This was a very busy day.    I did get to sleep until 7AM.  The night was short.  I did not finally get to sleep until almost 11PM.   But those hours were pretty good.

I spent the early part of the morning finishing phone calls and emails that I have been behind on.   I did most of the cooking for the Chili Mac that we had for lunch and got Dick's hair washed.   That is a good way for him to be exercising too as he has to stand by the sink and balance while I do the washing.

Bobbie got here at about 10AM.  We had two batches of wine (mine - Marigold and Marigold/Current) to rack and two batches of wine(hers - both beet - one with brown sugar, one with white) to filter.   That took a bit.  My brother Jeff came at about 11AM to fix a door jam that had been knocked off.   He is so good.  He told me to call if I needed help so I did.    Can one ask for better relatives than that?
He was on his way to Mom's.  He intended to take her out for a walk.   Eileen brought a wheel chair and with today SO beautiful, it seems like the perfect day to get fresh air.  

I even opened the deck door for Roxie for a bit.

Dick had his appointment with the prosthesist.   We have a new one, as Tim has moved on to another company.  His name is Marty and he seems to be very nice.   He casted Dick's left stump and we should have the semi final prosthesis in two weeks.   Boy will that be a relief.   We are using way too much ply for the padding on the temporary one.

So, I have washed all day and still have one more load to go.   I am tired and going to bed very early.  I can read and relax.   Dick can just call as he needs me to help him.

Take care of you.   We are supposed to be getting a pretty good winter storm tomorrow.    I am glad that I do not have to go anywhere and feel sorry for the health aids that are coming to care for Dick.

Dia dhuit

Mary

This will be short and sweet.   

I had an appointment with Dr. Leben, the physiatrist, who gave me the results of my back MRI.   She did find an area of concern and a slight curvature which can be treated.   We are starting by having me take a medicine for the nerve called Gabapentin.   I will take it for 3 or 4 weeks to see if it will be useful.  The other option is a cortisone shot and I really don't want to do that.   Time will tell and I sure hope that this will help.

I went right from there to JMKAC to bring a flag, some CDs and some pictures to Danika, who is in charge of the Irish Family Day.   We discussed other needs to and had a great conversation.    I got home at noon and prepared tuna sandwiches with potato salad for our lunch.

We finished before Rachel, the RN from VNA, came to check Dick over.    We are pleased with the way the wounds are healing.   She made note of the bladder infection and will be here a week from Friday to take blood tests and to collect a urine sample to be sure that he does not need more treatment.

Then I napped for an hour.   I spent the rest of the afternoon kind of trying to get caught up on computer work.   I STILL have a lot to do there.

At 6:30PM, I left and picked up Kate to go to Fr. Van Beek's last "Evening with the Pastor", his adult education project.   He will be retiring in a few months and I really wanted to be at this evening.   He does such a nice presentation, tonight talking about prayer and Faith and trust.   He also is starting to get us used to the idea of accepting a new priest when the time comes.   He wants the transition to be good for him, and for the man who takes over and for us as the congregation that will welcome him. 

By the way, did you read that Timothy Dolan, our previous Archbishop is going to be a Cardinal.    I am not surprised and am very pleased.   He is a good man.

So I am home and going to be going "up the wooden hill to four corners" soon.   Have you ever heard that expression.   Mother used to say that to us when it was time for bed.

Love and Dia Dhuit

Mary

Today I was able to get back to a "normal" Monday morning.   Bible Study and a visit with Mother.

Bible study was well attended for our winter group.   Tom and Kathy are in Texas until spring and two others could not come, but we were 6 strong and had a good discussion of Psalm 101, especially as it relates to the responsibilities of rulers and the people - and in this pre-election climate, there was a lot.   We DO try to keep too much politics out of our discussions but this was a psalm that just called for it.    How does one make people see their moral responsibilities in the leadership?    None of this is new.   But it will lead to destruction unless somehow, we see the mistakes of the past and change them.   As a democracy, the people should be able to do this.   The tools are there, but someone has to take the reins and do it.    Congress, as an entity, has become a greedy pig, voting itself raises and benefits that are beyond reasonable.   The members of congress should be on the same SSI program, the same health care program and the same pension possiblities of every citizen of this country.   Also, one term in office should not entitle a person to a lifetime of pension.    Who will step forward to get this going?   Dick won't let me.  He says I am too busy.


Mom and I got her finances squared away.    It was simple.  Only one bill this week.  Then we had a nice visit.   She said that she felt a little stronger today which was good to hear.    Eileen was coming out this afternoon to take her tree down.   The tree has shed a circle of pin needles around itself,  much like a fairy circle.

I got home just before noon and fixed Dick lunch before the first of our VNA helpers, Sara, the PT, came.  He is doing very well.   He had already taken a walk this morning, long before shewas due.

Then at 3PM the health care nurse came to give Dick his bath.    So we are well cared for.


I am rather tired tonight and told Dick that I am going to bed early tonight, even if it means that he has to get me up to help him.   I really need the sleep.   I will be glad when the bed pull ups the we ordered come and he can get himself into a sitting position ALL the time.   Sometimes he can, even now, but we are not sure how.   It is hard to figure out when one is half asleep.  I know he tries very hard to get up  before calling me, but sometimes, he just can't get up without help.  Especially when he is half asleep.

So that is our day.   I will end this with a quote that  I used as a prayer at the bible study.   Actually two of them.

They make one think. One challenges us and one asks us to trust.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

St.  Basil:  "The bread which you do not use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked;  the shoes that you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is bare foot;  the money that you keep locked away is the money of the poor; the acts of charity that you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit."

St. Gregory Nazoreane.  "God accepts our desires as thought they were a great value.   He longs ardently for us to desire and love him.   He accepts our petitions for benefits as though we were doing Him a favor.   His joy in giving is greater and ours in receiving.   So let us not be apathetic in our asking, nor set to narrow bounds to our requests; nor ask for frivolous things unworthy of God's greatness.

It was quite pleasant outside again today.   No precipitation or wind and the temperatures stayed in the low 40s.

I stayed in bed until a bit after 7AM after feeding the cat and helping Dick get up between 6 and 6:30AM.   So I was quite rested for most of the day.    It is not almost 8PM and I am winding down nicely, but don't feel too exhausted.

Of course, we had no visitors today at all.   No VNA on weekends.

Dick did his walking and his standing exercises once each today so that was a good beginning.   He looked good doing them too.   And I did not have to help him at all.

I spent a bit of today, getting my Ireland pictures from this year and from the time Bart, Barb and I went all labeled.   Now I can make up a disc to take to JMKAC for use with a projector.   I also have picked several of my CDs for music when live music is not playing.    I have several nice traditional and Irish American traditional CDS that should work well.

I also started putting Christmas away.   That is a major job, not as formidable as some years, as I didn't put everything out this year.  Tomorrow I will do a bit more and will get to work on a couple of quilting projects that I have to have finished by the end of January or early February.  I also have a couple that I would just LIKE to work on.

I went to Mass at 4PM.   The Folk Choir was singing tonight.   This is the last of the Christmas celebrations,  The Epiphany- the Coming of the Magi.   Fr. Van Beek had a sweet story about this feast.   He said that when he was a kid and would hear the story and when Herod would tell the Three Kings to report back to him as to where the Baby King was, he wanted to jump up on the pew and yell.   "No. No.  Don't tell him.   He is a bad man."    How fun it is for a child to become so involved in a tale, especially one of such importance.   This is after all the feast when Jesus was made known to us Gentiles.  Before this it was just to the Jewish people

We had a steak for lunch with garlic bread, beets and a fruit salad.    Then we had Chicken Waldorf salad and a piece of gingerbread pudding pie for supper.

Tomorrow will be another quiet day.   These days are nice for us to get back into the routine.    I hope Dick keeps increasing his walking practices.  Each time he does so will make him stronger.   He has said that he would like to go away, perhaps up north or somewhere for a couple of days in May.   He has that as a goal.    I just pray that he will be able to continue becoming more independant.

So rest easy in your bed tonight and wake up refreshed and ready to be fully a part of you day.   May it be a beautiful, loving day and all you dream.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

These were really good.   I had some oranges that were starting to get kind of old.   I even forgot to brush them with the egg and they were still good.


Orange Scones
Yields 12 2-inch round scones
Orange Scones
Adapted from Inside a Black Apple

1 3/4 cup flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup white sugar
Zest of 1 orange
Pinch of salt
5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small chunks
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup sour cream
1 egg
1 tablespoon milk
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, sugar, orange zest, and salt. Add the butter using a pastry tool (or your hands) and mix until the mixture is crumbly with pea-sized chunks. Stir in the orange juice and sour cream until just blended. Do not overmix or it will result in tough scones.
Roll scones into a ball and flatten slightly on a cookie sheet to resemble 2 inch rounds. Whisk together the egg and milk and brush over the top of the scones. Let scones rest for 10 minutes before baking.
Bake for 12 minutes or until the tops are lightly browned. Cool until room temperature before glazing.
Orange Glaze
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon orange juice
In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. If too thick, add more orange juice until it is smooth. Drizzle lightly over scones.

