What a nice New Year's Eve and Day. Dick slept all night until 6AM so I got a good night's sleep also.
We got up and kind of lazed into the day. A light breakfast and I did a lot of wash. I also got the Christmas Box for Michelle and Jim FINALLY packed and ready for the post office.
I finished making a lovely strawberry tart for tonight's dessert. Suzi couldn't come because she was sick but Bobbie and Bill came so we had the same meal. I saw no sense in changing anything. The strawberries were really nice. - from Florida. I also prepared Braciole de Manzo, one of my venison dishes, with a side of garlic Parmesan spaghetti and a carrot salad. We had Bobbie's Barolo wine with dinner and a Barefoot Pinot Grigio Champagne to toast in the New Year.
It was a nice way to see out the old year. I am sure that I will be asleep before midnight and we all got to toast the old and welcome the new with t he Champagne with a strawberry dropped into it.
I went to Mass today at 4PM. Tomorrow I will only go out onec, at around lunch time. I am taking Mom's noon meal to her and will eat with her.
I talked to George today to update him on Uncle Bob's funeral arrangements. We will miss Uncle Bob and his great smile.
So Happy New Year to you all.
Until 2012
Dia Dhuit
Mary
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
This was not the best day but not the worst either.
Suzi was going to come tomorrow, but called early this afternoon to say that she is sick and we will have to put her visit off until she is better. We don't want germs brought into this house and certainly don't want her traveling from Sussex if she is ill so we will look forward to her visit in 2012. Can you believe that Sunday will be January 1st of 2012. I think I mentioned this many years ago. When I was a little girl, as I was born in 1940, I realized that I would be 60 years old at the turn of the century. That seemed so old. Now I am 71, and as my Mother would say. "It still seems old."
Usually I don't feel old, so don't give me the lecture about your are only as old as you feel. Sometimes I DO feel every year and when I do I deserve to feel that way. Most of the time, I am still eager to get on with the things I love to do and when I am doing them, and caring for others, especially Dick and Mom, I do not feel old. Often, very tired, but never done.
The only person who came into our house today was Jody, my house cleaner. She is always welcome as she gets the house in order for me and if I ask for anything she always does it. Today, I asked that she help me make the bed downstairs for Suzi. She just did it herself. She said that I look tired.
I don't know whether I mentioned it, but Jeff called last night to tell me that Uncle Bob Finger, Aunt Kathleen's husband, died yesterday. He had been ill enough that they delayed their trip south for the winter, but he had been doing quite well. So it was unexpected. I will miss his yearly call to see if I want to purchase the Optimist's Packer yearbook. Aunt Kathleen is my godmother, you know. I am very blessed.
Dick did not sleep well last night. So he slept off and on all day. I hope this is not the beginning of the old being up all night and sleeping all day that he had going before. I guess I should not be a pessimist. One night does not a pattern establish.
We had some of the turkey pot pie for dinner. It really is good. We will get one more meal out of it. I worked on preparing our New Year's dinner. Even if Suzi can't come, Bobbie and Bill will be here. We will have Braciole de Manzo, garlic buttered spaghetti and carrot salad with strawberry tart and Champagne with fresh strawberries dropped in it so we can see them bounce up and down.
So until tomorrow, the LAST day of 2011. Sleep well, Another year is upon us, pray that it will be a good year but whatever it brings we will hang together and make the most of it.
I love you all
“Athbhlian faoi mhaise
Mary
Suzi was going to come tomorrow, but called early this afternoon to say that she is sick and we will have to put her visit off until she is better. We don't want germs brought into this house and certainly don't want her traveling from Sussex if she is ill so we will look forward to her visit in 2012. Can you believe that Sunday will be January 1st of 2012. I think I mentioned this many years ago. When I was a little girl, as I was born in 1940, I realized that I would be 60 years old at the turn of the century. That seemed so old. Now I am 71, and as my Mother would say. "It still seems old."
