Except for going to mass this evening, I did get to stay home all day. Good thing. I was really tired. I had trouble getting to sleep last night. Probably those caffeinated diet cokes that I drank at Rhine. But it was almost midnight when I finally drifted off. I rested for a while this morning and managed to get through the rest of the day.
I did some CWI computer work today. AND I put the Nativities away also. So I have a start. This week will be quieter and with any luck at all, Christmas will be put away by next Friday. How sad.
We had a great noon meal. I broiled a T Bone steak and we had it with fresh potato salad and beets. We have found that one steak divided is more than enough for the two of us.
I called Barbara today as I have been worried about her and her father. Her father is very ill and failing and she is wearing herself out trying to take care of him, work and take care of her own home. Pray for her and for Don.
Mass was at 4PM. I was able to be a wine minister as they were one short. I still find it the greatest thrill to be able to be a minister of communion. I never get over the wonder of it.
Aunt Kathleen called this morning. She had talked to Mother and just wanted an update. I was able to tell her that she is indeed very weak but that we now have people in every morning to help her get up,dressed and ready for her day.
I called Mother after I finished talking to Kathleen and she seems very pleased with the helpers that are coming each morning. So that is over half the battle. Of course, who would not enjoy helping my Mother. There is nobody more sweet or grateful for what you do for her.
Have a restful Sunday. I get to stay home ALL day tomorrow and am SO excited.
God love you
Mary
An oldie gut goodie. Rules for pets
Dear Dogs and Cats,
The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food.
Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.
The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack.
Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.
I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.
For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years -- canine or feline attendance is not mandatory.
The proper order is kiss me, THEN go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH!
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Friday, January 08, 2010
I did get to stay home most of the day. We were all plowed and shoveled when I woke up this morning. I put a little deicer to help keep some of the ice from forming. But it is SO cold that I don't know how much good it will do.
I cleaned today. The bathrooms and I did some spot rug cleaning in front of Dick's desk. I also made some of the Olive Garden Toscana soup that we like so well. We had leftover spaghetti for our noon meal.
I also did a bunch of computer work for CWI.
Then this evening I had to work at Rhine. It is the beginning of Winter League. Nancy and I were going to shoot, but Nancy couldn't come after all, so we will start next week. We had nine teams sign up for trap, which isn't too bad for the first week, especially with the weather. There were about 10 pistol shooters so we should have a nice pistol league too.
Pat Becher and her husband Bob, Janet Bieschke and her husband Richard and, of course, Jerry Coenen and his wife Nancy started pistol this week. I say, Of course, because Jerry is also a member of Rhine.
It was pretty slow at the end. The guys took down the traps by 8:30PM and then Matt, our team leader, told me to go home. I thanked him, I always worry some about Dick. I DID bring my boots and a stocking cap in case they needed me outside but was glad that I got assigned to the bar.
Have a nice weekend.
Bod love you
Mary
I cleaned today. The bathrooms and I did some spot rug cleaning in front of Dick's desk. I also made some of the Olive Garden Toscana soup that we like so well. We had leftover spaghetti for our noon meal.
I also did a bunch of computer work for CWI.
Then this evening I had to work at Rhine. It is the beginning of Winter League. Nancy and I were going to shoot, but Nancy couldn't come after all, so we will start next week. We had nine teams sign up for trap, which isn't too bad for the first week, especially with the weather. There were about 10 pistol shooters so we should have a nice pistol league too.
Pat Becher and her husband Bob, Janet Bieschke and her husband Richard and, of course, Jerry Coenen and his wife Nancy started pistol this week. I say, Of course, because Jerry is also a member of Rhine.
It was pretty slow at the end. The guys took down the traps by 8:30PM and then Matt, our team leader, told me to go home. I thanked him, I always worry some about Dick. I DID bring my boots and a stocking cap in case they needed me outside but was glad that I got assigned to the bar.
Have a nice weekend.
Bod love you
Mary
Thursday, January 07, 2010
What a day. It snowed all day and the roads were really bad. From the time we woke up. I had to take Chelsea to the Vet at 8AM, which was not TOO bad but we had to drive very carefully and alert every moment.
