Today, Chelsea and I took a nice long walk after it got light. I think she was very happy with me. It has been several days now that we have been cutting them short because I had to be somewhere at certain times. Today was a nice sunny crisp Autumn day in the mid to upper 50s. We must treasure these days while they last.

I talked to Kate this morning to get an update on Ron. He is still at St. Lukes. BUT they may be zeroing in on what his problem is. Then the next big step will be to figure out how to fix it. It all seems to revert back to that horrible infection that he had back over a year ago with that unimaginably high fever. Prayers appreciated.

I then went over to visit with Dick for a while this morning before heading to St. John's to help man the raffle booth part of the Craft Fair for Kate's baskets. That was fun but my legs got awfully tired. I guess that I did not win any of the raffles or the silent auction items that I bid on. No big deal, so I gave a donation to the church for the raffle tickets. Saw a lot of friends there too which is always fun for me.

I managed to visit a bit with Dick after the Craft Fair and before Mass. I was determined to go to Mass tonight so that tomorrow, I just have to be here and at the Center with Dick. And on my own terms. We had supper together in the dining room with Ed and Clayt. They had chili con carne and a ham sandwich. Pretty good chili too.

Now I am home and really tired. The trouble is that it is the night to turn the clock back so, I get an extra hour's sleep (it says in small print). However, I wonder if I can explain that to Chelsea. I am going to try to stay up a bit later and take her out a bit later and see what happens.

Well, Halloween is over. I need to pack away the pumpkins and witches and bring out the Thanksgiving stuff. When I lived in California, the jeep club we belonged to used to go out to Chiriaca Summit every Thanksgiving. On Saturday, we would roast a pig and a quarter of beef and have a community meal. The meat, baked potatoes, beans, homemade applesauce AND homemade ice cream. It was such fun. The guys were in charge of the meat. They would get up in the wee hours of the morning and put it on a big spit that they ran with a generator motor. The stood guard as it turned and they seasoned it with seasoned salt and lots of good red wine. You cannot imagine how tender that meat was.

One year, Orrin Nordin, one of our friends was minding the pig. Bret was pretty young and stood there for the longest time watching that pig go around. Now understand that the head and feet and tail were still on it. He watched and then walked up to Orrin and asked him. "Can't it oink anymore?'

Have a good Sunday

Mary

For some reason, I kept thinking that today was Saturday.

I got up a bit after 6AM. Walked Chelsea and took a shower. It is Halloween. I put on my new orange shirt with the witch embroidered on the turtleneck and the nice Halloween sox that Nancy gave to me and was ready for the day.

I went over to the Center at about 8:30AM so I could be with Dick for the kids from Here We Grow when they came up trick or treating at about 9:30. We missed part of it because Dick was down at his physical therapy session, but he felt he had his share. These are pre-schoolers and are cute as the dickens. We saw superheros, princesses, animals, fairies and anything else you can imagine. Two of the caregivers brought in their kids too. It was fun to see their children.

I love pre-schoolers. They were not ashamed at all to stare at Dick's stump and to ask him what happened. We told them that it got hurt or sick and that the doctor had to take it off but we also assured them that he was going to get a new one.

Jeff stopped by to see Dick at about 10:15. Dick had just gotten involved and could not visit but they were able to say HI! I had to leave about then too in order to go to the Blood Center to donate blood today. Jeff and I stopped at the condo as Jeff had some venison and veggies for us. He measured for the wheelchair platform and ramp we will need when Dick comes home. I need to do some research on length and premade, then we will decide. Thank God for such a wonderful family. Jeff has been ready to help all along with this ramp thing.

So, I gave blood today. That went well. My appointment was at 11 and I was out at noon, in time to get to the Dairy Queen for lunch with my bank buddies. I had not been there for SO long. It was good to catch up. Marlene, Joyce, Ceil, Barb and Dawn were there. Betty will be back home from the east tomorrow.

When I finished lunch, I stopped at home to walk the girl and pick up the mail. Then back to stay with Dick until I had to leave for Rhine for the bust up party. Jim and Michelle came in shortly after I did. They WERE going to take Dick's computer home but he decided that he wanted to keep it there for just a little while. So they "trick or treated" from the remainder of the candy we had to give the Here We Go kids and then came here to clean. Yes, they are still cleaning for me which is a blessing. They took care of feeding Chelsea and giving her meds to her so I could go right out to Rhine.