We got to stay home all day today.   Of course, that did not stop the stream of people wending their way through the house.

I got up at 6AM with the cat.   Got Dick up between 6:30AM and 7AM.   Jody came to clean at 8AM and was followed closely by Denise, the RN.   She did a deep check on him.    All his vitals and changing his dressings (all of the wounds are almost healed.) and helping us figure out how to use the new lung treatment.   At Rocky Knoll all of the treatments went into the nebulizer.   One of the refills has its own dispensing system.   Not hard but very precise.    Just enough to be DIFFERENT and we know what we think about different.  Anyway, Denise was able to help us and we are feeling pretty good about his progress, except for the possible bladder infection.    Denise took a sample and a blood draw to the lab for testing.    We did not hear from Dr. Sharon, so I hope all is well.

We were alone for a whole hour before Lauren, the OT came.   We asked her for some ideas in helping Dick get dressed by himself.   He can do his shirt and all but the shorts get difficult.    She showed him what he needs to do to be able to accomplish this and we have determined that there needs to be more practice on balance and standing.   He CAN do it, so if I were gone, it would be possible but it is very slow and tiring.

She left and was followed closely by Sara the PT.   Sara put him through walking, balancing and some stretching exercises.    Now if he will take my reminders or remember himself to do these things, he will continue to improve.  I run a fine line between being helpful and a nag.

This afternoon, I took a nap.   I am also gathering things to take to Danika ant KMJAC for the Irish Family Day.  I want them all together by Tuesday when I have a doctor appointment in Sheboygan.   I am trying to group my traveling.    The gas bill should go down some now that Dick is home.   Of course the grocery bill will go up, but not by much.

The weekend looks very quiet.   I will be going to Mass tomorrow evening, but that should be the only time either of us have to leave Tallgrass.   

Have a wonderful vacation yourself.  

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It isn't going to be easy.    I seem to have sprained my ankle.    When we were getting Dick in the car to take him for his appointment with Dr. Sharon, I had to go back into the house to grab his med list and I apparently hit the ramp on an odd angle and twisted my right ankle.

That was at 11:00AM.   I thought I had walked it off actually.    It was tender when we were at the Clinic.   I was doing just fine when I went to the wake for Uncle Bob Finger.

That was a great experience.   I know that funerals are not supposed to be happy, but we have such a marvelous family.   Bob had a perfect death.  He basically just fell asleep.  And I got to see all of my Ayers first cousins, their spouses and lots of beautiful second cousins.   Aunt Kathleen is so brave.    We all agreed that she and Bob were truly blessed.   This was the second very special marriage for both of them and they had 24 years of joy and companionship.   What a guy he was.  

My ankle was still OK, but then I went to the meeting at JMKAC.   When I got up there, I knew I was in trouble. 

The meeting went VERY well.   I have several things to do but will be able to do most of them sitting at my desk with my foot up.   I am more worried about what I will be able to do as far as taking care of Dick.    I can reheat several meals and he can just do some more but I am needed.   Tomorrow, we will have a nurse and a therapist during the afternoon, which will be a big help.

I still hoped that if I got home and iced the ankle it would be OK.   No such luck.   I finally called Bobbie at about 4:30PM to ask her to come and drive me to Urgent Care.    They don't open before 8AM but do stay open until 8PM.  Perhaps they can wrap it or something.

Bobbie will be here any minute and I will finish this when I get back.   Isn't it strange, that I expect you to follow my conversations, even on the blog?

We are back from Aurora.   Bobbie heated up dinner for Dick and I and has headed back to her own home.   I am so grateful that she could come to take me.   The injury is to my foot, not the ankle.   Fortunately, there is no break.    I have a neat ankle brace and it is wrapped with an ace bandage which is really helping the pain.  I am also taking Tylenol for the pain and inflammation.

Dick and I will really have to be a team for the next few days.   But I will heal quickly, I know.

Love and Dia Dhuit

Mary

Dick had a very successful PT session with Sara this morning at about 11:00AM.   He walked twice, quite a distance, and stood by the cupboard and practiced going from side to side and balancing.   We are also working on ways so that he can sit himself up in bed without a leg for "balast" and without my help.   We are going to have to do that because I can't be straining my ribs and back too much.

I did the grocery shopping today.    That went well.   I also went to the bank, mailed Jim and Michelle's Christmas (Aren't you glad, Jim and Michelle?  Christmas isn't over yet.) and picked up a few supplies.

Aside from that I am still picking up loose ends and trying to keep up with the daily grind.   I will be glad when it becomes just part of the routine and I am not forgetting things.    It took a half an hour or more without Dick and he has added a lot.   Today was trash day too.

I am reading about leprechauns and fairies for the Family Festival Ireland on January 21st.     I will be doing two half hour storytelling times.  I intend to spend a half hour on each of the small people.  I will end each tale by letting the children or whoever know that the fairies and the leprechauns came over with the Irish people and are still here.   The tricky part is finding stories that are not to grim.   I want to make a little "purse" to put a shilling in for the leprechaun.    They carry a magic coin, you know.  When somebody does get their money, it comes right back to the purse.

Tomorrow will be very busy.   I have an MRI in the early morning.   Dick sees Dr. Sharon at 11:00 and then I will go tot he viewing for Uncle Bob and to a meeting at JMKAC.   I should be home and ready to settle in by 3PM.  I am hoping 2:30PM so that Dick won't be alone too long.  


Be safe and pray for Uncle Bob's soul and for Aunt Kathleen and the family that will miss him.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

So here we are.   Two days into 2012 already.    With the first of the year being on Sunday - the Packers playing on Sunday then the Rose Bowl Parade and the Badgers playing IN the Rose Bowl today, Monday, it seems like there were two New Year's days.

We did have two health aids from the VNA come today.   The nurse, Rachel, and the home health aid to give Dick his bath.   Aside from that, we were home alone today.

I did go to see Mother after lunch, as it is Monday and  I like to keep the Monday visit as regular as possible as this is the day we check the bills and visit.   She seemed a bit weaker today but was in good spirits.   Shortly before I left, Uncle Pat and Aunt Joan came to visit her.  They stopped on their way to see Kathleen.  A couple readers might not know that Uncle Pat is Mom's youngest brother and is only about 6 years older than I am.   He looks more like my Grandpa the older her gets.    A handsome man.    I stayed for a short visit with them, then left so they could really visit with Mother.

Yesterday, Mom was trying to remember the name of the boat that Phillip King's parents went down on.    It was the Lady Elgin.    I think I have discussed this before in the blog.    When Phillip's parents died, he was taken in and raised by Timothy Clifford who would be my 2nd great grand uncle.   Then Phillip married my great grand aunt Charlotte Bowser.  That was why I got such a pleasure out of A Rising Wind - The Lady Elgin Story a play presented by the John Michael Kohler Art Center.   It may be on public television soon.   They were negotiating at the time it was presented in Kohler.  It is an amazing play.   On the order of Driving Miss Daisy on stage or Our Town.   Very little as far as sets.   The actors tell the story.   

When the Lady Elgin went down it changed whole political landscape of Milwaukee.

Mom had gotten the Phoenix disaster in her head, so I brought her the book by my friend John Textor, Phoenix, the Fateful Journey for her to read.    John was in the Sheboygan Writer's Club.  He died a couple of years back but his book is great - about the disaster that occurred withing sight of the Sheboygan Harbor.   A couple of hundred settlers of Dutch ancestry died in that sinking.

So this is my day.   The Rose Bowl game is still on.   It seems to be lasting at least as long as the Packer game did yesterday.   Don't know what is wrong with these Wisconsin players. 

Dia Dhuit

Mary

The New Year came in with a whisper. 

We were mainly just HOME.  I left to take Mother her dinner and eat with her at 11:30AM.    I fed Dick before I left so that he wouldn't have to mess with anything.    Mother and I enjoyed our dinner together and the nice visit.   She looked beautiful.

Home again, we just watched the Packers win and puttered.   I went downstairs to find a couple of quilt patterns and pull out some fabric.   Otherwise,  just rested as much as I could. 

Tomorrow,  we will have the nurse and the home health aid here and I want to go to see Mother to take care of the bills and bring her some information.  Still a rather quiet day as some of the work with Dick will be taken out of my hands.   I will be glad when we finally see Dr. Sharon on Wednesday.

