It was a very uneventful day.   Thank God!  We got up at about 7AM and just moved apace.

As we had NO appointments and N0 body coming over the day just kind of moved.    I had a terrible night last night.   Just could not get to sleep.   I  tried naps twice today but Dick needed me before if was able to really get into either one.   I am hoping to go to bed and just zone out for 10 hours.

I prepared my homemade corned beef for our lunch and it was delicious.    We can enjoy sandwiches and hash and another whole dinner this week with that.   I need to take some to Mother too.

In the middle of the day, the Internet and the phone service stopped working.  I called Time Warner, and thank heavens, they sent somebody out right away.   He found a unconnected wire.   Someday I will tell you about it.   So we are all fixed up an off and running.

We were laughing at how dependent we are on the computers.   Even, maybe even more so, us retired people.   I am LOST without it.   I have my calendar and my finances and everything on it.

I got to talk to Nora today.   If Dick feels OK, I will go to Bible Study and mother's house and get to see her a bit tomorrow.   She is only here until Tuesday and the Irish Party was supposed to be the big get together.  I am just so grateful that Dick was not hurt.    I believe this gives me ammunition to push for a medic alert system.

We have been enjoying dessert today.   I made an Irish Cream cake that is really good.   It also has chocolate pudding and chocolate chips in the mix.   How can you go wrong.

So.  a quiet Sunday.   Pray for a quiet week.   Tomorrow is my Bart's birthday.   He is 41 years old.   I remember with such joy, his birth.   He was the only of my boys that I got to actually see come into this world.    It was a beautiful sight.    That was one of the happiest delivery rooms in the world.   The nurses were even excited.  An now I have a new great grandson,  little Marcus, who has nice round cheeks like his Uncle Bart did when he was born.

So blessings on the week

Dia Dhuit

Mary

St. Patrick's Day dawned kind of cloudy, but warm and perfect for the Festivities in Plymouth.  

I got up at 7AM and managed to get lots done before I woke Dick up at 8AM so that I could have him all settled and fed before I left for the CWI meeting at The Exchange Bank.    There were only 6 of us there, but several others joined us at the corner of Highland and Eastern for the Big Walk.  Several of us decided to walk up.   It took a bit longer than we had anticipated so  four of us who started together just joined the parade where we met it.

It was a wonderful walk.   Saw lots and lots of friends.   We got to the Stafford in good time and went in to have our shot of whiskey.   Then we, Celtic Women split up.   Some stayed at the Stafford and several of us went to eat at Antoinettes where it was quieter.    I ordered a Reuben sandwich with sweet potato fries.   I was able to bring half home for Dick.

I got home at a bit after 1PM.    Then I took a nap so that I could be ready for tonight.   However, the best laid plans. 

I went to the 4PM Mass and when I got home, I found Dick had fallen.  He was sitting on his bent over prosthesis again.   No other choice but to call 911.   Those guys are really getting to know us well.   They are so very kind.   Fortunately, he did not hurt himself.  He must have a special, very tired and hard working guardian angel.   Thank God.

So, needless to say.  I stayed home instead of going to the party at Eileen's home.   I went downstairs  and found the Quiet Man movie.  I have helped Dick into bed and am watching the movie over a glass of Irish Creme with a cup of decaf, one of my favorite combinations.

Pray for us.   We have so many needs.   Of course, He knows that.

All my love and Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Good fun things happened today.

Dick had his blood tested and it IS improving.  After today, I don't have to give any more shots.

We had a lot of people in and out of here.  Dick was exhausted and because of that he wanted to go to bed at 7PM which made it easy to go to 52 Stafford to meet my friend Nancy.  Jeff and Kathy did not make it but I had a great time and am looking forward to the Irishman's Walk tomorrow.

So Bless you and make your sleep peaceful

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Another lovely day.   Not as warm as yesterday, but lovely all the same.  We still have the window in the door, but I left the door open anyway so that Roxie could warm her round self in the bright afternoon sun.

We were home all day with only one visitor.   The RN to check Dick's coagulation count.   He is still too low, so I ended up having to give him another shot today.    Rachel, an RN, will be here tomorrow morning to check him again.

It should also be rather quiet tomorrow.   Except.   Jody comes at 8AM.   Rachel at 10AM and Judy the home health aid at 12:30PM.

If Jeff and Kathy come to Plymouth to see Blarney on Friday night, they will call and I will go down to join them for an hour or so.  A welcome Celtic Break.

Janet Bieschke lent me a DVD that Jean Bills gave her summarizing the first Celtic Women Gatherings.   I was at several of them and found it so delightful.   So many people that I have not seen in years and so many memories.    The music Jean Bills used for background made me proud of my music collection.   Though I can still fill it in.

I don't know quite what to do with Dick in the evenings.   He is so restless and seems most distracted then.  How does one ask for help when one does not know what to ask for?

We had cream of cauliflower soup for supper.   It is so good.   A recipe I go from the Pioneer Woman.   Dick ate quiet well too.   I baked brown bread and we had a slice of that with our soup.

Til tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

"Start by doing what's necessary, then do what's possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible."  St. Francis of Assisi

A reasonably busy day today.   We both got up shortly after 6AM.   Dick had gone to bed at 6PM last night and except for one time to get put together for the bathroom he slept through.    He is aiming for almost the same thing tonight.   It is a bit later, almost 7PM so perhaps he will sleep through.

It got all the way up to the low 80s today and the sun shone in a blue sky too.   Boy.   I have crocuses blooming in the front.berm.

I went to the grocery story early and was home shortly after 8AM.   I had a rather fun time as I bought things to complete the corned beef dinner.    My corned beef is ready to take out of its brine and prepare to cook.  It is so exciting when a plan comes together.    I think I will prepare it for Sunday as I will be gone parading and partying for a portion of St. Patrick's day and won't be able to do it justice.

I am also baking a shamrock shaped cake for Sunday.

Marty, the prosthesist, kindly stopped at the condo on his way from Fond du Lac to the Sheboygan office to help stabilize that right prosthesis.    He also checked the left one and we agree that it was the laying in bed with them on during the procedure on Friday that must have loosened both of them and caused the unsteadiness he had on Friday evening.

Then Sara, the PT, came at 1:30PM and worked on stretching his knees and hips.   She is going to put him on a break from her therapy until we resolve the prosthesis problems and hopefully the weakness and lethergy.    We feel we would rather use those hours when they will do some good.   The home health aids and he and I can keep his muscles stretched and he stands up and sits down at 10 to 12 times a day just transferring.   I get my excercise too but it is not good for my back, I can tell you.

He has visits with the pulminologist and the urologist next week also.   So maybe we will get answers.   I refuse to lose hope.   Please keep praying for us.

Also say some prayers for Kate's husband, Ron,  he had surgery again last night on his heart, a bypass.   He is home already, of course.    Kate and I shared worries today.    We can also share prayers.

So. tomorrow I get to be home all day and the only person who will set foot in the house is the RN to take Dick's INR.   With any luck at all, the count will be 2.0 or better and I will not have to give him any more shots in the tummy.   I don't like that at all.   At least he says that I don't hurt him.   That would really make me upset.