Usually I don't feel old, so don't give me the lecture about your are only as old as you feel. Sometimes I DO feel every year and when I do I deserve to feel that way. Most of the time, I am still eager to get on with the things I love to do and when I am doing them, and caring for others, especially Dick and Mom, I do not feel old. Often, very tired, but never done.
The only person who came into our house today was Jody, my house cleaner. She is always welcome as she gets the house in order for me and if I ask for anything she always does it. Today, I asked that she help me make the bed downstairs for Suzi. She just did it herself. She said that I look tired.
I don't know whether I mentioned it, but Jeff called last night to tell me that Uncle Bob Finger, Aunt Kathleen's husband, died yesterday. He had been ill enough that they delayed their trip south for the winter, but he had been doing quite well. So it was unexpected. I will miss his yearly call to see if I want to purchase the Optimist's Packer yearbook. Aunt Kathleen is my godmother, you know. I am very blessed.
Dick did not sleep well last night. So he slept off and on all day. I hope this is not the beginning of the old being up all night and sleeping all day that he had going before. I guess I should not be a pessimist. One night does not a pattern establish.
We had some of the turkey pot pie for dinner. It really is good. We will get one more meal out of it. I worked on preparing our New Year's dinner. Even if Suzi can't come, Bobbie and Bill will be here. We will have Braciole de Manzo, garlic buttered spaghetti and carrot salad with strawberry tart and Champagne with fresh strawberries dropped in it so we can see them bounce up and down.
So until tomorrow, the LAST day of 2011. Sleep well, Another year is upon us, pray that it will be a good year but whatever it brings we will hang together and make the most of it.
I love you all
“Athbhlian faoi mhaise
Mary
Thursday, December 29, 2011
A pretty good day. We did sleep until 7ish this morning, as since Dick had trouble getting to sleep last night, I did too.
But up we did get and in plenty of time to be ready when the PT, Ellen and the OT, Lauren, came so that they could work together on Dick's "getting up out of bed skills". Between them and the later aids, we did come up with a couple of nice hints, such as lowering the guard rail when he is getting into bed and raising and/or lowering the bed if it will help.
After they left, Dick stayed in bed for about an hour and I cleaned up the kitchen and a couple of drawers in the bathroom. I am trying to come up with an efficient way to centralize all of the different cleaning products and lotions that we have gathered over this past several months.
We had the rest of the meatballs and rice for lunch. Then I rested until about 1:30PM as the next VNA, a home care specialist came at 2PM to give Dick a REALLY good sponge bath. I think I mentioned that yesterday we washed his hair as we always did. He stood by the sink and I just did it. Just as we did before.
The home health aide was named Nancy, but she probably won't be back again. This week is hit and miss because of the holidays. Too bad. We really like her and now she knows the ropes.
Then, just as she was leaving at about 3PM, Ashley, our nurse for this week, arrived and Nancy handed Dick over to her to get the dressings on his legs checked, cleaned and changed. They really look good. I see no signs of anything new. Cross your fingers. She checked all his vitals and all is good. We also discussed the fall. She checked and I changed the bandage on the scrape on his left arm that Dick and I had discovered yesterday morning. It also is healing just fine. We will change the dressing every other day of so.
Guess What! Tomorrow, - NOBODY is coming and I don't have to go ANYWHERE. We are both just ecstatic about that. We have not had a whole day alone yet.
So. We plan on being in bed before 9PM and sleeping as late as we want.
Now I am going to have a cup of warm decaf coffee with a glass of Bailey's, a gift from Richard and Brenda at Christmas.
So Dia Dhuit
Mary
But up we did get and in plenty of time to be ready when the PT, Ellen and the OT, Lauren, came so that they could work together on Dick's "getting up out of bed skills". Between them and the later aids, we did come up with a couple of nice hints, such as lowering the guard rail when he is getting into bed and raising and/or lowering the bed if it will help.
