We were pleased with today. It was warm most of it. I wore one of my denim jackets when I walked Chelsea so that tells you something. The birds were in fine chorus all around us. We took a nice long walk, trying to build up to what we did last summer.

I fixed a pot roast for dinner this noon. Put carrots, celery and potatoes in for the last hour then made a nice gravy to go with it. I also used the last of my frozen rhubarb in a crisp. We were happy. I remember that my brother in law George would sit down to a meal like that and lean back and say. "Wonder what the rich people are eating tonight." I made the crisp completely with Splenda so it was safe for Dick to eat. It tasted great too.

Then, after dinner, We got Dick all showered and both took a nap. Jim and Michelle came by to pick up the ham they accidentally left here on Easter. They came from De Pere where they were volunteers for the MS Walk. They had supper with us. I found some Friday Chili in the freezer and made grilled cheese to go with it. Dick and I were willing to have more Rhubarb Crisp for desert then too.

Next weekend, they will be flying to Oklahoma City to finish applying for this job as managers of the apartment complex. They have to do a drug test apparently and fill out some forms. They will also see their apartment and meet the couple that they will be teamed with and who will be training them. It does sound like it will be a perfect situation for the two of them. Lets all pray that it is. Dick and I like happy, well situated children.

Tonight, I went to the Unity Concert in Sheboygan. This is its fifth year. It is a fundraiser for cancer patients and their families. All the money is used for Sheboygan people who are in financial need. It does not pay medical bills. It will provide, as an example, a wide screen tv for a young cancer patient who is having trouble seeing images on the small screen, or perhaps a window air conditioner for someone who is suffering in a cramped hot home in the summer, or gas money to get to treatments. This concert is totally volunteer. Nothing costs anything so all of the proceeds go to the fund.

I had a wonderful time but had to leave before the concert was over because it went on way to long and I had to get home in case Chelsea needed to go out AND I had to get the shoe off of Dick.

I was SO pleased to see many of my friends from Blessed Trinity. The choir was singing in the finale and other friends too, including Dave Weinhold and Mary Lou Conger. Mary Lou and I graduated from high school together and I was a bridesmaid in her wedding. Her Eddie has been gone for 9 years now. He was a very nice guy and courageous in his illness.

So now it is time for bed and Chelsea is definately in agreement with that. Oscar is being very patient. I think he is just glad that I am home.

Til tomorrow then

Love

Mary

Chelsea got me up at about 5 this morning, then I went back to sleep and it was 7 O'Clock when I finally woke up again. I actually felt pretty rested most of the day.

I spent the morning cleaning, washing and folding clothes and doing computer catch up.

I had lunch at the Dairy Queen with the bank people. Marlene said she will distribute communion on May 2nd when I am in Lake Geneva for the Celtic Gathering.

Tonight I picked up Nancy Roehre at quarter to five so we could go pistol shooting. I did not do TOO badly tonight. It is better than it has been anyway.

Tonight during Ghost Whisperer I worked a bit more on that lonely little doll that has been sitting naked for a very long time. Oscar came downstairs and cuddled in my lap for the longest time. He has been very affectionate with both Dick and I all day today.

That was the day. It is coming close to the end now. I will close with a quote.

Depak Chopra said, "In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you," It actually reminds me of a motto I use under pressure. "Be like a duck. Appear calm an unruffled above the surface and paddle like hell below."

Love

Mary

Well, here it is, almost 10PM again. I try not to be up this late, but tonight was special. You know this if you have been reading the previous blogs.

Tonight Pat Becher, Peg Payne, Barb Fishbaugher and I met at the Kewaskum High School to see Caim, Heather Innes from Scotland and Jacynth Hamel from Ireland. They are an a capella Celtic Duo. They sing Celtic prayer songs and Celtic traditional music. I saw them last year at Mead and will look for them again next year. They come to Wisconsin every year it seems and stay for a few weeks. After the concert, we Celtic Women invited them to join us for coffee. Barb had arranged for the local coffee shop to stay open a bit late for us. Heather and Jacynth did join us. We had a lovely visit and I shared CWI with them. They may join us. We CWI ladies are thinking of perhaps sponsoring them in Plymouth next year.

Did I tell you I went up on stage and danced with Jacynth as I did last year at Mead. It was such fun.

The rest of the day was really quite busy. Before we went to have Dick's anti coagulation count checked at 10, I put together a spinach egg casserole for our lunch. His count was 2.8 - perfect again so we don't have to take him to get it checked for a month.

He had therapy at 1:00PM. That went very well. He walked twice between the parallel bars then twice using the walker. This is big. A few more times with the walker in therapy and he can start using it at home. He is still working on balance, of course, but looks really good when he is walking.

So this was our day. Tomorrow is much quieter. Dick has actually four days off as he does not have therapy until next Tuesday. So - we will have to keep him standing often and be sure to take the shoe on and off as Dr. Moreno wants us too.