So till tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Quite a day.    It was gorgeous outside.   No wind.  Sunshine and the temps were in the mid to high 60s and I got to be out of it for part of the afternoon.

Now, I know that Spring is here.   And here are the three reasons why.

1.  I saw several robins cavorting at the corner.

2.  Two days ago, I saw a red-winged blackbird.

3.  This morning when I walked out to take the trash to the corner, there were worms all over the blacktop.

What more proof do we need?   If you really need more proof, the crocus are also starting to show color.

Ashley, one of the RNs, came to test Dick's INR.   He is still to low to stop the shots.  (Darn.)   But it has come up some.    On Thursday, a nurse will check it again.   Hopefully that will do it.

Dick was very very sleepy today.    Nancy got here at 11:30AM to give him his bath.   Sara, the PT, is also having her do some stretching to keep his hips and muscles from shrinking.  I know shrinking isn't the correct word but it does convey the meaning.

I left as soon as she was done to meet three of my Celtic Women International sisters at Woodlake.    We are not done yet, because we dawdle and are easily distracted, but are visiting the Shops at Woodlake for donations for door prizes at our Spring Gathering on the weekend of April 26-28.    We finished today's work at the Craverie a Chocolatier Cafe.   Doesn't that sound decadent.   It is.   I had a latte and a biscotti, then headed for home.

Dick is still SO exhausted.   It is not quite 7PM and he is already in bed.    I will probably head there myself in the next hour and perhaps read for a while before going to sleep.   I am sure he will be waking up at LEAST once during the night as he has gone to bed so early.    I have some soup ready to just heat for him when he does wake up as he will need something.

A picture of our little Marcus was on Facebook this morning.   He is beautiful and I can see shades of both his mother and father in that cute little face.

The rest of the week is supposed to be about as lovely as today with perhaps some rain on one of them.  But Saturday looks just perfect for the big day and the Irishman's walk.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A day of mixed blessings.   Still adjusting to daylight savings time, I got up at 6AM so that I could get everything around here done before leaving to have breakfast with Bob Fleming at the Point at 8AM.   Dick woke up at about the same time, which was a blessing.   I always hate to have to awaken him.   This way there was plenty of time to ease him into the day and get his breakfast made.

I just got a call from Bill Smith.  We are great grandparents of little Marcus Jeremiah Limjoco who weighed in this afternoon at 7lb 12oz. in California.    Mother and baby fine and Grandma Leslie exhausted as Bill said she was up for almost 30 hours with Nora and Ernie.    But we are all very happy.   Babies are such joy and we will be most anxious for pictures of the little family.

Bob and I enjoyed our breakfast and our conversation.   He is such a good friend.   He shared the fairy houses that he helped the visitors at The Gathering Place, a ministry by St. Paul's in Sheboygan Falls, for Alzheimer and dementia people.   I want to present the Fairy Houses as a fun thing for Celtic Women to do in the spring.    They are made out of bark and twigs and leaves and grasses and are so cool.   I want to make one for sure and put it at the bottom of my garden.    I need to send the There Are Fairies At the Bottom of our Garden poem to Bob.

Bible Study was well attended.   We finished up the Royal Psalms chapter of our study.  It ended with a reading from the Gospel of Mark where Jesus stresses that the Kingdom he is bringing is not an earthly kingdom.   Too bad Israel and the whole world actually can't feel that way.  

Mom was just fine today.    We paid a couple of bills and had a lovely visit.    Nora and Leif will be here on the 15th and go back to Texas on the 20th.   Will be so good to see them on St. Patrick's Day at Eileen's St. Patrick's Day Party.

I got home shortly before noon.    We had crock pot roast beef with potatoes and green beans.   Then Sara, the PT and Rachel the RN came.   Dick's INR is still too low so I had to give him another shot today.   Pew.   They will check again tomorrow and if it is up to 2.0 I can stop doing that.  He is still sooooo weak.   I contacted his family doctor and the pharmacist independently to have them double check as to if there is some bad interaction with the Many Many meds that he takes.   They both assured us independently that there is none.

We did get a call from Dr. Kream's nurse that there was no malignancy in the fluids that were extracted.  And, so far, there is no sign of bacteria.  This is good news.  

But, we go back to the same question.   THEN WHAT IS WRONG.   He is still weak and tired and seems to be getting more so.

Oh well.   Today, I can stop worrying about it.   It is time to go to bed and dream of snips and snails and puppy dog tails and a little sweet baby that is now a part of our world.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Fairies

THERE are fairies at the bottom of our garden!
It's not so very, very far away;
You pass the gardner's shed and you just keep straight ahead --
I do so hope they've really come to stay.
There's a little wood, with moss in it and beetles,
And a little stream that quietly runs through;
You wouldn't think they'd dare to come merrymaking there--
Well, they do.

There are fairies at the bottom of our garden!
They often have a dance on summer nights;
The butterflies and bees make a lovely little breeze,
And the rabbits stand about and hold the lights.
Did you know that they could sit upon the moonbeams
And pick a little star to make a fan,
And dance away up there in the middle of the air?
Well, they can.

There are fairies at the bottom of our garden!
You cannot think how beautiful they are;
They all stand up and sing when the Fairy Queen and King
Come gently floating down upon their car.
The King is very proud and very handsome;
The Queen--now you can quess who that could be
(She's a little girl all day, but at night she steals away)?
Well -- it's Me!

Rose Fyleman

I feel much better today.   My cold is almost gone after two days of sneezing a taking advantage of Friday and Saturday, early to bed and naps.

Today was quiet.   I still took it as easy as I could.   I fixed a nice dinner, did a bit of sewing, cleaned the kitchen and remembered to turn and massage the corned beef.    In just three days I will begin preparing that.

I took a nap this afternoon.  And I went to Mass this morning as I had decided to stay home yesterday.   It almost seems funny to be going on Sunday as I mostly attend on Saturday evening.

Dick is still so very tired and gets out of breath.   He gets unsteady on his prosthesis.   I think the left one is slipping.  Tomorrow I will call Marty the Prosthesist for help.

I will be having breakfast with my friend Bob Fleming tomorrow.   He is such a good buddy.   I am getting some note cards from him.   I love his Patrick and his Francis.

So.  Til tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A bit of Irish Wisdom

"I have a total irreverence for anything connected with society except that which makes the roads safer, the beer stronger, the food cheaper, and the old men and old women warmer in the winter and happier in the summer."
-- Brendan Behan

 

I spent today doing nothing.    I took two naps.   I just rested.    I think it is making a difference, my cold definitely seems to have subsided.

So I have nothing to report at all.  Dick is still VERY tired.   However, he says there is no pain and hopefully a day or two we will see an improvement.

Monday I will have to call the prosthesist as he is still not able to stand with any confidence.

Tomorrow, I will go to Mass and maybe will feel a bit more alive.

Dia Dhuit.

Mary

Thank God that next week, Dick does not have any appointments outside the home.   I only have to go to Bible Study, see Mother and get my hair cut.  It is a virtual boring week.   I am so delighted and intend to spend as much time as I can just hiding from every real thing in this world.