 “Athbhlian faoi mhaise!  which means Happy New Year in the Irish.


Mary

What a nice New Year's Eve and Day.   Dick slept all night until 6AM so I got a good night's sleep also.

We got up and kind of lazed into the day.  A light breakfast and I did a lot of wash.  I also got the Christmas Box for Michelle and Jim FINALLY packed and ready for the post office.

I finished making a lovely strawberry tart for tonight's dessert.   Suzi couldn't come because she was sick but Bobbie and Bill came so we had the same meal.   I saw no sense in changing anything.   The strawberries were really nice. - from Florida.   I also prepared Braciole de Manzo, one of my venison dishes, with a side of garlic Parmesan spaghetti and a carrot salad.     We had Bobbie's Barolo wine with dinner and a Barefoot Pinot Grigio Champagne to toast in the New Year. 

It was a nice way to see out the old year.    I am sure that I will be asleep before midnight and we all got to toast the old and welcome the new with t he Champagne with a strawberry dropped into it.

I went to Mass today at 4PM.   Tomorrow I will only go out onec, at around lunch time.   I am taking Mom's noon meal to her and will eat with her.

I talked to George today to update him on Uncle Bob's funeral arrangements.    We will miss Uncle Bob and his great smile.   

So Happy New Year to you all.

Until 2012

Dia Dhuit

Mary

This was not the best day but not the worst either.

Suzi was going to come tomorrow, but called early this afternoon to say that she is sick and we will have to put her visit off until she is better.   We don't want germs brought into this house and certainly don't want her traveling from Sussex if she is ill so we will look forward to her visit in 2012.  Can you believe that Sunday will be January 1st of 2012.    I think I mentioned this many years ago.     When I was a little girl, as I was born in 1940, I realized that I would be 60 years old at the turn of the century.   That seemed so old.   Now I am 71, and as my Mother would say.   "It still seems old."

Usually I don't feel old, so don't give me the lecture about your are only as old as you feel.   Sometimes I DO feel every year and when I do I deserve to feel that way.   Most of the time, I am still eager to get on with the things I love to do and when I am doing them, and caring for others, especially Dick and Mom, I do not feel old.  Often, very tired, but never done.

The only person who came into our house today was Jody, my house cleaner.   She is always welcome as she gets the house in order for me and if I ask for anything she always does it.   Today, I asked that she help me make the bed downstairs for Suzi.   She just did it herself.   She said that I look tired.  

I don't know whether I mentioned it, but Jeff called last night to tell me that Uncle Bob Finger, Aunt Kathleen's husband, died yesterday.   He had been ill enough that they delayed their trip south for the winter, but he had been doing quite well.   So it was unexpected.  I will miss his yearly call to see if I want to purchase the Optimist's Packer yearbook.   Aunt Kathleen is my godmother, you know.  I am very blessed.

Dick did not sleep well last night.   So he slept off and on all day.  I hope this is not the beginning of the old being up all night and sleeping all day that he had going before.   I guess I should not be a pessimist.   One night does not a pattern establish.

We had some of the turkey pot pie for dinner.  It really is good.   We will get one more meal out of it.    I worked on preparing our New Year's dinner.   Even if Suzi can't come, Bobbie and Bill will be here.   We will have Braciole de Manzo, garlic buttered spaghetti and carrot salad with strawberry tart and Champagne with fresh strawberries dropped in it so we can see them bounce up and down.

So until tomorrow, the LAST day of 2011.    Sleep well,   Another year is upon us, pray that it will be a good year but whatever it brings we will hang together and make the most of it.

I love you all

“Athbhlian faoi mhaise


Mary  

A pretty good day.   We did sleep until 7ish this morning, as since Dick had trouble getting to sleep last night, I did too. 

But up we did get and in plenty of time to be ready when the PT, Ellen and the OT, Lauren, came so that they could work together on Dick's "getting up out of bed skills".    Between them and the later aids, we did come up with a couple of nice hints, such as lowering the guard rail when he is getting into bed and raising and/or lowering the bed if it will help.

After they left, Dick stayed in bed for about an hour and I cleaned up the kitchen and a couple of drawers in the bathroom.   I am trying to come up with an efficient way to centralize all of the different cleaning products and lotions that we have gathered over this past several months.  

We had the rest of the meatballs and rice for lunch.   Then I rested until about 1:30PM as the next VNA, a home care specialist came at 2PM to give Dick a REALLY good sponge bath.    I think I mentioned that yesterday we washed his hair as we always did.   He stood by the sink and I just did it.   Just as we did before.

The home health aide was named Nancy, but she probably won't be back again. This week is hit and miss because of the holidays.  Too bad.  We really like her and now she knows the ropes. 

Then, just as she was leaving at about 3PM,  Ashley, our nurse for this week, arrived and Nancy handed Dick over to her to get the dressings on his legs checked, cleaned and changed.   They really look good.   I see no signs of anything new.   Cross your fingers.    She checked all his vitals and all is good.   We also discussed the fall.   She checked and I changed the bandage on the scrape on his left arm that Dick and I had  discovered yesterday morning.    It also is healing just fine.   We will change the dressing every other day of so.

Guess What!   Tomorrow, - NOBODY is coming and I don't have to go ANYWHERE.   We are both just ecstatic about that.   We have not had a whole day alone yet.

So.  We plan on being in bed before 9PM and sleeping as late as we want.

Now I am going to have a cup of warm decaf coffee with a glass of Bailey's, a gift from Richard and Brenda at Christmas.  

So Dia Dhuit

Mary

Today was pretty quiet.    I only had to leave the house once, to go to my doctor's appointment with the Physiatrist, Dr. Leben right after lunch.

We, of course were busy just with getting ourselves into the day, what with showers and breakfasts and washing clothes and preparing lunch.

We did not get up until after 7AM and there was a good reason for that.    There was an "incident" or "adventure",   you decide.     We got ourselves into the bedroom finally by 9PM last night.  I was so tired and Dick wanted to get himself into bed.    (He has moved himself before.) 

However,   I was staring to doze off when I heard a crash and saw my husband sinking towards the floor.     He apparently decided that he could do this WITHOUT the walker and it did not work.   So, I rushed over and helped him get onto his back and seated.   He said that he had hit his head.   Fortunately, he did not hit any furniture - the bump on his head is more of a rug burn as he hit the carpet which is on a wood floor so the damage was minimal.

Again -  However.    We had no way of getting him up.  So, after we discussed the possibilities agreed to call 911.   They were here in minutes,   The police, the fire department paramedics and an ambulance.    They checked him all over and found no serious damage, then three of them lifted him up onto the bed.   Thank God for them.   We had no other way to get him up as he can't even kneel and push up.

Needless to say, he has agreed not to take shortcuts and will be sure that I am there as much as possible even if he does do it himself.  At least for a while.

So that is why we slept late.   The day was good.   No nurses or anybody visiting.   Tomorrow, we will have four Visiting Nurse people here throughout the day.

I made a really good turkey pot pie for our lunch.    We have leftovers and I am sure it will heat up beautifully.

So now you know what has happened since yesterday.

Hope you like the picture.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

This is the floral arrangement that Jim and Michelle sent us for Christmas. And we will have a lovely Thomas Kincaid Village music box to remember it by.

Thanks kids.

Marymom

Here we are at the end of another busy day.

The first appointment was at 9AM.   Ellen, the PT, came and put Dick through his paces.  

Before she came, I did all the usual things, ( the additions for Dick are STARTING to fall into place). and then took the trash out.   It was a crap shoot as to whether they would come today.   They are not consistent, but sometimes with a holiday involved, they will come the next day.   I KNOW that they picked up the recyclables and assume that they have also picked up the regular trash.

After she left, I went to the bank and then on to Rocky Knoll to drop off the cushion to therapy, pay the bill and pick up the few things that I had not noticed that last day.  (We seem to have gained an enema bag.  Yippee!.  Don't know who would do the administering.   Not Me!  Got to draw the line somewhere.)

I got home in time to take my time preparing lunch.   We had chili - easy, but it was frozen so I had to defrost it.   I took a nice short nap after lunch and then did our grocery shopping.   I found a new cooking tool.   A simple device to put olive oil into and spritz it on to food or onto grills or pans.   This way I won't need to buy spray cans of stuff.  

Lauren, the OT, came at 4:15PM.   She reviewed several things with us as to bathing and getting in and out of bed and gave some suggestions.    She will be back on Thursday at 9AM with Ellen, the PT.   Tomorrow we are supposed to have a Home Health Care Worker come to give Dick a really good sponge bath.   We will wash his hair tomorrow if they do not come as we know he can stand by the sink for way long enough time to do that.

