What a lovely day. This morning was a bit chilly. And there was a gentle rain/mist falling when I drove to Rocky Knoll at 9AM. But that is OK. It is neither 100 humid degrees or freezing.
I spent a couple of morning hours with Dick. He is looking pretty good. We enjoyed our visit. I left at about 11AM so that I could finish up that I wanted done for the Scone Baking CWI meeting this afternoon.
People started arriving shortly before 2pm. There were 10 of us here. A good turnout and we were a happy bunch. I really enjoyed hosting this and was happy to be able to present a booklet with four of the five scone recipes that were prepared to all the attendees. Joan Schwabe was happy to eat scones that were not all dry and crumbly. She figured from our ravings about scones, that there had to be more to them than she had experienced before. We had Cream Scones, Lemon Scones, Cranberry Orange Scones, Pumpkin Parmesan Scones and Cinnamon Streusel Scones.
A good spirited meeting, covering what we will be doing the rest of the year. Joan Kramer also discussed our car pooling and joining up for IBAM (Irish Book Art Music) at the Irish Historical Center in Chicago in November. Joan and I will both be presenters in the Literary Salon that CWI is hosting. I will be reading my poetry.
Joan is also heading the committee for the Spring Gathering next year. I also told everybody that as I will be helping plan and will be a presenter at the Irish Day at John Michael Kohler Art Center in January, I was not planning any other meeting for that month. Hopefully our members will want to help or at least come to enjoy the day.
I already called my sweetheart to say goodnight. Dick and I always talk at about 7PM. He sounds good. Took him a while to answer, he had not looked at the clock and was in the bathroom brushing his teeth. I am glad that he is taking initiative to take care of himself.
Tomorrow is the day that my parish, St. John the Baptist celebrates it's 150Year anniversary. I am going to the Mass and reception in the afternoon, starting at 1PM. I figure that I probably have to be there at 12PM to be sure that I can park within a mile of the place. So I will again spend part of the morning with Dick and then high tail it over to St. Johns. All three our the choirs are singing and will be doing a special program before the mass. Archbishop Liscecki is officiating. I just want to be a part of it and perhaps meet the Archbishop at the reception.
Busy times, but at least I have enough sense to not double book these days. I have ignored MANY events, because I am learning that I have limits and am picking and choosing my priorities.
God love you all
Mary
Senior View
The Importance of walking
Walking can add minutes to your life.
This enables you at 85 years old
to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing
home at $4,000 per month.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
It was a red letter day today.
I spent the morning at home but left for Rocky Knoll at about 10AM. I had to stop and get a small booklet printed for tomorrow's scone baking CWI event. I am really all ready as I don't have to prepare anything since the snacks will be the scones.
I was there for Dick's OT. They were trying a new procedure for transferring which I wanted to be there for. I need to know all the procedures that he has learned so that when he comes home, I can assist him.
We had lunch together and then at 1PM, Tim from Wisconsin Prosthesis arrived with the new prosthetic.
We spent about an hour and a half, Dick, Tim, the PT staff and me getting that new prosthetic on and doing adjustments for comfort between several stands. He sure looked good standing on two legs again and after all the fitting and fussing, Dick walked the length of the parallel bars.
Now he has to spend the nest week and a half practicing standing, wearing the prosthesis as much as possible until Tim comes back again for more adjustments as the stump is still forming and shrinking. After a few weeks, he will get the final sleeve with the permanent attachment. All went very well.
Nancy and I went shooting tonight. I had not been to the club in months. It was good to see so many of my friends but I don't feel that I can recommit to the work involved in membership. Nancy's friend, my cousin Warren joined us shooting tonight. That was fun. League actually started last week but we were unable to shoot last Friday. I didn't do too badly as it has been three months since I shot last. I at least got all the shots on the target.
Now I can wind down for the night. Tomorrow I will be going to see Dick at 9AM as I want to be home by noon to do the last minute things for the gathering tomorrow afternoon.
So I hope you have a lovely weekend and that all your dreams come true.
God love you
Mary
I spent the morning at home but left for Rocky Knoll at about 10AM. I had to stop and get a small booklet printed for tomorrow's scone baking CWI event. I am really all ready as I don't have to prepare anything since the snacks will be the scones.
I was there for Dick's OT. They were trying a new procedure for transferring which I wanted to be there for. I need to know all the procedures that he has learned so that when he comes home, I can assist him.
We had lunch together and then at 1PM, Tim from Wisconsin Prosthesis arrived with the new prosthetic.
