Sorry I dd not post last night.     The evening was very difficult and it just did not work. 

Richard and Brenda were with us until about 11AM or so so we had more visiting time and a good breakfast before they left.   Richard put the storm door in the front for us.   I am so grateful as it was very cold today.

The afternoon was quiet, though Dick has been coughing a lot and seemed to be having trouble concentrating.  Heather came at 6:30PM and I went and did some shopping then drove over to Mother's to see how she is doing.

She is really tired and I stayed until her caregiver came to ask for some help that Mom was concerned about.   I was pleased with the response and the concern of her caregiver.

I got home shortly after 8PM.  Heather was putting Dick to bed.    That worked all right but the night was difficult.    I had to get him up in the middle of the night to sit in his chair.   I catch naps between the problems.    Last night the cough medicine finally helped with the coughing at and after sitting up for a couple of hours, the pain in his legs stopped.

We had a pretty good morning but the coughing was rough after lunch.   His sugar level was off too.  I called for advice to Aurora but Dick refused to go in.    The doctor said that he should be OK until Monday.  

Tonight I helped him to bed at about 7PM because he is in such pain in his legs.    He seems to be settled so I plan on going to bed soon also.    I am really in need of sleep.

I appreciate all the prayers and concern that you all have for my sweetheart.    I just feel so helpless sometimes and hope you don't mind my venting.

Dia Dhuit

Mary


~~~~~
I was always taught to respect my elders,
but it keeps getting harder to find one.
~~~~~

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!   It was a lovely day.   The temperatures were up in the high 60s.

Bobbie and Bill came over close to 9AM so that I could go to Mass at St. John's.   It was a well attended service.   The Adult Choir sang beautifully.    I was assigned to be Eucharistic Minister so was quite pleased.   That is always my joy.

Home again.    Dick, Bobbie, Bill and I just hung out and visited.  Barb and Bart called just before noon and we had a really good visit.   Three more weeks or so and Barb will be done with her current classes.    She needs a break.  It is so hard to go to school AND work AND have a life.   They had their Thanksgiving with Adam and Lexi and the girls today.

Richard and Brenda arrived at about 12:30PM.    We all shared a glass of champagne and then sat down to a sumptuous meal prepared by Bobbie.    We had turkey, stuffing, squash casserole, roasted Brussels  Sprouts, mashed potatoes and gravy and salad.   Oh, besides that we had devilled eggs, raw veggies and other nummies for appetizers before dinner.

Talked to Mom this morning and she seems to be feeling OK.

So Happy Thanksgiving Hope you are all stuffed

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Too much to do today.   I had my MRI on my shoulder this morning.

I think I am ready for tomorrow when Bobbie takes over the kitchen.

Happy Thanksgiving Day tomorrow

Mary

I was home until 6:30PM.    I was busy all day.

Gary Anderson came today and repaired the linoleum in the master bath.

AT 6:30PM, Heather arrived and I went to pick up prescriptions at Walgreens, Take Mother hers, had her sign a bank paper and went grocery shopping.

Got home at 8PM.   Still trying to get Dick to bed.   He is a bit confused tonight.

Mother was not feeling quite up to par either.   Just an uncomfortable day.   Maybe it is the moon.

Pray for all of us.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

This was a very nice day.     I had to get up at 6AM so that I could be  ready to go to  my chiropractic appointment with Dr. Poppy at 8:40AM.  Bobbie got here at 7:30AM.  So all went well.   I came home between the appointment and the bible study to be sure that Dick was comfortable for the morning.   It all worked well.

Bible Study was very nice.  There were 7 of us.  A nice group.  We finished our discussion of Psalm 30.  I have such a support and prayer group with this Bible Study.    We really help each other.

Mother was doing pretty well today.  We got her bills all paid and set her pills out.    I have a bit of banking to do for her and will pick up some pills from Walgreens tomorrow.

Home again.   Bobbie, Dick and I had chili and banana cream pie for lunch.

I took a long nap this afternoon.   My friend LuAnn and her friend Elaine came by this afternoon for a cup of tea.  LuAnn is taking over the Annual Christmas Tea that CWI sponsors with the SCHRC and the Plymouth History Museum.   I am so grateful.   Getting people to chair these yearly events is going to make life a lot easier for me.   I knew people were willing but just needed to learn how to ask.

So until tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

As promised, a quiet Sunday.   I was able to stay in bed until shortly after 8AM.   It was one of those days, I might have stayed in ALL day if I didn't have responsibilities.    I am actually feeling much better than I have been feeling but am still kaddy wampus.

We had our joint Chili for dinner this noon.   It is really good.  So, Dick and I make a cooking duo to contend with.  I also made Irish Brown Bread and cranberry relish today.   This week will be busy and I have to leave Wednesday afternoon free for baking  the pumpkin pie.

