I had my Monday all mapped out.  Then a couple of things got pushed into the mix.

Bible Study was as usual at 9:30AM at Blessed Trinity.  We had 8 attendees which is nice.   We are discussing the death of Jesus according to Mark.   And we got hung up on two of the themes that run through Mark's Gospel,  1.  the roll of women as disciples of Jesus and 2.  the Kingdom of Heaven.  We always have a lot to say about those two subjects.   Come and join us some Monday morning and you will see.

I went to Mother's next.   We got a lot of her paperwork done and had a chance to just visit before I had to hie myself on home to give Dick his lunch and go over to the Pig to pick up Jena and Lynn for the Cream City Writers meeting.  We had been invited out to Don and Ruth Cooper's home for our meeting so the three of us had decided to go to Mc Donald's for lunch on the way to their house.  

Now the fun begins.  When I pulled up in front of the Pig to pick up Jena and Lynn they told me that a lady named Sam Cook had stopped to talk to them.  When she found out that they were on their way to the writers club, she bog excited.   She had met me a couple of years ago at Book Heads and emailed me a couple of times, then it kind of fell by the wayside.   So we waited while she checked out her groceries at the Pig.   Then we all went to Mc Donald's for lunch.   While we were lunching, we discovered that she is a neighbor  of Don and Ruth Cooper.  So I dropped her back at her truck and she joined us at the meeting. 

It was a nice meeting.  Everybody had something to share and we shared ideas and philosophy  too.  Ruth and Don are lovely hosts and I got to pet their special doggy which made me feel good.

I dropped Lynn  and Jena off at their homes and then went home to get Dick ready for his trip to the Anti Coagulation Clinic to have his blood checked because he is on antibiotics.   His count was just fine.   So we are safe for a couple of weeks anyway.   He has a staff infection on his right leg which we will be treating with a salve for the next 10 days.  Then we will see Dr. Sharon again.  This is good as the antibiotics for the chest infection are still working.

So it was busier than I would have liked.  But tomorrow, I get to stay home all day.   I intend to get Dick all squared away,  take a walk and do some sewing.    If it is a NICE day, Dick and I plan on cleaning the garage.  Then I would put a couple of the other things off until Wednesday or Thursday.

I kind of hope for a nice day as I like to spend time with Dick.

God love you

Mary
\

A whole day at home.   The only time I left the house was to take a nice long walk this morning after breakfast.   I walked for a good time.   I found a caterpillar crawling on a twig as I came down the path from the park so I went home, got my camera ans took several pictures of it.   I also took some pictures of a very crabby squirrel.

We had a big breakfast this morning - it was Sunday after all.   So I fixed chicken fajitas for our lunch.   We had leftovers for dinner so it was a quiet cooking day too.  

I did get some strawberries frozen and some Brussels Sprouts ready to cook for tomorrow or the next day.

The rest of the day was football.   My fantasy picks are pretty bad.   Thank heavens for the Packers, at least they saved me on the Survival Game.   The regular game, the Guessathon, had a lot of upsets on the picks that I made.  Oh well, next week will be better.

This is a much quieter week than last week.  Dick and I plan on cleaning the garage one day if the weather is with us.

Have a good one yourself.

God love you

Mary

Boy,  I thought yesterday was busy.  

Today started off just as every other day.  Silly Roxie, however tried to nag me into getting up at about 4AM.   What a goofus.     I got up shortly after 6AM showered, put some wash in and fed all the living things including  me.

Jody came to clean at 8AM. Before she arrived, we got Dick all changed and ready for his appointment with Dr. Sharon at 9:45AM. 

That went as well as can be expected.   Dr. Sharon determined that Dick does not have pneumonia, despite the wheezing and coughing.   But he does have an infection.   So he is on antibiotics for 5 days.   That meant that we had to call the anti-coagulation clinic to let them know that he is TAKING antibiotics so that they can determine if they should see him sooner than the month we have scheduled.

When we got home, Bobbie was already here.   I was a winery day.   We started a batch of her strawberry wine getting it all set up in the primary fermenter.   I will stir it daily til she comes back next Friday, then we will rack it into the secondary fermenter (the gallon jug) to age.  We also filtered the persimmon.  It is much clearer now.  Still a bit fuzzy but much better.

The three of us had Irish Bacon, tomato and lettuce sandwiches and pear cheesecake for our lunch .  Bobbie and I will do more winery tasks next Friday.   I am going to put a batch of Lemon Balm together.   Then on the 25th, she and I are going to the Sheboygan County Quilt Guild Quilt Show.   That is always a fun event.

At 2:45PM Dick saw Dr. Ziegler again for his eyes.   Both are better.  That blasted eyelash keeps coming back into the right eye.   When we go in again in a month, if it is back again, Dr. Cheryl will see about getting an eye surgeon to remove it and perhaps that lump too.  The left eye is healed but still a bit rough.   At the next visit, his left eye should be settled and he can get a permanent prescription that should clear up the fuzziness he has now.

Tonight was the Sheboygan Branch of Celtic Women meeting.   What a rush.   One of our members, Dorothy Rose, who could not even be there, got the use of a room at her church the UCC on Hwy 67 for our meeting.    It was great.  Tommi O Hagan, our speaker, was such a super speaker.   She herself just got back from Cornwall the day before yesterday.    She told us of the history, the art, the inventors, the music, and the emigration reasons and and where they all settled.  We all know about the Tin belt through southwestern Wisconsin, but the Cornish are everywhere.  It was fascinating.  There were eleven of our Sheboygan County members, Tommi and her husband Bob, two guests, including Kathy Deeley, my sister in law who is of Cornish descent and three members, Gail, Rosemary and Sheila from the Milwaukee area.   So we were well represented.    We ended with samples of pasties that Tommi brought with her and Figgy Hobbin which I brought.   So we had a main dish and a dessert.   I am delighted that it was such fun and so well received.  

Our next meeting will be our second annual Samhain potluck in October.

Home again,  I am enjoying a glass of wine and will then go to bed.

A couple of things I learned from Tommi this evening.    Their name for the "little people" is Spriggans.   They have corn in Cornwall.   But it is all field corn.   Also,  all grains are referred to as corn and corn as we know it is maize.   Also rutebaga are called swede.

So that is my day.  

God love you all

Mary

Another mixed day.   Started off OK.  I and we spent the early morning, getting Dick cleaned up for his trip to the dentist.   I started a load of wash and finished my Football pool picks.   Then I realized that I had until Sunday.   But it is done and I am just as glad to be free of it for the next couple of days.

Ed Schroeder's carpet cleaners (his kids) came just before 10AM.   Was I ever glad because we had to leave at 10:30AM or so, just when they were scheduled, for the dentist.   I just wanted to point out the trouble spots.    I sure am glad to have the carpets cleaned.   We had decided to wait until our Chelsea was gone.   Sad, but now they should not get so filthy.

Dick's cleaning was scheduled for 11:00AM.  Everything went well BUT he was so breathless when we got in there that she took his blood pressure and tit was way up there, SO Janelle suggested that we have it checked.   We had been planning to call the doctor because of the breathlessness anyway.   So we have an appointment with Dr. Sharon at 9:45AM tomorrow.

Home again, I fixed stir fry with chicken to go with the last of the rice from Tuesday.  

Then I spent the afternoon making the Figgy Hobbin for tomorrow,  and preparing and freezing a pie pumpkin and zucchini.    Now that I have the freezer, I can get the produce prepared and frozen for the winter.  I have one yellow squash and two more pumpkins. to go  ---- so far.

Tomorrow will be even busier, ending with the Celtic Women meeting with Flora OHagan speaking.

Pray for us at Dick's doctor appointments.

God love you alll
Mary

Another busy Wednesday.    Since it was shopping day, I picked up breakfast from Mc Donalds.   It was a lot more fun when we could just go there but his brings us the memories and we do like their breakfast sandwiches.

Grocery shopping did go well.   I was all our of soft drinks, and flavored water so everything was heavy.   But it went well and I was done by 9:30AM.    I was able to move some of the food down into the freezer that Jeff and Shane brought over from Mother's.   Old it may be but it works just fine.   Now I am able to preserve the excess veggies and fruits that are coming my way this season.  I was running out of room.

This afternoon, I had some banking to do for CWI and then went on to Walmart to add minutes to my Tracfone.   I was down to 6 minutes and 120 days.    I now have over 900 minutes and over 6 months.  I was thinking of a more involved phone but after asking Richard and Brenda, decided I am best to keep it simple and cheap.

We had tilapia, hash browns and fresh beets (a gift from Jeff) for lunch and leftovers for supper.  Again I am exhausted.  

I really miss my Chelsea today.   Don't know why.

Take care of yourselves.   Tomorrow, Dick has his dental visit.  And we are getting the carpet cleaned.

God love you


Mary

Today was trash day.   This week they came quite late to pick it up.   I always try to get it out there by 8AM anyway.

