It was cold today.   The temperatures were in the high 50s but there was a biting angry wind that entered my bones every time I set foot outdoors.

I finished Dick's wash and got it all folded and ready to go this morning.   I went over to Rocky Knoll a bit earlier than usual so that we could discuss with Corrie the goals for the next couple of weeks.    What we need to do is make sure that Dick can get himself up from the chair to the walker by himself, turn to transfer to bed and to the bathroom and put on his prosthesis by himself if I am not immediately available for some reason.  We are all on the same page now.    Next week, Corrie will work with him in his room and hopefully be able to bring the CNAs in to know what to do to help him outside of therapy.    He is making quite a distance walking with the walker.   We are going to try to walk tomorrow.  Just he and I, by going to the therapy department.   Then if the therapists will just help me get him up we can practice.    We are trying to avoid actual unnecessary therapy if we can because we have to pay a copay for each session.

I left at about 2PM.   Came home and sewed a bit before napping for about 45 minutes.    I was just plain tired and Nancy and Warren were picking me up at 4:45PM for pistol league.    We all did pretty good.   I was really pleased with my second target and reasonably pleased with the other two.
I am going to miss the bust up because that is the evening that Shirley and Bill from the Writers Club are getting married and I will be going to that event.

So the day is done and I will soon go to bed.  I will end with a really nice Maxine that I read about a month a go.   "Personally I think that conservatives and liberals should move towards the middle of the road.   Makes it easier to run over them."

Love and God love you

Mary

Today started mighty early.    I got up at 6:30AM, a little later than I planned, to be at Rocky Knoll by 7:45AM so that I could have breakfast with Dick and help him get ready for the trip to Aurora in Sheboygan to see Dr. Kream.

Tim picked us up at 9:AM and got us to the clinic in plenty of time for our appointment at 9:30.   However, we did not see the doctor until almost 10:30AM.  He is a very good doctor, but way to busy and it seems that there is always a LONG wait to see him, but this really put us behind.   Especially when he decided that he needed an Xray and a blood test taken before we left.    Anyway, all was accomplished by 11:30.   I had a lunch date with Kate at noon, so I called her to tell her I would be a bit late.   Which she was fine with.

Anyway.   Dick's exam went quite well.   Dr. Kream is pleased that the increased diuretic and the new meds in the nebulizer are helping his lungs clear.  The xray and blood tests are to see where all the other vitals are.   Hopefully they will be OK too.   He will apparently will need a nebulizer after he comes home too.

So we got back to Rocky Knoll a bit before noon.  So I walked Dick down to the lunch room and  dropped off the doctor's instuctions to the nurses.  Then I gathered up all the dirty clothes and my other stuff and went to Antoinettes to meet Kate.  

We had a really nice visit and catch up.   As we have been so involved in our own lives, busy as they are.  (Please pray for her daughter in law who is very ill with a hole in her heart, and her family who love her so.)
We had a lot to catch up on, for sure.    As it turns out , Monday is Writers club and we are going to Don's for the meeting.   Several of us are going to meet for lunch at the new Taco place and carpool out to Don's.  That will be lost of fun.

Then I went to the bank to meet Jeff and take care of some corrections on Mom's accounts to make everything clear and easy for all of us.   Shane was there too.   They had come for lunch with Mother, did a few errands and then were going out to do some bow hunting (Shane), squirrel hunting (Jeff) before going home.

Shane and Georgie can't come for liver on Saturday - pheasant hunting.   But I told him that I will invite them any time I cook it until they can come. 

So home again, I did some sewing.  Actually.  Everything on my list is crossed off, so tonight, I will just goof off and do what ever I want to do until bed time.   Isn't that a novel idea?

I am adding a cute Wisconsin email that I received from my friend Dan, who I consider a 6 foot leprechaun.

God love you and have a great Friday.

Mary

THE  RULES OF RURAL WISCONSIN ARE  AS FOLLOWS:

1.  Pull your droopy pants up. You look like an idiot.

2. Turn your cap  right, your head isn't crooked.

3. Let's get this straight; it's called a  'dirt road.'  I drive a pickup truck because I want to.  No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.

4. They are cattle. They're live steaks. That's why they smell funny to you. But they smell like money to Wisconsin farmers. Get over it. Don't like it?  I-94 goes east and west, pick one.

5. So you have a $60,000 car. We're impressed. Grain farmers have $350,000 combines that they drive only 3 weeks a year.

6. So every person in rural Wisconsin waves. It's called being friendly. Try to understand the concept.

7. If that cell phone rings while an 8-point buck and 3 does are coming in, we WILL shoot it out of your hand.  You better hope you don't have it up to your ear at the time.

8. Yeah, we eat taters, gravy, beans and cornbread.  You really want sushi and caviar?  It's available at Jim's bait shop...

9. The 'Opener' refers to the first day of deer season. It's a religious holiday in November.

10. We open doors for women. That applies to all women, regardless of  age.

11. No, there's no 'vegetarian special' on the menu.  Order steak. Or you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the 2 pounds of ham & turkey.

12. When we fill out a table, there are three main dishes:  meats, vegetables, and breads.  We use three seasonings - salt, pepper, and ketchup. 

13. You bring 'coke'  into my house, it better be brown, wet and served over ice.

14. You bring 'Mary Jane' into my house, she better be homegrown, cute, knows how to shoot, drive a truck, and she better have long hair..

15. College and high school football/basketball are as important here as the PACKERS andtheBUCKS.... and more fun to watch.

16.  Yeah, we have golf courses.  But don't hit the water hazards --  it spooks the fish.                                                

Voc-techs.  Folks come outta there with an education plus a love for God and country, and they still wave at everybody when they come for the holidays.

18.Turn down that  blasted car stereo!  That thumpity-thump crap ain't music, anyway. We don't want to hear it anymore than we want to see your boxers. Refer back to #1.

19. Four inches of snow  isn't a blizzard - it's a flurry.  Drive in it like you got some sense, and DON'T take all our bread, milk, and bleach from the grocery stores. This ain't Alaska .  Worst case  you may have to live a whole day without croissants. The pickups with snowplows will have you out the next  day.

20.  By the way.... if you want to talk to God in Wisconsin , it's a local call.

A true Wisconsinite will send this on!! 

 

 

 

Since it is my day off.   I am only going to sign on long enough to say - Hello.

God love you

Mary

Not the usual Tuesday.    I am switching grocery shopping day for a while.   The Pig is trying to trick me.    They have their weekly ad that comes in the paper on Tuesdays the specials that run from Wednesday until the following Tuesday evening.   THEN in the Sunday paper they have two pages of coupons that run from Sunday to Tuesday night.    The coupons are really good too.  But they are not tricking me into coming in two days in a row and I WILL take advantage of ALL the specials.    I am woman - Hear me roar!!!

It was trash day too so I couldn't stay in bed as late as I would have liked to.   I am taking tomorrow off.   I can sleep as long as I want and I will not leave the house except to get the mail.   At least that is the plan.

I did some sewing.   As I said I have two projects that HAVE to be done before December, so I am doing just a bit on each of them each day and should be done before November even.   With any luck at all.

I left for my chiropractor appointment at about an hour before the 12:40 PM appointment so I could pick up some supplies for Mother as long as I was in Sheboygan.   Then I went to the Sheboygan Clinic to be adjusted again.   Dr. Holmes also gave me another exercise, this one a stretching exercise to do for the next week, then I will see him on Tuesday.  So far I am not much improved but it does take time to get things stretched out and repaired.