The bust up party was fun. With Toni and Janet and Nancy shooting pistol, it makes it more exciting for me. I got there at 5PM and Doc immediately told me that I was going to be the MC announcing the Trophy Winners and running the gun room.
The meal was super delicious. We had chicken, potato salad and beans and desserts to die for. Bill Olson brought his famous peach cobbler, Lynn Reich brought a great banana cake that is in the current Kraft Food and Family, Toni Nevicosi brought a pumpkin pie and Jean brought sugar cookies.

The MCing went very well. I just told them that as each trophy was presented I got a hug. I had to stand on a chair to be seen and heard. As soon as I was done, Doc made me get off the chair, I think he was afraid that I would fall.

Anyway, it was a nice evening and a good meal. I left early enough to be able to stop and give Dick a good night kiss. Now I am home. I have been home less than an hours and that goofy Chelsea is asking to go out for the third time. I am sure that she really just wants me to go to bed now AND she wants attention. But she is such a pest. Here is something I wrote about her last winter.


THE TROUBLE WITH DOGS

The trouble with dogs
Is that they steal your heart.
Then they age so fast
That YOU fall behind.

Love

Mary

Well, it was cold when I woke up this morning. 37 but warmed up nicely during the day. Chelsea tries to get me up at 5AM but I gave her some lettuce and managed to sleep until 6:30.

I had received a call from Gary at Burkhart that they had a loaner for me. I am glad. Kate is SO sweet to let me use hers but I don't like her to be car less either. Anyway, the trick was to get her car back to her and me to Burkhart. Kate was trying to get all those baskets ready for the raffle on Saturday at St. John's AND get ready to take Ron to St. Luke's Hospital tomorrow morning and couldn't be transporting me. SO, I called on my friend Nancy again. She lives just a half a block from Kate and I asked her if she would drive me to the car dealers. So, I dropped off the car at Kate's, then walked over to Nancy's house and she drove me there. I am now driving a Ford Escape. Gary told me that the parts HAVE come in so I may have The Explorer before next Wednesday if all goes well.

I spent time with Dick while he did his PT. I had a nice long talk with Lori about making the home accessible and safe. She said that a ramp is probably a given so I think I will talk to Jeff about that tomorrow. He is going to be here and stopping to see Dick in the morning before going over to Mom's to do some things for her.

I came home to eat at noon and watered the plants that are now in the garage, finished sweeping the deck and pruning things and make some potato salad and deviled eggs for our supper. I oven roasted some chicken legs to go with them and Dick was a happy camper tonight. He even asked for an NA Beer.

Tomorrow is Halloween. If Dick is not downstairs at therapy, he will have the pleasure of handing out candy to a bunch of Here We Grow preschoolers who will trick or treat at the Center. It is always fun to see the really little ones.

Did I tell you that Dick stood for 50 seconds today? We were really excited. At least I was. He was tired.

Love

Mary

Today was "Doctor Day!" I had to rush a bit through Chelsea and breakfast and shower so I could get to the Care Center by 7:45. Tim from Custom Care and Transport picked us up at 8AM so we could get to The Sheboygan Clinic by 8:45AM for our first appointment which was with Dr. Moreno. We got to see both Dorothy AND Brian the nurses when it came time to wrap up his right leg again. Dr. Moreno said that the wound is bigger but it is not deeper. It is as he expected now that Dick is putting pressure on it in therapy. We are just going to keep working on it until it is healed. It will be better once he gets the prosthesis and can take pressure off of the right foot. Dr. Moreno also instructed him as to how to try to stand and prescribed an antibiotic to mix with the salve that is being put on the wounds.

Then we went down to Dr. Fehrman's office. He is VERY pleased with the healing on the amputated limb. He is telling the therapy department that we need to start proceeding with the prosthesis process. This in itself is not a quick thing but the limb is healing and rounding up and narrowing so we need to get started.