After they left, Dick stayed in bed for about an hour and I cleaned up the kitchen and a couple of drawers in the bathroom. I am trying to come up with an efficient way to centralize all of the different cleaning products and lotions that we have gathered over this past several months.
We had the rest of the meatballs and rice for lunch. Then I rested until about 1:30PM as the next VNA, a home care specialist came at 2PM to give Dick a REALLY good sponge bath. I think I mentioned that yesterday we washed his hair as we always did. He stood by the sink and I just did it. Just as we did before.
The home health aide was named Nancy, but she probably won't be back again. This week is hit and miss because of the holidays. Too bad. We really like her and now she knows the ropes.
Then, just as she was leaving at about 3PM, Ashley, our nurse for this week, arrived and Nancy handed Dick over to her to get the dressings on his legs checked, cleaned and changed. They really look good. I see no signs of anything new. Cross your fingers. She checked all his vitals and all is good. We also discussed the fall. She checked and I changed the bandage on the scrape on his left arm that Dick and I had discovered yesterday morning. It also is healing just fine. We will change the dressing every other day of so.
Guess What! Tomorrow, - NOBODY is coming and I don't have to go ANYWHERE. We are both just ecstatic about that. We have not had a whole day alone yet.
So. We plan on being in bed before 9PM and sleeping as late as we want.
Now I am going to have a cup of warm decaf coffee with a glass of Bailey's, a gift from Richard and Brenda at Christmas.
So Dia Dhuit
Mary
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Today was pretty quiet. I only had to leave the house once, to go to my doctor's appointment with the Physiatrist, Dr. Leben right after lunch.
We, of course were busy just with getting ourselves into the day, what with showers and breakfasts and washing clothes and preparing lunch.
We did not get up until after 7AM and there was a good reason for that. There was an "incident" or "adventure", you decide. We got ourselves into the bedroom finally by 9PM last night. I was so tired and Dick wanted to get himself into bed. (He has moved himself before.)
However, I was staring to doze off when I heard a crash and saw my husband sinking towards the floor. He apparently decided that he could do this WITHOUT the walker and it did not work. So, I rushed over and helped him get onto his back and seated. He said that he had hit his head. Fortunately, he did not hit any furniture - the bump on his head is more of a rug burn as he hit the carpet which is on a wood floor so the damage was minimal.
Again - However. We had no way of getting him up. So, after we discussed the possibilities agreed to call 911. They were here in minutes, The police, the fire department paramedics and an ambulance. They checked him all over and found no serious damage, then three of them lifted him up onto the bed. Thank God for them. We had no other way to get him up as he can't even kneel and push up.
Needless to say, he has agreed not to take shortcuts and will be sure that I am there as much as possible even if he does do it himself. At least for a while.
So that is why we slept late. The day was good. No nurses or anybody visiting. Tomorrow, we will have four Visiting Nurse people here throughout the day.
I made a really good turkey pot pie for our lunch. We have leftovers and I am sure it will heat up beautifully.
So now you know what has happened since yesterday.
Hope you like the picture.
Dia Dhuit
Mary
We, of course were busy just with getting ourselves into the day, what with showers and breakfasts and washing clothes and preparing lunch.
We did not get up until after 7AM and there was a good reason for that. There was an "incident" or "adventure", you decide. We got ourselves into the bedroom finally by 9PM last night. I was so tired and Dick wanted to get himself into bed. (He has moved himself before.)
However, I was staring to doze off when I heard a crash and saw my husband sinking towards the floor. He apparently decided that he could do this WITHOUT the walker and it did not work. So, I rushed over and helped him get onto his back and seated. He said that he had hit his head. Fortunately, he did not hit any furniture - the bump on his head is more of a rug burn as he hit the carpet which is on a wood floor so the damage was minimal.
Again - However. We had no way of getting him up. So, after we discussed the possibilities agreed to call 911. They were here in minutes, The police, the fire department paramedics and an ambulance. They checked him all over and found no serious damage, then three of them lifted him up onto the bed. Thank God for them. We had no other way to get him up as he can't even kneel and push up.
