Hello again.    They told of possible rain, but it stayed way south of us today.   It never got very warm and was cloudy most of the day.   This evening, however, the sun is shining on the trees and the sky is blue.  

I had to be up by 7AM so that I could have Dick up and attem by 8AM when Jody came to clean.  I have my desk just about clear.  Yahoo.    I have the changes for Dick's care in place (I hope, I hope, I hope.)  Today, I received a call from the place that I will be getting supplies from, got a call from the hospital on the swallow study and have been trying to trace down the supplies that were ordered Wednesday and should have been here by today.

I also sent press releases to the three papers in the area on our CWI Bloomsday Celebration which will be Saturday June 16th at 52 Stafford.    Should be fun.   I already have my caregivers set for Dick.

This Sunday several friends are coming over to make pasties with me.    I am all out and this will not give me a ton but will give us a few for everybody and I asked if anybody wanted to make them the way I do.   They are not exactly traditional but they do taste good.

Nancy, the home health aid, was here for the last time to give Dick a bath.   We will sure miss her.   She is so caring and does SUCH a good job.   She is going to be picking up a dog from the Humane Society and promised to bring her by to meet us.

Kay, from Embrace, came tonight to put Dick to bed.   I went out to pick up some prescriptions and supplies from the drug store and some household needs from Walmart.

Dick was still dawdling when I got home.    Kay got him in bed by 8:30 when she had to leave.   Then I had the procedure to do so it is now after 9PM and he is finally settled in.   Whew.

Dick said that I should say hello to everybody.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Haiku

The phoebe and I
In the cool of the morning
Are singing a song

Hello my friends.   

I had a dentist appointment this morning.    My teeth were cleaned and XRayed and charted.   My teeth are in fine shape.   This is good.   I think I do take very good care of them and it is nice when the results are good.  It means that the effort is worth it.

I stopped at Kate's for a quick cup of tea and to drop off the church directory that I picked up for her.    It was a QUICK cup of tea as I had to be home at 10:30AM because Kim from Embrace leaves then.  Dick says that Roxie was very chatty with Kim today.    

Roxie has started coming to bed with me and laying between Dick and I.   There is LOTS of room there.   She apparently likes to be close but not so close that she gets too warm.    I like her there.  If I wake during the night she greets me.  Very comforting.

We are, you know, still in two beds.   Dick is in the hospital bed and I am next to him in a twin bed.

I don't know if I mentioned that Jeff and Kathy dropped by with some tomato and pepper plants.   I am keeping them on the porch and moist until we have a warm day so I won't have to put their little root feet into an ice bath.  The weekend looks good for planting.

The VNA will come for the last time on Monday.    I think I have covered all the bases to fill in from private care what VNA has been doing for us.  It is so hard to stay ahead of these things.

Say some prayers for a Celtic Woman Friend , Candy, who was killed in an automobile accident yesterday.

That is the day.    Can you believe that it is the last day of May already?

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A typical Wednesday with a few other things packed in.

I got up at 6AM so that I could get myself ready and the trash out before Kay came at 7AM.   Then we let Dick know that she was here and I gave a few instructions and suggestions as to things that she could do.   (Isn't it lovely.  They want to be busy.)  I left at about 7:30 for grocery shopping, the bank and for the drugstore.  There was some kind of special assembly at the High School today.   As I was pulling into the bank, I saw a helicopter land in the open area along Eastern Avenue.

Boy, those things are loud.

I got home at about 9:30.   Kay helped me put the groceries away before she left.  Then Neil from Steger Plumbing came to check the air conditioner which was just NOT working properly during those very hot days.   There was also a puddle of water on the ground between the furnace and the water conditioner.   I could not tell where the water was coming from.   Fortunately, it was the air conditioner and Neil fixed it for us.    He told me to be sure to check on our next really hot days and if there is ANY water to call them right away.   I have been really happy with their service.

About the time he was leaving, Ashley, the nurse from VNA came to check Dick out and review things with us.   She will come for the last time on Monday to take his INR.   Presuming that all is well, we will no longer qualify for VNA after Monday because he has no immediate medical needs.   That means that we will have to go to the clinic to have his INR checked.   I have been doing some research on a van that would carry Dick and his motorized chair.   Having to call for transport is a bother and is getting expensive.    I am figuring, that in the long run we would be better off being independent.

The afternoon was quiet, so I made a lot of calls to start transitioning from VNA care and supply source to private sources.   I should have most of my information together by Friday. 

I subscribe to Garrison Keillor's The Writer's Almanac which he sends out every day.    Today he features excerpts from Ron Padgett's "How to be Perfect"

Here are a couple:

If you burn your finger, put ice on it immediately. If you bang
your finger with a hammer, hold your hand in the air for 20
minutes. you will be surprised by the curative powers of ice and
gravity.

Do not inhale smoke.

Take a deep breath.

Do not smart off to a policeman.

Be good.

So that is enough for today.

Do Be Good and
Dia Dhuit

Mary

"

This was a rather different day.   Dick went to the hospital this morning (don't worry) for his swallow test.  I got up at 6AM.   He could not eat or drink, so we just had to get him up and do those early morning necessities before Tim got here at 8:15AM to pick us up.

I guess the test is not too bad.   He said that the worst part for him was the shifting from one table to another as they tried to administer the test.   You would think that hospitals, of all places, would be able to accomadate disabled people.    This time, he was safe, but the last time, they had him sliding almost to the floor getting him back to his chair.    I don't get too upset too often, but I was angry and distressed that time.

We expect to hear from Dr. Kream tomorrow as to the results of the swallow test.   We are hoping to find a reason for the choking that he has been experiencing.

We have been home the rest of the day.    The doors have been open and the house is really feeling fresh.   The wind chimes that Jacquie sent me and that Bobbie and Bill helped me get set up in the front garden are ringing a lovely tune.    I am content.

Tomorrow will be a shopping day.   I have a service person or two coming also.   There is always something.

Bless you in your week.

Dia Dhuit


Mary

Memorial Day and it was rather lovely.   The storm we were promised has not yet arrived, though Fond du Lac now has severe storm warnings.

Bobbie and Bill came at about 9AM to stay with Dick while I went to Sheboygan Falls to spend time with Mother.  That was so nice, usually I go after bible study and am a bit rushed.   We had a nice chance to visit today.

Bobbie, Bill, Dick and I dined like kings and queens today on brats and venison steaks, cole slaw, beans, cubed watermelon, pasta salad and a berry tart for dessert.

Don't you wish you were here to enjoy it too.

The rest of the day was quiet.   Now it is time to start winding down for the night as Dick will be going to the hospital for a swallow test tomorrow morning quite early.   I hope we sleep better than we did last night.

I put the flag out when I woke up this morning and took it down at dusk.   It is the least I can do to commemorate all of the young men and women who have given up so much for our freedom.   I wore my patriotic sox and t-shirt too.    Mother was wearing her patriotic t-shirt also and looked just beautiful today.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

This was one of those special days.   I slept until 8AM.  AND I did not have to leave the house all day.

I did not even take a shower.   Dick and I just ambled through the day.   I did a bit of sewing.   I baked some scones.    I made a nice berry tart for our dessert tomorrow and just kind of enjoyed the day.   Without any appointments it was lovely to just be.

