I went to the 4PM Mass tonight. Good thing. We are supposed to get 4 to six inches of snow tonight. If we do, I will not go to see Dick until later in the afternoon when things are plowed. When I was leaving, the neighbors that requested permission for us to get Roxie back asked if she was here. I was able to really thank them and tell them that Roxie is settled in, eating and seems very content again. I am grateful for people who care.

Today was the day to pick up Share and the morning got a bit crowded. I stopped to see Dick at 8:30 and took his phone. Then I went to Kate's and we got Share and payed for next month. Next, Kate and I went to Walmart so that I could add minutes to Dick's phone and pick up some milk. The milk turned into some potholders, some pants for me and an extra tin for buckeyes and fudge.

When I got home, I took care of Chelsea, petted the kitties, put the Share order away and then went back to the Center and had dinner (remember Dinner there is the noon meal.) It was quite good. Delicious beef, nondescript mashed potatoes, tasty veggies (not mushy) and pineapple upside down cake.

Then Dick and I "hung out" until about three when I came home to get ready for church and to work on the Stollen. I rolled it out and set it out to rise while I was at church. When I got home from church I fed everybody (including me) and then went back to spend a little more time with Dick. I was able to do everything that he needs help with today. Yesterday, I was not there. I massage the stump, help him get water and everything for teeth brushing and fill the cpap machine.

We got a card for Leslie today. It is musical. It plays Deck the Halls and Dick and I love it. Heard from Jim and Michelle. I was beginning to think that I should send a "where are you" message. They are settling in to their new digs and it sounds like all is going well. They are grateful to be only three miles from Michelle's place of work if nothing else.

The time for our Christmas meal is all set. We will have to do the same thing as we did on Thanksgiving. I am going to be sure that we have a place to gather for the dessert portion. Dick really liked that. It will only be two days after the graft is stitched in place and it would be dangerous to try to bring him home.

I have been trying to finish this blog and to get ready for bed but I keep getting phone calls. Wonderful phone calls. My friend, Barbara Litursky Sadler, called from Minnesota. She is basking in being a Grandma. Her daughter Paula had a daughter who will be 5 months old on Chrismas. Barbara also has a grandson who she lost contact with for a while in a divorce, but who's mother is now willing to share this grandson. He is 8 years old and so proud of "his" cousin, the new baby. He is so proud to be able to have someone related to him who is not a part of his half siblings. Isn't that cute.

Only four days until Christmas. I am ready as I can be.

Alice Walker said that "The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." Remember your power. We had it when we were babies and slowly let the world take it away. It says in the Koran the "Every child has the right to believe that God created the world JUST for him(or her)"

Love

Mary

Today was a stay at home day. It had snowed ALL night so there was 4 to 6 inches piled up all around us. I let Chelsea out just from the garage door most of the day. I had to shovel out a little spot for her. The snow was almost as deep as she is tall and it is hard for a little dog to go potty when she can't even squat down.

They finally were able to come around to plow us out this evening when the snow stopped.

So - I mixed up the dough for the Stollen, assembled a couple of lasagna's (one for tomorrow night and one to freeze), did some Christmas cards both snail and email and designed a letterhead and envelope for the CWI. I will be sending out some letters to members who have not paid their dues since 2006. We are catching up and cleaning out the membership list. I also cleaned the bathrooms and kitchen floors.

It was peaceful but I am very tired. It is much nicer when Dick is here. At least now I have all of my critters to keep me company. One critter is not very happy with me. Chelsea got a bath this morning. She was just grubby and I felt that if I was home all day with her it was a good time for that bath. She is sparkling now.

Tomorrow there is not supposed to be any snow until evening. So. I will be able to visit Dick, get Share and go to Mass at 4PM.

Then Dick and I will have lasagna for supper together. We did not get our meal together today. And he is running out of minutes again. We have been talking more. I think I will give him my phone. It has lots more minutes than I need and may just last him. He and I are aiming for him to be home before January is over.

It is going to get colder again. Single digets again. I remember the year the boys and Dick Johnston and I came back for Christmas though. I swear that it was 10 to 16 below every day we were here. I remember that we walked out of the airport in Milwaukee and my California boys darn near froze in place. They had been up to Big Bear Mountain on Snow Jeep runs but never in their lives had they experienced THAT kind of cold. That was a fun time. We suprised Mom and Dad. All my brothers and sisters knew we were coming but not my parents. I remember that Mother said. "Well I guess that I will make cut out cookies after all." And she did and the boys helped her frost and decorate them.

Love

Mary

Aother cold day. It was below zero when we got up this morning and did not get above single digits that I was aware of.

Roxie finally ate a meal. She had not eaten all day on Wednesday but this morning she was quite enthusiastic and tonight she ate too so she is settling in just fine. Right not she is sleeping on the desk under the desk lamp just like the old days.

Oscar has a really good sleeping place. I have not been able to find him several times. BUT he came in to me several times for petting during the night so we are starting to feel at home here.

They find Chelsea mildly annoying, but are not afraid of her and she seems rather indifferent to them. I think her only complaint is that I do not let her in the room with them while they are eating. She would just nose them aside and eat everything. Dogs DO love cat food.