Needless to say, he has agreed not to take shortcuts and will be sure that I am there as much as possible even if he does do it himself. At least for a while.
So that is why we slept late. The day was good. No nurses or anybody visiting. Tomorrow, we will have four Visiting Nurse people here throughout the day.
I made a really good turkey pot pie for our lunch. We have leftovers and I am sure it will heat up beautifully.
So now you know what has happened since yesterday.
Hope you like the picture.
Dia Dhuit
Mary
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Here we are at the end of another busy day.
The first appointment was at 9AM. Ellen, the PT, came and put Dick through his paces.
Before she came, I did all the usual things, ( the additions for Dick are STARTING to fall into place). and then took the trash out. It was a crap shoot as to whether they would come today. They are not consistent, but sometimes with a holiday involved, they will come the next day. I KNOW that they picked up the recyclables and assume that they have also picked up the regular trash.
After she left, I went to the bank and then on to Rocky Knoll to drop off the cushion to therapy, pay the bill and pick up the few things that I had not noticed that last day. (We seem to have gained an enema bag. Yippee!. Don't know who would do the administering. Not Me! Got to draw the line somewhere.)
I got home in time to take my time preparing lunch. We had chili - easy, but it was frozen so I had to defrost it. I took a nice short nap after lunch and then did our grocery shopping. I found a new cooking tool. A simple device to put olive oil into and spritz it on to food or onto grills or pans. This way I won't need to buy spray cans of stuff.
Lauren, the OT, came at 4:15PM. She reviewed several things with us as to bathing and getting in and out of bed and gave some suggestions. She will be back on Thursday at 9AM with Ellen, the PT. Tomorrow we are supposed to have a Home Health Care Worker come to give Dick a really good sponge bath. We will wash his hair tomorrow if they do not come as we know he can stand by the sink for way long enough time to do that.
We still have nice things to eat for our evening meal. Little bits that can offer a variety. I had a slice of pizza and Dick had a cup of soup and half a sandwich. Then we had Bobbie candy for our dessert. We are a spoiled couple of senior citizens.
I called Mom to see how she is. She is still a bit under the weather, but saw the doctor today and he has her on liquids until tomorrow, to clear out her system. Sound like a similar treatment as I got for my food poisoning. I will call tomorrow afternoon to check on her again.
So. The night is drawing to a close and so am I.
Bless you all and keep us safe through the night.
Dia Dhuit
Mary
The first appointment was at 9AM. Ellen, the PT, came and put Dick through his paces.
Before she came, I did all the usual things, ( the additions for Dick are STARTING to fall into place). and then took the trash out. It was a crap shoot as to whether they would come today. They are not consistent, but sometimes with a holiday involved, they will come the next day. I KNOW that they picked up the recyclables and assume that they have also picked up the regular trash.
After she left, I went to the bank and then on to Rocky Knoll to drop off the cushion to therapy, pay the bill and pick up the few things that I had not noticed that last day. (We seem to have gained an enema bag. Yippee!. Don't know who would do the administering. Not Me! Got to draw the line somewhere.)
I got home in time to take my time preparing lunch. We had chili - easy, but it was frozen so I had to defrost it. I took a nice short nap after lunch and then did our grocery shopping. I found a new cooking tool. A simple device to put olive oil into and spritz it on to food or onto grills or pans. This way I won't need to buy spray cans of stuff.
Lauren, the OT, came at 4:15PM. She reviewed several things with us as to bathing and getting in and out of bed and gave some suggestions. She will be back on Thursday at 9AM with Ellen, the PT. Tomorrow we are supposed to have a Home Health Care Worker come to give Dick a really good sponge bath. We will wash his hair tomorrow if they do not come as we know he can stand by the sink for way long enough time to do that.
We still have nice things to eat for our evening meal. Little bits that can offer a variety. I had a slice of pizza and Dick had a cup of soup and half a sandwich. Then we had Bobbie candy for our dessert. We are a spoiled couple of senior citizens.