I don't even feel that I need to be really clever on this blog tonight.

Tomorrow, however, is Memorial Day.  I will be putting up the flag when I wake up to feed Roxie.   It is so important for us to remember and to take care of all the men and boys and women and girls who have defended us in so many ways during the past 80 years or more.    So many of our WWII vets are gone.   Our Korean Vets are in their 80s ,  the Vietnam vets are retiring.    How many of them are hurt, or damaged or lost and in need our us now that they have taken care of us and now we are gaining more and more from Iraq and Afghanistan.   Let us love them.   Let us thank them.   Let none of them be alone or hungry or homeless.   We owe them more than that.  They have and are giving everything for us.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I love holiday weekends.   Today was just dick and me until 3:30PM.   Then Kay came to stay with Dick while I went to church.

I did a lot of little things today.   Dick had said that he was hungry for Chili Mac.   So I made that today.   It is like my chili.   Not necessarily the same each time.   This time was REALLY good.   Hot and satisfying with a flavor that stayed after the hot faded.

I cooked enough macaroni to make a dinner pasta salad for our supper.    Kay was kind enough to chop veggies while I was at Mass.   So when I got home, I just needed to combine everything, add cheese and corned beef and the mayo and spices and we had a super supper of Macaroni Salad with Garlic Bread.

I got to be Eucharistic Minister this week even if I was not scheduled.   As you know, I love that.   I never get over that privilege.    Guess who was at the 4PM Mass?    Aunt Kathleen.    Boy were we glad to see each other.   She is so lovely in every possible way.   We visited after Mass.   She is at the Finger cottage with her step children this weekend, opening it for the season. 

Two more quiet days.   Tomorrow it will be just Dick and me until 6:30PM when Kay will come to put Dick to bed for me.   By then I will be ready for some help, I am sure.

We had a bit of rain today.   Just enough after what we had last night that I probably won't have to water tomorrow.

I attached a hook to the railing of our deck so that I can hang my hummingbird feeder.   Hope they will find us.  I put it next to the Lavender plants.   I think they like lavender.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

So this is the "escape" day for the Memorial Day weekend.   I know that my brothers, Jeff and Randy, and  their friends left early this morning for Indianapolis for the Indy 500.   They have been going for over 40 years.  Quite a tradition.  This looks like one of the better weekends, weather wise.   Always nice because there is no chance of them missing the race if it is delayed.

Jody came to clean this morning and Nancy came this afternoon to give Dick his bath.   I spent the day cooking and sewing and writing and sorting a lot of things.   Dick took a lot of time between visits also.   I did manage a nap between 12:30PM and 1:30PM, but I don't feel much benefit of it now.

Kay is here to put Dick to bed and she will help with the last of the clothes and putting the dishes away.   Good thing, I am really tired.  Perhaps someday I will get rested.

I am watching Who Do You Think You Are again.    Another project that I would LOVE to get back to doing.   The Ancestry project.   But that has been put WAY on the back burner again.    I must get back to my cousin David Bowser and tell him not to give up on me totally.    I still have the best of intentions.

The weekend itself will be very quiet.   The only place I will be going for the next three days is to church tomorrow.    Hopefully, I will be able to sleep late both days and Monday also.   Bobbie is coming over Monday morning as usual so that I can go to visit Mother.   I am hoping that she and Bill will be free to have dinner with us.   I have some brats cooked and want to do some venison steaks too.

So.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Hope you enjoy the following as much as I did

Medical Info Women Should Know

Pregnancy, Estrogen, and Women
PREGNANCY Q & A & more!

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q : I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q : What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.?

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Windy day.   I went in to Kohler this morning for a first Yoga Class today.    It worked pretty well until towards the end when I started to feel ill.   I did have a bit of pain in the ribs but stopped whatever that occurred.   I called the doctors when I got home to be sure that it is OK that I do Yoga.    It is.   So I will try again in two weeks when I have a window again.  I was rather enjoying it until I started feeling woozy.   The instructor mentioned that it was really warm in there.   Perhaps working in the back of the hall would work better.  Since I have these coupons and this is a good no impact exercise, I will try again.

I brought lunch home from Woodlake.   We had sandwiches with potato salad and a good pickle.   Tonight I fixed chicken tostadas.  Which were yummy.

Aside from that, I just did a lot of research and some sewing and more desk clearing.   You should see my desk.   Of course, there are several things now in the Pending for More Information place.   But we will get there.

It is getting towards bed time and I am for some reason very sore.    I hope Dick will got to bed "apace" as he says so that I can get there and rest my weary sore ribs.

Can you believe that it is Saturday already.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Grocery shopping day.   I really did not want to get up at 6AM this morning but I forced myself.   It was not too hard as there was a silly kitty poking me from 5AM on telling me that she was really very hungry.

I knew that I could not feed her and go back to bed so I held her off as long as I could before finally getting up.

Heidi from Embrace Care got her at 7AM.   I left shortly after 7:30AM to do the grocery shopping.   I also made a trip over to Moraine Gardens to pick up two more herbs and to take a copy of the Marigold Wine recipe to a man who works there and said that he and his wife have started making wine.   I think Marigold is unique and is SO good so passed it on to him.   (Bobbie already has the recipe and does plan on making it, I believe.)   Anyway I gave him my name and Dad's so that he can give credit.

I got home at about 9:30AM.   Dick was so sleepy.   But he had accomplished all of the necessary morning things, so it was not a big thing.   I let him doze and I prepared chicken breast with stuffing and peas for our lunch.   After lunch we both took a real nap.

He seemed a bit perkier this afternoon.   I hope he is not too perky tonight when I want to go to bed.

Hey, how about our Donald Driver winning Dancing with the Stars.    I was so delighted.   It was a hard choice as all three of the finalists were very good.  I, of course, voted all my votes for Donald.   AND he won.    It was a very exiting finale.   All three were SO good that I would have felt bad but not cheated if he had not won.

I managed to get a bit of sewing done this afternoon,   Only a half and hour, but I like to have something in the works at all times.    I must be feeling a bit better because I have been doing a bit of writing too.

So Tomorrow is Thursday already.   I am going to be trying Yoga in Kohler.   I have a coupon.   Perhaps that will help the pain in my back and stomach and liver.

Take care of your selves

Dia Dhuit

Mary

We had to be up and ready for Tim to pick us up at 8:15AM.   Dick had a CTScan on his lower right lung to see is there is any difference in the fluid that is under it.  We were back home by 9:30AM.   Dick said that the hardest part was transferring to the table from the wheelchair and back.   They don't have any lift aids but the guy who was giving the test was good and managed well.   I could tell because Dick was not at all distressed by the experience.

He got a bath this noon from Judy , a VNA Health aide.    So it was a busy day for him.  

We had a quiet afternoon.   I even got a nap.   My present from Jacquie arrived today.   A pretty wind chime.   I have wanted a wind chime.   Now I have to decide where to hang it.

When Kim from Embrace came this evening to prepare Dick for bed, I went to Walgreens to pick up prescriptions and to Fleet to find a hook that can be attached to our deck to hang my pretty hummingbird feeder on.    I am excited to do this because Don and Jan next door have one and they are getting orioles too.   (Of course,  you need oranges for orioles too but they also like the sugar water.)

