The "serving wenches" Bing, Me and Michelle, Wild Game Dinner Feb 7, 2009.

The passing of the cup from Randy to Kathy 2009

It was a great day today. First, we woke up to temperatures ABOVE FREEZING. Dick managed to sleep a little late, so I prepared the roast for the Wild Game Dinner and vacuumed the living room while waiting for him to wake up. AND Chelsea and I went for the longest walk that we have attempted in many weeks. She was a happy camper. She kept barking and running around. Rick, one of our neighbors, was really tickled by her excitement. Boy is she dirty though. Next week, even if it is icky, she will have to be bathed.

Today was bath day for Dick. That is quite a production you know. But I am sure that he feels better once he is all scrubbed. After that he lay on the bed on his stomach and did some exercises that help stretch those muscles that have been sitting, literally, for months.

I gave him soup and half a sandwich for lunch. Jim and Michelle arrived at about 12:30PM. That way they were able to visit with Dick before we left for Randy and Donna's house. Dick had lost the sound on his computer and Jim found it for him again. Another good reason for a visit.

We got to Randy and Donna's at about 1:45PM. People were pulling in. After a few delays, the annual Beer Tasting Contest began. We were really high class this year. Shane and Georgine had brought a mick and amplifier so we could make announcements without shouting. A good thing as there were 22 participants in the contest and they had to try to identify 24 different beers. We serving wenches and bus boys were really kept hopping. Michelle, Bing and I were the servers. Jim did the glass washing and Evan, Kurt and Jodi's middle boy, was the bus boy. He begged to help. (sometimes he gets tips)
We were really kept hopping.

Then when all the imbibing was done - the scoring followed. Michelle and I did that with Jim as a backup. Michelle and I each checked each sheet. That way they were checked twice. If we did not agree, then Jim double checked US. There were some pretty big scores this year several 7s and three 8s. BUT when all the dust settled, Kathy Deeley, my brother Jeff's wife, (All you Deeley's, not everybody who reads this knows the family) won. She had a very respectable 9 right. Kathy has been trying to win almost since the beginning. 33 or 34 years. Everybody was just thrilled for her.

We had some fun first. Michelle announced the winner BUT we toyed with them for a bit. She announced that two people had tied at 8 right and that the two people were Jessica and Donna. This IS true but THEN Michelle said. "However, someone else won with a score of 9 and it is Kathy." Jessica and Donna were way to excited for Kathy to care that they did not win.

Then we ate. Jim, Michelle and I left just about 6PM right after an absolutely wonderful meal. We had grilled venison steaks, venison roast, venison chili, pheasant Mexican casserole, squirrel and rabbit emanadas, squirrel and rabbit barbecued, beans, Eileen's famous potatoes, salads. For dessert we had carrot cake, banana bread and Rice Krispie bars with chocolate on them.

I brought Dick a nice portion for his supper too. He was glad to have me home. Bobbie came and spent part of the afternoon with him so I did not have to worry too much.

Now I am ready to let sleep take me away.

How about the picture at the top. The passing of the cup from Randy to Kathy. Isn't it great. Quite a cup. There are 33 names of winners engraved on the cup and two pedestals that have been added as the years have gone by. A second generations names have appeared on it and in not too many years a third generation will be there, we hope. This is a family tradition that endures and means so much to all of us.

I will send a picture of the serving wenches today too. Maybe some other pictures tomorrow. We sure had fun.

All my love

Mary

Another busy day but it was easier in the long run because Dick did not have to go anywhere. We spent the morning trying to establish a routine. This becomes difficult to do when he has appointments but today was OK. We just missed him laying on his stomach and doing leg lifts and stretches. Time gets away from us.

I cleaned a lot today and Dick was working on Quicken. I had lunch with my bank buddies this noon which was a nice break. I also am caught up on CWI stuff, I just need to tie up a couple of loose ends.

I had to work at Rhine this evening. We have a small number of participants this league. It could be the economy, it could be the cold. But there are only 13 teams. Usually we have twice that. We have 17 pistol shooters though which is way over what we have had the past couple of years. A lot of us ladies.

Tomorrow is the Wild Game Dinner. I have to get the roast in the over quite early because it has to cook slowly and for a long time. Jim and Michelle will be coming at about 1PM and I will ride with them. Bobbie is going to stop off at about 3PM to be sure that Dick is OK and comfortable.

I hope YOUR weekend will be as much fun as mine. I always love these family get togethers. Wish Dick could be there, but maybe next year.

Take care.

All my love

Mary

It was a red letter day today.

We are two tired people, but we have very good reason.

Chelsea got me up at about 6 and the morning routine was pretty normal. She did not get a very good walk as it was still single digits and I have made it a rule not to walk far then.

The first real excitement came at 10:45AM when we had our appointment with Dr. Moreno. It went EXTREMELY well. He took off some outer scab and proclaimed that it is well on its way to full healing. We do not have to go back for to weeks (unless there is a change, of course.) He can now put weight on the front of the foot. There is still no walking or piviting, but we need to start using it. He said that in two weeks, if all is still well, he will be writing a prescription for a shoe or shoe insert. Then we can get to walking. So we were whoop de dooing all the way home.

