Today was much less eventful than yesterday. Thank God.

I didn't mention something kind of weird. I met Bobbie inside the American Club, in one of the stores. We brought our own cars. When we left, we went out together and discovered that we were parked next to each other.

We waited until it got light, but this morning, Chelsea and I took the first really nice walk that we have had in several days. The wind had not picked up as of yet. It was cold, but we don't mind that. She was a happy little girl.

At 9AM, I went over to Kate's. We drove together to get our SHARE. I am now getting a smaller selection. The big one was really too much. As it is I may be stockpiling until Dick comes home again. Before I came home, I had a cup of coffee with Kate and Ron. Keep praying for Ron too. He is having his stress test FINALLY on Monday.

I had noon dinner at the Center with Dick. We ate in the Solarium. That was pleasant. They had corned beef and cabbage which was quite good. Dick ate well too, all of his meat and half of the cabbage and potatoes. Jim and Michelle came in to visit at about 2:30. I left to get ready for church and do a few things around here. Church at 4, then I ate some stew and a baked yam for dinner.

I went back to the center to spend a bit of the evening with my guy. We just sit together. I did some sewing tonight and he worked a crossword puzzle. We heard an alarm coming down the hall during the evening. Steady and pulsing. It was the new guy. He had gotten up from his wheel chair and was walking down and up the hall. A nurse finally got to him. I think he is trying to find his way home. Isn't that sad. He actually had a better day today. He was at least eating.

Now I am home again and ready to settle down for the night.

Tomorrow, I have nothing scheduled. Jim and Michelle are going to come to clean around noon and I will go see Dick then.

Have a lovely Sunday.

Mary

Not a dull day today. Started off with Dick's doctor appointment at 8:45AM. This is after walking and feeding the dog, feeding Boots folding clothes and showering.

Dr. Sharon checked him over and is pleased with his general health. Dick told him that he is starting to cough up lots of phlegm now that the breathing treatments are done, SO he ordered another round of that. Perhaps we can get everything icky out of those lungs, especially now that he is moving a bit more.

At about 11 I came home and fixed a half a sandwich to eat with Dick when he had his dinner. Then I took off for Kohler for the Food and Wind event that Kohler was hosting at the American Club. Bobbie had emailed earlier this week to ask me if I wanted to go with her. I did and am glad that I did. We got to taste lots of great cheeses, I bought two, a blue and a "Menage" which is a blend of sheep, cow and goat milk. They are both a bit different and really good. I also found a raspberry/honey dipping mustard witch is excellent. Not done yet. Bobbie and I found Cholives - chocolate "olives" made of dark chocolate with a soft center that were designed for chocolate martinis. The are delicious and fun.

We tasted wines from several Wisconsin and one Missouri wineries. We each bought three bottles for our "stock". Altogether a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

When I got home, I mixed up and baked a batch of Brown Bread because I had some sour milk that had to be used up. I fed Chelsea and gave her her medicine. Got over to the Care Center at about 4 so I could take Dick a cholive before heading for Nancy's house and Rhine to finish shooting the last of our league targets.

Jim and Michelle came in just before 5 safe from their vacation and with presents. They gave me a bottle of Riesling Wine and what a bottle. The bottle is a black cat and adorable. Also a book of suduku AND crossword puzzles and a book to read. We are glad they are safe home and I am glad that they are taking care of Boots again.

This is where things kind of fell apart. I left at 5 to go pick up Nancy. As I crossed the intersection of Clifford and South, I must have had a blind spot and pulled right into another car. I did not see him and pulled out from a stop sign. He had the right of way. Was he ever mad. He swore at me but there was nothing I could do at that point. The police came very quickly. The policeman who talked to me was VERY nice. He said it must have been the look/look/drive thing but and that he was sorry but he had to give me a ticket for not yielding right of way. I told him that I understood and thanked him for his help. He gave me the very minimum fine and kind of suggested that I could go to the court date to possibly get the points reduced. I will.

The car is drivable. The lights are working and the damage is to the fenders and bumper as near as I can see. Haven't been able to reach the insurance company as yet.

Anyway, I called Nancy and told her then drove home after everything was written up and all. I almost immediately got a call from Doc at Rhine. Nancy went to finish her targets and told him what happened and he wanted to tell me to come and finish too. I stopped at the Center so Dick could see that I was alright, then DID go out to finish league. Janet and Rick Bieschke were there too so I visited with them for a while after I shot. My first two were not good, but the last was REALLY good. I just needed to settle down. Janet is really a good person to have around when things are icky. She if very comforting.

Would you believe that on the way back to Plymouth from Rhine I came THIS close to hitting a deer? Neither could I but I did. Once is slowed up enough to miss it I just started laughing. A miss is as good as a mile.

So I am home now. Thank God and intend to just wind down and go to bed as soon as possible.

I sure was disgusted. My driving record has been pristine since I got a ticket at least 15 years ago. Now I have to start all over again.

Love

Mary

Hello again.

