A busy Saturday because Mom is HOME! Who could delight in better than that.
I worked around home this morning. Dick slept until 11AM. What a sleepy head.
I fixed pancakes. I got hungry at about 8AM myself so I ate and put things aside for my sweetheart. Today was Share pickup day. I went there shortly after 9AM and fully expected Dick to be awake but since he wasn't I just let him sleep and just checked on him every half hour or so.
Shortly after noon, I went to see Mother. Randy and Donna had picked her up at about 10AM and got her home and helped her settle in and get lunch. I got there just as she had finished her lunch and stayed about 2 hours. We went over her bills and checkbook and her meds and just plain visited. I have missed our uninterrupted visits.
Talking about the problems with the Wisconsin public employees and their dissidents, we were reminded of other conflicts.
I remember that during the Kohler Strike, Uncle Jack remodeled his home and did some plumbing. Dad went over to see the finished work and just instinctively looked at the plumbing and it was Kohler. He stood up and walked out of that house and did not talk Uncle Jack for many years. Such a tragedy. I thought of it because a friend of mine is at conflict with her daughter about this crisis. Her daughter is a teacher and on the Democratic edge of the situation. She is a died in the wool Republican, much like my Bart, who wants me to come to Oklahoma NOW, to get out of this mess. I hope that my friend and her daughter can just talk. How sad it is to have these emotional rifts between people who love each other. I always do my best to try to see each situation from the view of all the participants.
Then I went to Mass at 4PM. It was a very lovely mass, a bit theatrical, as the folk choir was singing, but beautiful. I find them a bit stagey. (I thing I made up that word.) I was not scheduled for distributing communion but there were not enough people, so I got to do it. I always feel so privileged to be able to share the sacrament with the congregation.
Now it is time to wind down. Dick and I are going to have an ice cream cone for dessert. Doesn't that sound good? Tomorrow will be quiet. I will be working at Rhine from noon to 2PM unless the winter storm heads in sooner than expected. It looks like we will be pretty much homebound until sometime Monday. I told Mom I will be there to see her either Monday or Tuesday, depending on the storm.
So. You all stay safe.
All my love and my Jesus, Mary and Bridget bless you
Mary
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Wow. This was a busy busy day.
\
Dick is exhausted and I am close behind. I overslept a bit. Not much but Jody came to clean at 8AM and I was JUST barely showered and fed before she came.
Jody is delighted that she will be cleaning for Mother next week again. She loves Mother and takes good care of her.
Then at 11:00AM, Megan and a trainee came to check Dick's anti coagulation count and change the dressings on his leg. The wounds are healing so well and his count is just where it should be. SO if, in two weeks, his count is still within range, they will be able to sign him off. By then the next check will be into April so the awful weather will be past and it will be easier to transport him.
Then almost as soon as they left, I drove to the Dairy Queen. Only Marlene, Barbara and I were there but it was worth the trip as we had not seen each other for several weeks. Barbara is as adament about the "wisdom" of our new Governor as Bart is . You do see the tongue in cheek? They see their side and I am a middle person. I know people on both sides. Barbara is distressed because her daughter is a teacher and this is driving them apart to the point that they are having difficulty speaking. How sad. Bart called me last night and told me that we should hurry up and move to Oklahoma because of all these fiscal and political problems that Wisconsin is experiencing.
So, home again, at 1:30PM in time to meet Mike Trefz from Access Ability with Mary Merser from the VNA to discuss the availability and let Dick try a motorized chair. It worked so well. We have to have an interview with Dr. Sharon and have him fill out some papers for Medicare and get the process in the works. It looks very promising. As I really think that his ability to walk is really questionable because of the continuing wounds that keep appearing on his legs, this will afford him a great deal of freedom around and about the house. Bobbie and Bill stopped by just before Mary and Mike came so we had two more ears to hear the presentation. Bobbie brought us a dozen of her special valentine cookies too. Eat your hearts out Jim and Michell and Leslie and Bill. They are SO good.