We spent about an hour and a half, Dick, Tim, the PT staff and me getting that new prosthetic on and doing adjustments for comfort between several stands. He sure looked good standing on two legs again and after all the fitting and fussing, Dick walked the length of the parallel bars.
Now he has to spend the nest week and a half practicing standing, wearing the prosthesis as much as possible until Tim comes back again for more adjustments as the stump is still forming and shrinking. After a few weeks, he will get the final sleeve with the permanent attachment. All went very well.
Nancy and I went shooting tonight. I had not been to the club in months. It was good to see so many of my friends but I don't feel that I can recommit to the work involved in membership. Nancy's friend, my cousin Warren joined us shooting tonight. That was fun. League actually started last week but we were unable to shoot last Friday. I didn't do too badly as it has been three months since I shot last. I at least got all the shots on the target.
Now I can wind down for the night. Tomorrow I will be going to see Dick at 9AM as I want to be home by noon to do the last minute things for the gathering tomorrow afternoon.
So I hope you have a lovely weekend and that all your dreams come true.
God love you
Mary
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Lots to do today. I slept until 7:30 AM though which left me really rested for a change. It was in the upper 30s when I woke up. By this evening it had crept up to the low 60s which was really pleasant what with the beautiful blue sky dotted with a few wispy white clouds. I left the door open for about an hour early this evening. It is so nice to air everything out.
I finished two quilt squares today and cut out some more pieces for a Christmas project that I am hoping to be able to finish.
I stopped at Walgreens to pick up a few things and my prescription. They are "remodeling" the whole store which means that they will have everything in a different place. Stores seem to like to do that. I heard that their philosophy is that then people see things they would not have noticed if you leave things the same too long. What a mess in there but I got everything I needed anyway.
Then I went to Rocky Knoll. Dick stood for 5 1/2 minutes today. Then 3 1/2 in the afternoon. He looks better today too. Tired but more alert and he is steady when he stands. We had lunch together. Then in for the OT. I left shortly after 3PM because Jeff stopped by on his way home from Mom's to pick up a tape and a book. He also fixed a railing that was coming loose for me. I am so fortunate to have so much family that love me and help when I need it.
Eileen called last night too to see how Dick was doing. Sometimes I talk to other people who don't have this wonderful blessing of a loving family. God has indeed been good to me.
I washed all the cups and saucers and plates for the Scone Baking and put them on the table. I am going to bring up the round table and chairs from downstairs too. This should be fun. I expect about a dozen of us and four batches of scones.
So. That is pretty much the day. Not too boring, I hope.
I am putting together a scone recipe book for the event. I had an empty page, so filled it with the following.
THE FOUR AGREEMENTS
By Don Miguel Ruiz
1. Be impeccable with your word.
Speak with integrity and say only what you mean.
2. Don’t take anything personally.
Nothing others do is because of you. It simply reflects their own life experiences and the training they
received when they were children.
3. Don’t make assumptions.
Find the courage to ask questions and express what you really want. Communicate as clearly as you can.
And don’t become attached to preconceived ideas of what should happen.
4. Always do your best.
Then never second-guess yourself or look back with regret.
THE FOUR AGREEMENTS
By Don Miguel Ruiz
1. Be impeccable with your word.
Speak with integrity and say only what you mean.
2. Don’t take anything personally.
Nothing others do is because of you. It simply reflects their own life experiences and the training they
received when they were children.
3. Don’t make assumptions.
Find the courage to ask questions and express what you really want. Communicate as clearly as you can.
And don’t become attached to preconceived ideas of what should happen.
4. Always do your best.
Then never second-guess yourself or look back with regret.
God love you
Mary
I finished two quilt squares today and cut out some more pieces for a Christmas project that I am hoping to be able to finish.
I stopped at Walgreens to pick up a few things and my prescription. They are "remodeling" the whole store which means that they will have everything in a different place. Stores seem to like to do that. I heard that their philosophy is that then people see things they would not have noticed if you leave things the same too long. What a mess in there but I got everything I needed anyway.
Then I went to Rocky Knoll. Dick stood for 5 1/2 minutes today. Then 3 1/2 in the afternoon. He looks better today too. Tired but more alert and he is steady when he stands. We had lunch together. Then in for the OT. I left shortly after 3PM because Jeff stopped by on his way home from Mom's to pick up a tape and a book. He also fixed a railing that was coming loose for me. I am so fortunate to have so much family that love me and help when I need it.