Got  a call from my friend, Maureen.   It was a call for help.   She couldn't find the recipe for ice box shortbread cookies that we got from the American Club at our Annual meeting.    Luckily I found it while we were talking.   I know how FRUSTRATING that is.   I was doubly glad because it gave Maureen and I a chance to just talk for a while.    It has been a long time.   I have such good friends with Celtic Women and Maureen is the best.

Jeff called a couple of times this afternoon.    Randy and Jason and Kurt all got does out hunting.   Randy and Jason on Saturday and Kurt today.    Brandon, Kurt's oldest, was out his first year.   He did get a shot off at a buck today.   What a thrill for a first time hunter.   I seems that Jason is going to butcher the deer as it is going to be warm mid week and he is currently not working.   He absolutely refuses to take it to a butcher shop.   (Sounds like Tim and Dad's spirit seeped in to him.)  So unless there are more deer harvested on Thanksgiving, we will not be butchering on Friday.

I have been having difficulty downloading pictures from my camera to the computer.   That is my project for tonight.    It is driving me bonkers.

Tomorrow is Monday already.    I will spend time with Mother and have a chiropractic session.   Hope things start feeling better soon.

Love you all

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Except for going to Mass, we were both home all day.

Dick did help me make the chili.   He started by chopping the veggies, but the veggie chopper gave him trouble so after a bit, he measured out the spices for me.   I was happy for the time together doing something.   Tomorrow we will sample the chili and BOBBIE, guess what we will have for lunch on Monday?

With the chili this morning and Mass this afternoon, I did not get anything else exciting done at all.  I stopped at the Pig on my way home from Mass.   So, I didn't get here until 5:30PM.   Roxie was quite unhappy with me.  But she has forgiven me now that her tummy is full.

Dick seems very exhausted tonight.   I hope he settles in OK.  

Home ALL day tomorrow.   YEAA!!!.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

What a good day.   The temperature was in the mid forties, but it was so damp that it felt much colder.  Kind of into the bones.

Jody came to clean at 8AM.  We had a nice morning.   I got a lot of things sorted and put away today..   I do feel a bit better but had to rest at about 10:30 as Dick had an appointment with Dr. Cheryl, the eye doctor, at 1:20PM.    We had a good trip.   The most difficult part was getting out of the car at the doctor office.    But it worked and actually, Billie, one of the staff, had a suggestion that just might help that part of the process.    Use a towel, along with the slide board.    We will try it next time.

The exam went well.   Dick's goofy eyelash was coming back but was still not scratching the cornea, so we were in time.   His sight is holding its own and we adjusted the glasses so that it will not be pressing on the bridge of his nose.

The rest of the day, we just hung out.  

Heather, from Embrace came tonight and I spent the time downstairs, mending a couple of shirts and working on the wall hanging that I am making out of Mother's crazy quilt squares.    I wanted to have the downstairs clear of my mess when Richard and Brenda come.    I do know that they wouldn't care, but they deserve an uncluttered place to rest in.

Can you believe that next Thursday will be Thanksgiving already.

I had hoped that Dick would work with me tomorrow to make a batch of his chili.   He had me buy the stuff a couple of weeks ago and keeps putting it off.    I guess I'll just have to do it myself.   It is after all, a measured chili.   I had just wanted us to do something together.

Last night my Bret called.   We had not talked for a couple of weeks and I had been meaning to call him for a couple of days too.   He is very busy at work and putting in overtime.    In the liquor business this happens around the holidays.    He said he has been dating a gal.   I am glad.   Time will tell, of course.   But she seems to be enjoying things he does and he likes doing things she does.    

Dia Dhuit

Mary

What a wonderful day this was.   I am still a bit congested but feel a bit better.   I got up at 6AM to feed Miss Roxie and get myself ready for the day.

Today I went to the Sheboygan County Caregiver Conference that the Alzheimer's Association sponsored at Acuity.    It was really wonderful.   

Kay from Embrace Care got here at 8:30AM to that I could get there by 9AM for the checkin and opening ceremonies. We had two keynote speakers.  Rev. Tom Fleishman who is the county chaplain for the health care centers here in the county.   He was marvelous. Giving examples of people that he had dealt with and learned to meet them where they are not where we expect them to be.

Next was a breakout workshop on dealing with stress. It was called How do I go On and presented by Todd Heinen.   A lot of things I had learned before but a good reminder and he also gave us a cd of a meditation that we all experienced together at the end of his talk.  A good way to be able to practice meditation.

Lunch followed and it was super.   We had chicken, rice, veggies, Caesar salad and cake.   I did not have to spend a cent all day.   The cost of the event was $5.

