This was an unusual day.

I started off by making the Lizzie cookies.   I wanted to take them to Mother today when I went to Rosemary's funeral.

I left at about 10:30 AM to go to the Condo meeting.   I got there just as the meeting was ending.   Another mistake.  I had put the time at 11am and it was 10AM.  Oh. Well.   I got to visit with people.   The meeting was not jeopardized because of my not being there on time.   It went smoothly.   There were the number of people needed to vote and I was able to find out the important news when I got there.

I had time to do a shopping errand and visit with Mother before the funeral.

Mother was a bit weak today.   We had a nice visit and I dropped in after the funeral to bring her the worship folder.   She felt so bad about not being able to go to the service.

It was a nice service.  I went over a 12:30PM thinking that I would be able to get through the line and pray at the coffin.   Fat Chance.   The line was all the way around the left side of the church.   Finally they had to sit the congregation for the service.    I did not get to go by the coffin but after the Mass, I found Warren and the children that I know to express my sympathies.   I told Warren that though I had not gotten by the coffin, I had been talking to her ever since I heard about her problem and didn't feel that I really had to see her.  I just needed to see him and I needed to tell him that Mother was praying for him and the family.  Zach, her grandson, planned a beautiful service music wise.   He sang Ave Maria and I told him I may call on him in the future.  I hope Blessed Trinity realizes what a treasure they have in him as their music director.

As I left, I saw Donna Plageman, a friend from the Choir.  I received her Christmas card this week and I told her that it was such a joy, because she is always the first and when I get her card, I know that Christmas is really coming.  That pleased her.

The snow that they are predicting has begun to fall.   I have heard from 5 to 15 inches.  I will opt for the 5.   The only thing I have to do tomorrow is go to Kate's if it is drivable and make the pasties.   We are sharing the ingredients and the work.

So that was the day.   Quite busy, Quite exciting.  

God love you all and keep you safe from harm.

Mary

This was a nice day.

I g0t up at about 6:30AM so I would be alert when Jody came to clean.   I held my breath until I looked outside.  It snowed, you know.  Thank heavens, our plowing team here in the condos was ready and we were all plowed out.   Good thing because this year I am unable to do the fine tuning even.   Much less any major shoveling.

So, Jody came as usual at 8am and did out cleaning.   She also helped me clean above the cupboards in the kitchen and put all the Santas up there.  She is such a help.

Last night I mixed up a batch of nNo Knead Bread.  This morning it was ready to bake and it turned out so good.   A nice country bread.   Easy and good.

Then I mixed up the dough for the pasties that Kate and I are going to assemble on Sunday.
At about 12PM I left to do my errands and have lunch.  First I went to the bank, then to Pick and Save to pick up some veggies for the pasties and cherries for the Lizzies that I want to make before Monday.

I met the bank people at 12:30PM at Dairy Queen.  We had a fun visit and Barb ordered some Tupperware.   After lunch, I went to the post office and miracle of miracles, I have all the packages sent for Christmas.  On the way home, I stopped at Kate's and she ordered Tupperware and we made arrangements to finish the pasties on Sunday at 1PM.  She and Patty were doing Christmas Cards.   I have that to do yet.   This weekend, I will get the chore at least laid out so I know that I have to do.

A tirp to the drug store, finished my errands and I have almost everything I need for the Christmas Stockings.   It is just Dick and me this year but it is important that we keep up traditions.

So now we are into the weekend.   Tomorrow, I will be going to the funeral of my friend Rosemary Eigenberger.   She was a lovely woman, a poet and a mother of 13 wonderful children.   I became close to her in her poet role and am honored to have been able to do so.
 Pray for her and her family tomorrow.   Saying goodbye is so hard.

Love and God love you

Mary

I got to be home all day today.  I slept until after 7AM.  That was really nice.   I might have slept later but my back started to ache so it was wise to get up.

The morning was spent preparing the packages to mail tomorrow and fixing our dinner.   I changed Dick's leg bandages and then he took a nap.   He slept much better then  than he usually does at night - go figure.

After he got up, I took a nap.   Then we spent a really pleasant evening supping with a glass of wine and working on Christmas.

I am adding copy of a funny email that I received.   Thought you might enjoy it too.

God love you

Mary

THESE REALLY WORK!!  I checked this out on Snopes and it's for real!      AMAZING, SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES: 1. AVOID CUTTING YOURSELF WHEN SLICING VEGETABLES BY GETTING SOMEONE ELSE TO HOLD THE VEGETABLES WHILE YOU CHOP. 2. AVOID ARGUMENTS WITH THE FEMALES ABOUT LIFTING THE TOILET SEAT BY USING THE SINK. 3. FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SUFFERERS ~ SIMPLY CUT YOURSELF AND BLEED FOR A FEW MINUTES, THUS REDUCING THE PRESSURE ON YOUR VEINS.  REMEMBER TO USE A TIMER. 4. A MOUSE TRAP PLACED ON TOP OF YOUR ALARM CLOCK WILL PREVENT YOU FROM ROLLING OVER AND GOING BACK TO SLEEP AFTER YOU HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON. 5. IF YOU HAVE A BAD COUGH, TAKE A LARGE DOSE OF LAXATIVES. THEN YOU'LL BE AFRAID TO COUGH. 6. YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE.  IF IT DOESN'T MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40.  IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THE DUCT TAPE.    7. IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.    THOUGHT for the day: SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES - NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN THEY'RE PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS SOME ADDITIONAL ADVICE: NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, TAKE A LAXATIVE AND SLEEPING PILLS ON THE SAME NIGHT

Shopping day.   I did not need too much so was home by 9AM which was a VERY good thing.  Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a holy day and mass was at 10AM.   It is nice to go to the feast day masses as the St John school kids are there in force and do the readings.

