, so I gave it to her. Nice to have homes for the little creatures.

I baked a loaf of bread today because we were down to two crusts and about a slice and a half of my sourdough.

Jeff and Kathy stopped by on their way to Mom's. They brought some fresh veggies from their garden for us. Tomorrow, we will have fresh corn and beets for dinner. Now they will be able to tell Mom that Dick looks pretty good which will reassure her.

Jim and Michelle were also able to instruct me as to how to attach files to send in emails. I am just so full of knowledge today, I can hardly stand myself.

Gustave is heading steadily towards New Orleans. One wonders why they would build in the same basin that was flooded two years ago. Are all humans in total denial? As they say, don't mess with Mother Nature. I am glad that things were learned from Katrina. At least there is a plan for evacuation and it is being implemented. Sure is messing up the Republican Convention but maybe they can get a spin on that too.

I am getting some rest the past couple of days and am feeling better. George Bernard Shaw said "In this world there is always danger for those who are afraid of it." I hate getting bogged down in fear and am resting enough to be rising above it.

Thanks for all the prayers.

Love

Mary