We still have nice things to eat for our evening meal.   Little bits that can offer a variety.   I had a slice of pizza and Dick had a cup of soup and half a sandwich.  Then we had Bobbie candy for our dessert.   We are a spoiled couple of senior citizens.

I called Mom to see how she is.   She is still a bit under the weather, but saw the doctor today and he has her on liquids until tomorrow, to clear out her system.  Sound like a similar treatment as I got for my food poisoning.   I will call tomorrow afternoon to check on her again. 

So.  The night is drawing to a close and so am I.

Bless you all and keep us safe through the night.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Yesterday did not leave any time to post.   I hope you were also so involved in your special Christmas celebrations and did not have time to even think about my little blog. 

Christmas morning was spent getting Dick and my all "spit and polished" and ready for out company.   Richard and Brenda and Bobbie and Bill were arriving in mid afternoon for the beginning or our family celebration.   Dick and I emptied our stockings.   Yes.   Santa did fill the stockings again.   He is always so nice to us.   Candy and desk supplies.    I also gave Dick the Green Bay Packer stock certificate that "Mrs. Santa" obtained for me to give to him.

Leslie called early Christmas afternoon and I had a lovely talk with her and Bill.    She was fixing a turkey for their dinner.   We opened the box from them today and it is a sugar free Whitman Sampler.   What a good idea.

Everybody arrived between 3 and 4PM for the big gathering.  Bobbie put on a super meal beginning with a sumptuous array of appetizers.  Stefano's Glop is really GOOD.    We had a glass of Prairie Fume with the appetizers.

Dinner was preceded by the present opening.   I think everybody was happy.  I know that Dick and I marvel at the care and love that is put into the gifts that were presented to us.   We are so blessed to be so loved.  For example, I was given a set of Waterford stainless silverware because my loved ones saw how pitiful my silverware was.  AND it is BEAUTIFUL.   I would like to feed the world.

Bobbie then put dinner on the table.   Rolled Italian bread loaf and Spinach bread rolled loaf - accompanied by a salad and frozen peas with homemade Bobbie Candy for dessert   We had Bobbie's Domaine Du May Italian Barolo with dinner and an excellent Champagne, brought by Richard and Brenda to drink with the super candy.   I recommend good candy with good champagne.

We finished off the evening with a Packer victory.   Bobbie and Bill had to go home before it was over but it was a fitting ending to a perfect day.

Today I got up shortly before 7AM.  I knew that I could not go to both bible study and to visit mother as it would be too long away to Dick, so I opted out of bible study.     Ellen, our physical therapist called and came to work with Dick at 10AM.   Then Denise, a RN came at 1:30 PM to check him all over and work with us. 

Richard and Brenda were with us until 1:30PM.    Richard has our computers working like clockwork and has showed us that we have SKYPE and can now communicate with other SKYPE people with a flick of a finger.   I am so excited.    I am sure that Bart and Barb will have this capability and, of course, Brenda and Dick do and we were all signed up with them.    YES!

After Denise left, I hightailed it over to see Mother.   I knew that she had had a rather difficult night but she seems to be improving rapidly and was not abnormally tired or weak so I felt better about her when I left.   I took her her Christmas Present a book called  "It's Not Yours, 'Til You Like It"  a book about Prange's in Sheboygan.   There is a story told by Mother about Grandpa Bowser, her father and my grandpa in the book.   I transcribed it for her and sent it in  for her.

So Boxing Day is over.   I hope things slow down some by the end of the week.   After a bit, I won't have to be so involved in watching the therapy.    Unless something new comes up.

So thats it for the day.   We have two therapy appointments tomorrow and I will go to the bank and grocery shopping.    Pretty easy Huh!

Dia Dhuit

Mary

JUST FOR FUN

 Subject: Copper Wire

 

After having dug to a depth of 10 feet last year, New York scientists found traces of copper wire dating back 100 years and came to the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network more than 100 years ago
 
Not to be outdone by the New Yorkers, a California archaeologist dug to a depth of 20 feet and shortly after, a story in the LA Times newspaper read:"California archaeologists' discover 200 year old copper wire, have concluded that their ancestors already had an advanced high-tech communications network a hundred years earlier than the New Yorkers."
 
One week later, a local newspaper in Manitowoc, WI, reported the following: "After digging as deep as 30 feet in his pasture near Valders, WI, Ole Olsen, a self-taught archaeologist, reported that he found absolutely nothing. Ole, has therefore concluded that 300 years ago, Wisconsin had already gone wireless."
   Makes one proud to be from Wisconsin.

Today was another busy day but certainly much more manageable.  We were up a couple of times in the morning from 4AM on but it was for minor things and for feeding Roxie.   We finally got up at 7AM.   I had to keep a move on as the blow up bed ( which works quite well, I thought,)  had to be deflated and out of the bedroom by 9AM.

I knew my new twin was being delivered between 9 and noon and as we are so close to the store just figured it would be the first delivery or so.   I was right.  We got a call at 9AM and the bed was set up before 9:30 and they had the queen spring and mattress down in the basement before they left.  The way it is set up, I have more room to walk around it than with the blow up bed.  Thank heaven.  And I am closer in height to Dick too.   So it will feels like we are more in the same bed.

He walked two times today and the urinary tract infection seems to be showing improvement already.  I took a nice long nap this afternoon after we had a Tbone steak and garlic bread  for our dinner. 

Then I went to the 4PM Mass.   I got there at 3:30PM trying to beat the crowds.  But that is impossible before this particular Mass as the Folk Choir does a pre mass concert and the place is packed from about 3PM on.   I did finally manage a seat and the Mass and music were spectacular.   Great tradiditonal songs including the Messiah.   AND I was an assigned Eucharistic Minister and had the privilege of serving the wine to my  fellow worshipers.   I never get over that.

Home again Dick and I had a glass of Christmas wine together and ate leftovers for our supper.   And I finally finished wrapping the presents.   It is after 8PM and we are starting to get ready for bed.   Our aim is always 9PM.    This will be my first night in the new bed.   I hope it is as nice as it seems.     And I hope that Roxie likes it too.

Tomorrow is Christmas.   I am so happy.   The tree is as decorated as it is going to be.    The presents are all decorated.   Bobbie is bringing the meal.    All I have to do is "neaten up" as they say so that we have places to eat and sit and set things down.

Merry Christmas - God bless us every one.

Mary

I felt pretty good this morning when I got up.   Dick slept until 4AM then wanted to sit on the bed for an hour or so just relaxing, I guess, so I got some more sleep.   As much as I could with Roxie being an absolute brat.   After she was fed, she, of course, left me alone. but I helped Dick finish getting up at that time.

Jody got here to clean at 8:00AM and Bobbie arrived shortly after.   Between the two of them and my looking like I was doing something (I hope), they got the queen sized bed disassembled and the mattress and springs leaned up against the wall for the Furniture people to take downstairs when they come with my twin sized bed tomorrow.

We managed to eat and get vitamins and nebulizer treatments in during that time.   Josh from VNA came with the bed at about 10:30AM.   He got it all together, except, the trapeze that he brought was not right so he had to go back to the shop to get the right on.

Rachel the nurse from VNA came at 11:30AM.   She gave him a good going over.    She will be back next week and I have instructions for his sores and dressings.   There are more dressings and wound wash on the way.   Dick has been showing signs of a urinary infection.   I picked up a sample bottle yesterday and we were waiting for Dr. Sharon's OK.    Rachel got that and took the sample to the lab.

Whew.   That was the morning.  I had put in a pizza for lunch so we snacked as we went.

Then, this afternoon, Michelle and Jim called for a Christmas call and a really good update on what and how they are doing.   I was able to let them hear the lovely music box on the Kincaid Village music box floral arrangement and tell them that Roxie loves it too.    Bobbie found that one of the roses has been lightly nibbled.   And we know who the flower eater in this house is.  We are all SO disappointed that their trip up here was thwarted and in such a miserable way for them.    But at least they are safe at home and not stranded in some storm as some were.

While on the phone with them, Jean. my neighbor, dropped over with cookies and a request for me to pick up the mail.   AND Josh came back with the trapeze for the bed and installed that.

When I hung up from talking to Jim and Michelle, there was a message from Dr. Sharon's office.   Dick, indeed, does have and infection and I had to go over to Walgreens to get his antibiotics.  

Home again, I put the sheets and all on Dick's bed and then fixed soup and grilled cheese for Supper.   Then I blew up the inflatable twin that is going to be my bed just for tonight as tomorrow morning the new twin bed will arrive.   After I get that in place and the delivery guys take the queen stuff downstairs, I can finally get our bedroom in order. 