I called Mom to see how she is. She is still a bit under the weather, but saw the doctor today and he has her on liquids until tomorrow, to clear out her system. Sound like a similar treatment as I got for my food poisoning. I will call tomorrow afternoon to check on her again.
So. The night is drawing to a close and so am I.
Bless you all and keep us safe through the night.
Dia Dhuit
Mary
Monday, December 26, 2011
Yesterday did not leave any time to post. I hope you were also so involved in your special Christmas celebrations and did not have time to even think about my little blog.
Christmas morning was spent getting Dick and my all "spit and polished" and ready for out company. Richard and Brenda and Bobbie and Bill were arriving in mid afternoon for the beginning or our family celebration. Dick and I emptied our stockings. Yes. Santa did fill the stockings again. He is always so nice to us. Candy and desk supplies. I also gave Dick the Green Bay Packer stock certificate that "Mrs. Santa" obtained for me to give to him.
Leslie called early Christmas afternoon and I had a lovely talk with her and Bill. She was fixing a turkey for their dinner. We opened the box from them today and it is a sugar free Whitman Sampler. What a good idea.
Everybody arrived between 3 and 4PM for the big gathering. Bobbie put on a super meal beginning with a sumptuous array of appetizers. Stefano's Glop is really GOOD. We had a glass of Prairie Fume with the appetizers.
Dinner was preceded by the present opening. I think everybody was happy. I know that Dick and I marvel at the care and love that is put into the gifts that were presented to us. We are so blessed to be so loved. For example, I was given a set of Waterford stainless silverware because my loved ones saw how pitiful my silverware was. AND it is BEAUTIFUL. I would like to feed the world.
Bobbie then put dinner on the table. Rolled Italian bread loaf and Spinach bread rolled loaf - accompanied by a salad and frozen peas with homemade Bobbie Candy for dessert We had Bobbie's Domaine Du May Italian Barolo with dinner and an excellent Champagne, brought by Richard and Brenda to drink with the super candy. I recommend good candy with good champagne.
We finished off the evening with a Packer victory. Bobbie and Bill had to go home before it was over but it was a fitting ending to a perfect day.
Today I got up shortly before 7AM. I knew that I could not go to both bible study and to visit mother as it would be too long away to Dick, so I opted out of bible study. Ellen, our physical therapist called and came to work with Dick at 10AM. Then Denise, a RN came at 1:30 PM to check him all over and work with us.
Richard and Brenda were with us until 1:30PM. Richard has our computers working like clockwork and has showed us that we have SKYPE and can now communicate with other SKYPE people with a flick of a finger. I am so excited. I am sure that Bart and Barb will have this capability and, of course, Brenda and Dick do and we were all signed up with them. YES!
After Denise left, I hightailed it over to see Mother. I knew that she had had a rather difficult night but she seems to be improving rapidly and was not abnormally tired or weak so I felt better about her when I left. I took her her Christmas Present a book called "It's Not Yours, 'Til You Like It" a book about Prange's in Sheboygan. There is a story told by Mother about Grandpa Bowser, her father and my grandpa in the book. I transcribed it for her and sent it in for her.
So Boxing Day is over. I hope things slow down some by the end of the week. After a bit, I won't have to be so involved in watching the therapy. Unless something new comes up.
So thats it for the day. We have two therapy appointments tomorrow and I will go to the bank and grocery shopping. Pretty easy Huh!
Dia Dhuit
Mary
JUST FOR FUN
Christmas morning was spent getting Dick and my all "spit and polished" and ready for out company. Richard and Brenda and Bobbie and Bill were arriving in mid afternoon for the beginning or our family celebration. Dick and I emptied our stockings. Yes. Santa did fill the stockings again. He is always so nice to us. Candy and desk supplies. I also gave Dick the Green Bay Packer stock certificate that "Mrs. Santa" obtained for me to give to him.