After lunch I went to a talk on Food and Fitness for the Brain by Laura Dolfin.   I took a lot of notes and will have to sort out the information.

Then our final speaker, a women named.Lynda Markut, who spoke with a title "It Wasn't Supposed to be This Way."   The end of the quote from a man who was in a nursing home with his wife was "We were supposed to have time in the sun together."  She gave us a lot of quote's from her mother from the time after her mother was diagnosed with Dementia.   A good example.   "Tell it liked it is; but remember the truth is easier in small pieces."

She also had a wonderful quote fromSylvia Boorstein.   "I'm not OK.   You're not OK, and that's OK."

So on that I will rest for the night.

I hope your day was also good.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Wednesday already.    I slept late again.   Sure will be glad when I am over this weakness.    Just have to keep fighting the infection.

A quiet day overall.   Dick felt pretty good all day.   We had a pleasant time.

Tonight I left at 5:30PM for the Poets Corner at Mead.     Sy was ready when I stopped to pick him up.   He and I always have good visits to and from the library.   There were thirteen poets there tonight and we heard some wonderful work and had some great discussions.    I read my poem about the killing of the trees in back of us and George's poem called PRIDE about Dad from his book Old Red House.

They seemed to like them both.    We are quite the little family of poets.   I believe!

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Got to stay in bed a bit later this morning but had to be ready to get the trash out on time too.   I still have a bit of a cough and headache.

The day went very well.   I FINALLY caught up on my emails.   Tomorrow, I have to send the newsletter to my non computer members.  And I will clear the desk, get ready for tomorrow night and the next day and if Dick remembers, review our financial and legal matters.   As I said.  He may not remember, but I will remind him.

This evening, I made it to the ATM machine, as I have been out of cash for four days, Walgreens and the Pig.   So it was a successful Tuesday.

Tomorrow I will be going to the Poetry Corner that Karl Elder leads tomorrow night.    I have two poems and one my brother George wrote that I would like to share.  

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Church Quote

"How do we make holy water?   We boil the hell out of it."

It was a very busy morning.    I should not have complained about Roxie not coming in to wake me in the morning.   She hopped up there at about 5AM and pestered me until 5:30AM.   Then she left me to myself and I almost overslept.    I had to get up this morning because I had that first appointment with Dr. Poppy, the chiropractor. 

Bobbie got here at about 8AM and I went right over for the appointment.    I should be seeing her twice a week for a while, but because of a couple of things going on Thursdays it will be once a week for a while.

I went right from there to Bible Study, stopping to fill up my tank in Falls.   We had a full table again and a great discussion about Psalm 30.    Talk about trust in God, not losing track of him or getting too complacent in our ways.

Then I went to Mom's.   She is weak but we did just fine.   She and I got her bills paid and her pills put out and we picked out a couple of things for her to watch tonight on TV.    This will be one of the first nights that her care giver will come at 8PM and stay until she is actually in bed.   She agreed that this is a good idea.    Hope she remembers this.

Bobbie, Dick and I had cabbage soup for our lunch with cheese and crackers.    Then Bobbie went home.    Dick said that she really did not have to read the blog as she either was here for it or heard about it.

Dick and I napped after Bobbie left.     I only got about an hour but it was better than nothing.   I do feel a bit better today and hope another good night's sleep will knock out the rest of this infection.

I am trying to watch Dancing with the Stars but that is always a challenge as this is the time of day that Dick needs to be moved or tucked or have legs taken off or on.  I think I have been able to get my votes in anyway.   I do have my favorites.

It was COLD today.   We even had a little bit of snow.   None stayed on the ground however.

Bart and Barb called tonight.   They were on their way back home from Wichita Falls where they did a bit of shopping.   Barb has a new car a KIA, I think,  and has her phone voice activated in the car.   Cool.  It worked just fine.  So good to hear their voices.   

So it was a busy day.   Tomorrow will be quiet until the evening when I will shop.

Take care

Dia Dhuit

Mary

What a good night's sleep I had.   I woke up at about 6AM and thought I would wait for Roxie to come to get me to fix her breakfast.    The next thing I knew, it was 7:30AM and she had STILL not come so I got up.   She was sleeping on a chair in the living room and was glad but not anxious to see me.   She is changing her pattern again.  We all know how she likes to keep us guessing.

I did get quite a bit done today.   I sent out some emails, baked some scones, and wrote out a couple of cards.   I paid some bills and straightened out around here.      I also took two naps.    One would think that all this rest will pay off in restored health.

Tomorrow I have an appointment with a Dr. Poppy, a chiropractor, tomorrow morning.    Dr. Leben is hoping she will be able to reset my spine and help the pain in my ribs.