Now, I will watch Dancing with the Stars as long as I can stay awake.    I hope I am aware enough to see if Donald Driver wins.

Tomorrow is shopping day, I hope the weather is as lovely as it was today.    I would like to take a swing out to Moraine Gardens to pick up a couple more herbs.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It's my birthday and I am a happy person.

I woke up to find a card from Bobbie in my email.   Then Bobbie came to take care of Dick and I got  a hug.
When I went to Bible Study, which was really a good time, they remembered too.  It was also the birthday of one of my fellow studier, Kathy Keyes.   We are so happy to share this day.

Our discussion was very lively.   We talked about the prophets and  how sometimes they just didn't want to be expected to preach the word to the world that was scorning them and making fun of them but that the spirit of God came upon them and they could not help themselves.   We decided that we may not burn with the fire of evangelism but perhaps we smolder.   Maybe that will be good enough. 

I got home at about noon and Dick, Bobbie and I had lunch together.   There were flowers on the table from Richard and Brenda.  They are just beautiful.  I will post a picture on the blog tomorrow if I can figure out how.   I am still coping with changes on Picassa but will eventually work them out.  Sometimes improvements cause things to be more complicated that they were before.

While I was gone, my best friend, and ex sister in law, Jacquie called.  So I called her back this afternoon.   We had the best visit.    I really miss spending time with her.   I think that if I ever won a lottery, this would be my priority, to be able to be with those friends that are still so close, but are so far away.

So, it has been a nice birthday.  I cannot believe that I am 72.   I remember as a child thinking that  - in the year 2000, I will be 60 years old.    And that seemed SO old to me at the time.    Now I am 12 years beyond that.  WOW.  And what a ride I have had.

So I will end this now.  I want to watch the last actual competition of Dancing With the Stars.   This is the only show that I really get excited about and I have missed a lot of it as it is the time that Dick is usually getting ready for bed.   That is not a bad thing.   One should remember that TV is after all, Just TV.   I remember at one time when the kids, probably Bret were just babies.   I had gotten into the habit of watching Days of our Lives.   It was convenient as I was nursing a baby and resting.   Somebody called in the middle of the program and I actually asked them if I could call them back.    Right after I hung up, I realized that I had asked a real person to wait for a TV program to end.   And that was the end of my soap opera days.

Remember how special you are.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A whole day at home and was it ever nice.   I got to sleep until 8AM.   Dick slept until almost  9:30AM so I had some me time before he got up.  That was kind of nice after his early wake up yesterday.

I really felt good most of the day.   I am getting a bit achy not but having been up for quite a while now, I am not surprised.

We ate a big brunch at 10:30ish, a snack at 2ish and will eat pizza tonight when we are ready.  So tomorrow we will nosh on the leftovers that I planned for today,   Guess I will start cooking again on Tuesday.

I did a bit of writing today and it felt good.   I may do more before the day is done.

This morning, the phone rang quite early.   I picked it up and heard music which played for some time as I kept saying hello   hello.   Then I could hear talking in the background and said again  hello   hello.   Finally I hung up.   I checked the number and dialed it and left a message for ---my neighbor Don.   He had muted the ring, but apparently bumped a redial, or our number.   He and Jan were in church.   So I was hearing part of a service, which was my suspicion.    I told Don, God must have decided that I need more church.  
God could have made it easier to hear.   It was quite muffled in Don's pocket.

I was able to follow Richard's last instructions and FINALLY have sound back on my computer.    It was out almost two weeks.   I tried to fix it myself first then didn't get the first email that Richard sent, then misunderstood one part of the next one.  I persisted and got it though.   Now I have to go back and review several emails that sounded fun.   One of them was the music on Richard and Brenda's Mother's Day Card.

The herbs and the hanging plant I hung are doing just fine.   I gave them a little drink but we may have a thunderstorm come through this evening to give them a little drink too.

I hope your day was as gentle and as comforting.

Til tomorrow

Dia Dhuit and I love you all

Mary

   

A hot and humid day.    But I did not have to be out in it anyway.    So we stayed pretty cool and comfortable in our own little home.

I did not sleep all that well last night and then Roxie started fussing at 4:30AM or so.   After I fed her I went back to bed, but Dick woke up at 6PM or so and if he gets up, I have to also.  So there you are.   I took two naps today but am still worn out.

I went the 4PM Mass.   Fr. Van Beek is counting down.   I believe that his last Sunday with us will be June 10th, Only two more weekends.   We will miss him.   The new priest sounds like quite an interesting man.   He has a lot online which gives us a preview of his ideas.

We had stew from the freezer for our lunch.    There was a time when I could not make a good stew for anything.    When Dick and I were first married, he just couldn't believe that because I am a good cook and everything else I made tasted good.    So one shopping day we bought wonderful stew meat and fresh veggies and I made a stew.     As usual, I followed all the directions in the cookbooks.   It looked great, it even smelled pretty good, but to Dick's dismay, it had no taste at all.   I know, I know.   I can't explain it either.

However, in the past several years, I have experimented with a several stew recipes and have found two that do taste good.   So I have a happy guy.

By the way,    Dick said to say HI! to EVERYBODY from him.

I am going to bed soon but want to put a cute prayer that I found in the bulletin today for you to enjoy too.

Now I get me up to work, I pray the Lord I may not shirk, And if I die before tonight, I pray my work will be all right.  Thomas Osborne Davis.

So enjoy your Sunday.  

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Boy, I could have slept this morning.    I got up at 6:30AM because Jody AND the health care aid (not Nancy this time) were both coming at 8:AM.

The day was absolutely gorgeous.   Blue skies, warm sun and a gentle breeze and we did have to go out for a bit anyway.

Dick and I both had to be at eye doctor.   Dick, for the check on that pesky lash that keeps growing into his eye and scratching it, and me to pick up the glasses with the new lenses in them.  Finally.    The drive and the treatment all came off just fine.    We are going to try soaking his eyes in warm water to help keep them clearer.   His sight is just the same.

We had pork chops and Lima beans for lunch.   Haven't fixed that in AGES.    It sure is good and we have another meal out of it.   We are having stew tomorrow.

One of these days I am going to make up a big batch of pasties.   I am all out and do like them for a quick meal.

Tonight I will be going to the Plymouth Art Center for a concert.   Kate is in the chorus.    I have heard that the music is just lovely and summerlike.   A good way to end the week.

Did I tell you I got all my herbs planted and the deck looks nice and green. 

I got a cute birthday card from Eileen today.   She assures me that as I am older I need a positive attitude and wine.   and that perhaps wine is quite enough.

Dia Dhuit

Let's slide happily into the nice warm weekend.

Mary

This has been quite a day.

 

Kim came at 7AM to get Dick up and going this morning.   I had an appointment with Dr. Sidique, a followup on the procedure I had on my back three weeks ago.   I was able to tell him that the left side no longer hurts.   The right side hurts but does not radiate out to the end of the ribs.   It hurts to sleep on my right side.   He said this sounds pretty good.   There is still a three week period where there may be more improvement.    This is encouraging.  I can bring up the other problems with Dr. Murthy next month.