It was kind of late, so we stopped and picked up lunch at Dairy Queen.

Bobbie got to the house at about 12:30PM to go to therapy with us. Lori was really happy to learn about the good report. Dick stood three times and did weight bearing for 4 t0 6 minute sessions. Really good. We are so glad that Bobbie is coming to help. She said that she will come any time that there are two appointments as it is really tiring to move him and twice is double hard. It REALLY helps.

We got home at about 2:30PM. Bobbie helped me rack the wine that has been sitting down in the wine cellar for months. I have just been too busy and distracted. Now we will wait 30 days and bottle it. Wine making is going to be a thing of our past. It was a fun thing for Dick and I to do together. Now that he can't help me I have decided to stop the process. We have one kit, White Zinfindal, left. Bobbie and I will figure out a time that we can do that together. Bobbie has decided that she will be dabbling in wine making and will take most of the equipment when she is ready.

After she left, I took about an hour nap. That has refreshed me somewhat, but I still intend to go to bed early.

Dick has no appointments until next Monday so that will relieve some of the stress. It is easier to work in all of the things we have to do at home, albiet a bit less exciting.

I will share a blessing that Janet Bieschke put on the card that accompanied the wonderful pillow that she made for Dick as a homecoming gift from the Sheboygan Celtic Women.

"May God grant you
Many years to live,
For sure he must
Be knowing,
The earth has angels
All to few and
Heaven's overflowing. "

Have a good Friday.

Saturday is the annual Deeley Beer Tasting Contest and Wild Game Dinner. Nephew Stenn and his wife Bing are going to be here from Texas. John and Holly will be here from Chicago. The tradition is that the winner of the Beer Tasting Contest hosts the next year's event. Stenn and John both want to be that person. How about a trip to Texas or Chicago?


Love

Mary

My quiet day turned out to be VERY busy. We started out with me going to Mc Donalds for breakfast. I brought home a Big Breakfast and an Egg Mc Muffin. We like that because we ALWAYs went out for breakfast on grocery shopping day.

Then I went grocery shopping. Dick went down for a nap at about 9 and slept until noon. I am somewhat concerned about that. He probably won't sleep tonight and we have a doctor appointment AND therapy tomorrow. I don't want to hear any "poor me" I am tired stuff from him tomorrow.

We had the prosthesis on him from 5 AM until almost noon. Ansd we put it back on him at 5:30 or so and will leave it on him until we go to bed.

I vacuumed the downstairs this morning. When I came up I found that the tv and the phone were both not working so I called Time Warner. They sent a technician out who got here at about noon. He went downstairs and plugged in the plug that I had managed to dislodge when I was vacuuming. Boy, did I feel goofy. But at least, if it happens again, I know where to look first.

I went to Kmart today and found some "football" gloves that should be helpful to Dick as he moves the wheelchair around. Then I picked up Dick's prescription and some bandages for my poor sore split fingers.

Home again. I am really tired.

I got an email from the Kettle Moraine players yesterday. They are putting on a play in Fond du Lac called Lovers Winners & Losers By Brian Friel an Irish playwrite. It is a romantic comedy. I sent a note to the Sheboygan Celtic Women and about 10 of us want to go on Sunday March 8. So I will order the tickets. I asked Dick if he thought he would like to go. He said that he feels he will be OK alone for that time but it is a bit too early for him to be trying some thing like that. SO I will go with some of my friends. If you are interested, let me know. The tickets will be $10. I can send you more information if you need it.

In the meantime I found a great quote today. I need to share it with you, my friends.

"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today."

Stacia Thaucher.

I love that. I remember reading that in the Koran it says somewhere that every child has a right to believe that God created the world just for him.

We need to be there to protect the little ones, our furture.

love

Mary

We only had to leave the neighborhood ONCE today. That was for therapy at 1:00PM.

We put the prosthesis on first thing this morning and it worked. So he kept it on until about 11:30, then we got all cleaned up and had lunch before going over to the Care Center. Lori was really pleased that we got the leg on. She put it on again and he stood three times for as long as 5 minutes, practicing putting weight on that leg. Tomorrow we are on our own so will put it on when he wakes up again. That is before the stump gets a chance to do any swelling and will help shape the leg and keep it formed. She reminded us that Dick has to keep his weight pretty constant now. Fluctuations in weight will cause the prosthesis to not fit. If he loses a lot, it will be too loose, but if he gains it will be too tight. Such responsibility.

So this was a nice day. I find that just doing the things that have to be done for Dick and taking care of the house and the animals keeps me busier than I care to be. Things will calm down as time goes on. Even now, Dick is becoming more able to help himself every day.

We used the threshold ramp for the first time today going out. It was there when we got home yesterday so we came in on it. It is perfect. It is SO much easier for us to get him over the threshold AND it is not so bumpy for Dick. It looks great too.

Tonight I went downstairs and did a bit of sewing and straightening up down there in the den. It has been MONTHS since I have been able to do anything.

That's the story for today. Kind of dull and I am not sad about that at all.

