A day mainly at home.   That is always a pleasure.   I slept until 8AM which is also a pleasure.

I believe that the shots Dr. Leben gave me on Wednesday are working.    I have far less pain in my arm and shoulder.   By next Wednesday we should know if it has been successful.   Then we will see how long the shots bring relief.   If it is over 6 months it will be worth continuing .  Pray for this as the other option is orthoscopic surgery of the shoulder.   Don't like that at all.

I took pretty much the day off.  I made Briocoli de Manzo, an absolutely delicious dish with venison, ham, cheese, much like a rouladin and stewed in fresh tomatoes with basil and parsley.  So good, so tender.  I have three more meals.  So if someone wants to join me for dinner let me know.  The tomatoes were fresh Romas that I got from my friend Alison.

I also am experimenting with polenta.   I never could have done that with Dick here.   He would have told me that why would he try it if he didn't like it.    I sauteed a lot of celery, onions and peppers in butter and then stirred in the warmed polenta.   It is quite good.  I will have it with my coconut shrimp tomorrow.   Want to come?  I will be eating my main meal at about 12:30PM.  

I also have prepared a nice big pot of tomato basil soup with the tomatoes that were given to me by some elf the other day.   More than I could eat before they spoiled so I decided to treat myself.  I am restocking my soups anyway.    Homemade are so MUCH better than canned.

I went to Mass with my neighbors, the Bernauers this afternoon.   That was nice.   It is always good to be with someone and Rita, who I often take with me, was in Appleton with her daughter.

Tomorrow I am home ALL day and will take my time and just try to finish a couple of projects and work on St. Erwann.    You will understand when I finish the book next year.

All my love

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Hello

It was quite a day.    I was so tired this morning.   I fed Roxie at 6AM, then went back to bed for a bit.  I intended to get up at 7 but woke at 7:30.   Had to rush a bit because Jody comes to clean on Fridays at 8AM.

I am picking up the paper and mail for my neighbor and when I looked at the obits, I found that one of my bank lady friend's, Marlene, daughter Mary had passed away.    It was not expected.   The other bank ladies, Betty, Ceil and Joyce and I met for lunch at the Dairy Queen.   We are all going to meet an hour before the service so that we can drop off our desserts for the lunch after the service and have time to go through the line.  So sad.   This week has really been hard.  Please pray for Marlene and Warren and family and continue to pray for my sister in law, Doris and the family.

The rest of the day was spent transcribing minutes from the condo board, finishing the newsletter for CWI and catching up on Quicken.   I'll be doing more of the same tomorrow.   Have to get back to the new book.   Yves is waiting.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Another absolutely glorious day.    Not to hot not to cold with blue skies and wispy clouds floating in the blue.

I decided to go to the Exchange Bank for breakfast as I was almost out of Alterra Decaf which is what I drink mornings.  I put the word out and Felicia joined me.   We had a good visit and made a couple of decisions about the Scotland trip.    I think she will be of help at least as far as making decisions goes.

She brought me several tomatoes and two fresh green peppers from their garden.

I told you somebody left tomatoes and cucumbers on my porch on Tuesday.   I had to do something with the cukes so I started looking online for recipes.    I found one for cucumber bread, would you believe that?   So I made it.    It is not a wow must make this again, but on the other had is pleasant and will make a good breakfast bread until it is gone.

I also have tomatoes chopped and ready to cook tomorrow for a nice creamy tomato basil soup.

Love the harvest season!

One of my neighbors, Pat, came over to show me how to use Craig's list.   I would like to sell the extra desk.   Know of anybody who wants a nice beautiful oak desk?   She showed me how to enter the thing but we couldn't figure out how to get the pictures for Picasa to Craigs list.   I am working on that.  

Last.   I had a condo board meeting at 4:30PM over at Alison's.   Got home close to 6PM.    Now I am exhausted.   My arm is hurting pretty bad, partly from all the poking that Dr. Leben did and partly because the injections haven't had a chance to kick in yet.    So at 8PM  I am heading for bed.