I dropped Mom's supplies off for her on the way to Rocky Knoll.   Then Dick and I went down the hall to the On the Rocks Saloon for cocktail hour.    That was fun.    I always enjoy that little break with him.   His room gets so small and he is not ever very eager to go outside, though I have convinced him to roll our there a few times.

We had supper together and then I came home.   Roxie was quite indignant as it was after 6PM, a full hour after her suppertime when I dragged in.   She will be a happy girl tomorrow though as I won't leave her. 

Saturday is going to be liver night.   Bobbie and Bill will be here and perhaps Shane and Georgina.   Shane is checking to see if they are free.   Otherwise, I will ask them the next time I cook some as Shane wants to see if he likes it.     As I always have to fix an alternate, this is a perfect way to find out.

So. I am watching Dancing and then will go to bed.

Enjoy your Wednesday as I will enjoy mine.

God love you

Mary

Another busy Monday.   I am remembering to stir my Marigold wine every day.

 I left for Bible Study shortly before 9AM as I had to stop at Walgreens.    There was a prescription for Mother that she did not need ready.   I asked them to take that prescription off the auto fill program.   I got some vitamins for myself and a shower scrubby for me.

We had eleven people at our study this morning.    Everybody but Mary who only comes when there is no school.  Psalm 37 is certainly worth reading and discussing.   We spent three weeks on it.

I had a nice hour with Mom.   She did not have any bills to review so we could just spend the time visiting.  I was able to update her on how Dick is doing and also that Jim is recovering well from his surgery on his Achilles Tendon.  We were both excited about Jessica running in the Chicago Marathon again.   She is quite the girl.   There is rain in Texas per George's call so life is going pretty well for everybody.

I went directly go Rocky Knoll to have lunch with Dick.   I got there just as he finished his third walk of the day using the walker.    He looked so proud, as well he should.    After lunch, he had OT and stood twice.   Once for 2 1/2 minutes and for 4 minutes the second time.   Lots of work to do yet and we need work done on the prostheses also but there is definite improvement.     His lungs now seem clear.   We will see Dr. Kream on Thursday to find out for sure .

I came home at about 3:30, did some sewing, fixed supper and rested.   So.  Now I am going to watch Dancing with the Stars and then go to bed.

Have a good sleep

God love you

Mary

Kind of a typical Sunday, at least as they are with Dick at Rocky Knoll.    I was able to sleep until 7AM. 

I left for Rocky Knoll just before 9AM so I could help Dick get his prosthesis on.   Then, Cindy, one of the CNAs had already put the left one on and we did the right after Mass.    I went down to Mass at about 9:30AM.  Good thing I did.  They were short  a little help, but the population seems a bit down now anyway.   It is amazing how fast that fluctuates.   They have one hall in Woodland Village empty right now.   Probably in a week or two everything will be packed again.  

Bobbie and Bill came to visit at about noon.  We had a lovely visit but Dick seemed very tired today, so I left when they did, shortly after 2PM.   I was home by 2:30PM which made Roxie very happy especially when I lay down for about 45 minutes. 

Then I went downstairs and did a bit of sewing before coming up to bake some brown bread and fix dinner.

I am watching the Brewer game and will morph into the Packer game soon.   My picks in the Fantasy Football league this week are not too spectacular.  Too many close calls in my system.

This coming week is a bit quieter.    I intend to take a day without any appointments and just stay home and do nothing.

God love you all

  Brewers Won!!!!


Mary

I finished adding everything I needed to the Marigold wine this morning.  I am pretty sure that this is the very last batch of wine that I will ever make.   A little bit sad, but we had a lot of fun on our run and I just don't have as much fun with it without Dick working along with me.   I don't think I told you this story.  A few years ago, I had a gallon of orange juice start to ferment, so I thought I would add the nutrients, and Camden tablets etc to it along with yeast and see what happened.    Last fall I tried a bottle and it was just awful.    I never got around to pouring it out.   Last week I brought up a bottle and opened it just for fun.   It smelled better and more like orange.   So I tried it and it is much better.   At least drinkable.   So my Dad's flat advice for wines that don't taste good "let it age" was good advice.   I tried it again because Bobbie had mentioned that a strawberry wine that she had made that seemed to be a disappointment was improving with age also.

I was supposed to breakfast with my friend Bob this morning.   I forgot.   When I remembered, I called him immediately and we rescheduled for this evening.    We went to the restaurant at the Airport.  It was good.   The entrees were so big, we got soup and appetizers and I still brought food home.   Bob is working on an icon of Bridget for me.   He showed me the project at this point and it is just super.  

Dick did not have therapy today, but we put both of the prosthesis on and he tried to stand with the walker.   Then Kevin came in and helped him transfer from the bed to the wheel chair and told him not to try to stand alone.   He just might fall and that would be really bad.   He did will with the transfer though.

So the day is done and I am glad.    Roxie is happy to have me home and will be my little companion when I get to bed.  

May your Sunday be all you want it to be and more.

God love you

Mary
.

I just checked WISN and got it just as the Brewers won the first series of playoffs.    Wow,  There is joy in the Beer Capital of the world and all over Wisconsin.   I am even excited and I have not really followed baseball for years.    I guess I will be more involved at least for the next week for the playoffs.

I went over to Rocky Knoll before 8AM this morning to have breakfast with Dick as Tim from Wisconsin Prosthesis was coming at 8:30AM and I wanted to be there for the adjustments and instructions.    I brought a scone and fruit for my breakfast.

Tim was on time and along with Michelle, the PT therapist, Dick walked three separate times with the walker and make more steps than he has ever done before.  His steps are nice and even albeit short and rather hesitant.   The therapists, however, are not holding him up, he is moving and standing all on his own power.   Still need a slight boost to get off of the chair.   Anyway we were delighted and he is now to walk  more and increase wearing time of the right prosthesis.

I had a chiropractor appointment in Sheboygan at 1:40PM so I ate lunch with Dick, then headed over there.   That went well, I hope,  It will take a couple of times to see if this is going to heal my ribs but it can't hurt and I need to be in the best shape possible when Dick comes home.    I ate the Rocky Knoll lunch.   It was great.   Seafood Alfredo.   Dick was not thrilled with that so he had a pork chop.   But it was really good.

Nancy and her friend Warren and I went shooting tonight.   My first target was not too good but the last two were kind of impressive.   It is always fun but as they say, it is MORE fun if you are doing well.   Saw a lot of my friends tonight.   I am sorry that I will not be able to remain a member of the club but I could not maintain the work requirements that are involved.    I don't think they are unreasonable for members but they are too much for me now.

I just snacked for supper and then mixed up the marigold wine must that I have been trying to get to for a couple of months.   So it is almost time for bed again.   There just are not enough hours in the day.

God love you.   Tomorrow should be a bit quieter.  

God love you

Mary

Another beautiful day.    We must treasure these days as it is now well into October and the warmth won't last forever.   Some are calling it Indian Summer but we have not really had a killing frost yet.   So after we DO have a killing frost, we are going to be owed a couple of nice warm days to brighten our spirits before winter really sets in.

I went to Rocky Knoll at 11:00AM.   Dick was in OT.   He ended that session by standing between the balance bars for over 5 minutes practicing standing and lifting one hand off the bar, and then both hands off the bar to get used to standing and maintaining balance.   

After lunch,  he had PT and walked with the walker again.    This is a bit thing as it will mean the ability to get to the bathroom by himself and up out of bed.    He was also practicing putting the prosthesis on by himself.   He managed the left one before the second amputation, but then he had the other leg to lean on.   It will always be harder to get the first one on and will require practice.  