Eileen called last night too to see how Dick was doing. Sometimes I talk to other people who don't have this wonderful blessing of a loving family. God has indeed been good to me.
I washed all the cups and saucers and plates for the Scone Baking and put them on the table. I am going to bring up the round table and chairs from downstairs too. This should be fun. I expect about a dozen of us and four batches of scones.
So. That is pretty much the day. Not too boring, I hope.
I am putting together a scone recipe book for the event. I had an empty page, so filled it with the following.
THE FOUR AGREEMENTS
By Don Miguel Ruiz
1. Be impeccable with your word.
Speak with integrity and say only what you mean.
2. Don’t take anything personally.
Nothing others do is because of you. It simply reflects their own life experiences and the training they
received when they were children.
3. Don’t make assumptions.
Find the courage to ask questions and express what you really want. Communicate as clearly as you can.
And don’t become attached to preconceived ideas of what should happen.
4. Always do your best.
Then never second-guess yourself or look back with regret.
THE FOUR AGREEMENTS
By Don Miguel Ruiz
1. Be impeccable with your word.
Speak with integrity and say only what you mean.
2. Don’t take anything personally.
Nothing others do is because of you. It simply reflects their own life experiences and the training they
received when they were children.
3. Don’t make assumptions.
Find the courage to ask questions and express what you really want. Communicate as clearly as you can.
And don’t become attached to preconceived ideas of what should happen.
4. Always do your best.
Then never second-guess yourself or look back with regret.
God love you
Mary
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
A 55degree day. I even wore a jacket and a long sleeved tee today.
I slept a bit late today. Roxie insisted that I feed her at 6AM. But - I went back to bed and slept until after 7. Boy did that feel good.
I had a quick breakfast and then went grocery shopping and filled the gas tank. I was home shortly after 9AM and was able to do a bit of sewing, pay some bills and pull out china for Saturday's Scone Baking. We don't need much but will want tea and coffee and a plate to set the scones on.
Dick was standing for the second time when I arrived at Rocky Knoll. He had stood for 5 minutes and stood for another 5 after I got there. Everybody is so excited. He has not had a fever since Monday and the ache in his chest is almost gone. We had lunch and came back into therapy for OT. He stood again for 3.5 minutes. This is indeed a record. Good practice for Friday when the other prosthesis comes.
At 3PM we went down the hall to the On the Rocks Coctail hour. That is a nice break for us. Out of the room in a social setting with a glass of white wine and each other.
I came home at 4PM. It has been a very quiet evening. I have prepared some things for tomorrow, so that I can get a lot done then and am trying to let myself rest. You know me it is hard not to keep "doing stuff." I intend to crawl in bed at 8PM and read for a while.
Hope your week is going as well as mine.
Love
Mary
I slept a bit late today. Roxie insisted that I feed her at 6AM. But - I went back to bed and slept until after 7. Boy did that feel good.
I had a quick breakfast and then went grocery shopping and filled the gas tank. I was home shortly after 9AM and was able to do a bit of sewing, pay some bills and pull out china for Saturday's Scone Baking. We don't need much but will want tea and coffee and a plate to set the scones on.
Dick was standing for the second time when I arrived at Rocky Knoll. He had stood for 5 minutes and stood for another 5 after I got there. Everybody is so excited. He has not had a fever since Monday and the ache in his chest is almost gone. We had lunch and came back into therapy for OT. He stood again for 3.5 minutes. This is indeed a record. Good practice for Friday when the other prosthesis comes.
At 3PM we went down the hall to the On the Rocks Coctail hour. That is a nice break for us. Out of the room in a social setting with a glass of white wine and each other.
I came home at 4PM. It has been a very quiet evening. I have prepared some things for tomorrow, so that I can get a lot done then and am trying to let myself rest. You know me it is hard not to keep "doing stuff." I intend to crawl in bed at 8PM and read for a while.
Hope your week is going as well as mine.
Love
Mary
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
It is much cooler today. I don't believe that it got over 65. But the sun was shining and I found it quite comfortable. I had my jacket in the car but had no need for it.
I was busy this morning, mainly down in the den.
First: I racked my Currant/Marigold wine for the second time. It is really quite pleasant though kind of raw yet. As Dad used to say. "Let it age.". It will, however, be one of a kind as I figure that this will be the last year I make wine. I have enough Marigold blossoms for a batch of that and then I will be done. I am glad that Bobbie is interested in and making lots of wines as we have all the equipment and it is really nice to keep it in the family. Roxie joined me down there. She really fussed at me for a while. I think she was asking what I was doing down there racking wine without Bobbie.
