"Remember you are just an extra in everyone else's play." FDR

A lovely Sunday. 

I just puttered.  I got the trash ready for tomorrow and broke down innumerable boxes for disposal.   I called lots of loved ones to touch base and update.

It is Sunday after all.    Tomorrow I will be more directed but it was nice to have a day with no goals that still got a lot done.

I am living comfortable here now.    Still a few things "Missing" but they will show up.   My walls are still bare, but they will take a while.   I have to let the items find their place.

Love you all

Dia Dhuit

Mary

 "Remember you are just an extra in everyone else's play."  FDR

I am online in my very own home!!!!

I am listening to the Clancy Brothers on Youtube as I wind down for the night.   Life is good.

A lot is done and there seems to be twice as much to accomplish before we are settled, but Nicky Nicki andMand I are feeling fine because we can sleep in our very own bed tonight.   He seems happier now that we are settled in.  I think I told you that I did not wash sheets before leaving so that things would seem more normal to him.   He actually got along quite well at Bart and Barb's house and made reasonable friendships with their two cats and two dogs.

I now have computers, gas, water, electric and mail.  The only left service is TV which will come on Friday.  Tomorrow, I plan on just unpacking and arranging except for grocery shopping and stopping at Bart's to see how he is doing and picking  up my venison which I left in his freezer.  Bart and Barb have been so good to me.   Barb is working, of course, so is overworked just for that.  Bart has had to really push himself an has done it for me.   I am so proud of him.

Bad news, my nephew's home (Todd Hiner) burned up yesterday.    Praise, God, nobody was hurt but it is a total loss.   Pray for my Todd and those involved.

Until tomorrow.  

Love you all

Dia dhuit

Mary

I think the last of the workmen have been here.   I now have TV too.

They came at 8AM.    I spent the morning working around him.    He was very efficient and helpful.   The rest of the day I unpacked and put things away.

Marlise, Barb's Mom, came by with some information for me after lunch and we had a nice visit.   A welcome break for me.

I did some book work too.

Then at about 5:30PM I went over to eat leftover pizza with Bart and Barb.   Barb hurt her knee this morning and went to the doctor after work.   Nothing on the x rays but they are scheduling an MRI.   She is in a lot of pain.   Good thing it is a weekend.   Hopefully she will rest that knee.

Now it is late enough for me to be ready for bed.

No news from my Todd.  I will call Vikki and him tomorrow.   Prayers are so gratefully accepted.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Another day.   I got a lot done.

Most of the dishes are in the cupboards.   I bought the last of the things I need.   I have things ready for my TV hookup.

Obviously, my computer is working.  

I figure by Monday, I may feel normal again.   It does feel like home.   It is new to hear the artillery from Ft. Sill almost every day but I knew about it from previous visits.

Nicky seems really quite content.   I think that with familiar furniture and beds and all and ME, he is content.   He does like his yard, but makes me nervous when he gets too excited as I begin to think that perhaps critters are out there.  So far no sign of them however.

So tomorrow the TV service will be hooked up, then I am "fully serviced"?

FYI:   My nephew, Todd Hiner's home burned down yesterday morning.   Please pray for him and his children.   Everybody, including Dick Johnston, got out safely, thought Dick is in the hospital suffering from smoke inhalation (I think).  They lost everything material and a couple of pets which will be devastating , as we all know.   It is hard enough to lose them to natural causes.

Anyway.  Pray hard.   My Todd is a special guy.

Dia dhuit

Mary

I know it has been a while, but I told you it would be.

Bobbie and I had a blessedly uneventful drive down to Oklahoma, arriving at Bart and Barb's at about 7PM on Saturday evening.  Bless her heart, Barb had a big pot of her taco soup on the stove for us to eat before heading to bed.   

As we got in on Saturday, Bobbie and I were able to go to Mass on Sunday.   Then, in the afternoon, the four of us AND Marlise, Barb's Mom, took a drive up into the refuge here.   It was a beautiful drive through country that I have had the pleasure of seeing but Bobbie had not.   I hope we have whetted her appetite, so she and Bill will come down to visit often. 

Today, was the BIG day.    We went to a walk through of the house this morning and I signed everything this afternoon.  I am no longer a homeless person:)    

After the closing, I went to the house and unloaded the car.  Tomorrow, I am supposed to be having the furniture delivered in the morning and my brand new refrigerator, washer and dryer in the afternoon.   

By Thursday, me and Nicky should be able to get back to a normal life.    He is SO confused/

Tonight, Bobbie, Barb, Marlise and I went out for dinner.  Bart was not feeling too well, so   it was a girls night.   Tomorrow Bobbie goes home.      I will miss her.    But thank heavens we are in an age of email, skype, and easy phoning.   

Til later

Love you all

Mary

I am exhausted and Nicky is too.     We got up and started right in.   Kelly from R & R came and packed all my crystal and glass.  She got here at 8:30AM.  As she was leaving at 10:30 or so, Bobbie arrived and we started stacking and moving boxes so that they would be out of the way when Earthwise came at 4:30PM to pick up all the tvs etc.    Jeff an Kathy came with lunch (Kathy's homemade soup and pizza) and we kept packing and sealing and loading Jeff's car for St. Vinnies.    We finished up what we could at about 3:30 or  4PM.    Earthwise got her at 4:30ish and took all they promised. 