Chelsea's kidneys are failing. We knew that but there is a definite indication of that in the blood tests. We are going to try to change her diet to a science diet that may help and give her a phosphate that may slow the damage down a bit. But it is progressive. Her teeth are bad, because of her heart, we cannot do any dental work because that involves putting her under anesthetic which could kill her as fast as the disease. So we try to make things easier for her. She is almost 16 and we know her time is limited. Poor baby.
We had soup for lunch and then I drove, carefully and very nerviously to Mother's to meet with her and Dolores with two of the home care companies to fill in the mornings when the Visiting Nurses won't be coming. We chose Companion Care because they said that they would be able to help Mom with her colostomy bag if it became necessary. They will get training from the VNA. Otherwise it would have been a very difficult decision. Anyway, Mom will have someone there in the mornings to help her through her breakfast and her bathing starting tomorrow. We are so relieved. I am so glad that Dolores was able to be there with me to help sort through the information we received. As they say four ears are better than two.
Of course, Mom had the final say. She is still able to make her own decisions but I know she is glad that we are there to advise her.
It was a rather unsettling trip home, but I just kept my speed down and followed about four cars that were feeling as uncomfortable as I was. The plows had been out so we were only facing rather slipper streets and just had to keep moving at a nice steady pace. Obviously I got home save and sound.
HOWEVER, the plows were out in Tallgrass and they left me with a insurmountable pile of snow that I managed to get stuck in. I was doing some shoveling when one of they guys who clear our snow was me and came and very gallantly helped me get the driveway cleared, my car unstuck and saw me into the garage. They are SO very nice. I told him that maybe I would be staying home until spring. Dick said he would like to keep me home til spring too. Fat chance of course. But unfortunately, we had to get Mother set up with her health care. There was no way we could leave her until next week to have someone in there every morning to see that she is safe. She is so weak. But that wonderful spirit is still there.
So. It is time for me to wind down again. Our Leslie has started a blog. So now I check almost every day to see if either she or Jim have posted. Even every so often is such a joy and they both do such fun blogs. Leslie worries that she will be boring but she isn't. I sometimes feel that way too but noone complains so I keep pouring my days out to everybody.
It is supposed to snow through tomorrow morning and I don't have anywhere to go until tomorrow night. I am supposed to go out to Rhine to work for the start if our Winter League. By then things should be clear. But to have a whole day that I can stay home, is just like heaven.
Hope your day is heaven too.
God love you
Mary
Chelsea's kidneys are failing. We knew that but there is a definite indication of that in the blood tests. We are going to try to change her diet to a science diet that may help and give her a phosphate that may slow the damage down a bit. But it is progressive. Her teeth are bad, because of her heart, we cannot do any dental work because that involves putting her under anesthetic which could kill her as fast as the disease. So we try to make things easier for her. She is almost 16 and we know her time is limited. Poor baby.
We had soup for lunch and then I drove, carefully and very nerviously to Mother's to meet with her and Dolores with two of the home care companies to fill in the mornings when the Visiting Nurses won't be coming. We chose Companion Care because they said that they would be able to help Mom with her colostomy bag if it became necessary. They will get training from the VNA. Otherwise it would have been a very difficult decision. Anyway, Mom will have someone there in the mornings to help her through her breakfast and her bathing starting tomorrow. We are so relieved. I am so glad that Dolores was able to be there with me to help sort through the information we received. As they say four ears are better than two.
Of course, Mom had the final say. She is still able to make her own decisions but I know she is glad that we are there to advise her.
It was a rather unsettling trip home, but I just kept my speed down and followed about four cars that were feeling as uncomfortable as I was. The plows had been out so we were only facing rather slipper streets and just had to keep moving at a nice steady pace. Obviously I got home save and sound.
HOWEVER, the plows were out in Tallgrass and they left me with a insurmountable pile of snow that I managed to get stuck in. I was doing some shoveling when one of they guys who clear our snow was me and came and very gallantly helped me get the driveway cleared, my car unstuck and saw me into the garage. They are SO very nice. I told him that maybe I would be staying home until spring. Dick said he would like to keep me home til spring too. Fat chance of course. But unfortunately, we had to get Mother set up with her health care. There was no way we could leave her until next week to have someone in there every morning to see that she is safe. She is so weak. But that wonderful spirit is still there.
So. It is time for me to wind down again. Our Leslie has started a blog. So now I check almost every day to see if either she or Jim have posted. Even every so often is such a joy and they both do such fun blogs. Leslie worries that she will be boring but she isn't. I sometimes feel that way too but noone complains so I keep pouring my days out to everybody.