We had a rather quiet morning.   Then Dick had his appointment at the anti coagulation clinic.   We were delighted.  First: Sue Reiter, the first technician that Dick had when he got this condition, was in Plymouth training a gal.   We were so glad to see her and she was SO glad to see Dick.   He was her prize patient for two years before all the infections started settling in his legs.   Second:   His count was perfect - 260.

On the way home, we stopped and picked up Chinese food.   I got beef and broccoli, fried rice and egg rolls.   It was petty good too.  I had tome to take a little nap before my 2PM dentist appointment. 

Dr. Joe says my teeth are wonderful.    By the way, please pray for my dental assistant's sister, who is dying of cancer. 

While I was out, I voted and picked up and absentee ballot request for Dick.   It is too late for this one, but if we do this, they will automatically mail a ballot to him unless he at some time does not turn one in.

Dick was napping when I got home, but got up pretty quickly.  We had leftovers for supper.   At 7:00PM I had my telephone conference with the Celtic Women executive board to decide what insurance we are getting.   It went well.   I still have one officer to run it by but three of us plus one of the board that works very closely with the treasurer were on and we came to an agreement.

Do you remember that when we first got Oscar and Roxie,  Roxie kept taking little stuffed animals and little matchbox cars and dropping them all over the house?   Last night I left the door to the downstairs rooms open.   When I got up this morning,  the little black mother doll that I found at Aunt Nonnie's house was lying in the hallway.   She left that doll's baby sitting on the shelf and brought the mother upstairs.

Grocery shopping tomorrow.

Another busy day.  

I went to bible study this morning.   There were 6 of us today.   Helen Maurer was back after her eye surgery.   She will be in an out for the next month or two because of checkups but can see and is no longer in pain.  Thank God.   She has had a year or two of health problems but is so cheerful and trusting. 

Mom was fine this morning.   She looked really pretty with her new perm.   We reviewed the mail she had received.   I brought a couple of things home to work on and take back to her.  She had a good time yesterday with visits from Jeff, Shane and Georgina and all three of Randy's girls.   Jeff brought her food from the Celtic Mass and Faire, a chicken sandwich.  She said it was really pretty tough, so Jeff cut it up for her and she is going to fix a little stew with it.   I brought her the last of my stew and a cooked chicken breast too.

When I got home, Dick was sleeping so I started dinner and then went down and cleaned the freezer.   Tomorrow morning I will plug it in - it will have had a good chance to dry out and by evening I should be able to move food into it.  

I got a pretty good nap this afternoon.

Then this evening I went to the Rhine Plymouth Meeting.   This was really a Rhine Marathon.  I was there four days in a row.   But now I will be free for at least three weeks.

Tomorrow is election day.    I will be checking on getting Dick registered for the big one in November.   This one kind of got away from me.


Til tomorrow God love you

Mary

Whew.   I am exhausted and kind of mellow all at the same time.

I started out this morning getting Dick ready for the coming week.   We are working on getting a rash under control.  

I drove to Sheboygan Falls to attend the Celtic Mass at Blessed Trinity Parish.  In the previous several years, I have been involved in the Mass.  This year, Zach Holzer is the new choir director and he chose to go on his own.   It was a nice mass, well directed but I noticed that there was no cover sheet with Celtic spirituality information and there was no bagpiper.   I rather think that the member of the parish was not available and they did not look any further.   So my worship folder was better.   Hee Hee.

I left home at about 9AM and stopped to visit with Mother until it was time for the prelude at church.   As it turned out, I had to leave directly after communion so that I could zip out into the grounds, greet my brother Randy and my sister in law Donna.  Then I got a single brat to take with me to Rhine for my lunch and two scones for breakfast tomorrow.   I stopped at the bandstand to say Hi to Dave and Linda from the band.   Dave asked if I had been involved in the planning this year.  Then one of his fellow members asked how I got out of volunteering.    I had to tell him that the only way to get out of things in a parish is to move to another parish.   Even then it took four years before I got out of working on this project.   Dave mentioned that one other way was to die.

I went right from church to home to grab my phone then on to Rhine for two hours of work at the open shoot.   We were not too busy.  I shot one round.  Not too well, but I hope I learned a bit.

I had but a beer and venison stew into the slow cooker this morning so at the Green Bay half time, Shane, Jeff and Georgie came and delivered the little freezer from Mom's house.   We all watched the last half of the game and feasted on stew and sourdough bread and corn bread and cupcakes.    It was such fun to have lots of people to feed and to enjoy the game with.

P. S.  At THIS point, I am one point off of the lead.   So my plan is working. 

Now we are at the end of the day.   It was a good day.   We even got to talk to Leslie this afternoon.  She called shortly after I got home from Rhine.  She sounds good and Bill is taking excellent care of her.   She goes back to the doctor tomorrow and we will be praying for good results and readings.   But she DOES sound good.    One day at a time to full health.

God love you all.

Mary

I received this some time ago and may have forwarded it  at the time, but I think it is worth repeating.

Mary

 

 

FLORIDA COURT SETS ATHEIST HOLY DAY


In Florida , an atheist created a case against the upcoming Easter and
Passover holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case
against
Christians, Jews and observances of their holy days.

The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized
days.

The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the passionate
presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, "Case
dismissed!"

The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, "Your honor,
how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas,
Easter and others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, yet
my client and all other atheists have no such holidays."

The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do. Your client,
counsel, is woefully ignorant."

The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance
or holiday for atheists."

The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is April Fools Day.
Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.'
Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is
no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is
adjourned.

Today was a Rhine Plymouth Day.   I got there at about 10AM in the rain.   Our whole team was there for the Lewis Shoot.   The club had not really advertised and then the rain was another deterrent.  The first two hours our team just visited and puttered around.  Jerry and I cleaned the front windows sometime during the day.   Things picked up at after 1PM but we only had 25 participants ( including me.)   I decided to shoot for practice.  The first one, I only got 3.   I was griping the stock,  not following through AND Jerking.   When I finished that round, the guys gave me hints.  Bob told me to never look at the end of the barrel but to watch the bird.   Jerry reminded me not to grip the stock and Bill Hamer told me to lean forward and explained (for the first time, that this involves sticking your butt out so you make a solid base with the ground.  

The second round I did I got 11.  So something helped.   Now I have to assimilate these hints into my game.

I had expected to be home by 3PM but with all the latecomers, I did not get out of there until 3:30PM.  Fortunately,  Dick was not worried.  He was just getting up from his nap when I got home.  Actually, my phone call had wakened him but he does not move very fast.

Tomorrow is another busy day.   I am excited.   Jeff and Shane MAY be bringing over a small freezer for us and then might watch the second half of the Packer game with us.   I promised them beer and stew.  Anyone else want to come?


So. That was today.   I am going to Mass tomorrow morning at Blessed Trinity for the Celtic Mass then making a bee line to Rhine to work for our Sunday Open Shoot.

Please pray for Matt Speith's son, Chris.  He is the boy who had the heart transplant.  He had an appendectomy this week.   He is doing well but prayers are definitely in order.

God love you

Mary

Hello - It is after nine.  I just got home from working my Friday at Rhine.   Nancy was there when I arrived, so we shot pistol before things got really going.   That was nice, we weren't rushed and both of us were reasonably happy with our results.   Lots of room for improvement but it was OK.    We signed up 11 teams and were really quite busy until after 8PM then everybody pretty much left and we were able to clean up and put things away. 

This morning Jody came and did the cleaning.   I had to make several calls and email several people to try to get questions answered and tie up loose ends.   It was quite successful.   I only have two loose ends to tie together.   They will probably have to wait until Monday.

I spent a bit of time sewing downstairs too. 

Tomorrow and Sunday I have to work at Rhine again.   Then I will not have to be there for a month.   Of course, I will go to shoot the pistol league.   Tomorrow is a Lewis Shoot, which is one of our four fundraiser shoots.   I may bring my shotgun and shoot it for fun.


So the weekend is busy and next week is too.
Please continue prayers for Chris, the young man who had the heart transplant.   His new heart is doing just fine, but he had to be taken to Childrens again this week for an appendectomy.   When it rains it pours.

God love you and keep you safe.

Mary

This was quite a day.   I went for a walk at 9AM.  See.  I am really trying.   I have made a promise that I will go three times a week, at least.   It is harder without my furry companion to be with me.  We got a sympathy card form Lakeshore Veterinary Clinic, the clinic that I took our girl to that Saturday.   I don't know if I told you but they called on Tuesday to see how she was and I though that was kind.  But the card was so sweet.   They did provide her with over 8 hours of sleep during that painful time she lived through.  I am so very glad that she is not in pain any more, even if I miss her so very much.

Bobbie came over this morning and we bottled her red currant wine and filtered her persimmon.   The persimmon is still pretty cloudy so we will let it settle some more and then filter again.   We had the salad that I had made for the party yesterday for our lunch.   It really is good.   I sent some home for Bobbie and Bill.  What we have may be manageable but I still might share with our neighbor Dick or George.