We left for Sheboygan Memorial at 9:15AM and got Dick all checked in for his procedure.   They were pretty on schedule for that but we had not been informed (big surprise) how long it would take for his release.   He does seem to be breathing a bit better but the next couple of days will tell the tale.   We finally were released at about 2PM and got home at about 2:30APM.   Judy, the home health aid was here.  So Dick had to hang on for another hour while he got his bath.

We know that they took 400 CCs of fluid out of his lungs.  About a half liter.   This should, if there is a God in the heavens, provide some relief to his breathing and help with his general weakness.   This evening he is actually saying that he can breath in a bit deeper.

So this is my Blog for the night.   I have been sneezing for two days and have just spent four hours in a hospital and just want to do NOTHING>

Thank you for understanding as I know all of you will.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Thank the Lord today is over.     We had a visit from Sara at 10:30AM, a visit from Rachel at 11:30AM and had to go over to Advanced Eye Care at 1:25PM.

The therapy and the blood draws went just fine.   The eye visit did too.  Dr. Cheryl took one look at her prescription and what was sent from the manufacturer of the lens and said that no wonder there was a problem.   She has reordered and they will call us when it is ready.   We have the old lens in in the meantime.

I tried to nap this afternoon, but have a cold and it was not possible.   I am going to bed early tonight with a hot toddy to relax me and clear the nasal passages.   Hopefully I will feel better tomorrow.

We have to be at the hospital at 9:45AM for Dick's lung treatment.   Please keep us in your prayers.

The other evening, Dick and I had just gotten to bed and were drifting off nicely when we heard a terrible crash.   I jumped up and looked around to find that the wall sconce that Bret made for me in high school, that I had hung in the bedroom, with the statue of the Infant of Prague that I got from Aunt Helen's house that belonged to my Grandma Deeley, had fallen off the wall, God knows how.   The sconce needed to have the mirror re glued but the Infant was smashed to smithereens.   You have no idea how pathetic his little head looked so separated from his body with the world he stands on laying on the other side.   I hope that was not an omen.  But it can't be.  My Grandma Deeley would not let anything bad happen to me.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A lot happened AGAIN today.   I did stay go back to bed after feeding Roxie for an extra half an hour.    I was so tired because it was one of those nights when you know you must have slept but can't for the life of you believe that you did.

After I got Dick up and settled with his pills and all, I took off for grocery shopping and a side trip to Walgreens.  Home before 9:30AM, we had the donuts I bought for our breakfast.  We were able to get Dick's hair washed today before Bobbie got here for lunch at 11:30AM.    All went well, and we loaded him up in the car to go to have Marty at Wisconsin Prosthesis do some adjustments on his right leg, the new one.    This was the first time that he was able to see Dick actually take some steps in it as he has been so weak and out of breath at the other fittings that he had to kind of do an educated guess.   Sara, Dick's PT, met us at the place and she and Marty were able to share their expertise for the adjustments.    I was so grateful to Sara for coming and Marty was so pleased too as they got to collaborate.

Sara will come tomorrow for his regular PT also.   Marty gave me a spray to use to clean the sockets and some lotion for the stumps.   Neither has alcohol so will be easier on his skin.

We got home at about 2:30.   Ashley, the RN, came at 3PM and checked Dick out.   Then she watched me give him that  shot that I have been dreading.    It went well and actually, Dick said that I didn't even hurt him.  Andrea hurt him yesterday.    Now I have several more days of that.  I have really learned more than I want to know.

Tomorrow was supposed to be a whole day at home but we will have to go out just once to have Dr. Cheryl check Dick's lens.  I got it put in the day before yesterday and it is just not right.   That too!

Roxie was especially delighted to see Bobbie today and demanded lots of love and petting.    They both enjoy it you know.  

It was as high as 69 degrees today.  A full on spring day.   It was a might cloudy and the wind was what I would call blustery but guess what, the snow is all gone.    That is always nice in March.   I hope it stays away at least through The Holy Day, March 17th so that we may march in peace and with God's own sun lighting our way.

I can see a few little green things trying to poke their heads above ground already.   Imbolc is finally upon us.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I have been pretty tired and the ribs are still very sore today.   But Dick and I muddled through OK.   I rested as much as possible.

Dick is still extremely tired.  Falling asleep at every opportunity.   Today was rather hard on him too.   Nancy, the health aid, came to give him his bath at 11AM.   Sara the PT came to do therapy at 11:30AM.   And we had Angela, an RN. came to give him the first of a series of shots that will be a bridge while he is still off of the warfarin.  

Here is my tale of woe.  I spent a hunk of the morning trying to figure out what happened with the results of the blood test that Yvonne took yesterday.    I finally got the results from the Anti-coagulation Clinic and called them in MYSELF to Dr. Kreams office.   They discussed things and have scheduled the thoracentesis for Friday.   We have to get him to the hospital at 9:45AM.   I don't know what time the actual procedure will take place.

Then I was told that he would probably just stay off of the Warfarin until Friday evening, UNTIL, I got a call from the anti coagulation clinic that they decided, because of his several conditions that he should have these bridge shots of Lominox until the day of the surgery and for several days after.    Angela came today and administered the shot and had me observe.   Someone will come tomorrow to assist me, but I will give the shot and will administer all of the rest of them.     I am not thrilled, but one does what one has to do.

I did go out to the Kettle Country Quilt meeting and stayed for an hour, then I dropped old pills at the police station, stopped at Advanced Eye care to get Dick's lens replaced, cashed a couple of checks at the bank and picked up a couple of prescriptions at Walgreens, including the syringes of Lominox for Dick.   I got home at 3PM and Angela called at about 3:30PM and got here about an hour later.

We had soup and sandwiches for supper and now are winding down for the evening.  I just have to be sure that Dick does his last nebuliser treatments and takes his pills.   I have to set up my coffee pot. AND I have to get tomorrow's pills laid out for both of us.

Ha HA!   I had to get up to help Dick and everything is done now.   So I think I will go to bed and read until 8:30PM.  It is now 7PM.   I know I will be getting up a couple of times for Dick before I can get to sleep anyway.   He is having quite a difficult day.

So until tomorrow, when we will have been to the prosthesist for adjustments to Dick's legs.   The new one is so loose and needs much work, I think.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

NEW WORD – Ineptocracy

        A little hard to say – extremely hard to swallow

Ineptocracy (in-ep-tow'-cra-cee) - a system of government

where the least capable to lead are elected by the least

capable of producing, and where the members of society

least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded

with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth

of a diminishing number of producers.

            

Dick and I got up at 6AM today because of the busy schedule.

We were all up, fed and dressed when Betty, the RN, came to check Dick out and take MORE of his blood.   This time it was just for the INR.  I left while she was finishing up so that I could get to Bible Study on time.

We never heard from anybody at Aurora about what the reading on the INR was so we don't know if the coagulation count is low enough to do the procedure on his lung or not.   I will be calling Dr. Kream in the morning to find out what is going on.   