It is supposed to snow through tomorrow morning and I don't have anywhere to go until tomorrow night. I am supposed to go out to Rhine to work for the start if our Winter League. By then things should be clear. But to have a whole day that I can stay home, is just like heaven.
Hope your day is heaven too.
God love you
Mary
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Well another day is winding down.
I got up at 6 and got all the morning things done before 8AM so I could get the grocery shopping done and everything put away by mid morning. That went well. I filled the gas tank while I was out so am set for another week or two.
At 11AM Dick and I drover over to the clinic for our HlNl shots. Dick is not very relieved. He worries about stuff like that. I personally figure that we are in the low risk group and not exposed to much on the outside. But he is probably, because of his diabetes somewhat at risk,
The cutest thing happened while we were waiting. A mother with two little boys, one just toddling, came down the hall. The toddler immediately became fascinated with Dick's wheelchair and walked up behind him and started touching the wheels and back of the chair. His mother, on crutches, called to him to come, but he got down and crawled under the chair like a puppy. Dick and I thought it was quite funny. He crawled out from under Dick's legs, so Dick finally got to see him then. She got him down the hall with her and he tried once more to escape, but his brother tackled him and took him back.
This afternoon, I picked Mother up at 3:00PM and took her to the Sheboygan Clinic to get the heart monitor off of her. Boy was she relieved. It was not heavy but was not at all comfortable. She should receive the results from Dr. Hancock's office by Monday. We are almost hoping they will find something, at least something correctable. She is still very weak but hanging in there. Tomorrow, the nurse will be there to check her and on Friday the morning visits will begin. That will be a relief for us all.
So. that was the day. Enough, wouldn't you say? I am going to fix a cup of tea and then start winding down for the night.
I can't believe the week is half over already and as it is officially Epiphany, Christmas is really over too. I have not even begun putting any of my decorations away.
Have a good last two days of the week.
God love you
Mary
I got up at 6 and got all the morning things done before 8AM so I could get the grocery shopping done and everything put away by mid morning. That went well. I filled the gas tank while I was out so am set for another week or two.
At 11AM Dick and I drover over to the clinic for our HlNl shots. Dick is not very relieved. He worries about stuff like that. I personally figure that we are in the low risk group and not exposed to much on the outside. But he is probably, because of his diabetes somewhat at risk,
The cutest thing happened while we were waiting. A mother with two little boys, one just toddling, came down the hall. The toddler immediately became fascinated with Dick's wheelchair and walked up behind him and started touching the wheels and back of the chair. His mother, on crutches, called to him to come, but he got down and crawled under the chair like a puppy. Dick and I thought it was quite funny. He crawled out from under Dick's legs, so Dick finally got to see him then. She got him down the hall with her and he tried once more to escape, but his brother tackled him and took him back.
This afternoon, I picked Mother up at 3:00PM and took her to the Sheboygan Clinic to get the heart monitor off of her. Boy was she relieved. It was not heavy but was not at all comfortable. She should receive the results from Dr. Hancock's office by Monday. We are almost hoping they will find something, at least something correctable. She is still very weak but hanging in there. Tomorrow, the nurse will be there to check her and on Friday the morning visits will begin. That will be a relief for us all.
So. that was the day. Enough, wouldn't you say? I am going to fix a cup of tea and then start winding down for the night.
I can't believe the week is half over already and as it is officially Epiphany, Christmas is really over too. I have not even begun putting any of my decorations away.
Have a good last two days of the week.
God love you
Mary
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
My Tuesdays are supposed to be quiet. I usually tell people that if they want me to do something Tuesdays are always free.
Not today.
This morning, I had a doctor appointment at 8:45AM. We had hoped to get our H1N1 vaccine but they were out of the vaccine. So, I had my appointment and we went to get Dick's coagulation checked and went home. His count was right on. On the high side but still within the parameters. So we don't have to go back for a whole month.
However, this afternoon, I noticed that the phone was blinking to indicate that we had a message. The vaccine came in while we were still in the building but we left quickly after two short appointments and they missed us, so we are going back tomorrow for the shots.