Home again, I did a bit of sewing,  I have two projects that I want to get done before December.  I have gathered up the things that I need to take to Rocky Knoll tomorrow.   Dick needs some information so we can make some decisions and I am bringing the inflatable cushion to see if the fact that it is not so high might help with the positioning of his feet in the chair.

So it is winding down to bedtime.  

I have a Catholic Joke for you though.

God love you

Mary

CATHOLIC SHAMPOO

TWO NUNS WERE SHOPPING AT A 7-11 STORE. AS THEY PASSED BY THE BEER COOLER, ONE NUN SAID TO THE OTHER, " WOULDN'T A NICE COOL BEER OR TWO TASTE WONDERFUL ON A HOT SUMMER EVENING?"

THE SECOND NUN ANSWERED, "INDEED IT WOULD, SISTER, BUT I WOULD NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE BUYING BEER, SINCE I AM CERTAIN IT WOULD CAUSE A SCENE AT THE CHECKOUT STAND."

"I CAN HANDLE THAT WITHOUT A PROBLEM" THE OTHER NUN REPLIED, AND SHE PICKED UP A SIX-PACK AND HEADED FOR THE CHECK-OUT.

THE CASHIER HAD A SURPRISED LOOK ON HIS FACE WHEN THE TWO NUNS ARRIVED WITH A SIX-PACK OF BEER. "WE USE BEER FOR WASHING OUR HAIR" THE NUN SAID, "BACK AT OUR NUNNERY, WE CALL IT CATHOLIC SHAMPOO.

WITHOUT BLINKING AN EYE, THE CASHIER REACHED UNDER THE COUNTER. PULLED OUT A PACKAGE OF PRETZEL STICKS, AND PLACED THEM IN THE BAG WITH THE BEER.

HE THEN LOOKED THE NUN STRAIGHT IN THE EYE, SMILED, AND SAID: "THE CURLERS ARE ON THE HOUSE."    

Another lovely Autumn day.    I got Dick to take a little stroll with me again.     He does not want to go far but at least he gets one or two breaths of fresh air.   

I did my grocery shopping this morning.   Not much to get but we have to get our lottery tickets, you know.   How can we win if we don't have tickets?

I paid some bills and did some desk work and then went over to Rocky Knoll to be with Dick.   I got there for the end of his OT and then we went to lunch.   After lunch, we played Rummy until it was time for PT.
He whipped me again.

PT went very well.  Kevin worked with him today and he walked twice and then stood using a walker and transferred to a bench and then got up from the bench and walked around a corner using the walker.    We are SO excited.    Tim comes on Friday to see how he is doing.   We need the prosthesis on more often so he can be using it for transferring.

I got a haircut at 3PM and then came right home.   Did a bit of quilting chores until it was time to feed Roxie.   She figured that I was WAY late, but no matter what she tells you, I fed her just before 5PM.   Which IS feeding time.

Then I baked some scones and fixed dinner.   Now I am settling down and am hoping to be able to sleep late tomorrow.

God love you

Mary

Today was a beautiful day.   Sunny, warm (74 degrees), blue skies and not windy.    The trees are turning rapidly and the views from the highways as I drive to see Dick at Rocky Knoll are just spectacular.   The sun makes the leaf colors so intense that sometimes they take your breath away.

I stopped at the library on my way over to Rocky Knoll because the Kettle Country Quilters were doing an all day quilting day.   I could not be there all day but dropped off my 6 9 Patches that we all prepared for making lap robes for Christmas to be given to Rocky Knoll.    Then I went and spent the morning with Dick.  After lunch, I went back to the library for the meeting.    I helped in the assembly of a couple of the  lap robe tops and then shared the Brigid  flame with the club.   I had my Brigid wall hanging too so it was a fun share.

I have a laptop to be assembles by the December meeting.   Seems reasonable.   I am also working on Christmas presents and a couple of quilt tops, especially one for me this winter.

After the meeting, I went back to Rocky Knoll as they are now having the cocktail hour at On the Rocks twice a week, Tuesday and Friday.  Dick was finishing therapy when I got there and walked for me.   After On the Rocks, we went outside for a little walk.

Now I am home and ready to be in bed.   I talked to Bret tonight.   He is doing well.   Busy as can be but he has been able to get out to his place at the river regularly.

So until tomorrow, God love you

Mary

This was the strangest day I can think of.   I got up and did a lot of work around the house until it was time to go.   The trouble is that I was supposed to leave at 9AM for Bible Study.    I had that on my list, right in front of me, but my head was thinking 11AM, which is when I usually leave for Rocky Knoll to be with Dick.  

All of a sudden, I looked at the clock and it was 10AM and the fact that it was Monday penetrated my fuzzy brain so I got in the car, which was all loaded for the day, and got to Blessed Trinity just as the group were getting up to say the scattering prayer.    Boy did they laugh at me.   But I am glad I stopped when I did because they were all worried that perhaps something had happened to Dick.  It isn't at all like me to not let them know if I am not coming.

Then I went to Mom's.  We had a couple of bills to pay and had a nice stretch of time to just gab and catch up.   George and Betsy had sent pictures of Shawn's daughter, Beth.    She is adorable.   In one of the pictures she has a smile that lights up the world.  

I left from there to go to Hobby Lobby to have a painting that Matt painted that Mom has had behind a dresser for forever framed.    It is called the Council and I really like it.   I also have a small one that I call the Conquistador if anyone in the family would like to have it.  I like it and will keep it if nobody wants it but I feel a bit greedy having two when he painted so few.

I at lunch at the New China Kitchen then went to the Medical Center to have my first chiropractic appointment in many a year.   I will have to go a few more times, but he does believe that he will be able to bring relief from the pain in my ribs.

Then I went to Rocky Knoll and stayed with Dick until he went down to the dining room for supper before coming home.  I had a light supper and make a couple of phone calls and now, as that doctor appointment really wore me out, am going to bed. Perchance to dream.

I love you all

Mary

Hi Everybody

Bobbie,  I DID pick Chicago in my Fantasy Football League.  I am still WAY behind this week, but the Chicago game will help.  And thank the heavens that the Packers won as I had a LOT riding on them this week.

I went over to Rocky Knoll at 9AM so that I could be on time for Mass and help bring any residents down that needed help.   I put Dick's left prosthesis on before I went down.  The right prosthesis is still only for during therapy, as it has to be built up for usage.  He ended up keeping it on for 6 hours as I took it off just before I left for home at 3PM.

We had lunch together and watched the Bears game.  Bobbie and Bill came during the game and we had a lovely catchup visit.   We are all hoping to hear good news about Jim's surgery on his Achilles tendon.     There is good news on the Deeley front also,  my god daughter, Erin,  Randy's daughter, passed her bar exam in Illinois and is ready to begin practice.   Yippee!!! We are all SO proud.   And she passed on the first time around.

I did a bit of sewing today before giving up for the day.   I am intending to go to bed really early tonight as I am tired and have a super busy day tomorrow.

Please keep praying for Dick as I am still worried about him as he is so weak and is not eating as much as he should be to keep up his strength.  

God love you as we do

Mary

A very full day. 

I made a chicken Waldorf salad, cleaned out one of my desk drawers and pull the tomatoes.  I left here for Rocky Knoll at 11:30AM.   I stopped at the city drop off site with the tomato plants that I pulled out.   The trash people won't take that much plant material.    I am really glad that the drop off is so close.