We had disappointing news today. Dick was supposed to go to see Dr. Moreno for a skin graft on the wound on his right foot this afternoon. At about 10:45AM we got a call that the graft had not arrived and we have had to postpone the procedure to Tuesday 12/23.

The big disappointment is that this puts us off almost a week before he can do any weightbearing on that leg. He cannot bear weight for two weeks after the procedure. That means he will not be able to refit the prosthesis for another week after the two weeks. We want him home and he cannot do that until he is safe and able to move himself around. Pretty hard when you can't bear weight on one leg and the other is waiting for the prosthesis. So pray hard that it is not delayed again and that the prosthesis process will go well when it finally gets started.

I did not go over to the Center until after lunch today. And I came home at 4PM. Dick got his beard and hair cut today. He looks very dashing.

When I got home, Bobbie and Bill had just finished changin the hinges to the bathroom door to offset hinges. It is WONDERFUL. They door opens outward and folds flat against the hallway wall. Dick should be able to roll easily into the bathroom and then we will be able to shut the door behind him leaving the whole floor area for him to move around in.

Bill (and Bobbie) did SUCH a great job. Everything like this makes me feel that we are closer to getting Dick home again. I really miss him.

I guess that is all. Quite a busy day, wouldn't you say?

We are supposed to be getting snow from any time after 6 PM tonight until 3PM tomorrow afternoon. I hope it is not TOO bad tonight. Dick is supposed to have an appointment with Dr. Sharon in the morning. It is in Plymouth so if there is not too much snow, we should be able to make it.

I talked to Bret tonight. He got his packages and is doing fine.

Until tomorrow.

Love

Mary

A busy busy day. I had to take Chelsea out at again. This is one of those situations that kind of started when Dick was here. She would get up BUT he could tell if she was really anxious. Now, I can't take the chance. So we are getting into the routine of letting her go to the bathroom and then my going back to bed until 6AM. It's working. Not my preferred scenario, but it works.

I fed everybody. Oscar ate like a little pig. Roxie is not eating. So I put it down, and I figure that she will eat when she gets hungry. She may have a little tummy distress from the changes too. She is coming around for love and attention. And though she is not impressed by Chelsea, hissing at Chelsea if she gets too close, she is not frightened. Roxie also found the heating cat bed that Jim bought several years ago and now she likes it.

Oscar has found a hiding place that is REALLY good. He comes out to eat and occasionally for some petting but is mainly laying low and I have NO idea where.

I went grocery shopping at about 8AM, then to the bank and Walgreens. After groceries were put away, I went to spend a couple of hours with Dick. I watched his therapy, then went to Bill Cain's Annual ReMax open house. Bill is looking good. Better than he has looked in years. He was very sick for a long time. I saw several old friends there and head a wonderful lunch.

When I got home, Roxie was in the cat bed and very content and there was no sign of Oscar. I took a nap and did a bunch of straightening up and CWI work. I have one more board member for 2009. Janet Bieschke said she would be on the board. Now I only need one more. Perhaps tomorrow, I can take care of that.

I heated up the last of the chili for Dick and me for our supper tonight. It sure hit the spot. I came back home at a bit before 7 and am really going to be ready for bed at 9PM.

Would you believe that a week from tomorrow is Christmas? Tomorrow, Dick has the graft sutured onto the open wound on his right foot. Thank heavens, the big snow that we are supposed to get is not happening until late in the day. This graft has to be used very quickly or it won't work.

He has an appointment with Dr. Sharon, his primary physician, on Friday but if things are too bad, we can always reschedule that.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu said "Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world."


Like I told my boys. Bloom where you are planted.

Love

Mary

P. S. Roxie still doesn't like it if I whistle.

A red letter day. I received an early Christmas present. My kitties are back in my home again.

I got up at 4 to take Chelsea out and it was -2degrees. Would you believe? I took the girl out and went back to bed until 6AM. It was still -2. It only got up to 9degrees all day. Unbelieveably cold.

I vacuumed the living room and took care of computer work then went over to the Center to stay with Dick through his therapy and dinner. I had to be home by 1PM when Bobbie and Bill brought the kitties. We put them in the old office with their litter box and water for a couple of hours. Bill worked a little more on the door. He has all the routing done (I think) Now the time comes when they come again to actually hang the door and see how it really works.

After they left, I opened the office door and sat in there writing out Christmas cards and watching TV to get them used to seeing me again. Eventually Oscar checked out the water and litter box then disappeared. I think he was exploring on his own or perhaps he found a nice care like place to rest for a while.

I fed them at their designated time 5:30. Roxie was a not a good eater. I rescued her food from Oscar and then from Chelsea and finally just shut her in the room and let her eat for a while. Then I figured if Oscar still wanted it he could have it.

Roxie is being stand offish but Oscar is being very friendly. I know they will be nervous for a while, but I know now that we will be all right. I am just hoping that Oscar will cuddle with me tonight. I have really missed that.

Have a great day tomorrow. I know I will

Love

Mary

Well, today was not restful. But it was FUN.