I left for Bible Study a bit after 9AM and stayed until 10AM.   We had a nice discussion about Psalm 20 and God's promise to the Israelites and to US.    I also have everybody there praying for Dick and me as we are going through all these tests and procedures.

Then I went over to Mom's.   I needed to spend an hour with her so that we could get the bills paid and I could do any other little things she needed, like fill the pill box for her.    Someone else would have done it anyway, but I was there.   I wanted to have time to tell her about the procedure that I was having this afternoon.   It is so much easier in person.

I got home at about 11:15AM and then fixed dinner for Dick before Kate came to take me to the Plymouth Surgical Center for the steroid injections.  That seems to have gone very well.   I will still have the soreness in my ribs for a couple days and right now, I am really quite exhausted.   It was, after all, an invasion of my body.   So I plan on going to bed and reading for a while.

So pray for us as I pray for you all.

Dia Dhuit.

Mary

A busy, mostly at home, Sunday.    I slept until 7:30AM or so and Dick stayed in bed until 9AM.   He actually woke up then and sat on the edge of the bed for a while before getting up.  So he had a half a sandwich after he was up and took his pills and did his nebulizer.  

Warren and Nancy picked me up at noon and we went out to Rhine to finish shooting for the pistol league.   As you remember, Friday night was not a night to be out  and about.   I found out that there was some shooting of Trap that night though.  Murphy said that he was there and shot a couple of rounds.   I suppose that those who started out there figured that they might as well continue once they got on the road.     It was not fit for man nor beast if you ask me.    That drive from Sheboygan was more than too much for me.  I didn't end up too badly.  It is still fun and that is the most important thing.     Next week is the bust up and then the new league starts the very next week.   Whew.   Sure glad I am not a member any more.    This is enough.   Work hours would kill me.

I got a lot of chores done around the house and was able to get the baby quilt for the Kettle Country Quilters to a point that I can take it with me to show it if I am able to attend the meeting on Tuesday.   It will depend on how I weather the cortisone shot at 12:30PM tomorrow.   I should be fine by then.

There is always the chance that they will schedule Dick's procedure to drain the fluids from under his right lung too.   Help!!!!!

It is going to be OKAY!  Don't worry, Mom.    That is what Bret said to me when he was about 3years old and it is a great thing to remember and know is true.   I so appreciate all the prayers and good thoughts.   I always know that Jesus and the saints (especially Dad and the rest of the family) are with me too.   Very comforting.

So.  Lets all rest easy tonight.   It is after all the beginning of a new week and as my Celtic friends say, we are now well into the holy month.   Less than two weeks until St. Patrick's Day.   I only hope that the weather is as lovely as it was last year for the Irishman's Walk in Plymouth.   I will enjoy my friends and the celebration and I believe a gathering at my sister, Eileen's home in the evening.    I LOVE the Wearin of the Green!!!


Dia Dhuit

Mary

The snow has stopped.   There was at least 6 inches on the ground.   Thank heavens for the condo.    We were all plowed and shoveled before we even woke up.

I was home until three PM when I went to pick up a prescription, some real bargains at the Pig and to Mass.

I am extremely tired.  My ribs are sore and there is always so much to do.    So you will get this much of a blog and no more.

Tomorrow, I hope to be more rested and perhaps can be more interesting.   I did take some pictures of the snow on the trees outside our condo.  Perhaps I can amuse you with that.

Anyway, I love you all.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

This day turned out to be another day from h - e  - double toothpicks.

It started out OK.   We got up at 6AM.  Dick was awake and Jody was coming to clean at 8AM so it seemed wise to just get organized.  

Then Yvonne, the RN from VNA came to take the INR blood test.   She was very concerned with the fact that Dick had trouble staying awake while she was here and examining him and conveyed this information to Dr. Kream along with the INR report.

So shortly before 11AM, after the Home Health Aid had come and bathed Dick, Amy from Dr. Kream's office called and said that Dr. Kream wanted us to go to the emergency ward.   There are tests at the hospital that cannot be done, for some reason, at the Clinic.   We were distressed by this but figured that we had better go since this is what her suggested.   I gave us lunch, and then  we headed out.    After four hours and tons of tests, we found out that nothing is really changed.    BUT as least we have some idea of what is supposed to happen in the next week.   He is to stay off of the warfurin and be tested Monday and every other day after that until it is where they want it to be.   Then we will schedule the procedure to drain the fluids from beneath the right lung.   Perhaps this will bring about a vast improvement, or will tell us that the heck is going on and we can treat it.

Of course, when we left, it had been rain/snowing for an hour and a half.  A wet heavy sticky snow.   There was already an inch and a half on the ground and it was slippery as all git out.

I did not go over 45 miles an hour all the way home. Obviously we made it safe and sound but we are an exhausted two people and will again be in bed very early tonight.    Tomorrow, the only places I have to go are to Mass and to Walgreens to pick up a prescription for Dick. 

Again, obviously, I did not go to pick up a fish dinner,  I did not go to shoot and I did not go to the Plymouth Art Center for the opening reception to show off the new addition.   Too bad.  So sad.   We were just happy to be home safe and sound.   I think our Guardian Angels must be exhausted too.   They had a heck of a time keeping us on the road.

So til tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It was quite a pleasant day today.   Kind of cloudy but there was no wind and it was not too cold.

We were home all day and I was busy all day.   The first day home in several and things do get behind.

Sara, the PT, came at 11:30AM.   Dick did very well today.   He walked a bit and did two balancing sessions at the sink.  He got up at about 7:30AM and had a quiet morning which I know helped.  Tomorrow she is coming again at 1PM.    He has a busier day but there should be at least 2 hours after his bath so he will probably not be too tired.   

I went to UW Sheboygan at about 5PM to enjoy the one man show by Keary Kautzer at the Fine Arts Gallery.   It was entitled Keep it Simple.   And they are just lovely, mostly water colors .  I love the vibrancy and, yes, the simplicity of his paintings.   

Now I am home and this will be very short.   I had a rather painful day but the Tylenol seems to be helping.

Til tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Well, we saw Dr. Kream, the pulminologist, this morning.   Bobbie met us at the Sheboygan Clinic to help get him in to the building.   

We were so grateful that the promised winter storm did not come down as low as Sheboygan County.  We had rain and the wind and the wind was a bit "brisk" on the drive over, but it pretty much stopped when Bobbie and I were getting him out of the car and in to the wheel chair.

Dr. Kream was very thorough.   He tells us that the fluid under the lungs should be removed as it is not drying up and could be the source of the infection or the recurring infection.   We have to stop the warferin for a time so that his blood will not be too thin to do the procedure.   He will be contacting a heart specialist to be aware of what is going on.   Then he sent us down to the lab for blood draws.   Dick said they took at least 10 samples for all the tests that are being done.   Friday an RN from VNA will take an INR blood draw to see how his thin his blood is and then we will start making the plans.

Whew!  

But a good thing.   We ran into Nancy, one of the CNA's from Rocky Knoll, while we were in the lab.   She retired on January 4th.   It sure was good to see her.   She was glad to see Dick too.  