We go back at about 10:30AM. I left before he went to therapy so I could get the shopping and banking done and get our lottery tickets. Then I went home for lunch and worked abit around here. I had to go over to Kate's twice today. (I am using her car, you know.) First, she is making baskets for raffle at the St. John the Baptist Craft Fair that takes place this Saturday and I had stuff she needed in the trunk. Then she mentioned that she was trying to figure out how to raise the items in the baskets to people could see them and I remembered that I have some Styrofoam and odd fillers from various packages that I have saved. Some of them will work so I am glad I remembered.

I got a call from Gary at Burkhart and believe that I will have a loaner car tomorrow, so I can give Kate her car back. She is more than unbelievably generous, but I am so afraid that I might leave her stuck at some point.

Ron, her husband, has to to back to St. Luke's on Friday VERY EARLY. There is still a problem with the artery that has been "fixed" twice already. The doctor said that perhaps it relates to that awful infection that he had last fall. DUH!! Anyway, everybody pray hard on Friday. This is serious stuff.

She will obviously not be available to work the Craft Fair so I told her that I would go over between 11 and 2 to give the ladies that help her a break. I will still be able to be with Dick three times and have supper with him after Mass.

Tomorrow is a quiet day. I have NOTHING scheduled. Will have to get the loaner and get Kate's car back to her and visit Dick but no scheduled appointments. Can you believe that? I can hardly.

The sun shone and it warmed up nicely today. The next few days are supposed to be good too so we must enjoy them. The cold days of winter will come soon enough. It too has its beauty but is best enjoyed from the comfort of a warm home.

Love

Mary

It did not get as cold as they predicted last night but it was cold anyway. Chelsea and I had a nice walk anyway after it got light. That is working quite well. I take her out to relieve herself, but wait until after my shower, our breakfasts and whatever until it is light. We don't see anybody at that time, which kind of surprises me. I wonder if the walkers we used to see just stick to the time, even if it is dark.

I now have almost all of my outdoor work done, Just a couple of pots to decide what to do with. I wish I could save my fuchsia, it is still lovely despite the cold.

My friend Nancy came and picked up Chelsea and me at 9:45AM. Barb Wallner's daughter Dana was working at Kettle Moraine this morning and took her in to draw the blood. Then, I heard this afternoon from Dr. Connors. Chelsea's B.U.N. level is up more, so she is adjusting the meds again and we will retest next week again.

Nancy then dropped us both off at Kate's house. Kate and I had a cup of coffee and Chelsea explored. She seemed to enjoy Kate's home. Probably smelled the cats. She did manage to fall down the stairs during her exploration but did not hurt herself. Her vision is getting kind of weak and that stairwell is dark with high steps.

Next, I took her home and went over to see Dick for the first time today. He was all done with his therapy. We ate lunch together in his room. Shortly after two, Ross, the social director, came in and said that Marlene Schueffner was looking for Dick. She is one of my bank retired ladies and calls BINGO once a month as a volunteer. So Dick and I went down to the dining room and he played bingo. Everybody wins. That is cool. He won a very nice crocheted lap robe and a candy bar that made his sugar shoot up to 180. He said it was worth it.

I left at about 3:30 so I could get home to walk Chelsea and give her the pills and get over to Kate's for the CWI Conference call. That went very well. Kate and I left almost immediately for St. Paul's Episcopal Church for a weekly fellowship dinner that they are hosting. It is free for anybody and this week, St. John's provided the food and bodies to work. The idea is to provide a meal out for fellowship, fun and/or need. It is fledgling but seems to be going well. Kate had made meatloaf for the meal.

After we were done there, I came home to dry some of Dick's shorts and to feed Chelsea before going over to the Center to say goodnight to him and deliver some clothes.

Tomorrow will be busy also. I have to be at the Center at 7:45 because we will be leaving for Dick's doctor appointments at 8AM. I wonder about his breakfast.

I have to go to the bank and grocery shopping too so that will fill up the day.

Hope all is well with you and that the days stay nice, today may have been cold, but it was pleasant.

I have printed this before but it is worth repeating. "Whenever God closes one door He always opens another, even though sometimes it is hell in the hallway."