Leslie emailed this afternoon.  She is home.  We will let her rest and then contact her tomorrow.   Thank you for all your prayers, I am sure they helped with a quick release.   She told me orignally that they were planning on her staying for 3 or 4 days.   So an early release is a good sign.

Tomorrow League shooting will begin at Rhine Plymouth.    I have to work Friday night also, actually the whole weekend.   Not too much fun, I will see how much I am really needed for.   But I will start shooting the pistol league anyway.   I will not be in the trap league, but I think I will bring my gun sometimes and shoot with Bill Olsen and his team.

What a beautiful day it was today.  Hope it continues.

God love you

Mary

A very busy Wednesday.   I had expected Roxie to wake me at 6AM but the silly girl let me sleep so I got an extra half and hour.

I picked up Egg Mc Muffins from Mc Donalds for our breakfast.   It is kind of a throwback to when we would shop together.   Then we always went out for breakfast.  Mc Donald's was ONE of the places we used to go.   I wish I could get Dick to go shopping with me again.

Shopping went pretty well and I filled the gas tank too.   I always like to cluster my errands.   When I got home I immediately put the groceries away and made the Summer Salad that I intended to take to my classmate, Kenny Richter's home for our gathering.   The Class of 58 meets for lunch several times a year and Kenny and his wife Barb opened up their home on Horseshoe Lake for this one,   As it turned out, it was too cold to sit outside, or swim , or boat, but we didn't much care.   We all had a lot to visit about and ate like pigs.

Even IF I FORGOT TO PUT MY SALAD IN THE COOLER.
  Guess what we will be eating the next couple of days and I have plenty to share.   Just let me know.   It is a wonderful salad.   Pasta, tuna, spinach, tomatoes, pine nuts and olive oil.    Spiced, of course.

As I said the gathering was so nice.  There were about 10 of us plush spouses, so we all got to really catch up with each other.  I was able to share with my friend Joanne, who has cilieac about a cake that is so yummy and she gave me the name of a place that has gluten free bread that is good.   She is a dear.  Her aunt is Dorothy Blust.   For a bit I had that Dorothy confused with another Dorothy Blust.   Her aunt is still living and is close to Mother's age.  She is doing quite well and still drives.

The other Dorothy Blust was a bridge partner of Mother's all those years until she passed on.   She used to scare the dickens out of Eileen.   She could not have children and wanted Eileen and whenever they had bridge at our house, she would tell Eileen that she was hers.   She was a little gruff and probably tried to hug her too.   Poor Eileen, still remembers.

Then, Dick and I went to Sweet Basil for our supper.   It is nice to go out and nice to go somewhere that one is recognized.   They always get "our" table read when they see us coming and even remember what we like best and what we drink.   How is that for service.

Before we left to go out, we called Willis Knightson Hospital in Bossier City to check on Leslie.   She sounded REALLY good.   That made us feel better.   It looks like she will be going home tomorrow.   Not bad though she will need lots of followup as the defrib is still there.

Keep praying.

God love you

Mary

This has been a mixed day.   Started off OK.  I fed Roxie at 6AM and went back to bed for a half an hour or so.   That is really a luxury.  After I got up, showered and did the usual morning things, I went for a nice walk at about 8:30AM or so.   It was really windy but the walk felt good.  I have decided to make myself walk at least three days a week.   Chelsea would expect at LEAST that much of me.   After all, she trained me.

Dick had an appointment with Dr. Cheryl Ziegler this afternoon.  His right eye is looking really good.  The left is still a bit goofy, but the infection is gone.   We are letting it settle for 10 days, then will check it again.  

I brought Dick home and went directly to the Kettle Country Quilters meeting.   I needed to pick up the next pattern for the block of the month that we are doing as a club.   I found out that we do a lap robe 36" X 36" for a Christmas project.  So I must get working on that.

Then, when I got home, there was a call from Louisiana.   We need everybody to be praying.   Bill took our Leslie to the hospital this morning because she was having shortness of breath and other symptoms.  She was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and high blood pressure.  They have ruled out a heart attack and are doing more tests before they determine her care.   She is an exhausted lady and resting so we just need to pray.  I will update you as I hear from Bill.

So that is the day, highs and lows.

God love you and talke care of yourself.

Mary

Happy Sunday.   All  you who work still have one more day off before heading back to the grind.   Even Dick and I have a quiet day ahead of us.   I was going to fry out, but my friend, Kate, gave me some brats, so I see no sense in cooking anything else tomorrow.   

I forgot to tell you about a wonderful thing that happened to me yesterday.  I have decided to walk at least three times a week.   I am planning on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.    Yesterday, I started out at about 8AM and looked up to behold three Sandhill Cranes flying one behind the other moving North to South.    I love the cranes, as you know, and was so thrilled to see them.   I have heard them off and on since spring but only saw one of them before this sighting.    They are such elegant birds and so beautiful and graceful.   This was healing for me.

Today was quiet.   I spent a lot of time on Ancestry and composing a letter to my cousin David, who is really an expert genealogist.   He would like us to colaborate on a book of the Bowser, Clifford etc genealogy and I would really like to do that but am concerned as to the time commitment.  I am trying to convey that to him.  

I also spent some time downstairs working on some of my quilting projects.   I have this problem.  I want to do too many things and I want to do them all at once.   It is hard for me to say no and it is hard for me to just sit and do nothing.

We had my friend Kate's fresh tomato and meat sauce with rice for lunch.  It was quite good and then we ate leftovers for dinner.


We are now calling Roxie the Prima Donna as she is the only non human creature left and seems to be a bit concerned that Chelsea is gone.   She does not like change as much as she found Chelsea irritating. 

She is catching on that we are willing to spend almost as much time as she demands on her,.  This could get to be a problem.  Of course, it would be one of our own making.

I got a call from Mom this morning at about 8AM.  Her caregiver was not there.  They are supposed to be at her home to get her up at 7:30AM.   I called the company and she got someone out  there within a half an hour.   The company owner admitted that it was her error.   I called Mom as soon as I knew that someone was on the way and as she was back in bed, did not go out myself.    This is the second time that this has happened.    We will have to be aware of the situation and alert if it happens again.  The care has been excellent except for the two times that they did not show. 



Have a great Labor Day.

Love  and God love you

Mary

A totally lovely Saturday.   I fed Roxie at 6AM and went back to bed until 7AM.   How is that for nice?   I hope to accomplish the same tomorrow.

I kept myself busy all day.  I  dried some herbs, made lunch, did some cutting out and arranging of quilting projects and caught up on the emails.

I went to mass at 4PM.  That was a nice experience.  I was a eucharistic minister.  That always makes me feel like a more involved part of the service.

I talked to Bart and Barb and Bret and Jim and Michelle today, so it was a full day.   Everybody is doing pretty well.    This is my Bret's birthday.   He is 43 today.   I still remember that trip to the hospital.  That year, September 4th was Labor Day.   Bret's father was at a jeep club event.  We had decided that since it did not seem probable that Bret would be born that weekend, he should go to help with the event.

But Bret decided to come anyway, so Aunt Ruth, Cousin Linda and Jacquie took me to the hospital.   When I got up to the labor rooms, there were three or four other women there and I remember that the nurse said.   "Just because it is Labor Day, did not mean that you all had to come in at the same time."


So I have two days that I have no real commitments.   Monday, I will go and spend some time with Mother.  The rest, I kind of want to just do stuff for me.  We'll see how it goes.
God love you

Mary

It spotted a bit of rain today.  Last night there were thunderstorms.   So everything is nicely watered.

Jody came and cleaned today.    I washed sheets this morning and made a pumpkin pie for dessert tonight.  The only time I left the neighborhood was to drive over to Capelle's to buy corn for our dinner.

I finished two projects for the Quilt Club,  the block of the month and putting the velcro on the two walker bags that I made.

Bobbie and Bill got here about 4PM and we had a  lovely evening.  The corn was delicious.  The tomatoes were from MY plants and sweet as can be.   I made the pie with on of the pie pumpkins I bought.   It too was good.    Bobbie and I decided that she did Christmas last year, so she will do Thanksgiving.  I will make another pumpkin pie and she will make a hickory nut pie. 

Kind of sad to end such a nice day but there you go and I am tired.

So, I am listening to a Statler Brothers Special on TV and then will go to bed.

Have a great Labor Day weekend.

God love you

Mary

It was a mostly stay at home day.   I had to go out this morning to pick up a couple of greeting cards but spent the rest of the morning baking.   I seem to be doing a lot of that.   I think I am doing my "when I am nervous, upset of distressed, I cook" thing.   Hope I don't run out of room before I fun out of sadness for my little Chelsea.