We made it home at just about noon.  I had started chicken and gravy in the crock pot, so all I had to do was bake a potato and fix  a salad for our lunch.   Then I made a couple of phone calls and went right to the grocery store.  That went well.   Dick wanted raspberry ice cream.    I found raspberry chocolate and then bought some frozen raspberries to put on a vanilla based ice cream too.

I FINALLY got the currant/marigold and the marigold wines that I am brewing racked.   They are my last two batches.    In about a month I can filter them and bottle them and then I will be ALL done with wine making.  I really enjoyed it but it was much more fun when Dick and I could do it together.

Richard and Brenda called this evening.  So most of the above is old news to them.   They had such a good time in Florida and now are trying to decide what to do for Brenda's birthday next month.

I talked to Bart today too.   I wanted to let him know that Victor Williams had died on Saturday.    I forwarded Darlene, Vic's daughter's, email with the announcement so that he can read it and send a note to Darlene.   When Bart and I moved to Wisconsin from Minnesota 27 years ago, we lived in an upper above the Williams.   They were so good to us and when I bought my little house, Vic moved most of my stuff while I was at work.   They had a little dog, a Chihuahua, named Pepe.   He and Zero were best friends.   One of the sweetest memories if Vic sitting in his easy chair eating something with a dog on either side patiently waiting for his treats.   And they were never disappointed.

That's all I have.   Hope tomorrow is a bit quieter.   We will be home all during the day and I will be going to the UW in Sheboygan to see an Art Show that is featuring poems by the husband of a friend of mine.    His email is www.kearykautzer.com if you want to see some of his work.

So good night and Dia Dhuit

Mary

It has been a day of hope and a tired day too.

I had a doctor's appointment with Dr. Leban at 9:30AM so I got up at 6 and did everything I could before Dick got up at 7:30.   Then we got him ready for the day and I left for my appointment.

She reviewed my bone scan with me and it confirms her diagnosis with a twist.   The area between the 8th and 9th discs in my spinal cord is the problem.    First she treated it as a nerve problem as the MRI showed a swelling there, but the meds weren't helping much.  The bone scan confirmed that I have arthritis in that area which caused the nerve pain.   SO next Monday, I will go to Valley View Hospital here in Plymouth and have a cortisone shot in that area which should solve the problem.   Possibly permanently but at least for a rather long period of time.   Pray that this will work. 

I got home at 10:30.   There were two phone calls waiting.  I had to return the one to Christy at Dr. Sharon's office.   She was verifying the dose of a prescription that is being refilled and also making sure that we have gotten an appointment with Dr. Kream.   The other call WAS from Dr. Kream's office.    I called them back too and we have an appointment with him tomorrow at 9:30AM.   Bobbie will meet us at the Sheboygan Clinic at 9:15AM to help get him into the building.   There is an incline there and we are trying to keep the pain down in my ribs.

As I said, Dr. Bostwick believes that there is an increase in the fluid below Dick's right lung and wanted Dr. Kream to see him ASAP.   Perhaps they will drain some of the fluid.   We just need to make him better.

Nancy the Home Health Aid came and got him bathed.   Heidi the PT called.  I told her what was happening and they will call tomorrow or Thursday to start PT again.

I talked to Marty at Wisconsin Prosthesis and we have cancelled tomorrow's appointment and will reschedule as soon as we can.    Dick and I CAN go to Fond du Lac where he had hours more than in Sheboygan.   It is not much further and easy to get to.

We were home all afternoon.  I did some sewing and took a nap.

It is now getting close to settling down to bed.   I am so tired from the aching ribs that I could go right now.  As soon as Dick is tucked in I will be right behind him.  

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Well, no nap today.    We got up basically with the cat as Dick woke up then and it seemed silly to go back to bed then.   6AM is really OK if I sleep well, but I did not.   I had to get up with Dick once during the night and had a heck of a time getting back to sleep and then kept waking up.

I left at 9AM for Bible Study.   We had five of us there and had an interesting talk about Psalm 20.

Then I went to Mom's.   She only had two bills to pay so we had a nice long visit today.   I took the Bridget that Bob did for me to show to her and to the bible study.   They are all impressed. Of course.

Home again, Rachel had been here and drawn blood from Dick.   She called shortly after I got home to tell me that his coagulation count was just fine and to agree with the concerns that I had expressed to her yesterday about Dick's general condition and his forgetfulness.   She called Dr. Sharon's office.  He was not in so it was recommended that we got to Urgent Care here in Plymouth to see Dr. Bostwick.   He is the doctor who treated my sprained foot some time earlier this year. 

He took a fresh set of blood tests and an Xray and he reviewed everything else in the file.   The only thing he found is that the fluid buildup in his lower right lung is worse.   So he has left a message with Dr. Kream that Dick should see him as soon as possible.    Otherwise, we will have to wait for over three weeks for the appointment that is already scheduled.

Anyway,  We were at the Clinic from 3PM until 5:30PM and we are exhausted.   So. we are making our way towards an early bedtime.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Roxie enjoying herself as the queen she really is.

A whole day at home.   No visitors.   We slept until 8AM.   That was a pleasure in itself.   Dick had to get up once during the night but it still turned out to be a great night's sleep for both of us.

We had a very light breakfast as we got up so late.   It is just that it takes at least an hour to get us READY to eat.  Then, for lunch we had meatloaf with mashed potatoes, carrots for Dick and rutabaga mixed in with the mashed potatoes for me. 

I spent the morning getting emails caught up again.   Lots for CWI.    I also found out that March 1 is St. David's Day.  St. David is the patron saint of Wales.   So now we know three of the Celtic nations patron saints.   I wonder if the other four have them too.   I will let you know and tell you about St. David at the end of this email.

I took pictures of our Roxie sprawled out in front of the fireplace.   I will send a copy of that from Picasa later too.  

Richard and Brenda called this afternoon.   Their trip to Florida was everything they had hoped for.   The pictures show that.   They like Florida a lot.

We got a lovely thank you note from Nora and Ernie for the shower gift.    Nora also has let me know that Leslie is now out there to help after little Marcus comes to join us.

So that is all the excitement I have.   Hope your day was as gentle.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Saint David's Day (Welsh: Dydd Gŵyl Dewi) is the feast day of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales, and falls on 1 March each year. The date of 1 March was chosen in remembrance of the death of Saint David. Tradition holds that he died on that day in 589.[1] The date was declared a national day of celebration within Wales in the 18th century.

Children in Wales take part in school concerts or eisteddfodau, with recitation and singing being the main activities. Formerly, a half-day holiday was afforded to school children. Officially this custom does not continue, although the practice can vary on a school-to-school basis.
Many Welsh people wear one or both of the national emblems of Wales on their lapel to celebrate St. David: the daffodil (a generic Welsh symbol which is in season during March) or the leek (Saint David's personal symbol) on this day. The leek arises from an occasion when a troop of Welsh were able to distinguish each other from a troop of English enemy dressed in similar fashion by wearing leeks.[13] The association between leeks and daffodils is strengthened by the fact that they have similar names in Welsh, Cenhinen (leek) and Cenhinen Pedr (daffodil, literally "Peter's leek"). Younger girls sometimes wear traditional Welsh costumes to school. This costume consists of a long woollen skirt, white blouse, woollen shawl and a Welsh hat.