Dick was not having a really good day.   He is really tired and has very little appetite.   I am hoping that he will get a really good night's sleep and be perkier tomorrow.  

Tonight I went to Ebeneezer Church to listen to Ceol Caidre, an Irish group from Milwaukee, and learn and do some Ceili dancing.    It was so much fun.

I met a fellow Celtic Woman, Linda there and have another lady interested in us.   So along with the fun it was successful.

I am going to bed now.   So will be more wordy tomorrow.

God love you

Mary

Hello World.

I am still tired but had a pretty good day overall.   I got up a bit before 7AM so I could be all ready when Jody got here at 8AM.   I washed the sheets and dried and folded the load that I did last night.   Jody helped me make the bed.   I always appreciate that.  So going to bed tonight will be really nice.  I love crawling between clean sheets.

Kept myself busy until an hour after Jody left, then started out for Rocky Knoll.  Got a bit of a late start because I got a phone call from the John Michael Kohler Art Center and had to check a couple of things out for them.   I dropped off some items at St. Vincent De Paul on my way.    Dick and I had lunch together.   He ate pretty well, I was encouraged.   Yesterday, he did not eat any lunch at all.  I brought my lunch.  I had boiled a tongue.   Some of you may think that is awful, but cold tongue sandwiches are a comfort food from my youth.   We did not have them often but they taste wonderful.   I will be bringing some to Mother tomorrow.   She will be very pleased.

Dick started his PT at about 1:30PM.   He was able to stand up and walk again.    We were very pleased as he is still very weak.   He needs to be able to get up on his feet and get his blood and body really moving.   We need to figure out a way to get him off of that damned bed pan.

I left again at about 3:30PM.   Got gas and dropped a package off at the post office and then got home in time to pick up the mail, check email and feed the cat before Nancy and Warren picked me up to go and shoot our pistol league.    My first two targets were pretty bad but I finally got it all together for the last one.   Icky.   It was nice being there.  Nancy and I are shooting first and then Nancy stays down with Warren while he shoots his targets so I have a chance to visit with my friends.   I enjoy shooting and miss the guys but will still not renew in January as the commitment is too much time away from Dick.

We got a message from Michelle today that Jim had surgery on his Achilles tendon today.   I don't know how it went but please everybody pray for him as he has been in so much pain from this condition.   I know that if anybody knows, Richard knows.   Hopefully, this will correct the problem

So tomorrow will be quiet during the day but I am going to an Irish event at Ebeneezer Church in Sheboygan at 7PM.   Ceol Cairde will be playing and there will be dancing.  Just a nice break.

God love you

Mary

I slept until 7:30AM this morning as I went back to bed after I fed pesty Roxie and went sound asleep again.

I couldn't have anything to eat or drink before I went to Aurora for my CTScan.    This turned out to be much more eventful than I thought it would be.    I got there a bit before 9AM and started drinking the two bottles of Crystal Lite that are required before the scan.   The scan went well and then after checking to see if I was itching anywhere, I was dismissed and walked right over to the lunch area for a cappuchino and a donut.   This was about 10AM and I was starving and wanted to eat and be able to get my teeth scrubbed before going to my dentist appointment.

As I was eating, my back started to itch so I went back to the desk where the technician told me to come right in.  We checked my back and other spots that were by then also feeling itchy and sure enough I had hives.  So I drank a lot of water and sat around for about a half hour until we were sure it would not affect my breathing, then I drove out to Rocky Knoll to have lunch with Dick.

He was not having a good day today either, but I was still pretty shaky and after lunch found out what his problems were and we decided that I had better get home and heal myself and he would solve his problems there.  I picked up benadryl on the way home, took one right away and lay down for a nap.

I did not sleep very well but did rest and am no longer feeling shaky.   I cut out some fabric for a Christmas project that I am working on, so feel the day was somewhat  fruitful.

As it turns out there is nothing new in my CTScan, so I just have to put up with the discomfort.    However, Dr. Murthy has suggested going to a chiropractor for some relief from my joint and rib problems.  I have had good results with chiropractic help before so I have high hopes for that.

So was your day as goofy as mine?

God love you

Mary

It is getting dark so much earlier these days.    The seasons sure are predictable.   Soon we will go into daylight savings time and it will be darker even earlier.   I wonder if I can hold Roxie off until closer to 7AM in the morning when that happens.   I kind of doubt it as she was beating me with her little fist at about 5AM this morning and I don't feed her until 6AM.

Tim from Custom Care drove Dick and me to Aurora in Sheboygan for a consultation with Dr. Kream, the pulmonologist.  We waited what seemed forever.  The appointment was for 9:30, he did not come in until 10:30.  BUT - I, at least, was pleased with the appointment.   He came up with several things to do, such as more nebulizer regularly, making sure that his bed is ALWAYS at a 30degree angle and a stronger diuretic.

He believes that part of the problem is his heart.  There is no really BAD thing.  His heartbeat and function are good, BUT it is enlarged and there seems to be fluid around it.   So. Rocky Knoll will start the orders that Dr. Kream has sent and we will see him again in two weeks.  He will probably ask VNA to change his CPAP machine also.   Apparently they have come a long way since he got his.


I went grocery shopping right after we came back and ate lunch at home.   I got back to Rocky Knoll shortly after 2.  Dick was not feeling too well, but rallied shortly after 3:30 and we went down to On the Rocks and then he was able to do his PT for the day.    That is such a necessity in order to satisfy the Medicare requirements so that we can keep up the therapy.    Not feeling well does not seem like an excuse to be excused.

So, I came home at 5 and have been just puttering since then.  I did do a load of wash for Dick and I cleaned four drawers in my desk.   Just the two back bottom drawers left.

I need to get to bed early as I have a test scheduled for 9AM tomorrow.  Then at 11AM I have a dentist appointment.    I can't eat before the test, so breakfast may just be a dream tomorrow.

God love you

Mary

I slept pretty well last night but had to get up at 6:30AM so that I could get the trash out before leaving for Rocky Knoll.   

Tim from Wisconsin Prosthesis arrived right on time, at 8:30AM.   Dick was still finishing up breakfast.   Dick did some walking and Tim made some adjustments to the prosthesis which should make it more comfortable.   Dick seemed a bit better than he was yesterday afternoon, though he said that when he woke up he couldn't even talk.    The nebulizer treatments do seem to help, and  - Alleluia - we will be seeing the pulmonary specialist in the morning.

I did a couple of errands after he finished the PT part of his therapy after Tim left.   I got back in time to have lunch and then sit in on his OT before we had the family meeting with the social worker, the nurse and therapy.  We now all know how he is doing, really quite well.   There is still a lot to do before he will be ready for home though.

I came home shortly after  the meeting and have been sorting through papers and getting ready for tomorrow. 

Sure am having fun in the fantasy football league.    I tied for first one week, but the other guy had less games wrong so he got it.   BUT I am in number on place overall.     Hope my system keeps working.

How about those Brewers?

All my love

Mary

This was a RAINY morning.  It poured for at lease 4 solid hours.  God was watching over me though because every time I had to be out in the open, it would stop long enough for me to get my errand done and back to the car.    How sweet is that.  

Bible study was fun today.   We have a new member, a lovely lady who used to live in Sheboygan.   We got into a deep discussion on Psalm 37.   That psalm says that God will shelter and give rewards to the just and punish the evil.    Jan our new person said that this is somewhat a problem for her because she cannot justify the fact that mothers around the world, innocent people, watch their children,  the most innocent, die in their arms.   She is going to ask God when she gets up there.   In the meantime, we are going to ask our various priest what the answer is for this.   We all agree that we question these things sometimes.   Faith keeps us where we are and we are among the privileged people, that are NOT hungry or alone.   I'll bet next week will be again a lively discussion.