I went for a walk this morning.   I will have to get myself onto a routine of that.   Without my girl to urge me on, it will be easy to get a bit lazy.   I figure if I take a nice long walk at least three times a week, I will be OK.  It was a really nice morning for a walk.

My baking today, consisted of sourdough bread and zucchini bread.  We had chicken, rice and carrots for our dinner.



This afternoon, I cleaned my desk, paid a couple of bills and stored all my baking.    We just had soup and sandwich for supper.

There is a loud thunderstorm going over right now.   A lot of lightening and rain.

I didn't tell you but we had a murder in Sheboygan County.   It was just east of Plymouth at Racer's Hall which at one time was Vic's Hall.   Randy and Donna had their wedding reception there.   A man shot and killed another man four times with a pistol.   Apparently there was an disagreement of some kind, but there was no excuse for the shooting.  We are not in the old west and the victim was not himself armed.   Imagine my shock when they finally announced the gunman.   I purchased my 12 Gauge Bacall shotgun from him and he used to be a member of Rhine Plymouth.    He was always pleasant to me but  was not an agreeable person.   This, however, was way over the top.

Now that is news.

Hope all is well with all of you.   Can't believe tomorrow is Friday already.  And Saturday will be Bret's birthday.

God love you all

Mary

This week feels totally foreign.   The house has an empty feeling, yet I do feel Chelsea around too.  Just in the familiarity of the surroundings, it is hard not just assume she is in another room.  I hope she was not afraid on her way to heaven.   I couldn't go that far with her.  

I am keeping myself busy.   I did my grocery shopping this morning, then drove to Mom's to bring her prescription and a little present of Chocolate Raspberry wine.   I thought she would like that.   Tomorrow would be their anniversary.  I usually bring her flowers but she said the wine was just fine and we talked about her and Dad's wedding day.   She loves to share that day.

I go home in time to fix lunch but Dick was still napping so I ate some of my leftovers from yesterday.  Dick just wanted toast when he woke up.  We had planned on going out for dinner tonight, but Dick was not feeling so very good today, so we postponed out date until tomorrow.

So, I spent the afternoon preserving zucchini and tomatoes and cutting up a cantaloupe for snacking on.  The cantaloupe are very sweet this year at this time and we are taking advantage.

Tomorrow is mostly a stay at home day.   I hope to be able to rest.   I will be baking a batch of sourdough bread though.   I have been making the starter the past two days.

Take care of you.

God love you

Mary

This has been a day of adjustment.    I got up at about 6AM to feed Roxie, who was insisting that it was time to eat.  However, I was able to go back to bed for an hour.

I spent the day getting sour dough ready, baking a cake and putting chicken in the crockpot before I joint Janet and Toni at Antoinette's for lunch and a CWI discussion. 

I fixed Kraft Mac and Cheese with hot dogs for Dick for lunch. 

We had crock pot chicken with rice and kohlrabi for our supper. 

Tomorrow will be easier.   The family are sending sympathy cards and messages.   Dick and Brenda even sent flowers.  The flowers will keep our little fuzzy friend alive a bit longer.   I heard her walking around the house last night.

Here is the poem that Jimmy Stewart wrote:


     "Beau"


       by Jimmy Stewart

     He never came to me when I would call
Unless I had a tennis ball,
Or he felt like it,
But mostly he didn't come at all.  
When he was young
He never learned to heel
Or sit or stay,
He did things his way.

Discipline was not his bag
But when you were with him things sure didn't drag.
He'd dig up a rosebush just to spite me,
And when I'd grab him, he'd turn and bite me.

He bit lots of folks from day to day,
The delivery boy was his favorite prey.
The gas man wouldn't read our meter,
He said we owned a real man-eater.

He set the house on fire
But the story's long to tell.
Suffice it to say that he survived
And the house survived as well.

On the evening walks, and Gloria took him,
He was always first out the door.
The Old One and I brought up the rear
Because our bones were sore.

He would charge up the street with Mom hanging on,
What a beautiful pair they were!
And if it was still light and the tourists were out,
They created a bit of a stir.

But every once in a while, he would stop in his tracks
And with a frown on his face look around.
It was just to make sure that the Old One was there
And would follow him where he was bound.

We are early-to-bedders at our house--
I guess I'm the first to retire.
And as I'd leave the room he'd look at me
And get up from his place by the fire.

He knew where the tennis balls were upstairs,
And I'd give him one for a while.
He would push it under the bed with his nose
And I'd fish it out with a smile.

And before very long
He'd tire of the ball
And be asleep in his corner
In no time at all.

And there were nights when I'd feel him
Climb upon our bed
And lie between us,
And I'd pat his head.

And there were nights when I'd feel this /stare
/And I'd wake up and he'd be sitting there
And I reach out my hand and stroke his hair.
And sometimes I'd feel him sigh
       and I think I know the reason why.

He would wake up at night
And he would have this /fear
/Of the dark, of life, of lots of things,
And he'd be glad to have me near.

And now he's dead.
And there are nights when I think I feel him
Climb upon our bed and lie between us,
And I pat his head.

And there are nights when I think
I feel that stare
And I reach out my hand to stroke his hair,
But he's not there.

Oh, how I wish that wasn't so,
I'll always love a dog named Beau.

/This poem was taken from /_Jimmy Stewart and His Poems_ /by Jimmy Stewart, a short collection of poems published by Crown Publishers, Inc. in 1989. To order this book, call the Full Circle Book Store at 1-800-683-READ. Refer to ISBN number 0-517-57382-2. It's a little illustrated hardback that costs about $12. /

Here is a really cute picture of the sweetest doggie in the whole world. I am going to include a poem by Jimmy Stewart that he read on Johnny Carson's show years ago. You should read some of his other poems too. But this is beautiful.

Mary

This has been a very difficult day.   I suppose you know what is coming.   I wish I could say that you are wrong but it is not to be.

This morning we woke up to find that Chelsea was still in a great deal of distress.  I gave her some more pain killers but there was no relief.  I called Kettle Moraine at about 6:30AM to tell them the circumstances and our decision.   They had received the report from Lakeshore so were up to date on her condition.   I told them that Dick and I had agreed that if there was no improvement by this morning we were not going to make her hang in there for us.  

I was able to get an appointment for 8:30AM with a Dr. Crispin.  She was kind and understanding.  I carried Chelsea in to the room and held her until it was all over.   Her little head was wet with my tears.   It is so hard to say goodbye but she was so trusting and after it was over, I was glad to see her peaceful again.   That poor little hunched up pain filled body was more than I could take.   I am feeling very disconnected but know that after I can get some sleep and my thoughts and feelings gathered up, I will be fine.  Dick will be too.   I am already finding that I kind of look for her.   When you make arrangements for this they ask three questions.   1.  Do you want to take the body with you?   No.  2.  Do you want a private cremation where you get the ashes?  No.   3.  Do you want a group cremation?   Yes.  

I told Sue at the clinic that I don't need her ashes, she will always be in my heart.  I know she will be up there at the gates of heaven along with Zero, Chelsea, Oscar, Chip, Clancy, Sam, Sam, (yes there were two), Tara and even Taco and Belle.   What a day that will be.

But today, I am sad.  Please pray for me.


I took Dick to the eye doctor today.   His right eye is 99 % improved.  The left eye is is bit infected now, Dr. Cheryl thinks it might have spread.   We will doctor this week and recheck next Tuesday.

Pray for both of us.

God love you

Mary

At least I got to be home all day.

Chelsea slept until after 9PM last night.  By morning she was pacing again.   I gave her the pills but they were not much good, at least this afternoon.   I think 8 hours is too long between - we do not keep ahead of her discomfort.    She was pacing and panting and arching her little back and limping so finally after 4 hours I redosed her and then I sat on the floor holding her until she finally went to sleep.    She has now been out for almost three hours.   I am afraid that things do not look good for our sweet puppy.  I am carrying her outside to do her business these days because walking is very uncomfortable for her.

Tomorrow will be very traumatic.   I have to go to Mother's for several reasons, but I can call Kettle Moraine any time after 6PM.   We are also taking Dick to the Eye doctor for his new left lens and to check the status of his right eye.


Pray for us.   We will need a LOT tomorrow.

God love you all

Mary

This has been a rough day.

This morning Chelsea seemed to be doing OK after her fall of yesterday.   She had not slept much during the night, she just paced, but she was walking fairly well and ate a nice breakfast.   But as the morning wore on, she kept on pacing and started panting constantly, she also show weakness in her hind legs and kept her back arched, so I called Lakeshore Veterinary Clinic, who are on call for Kettle Moraine.   We agreed that they should examine her.  De. Tremelling was able to give her a shot of combination pain killer and muscle relaxant that went to work pretty fast.   Within 10 minutes, her breathing slowed.  Then her little bottom settled on the floor, followed by her front legs and then her head settled on her left front paw and she had been out ever since.  This is first sleep she has had since yesterday evening when she did doze for about an hour.  I am just wishing that she waked up before 9PM so that I can take her out to go potty and give her the next dose of pills.