One on the young readers started out at a clip and read straight through without taking even one breath.   I was exhausted when he finished.  And the little girl who read the introduction explaining the feast day as the Immaculate Conception kept saying the Immaculate Consumption.  It was hard not to laugh.   They are so cute.

The rest of the day was at home.   I hat a nice nap this afternoon.   Good thing, because last night was not very good sleeping for me.  I am going early tonight so I can hopefully catch up.

The packages are just about ready to go out.    I need to seal and label them.   That is always one of the big deadlines.   They will be out by Friday then everything is  an easier downhill to Christmas.

So until tomorrow. 

Sleep tight and be safe.

God love you

Mary

What a day.   I spent the morning getting lunch ready for Dick and me.   Then I realized that I was going to the Kettle Country Quilt Club's afternoon brunch and Christmas party.   So we have enough chicken, rice and Brussels Sprouts for at least TWO more meals.

I brought some of my breads and spreads for the brunch.   We sure ate good.  Salads, and breads and cookies and mini sandwiches.   Then we exchanged presents.   I got some Mary Kay which was OK but I would rather have had a handmade gift.    Our member, Lucy made everybody a mini Stocking which is just adorable.   She also gave us the pattern so next year everybody might just get one.  It is a good way to use up Christmas scraps of fabric.


We disbanded at about 3PM so I got home in time to rest a bit before the Tupperware Party that I hosted for Becky.   At the last minute, Kate called and opted out.   She is sick again.   I was a bit crabby and must call tomorrow to apologize for my crabbiness.   Things have just been a bit too much lately.

As it turned out four of my friends did come and we had a really good time.    Hosting a party IS quite profitable, just with the gifts that the dealer gives the hostess.   I am really excited about all of them.  Becky did a really good job presenting her wares and she made us some good easy candies using the Tupperware and the microwave.

So now I am kind of wired but know that I need to go to bed.   Tomorrow is a moderately busy day, at least in the morning.  It is a holy day so I will be going to Mass at 10AM.  Then the afternoon and all of Thursday will be mine.

So. Sleep tight and be safe.   Pray for my friend Rosemary who is very close to joining Our Lord.  

God Love You

Mary

A busy morning.  Bible study was fun.   We are getting in to the Psalm Study.  The first section is about Psalms (songs) of descriptive praise.  We decided that we should tell all the world leaders to read and put into practice Psalm 33 verses 16 through 19.

A king is not saved by a mighty army,
    nor a warrior delivered by great strength.
 Useless is the horse for safety:
    its great strength, no sure escape.
But the Lord's eyes are upon the reverent,
    upon those who hope for his gracious help,
Delivering them from death,
    keeping them alive in times of famine.

I went from there to Mother's.   She is fine but seemed a bit unsteady. We had a great visit.   Got a couple of bills paid and some things put away for her.   Her house is becoming very Christmasy and that makes her very happy.  I want to bake some Lizzies and a Christmas Stollen for her.   She is not baking, thank heavens but does like her goodies.

Pat and Joan are coming to visit her on Wednesday.   She will enjoy that.   Pat hurt himself earlier this summer but is about healed from what I know.

Tonight was the Rhine Plymouth monthly meeting.   It went quite well.   We had our elections.   I am on the board for one more year.   We reelected Doc as VP and Jim as Treasurer and three board members.  
I need to remember to take some canned goods to the club on Saturday for the Sheboygan County  Conservation Club's annual food drive.  They are having their meeting at our clubhouse on the 15th.



Tomorrow I will go to my first Christmas Party.  The Kettle Country Quilters meeting.  I still don't know what I am bringing for a treat but I have my gift, the fat quarters for the Bingo game and the gifts that we donate to Rocky Knoll.

The evening will be the Tupperware party.  I hope there is enough to make Becky's job easy.   I have my treats for that all planned and the den all ready for the event.

So I love you all.

God loves you too.

Mary

Hi there.    A nice cold Sunday.   There were flurries most of the morning and early afternoon but nothing stayed on the ground.

I spent the morning doing a few things down in the Den to prepare for the Tupperware Party and also pinned the lap robe so that I could take it with me to Rhine this afternoon.

I was on the team for working this Sunday from 12 to 2PM.   I figured that it would be quiet and that I could work on the lap robe.   I was right.   We did have a group of Kids who shot three or four rounds and a couple of other teams so it was not boring.   We also had the Packer game on to keep us amused.    The last people left a little after 2PM so the team cleaned up, counted the money and took off for home.   I was three quarters of the way around the robe edging and was able to finish before the afternoon was over and even get a label on it.

It was fun at the club today, just enough people to not be dull but not enough to drive one crazy and lots of good conversation and cheering on the football game.

I brought up another box of Christmas ornaments and will spend this week getting them on the tree.   Put out two more of my nativity scenes too.

Christmas is coming MUCH too fast and I have too much to do.   Must remember that the trimmings are not the most important thing.   The reason for the season is Jesus and the love and peace that should follow his birth.

Have a good week.

God loves you

Mary