When we got home, I took a nap. I was really tired after the morning activities and still had a full day ahead of me. It got up at 11 and fixed some spaghetti for our dinner. And I cleaned the kitchen counters and the sinks. I have NO idea how they get so dirty. I haven't even been doing much cooking but there was crud all over everything and I scrubbed everything on Sunday.
Chelsea's vet, Dr. Conners called this afternoon. We are going to check Chelsea's blood again to see how much she has failed. There are still a couple of things she may be able to suggest to make her more comfortable. The coughing is getting worse again and we can't increase those meds. But we will see. She still is like a puppy when we go for our walks. I frankly hope that one day we will wake up and just find her gone. I don't want her to suffer and I hate to have to make the decision to put her down. That is so hard.
I went to Mother's at 1:30 or so to meet with the nurse, Kathy, from VNA. Dolores was there too so we were both able to help Mom with her decisions an her understanding. They, the VNA, will be able to come in three days a week to help her get up and bathe and dress. The nurse will come two days to check her vitals and she is going to have a PT and OT evaluation done. Dolores and I are going to talk to two of the local care agencies for someone to come to be with Mother the other four days when she is getting up in the morning. That is her vulnerable time and we are working to get her covered. She should not be afraid.
Home again. What a relief. I intend to be in bed and asleep by 9:30PM as I am really tired. I have to get organized and get some phone calls and emails done by the weekend.
From Jeff Foxworthy - About Wisconsinites
If you have had a lengthy telephone conversation with
> someone who dialed a wrong number, you might live in
> Wisconsin .
>
> If you have ever refused to buy something because
> it's 'too pricey,' you might live in Wisconsin .
>
God love you
Mary
Not today.
This morning, I had a doctor appointment at 8:45AM. We had hoped to get our H1N1 vaccine but they were out of the vaccine. So, I had my appointment and we went to get Dick's coagulation checked and went home. His count was right on. On the high side but still within the parameters. So we don't have to go back for a whole month.
However, this afternoon, I noticed that the phone was blinking to indicate that we had a message. The vaccine came in while we were still in the building but we left quickly after two short appointments and they missed us, so we are going back tomorrow for the shots.
When we got home, I took a nap. I was really tired after the morning activities and still had a full day ahead of me. It got up at 11 and fixed some spaghetti for our dinner. And I cleaned the kitchen counters and the sinks. I have NO idea how they get so dirty. I haven't even been doing much cooking but there was crud all over everything and I scrubbed everything on Sunday.
Chelsea's vet, Dr. Conners called this afternoon. We are going to check Chelsea's blood again to see how much she has failed. There are still a couple of things she may be able to suggest to make her more comfortable. The coughing is getting worse again and we can't increase those meds. But we will see. She still is like a puppy when we go for our walks. I frankly hope that one day we will wake up and just find her gone. I don't want her to suffer and I hate to have to make the decision to put her down. That is so hard.
I went to Mother's at 1:30 or so to meet with the nurse, Kathy, from VNA. Dolores was there too so we were both able to help Mom with her decisions an her understanding. They, the VNA, will be able to come in three days a week to help her get up and bathe and dress. The nurse will come two days to check her vitals and she is going to have a PT and OT evaluation done. Dolores and I are going to talk to two of the local care agencies for someone to come to be with Mother the other four days when she is getting up in the morning. That is her vulnerable time and we are working to get her covered. She should not be afraid.
Home again. What a relief. I intend to be in bed and asleep by 9:30PM as I am really tired. I have to get organized and get some phone calls and emails done by the weekend.
From Jeff Foxworthy - About Wisconsinites
If you have had a lengthy telephone conversation with
> someone who dialed a wrong number, you might live in
> Wisconsin .
>
> If you have ever refused to buy something because
> it's 'too pricey,' you might live in Wisconsin .
>
God love you
Mary
Monday, January 04, 2010
Today was busy, making up for my quiet yesterday. Actually, I forgot to tell you that yesterday, though I got to stay home, did have its problem. Dolores called in the afternoon to tell me that Mother had fainted again in the morning. Dolores went out and stayed with her until after lunch. She is OK, though very weak and she did get a little bump on her head.
Dolores went out this morning at 7AM to help her get up and be with her during that seemingly vulnerable time. She stayed until Jeff and Kathy got there. They took her to the doctor this morning. I stopped with a prescription on my way to bible study and got to see her. She looked so weak.