Love you all

Mary

Was St Valentine a true blue Dub?

by Dermot O'Gara

JUST about everybody knows that St Valentine is the patron saint of lovers. You may have known that he was a priest in Rome in the third century, and if you're really on top of your game, you may even have been aware that he died in jail, but you probably didn't know that his final resting place is Dublin.

In fact the good priests of the Carmelite Order have been looking after his remains in their priory in Whitefriar St, just off Aungier St in Dublin, for over 160 years.

I had my Monday morning. Kind of.

Chelsea let me sleep until almost 6AM. Then I fed the critters, walked Chelsea, helped Dick take his bath, changed the dressing on his foot and we had breakfast.

I left a bit before 9AM so I could stop at Walgreens and pick up Mom's prescription. She is always amazed that I get that to her just before she runs out. That auto refill program they have is amazing. They have a computer call me when it is ready.

I went to bible study. There were 6 of us there. A nice group of people and a nice group of three readings. I especially liked the Gospel. It was Mark's story of the visit Jesus made to Simon Peter's house when he healed Peter's mother in law. I like that because it DOES say that though the apostles left their jobs and way of life to follow Jesus. It appears that their families were also followers or at least cheering them on. After all, the mother in law rose after her healing and fed everybody. Sounds like a nice nurturing lady.

Then Jesus took time to slip away and renew his spirit. It is suggested that we all do this. A time in each day for a few minutes with God. I like my morning walks with Chelsea.

After the study, I went over to see Mom. She is fine and was so glad that Jeff came on Saturday and took her to Mass. She has been SO stir crazy. As nice as it is, she will be able to go to the Senior Meals tomorrow too.

Got home in time to feed Dick his lunch and get him over to therapy at 1:00PM. I took the cookies up to the staff upstairs at the Care Center. Those I saw all asked about their "Ernie". Lori, Dick and I talked about the problems that have come up. She was quite impressed with our innovative way of getting Dick up off the floor and back on the bed. I now know that, above all, we need to get that prosthesis on every day. She gave some suggestions for getting it on more easily which we will try tomorrow.

Home again. Bobbie and Bill were here. They had actually pulled up just as we were leaving for therapy and Bill installed the threshold ramp for us. It is really nice and makes the move, over the threshold much easier. Bobbie is going to come on Thursday to help us get to therapy as we have a doctor appointment in the morning and I will be that much more tired. I am sure glad she is around and that she is retired. Everybody is so much help.

Then I took Chelsea out to do her business and would you believe there were worms in her stool. Wouldn't you know. I called the Vet and took the sample in for testing. She has tapeworms. Probably from eating rabbit poop. I do try to jerk her away when she starts grazing on the walks but sometimes she is faster than I am. Anyway one quick dose of medicine and it will all be taken care of.

We had leftovers for supper.

Then I had to go to Rhine Plymouth for the monthly meeting. That went quite quickly and I was home by about 8:15Pm. Now it is settle down time and get to bed for the night. Tomorrow will be comparatively quiet. We have therapy at 1PM but the rest of the day is ours and we will be HOME. YIPPEE! Critters will like that too.

It is February already. We will have 40 degrees on the weekend. Bret is laughing at our heat wave. They are experiencing 80 degrees there. But we are content. Perhaps out snow mountains will recede some with all that heat.

Love

Mary

I saw a Great Blue Heron flying overhead when Chelsea and I walked yesterday morning. With my afterthought blog of yesterday, I forgot to mention that. I heard the cardinal this morning again too. These are signs of spring in this coldest and snowiest winter in ages. Where is this global warming. Send the polar bears down to Wisconsin in January. (Keep them in a relatively unpopulated area.)

With temperatures up into the upper 30s, we are feeling quite balmy here. Bret sniffed at that thought. The temperatures are in the 80s in Norwalk.

Now for the events of the day. It started with a bang. Almost literally. I woke up with a start at about 5AM to find Dick sinking to the floor off of the bed. The klunk of the wheelchair as it canted forward is what woke me. Fortunately, he was on the slide board and pretty much just sunk to the ground. No bumps, no damage to the wounds on the foot. Lots of damage to his dignity and to my peace of mind.

First, we determined -no injury. Then came the problem of getting him back up to either the bed or the wheel chair. The bed was a bigger target so we worked on that. We brought in two stools of different heights. First, with the gate belt, lots of arm work on his part and using the heel of the right foot, we "butt thumped" him up to the bed. Once there, we transferred to the wheelchair on the slide board as he is supposed to.

We just can't figure out what happened. He has been transferring during the nights without any problems all week. Somehow, he must have gotten the board in a bad position.

I told him we could always call 911 but we managed.

Later this afternoon when I took Chelsea out, our neighbor was driving home and stopped to ask how everything was going. When I told her about the above incident, she reminded me that Carson, her husband, is an EMT and she is also trained. She said that if something happens, we should call. If they are home, they will come over and help. That makes me feel much more secure. They could determine if we need more equipment too.

After that, the rest of the day was a snap. We have accomplished almost everything that we are supposed to. We were unable to get the prosthesis on all the way again. We will try again this evening. I hope that Lori can come up with some suggestions at therapy tomorrow.