Now it is after 7:30PM.   I am exhausted.   I am hoping that all of this prep will gradually make the days easier because in between all these things, Dick needs help when there is walking or standing involved.   Sometimes very little but I like to and feel that I need to be there for him.

So pray for us that our weary bodies get the rest they need tonight.   We look forward to each day together, even when they are not perfect as we know how much more imperfect they are when we are apart.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Enjoy these blessed days.

Dick is home.  YEAAAAA!!!

It was not the smooth gentle homecoming that I had planned on but he did get her on the 20th, the day we had picked.

On Monday night, around midnight, I started getting sick.    I ended up vomiting and with diarrhea for 6 hours.   At 7:30AM, I dragged myself out to the car and drove to the Plymouth Clinic, hoping to be able to go to urgent care.   I thought they opened at 7AM.  They don't.   But my angel was watching over me.   Dr. Murthy comes in early on Tuesdays and he saw me.   They even sent a nurse to bring me up in a wheel chair.   You can imagine how exhausted I was.  He was able to determine that I did not have anything contagious.   He told me to go home, drink water, slowly all day long and gradually introduce food and to sleep.   So I made arrangements to delay Dick's release from Rocky Knoll to between 4:30 and 5PM. 

Roxie was quite glad to see Dick.   When he sat at his desk, she went right over to be petted.  

We both went to bed at around 8PM.   He was content with chicken soup for supper as he had a big dinner at Rocky Knoll.   I drank some of the broth from the soup and kept it down and things seemed OK.  We both slept until almost 6AM Wednesday morning.

So, I ate some cereal and moved on with the day.   I was still SO weak but we got through it.  I did the grocery shopping and gassed up the car.   Ellen from VNA came in the afternoon, ran through some tests and made several recommendations.  She sent an OT person this afternoon and she came herself this morning.   She also has an RN coming tomorrow.   I am concerned about the blister on Dick's leg and will be happy to have someone who can show me what needs to be done.

So today was a real road race.   Neil from Steger Heating came to give our furnace its winter check.   Ellen came at 12:30PM.    We have decided, on Ellen's recommendation, to get a hospital bed (which will be provided as long as needed, I understand).   We have decided to store the queen downstairs, and buy a twin for me to use so that we won't have to be in different rooms.    The only other way would have been to put him in the other bedroom with the hospital bed and leave our room as is.    We want to be together. 
The bed will have railings and a trapeze. 

He woke up at 2AM this morning and we had a heck of a time getting him up.   Without those railings and the trapeze, it is SO hard for him to turn and raise himself up.  The hospital bed will come tomorrow and my bed on Saturday.   Tomorrow, Bobbie will come to help me stack the queen up against the wall so that they can get the hospital bed set up.   I will use the blow up bed I got for a spare for the one night.

Don't you love it when a plan comes together?

I was calling Bobbie to ask her if she could help, when the door bell rang and there were Bobbie and Bill at the door with two wooden dowel things that Bill made to help Dick get a solid base on the bed and make it easier to push up on.  

Mat from Home Care Resources arrived at 4PM with tennis balls for the walker and a wheel chair cushion so that I can take back the one we seem to have borrowed from Rock Knoll.  He has just been a wonder.  He installed several grab bars for us too.    He is so nice.   He is a huge man and guarantees them for anything up to 400 lbs.

We also heard from Jim and Michelle,   their trip up here got aborted by the weather and Greyhound.   They were two hours late leaving Oklahoma City and were put on a bus with no heat and a hole in the floor and dirty to Tulsa.   When they got there they found they would miss the connection to St. Louis and would not have gotten here for so long, it was no longer worth the trip.    We are so disappointed and so are they.   I will have to send their presents next week.   They can celebrate us next week then.   I am just glad, from the sound of things that,at least, they are home safe and sound.

So as you can see, it has been a busy busy busy day and we are both very tired. and will be heading "up the wooden hill to four corners" very soon.

At least you know why you did not hear from me for a couple of nights.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A typical, non-typical busy Monday.   I left the house at 9AM after making some phone calls and catching up on some general pickup and computer stuff.  Went first to Bible Study.    We had a pretty full crowd and a lovely discussion of the fact that baptism mad us "priests" as adopted sons of God and what responsibilities this carries.

Next I went over to Mother's house.  She looks pretty good.   A bit weak but she is back to her normal routine, except that she decided not to exercise for a day or two so her strength comes back.   She moves around the house as needed anyway,  that will be enough.    While I was there, we talked to Meals on Wheels and they will start delivering her noon hot meal on Wednesday.    They do not deliver on weekends and the day after Christmas is a day  off too, but they will resume on Tuesday.   After a week or so we will evaluate how it is working for her. 

I stopped at home on my way to Kate's for our Cream City Writer's party, to pick up the present and the salad for the pot luck.  I had intended to go right to her home to help but got a call from Jena asking that I pick her and her mother Lynn and her sister Hope up on my way.   I knew that it would not be a help to have them there early, so timed it to get to Kate's at 12:30PM when it was scheduled for.

We had a lovely party.  Don, Kate, Lynn and I read Christmas readings.   I read my new Acrostic,  I will put it at the end of this blog and a poem my brother Matt wrote.   

Kate had made a ham and potato casserole.   I brought the Broccoli Cauliflower salad and everybody else brought cookies or appetizers.   Some people do have an odd idea of a pot luck.   But we were well fed and entertained.   Then we exchanged our gifts.     I received a Gibbsville Cheese cup and instant cocoa to go with it.

Kate also gave me a present.   A neat Tea for One, a book and a candle.    How fun is that.  She is a good friend.

Tomorrow Dick comes home!!!!!!   He called tonight and seemed a bit distressed but I talked to the nurse and she said that she would keep an eye on him.   I will shop early and then be there until we sign him out and Tim comes to pick him up.    We had a new walker delivered today.  Mat, my friend from Home Resource, brought it and he will drop the tennis balls to stablize the legs tomorrow.  He will also measure for a cushion like Dick has been using at Rocky Knoll.   I think we really need that too.

So.   I am home.   I have his tea ready and I have prepared the Spinach Casserole and have it ready to just pop into the oven.   Special treat.   Pray for us that all goes well. 

Dia Dhuit

Mary

CHRISTMAS

Come to the stable.
Hurry to the light of the star.
Run to tell the shepherds.
It is joy and the promise kept.
Silent in the night
The Lord sent His Son.
Mary the gentle mother
Prepared a manger for his head.
Softly the Angels sang a lullaby.

Today did not go as planned, but it did, in the end, turn out OK.

I was just getting ready to leave for Rocky Knoll for Mass, when Alicia, Mom's caregiver, called and told me that Mother was semi conscious and sick.  Should she call an ambulance.  I, of course, said yes and that I would be there as soon as I could.    On the way, I left a message for Jeff on his cell as I just had to push one button to call him and I called Dick to tell him that I would be late.

When I got the Mother's they were already wheeling her out of the house.   I talked to her but she was in pretty bad shape at the time.   As it turns out just trying to come out of the fainting spell.   So I talked to Alicia and the policeman that was there and then went to Sheboygan Memorial to be there when she got there.   Alicia had also called Dolores because she had her number also on her phone.   I called Eileen when I got to the hospital. 

By the time they got her to the hospital, she was already asking to go home, but they put her through the battery of tests that they always have to.   She is just fine though a bit weak.   Randy and Eileen took her home as soon as the tests were complete and she was able to walk the halls with a walker.   I left to be with Dick this afternoon.    Eileen is spending the night.

Dick was fine.  I got there just in time to lunch with him.   We watched a bit of the game together.   Then Bobbie and Bill came to visit.  I was so tired and Dick sent me home to rest.    I was not able to sleep but did lie down for an hour and I am going to bed early tonight as I have a really big day tomorrow.

Please pray that Mother stays well for a long time now.   I told her that she has to stop going to the hospital just before Christmas every year.    It was just about this time last year that she dislocated her shoulder.   She just laughed at me.

So that was the day, exept that the Packers lost.    I have a really bad fantasy league this week.   Lots of upsets and I scored high on some of them.

Tomorrow will be a better day.   Though as Mom is OK now, I count this as a blessed day anyway.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A very fruitful day.    We woke up to a dusting of snow all over the ground and roads.   When I left, I made the first tracks in the driveway and roadway just outside our house.   I slept until about 7:30AM then left at about 9AM so that I could go to Sheboygan Falls to the Historical Research Center to pick up a couple of books for Christmas and to go to Mother's house.

I had ordered the Vit Eyes for her and it came yesterday.   I needed to get it to her today as she was short one for Sunday and she is religious about taking those particular vitamins because they help keep the macular degeneration at bay.     I brought her a dinner too,  chicken, rice and green beans.  And some of the Lizzies.    She and I both LOVE them.