Alison came by at 5PM so that we could visit and she could see how well we have done.

It is not after 8PM.   I will take Mr. Nicky out and button things down soon as I need to be up a bit early as R & R is coming at 8AM tomorrow and I have to disconnect and finish stowing things in here, the office.   

This is the last blog you will have from me for a while.   I will connect with my laptop when I get to Bart's but am not in a hurry.   My Plymouth phone will be active until tomorrow morning after that use my 580 number.

So.  Pray for Bobbie and I as we travel to Lawton.   The closing is set for 3:00PM on Monday.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

What a day.

First - my phone rang at some ungodly hour.  I picked up and got a beep beep beep sound.   Later I got calls from Bart and Barb and the same thing happened so I called them on my Cell.    Barb was taking Bart to emergency.   His blood pressure was haywire and WAY to high.   Needless to say, he is not able to come up to ride down to Oklahoma with me.   Now we have to reassure him that he does not have to feel guilty about this.  He just needs to HEAL!

I went over to Time Warner with part of the equipment that has to be returned and she reset the phone.   When I got home, I tried it but it was STILL not working, so I called on my cell and after working with a really nice young man, got THAT squared away.    Kind of a pain as I will be cancelling everything on Time Warner on Thursday or Friday morning.  While I was out, I paid my RE Taxes and went to the post office.

Then I spent the afternoon, packing and sealing boxes.    Will it ever end.

Bobbie is going to ride to Oklahoma with me, so Bart does not have to feel guilty any longer.   We travel well together anyway.

I would be OK but it is MUCH better to have a companion.  Nicky doesn't have much to say.  This way, Bobbie can see the new house too.

So a hectic and profitable day.    Tomorrow I will call my loan officer and realtor to set the time for the closing on Monday.  Then I can set a time for delivery with R & R.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Tomorrow Bart will be here.   The next day Earthwise will come to get all the tvs and stuff and the next day R & R will pick up my household.   Then on Friday we leave.

Poor Nicky is so confused and it is so cold that he is still having trouble going to the bathroom.   He will like Oklahoma, I don't think they ever get below Zero.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A day at home, except for Mass at 9:30AM.  

I got a lot done and actually feel that I have somewhat of a handle on things.

Pray for me during the next week as I finish up here and make my way to Oklahoma.

The father of my sons called me today.  I only mention it because last week he was in the emergency ward with pneumonia so needs prayers.   I told him I would put him on my prayer chains and you are all part of that.

Tomorrow is comparatively quiet and Bart comes in on Tuesday.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

What a wonderful day.    My Celtic Women friends, had a going away party for me at 52 Stafford this afternoon.   We met about noon, toasted each other, visited, ate and just celebrated.    I saw friends from as far south at Chicago who cam to say good bye.    How blessed am I.   The cards and gifts were so generous and loving.   I am going to miss these women so much.   Thank heavens for email and phones.   I plan on coming up in October for IBAM in Chicago and will able to see some of them then. 

Janet informed me that we will have our April Gathering in Lawton next year.   So I will have to really get to work to establish a band of Celtic Women there.

It was so special.  

I did get some boxes packed also.   And Joan and Richard took the green leather chair.   Joan wanted it for her reflexology.   And I don't need three chairs and a couch.

Things are getting there.  I am just concerned as to what I do with trash, when I get to the end.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Except for taking a load of stuff to St. Vinnies and stopping at Walgreens.  I got to stay home ALL DAY.   Tomorrow looks the same.   I got a lot done.

Sorting and packing.

I let Nicky come with me to St. Vinnies and he was delighted. 

So same old, same old.

Til tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary.

Just got back from 52 Stafford.  Such a lovely evening.  Rip was there so we had a visit.   My friends, Nancy Coenan, Peggy Feider, Kathy Flath and Beth and Dean Dippel were there too.  I got to get my fix of Irish music and sing a couple of songs in memory of Dad.

Til tomorrow

(I get to be home ALL day)

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It is abominably cold.   Poor Nicky.   He is trying to figure out what I have done to his bathroom.    He did manage to accomplish both of his bodily functions today but it was not easy.

I understand that things may warm up above the 10 Degrees which is where puppy paws really suffer in the next couple of days.

I was home most of the day today.  I only left to mail the last documents required for my final loan approval on my Oklahoma home.   Nicky was delighted because he got to go for a ride for that.

My friend Joan Kramer came over today and harvested the names and emails of Celtic Women who are not on our paid membership.   We all feel that perhaps announcements of events may stimulate membership. Surely worth keeping free communication open.

Then this evening, my neighbors, Bob and Peggy Hurrie, had invited me and another dear neighbor over for dinner.    Nicky could to to that too. 

I did a lot of packing and sorting too.  Tomorrow I will be home all day again.  I am going to 52 Stafford at 6:30PM for dinner and the Craic.   Anybody who wants to come is welcome.

So I am going to watch the president's State of the Union and then go to bed.