I baked two batches of cookies today to take over to the care staff at Plymouth Care for a thank you. Of course we hold some of the workers in a special spot in out hearts but everybody was kind and helped Dick to the best of their ability. One can't give individual gifts but I wanted to do something. I am taking a few of them to Mother tomorrow too.

We had pizza today in honor of the Super Bowl. We will probably watch the game as it is always exciting, if nothing else for the commercials.

I talked to my Bret today. He is fine. He went jeeping last week and is going at least twice before summer. I told him to say hi to all of my friends. Someday I will go ut there to visit him and visit Tony's grave. I think I will ask my friend Janet and Bret to go with me. It would be good for me to have someone and Janet knew him. Bret never went to his brother's grave. I just couldn't go then. Now I long to. I need to tell him some things. I have never stopped loving him. I can still remember the smell fo the top of his little head.

I don't mean to be depressing. So lets move on. Tomorrow is a very busy day again. I am going to Bible Study and to visit Mother. Then at 1:00 Dick has therapy. Then in the evening, I will go to the Rhine for the meeting. I need to bring a couple of bottles or wine to Tom Lawonn who let me pick the currants for the wine. Dick and I shared a bottle a couple of weeks ago and it is quite good.

So be good to yourself tomorrow and think of me. I know it will give us strengh.

Love

Mary

I almost forgot the blog tonight. I was actually in bed, so this will be VERY short.

We were home all day except for me going to Mass at 4PM. Now we can just stay home tomorrow too.

I was busy all day. I did a couple of things for the CWI newsletter and vacuumed the livingroom and our big event was having Dick take his first bath other than sponge, since he has been home. Actually his first bath in a while because we have been unable to get that right foot wet. It went well. I am sure he feels better.

Anyway. We are OK and I am extremely tired.

Tomorrow willo be a resting day. I just want to bake and goof off.

Til then

Stay safe. I would say stay warm but it was 38 degrees today and we felt like it was a heat wave.


I loved the following. Don (Doc) Blake sent it to me.

Love

Mary

The Pentagon announced TODAY the formation of a new 500-man elite fighting unit called the United States Redneck Special Forces (USRSF) These boys will be dropped off in Iraq and have been given only the following facts about terrorists : 1. The season opened today. 2. There is no limit. 3. They taste just like chicken. 4. They don't like beer, pickups, country music or Jesus. 5. They are directly responsible for the death of Dale Earnhardt . The Pentagon expects the problem in Iraq to be over by Friday.

It was a strange night last night. Dick did not sleep well and was up for most of it. Then Chelsea got me up at about 3:30AM. It was very disjointed.

I finally got up for good at 6AM. There was a lot to do. I cleaned the cat's room (would you believe that the old office is now called "the Cat's room." Once a week it NEEDS to be vacuumed and the litter box REALLY cleaned. I cleaned the bathrooms and the kitchen too.

Bobbie and Bill came over shortly after one PM to work on the threshold ramp. Here is something really annoying. The threshold ramp looked like one would just set it on the threshold, one piece on each side and screw it on. But NOOOOOOO. It involves all kinds of adjustments to accommodate for the weather striping, and for the door jam itself. Bill is working on it and we will be all fixed by early next week.

The only other exciting thing was that Nancy Roehre and I went pistol shooting tonight. I did not do too well, but was able to improve as I went along. If I could just concentrate and not be worried all the time. Also, it would help if my shoulder was not so achy. I talked for a while to my friend Lil. She had not been aware of Dick's problems. I guess, because the club members knew, I assumed that the league shooters knew too. Kind of a goofy assumption. Doc's wife, Judy, was there tonight too. So I got to visit with her a bit. Doc is one of my favorite people and his wife is a special lady too.

Tomorrow is Saturday already. Monday will be February 1. Next Saturday, February 7 will be the annual Deeley Beer Tasting Contest and Wild Game Dinner. Randy is hosting because he won the beer tasting last year. I will be bringing the venison roast. I intend to do a slow Texas Roast. That is SO good. I will also serve the beer and tally the scores. Jim and Michelle are coming for the day. Michelle seems to like being a serving wench along with me. Jim likes serving the beer too. It will be lots of fun.

Tomorrow will be a quiet day. Also and adventure as Dick will have his first bath other than a sponge bath at home. Pray for us.

Have a lovely Saturday.

Mary

"I like to rub my meat with lemon and spices ...is a sentance that most men who grill cannot say without giggling like idiots." A Maxine

Well, the day started with a special treat. When Chelsea and I went for a walk at about 7AM, we heard a cardinal singing his heart out. We walked longer than we have been walking. Actually in the past month or two, our walks have been limited to just this end of Tallgrass Lane OR standing outside the garage door letting Chelsea go as far as the leash will allow because of the ice, or the cold, or the snow.

But the cardinal was a treat. The rest of the day was pretty dumb.