Mother and I had a lovely visit and we took care of several financial thingies.   She looks really good and was so pretty in her purple velour sweatsuit.

I went right there to Rock Knoll to have Lunch with Dick and spend some time with him as I had scheduled a doctor appointment for myself.    I am concerned with the pain in my rib cage and that darned liver thingy.   When Dick comes home, I have to be able to take care of him.    Dr. Murthy has scheduled a CT Scan for the ribs and liver and is sending me to a chiropractor to help relieve some of the other pains that are arthritic caused.   Makes sense to me.  I also got my flu shot since I was there.

Dick is experiencing pneumonia symptoms again.    The nurses and the doctor are doing everything they can to keep it from blooming.   He is taking inhalation therapy,   they are taking another x-ray and there is a new antibiotic being prescribed.   We just want to get him to Wednesday morning when the pulmonary specialist will see him.   I still think that it is abominable that one has to wait three weeks to see one of them.

He is getting rather disoriented again, which worries me very much.   And he is SO weak.    Tomorrow is a busy day for him again too.  Tim is coming to make adjustments on the prosthesis and we are having a conference to evaluate what has to be done before release.

Pray for us very hard the next two days as it is going to be hard on him.  

So I must get a good night's sleep as last night was not good.    I kept waking up with achy body parts.   Hopefully, I am tired enough tonight to sleep through them.

Take care of your selves as you are all very special to me.

God love you

Mary

Bobbie and Bill are home from their vacation.   They were up north for a week and had a good time despite the cold weather.   Bobbie said that it was 28 degrees one night.   BRRR!   But then we all know that winter is coming.

Bill explained to me what is happening in the baseball Brewers triumph.   The only thing I knew for sure was that the World Series is 7 games.    With a winner at 4 out of the 7 games.    Now I know that there are two playoff scenarios,  one with 5 games ( 3 out of 5 ) and one of 7 games ( 4 out of 7).   So there is a LONG way to go but what a year our Brewers have had.   The Brewers won today too.   What a season they are having.

I got to Rocky Knoll at 9AM and went down at about 9:30AM after putting Dick's prosthesis on to help bring the residents down for Mass.    It was, again a lovely Mass.   It is so nice to interact with the residents, especially at the sharing of Peace.    I am worried about one gentleman who seemed to be distressed today when usually he his so much at peace.  I do not know his name and do not need to but pray for him because he seems so gentle.

We had lunch with Bobbie and Bill there visiting.   It was so nice.   We have missed them, you know.  

Dick seemed to be experiencing a bit more pain in his chest and his right knee.   He is being treated with the nebulizer for his chest pain.   We just want to hang on until Wednesday when he has the appointment with the pulmonary specialist.    I still find it abominable that it takes three weeks to get an appointment with one.   He COULD have been in the hospital two times with pneumonia based on the past two months history.

Anyway, he seems a bit weaker and the visit with the pulminologist is becoming much more pertinant.  

I came home at about 3PM, just in time to watch the Packer game.   Boy was that good.    The Bears did play well but we Packers prevailed so I am a happy camper.     At this point I am in the number one position on the Guessathon Fantasy Football.   If the Steelers  win tonight, I think I am a cinch.   Of course, I may be off as I did not check ALL the other players guesses.   I am tied for first right now but I only have three wrong vs. four wrong by Fabian.

That was the day.  I finished by doing some cutting out for a sewing project that I want to get done by Christmas.    I am now all ready to assemble as soon as I get the backing material that I need.   I will do that Wednesday as the Sewing Basket is having an "event" that day and I might as well get in on that.

So until tomorrow.   Hope your weekend was as wonderful.   The rain today was heavy and welcome.  

God love you

Mary 

I was expecting much more rain than we got today.  The deck was a bit wet when I woke up and 8AM.   What a good sleep that was.   So I weeded the pots on the deck before I got too involved in too many other things.

I baked some pear bread today.    As I was mixing it, I looked at the clock and realized that it was 9:45 and I was supposed to have picked up SHARE at 9AM.   I went right over there and got there before they closed up.   I had a call waiting when I got home.  But the guy who runs it told me it would be waiting.   This month the package contained chicken, cooked beef patties, tilapia, polish sausage and pears, oranges, lettuce, oranges and carrots.    A nice assortment.

I did get the pear bread baked and made it to Rocky Knoll in time to have lunch with Dick.    We had a nice afternoon.  He even felt up to playing a game of cards.   That is something that he has not wanted to do for quite a while.   He whipped me again.

I got home in time to clean out one more quarter of the garage and I have two boxes ready to drop off at Goodwill on Monday.

So a nice day.   I intend to goof off and do nothing to do with work or anything the rest of the evening.

I love you all

God loves you too.

Mary

Started out the morning solving several problems.   A lost package and a misapplied payment.  All done after annoying long waits on the phone waiting  for "real people."   No wonder my Mom hates to make her own business calls.    Not only do you have to weed your way through many questions, you also have to input account numbers and anything else they decide to ask on a whim.   She does not hear that well either.

Jody cleaned today.   She said she could see that we baked a lot of scones as there was glaze all over the kitchen floor around the edge of the cupboards.

I went to the grocery store because Dick wanted pretzels and I wanted summer sausage.   I don't usually shop between Wednesdays, but with both of us wanting something special it made sense. 

I got to Rocky Knoll at about 11:45AM.   A little later than usual but still in time to have lunch with Dick.   I really wanted to be there as the other Ernie will be going home tomorrow.    We will miss him as he is so interesting and such a gentleman.    One of the other residents who has been at the other end of the room, usually stuck with a bunch of women joined us today.   Tomorrow, only Dick and the gentleman who joined us today will be at his table.    There are some new residents so maybe he will get some new table companions.

Dick started coughing during PT and really had a rough time.   After that he started feeling that pain in his chest again.    They took his temperature and it is up again also.  They are watching him closely and he is doing breathing treatments with a nebulizer which we hope will break up the congestion.   If he can just hang on until Wednesday, he will see the pulmonary specialist.

Next week is very busy for him.   He has to keep practicing walking.   Tim from Wisconsin Prosthesis will be there at 8:30AM on Tuesday to do some more adjustments.   Then we are having an evaluation meeting with the nurses and therapists and all involved to see how we will be ending this whole ordeal.  

Wednesday Dick will see Dr. Kream, the pulmonary specialist at 9:30AM.  He is going to be worked to the bone so you can see that this is not time for the pneumonia to rear its ugly head again.   Especially when he has been making such great strides overall.

I went shooting Nancy and Warren, her boyfriend who happens also to be my cousin.    Nancy and I shot first then I went upstairs while Warren tried his brand new Browning Buckmark.    The club has beer from the Beer Tasting event left again, so I bought an assorted six pack for a present for Dick when he comes home from Rocky Knoll.

It is getting dark so much earlier and staying dark so much later.   Winter is definitely trying to find its way back.

God love you.

Mary


Doc sent this to me today.   As some hunting seasons are open already, I thought my hunter friends and maybe some non hunter friends and relatives might find it amusing.

Four guys have been going to the same deer camp for many years. Two days before the group is to  leave, Ron's wife puts her foot down and tells him he isn't going. Ron's friends are very upset that he can't go, but what can they do?