Then at about 5PM, Nancy picked me up to go to shoot pistol. We are both a bit behind, but will catch up before the bust up. We both are not doing too well what with lack of shooting and I also have my sore neck and arm to contend with. I realized when I got to the club that I was supposed to be working. I managed to get out of it but will be working on Sunday from noon to 2PM.
I wish you could understand how much the Ireland trip meant to me. I always come away feeling closer to myself and to the past inside me. The people and the places are full of history and spirit. These holy wells, the Bridget wells are wonderful and such a bridge from the pre Christian to the Christian part of our heritage.
Last Monday I shared water from the Wells with my bible study and this week will share the flame of Solas Bride, hoping to spread the message of peace and justice throughout this world of ours that is in such need of these gifts.
God love you
Mary
\
Dick is exhausted and I am close behind. I overslept a bit. Not much but Jody came to clean at 8AM and I was JUST barely showered and fed before she came.
Jody is delighted that she will be cleaning for Mother next week again. She loves Mother and takes good care of her.
Then at 11:00AM, Megan and a trainee came to check Dick's anti coagulation count and change the dressings on his leg. The wounds are healing so well and his count is just where it should be. SO if, in two weeks, his count is still within range, they will be able to sign him off. By then the next check will be into April so the awful weather will be past and it will be easier to transport him.
Then almost as soon as they left, I drove to the Dairy Queen. Only Marlene, Barbara and I were there but it was worth the trip as we had not seen each other for several weeks. Barbara is as adament about the "wisdom" of our new Governor as Bart is . You do see the tongue in cheek? They see their side and I am a middle person. I know people on both sides. Barbara is distressed because her daughter is a teacher and this is driving them apart to the point that they are having difficulty speaking. How sad. Bart called me last night and told me that we should hurry up and move to Oklahoma because of all these fiscal and political problems that Wisconsin is experiencing.
So, home again, at 1:30PM in time to meet Mike Trefz from Access Ability with Mary Merser from the VNA to discuss the availability and let Dick try a motorized chair. It worked so well. We have to have an interview with Dr. Sharon and have him fill out some papers for Medicare and get the process in the works. It looks very promising. As I really think that his ability to walk is really questionable because of the continuing wounds that keep appearing on his legs, this will afford him a great deal of freedom around and about the house. Bobbie and Bill stopped by just before Mary and Mike came so we had two more ears to hear the presentation. Bobbie brought us a dozen of her special valentine cookies too. Eat your hearts out Jim and Michell and Leslie and Bill. They are SO good.
Then at about 5PM, Nancy picked me up to go to shoot pistol. We are both a bit behind, but will catch up before the bust up. We both are not doing too well what with lack of shooting and I also have my sore neck and arm to contend with. I realized when I got to the club that I was supposed to be working. I managed to get out of it but will be working on Sunday from noon to 2PM.
I wish you could understand how much the Ireland trip meant to me. I always come away feeling closer to myself and to the past inside me. The people and the places are full of history and spirit. These holy wells, the Bridget wells are wonderful and such a bridge from the pre Christian to the Christian part of our heritage.
Last Monday I shared water from the Wells with my bible study and this week will share the flame of Solas Bride, hoping to spread the message of peace and justice throughout this world of ours that is in such need of these gifts.
God love you
Mary
Thursday, February 17, 2011
A lovely day. Some sun, some clouds, some fog. But temperatures were up into the mid to high 50s and we definitely felt like spring. We know, of course that this is just one of those little teasers that are thrown to us at this time of year and that as the old saying goes. Don't plant until after Memorial Day because there is still a chance of frost or even snow. But it does not make the warmth any less welcome.
I worked very hard today labeling all fo the pictures from the Ireland trip and making a nice pot of soup and some lasagna.