This morning was very busy and I hope successful. Chelsea had her appointment at the Veterinarian this morning at 8AM. So we got a really early start. She is not alarmed but is not really thrilled about going there. The Vet did another series of tests on her and her BUN level which tell s us the condition of the kidneys is high. SO we have another medication to add to the two that she is already taking. Of course, it has lots of warnings and so on. I picked them up at about 3PM and she had her first one this evening. That is an expensive visit what with tests and medications and vaccinations. I joked that I was going to go home and tell Chelsea that I wondered if she was worth that much. The receptionist was great. She said that Chelsea had called and told her to tell me that it did not matter how much it was, she was worth it.

She and I went right from there to Mother's. I had a prescription for her AND brought her some of the stew. We had a nice visit. Chelsea liked that a lot. On the way home I stopped at Walgreens and picked up some nasal spray for Dick, batteries for Mom and lotion for Mom AND me. By the time we got home, Chelsea was a really tired little old lady. I think she was glad that I left right away to see Dick so she could get some sleep.

I had dinner with Dick and stayed until 3 when I came home to medicate and feed Chelsea and make some soup. The soup is so so. But Chelsea was really glad to see me. Then I went back to be with Dick til 7. I fed Boots for what I am sure this time is the last night. Just tomorrow morning. Jim and Michelle should be home for his evening feeding.

Did I ever tell you about the time I got arrested for loitering in a bar? I was 19 or 20 and dating a guy, K. C. Wilson, who owned a bar. I was IN his bar in downtown Sheboygan on a side street, (I have even forgotten what street and what the name of the bar was. I know it is gone now, and was on the same street as a movie theater that is also gone.) Anyway, the police raided the place. I went in the ladies room, but that did me no good. The police were very nice about everything but still gave me a ticket or something. I had to go to court. It cost me $25 for loitering. I got off easy because one of the policemen did testify that I was dating K. C. and that was why I was in the bar. But it cost me $25 which was a LOT to me then. Grandma Bowser was horrified, because my name appeared in the Press. Somebody asked Mother if she was going to court with me. She said No that I got myself in the mess and could get myself out. Such a wise lady. I don't know if I learned much, but I did learn that I could take care of myself.

Love

Mary

Cold again this morning, but a bit warmer than yesterday. I did the same thing. Let Chelsea out to relieve herself then tried to take her for a longer walk when it was light. She seemed to be stiff, or achy or something and did not want to go for a long walk, so we turned back at her suggestion and just came back home so she could rest.

I folded clothes and rolled ace bandages, put a stew in the crock pot and went grocery shopping. After I put the groceries away, I went to see Dick, just in time to accompany him with the nurse to his first shower in weeks. He has been having to settle for bed/sponge baths. It is somewhat of a hassle as he can't stand and has to sit on a bench that the nurse had to use the sling to get him too. But he could actually soap up and rinse off with a stream of water. After the shower, he went downstairs to physical therapy and to have Lori rewrap his stump. It really looks like it is healing well and Lori's wrapping is getting it to form a nice round shape which he will need when it comes time to fit a prosthesis. So much work.

I went home for lunch, did some more wash and baked some beer bread.

I took stew over this evening and we had dinner together in the solarium. He said it was good stew but did not eat much. Did I tell you his weight is down to 247? The last I remember before this was 271 so it is a considerable loss.

He was very sleepy tonight. I stayed until 7 any way but he was not very stimulating company. I hope that the sleepiness carries through and he gets a good night's sleep for a change.

I came home and took care of Boots. Now Chelsea and I are all settled in for the evening and I am just waiting for 9PM so I can go to bed.

The mulching is all done in our berms and gardens in Tallgrass. I have a few things to do outside to batten down for the winter, mainly figuring out how I am going to winter my herbs. They really do look good, and I hope to keep them alive through the winter. It would be nice to have fresh herbs all winter anyway.

Have a nice sleep. Chelsea goes to the doctor tomorrow.

Love
Mary

A six AM wakeup. Chelsea got a LONG walk, but not until almost 8AM. It was 35 degrees and just plain too dark at 6. So we did a short walk, then I got trash out and fed Boots. He is always glad to see me. I feel bad that I don't have time to stay with him but he is kept fed and watered and his litter box is cleaned twice a day too.

I stopped at the bank and Walgreens. One of Mother's prescriptions was ready. Now I have to find time to get that to her, It is the one she takes once a week, so there is a bit of leeway.

Dick was glad to see me when I got there. He had his occupational therapy really early but the physical therapy was put off until afternoon because the therapy department was having an open house.

So I went down with him and did my exercises while he did his. He did everything but stand up and that was not a bad thing because he does a lot and it was late in the day.

The rest of the day was quiet, but I found out that they had not dressed his wound yesterday and am not a happy camper. The nurse PROMISED to get it done tonight and I will talk to the head nurse tomorrow. That leg is of primary importance. If they don't have time, I will do it.

I am going to end with a recipe that I HAVE to try. I haven't yet so if you do, let me know if it works.