Dia Dhuit

mary

What a two days.  

Yesterday was extra special as I was privileged to be a sponsor for Bobbie at her baptism at Grace Episcopal Church in Sheboygan.    It was a beautiful ceremony, a part of a high mass.    After the baptism, I hosted a celebration brunch at the Black Pig in Sheboygan.   A totally wonderful day and celebration.    Good for you, Bobbie.    I was so proud to be a part of your special day.

Today I went to see my friend, Joan Kramer, for my last reflexology treatment.   It was great.   We always have such a nice visit along with the treatment.

Then I drove over to Meadow View Nursing home to say good bye to Harriet, our friend who was such a protector for Mother when she was there.  We have known Harriet forever and she is a dear.  I could not leave without saying goodbye.

Only about 9 more days before I leave.   HELP!!!:)

Dia Dhuit

Mary



"A lottery is a taxation upon all the fools in creation; and heaven be praised, it is easily raised, for credulity's always in fashion." Henry Fielding from The Lottery.

I sang the last time at St. John's.   I also had the opportunity to be a minister of communion and share the host with the congregation.   I am so blessed.

The rest of the day was mildly busy.  I sorted and boxed. 

This evening, Jeff and Kathy and Tim, my buyer, came by and helped me take things out into the garage. for pickup.

Tomorrow will be special - a special day with Bobbie.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Again - I was OUT this evening.    I decided that since Rhine Plymouth started their winter league this evening, I would go out and shoot a couple of targets just to keep my hand in a bit.   Actually, I really wanted to be able to say good bye to as many of my friends out there as I could before I head south.   It was fun.   I saw and got hugs from lots of old friends.   I shot two targets and was not too bad (I was actually a bit disappointed)   Since I had not shot since last spring I had to manually eject each shell, (I obviously should have cleaned and oiled,) it was not too bad.   I got all the shots but one on the target and I know which one that was, so kudos for me.

The only other exciting thing that happened to day is that I got a check for $1.10 for the metal in the capped tooth that broke off.     I felt like the Tooth Fairy came.   When I was  kid, we only got a quarter so over four times as much is not a bad payoff.

Love you all

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Home most of the day.  

I did have my last choir practice this evening.   Saturday night, my last mass singing at St. John's.  
We had a great practice and Fr. Dan came in to think us for Christmas and bring his annual treat for us.    So we had a social in the church hall.

A lovely evening.   NOW, I AM ready for bed.

So is Nicky
Dia Dhuit

Mary

Just got back from 52 Stafford.   I have decided to go there this week and next week to enjoy the craic.   I don't know whether I will have any such thing in Lawton and want to get my "fix" before I leave.    It was wonderful tonight there were at least 15 participants and I sang three songs.   My neighbor Edie went with me and drove too, so I did not have to worry.   Another neighbor, Pat, joined us and two of my Celtic friends, Kathy and Felicia.   It was an altogether delightful evening.

A lot of last events are happening the next two weeks.    Tomorrow will be my last choir practice.

Anyway.   We were there and back way before the projected bad weather.  

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Here I am again

Yesterday was a zoo.

My usual Monday (Bible Study) was made even busier with tons of errands, a chiropractor appointment and culminated with a 5PM meeting at Mead (I got to smile at the plaque for my sweetheart in the adult  reading room) for a re-photo shoot for the Intersections - Art/Poetry at the SVA center in Sheboygan.   I missed the big shoot and the photographer volunteered to meet with the four who were not able to attend and "Meld " us into the photo.   I am blown away at the technology.  I will be gone for this year's Artists and Poets "adventure" event, but am blessed to be still a part of it as I was able to be part of the inception.   All of my Sheboygan friends please go.   Look for the exposure in March.  I will get the dates off to you also.

Today was also busy.   I picked up Nicky's vet information, went grocery shopping, such as it was in the morning.   I have been on the phone most of the afternoon EEEEEWWWWWW.   I feel that I am working again.   But I do believe that I have most of the financial glitches headed off at the pass.

I am home mostly for the next three days so I can continue with my weeding out and packing of things.

Please keep me in your prayers.   The future is coming at me pretty fast.

I will be spending Sunday with Bobbie for a special day and gathering.

dia Dhuit
Mary

Well.   I figure I have two weeks to get everything sorted and packed.   R & R is coming on the 21st but I will have enough to do that last week without packing.

It was a nice day.    Kind of cold and we had snow flurries off and on.   But there was no real accumulation, so it was just pretty.

Some of my neighbors, Pat, Alison, Kay and I met at the Roadside Wilderness restaurant for brunch and Bloody Marys as I had told you yesterday.    It was a great gathering time.   We shared and ate and laughed and mourned a bit.  What more can friends do?  I will miss them.  Aren't we blessed these days with email and no cost long distance and skype and facebook?     I can keep in touch with these great friends as I develop a life in Lawton.   AND I don't have to lose them.

Tomorrow will be very busy, then I have a couple of days to pack and sort again.   That seems to be working for me.

Talked to my brother George today.   He is such a great brother.  as they all are.   I am so blessed.

Dia Dhuit

Mary