 

I got home at 9:30AM,  Plenty of time to be sure that Dick was ready for his appointment with Dr. Kream the pulmanologist.  He ordered a Ct Scan and Xray because of the coughing that Dick had been experiencing.   I will update as we get the tests completed.

Today, I finished planting all of my herbs in planters on the deck.   I had a gift.   I was working on the boxes when I heard a lovely song.  I looked over to Don and Jan's deck and an Oriole was feeding at their hummingbird feeder and singing his heart out.   He was gorgeous and let me sing along and even talk to him.

Another special thing happened today also.   I received an email from TIBET.   Nora and Leif and Bing and Stenn are in Tibet and Leif remembered us and sent us an email and a lovely picture of himself with Nora in Lhasa against the Portilla Palace.  Wow.   This is a wonderful world.

Hope your day was as sweet. 

Dia Dhuit

Mary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A PENCIL MAKER TOLD THE PENCIL 5 IMPORTANT LESSONS JUST BEFORE PUTTING IT IN THE BOX:

1.) EVERYTHING YOU DO WILL ALWAYS LEAVE A MARK. 
2.) YOU CAN ALWAYS CORRECT THE MISTAKES YOU MAKE. 
3.) WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WHAT IS INSIDE OF YOU. 
4.) IN LIFE, YOU WILL UNDERGO PAINFUL SHARPENINGS, WHICH WILL ONLY MAKE YOU BETTER. 
5.) TO BE THE BEST PENCIL, YOU MUST ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE HELD AND GUIDED BY THE HAND THAT HOLDS YOU.

 

I will be going to bed early.  (I hope.)   I started to take a nap this afternoon and Dick needed me so it did not work.  I tried after he was taken care of but that did not work either.

I got up at 6:30AM to be ready when Kay came to get Dick up in the morning.  This is my shopping day.   I left at 7:30AM.  Dick was still sleeping. 

I went grocery shopping.  Stopped at the wine department.   And then I drove to Moraine Gardens to pick up my herbs.   That was fun.  I have to bring my recipe to "Steve" for Marigold wine.     As he helped me load  my plants and was teasing me about the wine in my car.  He mentioned that he is dabbling in making wine and I thought I should pass on the wonders of Marigold Wine.

I picked up thyme, basil, lavender and rosemary.     They are the nicest plants.  I did a bit of the planting today and will finish tomorrow and the next day.    I am saving two basil to plant with my tomato plants out front.   Basil and tomatoes are companion plants, you know.

I hope you were blessed with a day as pleasant as mine was.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Home all day.   And what a day.   The skies were blue and the temperature hit 89 degrees.   Wow.   Now it is supposed to come down to the mid 60s tomorrow.  This afternoon, I went out on the deck again and watered my planters to that I can put my herbs in tomorrow.     I figure that after I finish the grocery shopping, I will take a drive to Moraine Gardens and pick them out.   Jeff and Kathy got me my large leaf basil.    And my flat leaf parsley, the oregano and my chives are thriving.  I have a feeling that if I went down to the back, I would find a bumper crop of Lemon Balm.

My desk seems marvelously clean.   I have been finishing SO many little projects that needed to be swept up. 
Dick is really my full time job, even with the help I have.  I am so grateful for the help.  Bobbie and the Embrace Care people that come in.   For at least 2 hours of each day, I do not have to worry about him.   I try to find things to do that just kind of take me away.   "Calgon, take me away."   I know what that means.    I love where I am but just need a bit of time to breathe and turn my face up to the sun.

Nancy came to give him a bath this morning and Heidi and Kim are putting him to bed.   I will be in bed right AFTER Dancing with the Stars.   Have to see if Donald makes the cut you know.     I am sure he will.   He is really good.    If only Len would give him a ten for once.     What is with that?   And last night Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews and Coach Mike were there to cheer him on.

It is amazing how such a big man can be so agile and graceful.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Medical Info Women Should Know

Pregnancy, Estrogen, and Women
PREGNANCY Q & A & more!

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q : I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q : What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.?

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Today was a special day, thanks to our Bobbie.  

I got up at 6AM with the cat and was able to get showered, dressed and take care of Dick before Bobbie got here at 9AM to stay with him while I did my  Monday morning things.

Bible Study was well attended and we have started on a new Psalm, Psalm 39.   Now I find when I check the questions that we have missed  some questions from the previous Psalm, Psalm 22.   Sometimes it is confusing.   I am finding that I pay more attention to the Psalm reading at Mass now that we are studying them.   They are truly beautiful.  

Mother looked good today and I got to see her cards and letters and Mothers Day presents.   She had a lovely weekend with lots of visitors for short visits.   This is easier for her but too see everybody is so good.   Nora even called from CHINA!

I went from there to the Point to have lunch with my 1958 classmates.   We had a nice crowd today.   We never seem to have trouble settling in to enjoy the time, even if we weren't that close in High School.    As I think I have said, we even invite classmates who did not graduate with us, but perhaps only were with us in grade school.   I like us.

Got home at a little after one.    The nurse was here to do Dick's INR while I was gone.   It is still a bit low, so we are changing the warfurin again.    Bobbie and Dick had a good time.   She brought my Mothers Day Card with her. it is just beautiful.   A 3D bouquet.   

The rest of the afternoon was quiet.   A nap, a soup and sandwich supper.   But I am very sore tonight so will take my pain pill and go to bed soon.

Tomorrow a day at home.   I intend to get the planters ready for their herbs.   Jeff and Kathy bought me a lovely large leaf basil.   It will have a place of honor.   I love those large leaves in place of lettuce in sandwiches.    To die for.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

This was a day that we were able to spend at home without any interruptions until Kay will come at 6:PM.   How many times have I said this.   Today has come true.

We slept late.  That was really nice.   Then we decided to have a late brunch at about 11AM and follow it up with dessert at about 4PM followed by dinner whenever.   I loved it.

I got an ecard from Leslie today followed by calls from Bret and Bert.    Bobbie informed me that she forgot to mail her  card and will bring it tomorrow.  I feel so blessed.   My kids love me.  What more can I ask for in this life.  Bobbie and I are amused that everybody we meet seems to think that we are related.  We are so pleased.    Bobbie had a mother who raised her just perfect.  I get to partake of the benefits.  I hope Barbara, in the afterlife knows how much I appreciate her presenting me with these wonderful children.    Stepchildren is not a good description.   I hope that Barbara and I can share them.

I called Mom this afternoon to see how she is.  I will be bringing her Mother's Day card and a bottle of Madeira for her present tomorrow.  She had lots of visitors and is pleasantly exhausted.  This is the way it is supposed to be.

I can't tell you how much it means to hear from my children on Mothers Day.  There is a commercial out this year that expresses the feelings of EVERY mother.  "Tell me that I did OK."   Just tell me.   Mothers are the most frightened of all people.   We deal with what is happening now and only pray that our decisions are the right ones.  Only love keeps us afloat.

Bless us all.   I certainly pray for all of my  readers and hope they pray for me.


Dha Dhuit

Mary





 

Well, World.   A lovely day is coming to an end.   I am pleased to find that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2 is on HBO.   I didn't get to see it last summer when it came out and have been hoping it would be released here soon.  I am sure I could have requested it but frankly, I don't think of those things as I should, or early enough in the evening.