Love

Mary

3-MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
>
> 1 Coffee Mug
> 4 tablespoons flour (that's plain flour, not self-rising)
> 4 tablespoons sugar
> 2 tablespoons baking cocoa
> 1 egg
> 3 tablespoons milk
> 3 tablespoons oil
> 3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
> Small splash of vanilla
>
> Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well .
> Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
> Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
> Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla, and mix again.
> Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
> The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
> Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
>
> “And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?
> Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at
> any time of the day or night!”

Today was mainly a Mary Day.

It was kind of rainy when we woke up so Chelsea did not get a great walk, but she got enough to do her some good anyway. I did some busy work around here and then left at 8:30 because I had to get gas, stop to give Dick a Good Morning hug and be at bible study at 9:30AM. As it turned out, I even had enough time to stop at Walmart to get some vitamins.

Bible Study was, as always a nice replenishing hour. There were only five of us, all, as we said, Chicks. It doesn't seem to matter how many, the sharing and praying is important to all of us. We have an interesting question. Are there Pharisees today in the Jewish religion. In our modern time, because they were instrumental in the crucificion and because they were always trying to trip Jesus up, we think of them as sleazy and underhanded, BUT they were a priestly sect in the Old Testament and well thought of. I am going to try to Google it. The readings are telling us that we have to take care of those who are in need.

I went right over to Mom's from there. She had a nice weekend, including a birthday party for Elizabeth, Becky's daughter who is already a whole year old. She had a great time but is glad of a quiet week ahead.

Then home to walk Chelsea and get ready for Writer's club. I met Peggy, the gal who's husband is right across the hall from Dick, for lunch at the Exchange Bank. We had Cheese and Broccoli soup and bread. Did I tell you that Kate and I stopped in there for a cup of coffee last Wednesday and I told the owner I would be back on Monday for lunch with a friend. He immediately asked me what kind of soup I wanted. So I said Cheese. By Golly, he had it there for me. It was delicious too. I would recommend that place anytime. Anyway, Peggy and I had a nice lunch, then walked over to Book Heads, the book store, for the Cream City Writer's meeting. That went well too. There were 8 of us there including Peggy and she liked it. She was comfortable enough to share a poem of her own and enjoyed the group. I believe she will be back.

I went right from there to the post office to mail a couple of things, then to see Dick. I found him in therapy. So I waited with him and did mine while I was waiting. I went home long enough around four to take care of Chelsea and fix a supper for myself to bring back to eat with Dick.

We went down to the dining room. It was a pleasant supper. The new guy was there and reasonably calm. I wish he would smile. It makes me sad to see him look so empty. A speech therapist joined the new guy at supper and seemed to bring him out a bit. He was nice and included everybody in the conversation. Dick really got him with a zinger. If I could remember it, I would quote. It was something about a foot and no leg to stand on.

Then we went back to the room and just were together until 7:00 When I had to come home. I helped him get his teeth brushed and a couple of other things but we mainly just were together. We miss each other.

I got home, walked Chelsea, took care of Boots and now am settled, I hope for the evening.

Talked to Kate today, she is feeling a bit better, I think I told you she has been under the weather. They are waiting for results and more tests on Ron. Keep praying. Kathy Keyes wants to join Kate and me when we get our guys all healed for that huge Hot Fudge Sundae.

Love

Mary

This would have been a day where I said. "I got to stay home ALL day." No appointments, no meetings.

Richard and Brenda spent last night so we had breakfast together. I sure liked having someone in the house with me and Chelsea. I fixed bacon and cheese biscuits for breakfast. It was nice to have someone to eat with too. Chelsea was pleased also.

We went over to see Dick at about 10AM. Richard and Brenda just went to say goodbye, then headed back to Madison. That Richard sure makes a great Kunert Spinach, Noodle, Egg Casserole.

Dick was rather uncomfortable most of the morning but we managed to solve most of the problems by noon so he and I "drove" the wheelchair down to the dining room and I joined him and Ed, a table companion for dinner. I had to back down the first hallway because one of the front wheels on his wheelchair is not behaving. A man is going to fix it tomorrow, I HOPE! Managed to go down the second hallway and return going front ways. One of the housekeeping staff came out of a room while I was backing him down and started to laugh. "I don't want to know!" she said.

I had the pork chop dinner and Dick had chicken. They had coconut cream pie for dessert. All pretty good.

Just before the big Packer Game, Ross, the activities director brought in some popcorn. Then the game. And what a game. The Packers just whupped the Colts. We were delighted. The Jets lost. I was not too happy with that as I had picked them on my pool. I am not really performing too well on that this year. Oh Well. We are not even half way through the season yet.

I talked to Bret this afternoon and Barbara this evening. All seems well on those fronts. Talked to Jeff too. His friend who likes to hunt has already gotten his deer in the TZone so I will have a new supply of venison. I asked Jeff if we could get the burger in 1lb packages instead of 2lb packages.

I am going to make a good venison/beer stew this week.

Tomorrow is MY day. Bible study and Writers Club. I am looking forward to that. A lady I met at the Care Center is joining me for lunch at the Exchange Bank and then at the Writers Club. She writes poetry and is looking for things to do for herself. This should be a good outlet for her.

Take care and enjoy your week.

Love

Mary.

A new Maxine

"As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in public schools."