This evening I went to Antonio's in downtown Plymouth for a retirement party or my friend Kaye Beck. She is a mortgage banker that I worked with for over 10 years and she, with 10 more years is now retiring too. I saw so many old friends. Gene Hickey and his wife Chris, Gary Kramer and his wife Suzie, Kaye's daughter Shelley and her husband Larry and many more. Even my old bosses Jane Gretzinger and Steve were there and I love them because they say I have not changed a bit. Perhaps that is because I was wearing a jacket that they saw me working in before.Tee! Hee!
Fritz and Kaye are leaving on their first trip on March 6 and well be gone for over a month. Kaye's mother was there too and she looks lovely. Such a nice party. I am so glad that I was invited and could go. I pray that their days ahead will be as blessed as Dick and I have had.
So. Only two more days til Mother comes home. I imagine that she is chomping at the bit. We think we have every thing ready for her safety and well being.
Pray for her and us too.
God love you
Mary
.
I worked very hard today labeling all fo the pictures from the Ireland trip and making a nice pot of soup and some lasagna.
This evening I went to Antonio's in downtown Plymouth for a retirement party or my friend Kaye Beck. She is a mortgage banker that I worked with for over 10 years and she, with 10 more years is now retiring too. I saw so many old friends. Gene Hickey and his wife Chris, Gary Kramer and his wife Suzie, Kaye's daughter Shelley and her husband Larry and many more. Even my old bosses Jane Gretzinger and Steve were there and I love them because they say I have not changed a bit. Perhaps that is because I was wearing a jacket that they saw me working in before.Tee! Hee!
Fritz and Kaye are leaving on their first trip on March 6 and well be gone for over a month. Kaye's mother was there too and she looks lovely. Such a nice party. I am so glad that I was invited and could go. I pray that their days ahead will be as blessed as Dick and I have had.
So. Only two more days til Mother comes home. I imagine that she is chomping at the bit. We think we have every thing ready for her safety and well being.
Pray for her and us too.
God love you
Mary
.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
What a busy Wednesday. Shopping this morning. That got very exciting as I got out of the store and checked my receipt as it seemed a bit high and found an item for $40. I knew that was wrong so went back. We figured out what we thought it was and I got a credit, then when I got home, I found that an item that I was NOT charged for. So next week I will be giving them $5.24. Then we will be even.
Home again, I spent the day paying Mom's bills, clearing off the desk (again), and labeling my pictures. I downloaded everything to a disk today and it worked. Now I want to download some to the viewer tomorrow. I can only do about 60 of them which will be more than enough.
Another story about Ireland. I have the email of a place that does custom knits in Dublin. (www.irishclothing.ie.) They apparently have done some really great things with knit patterns. Anyway, when I heard about them, I was wearing a pair of the sox that Bobbie made for me. So I showed everybody the sox and they were all jealous AND amazed. So I called them my Bobbie Sox and bragged a LOT.
Tonight I picked up Sy Regan and went to Karl Elder's (a professor at Lakeland College) Poetry Circle at Mead Library. There were about a dozen of us there tonight. Sy had called me last year and asked if I was considering going to them as he cannot drive anymore because of his vision problems. It is good for me to get the incentive to write from really good local poets and Karl so I was glad to be able to drive Sy there. Sy is a friend from forever. I only met him about 25 years ago, but he asked my Grandpa Deeley to be his confirmation sponsor many many years ago and my Dad was his boy scout leader. As Sy was and probably still is active in scouting, that was quite a strong influence. I am proud of Dad.
Home again, I am winding down. Tomorrow I will be home until almost 5PM when I am going to a retirement party at Antonios for Kaye Beck. Kaye and I worked at Wells Fargo for years together. She is a dear. I will tell her that she and Fritz should travel and do everything that they can dream that they can afford NOW. Not push it but not put things off because one never knows what will happen and what might make mobility a problem. Dick and I have such memories because we did what we wanted for those years before he got sick. Don't wait for the "right time" just explore and enjoy.