Crawl, a traditional soup, is often prepared and served.

                       

Except for going to Mass this afternoon, we were able to be home all day.    The only other person we saw  was Jody, who came to clean today because of the weather yesterday.

So the house is all clean and we had a quiet day.   I fixed hamburgers and oven fries for lunch which was a nice change for us.    I had enough burger left to prepare a small meatloaf for tomorrow.   I took a nap this afternoon.

This morning, I spent an hour downstairs laying out my new wall hanging.   I am rather excited now that it is coming together.   I will post a picture and a description when I have it done.  Tomorrow I should have more time to work on it and hopefully the baby quilt for the quilt club.

Mass was nice.  A quiet time for me to regroup.   The evenings have been kind of difficult lately as Dick is kind of out of it by then and it is hard to take care of him.   I hope when this infection is gone and when his leg is better fitted we will get over these problems.   Tomorrow, with any luck at all, I can sleep late.

So I pray that your weekend is as quiet as mine (if you want a quiet weekend that is).   And

Dia Dhuit

Mary

We had snow. The view out the back windows is breathtaking.   We only got about 2 inches overnight and the flurries we got off and on all day did not amount to much more than just being very lovely and fairy tale like.

Jody called at about 7:30AM to ask if she could come tomorrow morning instead of today.   She had JUST gotten home from her security job in Milwaukee and was just trying to breath because the ride was so bad.   I know they got lots more snow, put to 8 inches south of us.   I told her it was fine with us, so we will see her tomorrow.

Yvonne, the RN, came at 8:30AM to draw blood for the anti-coagulation test.  She, of course, checked out all of his vital signs.  He is OK except for that heaviness in the right lower chest, that persists.   Debbie from the anti coagulation clinic called after the delivery.   I knew that it was now 2.9 so everything should be OK.   The VNA will check again early next week.

Things were rather quiet until almost noon.   I went downstairs to work on the quilting projects for a bit and then came up to fix lunch for 11:30AM as Nancy, the health aid came at 12noon.   She was close to done when Heidi, the PT came.    Dick was now tired, so she just had him walk and we checked out his stumps for redness.  Then she asked me to work with him on the therabands for upper arm strength.  

Then I took a nap before going on two errands, one to the bank and the other to Walgreens.  That done and the wash out of the dryer, I headed over to Rhine Plymouth to shoot in the pistol league.    I pretty much shot and left.  I was able to visit while I waited with Terry while I waited for Nancy and Warren to finish.    Then I went down and shot four targets.    They were not AWFUL but were none to spectacular either.   I tried shooting with my left eye as my sight seems better in that eye.   It did not hurt the score and perhaps practice will help the score if I keep it up.   I will finish shooting the league next week and the following week will be the bust up party.

Then I left and swung by St. Johns to pick up fish fry for our dinner.   They have one every week in Lent and we pick it up as often as possible.   It is kind of like sweet corn and tomatoes in late summer.   Enjoy it as long as it lasts.

Tomorrow will be a quieter day.    Jody will be here in the morning and I will be going to Mass at 4PM.   Just a nice way to spend a Saturday.   I will be able to work down stairs on my projects for a bit too.

So I am helping Dick get ready for bed and then will follow him myself, so I will say good night

Dia Dhuit

Mary



Today would have been Steve Jobs birthday.   This is a quote from him

Jobs once said, "Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."

This is the Bridget of Ireland that Bob Fleming painted for me as an Icon painting. I am so honored.

Mary

I got up at about 6:30 this morning.    I just let Dick sleep because he had a really bad evening before getting to bed last night AND he could not eat this morning because he was scheduled for that CT Scan at 10AM.   No eating or drinking anything but water before the test.

He finally woke up on his own shortly after 8:30AM, just in time to get up, get changed, take his pills and get him over to the Plymouth Clinic.   We actually got there a bit early but they took him right in.  He said that they took HUNDREDS of pictures and the technician read them right away and had to get a couple of others.   But we left there shortly after 10:30 with him no worse for wear.

When we got home, I started lunch as it was too late for breakfast.   We ate ate about 11:30AM.   I added andouille sausage to the dirty rice and we had a salad and carrots with it.  

Then I took a nap before going down stairs to work on a couple of projects that I have going there.

They all have to be done by the end of April.

Nothing else happened that was exciting today.   I will put a copy of the St. Bridget that Bob Fleming did for me on the blog.   It is so beautiful.   He is a marvelous artist and I so enjoy his friendship.

Til tomorrow Dia Dhuit

Mary

 Not a bad day, but VERY busy.     I got up at 6:30AM.   Dick got up a bit earlier, but he slept from 8:30PM to 5:30AM so it was a good night's sleep.


We had breakfast and then I did the grocery shopping.   I was home by 8:30AM and able to get them put away and catch up on Quicken before I had to leave for Sheboygan to drop something off at JMKAC and then to to Mark Miller's to drop off the taxes.   


I got to JMKAC at a perfect time.   I was able to watch the beginning of Footlights - with the Thodos Dance Company from Chicago, that were doing a special performance for several classes of young people that had been brought in.    I was able to stay through their explanation and demonstration of ballet.   I wish I could have stayed for all of it but had to leave for my tax appointment.  


It was good to see Mark Miller again and he always does a good job with our taxes and I know that they are done correctly.    With all of the medical we have this year, I know we will end up  with a large return.    Mark and I figured we have known each other for at least 25 years because I met him when I worked at United Savings and Loan when  I first came back to Wisconsin.


I was home before noon and prepared salmon croquettes for our dinner with mashed potatoes, creamed corn and salad.  Then I took a short nap.  I had lots of computer work and remembered to massage the corned beef today.   


We had soup and sandwiches for supper and then I went to church for the Ash Wednesday service.   I have a proper black cross on my forehead.   It was a lovely service, the children's choir led us in the singing.  I got home just before 8PM. I am enjoying a nice cup of tea and then it will be time to help Dick to bed and get to bed myself.  


Tomorrow morning will be busy with Dick's CT Scan at 10AM over at Aurora Plymouth.   I hope they can determine something that will help him stop having these UTIs.    He is so weak from them.


So.  A lovely day.   Snow is supposed to come overnight.  Boo!  Just when I have to take Dick out.   Oh Well.   Each day its own challenges.


So goodnight and sleep tight


Dia Dhuit


Mary




 The second half of the information I posted yesterday.
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Sales Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax


STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.
What in the heck happened? Can you spell 'politicians?'

I hope this goes around THE USA at least 545 times!!! YOU can help it get there!!!

GO AHEAD. . . BE AN AMERICAN!!!

This has been another day from hell.    It started off OK.   I thought I had everything under control, kind of.   I got a message to Nancy, the home health aid that we MIGHT be a out for a bit past 11AM as we made an appointment with Dr. Herman, the urologist, for 10AM at Plymouth.   We also had Deb from the anti coagulation clinic do his blood test.  He was on the verge of high, but not too bad.  That meant that the nurse did not have to come here today.