We went to the Sheboygan Clinic to see Dr. Moreno. Got there and realized that I had left the slide board sitting with the wheelchair in our garage. I KNOW it belongs in the car. But for some reason, wheelchair/slide board went together and here we were. I do not have to bring the wheelchair to the clinics because they have them in the entries for patients, but they do not have slide boards. We got into the wheelchair OKAY and went up to our appointment.

Not good news there. Because of the walking, there is damage to the wounds on the foot. It is not really BAD but he wants to keep any stress on the foot to a minimum for the next week or two. So for the next week all we can do is just stand on the prosthesis and foot and get weight bearing on the stump. So we were pretty discouraged.

Then ---- We get out to the car and we can't get Dick back in the car without a slide board. I went into Dr. Fehrman's office to ask if they had a board. They didn't but bless their souls, they checked around and found one AND a gate belt in Therapy and one of their people ran down to therapy to get it. She helped me, by then crying and upset, get Dick in the car. I am so eternally grateful for the goodness of people during all fo this. So we got him home. I got dinner started and then lay down for an hour. I felt a bit better when I got up. We had chicken, rice, peas and salad for dinner.

Bobbie got here shortly after noon. We loaded Dick in the car to go for his therapy session. By this time, he was totally exhausted. But, brave little soldier that he is, he accomplished all of the standing and other exercises that he was supposed to and we took him back home.

Then, as I reached in to pull the wheelchair out of the back of the wagon, I grabbed the arm instead of the wheel and the arm released and slammed me right in the lip. I have a bruise and a sore, caused by a tooth on the lip. I am so GLAD that Bobbie was there. She got her Dad into the house while I was putting ice on my poor sore lip. It doesn't look TOO bad.

After a cup of tea for Bobbie and me, she went home and I helped Dick to bed for a nap. He slept for almost two hours.

I learned three very valuable lessions. NEVER, NEVER leave the slide board at home, get into a habit of putting the wheelchair in the same way every time and ALWAYS look at what you grab to pull it out again.

Now, we have had supper. We put the prosthesis on for endurance and are just relaxing. We had chicken soup and tuna sandwiches for supper.

I will give you the following a few at a time for the next couple of days.

Love

Mary

Tips For A Happy 2009 and beyond…

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. Buy a Tivo (DVR), tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, "My purpose is to___________ today."

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy.

Fourth Day. This was another challenge day. We had a busy day because there was a doctor appointment, an anti coagulation appointment AND therapy. ALL in one day this makes a lot of action.

We left here at about 8:45AM for the medical appointments. They went quite well. Dick's blood count was .1 over what it should be which is not enough to change anything and could be just because we are adjusting to home life. SO we will go back in two weeks to see if any changes are needed.

Dr. Sharon is quite pleased with everything so far and will see him again in April with blood tests to determine the diabetes levels and all that stuff.

We got home at about 10:30AM so I went to the Pig to do our grocery shopping. I got home just in time to turn into a whirling dervish to fix dinner and get ready for the 1:00 Therapy session. Bobbie came to help us again. This is great. By noon, especially with the other appointments I am really tired, so it is great to have the help. Bobbie is going to come tomorrow shortly after noon to help with the trip to therapy again. As we are seeing Dr. Moreno in the morning, I will be more than ready for heap by then. Bill is going to install the threshold ramp sometime this week too. Every little thing makes life a little easier. We are learning shortcuts day by day.

Therapy went quite well. He had to be evaluated for Medicare and reestablish goals. But he did walk some and did all the other leg exercises. Then we came home. Bobbie and I enjoyed a nice cup of tea together then she went home.

I took a nap until the wheel chair guy came and did some repairs and adjustments on the chair. I hope this will take care of the problems. He tightened screws and removed the seat belt. At least it won't be making such rubbing noises. He said to call if anything else happens. Actually, because it is lighter and narrower it is working quite well except for the rubbing and the foot peddle flopping.

We had mac and cheese and salad for supper. Just right. Now we are closing down for the night. I have a big black kitty on my lap purring his head off. Chelsea has FINALLY settled down. She has been hyper all evening.

Dick and I are both VERY tired and will have to be prepared for almost as busy day tomorrow.

I bought a pizza for our Sunday Superbowl dinner. It seems appropriate to eat pizza on such an occasion.

Too bad our Packers are not playing. Perhaps we could host a party then. As it is, I am sure it will be just Dick and myself. Not a bad deal. I believe that Sunday will be one of those magic days where we will be able to stay in our own little house ALL day.

I still remember the excitement and magic of 1997 when "we", the Packers won the Superbowl. We do refer to our Packers as "we". After 12 years, a true Packer fan believes that they are the blessed team and never gives up hope. Packer stadium is, I believe, the only stadium that is full, to the max, no matter if they are winning or losing and there is at least a 20 year wait for season tickets. Quite remarkable.

Love

Mary

Another successful day. Dick woke up at 4ish which was not so good, but he had gone to bed early so got at least 5 hours of sleep. We hope that tonight is at least as good preferably better.

With one trip outside with Chelsea at about 3PM, I slept until almost 6AM. So it was a great night's sleep for me.

We got everything done today and there is a lot to do what with baths, and massages and taking off and on of the prosthesis. It was easier today. Partly because we are getting used to it and partly because my cold is slowly improving.