So tonight I will finally see it and go to bed wit visions of wizards in my head.

WE got up between 7AM and 8AM this morning.    We had breakfast and did all the morning things.   Then I prepared a tart crust for a strawberry tart for dessert this evening.  We had brats for lunch.

Kay from Embrace came at 2PM so that I could go over to UCC for the CWI book discussion group.   We had all read the Last of the Donkey Pilgrims by Kevin O Hara.     We all enjoyed it so much and brought up our favorite parts of his journey and all agreed on the understanding of his love for his traveling companion, Missy the Donkey.

We have decided to read a book with a Scottish Theme, The Legend of the Celtic Stone by Michale Phillips.

I went right to Mass from the meeting.   It was a nice Mass for Mother's Day, Mary (May is her month) and generally speaking.   The second reading was from the First Letter Of John.   1 John 4, 7-8 which is my very favorite passage.

⁷  Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is ^[a] born of God and knows God. ⁸ The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

I got home about 5PM and Kay had our dinner all prepared for us.   So it has been a very quiet evening and I intend to finish it off with my movie.

Take care and have a lovely Mother's Day.   This if for all the lovely Mother's in my life.

Dia Dhuit

Mary 

Tonight, since I had Kay from Embrace Care here from 6:30PM to 8:30PM, I decided to drive over to Rhine and shoot some pistol.   It was rather quiet because this was a last week of league shooting.   Most people are done by now.   

I shot three open pistol targets.   Not too bad, if I do say so myself.   I got a 54, a 51 and a 46.   After not shooting since March, I was quite pleased.   Dick was proud of me when I got home too.    Enough of the Rhine members were there that I had some good visits before I came home.

Kay had Dick on the bed and ready for me, then he announced that he had to go to the bathroom so we got him up again.   He is now back in bed and settled (we hope) for the night.    It was so great last night.   He slept through and we both were much more rested for the day.

It was a busy day.   Jody came to clean at 8 and Judy came to give Dick his bath at 10:30.  

I did get a nap.   Good thing because I am starting to get pretty achy and I know the rest helps.  I have the planters out on the deck and just need to add some potting soil and plant them.   I also have the wine room ready to just tackle the floor.  

Well, I think that Roxie wants me to go to bed.   So I will check in again tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I was home all day.

It was a beautiful day.  Dick and I took a nice walk this afternoon.   The sun was shining and it was gorgeous in Tallgrass.  

I racked the last two batches of wine that I will ever do today.   Now they just need to be filtered and bottled.   I spent some time down in the wine room washing and sorting the wine equipment so that Bobbie can take what she wants and we can dispose of the rest.   It was a lot of fun producing the MaryER wines, but it is not as much fun for me without Dick helping me and coming up with names for the wines and ideas.   I am so glad that Bobbie wants to make wines and will get good use out of the equipment and bottles we accumulated.

I also was able to take the herb planters out onto the deck this afternoon.   Now I will soak them good and get them ready for their new herbs.  It is still plenty early as they say "Don't plant before Memorial Day.

Greta was here with Dick this morning to get him up and take care of things here.   I went over to Mc Donalds to get up a breakfast.    We used to do that and go to lots of other restaurants when we did our grocery shopping together.   I miss our breakfasts.   We used to call them our "dates". 

So it was a beautiful day.  One to tuck into the memory.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I liked today.    I would have liked to sleep later, but got up at 6AM so that I could be all ready to get moving when the aides from Embrace got here at 7AM.

Dick woke up at about 6:30am which through things off a bit but not too much, so that I was all ready to go shopping at 8AM after having had a couple of cups of coffee and some toast.

Dick was well taken care of.   When I got home, he was up, dressed, had had all of his meds and a good breakfast.

I went grocery shopping first.   Ran into a friend from Rhine Plymouth who was also shopping.  I saw him a couple of weeks ago and begged him not to hug me because my back was so sore from the procedure.   Today I told him I could have a hug.   Bill is a nice guy and very supportive.   He introduced me to his doggy, Cloe today.   She is a doll.   I asked what breed she was and he said "Black.''   They really don't know, perhaps black lab and poodle.   Who knows.  

Reminds me of the dog that my folks had after I had moved to California.    They got Lucky from a friend whose medium sized terrier mix had given birth.    What a surprise.    He reminded me of a cartoon the kids watched when they were young called Dinky Dog.   Lucky grew and grew.  It became obvious that his father was a Great Bernard.    He was perhaps the sweetest dog ever made.  My younger brothers used him for a cushion when they watched TV in the evenings.    One time my brother, Matt, sent for a 6 foot tall poster of Frankenstein.  He hung it up in the kitchen, much to Mother's displeasure.  Then, when Lucky came inside for the evening, he took one look at that ugly caricature and slunk back down into the hallway on his belly.    Needless to say, Mother made Matt move the poster.

I did a couple of other errands and was home before 10, when Kim, today's caregiver left.  

We have had a nice day.   It was mostly cloudy, but now the sun is shining and the trees in back look radiant.   Tomorrow, I understand is going to be quite warm and sunny.   Perhaps Dick and I can go for another stroll and roll around the neighborhood.  He tried to see if he could go out onto the deck but I don't think he can get through the door from the livingroom, at least with the couch there.  AND we are going to have to figure out what to do with the cedar chest to get him out in the bedroom.   I will have to think about that.   Sitting on the deck at night was always a favorite summer pastime for us at Hunters Glen.

So today is done.    Dick has felt pretty good most of the day, I think.    I love this improvement and hope it continues.  Now, if my back will stop hurting.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

"We all get heavier as we get older,
because there's a lot more information in our heads.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it."   Unknown




I think we actually got our warm weather in the winter.   It was not bad today and there was no wind or rain but it is not what I would call warm either.


The day started out rather busy.    I got up at 6:30AM or thereabouts.   Dick was trying to get up earlier but DID go back to sleep for a while.   I like it when he sleeps until between 7 and 8.   This gives me a bit of time to get myself ready for the day.


This morning was trash day.   I put our four bags of regular trash and a bag of recyle.   One of the regular bags, I had put out last week and they didn't take it.   So I decided to just take it back out again.   This time everything was gone.   Dick says I will be wondering about that until the day I die.


Nancy, the home health aid, came after lunch to give Dick his bath, so I was able to go to vote while she was here.   After VNA stops coming, I am going to have to plan for help on voting days during voting hours.  Right now the help comes at 6:30PM in the evenings which would really be pushing it.


On the way home, I stopped to the Plymouth Art Center to buy my ticket for their annual spring concert which is a week from Friday.   That will be a nice break.   I am thinking of taking a drive out to Rhine Plymouth on this Friday to shoot a round or two and visit with the "guys" for a bit.  


We ate well today.   My leftover steak from Sweet Bazil and then leftover Spanish rice and pork for supper.    My refrigerator is about empty of leftovers.   Tomorrow is grocery shopping day so I will try to plan something fun for lunch.

Colleen from Embrace is here tonight and Dick has managed to have trouble three times at least.   The main thing tonight is that he let his wheelchair run out of power and Now we will have to hope that charging it all night will fix the problem.