Be good to yourself and enjoy this marvelous weather. It is supposed to be even warmer tomorrow. I finally heard the peepers singing tonight when I took Chelsea out. Another VERY promising sign that SPRING is finally here.

Love

Mary

Maybe Spring really is here. Today was not TOO warm but I was able to run out with the dog without putting a jacket on. Of course, I would not have wanted to take a long walk. There was a bit of a breeze the the temps were only in the 50s. Bret would laugh at my "heat wave".

Dick had his appointment with Dr. Sharon this morning. That went very well. He is pleased with all of his vital signs and the blood tests. We did get a chance to weigh him so now we will have a base line weight. We are sure that he has gained some weight but it is hard to tell how much because in the Care Center he was weighed without shoes and without his prosthesis. But we now have a base weight and can work from there. We are careful with portions and balanced meals so I am sure that we will be OK especially now that he is doing more activities.

WE got home to find that Josh from VNA had called. I was able to reach him and he brought over the 20" wheel chair for us to try. It rolls a little better, he fits a little less snugly, I am able to lift it in and out of the car and Dick can maneuver it through the doors with little trouble. So we went for it.

After he left, I did the grocery shopping. Then we were both home for the rest of the day. I have been inordinately tired. I napped after our lunch and then fell asleep for about an hour again after supper. I had Dick wake me up to watch Bones. Then I will get the last minute night time things done and go to bed again.

We received an email from Jim and Michelle tonight. They are making another major change in their lives. They have accepted a position as a couple to be apartment managers for a huge complex in Oklahoma City. They will be moving in a couple of weeks to take over the position. It sounds really good for them. They will have an apartment, a salary and benefits.

Guess that is all and that is quite enough news for now.

All my love

Mary

It was a bit warmer than predicted but still damp and rather chilly. I was up at about 6:30 for good.

I had to take Chelsea in for a blood test as she was due for a prescription renewal and Dr. Pat wanted to see how her levels are holding. She is losing ground but there is not much we can do that is reasonable. Increasing her meds runs the risk of causing other problems. So we take care of her and wait. The coughing is really more intense, but I wish you could see how happy and alert she is when we go on our morning walk. And she is not in pain, though I am sure the coughing is not comfortable. It seems to be keeping fluids from forming in her lungs so that is a good thing. Anyway, she did not seem to mind her little outing.

Dick had therapy at 1:00PM. Tim, the prosthesis guy, was there and is really pleased with the walking progress and the condition and continued improvement of the stump itself. If it does not change in size over the next month, we will move on to the next step. A more permanent cup. Dick and I really felt good because Tim said that we are, as a team, really doing a good job getting him healed and shaped and ready for that.

I worked a bit on the doll that needs dressing and read a bit tonight. I wanted to be available to watch the final interview with Archbishop Dolan which is followed by Dancing with the Stars. The interview was very nice and included a bit of the Archbishops history and what he accomplished in our Archdiocese.

Tomorrow, Dick will have an early appointment with Dr. Sharon. I hope we can get some answers to a few questions we have. And perhaps some advice on a couple of problems.

So, a tired lady is going to take Chelsea out for her last evening bathroom break and go to bed.

Be good to yourself tomorrow. You deserve it.

Love

Mary

What a Monday.

Chelsea woke me up at her usual 4AM and I HAD to get up at 6. I did get more sleep which is a good thing because it was such a busy day.

I felt that I had put in almost a full days work before I left for bible study at a little after 9AM.

There were 6 of us there today. A nice group. Next Sunday's Gospel is the story of Thomas. Our usual source of information (Blest are We) has an error and is showing the Easter readings as being the readings for all of the Sundays until Pentecost.

I found a nice site that gave sample sermons (I assume for ministers etc) so I took advantage of it. I liked what it had to say about Thomas.

"Sometimes I think Thomas gets a bum rap. Everyone calls him "Doubting Thomas." But he only doubted for a week. He certainly seems to have done more believing than he ever did doubting.

Thomas said that he would not believe until he had seen it for himself. A rather good idea when confronted with a story as amazing as a man rising from the dead."

He did not have all the information we have and as we discussed it gave Jesus a chance to say. "Blessed are they who have no seen and yet believe." Namely us.

Stopped to see Mother next. She is looking good. The Visiting Nurse was coming by to give her some more help and training in her colostomy care. This will be her last visit, though Mother can call her with questions at any time.

When I got home, I fixed lunch and then we went to Plymouth Care for Dick's therapy. That went very well. He walked four times. Lori showed us a sock aid. It is a tool to help pull stockings on and we hope it will help prevent the abrasion sores that we are getting on his shin bone area. These heal quite quickly but occur easily because his skin is SO thin and sensitive. Hopefully because then we won't be doing tugging and possible hitting the skin with fingers it will avoid the sores. I will pick one up tomorrow.