I did reach one of the travel agents that I talked to at the Games.    We are going to communicate by phone and email for a week and then meet on the 18th.   We should have a pretty good skeleton of the trip by then and I can start actively promoting. 

So.  All is well.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Sorry I did not post last night.   I had a lot on my mind and was trying to get to bed and relaxed so that I could sleep for today's events.

I learned this afternoon that my sister in law, Doris, passed away at 10PM on 9/2.   I called Vikki, her daughter, and Jacquie, my other sister in law on that side.  Vikki is so distressed.  I wish I could go to  her .   Don't know whether I could help but hugs never hurt.   Pray for Vikki and the other members of Doris family.   She was a kind woman and I am so glad that I did get to see her again when I went west to visit Bret.    Also Pray for Jacquie.   She is experiencing health issues too.

Speaking of health issues.   I had my appointment with Dr. Leban today.   I think I mentioned that the headaches are gone, a result of the epidural in my neck.   But my shoulder, clavicle and arm are SO painful.   Dr. Leban did a nerve test which pinpointed the pain.   She says that the center is in my shoulder.   She gave me some steroid shots in vital areas.   If this doesn't help, I will be going to an orthopedic surgeon to see about orthoscopic surgery on the shoulder.

I stopped to see Mother on my way home.  She is doing very well.   We are indeed lucky.   I took pictures of my newest granddaughter Courtney and her son Cooper and a picture of her new twins, Toby and Troy to share.    Mom loves new additions to the family.   I hope I see our new Jack and Sam soon. After all they are in Sheboygan County now.

That is all, because I really am rather uncomfortable and am trusting that after a good night's sleep I will feel better.

Love you all

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Labor Day

This was a special day for me.    I went to Mother's house at about 11AM.  This is her and Dad's 74th Wedding Anniversary and I always (except for one year when it got away from me) bring her flowers to celebrate.   She always smile so big and it makes me feel so good.   She always tells me things about that day, way back then and about the early days of their marriage.     I took my lunch and ate with her.    Before I left, I prepared her sandwich for her supper so that she will have an easy time of it.

Home again, I rested a bit as I did not sleep well last night.   But I received a call from Jacquie.   My other sister in law, Doris, who has been living with Jacquie and my ex husband, had a massive stroke and is brain dead.    She is still living in her body.   All life support has been removed but her body is still functioning.   Vikki, my niece, and her son and boyfriend are with her.    Please pray that it is not long as this must be just awful for them.    I remember sitting with Tim.    Jacquie called to ask me to let the boys know and I will keep them informed as she lets me know. 

I will be going to bed soon as my arm has been aching all day and it has really taken the starch out of me.    I did get a LOT done anyway.   Can't stop.  I'd probably feel it more then.   I am going to put cold on it when I get in bed, and I have taken a pain killer.

Love you all

Dia Dhuit

Mary

More Pictures

Bobbie, Leslie, Bill M, Brenda, Richard and Bill S. at Rupp's where we had dinner after the dedication of Dick's Plaque.  A very happy day.

Jimmy Keane playing at Irish Fest

 

The plaque with a bit of a glare, but you can see that it is between two windows in the third floor loft in a prominent position.

So much has been going on the past three weeks that I feel absolutely garbled.   Yes garbled.   But today was a quiet day with only an exit from home for Mass this morning and tomorrow I will only leave once, to go to Mother's to celebrate a Labor Day/Anniversary lunch with her.    It would be their 74th Anniversary today and since Dad is gone, I only forgot to bring flowers once.   And I felt bad about that.   

So that is the day.    I had a cup of my Highland Tay for lunch today.   I do love that tea.    I bought a pack for Mom at the Games too.
Until tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Pictures

Some of the drummers at the Highland Games

The Knight who performed in the Knight to Remember presentation at The Wisconsin Highland Games

Richard and Brenda at the games

 

A drummer from the parade at Irishfest letting little boys band on his big drum.  It was so cute.