Love

Mary

Today was really really busy. Chelsea tried to get me up at 5 - fat chance. I gave her some lettuce (I think she is working me) and got up a bit after 6 to begin our day. I showered and got some computer stuff done and ate breakfast and took Chelsea for her real walk. She was quite perky this morning. It was cold but not too windy so we enjoyed it.

At about 8:30 I left and stopped at Mike Burkart Ford to get an estimate on the Ford. They needed more time and Gary told me that they would need the car for three to four days SO I went on to Sheboygan Falls for Bible Study and to see Mother before I committed the car to them. Mom is fine and was going over to church to play cards this afternoon. People are REALLY good. Gloria Zeisel called while I was there to find out if Mom was planning on going to the card playing. She make plans to stop and take Mom across the street because it looked like it would be too windy and they care about Mom.

I got home just before noon and packed up some stew and salad for Dick and I to eat for our lunch together, then at 2 I went back to Mike Burkart. Gary drove me home and I walked back to see Dick for a couple of hours. I walked BACK home at about 4:30 and am here for the night.

This afternoon, called my friend Nancy who will take Chelsea and I to the Vet tomorrow. I will then have her drop me off at Kate's house. I called Kate too, to see if she could come and get me at 3:30 tomorrow so we could connect with the CWI conference call and then go to the church dinner that she is cooking meatloaf for. She told me that I should just come after Chelsea's appointment and I can use her car for the next couple of days. People are SO good. What a relief. It saves so much time as I was planning on walking back and forth at least twice each day. Anyway, that is solved and am I ever grateful. God is good. He has sent me good friends who watch over me.

Bible Study was very interesting as we were reading a passage in the Old Testament from Wisdom which alluded to an afterlife and a reward for goodness. This is very unusual in the Old Testament as the Jewish people, at least at that time, considered their afterlife to be the continuance of the Jewish people - children. It was Wisdom 3 1-9. We rediscovered that not all Christian Bibles have the book of Wisdom. One of our participants, Helen Morgan, announced that she was without Wisdom and would just have to listen when we went round the table reading the verses. It became a lively discussion. All three readings related to hope. We came to the concensus that the word Hope in the bible means expectation and not "wishing'.


Have a good week

Love

Mary

It was in the words of Winnie the Pooh, a blustery day. It actually started out pretty nice. I did not give Chelsea a long walk because by the time it was light, it was drizzling but she got out LOTS of times. She is quite insistent on that these days. Now it is almost 8:30PM and I know that she really wants to go to bed.

I worked on medical bills and the paperwork that must have felled a forest. Got a lot done. I also took my herbs from the deck to the garage as we are supposed to be getting a freeze and I am going to try to winter them.

Jim and Michelle came over at about 9:30AM to clean for me. Yes they are still cleaning and it is a great help. With them on vacation, I was doing things a bit at a time between visits to Dick and other things. They brought Boots over and put him in the downstairs bathroom as they were setting off bug spray in their house. They said that he was a very unhappy kitty and perhaps thought he was at a Vets. He was SO very happy to be home again.

Anyway, when they got here, I went over to spend the morning with Dick. I came home for lunch though an let him get a bit of a nap before I got back at 2PM.

Shortly after, the phone rang. It was Suzi, Dick's niece. She and her friend Jerry were in Plymouth and trying to find the place. She said she got up this morning, got dressed and told Jerry that they were going to come and visit her Uncle Dick. She is a ray of sunshine, literally. We had a lovely visit. Hazel is doing well. Jim and Michelle stopped in while they were there so they got to visit too. Everybody left at about 4:30. Jim and Michelle came here to feed and give Chelsea her meds. So I stayed and had dinner with Dick. It was a hamburger. Not too bad. I was able to be there tonight when the nurse changed the dressing on his right foot. It looks pretty good but I am glad that he sees Dr. Moreno on Wednesday because it DOES need some debreding.

So it was an altogether satisfying day. We need more like that. I am not sure I want tomorrow to come too fast as I have to face the car thing.

Just before I left the Care Center, however, I learned that a dear patient, a man who sits at Dick's table, fell and hurt himself pretty bad. He is a sweet man and an adorable flirt. Please pray for him tonight. I will update.

Love

Mary

'Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.'