EEEK

So I am watching Dancing with the Stars and getting ready to go to bed.
Perchance to dream.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A lovely day, despite the gray clouds and the intermitent sprinkles. It was not warm but not really cold either so I found it quite pleasant.

 Started off on a run to get Dick and myself up, cleaned up, fed and all the medical stuff before it was time to leave for Bible Study and the visit with Mom.

 This is Dick's real birthday. Leslie and Bill's musical card arrived today to brighten up the day.

 Bobbie arrived at 9AM and I zipped off to the post office to mail a little package to Barbara and to pick up stamps. I was still in plenty of time for the Bible Study. We had a group of 8 today. And a great discussion of a Psalm of Lament, Psalm 22 that starts "My God My God, Why have you forsaken me?" We actually have spent the past three weeks on this one as there is a lot of this in all of us. But reading through the rest of it brings a sense of the fact that He has not, after all, abandoned us at all.

 Mom and I had a nice visit and we got all her bills caught up and the end of April's documents stored away. She was looking very pretty today. We do so enjoy that time together.

 I got home at about 11:45AM, Ashley the RN, was close behind me and took the INR for Dick's cumadin level. It was 1.9, a bit low so Deb from the anticoagulation clinic has adjusted the dose again. Which means that we will have the VNA for at least this next week. He is healed from the procedure, so they are able to justify another week of medical need because of this instability. We ate more of the Egg Strata with fruit and breads for our lunch with Bobbie and I sent a piece home for Bill.

Then the rest of the day to ourselves. I took a nice nap, interrupted once because Dick needed help. I cleared up and put away the things from the Conference. Tomorrow we will be home all day. Nancy will come to bathe Dick and Coleen will be here to help get Dick to bed. So I intend to relax and finish getting paperwork and phone calls done AND go down into the den and cut out a quilt pattern.

 Take care and be good.
 Dia Dhuit

 Mary


 Goodness surrounds us.
 A shared conversation with a stranger
 Makes a friend along the way
Don't be afraid to open your heart
 Caring comes in all forms
 A Hi, A Hug, A Kiss, A cup of Capuchino.

Hi World. It was a rather nice day. The best part was that we could have breakfast with Richard and Brenda before they headed back to Madison. I fixed an overnight egg dish that is SO good with fruit and various breads. They headed in to the storm, but called that they got home safely. I feel that I accomplished a lot today. I managed a nice long nap this morning, prepared the newsletter for the Sheboygan Branch CWI and wrote 5 thank you notes. Whew. We had snacks for lunch and split the rest of Dick's spaghetti and meatballs for our supper. Dustye from Embrace came tonight to put Dick to bed, which gave me a chance to go downstairs and start the planning for a quilt that I bought the kit for. Takes a lot of organizing just to get started. Tomorrow, I will go to Mom's . I have some of the egg casserole and some scones for her. Dick, Bobbie and I will have the Strata for our lunch too. So it will be an easy day Fr. Van Beck announced that our new pastor will be Fr. Dan Volkert who is a younger priest and stationed at St. John the Evangelist in Greenfield. Fr. Van Beck retires in early June, so this will be a new adventure. Bless you and yours. Dia Dhuit Mary

Such a lovely day. Perhaps not the weather, though I found it quite comfortable. We got up at our usual 6:30ish and spent the morning getting ourselves together. Dick and I both are kind of pleased that we have been feeling just a bit better the past three days. I baked bread and prepared an overnight Strata for breakfast tomorrow. I had figured that Bobbie and Bill and Suzie and her friend JP would be joining Richard and Brenda and Dick and me for breakfast. The four of them can't come so we will have lots of food. Richard and Brenda arrived at a bit after 2PM with Bobbie and Bill close behind. Suzi, Dick's niece in case you didn't know, and JP arrived shortly after. I went to Mass at 3:30PM and left the Kunerts to just catch up. I got back at five to the middle of a lot of memories. We ordered dinner from Sweet Basil. Richard and Brenda picked it up. We sipped on glasses of Bobbie's Domaine Du May (Bolero) and later champagne to accompany our meals. It was a super birthday party for Dick. He loves all these people and was so happy they were all here. Such a great birthday party. I love to see him so happy. So. Tomorrow, Richard and Brenda will join us for breakfast before heading back to Madison. That is always a treat. Roxie, as usual, was her charming self with all the company. Dia Dhuit Rest yourself easy tonight. I love you all. Mary

A day mainly at home. I woke up feeling better than I have in quite some time. I actually felt like there was some energy in my body. Dick reminded me to take it very easy as we don't want me to ruin it by overdoing things. Jody came do the cleaning at 8AM. After she left, I baked some scones so that the family can all have a fun breakfast on Sunday. Suzi and JP are coming tomorrow afternoon. They will be staying with us. Richard and Brenda and Bobbie and Bill will be here in the afternoon also. This will be a celebration of Dick's 82nd Birthday which is actually on Monday. I am looking forward to the weekend and the company. I have finished three of the projects that should have been done by today. Mostly today too. See what feeling better can do for production. So that was the day. Nancy came to give him his bath at 1:30PM and I ran and did some errands while she was here. Kay is here tonight to get him to bed. This is always difficult as he keeps calling me, if I am here, and I get little relief. But perhaps he will accept it in time. When I was gone, he did fine. So until tomorrow Dia Dhuit Mary BRITISH HUMOUR IS DIFFERENT These are classified ads, which were actually placed in U.K. Newspapers: FREE YORKSHIRE TERRIER. 8 years old, Hateful little bastard. Bites! ___________________________________________ FREE PUPPIES 1/2 Cocker Spaniel, 1/2 sneaky neighbor's dog. ________________________________________________ FREE PUPPIES. Mother is a Kennel Club registered German Shepherd. Father is a Super Dog, able to leap tall fences in a single bound. _______________________________________________________

What a good day. We had a disturbed night. Dick had to get up twice, but with Greta from Embrace here at 7AM, I was able to go back to bed for a while. I did not have to go anywhere today. I am still exhausted and a day at home was a blessing. Dick seems very much in the now the past day or two. This is again a blessing. When I got up, I went downstairs and worked on clearing things up from my current quilting projects. The area is now quite acceptable for guests. As Suzi will be there this weekend this makes me feel good. She wouldn't care, I know, but I do. Ad next week I can start deciding which projects I want to start on next. I have pretty much dropped out of Quilt Club and Writer's Club but intend to keep on writing and quilting. We ate very good. We had Teriaki Steak, rice and salad for dinner and a hot dog with beans for supper. We certainly are spoiled. This weekend will be the celebration of Dick's 82nd birthday. We will have guests. Dick and Brenda will be here and Suzi, his niece, will also be here. I am planning to feed everybody on Sunday morning. I will fix an overnight casserole before they come on Saturday and I have fruit and nice breads for breakfast on Sunday morning for whoever can be here. I love having family here and it is so good for Dick. We just came back from a stroll around the tract. Dick met one of our newer neighbors, Peggy, and Don, next door helped us get out of a slight stuck spot. Now that summer is here, I hope to get him out often. Dia Dhuit M ary

Today was rather strange. I have felt rather weak all day. I took two naps. This helped some but I hope that this is not how I will be feeling every day. The nurse that came to take the blood test for Dick's INR kept telling me I look pale. This never helps as we all know. We know that if someone comes up to us and says "You look awful" you start to feel that way. I got the grocery shopping done while Kay from Embrace was here and I also got my hair cut. I feel 100 lbs lighter. Yvonne, an RN, came to do the IRN on Dick today. His count was 2.1 - perfect. So we are staying on the same dosage of warfarin for a week and then will retest. I pray for the day that we can test once a month. So perhaps someday things will become normal. The new normal. Dick was content today and felt pretty good. Marty from I spent as much of the time that I could stay awake sorting the papers that have accumulated on my desk. Tomorrow should be a final catch up day. We ate good today. Leftovers for lunch and venison steaks for dinner. I am going to bed at 8PM despite my two naps. I hope that this is just the settling in of the procedure I had done. Currently I itch, am numb and hurt. I must believe that healing is taking place. Dia Dhuit Mary The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson

"The harder I go, the behinder I get!"