That silly Chelsea woke me up at ten minutes to four to go out to the bathroom. It was 3 degrees and I told her that she was nuts but what can I do. I went right back to bed and slept until 6AM.

I wrapped some presents and cleaned the kitchen a bit before I left around 8:30 so I could stop and see Dick before heading to Sheboygan Falls for Bible Study. We did not get the ice storm that was predicted so the roads were just fine. It was just cold and windy.

Bible study was lively. We discussed the first reading for most of the session. It was in 2 Samuel (4 Kings if you have some bibles.) the reading where David wanted to build a house for the Arc of the Covenant as there was peace in the land and the Arc was still being housed in a tent. God told him to wait and let his son do it later. BUT it brought up the point of moneys that are spent to build big temples and big cathedrals and such. It is good to have beauty dedicated to the Lord and nice and comfortable places to worship, but as was brought up, is it really necessary to spend millions of dollars on renovating Cathedrals when there are hungry people in this land and all over the world. Something to mull over.

Then I went to Mom's. I had picked up a bulletin for her as she did not go to church Sunday. It was too wet and cold for her to be out. She admitted that she also felt rather weak on Sunday so I am glad that she is being very sensitive to her body. She and I talked about how lucky we are. We have her and she had her mother well up into the 90s. So many people lose their parents at young ages. I helped her put her tinsel on the Christmas tree. Her house looks very festive. She gave me my Christmas present early. She now buys us all a cheese box. Num Num.

Next I came home and let Chelsea out before getting gas and picking up Kate to go over to Antoinette's for our Cream City Writer's Christmas party. We had a really lovely time. We shared Christmas writings, had a good meal and exchanged Christmas presents. Sy also had my door prize and Christmas present from the Sheboygan County Writer's party. I love getting presents. We have a $5. limit so these are REALLY fun. From last week I got a nice ceramic snowman for a door prize and a box of chocolates and some pens and note paper for my present. Today my present was a pretty ceramic basket with candy and a Culver's certificate. WOW.

I took Kate home and had a cup of tea with her before heading home to again take care of Chelsea. I got things ready for my supper and took everything over to the Center to have supper with Dick. Then I stayed with him until 7PM.

Home again. Home again. Boy is that ever good. I am feeling quite content.

Read something in an email that I would like to share with you before I go to bed.
Freeman Dyson, physicist and author said.

"Whatever it is that you produce, a baby, a book, or a theory, it is a piece of the magic of creation. You are producing something that you do not fully understand."

Just something to think about.

Love

Mary

It was a restful busy day today. I was able to spend quite a bit of time with Dick, as it turned out.

Chelsea woke me up at 4AM again. I wish I knew what this is going on in her little head. I took her out and then went back to bed until 6AM. It seems to be working, so I guess I won't mess with it.

I had some egg whites left from the Guy Pie recipe so I made coconut macaroons this morning. They are the EASIEST cookies in the world but are only practical if one has used egg yolks for some reason or other. It made a nice treat for Dick tonight.

I cleaned the kitchen floor and the mat for under the kitty litter box. It fits perfectly in that corner of the old office. I need to do a bit of protection for the corner but it will work just fine. I had leftovers for lunch and then prepared a portabella mushroom sandwich to take over to eat with Dick for supper. They had hot turkey sandwiches for him. (Guess what, he does not like mushroom sandwiches.)

We had a nice visit this morning. He was in therapy when I got there. (Lori cannot be there tomorrow so came in today as some of the patients are required to have a minimum number of sessions. I was able to tell her about the graft and that we have to be very careful about weight bearing for two weeks.

When I left, I went to the bank for some cash, picked up some pretzels for Dick and ran by Rhine Plymouth Field and Stream. We were hosting the Badger shoot and I had promised that I would stop by. I told them that if they REALLY needed me, I would work for an hour. They are such sweeties and told me that I should go home. I was able to pick up the orange/grapefruit box that I ordered from Rachel who is in 4H and sells it for a fundraiser. It is always SUCH good fruit. A case is really too much, but it does last quite a while and I will share.

I took a nap this afternoon. That was helpful. I never seem to feel quite rested these days.

Now I am home. I forgot to watch the Packer game and since they lost, I am just as glad. Again, they were favored. I do know that their defense is useless. But don't know WHAT happened today. Dick said that they lost in the last couple of minutes again. What a pain.

Dick commented tonight that he is probably the youngest patient on the floor. He may be. Mary is probably younger but most of the residents are there because they are in Senior Care. Again it is a comparative situation. He can feel young.

When we had the Orange County Four Wheelers Jeep Club Christmas party, we always exchanged gifts and did it in this fun way. All who brought a gift were given a number . Number 1 picked a gift and unwrapped it for all to see. Then Number 2 would do the same. If Number 2 liked number 1's gift better, he could trade. And so on down the line. As you got further up in number, you had more choices. It was amazing what would turn out to be the most popular. At the end Number 1 had a choice of ALL of the gifts. One year, a young single guy who was quite shy got a tray with the naked picture of Marilyn Monroe on it. He was so shy and embarrassed that he just exchanged it for the closest opened present that he saw. That was so sweet.


Love

Mary