Jeff and Kathy took her to the doctor and he ordered a 48 hour heart monitor which was put on her this afternoon. He also agreed that the VNA should come out and do an evaluation. So Dolores and I will be at Mother's tomorrow at 1:30PM to help her work with them.
Today, I went to Bible Study. Then came home and fixed lunch. Dick and I had to be at Wisconsin Prosthesis at 1:30PM to have his shoe repaired and to have the prosthesis checked. A leather or cover had pealed loose from the metal band. Tim was able to fix it right away and we were home by 2PM.
Then tonight I had to go to Rhine Plymouth for our first meeting of the New Year. It went quite well, I think. I do have to work this Friday as I am now on team A.
Dick was happy today. Some of the presents that he had ordered for me for Christmas had not come and finally arrived today. It was fun. Christmas is just going on and on. I received a present from Jacquie last week and now these. Tomorrow, I am going to wear the new cross that he got me. It is a beautiful silver cross with a real shamrock in the center.
Chelsea is getting weirder and weirder. I never know what treats to give her anymore and she acts very suspicious of dishes that I put on the floor. As an old lady, she has to go outside OFTEN. But she is sleeping up to 8 hours at night, (or 4 on a bad night.) Her tail is not up often but when we walk she springs along like she is a puppy. She even did a bit of the Pepe Le Pew in the snow after the last dusting. Poor little girl. She is just plain wearing out.
Take care
God love you
Mary
Dolores went out this morning at 7AM to help her get up and be with her during that seemingly vulnerable time. She stayed until Jeff and Kathy got there. They took her to the doctor this morning. I stopped with a prescription on my way to bible study and got to see her. She looked so weak.
Jeff and Kathy took her to the doctor and he ordered a 48 hour heart monitor which was put on her this afternoon. He also agreed that the VNA should come out and do an evaluation. So Dolores and I will be at Mother's tomorrow at 1:30PM to help her work with them.
Today, I went to Bible Study. Then came home and fixed lunch. Dick and I had to be at Wisconsin Prosthesis at 1:30PM to have his shoe repaired and to have the prosthesis checked. A leather or cover had pealed loose from the metal band. Tim was able to fix it right away and we were home by 2PM.
Then tonight I had to go to Rhine Plymouth for our first meeting of the New Year. It went quite well, I think. I do have to work this Friday as I am now on team A.
Dick was happy today. Some of the presents that he had ordered for me for Christmas had not come and finally arrived today. It was fun. Christmas is just going on and on. I received a present from Jacquie last week and now these. Tomorrow, I am going to wear the new cross that he got me. It is a beautiful silver cross with a real shamrock in the center.
Chelsea is getting weirder and weirder. I never know what treats to give her anymore and she acts very suspicious of dishes that I put on the floor. As an old lady, she has to go outside OFTEN. But she is sleeping up to 8 hours at night, (or 4 on a bad night.) Her tail is not up often but when we walk she springs along like she is a puppy. She even did a bit of the Pepe Le Pew in the snow after the last dusting. Poor little girl. She is just plain wearing out.
Take care
God love you
Mary
Sunday, January 03, 2010
This will be a very short blog as this was a very quiet day.
We did not have to go anywhere. For the first time in over a week I got to stay home.
I spent the morning putting together the chapbook for the WFOP contest. I got it all in the order I wanted and printed it out for Dick to edit for me.
I watched an old Jane Eyre movie and cut out some more pieces for the current quilt top that I am putting together.
We had leftovers for lunch and a hot dog for dinner so I had an easy day. Still I am exhausted and ready for bed.
I with you a healthy and happy week and will perhaps be more newsy tomorrow. Leslie has started a blog so two of my children will be more on line for news. Yippee.
God love you all.
Mary
We did not have to go anywhere. For the first time in over a week I got to stay home.
I spent the morning putting together the chapbook for the WFOP contest. I got it all in the order I wanted and printed it out for Dick to edit for me.
I watched an old Jane Eyre movie and cut out some more pieces for the current quilt top that I am putting together.
We had leftovers for lunch and a hot dog for dinner so I had an easy day. Still I am exhausted and ready for bed.
I with you a healthy and happy week and will perhaps be more newsy tomorrow. Leslie has started a blog so two of my children will be more on line for news. Yippee.
God love you all.
Mary
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