Since I came home, I cannot seem to get caught up.  This morning I got up at 6:30AM for good.    Dick got up twice last night.  Once at 9:30PM just an hour after we went to bed saying he had to go the bathroom.   Then he again at 3:30AM.


At 6:30, we decided to catheterize as he really felt pressure.   Then he rested some more as Ashley, the RN, came to check him and see how the catheterizing is going.    It is not too hard but is just another thing that has to be done and takes time.   We have to do it three times a day.  He says that I don't hurt him and this makes me feel better.

It was trash day, so between 6:30AM and 8AM, I took care of getting that together.   Then, they left one bag and I have no idea why.

Dick had a dentist appointing with Dr. White today at noon for a filling.   So. Tim picked us up at 11:30AM to drop us off there.   This was a good visit.   The cavity was very small and had not destroyed the filling already in the tooth so it was a very easy fix.   We were home by 12:40PM.   This was great because I could fix a quick lunch before Nancy came to give him a bath.

I did lie down for a short nap at 3PM after Nancy was gone.   Good thing.   I am still sore and tired.

Colleen from Embrace came to put him to bed at 6:30AM so I took a drive over to see Mother and take her vitamins to her.   When I went on Monday, I forgot to take them along.   So I filled up her pill box and then we had a nice visit before her caregiver came to help her get to bed.

I got home at about 8AM.   In plenty of time to be sure that all was well with dick and do my business.

Tomorrow, I will be doing all my outside stuff in the morning and then will not have to leave for a day or two, so I figure I will be able to get sorted out and caught up.    While help is here, I can go downstairs and sort and check the shelves down there.   After the Gathering.   I have a real chore to get that accomplished.   But a couple of hours with someone else taking care of Dick will allow me to do a LOT.

So Are you sick of me yet.    It really was quite a good day after all.    Tomorrow I think I will fry out some brats as I have some hard rolls and some nice red potatoes for a salad.   Want to join us?

I did want to tell you a bit more about the weekend.   On Saturday   we had a Low Tea, presented by a chef from the American Club.   We found out that a Low Tea is really the more formal of the teas.   A high tea perhaps referring to the fact that it is usually later in the afternoon and was usually rather informal for the working man as he came home from work.   Anyway, we had tea, tea sandwiches (cucumber and salmon) and several tea breads and cookies and short breads.   We got the recipes for four of them and we have requested the rest, including the crayfish/Andoule sausage gumbo that we had for dinner the night before.  It was such a delightful presentation.  

More tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary.

This has been a much busier and rather stressful day than I had anticipated.

The morning went very well.   Bobbie came to stay with Dick while I went to Bible Study and to see Mother.

The three of us had cheeseburgers for lunch.   A good healthy meal.  

This afternoon, I did get a nap before the plumber came to check the cloggy toilets.     Then the Ashley the nurse came to remove the Foley and show me how to do catheterizing.    I think that is why I am so tired.   So I will wait until tomorrow and hope I am not too tired to be newsy.

Pray for us as we pray for you.

Dia Dhuit.

Mary

Home again after my Celtic Women weekend. 

It was, of course, wonderful.    I arrived at The American Club at about 12:45PM in plenty of time for the board meeting.   Bobbie had brought Spanish Rice for our lunch so I was in fine shape until the Seafood Buffet the in the evening.

I left the gift bags and other things that I had with me for the room such as the flags of the Celtic Nations and my Brigid pieces and

After a successful board meeting, I drove to the Inn on Woodlake to check in and change for the evening festivities.   We were back at the American Club at 4ish for a cheese and sausage reception followed by a lovely meditation conducted by Janice Bieshke.   This put us in a relaxed but upbeat mood for the rest of the weekend.   Then we headed up to the Immigrant Room   ( ooo la la - the 5 start restaurant in the American Club.)   I had invited Bob Fleming to join us for dinner.   As he seems to be "balking" at telling me how much I should give him for the Brigid Icon that he painted for me, I think I will "pay him off" in this kind of thing.   He loves nice things and the Immigrant Room is special.   I was so gratified to see him so happy.    We had a wonderful Seafood buffet and great company and more people got to meet the artist that created the St. Bridget.

I  will continue this tomorrow, as Dick and I are about to head to bed.   I need a good night's sleep in my own bed next to my dear husband.   Earlier this afternoon  he asked me where I was sleeping tonight.    I told him that I would be sleeping in the bed next to him.   He grinned from ear to hear and said  "Hot damn!"   Boy did I feel special.

Til tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

P. S.  Leslie sent a DVD of Marcus.   It is so lovely.   I just want to hug that sweet soul and kiss his soft little head.

Love

mary

Well,  here we are at the end of a Thursday.    Greta came at 7AM this morning.   (Of course, Dick was awake at 6AM so I had to keep him settled and comfortable til she came to get him up.)  I left at 7:45 to have breakfast at Hub City with Kate.    We had a good breakfast and visit.  I brought enough home for a supper for Dick AND me this evening.   

I shared the Wild Geese Wall hanging with her.   She forgot the writing that she was going to share with me but will bring it on the weekend as we are roommates.  

When we left Hub City, I drove to Walgreens to pick up prescriptions and other supplies.   Three prescriptions were not ready yet but should be OK tomorrow.   I will pick them up in the morning.

I arrived home just as Yvonne, the RN, was getting out of the car.   She was there to take Dick's INR.   It was at 2.9.   Just perfect.   So we have a slightly different dosage (because it did adjust so fast.) and he will be tested again next week.   But we are truly pleased.

Now it is, though still rather early, time for bed.  At least for me.   I ache and am exhausted.  I am hoping that two days without any exertion will help my body to heal.  Pray for me.

You will not hear from me until Sunday evening.    I will be thinking of you as I soak myself in Celtic things.

Dia Dhuit

Mary 

Glen the Squirrel

   

The Moral of This Story is the Best Part!

Debby Cantlon, who plans to release Glen, the young squirrel, back into the wild, bottle-fed the infant squirrel after it was brought to her house.

When Cantlon took in the tiny creature and began caring for him, she found herself with an unlikely nurse's aide: her pregnant Papillion, Mademoiselle Giselle.

Glen was resting in a nest in a cage just days before Giselle was due to deliver her puppies. Cantlon and her husband watched as the dog dragged the squirrel's cage twice to her own bedside before she gave birth.