Bobbie came to accompany us to therapy at 1:00PM. That was very good. We ARE getting good about transfers. (transfers are moving from the chair to wherever, in case you didn't know. He slides on a transfer board. We have two, a 30 inch for the car and a 24 inch for the house.)

I was worried about collapsing the wheelchair to get it into the car because we had so much trouble when he was coming home. We were lucky that a man in the parking lot helped me. But this time I pulled up on the seat and it just collapsed without a problem.

Tim from National Prosthesis was there to check the fit and gait again. He and Lori are quite pleased with the process so far. We will just walk at therapy for a week or two then he will be able to start walking at home. By then we will have wheelchair transfers down pat and have to learn something new again.

It all went well. We got home and I rested a bit before supper and putting on the prosthesis again. He has to wear it off and on every day to build up endurance.

Bobbie is going to come tomorrow to go to therapy with us again. It is very comforting to have someone along and I feel safer too. We also have an appointment with Dr. Sharon in the morning, so it will be a busy day.

Mom and I were talking the other day about how Fr. Mike is trying to make his Sarnelli House compound self sufficient by having them grow enough rice and other food themselves. He has the girls in charge of weeding the rice paddies. They are not thrilled. I told him I understood. Mother still laughs at what a lousy gardener I was. Dad always had a garden for growing food for Mom to can for us to take us through the winter. We kids were always give a row to weed. Nora would whip right through her row. Not me. I would get about a foot or two and be "very sick". I always felt sick too, I remember vividly. I must really have hated. it. I didn't mind taking care of chickens or rabbits but hated gardening. Mike has the boys take care of any of the livestock. Maybe he could switch that. However, girls are more likely to become attached to the critters. I learned to accept that chickens and such were temporary pets as they were being raised for food, but not everybody can do that.

Well, Must rest now and get ready for another day. I am so proud of us getting everything done.

Love

Mary

The first day. It was an eventful day. For one thing, Dick slept until almost 8AM. This is almost unheard of. He has not done that for years. He came to bed at 11:30PM so I took Chelsea out then. That did help a bit as she didn't bother me until about 4AM. The only trouble was that I started coughing and finally got up at 5:30AM so I wouldn't disturb Dick.

I took a nap this morning which helped a lot. We are really very busy what with bathroom duty, bathing, putting the prosthesis on and off, meds and exercise.

The commode and the threshold ramp cam today. I am going to need help with the ramp, for sure, I measure the threshold but forgot about the door jam. That should not be a problem, but it is a funny jam and I think the rubber strip under the door will have to be removed on the inside. It'll work out.

We think the commode will help, but it made us have to start all over on our "plan of action". We have done very well on everything. I worry SO much about his right foot, but it looked fine this morning.

We have switched to eating our main meal at noon. This noon I prepared lasagna, with green beans and salad. We had soup and sandwich for supper.

Now, as soon as Chelsea decides that it is time to go out again, I am going to hit the hay. I am SO very tired. But the first day is over with. Tomorrow we have to add in a therapy session. Bobbie is going to come and help us get there. That will be a really welcome help.

This afternoon, Celtic Women had our first telephone conference of the year. I called it as I am the new president. We have a phone meeting every two months. This went very well. We covered a lot. They are such warm wonderful women and are all praying for Dick and me. They were SO glad to know that he is home.

Bart and Barb called tonight too. Good talking to them. They are well and her folks are too. I guess that's all for now. Chelsea is whining at me. So it must be bedtime.

Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite.

Love

Mary

This was the day. The very big special day.

Dick is HOME!!!!!!! I am sitting at my computer across from him, with Roxie on the desk under the lamp, Oscar on the back of the chair and Chelsea over on the side of the room. My home is complete.

I got to sleep until 6:30 this morning not counting taking Chelsea out at 3:30AM. Then I spent the morning getting the last things done around here. I went over to the Center at about 10AM and started loading things into the car. With all that I took home earlier, I thought it would be a snap, but you have no idea how much junk there is in all those little drawers and nooks and crannies. I had the whole backseat of the car full then had to put the prosthesis in the back.

Kate, the nurse, had reviewed Dick's meds with him again and we checked all the "first aid" and cleansing things that came home with us. There is a LOT. Now we have to figure out where to put things so they are at the ready when we need them.

We got him into the car, then I couldn't fold the wheelchair. A man on the parking lot helped and we got it into the car. When we got home, Jim and Michelle were already there so were able to be there for unloading the car and moral support. I wouldn't let them help me get Dick into the house though. As I told Jim, he won't be here otherwise and I have to know that we can do it alone. It is not easy but we did it and Dick will get stronger as we go along.

Bill and Bobbie arrive shortly afterwards with the TV. They took it downstairs and hooked it up already. We are back to normal. Now If we can finish healing that foot and get him upright and walking we will be home free.

I fed us all a meal of Schlitzhagen, mashed potatoes and corn with bread fresh and warm out of the bread machine. We had brownies and ice cream for dessert. All very good. I was so glad that they were here I helped work out the first kinks.