All my love and God love you
Mary
Home again, I spent the day paying Mom's bills, clearing off the desk (again), and labeling my pictures. I downloaded everything to a disk today and it worked. Now I want to download some to the viewer tomorrow. I can only do about 60 of them which will be more than enough.
Another story about Ireland. I have the email of a place that does custom knits in Dublin. (www.irishclothing.ie.) They apparently have done some really great things with knit patterns. Anyway, when I heard about them, I was wearing a pair of the sox that Bobbie made for me. So I showed everybody the sox and they were all jealous AND amazed. So I called them my Bobbie Sox and bragged a LOT.
Tonight I picked up Sy Regan and went to Karl Elder's (a professor at Lakeland College) Poetry Circle at Mead Library. There were about a dozen of us there tonight. Sy had called me last year and asked if I was considering going to them as he cannot drive anymore because of his vision problems. It is good for me to get the incentive to write from really good local poets and Karl so I was glad to be able to drive Sy there. Sy is a friend from forever. I only met him about 25 years ago, but he asked my Grandpa Deeley to be his confirmation sponsor many many years ago and my Dad was his boy scout leader. As Sy was and probably still is active in scouting, that was quite a strong influence. I am proud of Dad.
Home again, I am winding down. Tomorrow I will be home until almost 5PM when I am going to a retirement party at Antonios for Kaye Beck. Kaye and I worked at Wells Fargo for years together. She is a dear. I will tell her that she and Fritz should travel and do everything that they can dream that they can afford NOW. Not push it but not put things off because one never knows what will happen and what might make mobility a problem. Dick and I have such memories because we did what we wanted for those years before he got sick. Don't wait for the "right time" just explore and enjoy.
All my love and God love you
Mary
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
A full and exciting day. I was home until after lujnch, but my dear friend Janet Bieschke came over around 10AM to help me learn how to import pictures to Facebook. I figure that each thing I learn will help me become more proficient in Facebook. I really need to spend at least a bit of my morning updating myself on what is going on there.
We ha spaghetti again for dinner. As spaghetti does it gets better every time we have it. I think I will prepare some lasagna with the sauce on Thursday.
After lunch I went to vote. I stopped at the post office to mail a couple of packages and pick up some stamps. Then I went to the bank to cash a couple of checks that I had to replenish my personal stash which was down to absolute zero. I feel better now.
We just lunched tonight for our dinner.
I called my friend Bob today and we are going to get together for lunch next week, date to be decided when he has his work schedule. The Brigitine nuns at Solas Brede where the Brigid flame is being kept burning, were excited about his Patrick so I promised that I would send them one. Bob says that he has some of the prints left so I will purchase one for them. I love his Patrick and his Francis and he is going to put together a Bridget for us.
I am watching the Westminster Dog show. I have enjoyed this show for 12 years now, ever since I stumbled onto it the year that the Papilon won the best in she. That dog was such a ham and proud as could be. He knew he was great.
I have learned to put pictures on Facebook and am working on that. I am moving slowly and very selectively. So far, my biggest problem is how to delete one that I put in twice.
Take care and enjoy this warmer weather.
God love you
Mary
We ha spaghetti again for dinner. As spaghetti does it gets better every time we have it. I think I will prepare some lasagna with the sauce on Thursday.
After lunch I went to vote. I stopped at the post office to mail a couple of packages and pick up some stamps. Then I went to the bank to cash a couple of checks that I had to replenish my personal stash which was down to absolute zero. I feel better now.
We just lunched tonight for our dinner.
I called my friend Bob today and we are going to get together for lunch next week, date to be decided when he has his work schedule. The Brigitine nuns at Solas Brede where the Brigid flame is being kept burning, were excited about his Patrick so I promised that I would send them one. Bob says that he has some of the prints left so I will purchase one for them. I love his Patrick and his Francis and he is going to put together a Bridget for us.
I am watching the Westminster Dog show. I have enjoyed this show for 12 years now, ever since I stumbled onto it the year that the Papilon won the best in she. That dog was such a ham and proud as could be. He knew he was great.