Two days later the remaining three get to the camping site only to find Ron sitting there with a tent set up, firewood gathered, and dinner cooking on the fire.

"Damn man, how long you been here, and how did you talk your wife into letting you go?"

"Well, I've been here since yesterday. The evening before I was sitting in my chair and my wife came up behind me and put her hands over my eyes and said, 'Guess who?'"

I pulled her hands off, and she was wearing a brand new nightie. She took my hand and pulled me to our bedroom. The room had candles and rose petals all over. On the bed she had handcuffs, and ropes! She told me to tie and cuff her to the bed, and I did.

And then she said,  "Do whatever you want."

"So, here I  am." 

Today was a lovely kind of Fall day.   We still have not had a freeze but the air was cool and crisp.   It rained a bit before morning but we ended up with sun after the clouds scattered.

I worked around the house until close to 10, then headed over to Rocky Knoll so that I would be there to go with Dick to his dentist appointment.    Tim from Comfort Care and Transport was there at 10:30 to take him over to Joseph and Joseph.    They got us in on time and Janelle was able to clean his teeth without moving him from his motorized chair.  Next time, he should be able to walk as he will be an expert on those prostheses.

We got back to Rocky Knoll just in time for lunch.  I just bought their lunch today.   Meatballs, sweet potato fries and strawberry schaum torte.  He had therapy this afternoon too.   He was very tired but he managed to get through both sessions.    As you can see from the previous post, he walked and posed for those pictures.   Doesn't he look great?

I came home at about 3 and have been washing and folding clothes and sorting all of his CPap equipment.   He had so many odd pieces that I am weeding out for him.   Then as I was finishing supper,  my friend Mary Steger called and asked if I would like to go out for a cup of coffee with her.   She had said that she would do that one day.   What a nice idea that was,   just an hour of gabbing at the Dairy Queen.   I see her most Sundays at the Mass at Rocky Knoll.

So home again,I called Dick to let him know that I was back in the house with everything locked up.   He is still watching out for me, you know.    I am a lucky lady.

God love you

Mary

Dick with Corrie, the physical therapist. Just up.

Halfway down the bars

Triumph

Home again after a very full day.   I left the house a bit early, 7:30AM for shopping, because 1.   I needed to be back before 9AM so that I could get my bread baked and 2.   I had decided to go to Mc Donald's for a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit for my breakfast.

Shopping went well.    I didn't need much but stocked up on diet coke and toilet paper which was on sale.  I did arrive home before 9 and started baking my bread.   It is the No Knead Bread and I am now making one with wheat flour too.    I love it because it is so chewy and crusty.  Someday when I can be home all day, I want to make a Guinness yeast bread that sounds SO good.  But I need to be here all day for that.

I went over to Rocky Knoll at 11AM so that I could be there for both of Dick's therapies again.   We tried a standing lift this morning to see if it would help speed his getting into the bathroom instead of having to use the bedpan.   It was not too successful, but we will try something else tomorrow.   He did walk twice during his afternoon PT and is looking very good.   He can even take one hand off of the bars to point to any uncomfortable areas and stay comfortably on his feet.   We were impressed.  Tomorrow I will take pictures and post them for all to see.

This evening I went to Mead for Karl Elder's Poetry Circle.  I picked up Kate and Sy.   Sy is so happy that I can do that because he had not been able to drive for quite some time and Nora cannot drive comfortably at night.   Karl has these meetings once a month during the "school year."    It was a bit of a smaller group,  Karl said that several of the regulars had emailed that they were unable to come but would be there next month.   There were about 8 of us.    I read a couple of my poems.   They were well received.

So - I am home.   A bit later than I remembered but before 9PM.   I called Dick as soon as I stepped in the door as I knew he would be worried.    I could assure him that I was safely here and that all the doors are secured.

I mentioned the pneumonia to Sy and he said that Dick should be smoking a better brand of cigar.

So with that I will leave you and go to my rest

God love you

Mary

A much quieter day than yesterday.    I was in bed until 7AM.   Then I really had to get up because Tuesday is trash day and I had to get up in time to finish getting it ready.

I cleaned out the closet next to the dining area.  My next big project will be the basement storage room.  Then I went to Rocky Knoll to be with Dick.   I was there for both of his therapies and for lunch.    He walked twice during his PT in the morning and stood up one extra time.  This afternoon, he stood for a static stand along side the parallel bars just to get used to standing.  

So.  I really don't have anything more to say today.   It is kind of cloudy and breezy outside,  so I opened the doors.    I must remember to lock things up when it gets dark as Dick worries about that.  

God love you

Mary

I received this from my friend Doc today.

Last year after the Packers / Bills game, Buffalo released quarterback Trent Edwards.

During the Packers/Eagles game, the Packers injured Philadelphia quarterback Kevin Kolb. Philadelphia then had to play backup quarterback Michael Vick.

During a playoff game against the Eagles, the Packers injured Michael Vick and another backup was needed.

After the Packers/Cowboys game, Dallas fired Wade Phillips and most of his staff.

After the Packers/Vikings game, Minnesota fired Brad Childress and most of his staff.

Four weeks after losing to the Packers, the 49er's coach Mike Singletary and most of his staff were fired and replaced.

During the Bears Playoff game, the Packers injured Jay Cutler and backup Todd Collins forcing the Bears to go with 3rd string quarterback Caleb Hanie.
                          
Question: Is it just me, or did the Packers create more jobs than Obama last year?
       

Monday Monday

I started off by sleeping til 7AM after Roxie rudely woke me up to feed her at 6AM.  Then I had a light breakfast and went to Bible Study via the bank as I had a check to cash.

There were  seven of us at Bible Study this week.    Last week I had mentioned that I was having a scone baking day at the house on Saturday and they "suggested" that perhaps I would LOVE to share scones with them, so I did.   I brought some of the Raspberry white chocolate scones for them to sample.  We discussed Psalm 34 this week.   It is an acrostic, though of course the translation from Hebrew does not show this.   An acrostic is a poem, as an example, using the first letters of the word LOVE for a 4 line poem.   This was a poem based on the Hebrew alphabet.   It is a beautiful Psalm and generated a lot of discussion.  

We got a gift today from Sy Regan.   He gave us his study bible for a reference book.   He cannot read it any more.   Poor Man but he is very cheerful.    I will be taking him to the Poet's Corner at Mead on Wednesday night.

Next, went to Mother's.   She looks really well and pretty with her fresh perm.   We had a great visit and took care of her financial business.   She is so excited that Dick was able to walk last Friday.  

Then home where I ate lunch and petted Roxie for a bit then went to writer's club.    I had a couple of poems to read and the other members had stories and poems also.   One of my poems was a 9-11 thing, a cinquan:

9/11/2011

Today
We lived again
The tumbling of the towers
As we watched in growing horror.
Ten years!

I next went to Rocky Knoll.   Dick was just coming out of therapy.   He walked twice and further each time than on Friday.   Yea Dick.

We visited until supper time.  I ate with him and "the guys". Fred and Bud will be going home this week and the other Ernie is going to have a home inspection next week.    This is such good news.    We want it too.

Now I am watching the first show of Dancing With The Stars.   My only reality/contesty type of show.  So far it is very entertaining. 

So.  You sleep well and have a wonderful tomorrow.

God love you

Mary


Here is the answer to yesterday's question.

 
21 steps:

It alludes to the
twenty-one gun salute which is  
the highest honor
given any military or foreign dignitary.