While I was there I went over to the church basement to buy some candy and cookies for her.   There was a cookie sale for the School and she likes to do her share.

So when I left her, I went directly to Rocky Knoll.   I wanted to be ther for lunch with Dick and allow plenty of time for the hurse to be able to show me how to change Dick's dressings.     I am getting as ready as I can as early as I can.   We have ordered a new walker for Dick.   One that is like the walkers he is using in therapy.   It is sturdier and easier to stablize and stop.   It does not have a seat but he would have to turn around in place to sit on the seat of the other one and he will have to work up to that anyway.

I came home at about 3PM.    I am doing some Christmas cards tonight.   I scheduled lots of computer cards several weeks ago to be sent next week.   But there are many that I still need to send paper cards to.

I also mixed up the Christmas Stollen.  The dough has to be in the fridge overnight, so I can finish and bake it tomorrow afternoon.

Things are coming together nicely.    I am so happy that Dick will be home on Tuesday.   I will be fixing Spinach, Egg and Noodle casserole for him.    He requested it for his first meal home.

So until tomorrow.   Which will be my last Mass at Rocky Knoll for, I hope, a long time, unless I should volunteer sometime.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

What a day!   I got up at 6:30AM.   Jody came at 8AM to do the cleaning.   She noticed that Roxie seemed to be limping more than she was last week.   I "talked" to Roxie and rubbed on the leg that seems to be bothering her and she told me that she really did not like that.    So I made an appointment with Dr. Connors for 3PM to have her checked.

I had an appointment at JMKAC to resume the planning for the Irish Family Day that the Art Center is presnting on January 21.   The Celtic Women are going to have a Tea.   We will be selling pots or cups of tea with tea breads and cookies and scones for accompaniment.   I will be putting on two story telling events during the day also.   Some of our members have offered to knit or crochet for demonstrations.
Should be a grand day.

I got to Rocky Knoll in plenty of time to have lunch with Dick and be with him afterwards for his therapy.   I brought his walker.   We have decided to purchase another walker of the kind that he used in therapy, which is a bit sturdier and easier for him to handle at this point anyway.

So I left at a bit after 2PM so that I could take Roxie to her veteranarian appointment.   Dr. Connors checked her out had we DO figure she has arthritis which is bothering her somewhat more at this point.   I will b giving her glucosamine/chrondroitin for cats and (just for a few days) an oral med for pain.  She was, of course, terrified.   She does not like to be in the carrier or the car and- it is worse for her since Oscar is gone.  I think he gave her courage.

Anyway we are home now and she had forgiven me.

I intend to relax this night and get to bed early again.   I figure I need all the rest that I can get before Dick comes home.   I can't believe that Christmas is only a week from Sunday.   

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A whole day at home.   I didn't get up until 8:30AM.   I can't remember when I slept that late before. Probably when I was a teenager.

Anyway,  the only time I left the house was to get the mail.

I finished straightening out the den and bedroom downstairs.   Baked a loaf of bread in the bread machine and this afternoon I made Lizzies.   I love those cookies and since Mom is not baking this year, I wanted to bring her some as we both like them so much.

I am getting lots of things done for Christmas and for Dick's homecoming, so that we can spend time together just getting into a schedule.    We will have Jim and Michelle here for four days, which makes me feel good.   Not only that they will be here but if here are difficulties, I will have four more hands to help me during that first week.

The wind is whistling around the house like a moaning Banshee.    But they still are not forcasting any snow.   We may not have a white Christmas this year.

God keep you safe in this busy season.

Love

Mary

It rained today.   Actually it poured for a part of the morning.  Such a strange year.    Here it is December 14th and we still have not had a measurable snowfall.     Weird!!!!!

I got the packages for the out of state families to the post office today before I went to Rocky Knoll.   I also stopped at Walgreens and picked up some stocking stuffers and some gifts that I need for the staff at Rocky Knoll when we leave. 

I also stopped to extend my sympathy to a friend whose mother died this week.    She was 97 years old and still on her own also.   I told Bob, that he had better figure on a lot more years.    She looked lovely..

I got to Rocky Knoll while Dick was still in therapy.   He finished a couple of strengthening and balancing exercises, then I pulled up the car and he showed the therapist how he gets in and out of the car.    He DID need a slight assist pulling himself up but we will be able to do it.  I was pleased myself.  We had lunch together and then  he got a haircut.    He wanted one before he came home and it looks good.    I think he would like his beard a bit shorter but I like it the way it is.

Then we played a couple of games of rummy.   We each won a game.   And then I came home.  It has been a nice afternoon.    I got a lot of easy work done.   Tomorrow, I will be home all day.   I am not taking a shower.   I intend to just concentrate of phone calls,  putting things away and baking.  AND A NICE NAP IN THE AFTERNOON.

So until tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

IF A FAT GUY GRABS YOU AND PUTS YOU IN A BAG,


DON'T WORRY,

I TOLD SANTA I WANTED A GOOD FRIEND FOR CHRISTMAS!

I have a problem.   Firefox is not working.   So I decided to got to Explorer to do the Blog tonight.

I was quite busy today.    I worked at home, getting a lot done, until about 10:30AM when I left to pick up a hamburger and fries for Dick and I to share for lunch.    Tim from Wisconsin Prosthesis was coming at noon, so Dick passed up a "special" dinner for the residents, no guests.   Knowing him, he was not happy about the no guests anyway, but we would have worked out way around that if Tim wasn't coming.   But Dick was hungry for a good old fast food burger.

Tim checked him all out and says that they can probably cast for the permenant prosthesis in January.   He also gave us the news that he is leaving Wisconsin Prosthesis for another job.  This is, of course, not a good thing for us to hear, but he assured us that the man who will be subbing for him has years of experience, we will be able to still go the the Sheboygan Office for care and that the office staff is still the same.   Time will tell.

Countdown to home.   There are seven days now.   I have made the arrangements for Tim from Custom
Care and Transport to pick Dick up at 10AM on Tuesday the 18th.   Now, I have to wind down the preparations for Christmas and his homecoming.  The next few days are uncluttered, so this should work quite well.

Therapy is concentrating on the things that he needs the most work on.   Tomorrow we are going to get into the car.

Guess that is all then.   I have a whole list of things I want to explore and Firefox is not working, so I have to figure out Explorer again.

Dia Dhuit.

Mary

A typical Monday.     Left home at about 9AM to go to Blessed Trinity for Bible Study.     I gave the participants each a little gift as we never know who will not be here next Monday.   It was a very confusing Psalm and we will be tackling it again next week.  Hopefully we will be able to make sense out of it.

Had a nice visit with Mother.    We got her bills all caught up and I addressed a couple of Christmas cards for her. 

Then I went to have lunch with Dick.     He had occupational therapy today.    This was not a great day for him.   The CNA's had trouble getting his prosthesis on and he was left long enough in bed that his back started to hurt.   He has requested that he come home a week from tomorrow, on Tuesday December 20.    The wheels are in motion.   Now I will be pushing for him to transfer more and to put on his own prosthesis.

I came home at about 2PM and attempted a nap.   I did manage to rest for an hour.    I have spent the rest of the afternoon setting various Creche's around the house.    I am not bringing EVERYTHING up but thought that I should put all the Nativities out.

Tomorrow, Tim from Wisconsin Prosthesis will be seeing Dick and we assume measuring the stump to see if it is still shrinking.    We will have to be thinking about how to handle seeing him too.   Though we went to Sheboygan for those three years in between the amputations.

So,  another day close to Christmas and another candy cane on the tree.    Talked to Jim and Michelle tonight.   They are getting excited about their visit as are we.

I had called, Bret, Bart and Barb and Leslie and Bill last night and talked to them, but Jim and Michelle weren't home.   Everybody else is doing very well.

Bless you as you sleep this night.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It was a happy day.    I got up at 6:30AM.    At about 7:30AM, the Culligan Man came and took care of what he should have done on Wednesday.

Jody, my cleaning lady, came at 8AM.   She is looking forward to Christmas this year.   This has been a hard year for her, but things are looking up and I am so delighted for her.

I left at about 10AM for my chiropractic appointment with Dr. Holmes.   We agree that I seem to have plateaued on his treatments, so he has recommended that I see  Dr. Leben, a specialist in Physical Medicine.   I am willing to try anything.   If SOMETHING could be healed, it would be one spot that doesn't ache.  Dr. Holmes says he thinks there is hope.

I stopped at Mom's on my way to Rocky Knoll to bring her some of the turkey quiche that I made.   It is always so good to get an extra visit with her.   Her tree is decorated and her other Christmas things out.   Eileen helped and Jeff did some too.   Her house is very festive.