I have learned to put pictures on Facebook and am working on that. I am moving slowly and very selectively. So far, my biggest problem is how to delete one that I put in twice.
Take care and enjoy this warmer weather.
God love you
Mary
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day again.
I left early for Bible Study to stop at Walmart. My friend Kate told me that they had Irish shirts not far from the Green Bay Packer stuff. The Irish T Shirts were only $5. I got Dick and me matching shirts that call us Hooligans. and another shirt for myself that is rather pretty. I also found a Packer tshirt for myself. They did not have any in Dick's size so I got a commemorative mug. It just seemed right.
Then on to Bible Study. I shared a Bridget prayer and water from the holy wells with my fellow bible study people. Next week, I will share the flame. I forgot my candle today. So this gives a chance to share twice with the bible study group. This week the water and next week the sharing of the flame of peace and justice.
After a good discussion at bible study, I drove into Sheboygan to see Mother. She is doing very well and looking forward to going home. We are still a bit fuzzy on the date. My understanding is that it will be next weekend, but we need confirmation from SOMEBODY. I just have to take care of reinstating Charter, The housekeeper, her colostomy bags and being sure that her meds are in order. Dolores and Ken came to Meadow View while I was there, just after Mike Gustafson came in with candy and a card for Mother and the PT nurse came to collect her. I did not stay long as we had discussed her bills and she needs her PT as much as possible before going home. Dolores is going to reinstate the Companion Care. Donna called this afternoon to see what was going on. I shared what little I know and she will reinstate the lifeline. So grateful for all of us. I had a friend who was an only child and was, of course, the only one to help her mother and she lived in Milwaukee. She commented at one time how lucky we were to have all of us. And I agreed with her. Then she commented that as she never married or had children that she wondered who would care for her in her old age. We have all. Between the love we have for each other and the love of all of our children we are a wealthy family indeed.
Here is a little poem I wrote as we were flying over the ocean to Ireland:
It is a Haiku
Darkess surrounds us.
We fly over the ocean
Hels up by angels.
Love you
and God does too
Mary
I left early for Bible Study to stop at Walmart. My friend Kate told me that they had Irish shirts not far from the Green Bay Packer stuff. The Irish T Shirts were only $5. I got Dick and me matching shirts that call us Hooligans. and another shirt for myself that is rather pretty. I also found a Packer tshirt for myself. They did not have any in Dick's size so I got a commemorative mug. It just seemed right.
Then on to Bible Study. I shared a Bridget prayer and water from the holy wells with my fellow bible study people. Next week, I will share the flame. I forgot my candle today. So this gives a chance to share twice with the bible study group. This week the water and next week the sharing of the flame of peace and justice.
After a good discussion at bible study, I drove into Sheboygan to see Mother. She is doing very well and looking forward to going home. We are still a bit fuzzy on the date. My understanding is that it will be next weekend, but we need confirmation from SOMEBODY. I just have to take care of reinstating Charter, The housekeeper, her colostomy bags and being sure that her meds are in order. Dolores and Ken came to Meadow View while I was there, just after Mike Gustafson came in with candy and a card for Mother and the PT nurse came to collect her. I did not stay long as we had discussed her bills and she needs her PT as much as possible before going home. Dolores is going to reinstate the Companion Care. Donna called this afternoon to see what was going on. I shared what little I know and she will reinstate the lifeline. So grateful for all of us. I had a friend who was an only child and was, of course, the only one to help her mother and she lived in Milwaukee. She commented at one time how lucky we were to have all of us. And I agreed with her. Then she commented that as she never married or had children that she wondered who would care for her in her old age. We have all. Between the love we have for each other and the love of all of our children we are a wealthy family indeed.
Here is a little poem I wrote as we were flying over the ocean to Ireland:
It is a Haiku
Darkess surrounds us.
We fly over the ocean
Hels up by angels.
Love you
and God does too
Mary
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