Jim and Michelle shredded all our newspapers for their Skylar cat who is having his claws removed this week. We all had good visits and Bobbie is going to come at 12:30PM on Tuesday to help us take Dick for his first therapy session. Then we will know how it goes and will have someone here if there are problems.

Tomorrow I decided that I will not go to bible study. First, because we need to be sure that Dick can be alone for a while, and second I still have this icky cold.

After everybody left today, I laid down and slept for over an hour. I needed more, but that helped a lot as I was almost sick I was so tired. Anyway, tomorrow, we will just be here and work out the kinks.

Jackie, one of the nurses, who was not on this morning, called this evening to wish him well and tell me not to work to hard. She said that if I need any advice, I can call her. Isn't that sweet?

Pray for us. I am delighted and scared at the same time.


Love

Mary

The countdown has begun.

This morning, I had to pick up SHARE. I usually pick up Kate to get hers too and called her early to see if she wanted to go out for breakfast. She did. We went to the Family Restaurant and both had Spinach/Feta Omelets with hashbrowns and raisin toast. Very good and I have enough for tomorrow's breakfast too. Then we went to pick up the SHARE. We got to the Armory and found that they had had to relocate to the Lutheran Church on Eastern Avenue probably because of some kind of maneuvers at the armory.

When I got home, I started cooking for tomorrow. And sewing on the cover for Dick. I am ready to put the back on it and then just have to tie it. I need to finish a "bib" or two also.

I had two meal vouchers left for the Center, so I had Dinner and Supper with Dick today. I brought a few things home each time. There is very little that we have to carry out. We will ask the kids to go over to get the TV when they get here. I will be glad to have it back downstairs again. It is nice when I am sewing and doing my crafts down there.

When I was sewing today, that silly Roxie came down and proceeded to get to the highest place in the room, the top of the cupboards over the stove down there. She jumped up on the counter, to the microwave, to the refrigerator and then to the top of the cupboards. She was quite pleased with herself.

I went to the 4PM Mass. Now I can devote tomorrow to getting Dick home safe and sound. He has his new wheelchair. It is a light weight and a bit narrower. He says it is a bit snug but not uncomfortably so and he is planning on losing a bit more weight anyway. Hopefully, the wheelchair will be a temporary thing anyway.

My cold is worse today. I figure tomorrow should be the worst day, then it should start receding. My ear was bothering me a bit too. That really bothers me. I have taken some decongestant and hope that will take care of it. It probably isn't helping that I have to keep taking Chelsea out in this cold and that little old lady has to go more often. Well, that is the way it is so we will cope.

Have a great Sunday. I will, I know now that my sweetheart will be back home with us. Wonder what the critters will think of that.

Love

Mary

FLORIDA COURT SETS ATHEIST HOLY DAY


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is too good not to forward.

MaryJo Kaufmann

Well, now I've gone and done it. I caught a cold. So far I am keeping the symptoms under control. I hope I can continue with that. I always figure if you treat the cold, it lasts 7 days, if you don't, it lasts a week.

Goofy Chelsea got me up at 2AM. I don't know what is wrong with her these days. I had trouble getting back to sleep. But at least I rested well.

I cleaned the kitchen floor this morning before going over to spend the morning with Dick. He started therapy at 10:30AM and Tim from National Prosthetics was there to make a few adjustments on Dick's prosthesis. Actually, it needed very little and Tim and Lori are pleased with his progress. We will be bringing the prosthesis home with us tomorrow and he will practice putting it on and off and just wearing it every day. We will go in three times a week to practice actually walking until he is ready to go it alone. Big steps today.

His wheel chair also came to the center this afternoon, so we are rolling.

I had lunch with the bank ladies. We had a pretty full crew. Marlene, Betty (recovering from her surgery), Dawn, Ceil, Barb, Mary and me.

I picked up some new pillows for us on the way home. I figured that since he will need more than one for bracing himself, a new one was in order. When I arrived home, the Time Warner guy was already waiting for me. It was only 2PM and I had not expected him until between 3 and 5 so this was a real bonus. He did a quick and thorough job and was out in about an hour and a half. Everything is working just fine.

I did some sewing on Dick's lap robe. I had hoped to get further, but should be able to finish tomorrow.

At 5PM Nancy picked me up to go to Rhine to shoot our first rounds for the winter pistol league. We are excited. There ar 13 people signed up for pistol this league. I didn't do too well but will keep plugging along. I shot 4 targets and the last was showing SOME improvement. Toni and Janet, who are also Celtic Women, are shooting also. They are so excited that Dick is coming home, that Janet made a special pillow for Dick to welcome him him from the Celtic Women. After he gets to see it , I will take a picture and post it for you to see. How sweet is that? It is personalized for him also.

Then I had to take a couple things over to Dick and kiss him goodnight. Now me and the critters are settling down for a long winter night. Hope you are too. It is supposed to be getting cold again.

So tomorrow I cook. I am picking up Share too. I will have lunch and supper with Dick but intend to spend the rest of the time at home getting the last minute things done.

Til then.

All my love and stay warm

Mary

Well, another day closer to being a family again.