Then I started sewing. I have so many items in various stages of assembly an since Saturday will be Celtic Women Scone Baking day here and we will be using both ovens, I figure I had better have that area at least looking like I have some semblance of order to my life.
Then I took care of some business and fixes a sandwich for lunch with Dick. Did I tell you I made a small batch of fudge yesterday. This appealed to Dick. I am glad as his appetite, even for things he loves, has not been good. I got to Rocky Knoll just in time to watch him stand for the first time today during his OT session. He actually stood twice then and twice after lunch during PT.
He still has some pain in his chest but the fever is gone. His appetite is still poor but he aims to eat half of what they give him at each meal. He was delighted with the fudge though. He is still losing weight, but at a slower rate, which is fine. Only three more days until the prosthesis for his right leg comes. Yippee!!!
Got a special email tonight. My granddaughter, Nora, who is going to have a baby early next year sent me an email to let me know that they are now absolutley sure that it is a boy. She had expected a girl so now has had to change all her plans for the nursery. I am very delighted. I would have been just as delighted with a girl, of course, but I do have two great grand daughters already and a great grandson will be fun. In any case, it is AMAZING and I am a happy lady.
I figured out how to use the rest of the mini marshmallows. I made 5 Cup Salad: 1 11oz can drained Manderin oranges, 1 8 oz can of pineapple, 1 cup coconut, 2 cups mini marshmallows and 6 oz of sour cream. Yum yum
Have a lovely Wednesday. It is shopping day and also On the Rocks Afternoon at Rocky Knoll. So Dick and I will have our hour date and social hour.
Love you
Mary
I was busy this morning, mainly down in the den.
First: I racked my Currant/Marigold wine for the second time. It is really quite pleasant though kind of raw yet. As Dad used to say. "Let it age.". It will, however, be one of a kind as I figure that this will be the last year I make wine. I have enough Marigold blossoms for a batch of that and then I will be done. I am glad that Bobbie is interested in and making lots of wines as we have all the equipment and it is really nice to keep it in the family. Roxie joined me down there. She really fussed at me for a while. I think she was asking what I was doing down there racking wine without Bobbie.
Then I started sewing. I have so many items in various stages of assembly an since Saturday will be Celtic Women Scone Baking day here and we will be using both ovens, I figure I had better have that area at least looking like I have some semblance of order to my life.
Then I took care of some business and fixes a sandwich for lunch with Dick. Did I tell you I made a small batch of fudge yesterday. This appealed to Dick. I am glad as his appetite, even for things he loves, has not been good. I got to Rocky Knoll just in time to watch him stand for the first time today during his OT session. He actually stood twice then and twice after lunch during PT.
He still has some pain in his chest but the fever is gone. His appetite is still poor but he aims to eat half of what they give him at each meal. He was delighted with the fudge though. He is still losing weight, but at a slower rate, which is fine. Only three more days until the prosthesis for his right leg comes. Yippee!!!
Got a special email tonight. My granddaughter, Nora, who is going to have a baby early next year sent me an email to let me know that they are now absolutley sure that it is a boy. She had expected a girl so now has had to change all her plans for the nursery. I am very delighted. I would have been just as delighted with a girl, of course, but I do have two great grand daughters already and a great grandson will be fun. In any case, it is AMAZING and I am a happy lady.
I figured out how to use the rest of the mini marshmallows. I made 5 Cup Salad: 1 11oz can drained Manderin oranges, 1 8 oz can of pineapple, 1 cup coconut, 2 cups mini marshmallows and 6 oz of sour cream. Yum yum
Have a lovely Wednesday. It is shopping day and also On the Rocks Afternoon at Rocky Knoll. So Dick and I will have our hour date and social hour.
Love you
Mary
Monday, September 12, 2011
Finally as normal a Monday as there will be as long as Dick is at the Rehab Center.
I went to Bible Study this morning. We had seven of us there and discussed Psalm 32 which deals with forgiveness. Sunday's readings were all on forgiveness too. We are amazed at how often this happens. Forgiving is not always that hard but forgetting is. There is a wonderful song called The Poison Tree about not forgiving. It starts by the singer singing that she forgave her friend and the anger died. But she did not forgive her enemy and she nurtured the anger until a Poison Tree grew inside of her.
Then I went to Mother's. We got all her bills paid and had a really good visit. I brought her some of the chicken dinner that I prepared yesterday.