Dr. Herman has ordered new tests.   There are several things that may be accounting for the recurring UTIs and we need to rule them out.   He will have a CT scan on Thursday.   Darn!   That means that there is no day that I can JUST BE HOME this week.

We did get home in time for the home health aid and Dick got washed up nicely and I am sure feels better.   Then at 1PM, Heidi, the PT who is replacing Sara while she is on her wedding trip to Jamaca, came.  Imagine my delight when we found that we are fellow Blessed Trinity People.  I have known her for years there in Sheboygan Falls.   She is very good and gentle and was good with Dick as he was so exhausted.    I made an appointment with Wisconsin Prosthesis for his first adjustment next Wednesday as we are a bit concerned with the way his knee kind of turns in.  

I took a short nap, then drove over to Walgreens to pick up a prescription and a supplement for Dick.   I am down to 5 things on my list and with the way the day went, feel pretty good about that.

My check list is almost crossed off so I will be saying good night to you all and heading to bed soon. Pray for me, tomorrow looks just as busy.

I love you all

Dia Dhuit

Mary



This is the first half of the article by Charlie Reese.  I will put the other half in tomorrow.


Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.

What you do with this article now that you have read it... is up to you.
This might be funny if it weren't so true.
Be sure to read all the way to the end:
Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table,
At which he's fed.

Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.

Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for
peanuts anyway!

Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.

Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.

Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.

Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid...

Put these words
Upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me
to my doom...'

When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.

Hello.   This was Monday.    I got up at 6:30AM.   I really wanted to stay in bed longer but had to get things ready for the day.  Of course, I had to get to Sheboygan Falls by 9:30AM for our Bible Study.  I was a great bible study.   We finished up Psalm 45 which was about a Royal Wedding which did seem to center on the wonderful attributes of the bridegroom, the king, the "god", in small letters, as opposed to God, which seems to be logical as one reads the Psalm.   We, all women today, as Joseph was unable to attend, had a great time with thatt.   All to the good, I must say.  We were so glad to see Felicia, Joseph's wife, who joins us when she doesn't have to work.   This was nice because we were all girls.
.

Then I went over to Mother's.  We got all her bills paid and still had time for a nice visit.   I am hoping to be able to introduce some of my CWI friends to Mother after the Gathering at the end of April.  

Home again, I prepared Chili for our lunch then went to Book Heads for the Writers Club meeting.  There were 8 of us there and we heard some pretty good poems and stories this month.

Then Home again to get Dick ready for his appointment with Dr. Sharon.  We got there at about quarter to four and he was able to see Dick almost immediately.   He can see how run down Dick is and changed the antibiotic for the UTI.   He believes that the bacteria has become resistant to the antibiotics he has been using and prescribed a different one that may help.   He has also referred Dick to a urologist.  Thank heavens we can see him tomorrow morning at the Plymouth Aurora at 10AM.  He is so very weak.

I had a conference call with the CWI board at 7PM.   We finished at about 8:30PM after covering a LOT.   They are such a wonderful uplifting group of people.   I am honored to be a part of the organization.   I look forward to the annual gathering/meeting and being with them in person.   I am glad that it will be at Kohler.   I can make arrangements for Dick during the days and be home at night for him.

Good night now and be strong in your ways.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

This was a rather lovely Sunday.   I slept until almost 8AM after getting up to feed the Roxie at 6AM. 

It was a quiet morning.  I did a couple of loads of wash, worked on several projects for CWI and just sort of puttered around on other things to get the house in order.  

I went to Mass at 2PM this afternoon as they had needed Eucharistic Ministers for that Mass.   I am always glad to be a communion distributor and especially at such a special event.   Fr. Van Beck celebrated the mass and confirmed the young people.   There were 72 young men and women being confirmed.   Quite spectacular.  It is always SO nice to see so many beautiful, handsome, healthy and good children all gathered together. 

I got home at about 4PM.   Just in time to give Dick his canapes for the afternoon.

Then I finished the wash, worked some more on the newsletter for our Sheboygan CWI group and fixed our dinner.    Lasagna Soup.   That goes back to Jim.   My lasagna is usually very soupy the first day so it is known as my famous lasagna soup.    It tastes great so I won't change the recipe.

Dick has gone to bed now and I am close behind him.   Tomorrow is a very busy day for me and Dick has a doctor appointment in the afternoon.  Pray for us, especially him.   He is so weary and I am worried about him.

So until tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

       I am sending this one out because so many do not

                   know this truth...

 

                   *And also because she was on 3 times this week

                   talking about her new book...

                   *

                   *And how good she feels in her 70's... She still

                   does not know what she did wrong..her book just

                   may not make the best list if more people knew...

                   *

                   Barbara Walters said: Thank you all.

                   Many died in Vietnam for our freedoms.

 

                   Then She said "I did not like Jane Fonda then and

                   I don't like her now."

 

                   She can lead her present life the way she wants

                   and perhaps SHE can forget the past, but we DO

                   NOT have to stand by without comment and see her

                   "honored" as a "Woman of the Century."

 

 

                   (I remember this well)

                   NEVER FORGIVE A TRAITOR.

                   SHE REALLY WAS A TRAITOR!!

We did a lot of sleeping last night.     Dick  was in bed by 8AM.   This was really good as he was totally whiped.   Tired is not a big enough description. 

He did wake up at about 4AM, but we got him back to sleep and he slept until I woke him up at about 8:30AM.   So he got somewhat rested.

After yesterday, we are trying to figure out how to keep this going.    He is heading to bed, as we speak, at shortly after 7AM.   I hope to convince him that if he wakes up before 5:30AM, he should always go back to bed to try to finish the night.    We will see what happens tonight.

The CWI Sheboygan. meeting was today at my friend Joan's home.   It was great we had 10 of our members in attendance.   We had a lively discussion on our chosen books.   Wild Girls, and any of John O Donoghue's books.   Joan was an over achiever as far as hostessing.  I LOVED it.   We have decided on The Last of the Donkey Pilgrims by  Kevin.O'Hara.   I have read this so I am one ahead.   I am trying to get to reading more lately.

I loved today.

Hope that you are ready for this week.   I am trusting that I am.
Dia Dhuit

Mary

So far a very productive and a very distressing day.

Dick woke up very early and seemed to feel fairly well though it really was much to early.   But he seems to be able to sleep later if he gets up in the night for a bit.

I stayed in bed a little longer and got up and showered before 7AM.     Here is where the problem started.   I fixed Dick his breakfast and he started to choke.   It was a really bad spell and left him very very weak all day.  Fortunately, Rachel, the nurse came this morning to draw blood and to check him over, so we are sure he is OK.   He has been started on another antibiotic for another UTI and I changed his appointment with Dr. Sharon to this Monday.   It was set for a whole week away,

Jody got here to clean at 8AM.   I had to leave for a breakfast meeting with my friend Dorothy Rose at the Roadside at 8:30AM.   But I knew that Rachel was coming and that Jody would be there til I got back.