This morning I heard the Purple People Eater mentioned on TV.   It reminded me of one of Bart's soccer years.  His team was given purple uniforms.   That was the year that the Denver Broncos were so hot and were being called the Orange Crush.   We moms thought that it would be cool to call the team the Purple Crush.  In the conversations, however, Purple People Eaters had come up.   And the kids liked that.  

So one of the moms gathered them around and gave them a big speech about how great the Broncos were and how great it would be to have a name that would mean crushing the other teams and on and on.   Then she asked.   "So.  Do you want to be the PURPLE CRUSH or purple people eaters."   And as one the boys shouted.  "PURPLE PEOPLE EATERS."  So that is what they were.


I hope I have more fun stuff to write tomorrow.

Have a wonderful Sunday and God loves you

Mary

This has been a good day and a bad day.   Chelsea has had a very uncomfortable day.   It started off OK for HER anyway.  She got me up at 11PM, then again at 3AM and then again at 5:45am.   At that point, I stayed up because it was too much trouble to get them fed and everything else done and then go back to bed.  She loved her morning walk, and as it was cool and dry, I did too.  

I spent the morning finishing up lots of things on the computer, washing towels and doctoring Dick's eye.   Then after fixing lunch for Dick, I went to lunch at Dairy Queen with my friends.  That was pleasant, we will not meet next week because it is the Labor Day weekend.

Dick's eye was itching today, so he called Dr. Cheryl about that.   She gave us a prescription to fill if it continues to itch but says it may be just the fact that the abrasion is healing.   We will hope for that.   It seemed less uncomfortable for him this afternoon.

I picked up corn for supper on my way home from lundh, then took our Chelsea out for a walk.  I started talking to neighbors next door, Don and Jan.   Chelsea was kind of roaming around on that berm under the hazelnut tree and nibbling on various plants when suddenly she just tumbled down the berm. She rolled down and landed on the driveway.

She seemed stiff but has become more sore as time goes on.   I gave her the pain pills early but it took three hours for her to stop pacing and lie down.   I think she is sleeping now and hope she will be able to sleep it off.   I am sure she is bruised or perhaps tore something.  It seems to be in back of her right front leg though earlier she was sensitive by her left front leg.  If she can sleep for several hours, I am hoping that this will help her,  I am not waking her when I go to bed.   She will come to get me when she needs to and then I will give her another pain pill.  Poor little baby just keeps looking at me to help her and I can't.   I DID call the vet but they said with the meds that I had given her there was nothing more that they would do at this point.

So.   We will see what tomorrow brings.  At least the weekend is quiet.  

Pray for us.   Things are piling up again.

Til tomorrow.

God love you

Mary

Today was supposed to be a day at home except for one quick trip to Walgreens for a prescription for Dick    BUT as it turned out, his right eye was bothering him still and we decided to call Dr. Cheryl as we had still not heard about the lens.   She got him in this morning though she had a full day.   Upon examination, since last Thursday, he has developed an edema and has an abrasion on that eye.  She cannot figure out why he is not in more pain than he is and we cannot determine how it happened.   We have stopped the steroid meds and are now on a medication with antibiotics that will help dry the edema also.  They will be in contact with us tomorrow and he will be reexamined on Monday.   Pray for a quick healing.

I spent the rest of the day cleaning up messes.   Things were scattered all over the house after me being gone Friday night and Sunday.   Doesn't take much to mess up but takes a lot to get back in order.

As Dick had taken me out to Sweet Basil for supper last night, we had leftovers for our meals today.   Always good and easy to fix.   Dick had Spaghetti Bolognese and I had meat loaf.   So we split the spaghetti for lunch and a meatloaf sandwich for supper.

Now we are watching the Packer pregame with Indianapolis and then will hit the hay, as Dad would say.    Mother used to say "Up the wooden hill to four corners."   Cute when I grew up enough to realize that the wooden hill was our stairs and four corners was the bed.

Have a good Friday and be healthy and happy.

God love you

Mary

The wayward balloon

Me and St. Patrick at Irishfest



I did a really silly thing last night. I DID the blog then but accidently posted it to the Sheboygan CWI Site. I discovered it this morning and deleted it from there.

The main thing I wanted to send was the results of Mother's eye appointment. Anything else can wait til tonight. The blurring of her vision is as a result of dry macular degeneration which comes with age. It is not like the wet that destroys quickly and spreads very fast. The dry moves slowly but there is not cure. We are looking into brighter lights and better magnification.

Mom says she noticed that more and more the doctors are saying it is because she is old. We know this is mainly true but have to remember that some things CAN be cured, so symptoms still have to be checked.

Later

Mary

I was home almost all day.   I make a cake for the bust up party at Rhine.  I made a chocolate banana cake.  I need to frost it tomorrow. 

I also made Cole slaw and cut up a cantaloupe into chunks for snaking on.   We had pork and sauerkraut in the slow cooker for our dinner.   Boy was that ever good.

 This afternoon, I had a lot of errands to do.  I had to pick up several prescriptions and replacements of vitamins etc at Walgreens and  Chelsea's prescription at the Kettle Moraine Veterinary Clinic.  Then I went to the bank and finally dropped off the Amputee Support Group documentation at Janice's house.   I arranged the program for last month but have decided not to go any more as it really should be for Dick and he will not be going.  I have finally accepted that and have decided that I don't need any extra meetings, even if they are for Dick, unless he COMES ALONG..  I have tried for months.  Guess I am a slow learner.

So that was the day.    I am still quite behind but should be caught up by Thursday night.

You have a great day tomorrow.  Dick is taking me out for dinner so I feel special.

God Love You

Mary

The day has gotten away from me again.   I got up at 7AM.   (Of course, that was after two times outside with Chelsea during the night.)

Had Bible Study this morning.   There were 6 of us today.   A nice group.   We are still on the 15th Chapter of Mark.   Mary, our summer member, says that at the rate we are going she thinks we will be still working on Mark when she comes back next spring.   (There are only 16 chapters.)  We take our time though and really get in to it.   We are learning so much about the time of Jesus and today's discussion really got into the political atmosphere of that time.   Then we did a bit of bringing it to our time.  It is interesting that the Chief Priest of that time was appointed from the members of the Sanhedrin by the Romans - So though he was a Jew, he definitely profited from balancing his allegance.

Had a nice visit with Mother before heading home.   Then I called the eye doctor's office and found out that Mother is just being evaluated by Dr. Mandel on Wednesday, we were under the impression that they were going to do a procedure and we were making arrangements for somebody being with her the rest of the day, at least.

Now, a little more about Irish Fest before I go to bed.   I was listening to a bit of Jeff Ward's Band singing when I looked over and saw Kathy, one of our Sheboygan County members also watching.   We hooked up for a while.   I went over to see Mary Pat to be able to say Hi one more time and wish her well, then we ambled over to the Cultural Village as I wanted to pay for a print that I bought for a gift from Steve O'Loughlin, one of the Celtic Artists that came along with Cindy Matyi.   While Kathy and I were visiting with Cindy, Maureen Smith called.  She was next door in the Hedge school.   We watched a couple of the classes in the Hedge School, one on the influence of the Scots Irish in the U. S.   and the other on the Titanic, specifically a Belfast project, building a Titanic Museum.  The Titanic was built in Belfast and the museum sounds absolutely super.

We then moved over to listen to Tommy Sands.   I had really wanted to see his show and it was SO worth it.   I really want some of his music.   At this point, I have ONE song of his, as a guest singer on the Women's Heart Trilogy.

I till finish up tomorrow and I promise to get pictures on also. 

Take care of yourselves and each other.

God love you

Mary

What a day.   Irish Fest again.

I got up a bit after 5AM to get showered, take care of the critters,  see that Dick was OK for his meals and just generally get ready for the day.

Had one difficult event.  When I got ready to feed Chelsea, who was sleeping when I woke up, she started to just fall apart.  She woke up and tried to stand up.  She immediately slipped flat on to her belly just splayed out.  She looked very upset and then began coughing really badly.  Her little hear was going like a tom tom.   It  took a couple of events before she settled down.   Poor baby.   Dick said that she slept the rest of the day, except when our neighbor Dick, came to take her outside. 

I then left for my friends Joan and Richard Kramer's home.  They had kindly said that I could ride down to Irishfest with them and another friend, Dorothy Rose.  The three of them were volunteers to be ushers for various groups at the Mass.  The preceding bishop was John  McAreavey , the bishop of Dromore in Northern Ireland.  He was an excellent preacher, speaking from his own heart.  He spoke of the emigration and that he had reconnected with the descendants of people that her had only heard about as having gone.  One of his cousins, just this year, was able to come to Ireland to the very place that his great grandfather had been born.   How special is that.   Our roots are so important.