Chelsea woke me up at 2:10AM. Needless to say, I was back in bed with the door closed by 3:10AM and slept until 6AM. Roxie is quite nice about not banging on the door during that time, but she is waiting for me when I come out, ready for breakfast.

I vacuumed the bedroom this morning and did a load of wash before heading over to the Center. I was there in plenty of time to go down to therapy with Dick. We discussed wheel chairs so I had to make a couple of calls before going to Mass at 10AM. Fr. Van Beeck was there to say Mass for whoever of the residents wished to come. I was glad I did not miss it.

We brought Dick upstairs with his prosthesis on and he kept it on until after the afternoon therapy, after 3PM. He had very little discomfort except when actually getting up or sitting down. Then there is a sore spot on the stump. He has little problem while walking, just a little tightness. Tomorrow Tim from National Prosthesis will be there to do some more adjustments and give more hints.

We now have the current list of all his meds. Some of what we had are good and the Center will send whatever are left of his current bubble packs, so we will be replacing them as they run out. We have an appointment with Dr. Sharon on Wednesday so can firm everything up then.

I hope to high heaven that everything we need is ordered now. We have the slide boards, the threshold ramp and the commode are on the way. I HOPE we have the wheelchair coming. That has been a nightmare. Everybody tells me that I need to do something different. Dr. Sharon is probably ready to kill us as he must have four requests for different information. All we want is a wheelchair covered by Medicare and nobody knows what they are doing.

I ate lunch with Dick today and when all was done, I came home at about 4:30PM and STAYED. I need some time to recuperate. Hope I am taking enough.

Dick got his hair and beard cut today too.

So it was a busy day. Tomorrow looks just about as busy. But I have to be home between 3 and 5 to wait for Time Warner. SO I should be able to rest then. Saturday, I intend to stay home EXCEPT for having dinner and supper with Dick and going to Church. Then Sunday is the BIG day.

I am glad that Bobbie and Bill and Jim and Michelle are coming for dinner. It will be good to have someone here for part of the day in case there are bugs to work out.

Take care and pray for us.

Love

Mary

A few more steps closer to the Homecoming.

I slept so well last night. Chelsea did not wake me up until 3:30Am and I did get right back to sleep until 6AM.

I went grocery shopping fairly early then arrived at the Care Center at 10AM. I was in time to watch Dick do most of his morning therapy. We got back to his room just about the time Jeff came to help me bring our green recliner home. It is not heavy but is bulky and Jeff was kind enough to bring his truck today. While we were at the center we stopped to see an old friend of Mother's who is a resident there. Jeff was in school with his son. That was fun.

Jeff was heading for Sheboygan Falls and lunch with Mother. It is her birthday today. She is 93. Jeff did a bunch of chores for her while he was there too. Then Eileen and Fred were bringing her supper. So she had a home birthday with lots of attention.

I took dinner/lunch over and had that meal with Dick, then came home and stayed. I napped for an hour or more, then vacuumed the old office and positioned the green chair in there.

Since then, I have been trying to just take it easy. I did a few computer things but have tried to stay very quiet. Rest is the order of the day.

So that was the day. Tomorrow, the nurses will go over Dick's meds with us and we will be sure we are all on the same page.

Hope you have a gently sleep and a good day tomorrow. We must enjoy this "heat wave" as I understand that another arctic front is heading our way.

Mary

Today was VERY interesting.


I got up at 6AM and seemed to be on the go all day. I had tons of things to put away and get straightened out this morning before going over to spend the morning with Dick. I also had to put out the trash. I got to the center at about 9:30, having taken out the trash on the way. He went down for therapy at about 10AM. We spent an hour trying on the prosthesis and working on getting on and off of the toilet. A very essential thing if he is to come home.

We got upstairs in time to watch Obama take his oath as president listen to his acceptance speech. I thought it was a good speech and enjoyed the invocation very much. We really watched inauguration all day whenever we were near a TV. Now I am tired of it. I ate dinner with Dick then we met Lori from Therapy downstairs to come home and do a home evaluation to see what we might need to do to make everything safe.

A bit of a side. When I walked down to therapy, Leah, Lori's assistant, who had a baby just before Christmas, was there visiting with her little sweet angel, Tanner. He is a beautiful baby boy. I don't know how long Leah will be gone, but perhaps Dick will be done with therapy altogether. That would be bittersweet. Leah is very nice but we would like to be DONE.

Then Lori, Dick and I came home. Bobbie and Bill were here putting in the last of the grab bars for Dick. Lori really put Dick through his paces, with and without the prosthesis. He got on and off of the toilet, moved around the house, to his desk and into the kitchen. He also got in and out of bed. Chelsea was SO glad to see him. He felt good about that.

We did not get back until almost four o'clock. Then I had to go to Walmart, the vet and to the bank before coming home for supper. I did go back to see Dick one more time but I was so tired that Dick felt bad that he asked me. Anyway. I am home now and will go to bed as soon as I can.

A new Maxine

"Personally I think conservatives and liberals should move towards the middle of the road. Makes 'em easier to run them over."

Love

Mary