I got to Rocky Knoll just in time to have lunch with Dick.   I had decided to buy lunch because they had Seafood Alfredo, which I had before.   Except that it could have been a bit hotter  - it was very good.   Dick and I played some cards this afternoon.  Then at 3PM we went to On the Rocks for our Date.   I was home via the Bank and Walgreens by 4PM.

It is always nice to be home before dark.   I can't believe that Dick will be home in two weeks and in just two more days after that, It will be Christmas.  Slowly the house is being decorated, but I don't believe I will get everything out this year.    I am running out of time.

So Another week about shot.   Tomorrow is the annual Tallgrass Condo Budget meeting.    I will be going at 9:15Am to help register people.

I intend to go to bed early again tonight .   I just can't seem to get rested.

Dia Dhuit.

Mary

A successful home evaluation.    Tim picked Dick and me up at 8:30AM and Corrie, from therapy, followed us home to do the evaluation.

Things went very well, I think.   We know what areas Dick needs help in and he was superb in many things we tried today.   Such as getting in to and out of bed and using the bathroom and opening the refrigerator.   Now the therapists will work on the things he is weak in.   Such as dressing and putting on his prosthesis by himself.

We got back to the center at about 10:30.  I had to leave at 11:00AM to get to the Sheboygan County Writers Christmas party.  I really have not been able to make meetings there since we moved to Plymouth and Dick got sick but they are my most beneficial club.   I love the people in the Plymouth club but they are not as dedicated in the way I need.


We had our party at the Villager in Sheboygan Falls.   A great restaurant and of course owned by the children our our dear Rosemary Eigenberger who died last year about this time and was a member of the Sheboygan County Writers.   There was a nice turnout and I got to see several of the members that I really am close too.   I brought home some nice gifts again.   I picked a lovely serving plate with cookies and yogurt covered pretzels.  And my gift was a beautiful snow globe.

After the dinner, I zipped across the street to Evans and found a couple of gold chains to replace those of mine that have broken.  Then I went BACK to Rocky Knoll because I had the back of the car full of contributions from the Kettle Country Quilt Club for the institution.   Several lap robes and items for Christmas bundles and/or bingo prizes.   Kim was glad to get them.  Also, we had a few calendars.   I must remember to bring in the extra calendars that I keep receiving in the mail.   They really need them for the residents.

I saw my friend Alice.  Claude was in both Plymouth Care and Rocky Knoll with Dick.   He was moved to another area of the facility.   Alice was quiet upset.  She told me they had three hours to do the move with no warning.   This is much too hard on people.   Claude is fragile any way and would have been benefited with a day or two to adjust to the idea and the move.   Why don't these "professionals" become aware of these things.

I stopped to see Dick on my way out and gave him the Gladware with the cookies and pretzels and put the snow globe on his shelf for a Christmas Cheer.

So I was home by 4PM and have been washing and catching up on Quicken and just being lazy.   I am mainly home tomorrow and intend to be lazy then too.

Dia Dhuit.

Mary

From Leslie the first time I saw it.

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and says, "Oh, Shit!.  She's awake!"

I was irritated with Culligan today.    When I got home last night, after 6PM, I had a message that they were going to be delivering today.    So I called there at 7AM and talked to a lady who said she would get a message to the scheduler at 8AM when the scheduler came in.   So I went grocery shopping and was home before 8AM

I waited until after 9AM and called Culligan again.  This lady said she had never received a message and that the delivery would be between 8 and noon.   So I called Dick and told him that I could not come to see him today.   Noon, came with no delivery.    So I called again and was told that I would have to reschedule.   I did reschedule for Friday before 10AM.   But It goofed up the whole day especially for Dick.   I was able to just keep doing things here at home until it was time to leave for the Kettle Country Quilt Club Party.  

The party was fun.  I brought the digestive biscuits with cream cheese mixed with jam and fresh fruit for the brunch which was marvelous.    We exchanged gifts and also had door prizes.   I brought home the cutest draft guard for the door.   I will use it on the front because it is easily set in front and looks so cut.   I also won a door prize, a pointsettia.  

I made it home by 3PM so that I would be here when Matt from Home Care Resources came to install the additional grab bars in the bathroom.   I am very pleased and know that Dick will be also when he come home tomorrow for his home evaluation.  I have been wrapping some presents and putting a few ornaments on the tree this afternoon.  I feel rather lazy so am just doing bits of a lot of things and want the house in good order tomorrow for the home eval.

It is starting to get very cold outside now.   Time to remember the little prayer that Mother taught me.  "God be good to anyone, whose sleeping out tonight.   Tuck them in and keep them warm and don't put out the light."

Die Dhuit



Marty

A very full day.   I left the house at 9AM and returned at 6PM. 

Before I left, I did some thank you notes and envelopes for Celtic Women and generally straightened up around here.   Then I stopped at Walgreens before heading to Bible Study.   There were six of us today.   And we did just fine.  Three people had called and were unable to come. 

I went from there to Mother's.   We got all her bills paid and I set up her pills and we still had a nice time to visit.   I told her that I had met someone who knew Dad.   I was walking down the hall at Rocky Knoll and heard a gentleman say that he had worked at Gilson, so I asked him if he knew Dad.   Sure enough he did.   His name is Francis and said Dad used to hug him and tell him that Francis was a beautiful name.    Dad's name was also Francis and Dad detested it but loved it when others were named Francis.   Ask Jim.
He also remembered Dad as the Union president at Gilson being a very good and hard working Union man who worked with the employees AND Gilson to keep things fair.

Then I drove to Joan Kramer's home for my reflexology treatment.   I am now all relaxed and have beautiful green toenails.

I got to Rocky Knoll at a bit after 3PM and Dick and I had a couple hours to visit before supper.   I ate with him and am now home.   Roxie was, of course, quite offended that I was late getting home, but seems to have forgiven me now.

I finished the lap robe for the Quilt Club and have decided what I am bringing for our lunch, so after I do the grocery list and a couple of other small things, I can settle in to bed and a chapter of a book before I sleep.

I hope your sleep is peaceful and full of pleasant dreams.

Dia Dhiut

Mary

I slept until after 8AM this morning.   Sure was nice. 

I cleaned up the kitchen and made sure that all the finances were up to date before going to Rocky Knoll to be with Dick.    He feels pretty good today.   Voice is still a bit rough but no fever or any other signs that he is not getting better.   We had lunch together and then he walked.    He looked good.  He was concerned about the right leg being loose, but we all agreed that his steps were even steady and strong.

Then we watched the Chicago/Kansas City game together, then I came home and watched the Packers at home.   Boy was that a close game.   I really had expected them to do better but at least they won   My weekly picks in Fantasy Football are the worst I have done this year.   All I can do is look to next week.

I almost finished the lap robe for the Kettle Country Quilters to take to Rocky Knoll.   I made fudge and I did some computer work.

Now it is time to wind down and go to bed.   Roxie will be so glad.    She has been clingy this evening.   I know it is hard for her to be alone so much.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I received my first two Christmas cards today.   They were both Angel cards ( sent by angels, our course.) they both had the same verse too.     Somehow I am receiving a message and will forward the message to you. "May the angesl watch over you and guide your way at Christmas and always."    Isn't that the most comforting blessing one could receive.

I went to Rocky Knoll and visited with Dick at 9AM as The Celtic Christmas Tea was at 1PM and I wanted to get to the Plymouth History Museum by 12:30PM.      It was wonderful.  Bobbie and Bill were there and then went to see Dick before going home.    We had lovely tea breads and cookies.  Excellant music by Lynn and Bill O'Connor.   There was a great turnout and we perhaps have some new members.

I went to Mass right after the Tea and now am home and settling down for the evening. 

What a loverly day.   A perfect start for the Christmas Season.   Hope yours starts as well.

God love you

Stay happy

Mary

THE THREE STAGES OF MAN

The Child: "My papa can whip your papa."
The Adolescent "Aw, Pop.  You don't know nothing."
The Adult "Well, according to my father....."

It was a truly lovely day.   Cold, for sure, but sunny with beautiful blue skies above and the air was fresh and clean.   I relished in it.

My first out of house appointment was at 10:30 or so at the Sheboygan Clinic where I saw Dr. Holmes, the chiropractor.    The past couple of days were quite painful.    Dr. Holmes, worked the muscles more, told me to back off on two of the exercises for a week and I will see him next Friday.  He also taped my ribs too.  Dick feels that a piece of tape is not useful, so I asked him about it.   He referred me to a site http://www.kinesiotaping.com/, that sells the tape but also explains what it does.   It is something that has come out of sports medicine.   A way to either fire up or tone down the muscles.