I will have to tell you more tomorrow and beyond.   I am so proud of myself.   I stayed calm the whole two days.   I kind of decided to go to certain things and not worry about that I might possible be missing.   The most important thing for me this weekend was the time I got to spend with my friends.   Almost quality time, considering all of the confusion going on around us.  And my friends, most of them artists, were trying to present their work and be available for marketing their creations.   I saw Cindy Matyi, Pat Gallagher, Mary Pat Kelly, Robbie O Connell and Jimmy Keane.   I also got to meet Steve O Laughlin and Jan Delyth, two other member of the Celtic Art Exhibit.

Anyway, time for bed.  Tomorrow I will put some pictures on the blog along with my post.

Love you all

And God loves you too.

Mary

A nice quiet day between my two trips to Irish Fest.   I did not have to go anywhere today.  Isn't that a wonder.

It was rather muggy and warm but not unbearable.  The strangest thing.   Chelsea go me up at about 2AM or something like that.  Then she did not wake up until 8:30AM and I stayed in bed too.  Boy was that ever nice.

I cleaned Roxie's litter box thoroughly today.  That was the only really big chore that I did.   It is hard for me not to get too involved in things, but I really wanted to get as much rest as I could today because, no matter what, tomorrow will be a busy day and Monday will not be much better.

Dick asked me to mention that with his eyes being so blurry is anyone is sending him emails, he is not able to read them.  To be patient.   We should have his new lens this week and he can catch up.

In the mean time, have a lovely Sunday.   If you are at Irishfest and want to contact me my cell phone number is 910-912-5345.

God love you

Mary

What a day.   Jody came to clean the house this morning.   I had been busy getting Chelsea walked and fixing breakfast.  Dick had requested pancakes.    So I made some.   I am using up some yogurt.   I adapted a recipe that called for plain yogurt using yogurt with fruit in it and they were delicious.   

I picked up some sweet corn for our lunch as I was not to be home for our usual corn and tomato supper.

Then I took a little nap before getting ready to go to IRISH FEST!!!!!

I left for Janet and Rich Bieschke's at about 2:30PM.  They were leaving at 3PM and were kind enough to let me ride along with them.  We got to the festival grounds shortly after four and were able to take advantage of the free entry between 4 and 5:30PM.    We all stuck together for about a half an hour, then Richard got bored with our shopping and went on to watch the dancers and get a good beer.   Janet and I made our way to the Cultural Village.   I found Cindy Matyi, Pat Gallagher and met Steven O Loughlin, who's work I have enjoyed from afar since I met Patrick and Cindy.   I am going to get a couple of his prints and will share them with you.  At least one will be a gift.


This is where Jane and I lost each other because I spent quite a bit of time visiting with Cindy and Patrick.  Then I couldn't find her so I grabbed a Reuben Roll which was really good and headed over to the Aer Lingus stage to enjoy the Green Fields of America reunion.   I knew that Robbie O Connell was going to be there but did not expect Jimmy Keane as he had not been listed online.  So it was a double pleasure.  I picked up a glass of mead to enjoy while I watched their show.   After it was over, I went around the building to the entrance to back stage, fully expecting a crowd of other people (despite the fact that it had been raining off and on for the past hour along with lightening and thunder.   Then, just as I got to the foot of the stage door stairs, they skies opened and the winds came like a hurricane.   I stood there against the wall in a corner deciding where to make my break to when the door opened and one of the volunteers saw me and asked me in.   So I got to see Robbie and Jimmy in a nice warm dry quiet place.   I told Robbie, I was back there because I was the only fool to decide to try to go to the stage entrance to meet them and that I was  the groupie that got past the guards.  

I also met Danny Golden sitting on a stool waiting.  He still dances and talked to Dennis from Blarney.

It was fun.   When the rain stopped, I decided to get on my way as I still had to find Mary Pat Kelly..

After another phone call, I did find her.   We had a great visit as she was selling her book.  I met several of her friends too.   Suddenly I realized that it was almost 8PM and Janet, Rich and I had decided that if we got separated we would meet at the entrance between 8 and 8:30PM.   I checked around the entrance and did not see them so I ambled over to the Tipperary Tea Room to get an Irish Coffee and some cookies.   I got to hear the Last of the Schooner Fare concert.  They were singing We the People.   I also found Dave and Ellen.  Dave leads the group that sings at Blessed Trinity's Celtic Mass and Faire.  Ellen is very interested in being a Celtic Woman.


So it was a special day.   I am pleased that I can go back again on Sunday.  I know what I want to do and what I want to buy then.   Mary Pat and I are going to do an early morning coffee right after Mass.  And I will try to get Cindy out for a break too.   She is rather frail and has just recovered from a bout of food poisoning.  This on top of chemo.  At least her daughter and a friend of her daughter's are here to help her.

It is now after 11PM.  Later that I am EVER up.   Tomorrow I am home ALL day.  I don't even have to go to church as I am going to the Mass at the Marcus Ampitheatre.   So.  I hope your day was as good as mine and wish you sweet dreams.

Love and God loves you too

Mary

One would think that Thursday should be a quiet day.   It was not too bad.   Chelsea was pretty good.  She woke me up the first time at about 3AM and then again at about 6AM.  She kind of worried me because she did not eat a very good breakfast and I had trouble getting her pills into her. 

I spent the morning watering plants, emailing people and calling people.   Then, at 11:30AM, I left to pick up Kate.  She had an Obama election pin with is picture and all the previous presidents that she had picked up in Washington DC when she went to her DAR convention.   She knows that Mom collects political buttons.   We picked up lunch at the Point and had a lovely lunch with Mother.   We got steak sandwiches and french fries.   I had forgotten how GOOD the steak sandwiches are at the Point.  Thank you, Ron, for sending us there.   Kate had originally thought of picking up lunch at Chesters.


We left at about 1PM.  As we were leaving, Loraine Schaap and Tom Keyes, were coming down the street to visit Mother as a visit from Blessed Trinity.   Loraine even had communion for her.    Kat and the Keyes are good friends so this was a good visit.  I was glad that Loraine got to meet Kate as we have been praying for her and Ron for years.

When I got home, I took a nap.   I needed it by then as after Kate and I left Mom's we went shopping at Richardsons Furniture and then picked up Chelsea's meds at the vet.   I got some tea at their Tea Atrium.  I still need to take Mother there for some tea and cakes.  She would enjoy that and it would be an easy trip.

So, we are at the end of the day.  Tomorrow is Irishfest and I am SO looking forward to it.  I am getting corn in the morning and we will have it for lunch instead of our evening meal.  

Be good and tomorrow night I will tell you about the fest.  I hope to hook up with several of my friends tomorrow and arrange to have meals or gatherings with them either Friday or Sunday.

God love you

Mary



 

The night was a bit broken up.  Chelsea got me up before 1AM again.  Then she let me sleep until almost 5AM.  Needless to say, I went back to bed and shut the door.  Then Dick came back to bed shortly after 6AM so I eventually got up and just started moving.   The critters and I got the feeding and the bathing and the walking done before 7:30  and then I headed to the grocery store.

I was there quite early and the store was quiet.   Dick had checked the lottery tickets and said that there were no winners.  I always double check them in the automatic checker.  Guess what!  We had a $32  winner so this week was "free." A nice surprise for both of us.

I filled the gas tank on the way home so I am probably good for another two weeks.   I seem to be always driving, but they are usually in town and don't use much gas.

I go home and put the groceries away.  Chelsea and Dick were both sleeping, so when it got close to 10AM, I headed out with my guns to Rhine to shoot a round a trap and meet Nancy and her grandson so Nancy and I could practice our pistol shooting.

It was quiet today as most of the shooters were done.   I was actually done but wanted to do a practice round.   I got a 9.   Not great but I was settling down and Jerry gave me some hints on the line which will maybe penetrate my pea brain. I am using the shells that my friend Norb loaded.   I was going along just fine until my second last shot.   He must have slipped a heavy load in there on me and it set me back two feet.  Everybody jumped and then started laughing at me. (But they jumped a bit too.)  Wait til I see Norb at the bust up.

 I did not do too badly at the pistol shooting  but not to great either.  But it was fun and Nancy's grandson, Jack, is a really nice boy.

I got home at about 11 and fixed lunch and then tried to take a nap as I was tired.  I could not sleep but did rest for an hour.   Dick WAS awake when I got home but just getting up.

We drove on over to the Eye Clinic at 2:30PM.   Dr. Cheryl did a refraction on his eyes and did feel that there was enough of a change to warrant a change in his left lens.   There may be changes happening yet but the vision has deteriorated enough that he is not enjoying much in the way of reading or the computer.   The change would allow one free change in the next 12 months and it is worth it to have him seeing.   I know this has been distressing as it has happened so fast.  So, in a week or so the new lens will be in and he will be able to see and read again.