 

A rather misty Sunday but not too cold.   I actually wish there had been a little more rain.   I may have to do some watering tomorrow or the next day.

I went over to Rocky Knoll at 9AM so that I could spend a couple of hours with Dick before going to St. John the Baptist Church for the 1:00PM 150th Anniversary Mass.    Archbishop Listecki officiated with 7 priests assisting.       Before Mass there was a musical presentation prepared by all three of the parish choirs,  the adult choir, the folk choir and the children's choir.     It was truly beautiful.    The choirs are all SO good and we have such an array of talented instrumentalists that play in all of the choirs.

The procession was quite impressive too.   First the cross and the servers, then the Knights of Columbus, then the priests and finally the Archbishop.

He does a good sermon too.     Fr Van Beeck is still looking real frail from that spill he took earlier this year but he is in good spirits and got a lovely standing ovation after Mass when the Archbishop lauded him for the job he as done as our pastor the past years.

I went to the reception so that I could meet the Archbishop.  He is very personable and I told him that I had also celebrated Mass at Irishfest.  So we talked a bit.  

I hung out with several friends, surprise Surprise.   But I was home by 3:45PM and took a nice nap.   They had a lovely spread.   Cheese, sausage, crackers, grapes, cookies, cake, wine, beer, punch and coffee.   I had a plate of the snacks and a glass of punch.

I had put a pork roast and sauerkraut in the crock pot so I had a nice warm supper about 5:30PM.   Sure was good.   I will be eating sauerkraut for the next week I guess.

Tomorrow starts the week in earnest.   I am going to Writer's Club in the afternoon so will not get to Rocky Knoll until close to 3PM.   So I will have supper with Dick instead of lunch. 


So sleep tight and have a perfect week.

Mary

Here is a question for you.   Do you know the answer?   I will tell you tomorrow.


1. How
many steps does the guard take during his walk
across the tomb of the Unknowns
and why?

What a lovely day.    This morning was a bit chilly.   And there was a gentle rain/mist falling when I drove to Rocky Knoll at 9AM.   But that is OK.   It is neither 100 humid degrees or freezing.  

I spent a couple of morning hours with Dick.   He is looking pretty good.   We enjoyed our visit.  I left at about 11AM so that I could finish up that I wanted done for the Scone Baking CWI meeting this afternoon.

People started arriving shortly before 2pm.   There were 10 of us here.   A good turnout and we were a happy bunch.   I really enjoyed hosting this and was happy to be able to present a booklet with four of the five scone recipes that were prepared to all the attendees.    Joan Schwabe was happy to eat scones that were not all dry and crumbly.   She figured from our ravings about scones, that there had to be more to them than she had experienced before.    We had Cream Scones, Lemon Scones, Cranberry Orange Scones,  Pumpkin Parmesan Scones and Cinnamon Streusel Scones.  

A good spirited meeting, covering what we will be doing the rest of the year.   Joan Kramer also discussed our car pooling and joining up for IBAM (Irish Book Art Music) at the Irish Historical Center in Chicago in November.    Joan and I will both be presenters in the Literary Salon that CWI is hosting.   I will be reading my poetry.

Joan is also heading the committee for the Spring Gathering next year.    I also told everybody that as I will be helping plan and will be a presenter at the Irish Day at John Michael Kohler Art Center in January, I was not planning any other meeting for that month.     Hopefully our members will want to help or at least come to enjoy the day.

I already called my sweetheart to say goodnight.   Dick and I always talk at about 7PM.   He sounds good.   Took him a while to answer, he had not looked at the clock and was in the bathroom brushing his teeth.   I am glad that he is taking initiative to take care of himself.

Tomorrow is the day that my parish, St. John the Baptist celebrates it's 150Year anniversary.   I am going to the Mass and reception in the afternoon, starting at 1PM.  I figure that I probably have to be there at 12PM to be sure that I can park within a mile of the place.  So I will again spend part of the morning with Dick and then high tail it over to St. Johns.   All three our the choirs are singing and will be doing a special program before the mass.   Archbishop Liscecki is officiating.   I just want to be a part of it and perhaps meet the Archbishop at the reception.

Busy times, but at least I have enough sense to not double book these days.   I have ignored MANY events, because I am learning that I have limits and am picking and choosing my priorities.

God love you all

Mary

Senior View

The Importance of walking

Walking can add minutes to your life.
This enables you at 85 years old
to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing
home at $4,000 per month.

It was a red letter day today.

I spent the morning at home but left for Rocky Knoll at about 10AM.   I had to stop and get a small booklet printed for tomorrow's scone baking CWI event.  I am really all ready as I don't have to prepare anything since the snacks will be the scones.

I was there for Dick's OT.   They were trying a new procedure for transferring which I wanted to be there for.   I need to know all the procedures that he has learned so that when he comes home, I can assist him.

We had lunch together and then at 1PM, Tim from Wisconsin Prosthesis arrived with the new prosthetic. 

We spent about an hour and a half, Dick, Tim, the PT staff and me getting that new prosthetic on and doing adjustments for comfort between several stands.    He sure looked good standing on two legs again and after all the fitting and fussing, Dick walked the length of the parallel bars.   

Now he has to spend the nest week and a half practicing standing, wearing the prosthesis as much as possible until Tim comes back again for more adjustments as the stump is still forming and shrinking.   After a few weeks,  he will get the final sleeve with the permanent attachment.   All went very well.

Nancy and I went shooting tonight.   I had not been to the club in months.   It was good to see so many of my friends but I don't feel that I can recommit to the work involved in membership.   Nancy's friend, my cousin Warren joined us shooting tonight.   That was fun.   League actually started last week but we were unable to shoot last Friday.     I didn't do too badly as it has been three months since I shot last.     I at least got all the shots on the target.

Now I can wind down for the night.   Tomorrow I will be going to see Dick at 9AM as I want to be home by noon to do the last minute things for the gathering tomorrow afternoon.

So I hope you have a lovely weekend and that all your dreams come true.

God love you

Mary

Lots to do today.   I slept until 7:30 AM though which left me really rested for a change.  It was in the upper 30s when I woke up.    By this evening it had crept up to the low 60s which was really pleasant what with the beautiful blue sky dotted with a few wispy white clouds.  I left the door open for about an hour early this evening.   It is so nice to air everything out.

I finished two quilt squares today and cut out some more pieces for a Christmas project that I am hoping to be able to finish. 

I stopped at Walgreens to pick up a few things and my prescription.   They are "remodeling" the whole store which means that they will have everything in a different place.  Stores seem to like to do that.  I heard that their philosophy is that then people see things they would not have noticed if you leave things the same too long.   What a mess in there but I got everything I needed anyway.

Then I went to Rocky Knoll.   Dick stood for 5 1/2 minutes today.   Then 3 1/2 in the afternoon.   He looks better today too.   Tired but more alert and he is steady when he stands.    We had lunch together.   Then in for the OT.  I left shortly after 3PM because Jeff stopped by on his way home from Mom's to pick up a tape and a book.   He also fixed a railing that was coming loose for me.    I am so fortunate to have so much family that love me and help when I need it.  

Eileen called last night too to see how Dick was doing.   Sometimes I talk to other people who don't have this wonderful blessing of a loving family.  God has indeed been good to me.

I washed all the cups and saucers and plates for the Scone Baking and put them on the table.    I am going to bring up the round table and chairs from downstairs too.   This should be fun.   I expect about a dozen of us and four batches of scones.

So.   That is pretty much the day.  Not too boring, I hope.