Dorothy and I had a nice breakfast and a very productive meeting.  We are forming the committees for the Spring Gathering which is at the end of April.  I am going to take charge of the Welcome Bags for the attendees.   I can do most of that at home.

I got home at 10AM.  Rachel had been here and gone but Jody was still here.    He was still terribly weak from the coughing spell but was resting in his chair.   

At 11:AM Nancy, the Home Health Aid came and got him all washed up.  

Marty from Wisconsin Prosthesis called to see how he is doing with the new leg.   I told him it was loose so he said to add sox until it is stable but comfortable.   We started with a size two but will definitely have to increase the ply.  Tomorrow.   He is just going to rest the rest of the day.

I managed to get downstairs to finish cutting out squares for the baby quilt I am making for Kettle Quilters and to lay out the wall hanging I have in my vision.   I will tell you about it and show it to you when I complete it unless it turns out crumby then it will just disappear.

Warren and Nancy picked me up at 4:45PM to shoot league.    We got there at 5PM and the only person there was Greg.  He was setting up the traps so we hung around, as they officially don't start until 6.   Greg came in after someone came to help him set the traps up and asked me to set up the cash drawers.   I reminded him I was no longer a member but he gave me a hug and said it didn't matter.   You know me and a hug so I set up the drawers and then sold Nancy and me our targets.   So we went down to shoot.   I was not TOO bad this week, though things have gone better.

I was home by 6:30 and now we have Dick settled in bed.    I am sure we will be up at least once during the night but I hope it is early enough that he can get back to sleep and sleep until morning.   He is totally exhausted.

I will be going in myself soon as I didn't get a nap today and have been quiate busy.]

So til tomorrow,  I love you all. Pray for us

Dia Dhuit

Mary

We were almost home all day.  I did have to go to the Aurora Clinic once to drop something off, but I figure that a half an hour away is NOTHING.

We both slept late.  I got up at 8AM or thereabouts and Dick got up shortly after 9AM.  After yesterday, we both needed the extra sleep.

It has been a very uneventful day.    I started corning the beef for St. Patrick's day today.   Yesterday, I bought a lovely rump roast to do this with.   Dick likes my corned beef much more that the processed briskets that one buys in the store.   It is not that red color but is REALLY good.  Anyone who is interested.  I will have it available on St Patrick's Day.  Probably the day before.     St. Patrick's day is quite busy with the parade and it seems a Deeley celebrations Nora and Leif will be home.   I hope they will walk in the Irishman's walk with us.They could meet my CWI friends. 

Would you believe that I took a two hour nap this afternoon?   I think yesterday was hard on me too.

Dick is doing much better with the quiet day, but I notice that as the day goes on, he becomes more short of breath and is experiencing more phantom pain again.   He is wearing his new prosthesis today and so far all is well.  He will wear it for a couple of days and then we will see Marty again to fine tune things.   It is quite a nice leg and it is nice to see him looking like a real person.

Pray for us.  This has been a really tiring week.  Thank God! We have each other.   

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Hello It was a day of one thing after another.    The weather was lovely though.  Which is always an upper.

I got up at six when Roxie woke me.   Dick woke up then too, so it seemed just as easy to just stay up as I grocery shop on Wednesdays, as you probably have figured out, and I like to get there early.  I did get there early and did quite will.  I have a lovely rump roast that I am going to corn for St. Patrick's day.   I will get it started tomorrow.  Four weeks should make it REALLY good.

I got home to find that we had had a phone call.  It was from the VNA and this is where things started to get really wild.   The call was from Stacy, who wanted to do an evaluation to see if perhaps we need a nurse again for a while.   I told her that we had not had a home health aid for over a week.   Stacy was a wonder, she came at 10AM and had a home health aid, Nancy, who was the first home health aid we had, here at 10:30AM.   So Dick is all cleaned up and there are no sore spots anywhere.    We are, however, very concerned about his breathing problem, so she arranged for Ashley, a nurse, to come this afternoon at 4PM to do a full evaluation.

BUT, before that, Bobbie came for lunch and we took Dick to Sheboygan to Wisconsin Prosthesis to pick up his permanent left prosthesis.  He was too exhausted to walk in it but Marty fitted it and sent it home for him to start wearing tomorrow.

We got home in time for Ashley's visit.   She has made arrangements for someone to come to do the blood test that I would have had to take Dick over to the clinic for.  This will give him a few days at home to rest and we see Dr. Sharon on Monday.  

So,  We are two very tired people.    He went to bed at 7:30PM.   I am only up because I was participating in a telephone seminar at 8PM.  It is now over and ended with a meditation.   So I am going to to to bed while I am still relaxed and ready to sleep.

I will end with a lovely quote I got during the seminar from the Dahli Llama.

"Western woman will change the course of humanity."

Let us do our job.

Dia Dhuit.

Mary  

We woke up to a snow covered world.   I had to get out of my warm bed at 6:30AM so that I could get the trash out by 8AM.   They don't come THAT early, but the lady that I give aluminum cans to does, and it seems easy to just get everything out at once.  One of my neighbors, Kathy, was out scraping her driveway off.  I don't do that.   I have enough trouble with my ribs and am not doing anything to agrivate the discomfort.

We do get plowed and shoveled but only if there is over 2 inches.   Less than that and I rely on the sun and the wind.

Bobbie got her at 10AM so that we could take Dick for his Eye Doctor appointment.  We did pretty well.   It was a full exam so it was after noon when we got out of there.   Dick has had a change in his left eye that can be corrected so he will be getting a new lens in about a week to 10 days.  Aside from that and the persistent lash that keeps growing in his right eye, his eyes are doing OK.

We picked up Chinese food for our lunch and Bobbie, Dick and I enjoyed that together along with the annual heart valentine raspberry cookies that she brought for us.

The afternoon was quiet.   I got  a present wrapped, packaged and ready to mail.   I am prepared for a meeting on Friday morning.   I did a load of wash.  And I went to Walgreens to pick up and ointment for Dick's right eye.  

Now we are watching the Westminster Dog Show.    We LOVE that show and it makes us miss having a doggy.   One day we will have one again.   I just want a yard that I can let it out in when I don't have the time to walk it.  But I want it to force me to walk.


So Until tomorrow. 

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I got this as an email today.   It is really funny.

Dear Customer,
Just a little note to let you know we understand your
anger in the recent price hike. But it should be noted
that you have no choice. We are a big company and you
will pay what we tell you. You have no choice We have
the power, you need the power.   So sad....too bad.
We have enclosed a little picture to help
outline our response. Have a nice day and keep those
cheques coming!

      Sincerely,

      Your Local Power Co .

Today was a nothing day.    We slept late.  I did not shower or anything.

I cleaned out some shelves in Roxie's room.

We had a nice lunch of leftovers and a dinner of the same.

So I really have nothing to report.   I did talk to Bret, Bart and Barb and Leslie during the day.

Now the day is done.  I hope your week will be wonderful, productive and happy.

Dia Dhuit
|
Mary