We got home about 4 and have been pretty much lazing around.  Of course, Chelsea does not approve of me just sitting and has had me take her out a few times, but she seems to be settling down again.   I



Tomorrow, except for going to lunch at Mother's with Kate (we are going to pick up lunch at the Point) I will be home all day.   The next day, I will be going to Irish Fest with my friends Rich and Janet.  So things are quieting down and pickup up all to onst.

I sure hope I get a good night's sleep as I am really tired now.

Till tomorrow.

God keep you in the palm of His hand.

Mary

Another very busy day.  This one started off normally.   Taking care of critters and me and Dick.  Then we had to go to the Plymouth Clinic at 11AM to the anti coagulation clinic for Dick's monthly blood test.  He was at 2.8.   Perfect.  So he can keep the same med schedule and we don't have to go back for a month.

Then we stopped at the Hong Kong Island Buffet for lunch.  I picked up a dinner of Fried Rice, Chicken Chop Suey and Egg rolls.   Boy was it good.  

After lunch, Dick had his appointment with Dr. Cheryl Ziegler, the eye doctor.  The right eye, with the selasian looks pretty good but he has been complaining about his left eye too.   His vision is blurred.in that eye.   She found no retinal problems, thank God.   We will go back tomorrow for a refraction to see if he needs a change in his prescription.

It's always something, isn't it? 

I got my hair cut this afternoon too.  My friend, Janet, called this afternoon.   She and Richard are going to Irish Fest on Friday evening and I can ride along with them.   Yea.  I can go the two days that I wanted too.  They will not stay too late either which will make Dick very happy.  Now I need to contact Maureen, Cindy and Mary Pat to see how we can join up for some visits on either Friday or Sunday.

Have a nice Wednesday.   Again.  I will be busy but after the weekend,things will settle down for a bit again.

God love you all

Mary

What another beautiful day.  I even wore jeans.  Chelsea got me up at 11:30PM and again at 2:30AM.  Then I slept until 6:30AM. 

I went to bible study at 9:30AM.  We had a pretty full contingent.   Helen Maurer was not with us because her she had surgery for a detached retina.  Pray for her.  Her eyes have been giving her trouble for quite some time.

We had great discussions today.  We are getting into Mark's account of the Passion and got it all connected to the Sunday Celebration of the Assumption.   Mary must have been quite a woman to take on that mission to raise the Son of God and then to walk with him through his passion.  Joseph was pretty brave too.   I am so looking forward to seeing "The Child" at the Fireside in November.  That is a new musical of the story of Christmas from the view of Joseph.  I have been listening to The Rock and The Rabbi.  Boy is that good.  I makes Peter seem like the real person he must have been.

I had a nice visit with Mother after bible study also.  I am helping her pay her bills and update her checkbook now.   I did that for Helen too.   She tells me what bills need to be paid, I write the checks, she signs them and I update the checkbook.    With her sight being so iffy, she feels more comfortable with this arrangement.


I went to my Cream City Writer meeting this afternoon.  I had managed to complete a poem on growing up to read at the meeting.   We had a lot of good readings today.   The invoked memories of our own childhoods, so the writings are doing what we had hoped, painting pictures in other people's hearts.

I make chocolate zucchini bread this afternoon.

WE had leftovers for our supper.   And Scalloped potatoes for our lunch.  So it was an easy day for me.   Tomorrow, Dick has two doctor appointments and we are planning on eating out.   If it is difficult for Dick, we will pick up something and come home to eat it.

It was our 24th anniversary today.   Hardly seems possible.   I sent Dick and e card.  He felt bad because his eyes made it hard for him to do the same.   Tomorrow our meal out will be our celebration.   We got cards from some of the kids and we know that we love each other.

Bart called tonight.  He is still suffering but is doing as well as can be expected at this point.  Please pray for him .

All my love and God love you

Mary

I did get to stay home all day today.   That was a welcome change.

Chelsea woke me up at 2:30AM and then again at 5AM.  At. the 5AM walk, I decided to shut the door and slept until 7AM.  I would have loved to sleep longer but felt that I was pushing my luck with the Roxie cat.   She was probably very hungry by then, even if she got some kitty treats at 5AM.

I did a lot today, but it was at a very leisurely pace.    We had scalloped potatoes and ham for lunch.  I had to prepare that.   I also baked some low sugar brownies.

I have been drying herbs a little at a time and did a couple of them today.  I also FINALLY covered the workbench that Bobbie and I use for wine making with peel and strip linoleum squares so it will be easier to clean up.  It looks nice too.

I took a nice nap this afternoon.

Chelsea was a ball of fire this morning when I took her out for her walk, then this afternoon she started coughing and then had trouble standing up.   I suppose that is what we will have to expect these days, after all she is over 16 years old.

This is going to be a busy week and then next Sunday I will be going to Irish Fest.  I really would like to go on Friday also but so far have noone to go along with me.

God love you

Mary

This was a quiet Saturday.   Chelsea woke me up at about 1:30AM to go outside.   That is no too bad anymore as I can usually get right back to sleep, but that poor little doggie coughed almost steadily the rest of the night.  I was surprised when she finally came to wake me up that she still had quite a bit of zip.   We went for our morning walk before I fed her. She has not had much trouble during the day so that is encouraging.

I was so tired with my broken sleep that I took my nap this morning.

We had ham, potatoes and veggies for lunch.   I fixed some yellow squash for myself and Dick had green beans.  Then I spent the afternoon watering plants, and freezing some squash and drying herbs until it was time to go to church.  Mass was interesting.  Fr. Van Beek's sister - Sr. Joan Marie Van Beek - who is a missionary School Sister of Notre Dame working  in Africa.   She was our speaker for Mission Sunday.

She told us a story of one of their Sisters, who runs a clinic.   A mother came from a nearby village with her young child.   She had previously lost a child who died during a seizure and this new child was also subject to seizures.  When she handed the boy to Sr. Carol, he started seizing and fell limp in her arms.   The mother started to scream and wail and took off like a shot back to her village believing that her child had died.   Sr. Carol in the meantime was treating the boy.  She cooled him with a bath and gave him medicine as it was apparently malaria involved and laid him down to nap, then couldn't find the mother.   Shortly thereafter, they heard a group of people coming down the road crying and in funeral robes with a small little casket.   The mother had run all the way back to her village and her friends and family were with her to pick up her child's body.  So. Sr. Carol  told her to calm down and wait.    Then she went to wake the little boy up.   She handed the very alive child to his mother who proclaimed a miracle.    And that Sr. Carol was a miracle worker.

Why not.

Bret called tonight.  They have been enjoying the best weather in the nation but it is supposed to get hot there next week.   He has moved to Norco and is renting a room from the mother of some friends.  The woman is in a rehab center and is glad to have someone taking care of the house for her.  He has been working lots of overtime lately.

Now I am watching the first Packer pregame.   We are well into the third quarter and the score is tied.   I don't know if I will be able to stay up for the whole thing but we will see.

Talke to you all tomorrow.

God love You

Mary 

Another hot and muggy day, though it was much cooler than yesterday.  

Jody came to do the cleaning at about 8:30AM.  I was busy today arranging to go to the Fireside in November with Bobbie and Bill to see The Child, calling the insurance company for a question and finding out how my claim for my missing jewelry is going.  I also started drying some of my herbs for the winter.

At noon, I set out on several errands.   I had to pick up some cleaning products at Walmart and I found a couple of nice cotton blouses that are what I have been looking for.   Then I drove to the Dairy Queen for lunch with my friends.  There were four of us and we had a great time.  We were just silly today.  Ceil and Betty were especially goofy.    I had a chicken wrap and brought some french fries home for Chelsea.

On the way home, I picked up corn for our dinner and stopped at the bank for a couple of things.

When I got home, I took a nap.  I have been so tired, despite the fact that I have had some pretty good nights.   Chelsea usually lets me sleep until at least 4 and then I get a couple more hours before she comes around again.   I guess it is the broken sleep.

We had that wonderful corn for our dinner.   Boy is it ever good this year.  

Til tomorrow then.

God love you

Mary

I am printing the elegy that was read at Audrey Hephern's funeral.  It was beautiful.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others. 

 

Hello.   This has been an interesting day.    Chelsea woke me up at 4AM this morning.   I then went back to bed.  Shut the bedroom door and slept until 6:30AM.

After fixing breakfast, I drove over to Mother's to help her get ready for her appointment with Dr. Lavey, the eye doctor.   She has been complaining about her vision in the good eye, the right eye, deteriorating.   He did a thorough check and discovered with a special test that there is fluid underneath the lining of the eye, which if unchecked could lead to macular in the right eye too.  It was wet macular deterioration that led to the loss of sight in her left eye.  We have scheduled an appointment with Dr. Paul Mandel on August 25 to have an injection that should dry up the fluid and prevent the loss of sight. Pray to God.

I got home at about 1PM and fixed our lunch before resting for a while.

I spent the afternoon on various chores around the house.   I got a lot done and am now ready for a good night's sleep.