I am putting together a scone recipe book for the event.  I had an empty page, so filled it with the following.








THE FOUR AGREEMENTS

By Don Miguel Ruiz






1.  Be impeccable with your word.

    Speak with integrity and say only what you mean.



2.  Don’t take anything personally.

    Nothing others do is because of you.  It simply reflects their own life experiences and the training they
    received when they were children.



3.  Don’t make assumptions.

    Find the courage to ask questions and express what you really want.  Communicate as clearly as you can. 
    And don’t become attached to preconceived ideas of what should happen.



4.  Always do your best.

    Then never second-guess yourself or look back with regret.

THE FOUR AGREEMENTS

By Don Miguel Ruiz






1.  Be impeccable with your word.

    Speak with integrity and say only what you mean.



2.  Don’t take anything personally.

    Nothing others do is because of you.  It simply reflects their own life experiences and the training they
    received when they were children.



3.  Don’t make assumptions.

    Find the courage to ask questions and express what you really want.  Communicate as clearly as you can. 
    And don’t become attached to preconceived ideas of what should happen.



4.  Always do your best.

    Then never second-guess yourself or look back with regret.

God love you

Mary

A 55degree day.   I even wore a jacket and a long sleeved tee today.

I slept a bit late today.   Roxie insisted that I feed her at 6AM.  But - I went back to bed and slept until after 7.   Boy did that feel good.

I had a quick breakfast and then went grocery shopping and filled the gas tank.  I was home shortly after 9AM and was able to do a bit of sewing, pay some bills and pull out china for Saturday's Scone Baking.   We don't need much but will want tea and coffee and a plate to set the scones on.

Dick was standing for the second time when I arrived at Rocky Knoll.    He had stood for 5 minutes and stood for another 5 after I got there.   Everybody is so excited.   He has not had a fever since Monday and the ache in his chest is almost gone.     We had lunch and came back into therapy for OT.   He stood again for 3.5 minutes.   This is indeed a record.   Good practice for Friday when the other prosthesis comes.

At 3PM we went down the hall to the On the Rocks Coctail hour.   That is a nice break for us.   Out of the room in a social setting with a glass of white wine and each other.

I came home at 4PM.   It has been a very quiet evening.   I have prepared some things for tomorrow, so that I can get a lot done then and am trying to let myself rest.   You know me it is hard not to keep "doing stuff."   I intend to crawl in bed at 8PM and read for a while.



Hope your week is going as well as mine.

Love

Mary

It is much cooler today.   I don't believe that it got over 65.   But the sun was shining and I found it quite comfortable.    I had my jacket in the car but had no need for it.

I was busy this morning, mainly down in the den. 

First:  I racked my Currant/Marigold wine for the second time.    It is really quite pleasant though kind of raw yet.   As Dad used to say.   "Let it age.".   It will, however, be one of a kind as I figure that this will be the last year I make wine.   I have enough Marigold blossoms for a batch of that and then I will be done.   I am glad that Bobbie is interested in and making lots of wines as we have all the equipment and it is really nice to keep it in the family.  Roxie joined me down there.   She really fussed at me for a while.   I think she was asking what I was doing down there racking wine without Bobbie.


Then I started sewing.    I have so many items in various stages of assembly an since Saturday will be Celtic Women Scone Baking day here and we will be using both ovens, I figure I had better have that area at least looking like I have some semblance of order to my life.

Then I took care of some business and fixes a sandwich for lunch with Dick.   Did I tell you I made a small batch of fudge yesterday.    This appealed to Dick.   I am glad as his appetite, even for things he loves, has not been good.    I got to Rocky Knoll just in time to watch him stand for the first time today during his OT session.   He actually stood twice then and twice after lunch during PT.  

He still has some pain in his chest but the fever is gone.    His appetite is still poor but he aims to eat half of what they give him at each meal.    He was delighted with the fudge though.   He is still losing weight, but at a slower rate, which is fine.  Only three more days until the prosthesis for his right leg comes.    Yippee!!!

Got a special email tonight.   My granddaughter, Nora, who is going to have a baby early next year sent me an email to let me know that they are now absolutley sure that it is a boy.   She had expected a girl so now has had to change all her plans for the nursery.   I am very delighted.   I would have been just as delighted with a girl, of course, but I do have two great grand daughters already and a great grandson will be fun.    In any case, it is AMAZING and I am a happy lady.

I figured out how to use the rest of the mini marshmallows.   I made 5 Cup Salad:   1 11oz can drained Manderin oranges, 1 8 oz can of pineapple, 1 cup coconut, 2 cups mini marshmallows and 6 oz of sour cream.    Yum yum

Have a lovely Wednesday.   It is shopping day and also On the Rocks Afternoon at Rocky Knoll.    So Dick and I will have our hour date and social hour.

Love you

Mary

Finally as normal a Monday as there will be as long as Dick is at the Rehab Center.   

I went to Bible Study this morning.   We had seven of us there and discussed Psalm 32 which deals with forgiveness.   Sunday's readings were all on forgiveness too.    We are amazed at how often this happens.   Forgiving is not always that hard but forgetting is.    There is a wonderful song called The Poison Tree about not forgiving.    It starts by the singer singing that she forgave her friend and the anger died.   But she did not forgive her enemy and she nurtured the anger until a Poison Tree grew inside of her.

Then I went to Mother's.    We got all her bills paid and had a really good visit.    I brought her some of the chicken dinner that I prepared yesterday.  

I ate lunch at home and picked up the mail, then went over to Rocky Knoll.  Dick was in therapy when I got there.     He stood two or three times today.   His arms and legs seem to be gaining strength.   He stood for 5 minutes this morning.    When we left therapy we went to the nurses station as he said that his shoulder is hurting again.     He has a slight fever and the nurse could hear some congestion in his back.    They emailed Dr. Sharon who suggested going back to Memorial.   HOWEVER,  Dick and I were not thrilled with that.   Another tiring trip with all those tests and then a return later tonight which is what I am SURE they would do did not seem practical.   He is still on antibiotics from last week.    The doctor is going to prescribe the breathing therapy that helps break up things and he can ask for more pain meds if the pain gets worse.   I would rather see if this will help first and Dick was delighted with the option.

Good news.   His prosthesis will be here on Friday.

I came home at 5:30PM right after supper.   I made some fudge.   I had some miniature marshmallows and an open can of canned milk that I did not want to waste.   I still have some marshmallows.   Got to think of something.

Tomorrow is a quiet day - no appointments.   Just can do things I want to, like sew, straighten out for Saturday and rack the currant/marigold wine.   Then I will go to be with my guy at 11:30 and have lunch with him.

God love you

Mary

 

What a lovely Sunday.   It was a bit warm today but not unbearable.
 
I went over to Rocky Knoll at about 9AM.   Dick was up and looking pretty good.   I went down to the Activity Room to help bring residents down to the Mass which is at 10AM.    I brought two down.   A very gentle man and a sweet lovely lady.   I enjoyed the Mass.   Father talked about 911 at the beginning and then the sermon was about forgiveness.   Forgiven and forgiving, he said.   We need both sides of the coin.

We had lunch together.   Then watched the Chicago/Atlanta game.   I was on the wrong side of that one for my Football league.   I cam home at 3PM and tried to sleep but did not do too well.   That's OK, I will get to bed early tonight.  

This week will be the beginning of things being semi normal, unless Dick gets really sick again.   Let's all pray for health for Dick.   I think he is overdue.

Have a good week.   Sleep tight

Mary