Leslie called early Christmas afternoon and I had a lovely talk with her and Bill. She was fixing a turkey for their dinner. We opened the box from them today and it is a sugar free Whitman Sampler. What a good idea.
Everybody arrived between 3 and 4PM for the big gathering. Bobbie put on a super meal beginning with a sumptuous array of appetizers. Stefano's Glop is really GOOD. We had a glass of Prairie Fume with the appetizers.
Dinner was preceded by the present opening. I think everybody was happy. I know that Dick and I marvel at the care and love that is put into the gifts that were presented to us. We are so blessed to be so loved. For example, I was given a set of Waterford stainless silverware because my loved ones saw how pitiful my silverware was. AND it is BEAUTIFUL. I would like to feed the world.
Bobbie then put dinner on the table. Rolled Italian bread loaf and Spinach bread rolled loaf - accompanied by a salad and frozen peas with homemade Bobbie Candy for dessert We had Bobbie's Domaine Du May Italian Barolo with dinner and an excellent Champagne, brought by Richard and Brenda to drink with the super candy. I recommend good candy with good champagne.
We finished off the evening with a Packer victory. Bobbie and Bill had to go home before it was over but it was a fitting ending to a perfect day.
Today I got up shortly before 7AM. I knew that I could not go to both bible study and to visit mother as it would be too long away to Dick, so I opted out of bible study. Ellen, our physical therapist called and came to work with Dick at 10AM. Then Denise, a RN came at 1:30 PM to check him all over and work with us.
Richard and Brenda were with us until 1:30PM. Richard has our computers working like clockwork and has showed us that we have SKYPE and can now communicate with other SKYPE people with a flick of a finger. I am so excited. I am sure that Bart and Barb will have this capability and, of course, Brenda and Dick do and we were all signed up with them. YES!
After Denise left, I hightailed it over to see Mother. I knew that she had had a rather difficult night but she seems to be improving rapidly and was not abnormally tired or weak so I felt better about her when I left. I took her her Christmas Present a book called "It's Not Yours, 'Til You Like It" a book about Prange's in Sheboygan. There is a story told by Mother about Grandpa Bowser, her father and my grandpa in the book. I transcribed it for her and sent it in for her.
So Boxing Day is over. I hope things slow down some by the end of the week. After a bit, I won't have to be so involved in watching the therapy. Unless something new comes up.
So thats it for the day. We have two therapy appointments tomorrow and I will go to the bank and grocery shopping. Pretty easy Huh!
Dia Dhuit
Mary
JUST FOR FUN
Subject: Copper Wire
After having dug to a depth of 10 feet last year, New York scientists found traces of copper wire dating back 100 years and came to the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network more than 100 years ago
Not to be outdone by the New Yorkers, a California archaeologist dug to a depth of 20 feet and shortly after, a story in the LA Times newspaper read:"California archaeologists' discover 200 year old copper wire, have concluded that their ancestors already had an advanced high-tech communications network a hundred years earlier than the New Yorkers."
One week later, a local newspaper in Manitowoc, WI, reported the following: "After digging as deep as 30 feet in his pasture near Valders, WI, Ole Olsen, a self-taught archaeologist, reported that he found absolutely nothing. Ole, has therefore concluded that 300 years ago, Wisconsin had already gone wireless."
Makes one proud to be from Wisconsin.
Not to be outdone by the New Yorkers, a California archaeologist dug to a depth of 20 feet and shortly after, a story in the LA Times newspaper read:"California archaeologists' discover 200 year old copper wire, have concluded that their ancestors already had an advanced high-tech communications network a hundred years earlier than the New Yorkers."
One week later, a local newspaper in Manitowoc, WI, reported the following: "After digging as deep as 30 feet in his pasture near Valders, WI, Ole Olsen, a self-taught archaeologist, reported that he found absolutely nothing. Ole, has therefore concluded that 300 years ago, Wisconsin had already gone wireless."
Makes one proud to be from Wisconsin.
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