I ate lunch at home and picked up the mail, then went over to Rocky Knoll. Dick was in therapy when I got there. He stood two or three times today. His arms and legs seem to be gaining strength. He stood for 5 minutes this morning. When we left therapy we went to the nurses station as he said that his shoulder is hurting again. He has a slight fever and the nurse could hear some congestion in his back. They emailed Dr. Sharon who suggested going back to Memorial. HOWEVER, Dick and I were not thrilled with that. Another tiring trip with all those tests and then a return later tonight which is what I am SURE they would do did not seem practical. He is still on antibiotics from last week. The doctor is going to prescribe the breathing therapy that helps break up things and he can ask for more pain meds if the pain gets worse. I would rather see if this will help first and Dick was delighted with the option.
Good news. His prosthesis will be here on Friday.
I came home at 5:30PM right after supper. I made some fudge. I had some miniature marshmallows and an open can of canned milk that I did not want to waste. I still have some marshmallows. Got to think of something.
Tomorrow is a quiet day - no appointments. Just can do things I want to, like sew, straighten out for Saturday and rack the currant/marigold wine. Then I will go to be with my guy at 11:30 and have lunch with him.
God love you
Mary
I went to Bible Study this morning. We had seven of us there and discussed Psalm 32 which deals with forgiveness. Sunday's readings were all on forgiveness too. We are amazed at how often this happens. Forgiving is not always that hard but forgetting is. There is a wonderful song called The Poison Tree about not forgiving. It starts by the singer singing that she forgave her friend and the anger died. But she did not forgive her enemy and she nurtured the anger until a Poison Tree grew inside of her.
Then I went to Mother's. We got all her bills paid and had a really good visit. I brought her some of the chicken dinner that I prepared yesterday.
I ate lunch at home and picked up the mail, then went over to Rocky Knoll. Dick was in therapy when I got there. He stood two or three times today. His arms and legs seem to be gaining strength. He stood for 5 minutes this morning. When we left therapy we went to the nurses station as he said that his shoulder is hurting again. He has a slight fever and the nurse could hear some congestion in his back. They emailed Dr. Sharon who suggested going back to Memorial. HOWEVER, Dick and I were not thrilled with that. Another tiring trip with all those tests and then a return later tonight which is what I am SURE they would do did not seem practical. He is still on antibiotics from last week. The doctor is going to prescribe the breathing therapy that helps break up things and he can ask for more pain meds if the pain gets worse. I would rather see if this will help first and Dick was delighted with the option.
Good news. His prosthesis will be here on Friday.
I came home at 5:30PM right after supper. I made some fudge. I had some miniature marshmallows and an open can of canned milk that I did not want to waste. I still have some marshmallows. Got to think of something.
Tomorrow is a quiet day - no appointments. Just can do things I want to, like sew, straighten out for Saturday and rack the currant/marigold wine. Then I will go to be with my guy at 11:30 and have lunch with him.
God love you
Mary
Sunday, September 11, 2011
What a lovely Sunday. It was a bit warm today but not unbearable.
I went over to Rocky Knoll at about 9AM. Dick was up and looking pretty good. I went down to the Activity Room to help bring residents down to the Mass which is at 10AM. I brought two down. A very gentle man and a sweet lovely lady. I enjoyed the Mass. Father talked about 911 at the beginning and then the sermon was about forgiveness. Forgiven and forgiving, he said. We need both sides of the coin.
We had lunch together. Then watched the Chicago/Atlanta game. I was on the wrong side of that one for my Football league. I cam home at 3PM and tried to sleep but did not do too well. That's OK, I will get to bed early tonight.
This week will be the beginning of things being semi normal, unless Dick gets really sick again. Let's all pray for health for Dick. I think he is overdue.
Have a good week. Sleep tight
Mary
I went over to Rocky Knoll at about 9AM. Dick was up and looking pretty good. I went down to the Activity Room to help bring residents down to the Mass which is at 10AM. I brought two down. A very gentle man and a sweet lovely lady. I enjoyed the Mass. Father talked about 911 at the beginning and then the sermon was about forgiveness. Forgiven and forgiving, he said. We need both sides of the coin.
We had lunch together. Then watched the Chicago/Atlanta game. I was on the wrong side of that one for my Football league. I cam home at 3PM and tried to sleep but did not do too well. That's OK, I will get to bed early tonight.
This week will be the beginning of things being semi normal, unless Dick gets really sick again. Let's all pray for health for Dick. I think he is overdue.
Have a good week. Sleep tight
Mary
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