Cantlon was concerned, yet ultimately decided to allow  the squirrel out and the inter-species bonding began.

Glen rides a puppy mosh pit of sorts, burrowing in for warmth after feeding, eventually working his way beneath his new litter mates.

Two days after giving birth, mama dog Giselle allowed Glen to nurse; family  photos and a videotape show her encouraging him to suckle alongside her litter of five pups.  Now, Glen mostly uses a bottle, but still snuggles with his 'siblings' in a mosh pit of puppies, rolling atop their bodies, and sinking in deeply for a nap.

Glen and his new litter mates, five Papillion puppies, get along together as if they were meant to.

Glen naps after feeding.

Glen makes himself at home with his new litter mates, nuzzling nose-to-nose for a nap after feeding.

Send this along to brighten someone's day!

Wouldn't it be nice if we could all get along   like Glen and the gang?

MORAL OF THE STORY: Keep loving everyone, even the squirrelly ones.

 

 

Hi All.

I got up at 6AM this morning so that I would be ready when Colleen from Embrace Care came to get Dick up in the morning.    Of course,  Dick woke up at 6 also.   It is uncanny how the days that I can sleep in, he is up early.   The days that we have to be up, he sleeps like a log.

Colleen got here at 7AM.   I had to help train her for the morning shift as Heidi, from Embrace Care, called to tell me that she had a terrible cold and could not to so.   I do not want germs getting into OUR house.  

So, I stayed with Colleen until she got his prosthesis on and he was out to the desk.  Then I went to the Pig to do my grocery shopping.

When I got home, I was so exhausted.   I think that procedure took more out of me than I thought it would.  I put the groceries away and updated Quicken.   Colleen helped me put the groceries away.   Then I took a nap.   I did not think that the procedure took to much out of me.   At t 10AM Colleen  left and I was almost awake. 

We had hot dogs with sauerkraut for our lunch.   NUMMY.  I had also baked a rhubarb pie.   I have to use up last years harvest pretty soon.

Mary Pitch from Embrace came to review what has happened the last month and look at the next month.   I did forget to cancel the weekend of the 5th which is Dick's birthday weekend so I will call tomorrow to do that.

At 1PM Mary from the VNA OT came to just review Dick's general health.   She will not have to come again but we can call if we need help.

The rest of the afternoon I spent getting a list of Dick's meds ready for the weekend and filling the new medical boxes that I have filled with his daily medications so that he will be safe while I am gone.  

I can't tell you how much it means to me to have Bobbie here with him during the daytime hours.  And Embrace will be here the rest of the time.   So he will never be alone.   He is my guy and we are best friends.   He is such a sweetheart and is perfectly content at home with me.    Mary, the magpie, needs to get out and be doing "stuff."   |

The CWI weekend is perfect for me to be "me" for just a bit.   I have asked my friend Bob , the artist who created my Brigid, to join me for dinner on Friday.  He won't tell me what I should pay him for the piece, so I will just spend my time treating him when I can.  He will enjoy the evening with Celtic Women.  He is already close to me and my friend Kate Herman.

So far, everybody who sees my Wild Geese wall hanging likes it.   I will take it to show Kate tomorrow morning when we meet for breakfast.   She is going to drive us to Kohler on Friday.  I can hardly wait.   Boy am I ever excited about the weekend.   It will replenish my soul.

I had a problem with a toilet not flushing so called a plumber and they came this afternoon and fixed it.  Aren't people wonderful?

Dia Dhuit
Mary

The day has been OK.  I don't feel too bad but am very tired.   So.  I will wish you all a pleasant evening and a gentle sleep.

Tomorrow, I am sure I will be more energetic.

Meanwhile.   God love you all

Mary

I am home safe and somewhat sound from my "adventure" at the hospital.    Dolores and Ken picked me up a bit before 8AM and Bobbie arrived just about then too. 

So I was at the hospital at 8:30AM as requested.   Then I had to wait until 10:30AM for the procedure as they have to do lab tests and wait for the results.   The only uncomfortable part of the whole thing was that I had to lie on my stomach and my neck hurts if I am that way too long.   However, after what seemed like a million things involved in the preparation, I heard Dr. Sidiki say, "How are you doing Mary?"   I said fine and then remember nothing until I was being wheeled into my room.  

It was almost noon by then.   I had to lie flat for an hour before getting up.   I was able to order lunch as soon as I was awake and realized I was hungry.    It was quite good.   A French Dip sandwich and fries and carrot cake.   So after my hour, I got up and walked a bit and, of course, went to the bathroom.  So at about 2:30PM Dolores and Ken were able to take me home again.   I sure love having family. 

I sent a painting by my brother Matt with them to give to their son, my nephew, Todd, who liked his uncles art.  They gave me two hats from St. Patrick's Day that they got at Mannings.   They felt so bad that I had to miss the festivities.   Aren't they great.    Wait until you see the hats.   They are spectacular.

I forgot to tell you that I saw a bald eagle yesterday.   Dolores and Ken and Bobbie saw one too, so they truly are back in Sheboygan County.    I count us blessed.

So.   I am taking it very easy this afternoon and evening.   Dick and I will be in bed by 9PM.   Tomorrow will be a quiet day for me though three different health care people are coming for Dick.   Actually this will make my day much easier.

Thank you so much for the prayers.   Now I have a week or so of discomfort and then the pain should be gone from my back and ribs.   If I see no results in a week, I am to call them.

Take care of yourselves

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Such a day.   I spent it trying to get ready for tomorrow and even start doing things for next weekend and even the weekend after.

I went downstairs and got all the fabrics put away and everything related to projects, except for the baby blanket, put away.    All I have to do for that is just the edging and a label.  I filled all the reception bags for the Gathering that I have and have the boxes that I have to take with me all in one place.

The weekend after next is Dick's birthday.   Actually his birthday is the 7th but I believe that Dick and Brenda are coming the weekend of the 5th.   AND Suzi, our niece, is also coming to visit the weekend of the 5th, so it will be a mini family gathering.     I find that very comforting.  

This evening Dustye came to take care of Dick at 6:30PM.   I went to Mother's then, as I won't be able to go tomorrow as I usually do.     This way, we were able to have a visit and I could make sure that her finances were all in order.   She seemed a little frail but it is later in the day.    She had her hair done yesterday and looked gorgeous, even more beautiful than usual.

My sister Nora called this afternoon and we had a lovely visit.   She and Leif will be leaving for China on a tour a week from Thursday.    What an adventure that will be.   Stenn and Bing will be there for part of it.   What a joy to have a daughter in law who will be able to translate and show things to them. 

So, I am having a glass of wine and then intend to be in bed by 9:30PM.   I have to get up at 6AM so that I can get myself showered and ready and Dick up and ready for the day.   Thank God for Bobbie who will be here to take care of her Dad while I have my "procedure."   Dolores and Ken will take me there and pick me up and bring me home.   Family is such a blessing and we are truly blest.

So time to wind it down.    I have pictures to post and there have been slight changes to both Google and the Blogger site, so I have some research to do before I can share.

Take care and pray for me if you have a minute.

Dia Dhuit

Mary