Mom and I had a good visit on the trip to and from the doctor.   We were remembering my brother Matt.   He was the poet brother that died when he was only 17.   I remember that he was a sweet eager little boy.   I think I told you a while ago that he told me when he was about 5 of 6 that he could see guardian angels.  He had discovered that if you push gently on the side of your eye, you see double and he had decided that he was seeing guardian angels.  I hope he never lost that belief and that his guardian angel took him straight to heaven's gates when he left us.

God love you

Mary

Here is one of his poems.  He never used capital letters and seldom used punctuation.


IN ANSWER TO YOUR POEM

by Matt Deeley

how wonderful! you fear for my life
but you should know
     life is death   
        and death is life
and the mysteries
of the unknown empires of quietus
offer more
than life can hold in its hand

Today was even busier than Monday.

I did the grocery shopping, as usual, early.   Then at 10AM I went out to Rhine to shoot my last round of trap for league.    I shot one more just for practice.    The first one was not TOO bad but I could have forgotten the practice round as it was awful.

Nancy Roehre joined me today so we could shoot pistol too.   That was much more successful than the trap.   I got a 35 on the first one but using what I did on the first, I shot a 69 on the second.   Yippee.

When I got home, we had lunch.   Dick had raw beef sandwiches and I had a mushroom sandwich.   Then I finished the marmalade.   (I think it is still a bit soupy, darn.) I also made cauliflower soup with the cauliflower that was about to turn if I didn't use it.    I will have soup and pie and macaroni salad to take to Mother tomorrow when I take her to the eye doctor.

At a little after 5PM, I walked to Lions park for the condo picnic with my dishes, wine and macaroni salad.  They provided coffee and chicken and rolls.   It was surprisingly pleasant up there.  They must have sprayed for mosquitoes and there was a gently breeze most of the time we were there.    I enjoyed it a lot.

But it was a really exhausting day and I am glad it is over.   Tomorrow, I just have to take Mother to the eye doctor and go to Walgreens.   I can do that all on one trip so will be able to rest the afternoon and evening.



Hope you have a pleasant Thursday.  Stay well and God love you.

Mary

It was hot and muggy today.   The temperature hit about 86 here but the air was SO heavy.    Chelsea woke me up at 1:30AM and then left me a.one until 5:30AM.  The trouble was that I had a great deal of difficulty getting back to sleep after the first time, so woke up rather sleepy.

First, I want you all to know that Bart had the device that helps control his pain upgraded today.  They checked the leads to his spinal cord, changed the batteries and apparently he has a bit more control over the dose, he gives himself.   They took him in about 10AM and he was back in his room between 12:30 and 1:30.    Barb called when he went in, when he was back in the room and finally, when they got home which was a little after 6PM.   He is beat and so is Barbara.   He has to keep hands off til Thursday evening but is it in operation so he will be using it.

I spend most of the day cooking.   I have several oranges that had to be used so am making a batch of Orange Marmalade.   I did the initial boiling today and will boil it down and can it tomorrow.  I also make a blueberry pie.

 I made a stuffed hamburger, which we split, accompanied by fried mashed potatoes, broccoli and cucumbers for lunch.   

I also prepared a pasta salad to take to the Condo picnic at the park tomorrow evening.

Sunday, I had put together a square for the block of the month that the Kettle Country Quilters are doing this year and had to take it apart and start over because I had to fix the size.   It looks good now, My points are not as pointy as I would like but they are ALL alike, so it will be my "special touch".

Tomorrow I will be grocery shopping, shooting and going to the picnic.  I also want to make the marmalade and some cauliflower soup.   I have to as the cauliflower needs to be cooked.
 
 We had Pizza Soup and Blueberry pie for supper.   Num Num.

Then this evening we had a Celtic Women Conference Call about the Bridget trip we are working on for next February.   We made a lot of headway.

So that was the day.   Now I am sipping a Bailey's and coffee and then will walk Chelsea and go to bed.

Have a great tomorrow.

God love you all

Mary

This turned out to be a bit busier a day than I had planned.   Chelsea only woke me up at 4AM.  Pretty good.  She came in again shortly after 6AM when it was time for me to get up anyway.

I left a bit early for bible study because I wanted to drop a couple of things off at Kate and Ron's before I headed to Falls.   I rang the bell but when I got no answer quickly, figured they were still asleep and just left the cooler with the soup and scones and the other things  between the door and the screen.

Then I stopped at Walgreens to get a wedding card for George and Betsy's son Shawn and his wife to be.  I filled it out and enclosed a check when I got to Mother's .  Jeff and Kathy will take it with them to the wedding.  I just couldn't go this time.  There is too much here that is iffy.

Bible study was well attended.  we were only
sing Ione and Helen Maurer.   We are getting closer to the end of Mark and have ordered a study for Psalms to start as soon as we finish the gospel.

Mother and I had a nice visit.  I had to go back in the afternoon.  She was out of her blood pressure medicine and I found out that there was a miscommunication with the insurance company.   By the time they got it straightened out it was close to 3PM so I picked it up then and took it to her.  Chelsea came with me.   Mother enjoys seeing her and Chelsea enjoys the ride.

Chelsea goes immediately through the house now, right into the kitchen.   I don't know if you remember, but when we first got her, she would not enter the kitchen at Mother's.   Mother took care of her one Sunday, and had to put her food next to the fridge right inside the kitchen so Chelsea could get to it without putting foot on the linoleum.

Then, when Bart, Barb and I went to Ireland, Barb and I found a little jacket in the streets of  Cashel.   It was Barbie and Ken size.   I picked it up and told Barbara that I would take it home to Mother.   I did and we put it on a shelf in the kitchen.   The jacket is still around somewhere, but since it was placed in the kitchen, Chelsea has no fear of going in there any more and it was definitely that event that was the change.   You explain.

Have a great Tuesday.  It was HOT today 88 and humid.  I know that some of my readers would disagree with the definition of hot, but it was hot for us.

Love

God love you

Mary
.  

 I FIGURED OUT WHAT I DID WITH SATURDAY'S POST.   i PUT IT ON THE CWI SITE.
SO HERE IT IS:  BETTER LATE THAN NEVER.

A comparatively quiet day. The only time I had to leave the house was to go to Mass this evening.

Chelsea seems to have reverted to a really dumb need to go out again. I can't even remember the times but know that at 5AM, I just shut them out and asked Dick to get me up at 6:30 AM as Jody was coming to clean at 8AM and I had a lot to do before then

This was an odd day, I did a lot of things but nothing I can really lay my hands on. We had leftover chicken with fresh green beans and mashed potatoes with green onions and chives.

I did take a nap this afternoon as I suddenly became very tired. Chelsea is now on pain pills and seems to be much more lethargic than usual but she is also walking a bit less painfully, so we will continue for the time being.

Church was very comforting tonight. I sat with a friend Mary whose husband has been ill this past year too and we prayed together. The gospel was the one about always being ready for the "master". That is a good thing to keep in mind. Fr. Van Beeck brought up the 9-11 disaster. 3000 and more souls all left this world in one day. How many of them were ready?

So Tomorrow I will be able to stay home all day and I intend to do some sewing and perhaps some writing. We are having Spinach, Egg Noodle casserole for our noon meal so if you are hungry show up at about 11:30AM. Dick is all excited.

Have a good day. I understand that the heat is returning.

Here is a haiku for you.

River

A river in my mind
Carries all my memories
Keeping them alive.

Mary

It seems that I did not post again last night.    Actually, I thought I had.   But somehow or other, I think the thing did not post.   Heaven knows why.   Saturday  was a quiet day.  The only time I went out  was to Mass.   I remember telling you that the readings were really good ones.   Mainly that we had better be ready when God comes to call us.  Fr. Fan Veeck mentioned that he often thinks, now, of 9-11 and the thousands of people who stormed the gates of heaven on that day.   How many of them were ready?   I bed more than we would think. 

Today was a doubly quiet day.  I did not go any where.   When I woke up to walk Chelsea it was raining.   Not very hard but steady and there was thunder and lightening off in the distance.  We even went for a short walk so that she could completer her "mission".  

I fixed the famous Kunert Spinach, Noodle and Egg casserole for our lunch.  Actually, I had told Dick that I invited anybody reading the blog to come over at about 11:30AM today and they could have lunched with us.   He always asks what I would do if everybody showed up.   I say, I would feed them.  But today I KNOW why nobody showed up.

So here we are into another week.   Please pray for my friend Kate's husband, Ron.  He had a heart attack on Thursday and was rushed to St. Luke's.   They were able to bring him home yesterday, two days before they thought, so that is a very good sign.   Kate needs prayers goo.   She is a weary lady.

The balloon is on the move again.  It dropped from the ceiling and has been kind of following me around today.   The last I saw of it was in Roxie's room.   She gets pretty confused when it starts hovering around her.

I figure it is almost gone.  Pretty good - I lasted almost three months.

God love you all

Mary