Then I tried to take a nap. I did sleep for a bit but the phone rang with a call from the Visiting Nurses. We are going to see if I can lift a 20 inch wheel chair and if it fits halfway easily into the bathroom. This one is light and Dick DOES fit but snuggly. Because he fits snuggly, there is rubbing and it pushes harder that others that we end up in, at the clinic for example.

We had creamed egg on toast for our supper. Yum Yum.

I went to a Tallgrass Condo board meeting because I volunteered to be on an ad hoc committee to negotiate with Mark Kleinhans,the developer, for repairs and other things that need to be done around the complex. From what I see, we need to go over everything, get the promises and then follow up. It is simple but will not be at all easy. As a matter of fact with all of these people who are all "right" it will be tricky. But hopefully cool heads will prevail.

So that is my day. All settled in our nice little home with Roxie sleeping peacefully on my desk under the lamp.

Tomorrow will be a little quieter. So far we only have one appointment outside of the house, though I may have to take Chelsea in for a blood test before they will renew one of her meds. It never ends.

Have a nice Tuesday. It is supposed to be getting warmer every day this week. I wish it would be above freezing when I wake up in the morning.

Love

Mary

 

An EASTER STORY FOR YOU



Pine Trees Know Easter!

Last April on a Sunday we took one of our "nowhere" drives, my husband was quietly driving a back road. I was occupied in the front passenger seat watching the scenery.

I noticed out of the corner of my eye that my husband was straining to look out my window. This startled me, since his eyes should have been on the road in front of him. I asked him what he was looking at out the windows, and he quietly replied,"Nothing” His eyes went back to the road in front of him.

After a few minutes, I looked over at my husband and noticed a tear. I asked him what was wrong. This time he told me, "I was just thinking about Pop and a story he had once told me"

Of course, because it had to do with his Pop I wanted to know the story, so I asked him to share it with me. He said, "When I was about 8 years old, Pop and I were out fishing and that's when he told me that the Pine trees know when it is Easter.."

I had no idea what he meant by that, so I pressed him for more information.
He continued on... "The Pine trees start their new growth in the weeks before Easter -- if you look at the tops of the Pine trees two weeks before, you will see the yellow shoots. As the days get closer to Easter Sunday, the tallest shoot will branch off and form a cross. By the time Easter
Sunday comes around, you will see that most of the Pine trees will have
small yellow crosses on all of the tallest shoots."

I turned to look out the window and I couldn't believe my eyes. It was a week before Easter, and you could see all of the trees with the tall yellow shoots stretching to Heaven.

The tallest ones shone in the sunlight like rows of tiny golden crosses.

Well, the Easter Bunny came to the Kunert house. The Easter Bunny even knew that Bobbie, Bill, Michelle and Jim were going to be here and left baskets for them too.

I went to Mass at 8AM. It was a lovely mass. The childrens' choir sang beautifully. I was especially impressed with a trio, a boy and two girls who sang the song "He's Alive". The boy sang the narration, one of the girls sang harmony and the other played the guitar. It was very moving. I am especially pleased that in our weekly prayer requests, Fr. Van Beeck is making special mention of the needs of so many unemployed and underemployed in our area and in our country.

Jim and Michelle arrived shortly after I got home from church. They started things for dinner and then headed over to Bobbie and Bill's to pick out the things that Jim wanted of their Mother's things.

Everybody was here by 11:30AM. Jim and Michelle worked like busy little worker bees in the kitchen and put on a wonderful array of appetizers first. Deviled eggs, of course, were the hit of the array. This was followed by a delicious ham dinner accompanied by potato cheese casserole, green beans Alfredo and Jim's famous from scratch corn bread. We were stuffed, but managed to find room for the delicious cherry cake that Michelle had baked.

Lovely meal, nice company.

I talked to Bret and Bart today too. They are all fine.

Shortly before everybody left, Dick got so tired that he had to lie down for a nap. Chelsea ran into the bedroom with him so that she could nap too. She has been sleeping ever since except to wake up long enough for dinner. Poor little lady is getting weaker and more tired every week.


How nice that we can give thanks for the safe rescue of that boat captain, Richard Phillips, that had been held captive for so long after bartering himself with the pirates for his crew's safety. It is a shame that life had to be lost in the process but perhaps this will tell the pirates that if they threaten to take the life of a man, this will be their probable end. And pointing a rifle at his back certainly constituted a threat. Anyway, I thank God for his safety and for the joy his family must be feeling.

Have a good week.

Mary

Well. I did it again. Got so tired that I went to bed without blogging.

HAPPY Easter!

We were home all day and I still got too tired. I died eggs and fixed baskets and cleaned and washed and took care of Dick and the animals and the day was gone.

Dick had a few problems yesterday, nothing really serious, but time consuming and rather tiring so I will use that as my excuse.

Jim and Michelle are cooking dinner here today and Bobbie and Bill are coming for dinner too. So I will have a happy day to report tonight.

Love

Mary