I went right from there to see Dick.   I got there in time for lunch.   His cold seems to be just that.   He did have a fever this morning and is very tired.   The nurses have faxed a request to Dr. Sharon to see if he has any other instructions.  I stayed until 2:30PM.   The nurse assured me that his lungs are still clear, as a matter of fact she thought they were a little better than a couple of days ago.

So I am banking on that.    I hope this doesn't set back his coming home date.    We ARE having the home evaluation on Wednesday.    The additional grab bars will be installed on Tuesday.

I am baking brown bread for tomorrow's Celtic Tea at the Historical Museum tomorrow.

So I will get to  finishing up for the evening.   Hope you are all well and will have as good a weekend as I hope to.

God love you

Mary



“Most of the stuff people worry about,
ain't never gonna happen anyway.”

Another busy day.    We were supposed to have snow flurries late this afternoon.  So far all we have is a bit of rain.

I am only concerned about Saturday which does not look TOO bad.  That is the scheduled day for our Celtic Christmas Tea at the Plymouth History Museum for 1 until 3.   Hope you can come.  I am baking brown bread for the event.

Today was somewhat quieter than yesterday.   I left home at about 10:30AM to pick up a prescription and labels for the printer.   Then I went to Rocky Knoll to be with Dick for his therapy and lunch.    We have scheduled a home evaluation for next Wednesday early in the morning.  Matt from Home Care Resources will be here on Tuesday to install the grab bars that we feel are necessary.

I went from Rocky Knoll to Kate and Ron's house as Kate let me use her gold and metallic pens to put names on the presents that I have created for the family.   That is all I can say or the surprise will be ruined.   I had a cup of tea and nice visit with Ron and Kate and their cat Riley who is a wonderful cat.

Speaking of cats - Roxie was a real pain in the tushy this morning.    I fed her at 6AM as usual and then went back to bed to sleep for a bit longer.   About 7:30AM Roxie decided that I should be up and came in started yelling at me.    To top it off, she has discovered that she can turn the touch light on our headboard on with her nose.   She is very proud of that and announces her accomplishment on top of all the yowling to try to get me up.   Finally, I got up and then the little vixen curled up on the foot of the bed while I got up and journeyed into the day.

Now it is getting towards bedtime.   And I am glad.   Tomorrow will be a quieter day as I just have an appointment with Dr. Holmes and then will spend time with Dick in the afternoon.  

I have two projects to finish before Christmas on my sewing machine,   One a lap robe for Rocky Knoll by next Tuesday, so of course that is my first push.    I figure that tomorrow afternoon and Sunday afternoon will finish it.  I just need to quilt and edge and that is all done on the machine so will go quite quickly.

Have a great weekend.  God love you

Mary

Boy was this a day.

It was supposed to be quite straight forward.   I took the car in for servicing and winterizing and intended to read for the hour and a half that it would take for that work.   Then I was going to travel to Gibbsville to order and pick up the Christmas Cheese.  Then stop at Mother's, then go home and store MY cheese, then go to Rocky Knoll for lunch and  to visit with Dick for the usual afternoon time.

WELL!  I got the car to Motorville and everything seemed going well until Kris had to come to tell me the news that our tires were shot.   And I mean shot.   He had one to show me and I was horrified.   So we had to have the tires replaced.   This was going to take 3 to 4 hours, so they had their van drop me off at Rocky Knoll where I was able to be with Dick for his therapy and I had lunch with him.   Then the van picked me up and I was able to get back somewhat on schedule.   I did get to Gibbsville and spend some more money.   I dropped Mom's cheese off to her and managed to get home by 4PM.
Mother is looking really good.   I had a cup of tea with her and we caught up a bit as I had to cut our visit on Monday a bit short.
An expensive day, but now we know that we are safe in the car through the winter as the tires are really good.   They have a guarantee of 50000 miles,  the old ones were factory given and only lasted 18000.

Blessings sometimes come in expensive packages.

Tomorrow will be much quieter.   I will be visiting Dick and that is about all.   Dick is talking about having a "talk" with me about being too busy lately.   He keeps me in check, you know.

So  Until tomorrow, May the wind be at your back.

God love you

Mary

An old man was telling his neighbor, 'I just bought a new  hearing aid.

It cost me four thousand dollars, but it's state of the art.. It's perfect.'  

 

'Really,' answered the neighbor . 'What kind is it?'

 

'Twelve thirty..'

  

This was a very busy day.    I got up early to go grocery shopping so that I could be home by 8:30 to call Home Care Resourses to set up an appointment for Matt to come out to install grab bars for Dick.

He has decided that he is coming home on December 23rd.  I like that.    He is working very hard to achieve this goal.

Today we saw Dr. Kream , the pulmonologist.   He says as far as he is concerned, Dick could come home today.  Tim from Wisconsin Prosthesis saw him today too.  His stump is still shrinking so it is not time as yet for the permanent prosthesis.  But everything is looking well.

We had a really fun "On the Rocks" this afternoon.   We hooked up with a classmate of George and Betsy.   Her first name is Judy.  I forgot her last name.   Perhaps you can help me, George or Betsy.  

I got home at about 4PM and intend to be in bed by 8:30PM as I have to get up early tomorrow to take the car in for servicing.
\
So.   My Kitty, who is sitting on my lap for cuddling and I wish you a lovely evening.

God love you

Mary

Boy what a day.

I started off by joining my friends Joan and Janet at the Roadside Inn for breakfast at 8AM.  We had a nummy breakfast and accomplished what we set out to do.   It was for CWI, our Sheboygan County Branch.    We will meet again on Saturday at the Plymouth History Museum on Mill Street in Plymouth for the 6th Annual Christmas Tea that we host in conjunction with the History Museum and the Sheboygan County Historical Research Center.   It will be on from 1PM to 3PM if you want to come and enjoy the Craic.

After breakfast I drove to Sheboygan Falls for Bible Study   There were 8 of us there this morning so it made for good conversation.  As the Psalm discussed David's wanting to build a "house" for the Arc of the Covenant, we got into a really good discussion about the Arc itself.    Joseph has been to Jerusalem and was able to tell us some about the temple itself.   We also discussed the contents of the Arc itself, which were the 10 Commandments, Aaron's Rod and some Manna.   The Arc of the Covenant is "lost".   Some believe it was destroyed in the temple destruction and others think it is hidden - this being the source of such stories as the Indiana Jones movie.

Then I went to Mother's to visit and catch up.   I brought her some meatballs, potatoes, veggies and gravy for supper.   I had to leave a bit early to take my sewing machine to the Sewing Machine Shop because it was really not working for me.   Part of it was my fault, but the bobbin holder is pretty worn, so I replaced that  and will take the machine back after the holidays when I can take a break from sewing for a bit.

Then I hurried to Rocky Knoll and got there shortly after noon, but in time to have lunch with Dick.   I bought the lunch there today.    Then Dick and I played some cards and talked until I had to leave.   I stopped at the bank on the way home and have been just catching up on putting things away and working on some of my computer work.   Tonight I feel I have regained control.

So tomorrow, Dick has an appointment with the pulminologist.     If we get back in time, Tim from Wisc. Prosthesis will check his legs.    Otherwise, Tim will come back Wednesday morning.   I sure  hope we are back as I  won't be able to be there on Wednesday morning as I am getting the car serviced and winterized and I am going to to to Gibbsville for Christmas cheese for Mother and me on my way back.

Oh Well,  What is - Is.

God love you

Mary


“If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Here I am settling down for the night with a soft sweet kitty cuddling into my arms and purring up a storm.   Of course, tomorrow at 4:30AM when she thinks it is time for breakfast, I may not think she is so sweet.   But tonight she is comforting and a real blessing.

It was a busy but tranquil day.   I spent the morning putting things away and bring up things so that I can get Christmas organized.  Then at 11:00AM I went to Rocky Knoll to have lunch with and spend the afternoon with Dick.    Bobbie and Bill came to visit too and Bobbie had some really interesting information on Dick's mother's side of the family.  Ancestry is such a fun thing to work on.  I wish I had more time for my searches.

The CNA's are now instructed to take Dick for walks twice a day.   He went three times today.   First he walked over 50 feet.  Then he ASKED Michelle to take him again and went for 25 feet.   When he called me tonight the CNA came in as we were talking and asked if he wanted to walk. and he said YES.   I am so proud of him and his walking is much more natural and easy for him.

I put the Christmas lights on the front porch after I got home.  They look quite cheerful.   I do not have them on a timer this year so will have to remember to switch them on and off.

I am so proud of myself too.  (More proud of Dick for his walks) But I was able to cross off everything on my list today.  WOW.

God love you and keep you safe this week and through then end of the year.  Then we can start again.

Love

Mary