All of my activities are in the morning so I should be able to keep restoring myself in the afternoon.

Please pray for the soul and family of my friend Pat Monaghan, who died last night.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Boy, this was a day to remember.

I got a call at 8:30AM or so from Mom's caregiver that Mom was having another fainting event and they had called 911.   

Jody was here cleaning so I asked her if she would stay with Dick while I drove over there.  By the time I got here, she was already being transported to Memorial.   So I came home again and waited for phone calls.  Jeff let me know that she was awake and fine.   They sent her home before lunch.  Too bad, I had cancelled Meals on Wheels.    There is plenty of food in that house anyway.   Eileen was staying with her and through the night.

Tomorrow we are gathering at 10:00 to see if there is more we can do to be sure she is safe.

Dick had his cumadin level checked today.   It was 3.7 so we had to adjust meds and will be back there in two weeks.   I lost him on the way to the cumadin clinic.     We got off the elevator together.   We started down the hall and I told him I would go ahead to check him in.    When I turned around he was gone.    We finally found him.   For some reason, he had gone back on the elevator.   Last time I'll go ahead.

We saw Dr. Sharon today too.  Nothing new there, but Dr. Sharon now knows his current condition and I feel good about that.  We are trying a new med (Yippee) that might help the phantom pain.

We picked up fast food from the DQ for our lunch.   Then we rested.

I went to the bust up party at Rhine tonight.

Good visits and good food.

So  Until tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Except for grocery shopping this morning, I did not have to go anywhere.    I spent as much of it as I could just resting.   I am determined to beat this infection.

Tomorrow, Dick gets his blood tested AND sees Dr. Sharon for a checkup.    I have been getting more and more concerned about the pain he feels, the exhaustion and think he needs to be seen.

Will report tomorrow night.
We had Chicken Alfredo for our lunch.   Quite good.    Tomorrow night is the bust up party for the pistol and trap leagues

I am watching Cupcake Wars and then will be getting Dick ready for bed.  When he is in bed, I can go too.  

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I am feeling a bit better after two days of antibiotics.

Slept a bit late then had to really kind of push my sore body as I had to leave at 12:30PM  to be at the Sheboygan Clinic to see. Jon Niewolny  about my shoulder and Dr.Bobbi Leben about my ribs.

I have an MRI scheduled in two weeks for the shoulder and will make an appointment to see the chiropractor her in Plymouth for my ribs.   

So it is a waiting game but perhaps we will find something new that can help the discomfort.

I got home at 3:30PM,   Rested and just tried to catch up on a few things.

Dick is making noises in the bedroom.   He doesn't want to go to sleep until I come in.    Sometimes I just need a bit of quiet time to settle my body before going to bed.   

Tomorrow will be quiet.

Dia Dhuit


Mary

Well,   I went to see Dr. Murthy today and it is official.    I am sick.  

I had a low grade fever and after his exam he determined that I have a sinus infection.   All the drainage is causing the coughing.  Then he found that my right ear was plugged, so they cleaned that out as best they could.

So I am almost relieved.   He prescribed and anti biotic for me to pick up on the way home.   Yea.  There is a cure.   He also told me to rest. 

I got home before Kim had to leave at 12:30PM.   She had to be at another place at 1PM so I was not able to vote then.

As I was preparing lunch, the Service Master Crew came to clean the carpets.    Ed Schroeder, who is a friend and started the company, came with his kids, who now do the work, and was kind enough to stay with Dick while I drove over to City Hall to vote. 

There was a steady flow of people, but no long lines at 1:30PM when I got there.   I was able to make my marks and get out and home very quickly.

Ed helped me put Dick down for his nap as the desk pads are up so the carpet could be cleaned and can dry.  Dick knows Ed pretty well too and is good company so I was grateful.

Neither of us is very hungry, so I am fixing creamed egg on toast for our supper. 

After we ate, I laid down for a while.   Now I have to be up for a bit before going to bed.   It is almost 8PM.  Heather, from Embrace, is coming then to put Dick to bed for me.   I am so grateful.   She came in at 6:30PM, I had actually cancelled the evening visit, but we agreed that she should come back at 8PM which will be the most help for me.   Dick and I can both get ready for bed but I won't have to be moving him around tonight which will really help.   I am hoping the anti biotic will have done some good, at lease for the pressure in my head.    I am going to gargle again with salt water just before I go to bed and perhaps have a glass with salt in it in the bathroom in case I start really coughing during the night.

Tomorrow will be better.   I will see Dr. Leben about my ribs and Jon Newalney, orthopedic nurse, about my shoulder and arm tomorrow. 

Now if they can give me something to cure those pains I will be eternally grateful.

Dick said the he now has proof that God is watching over me because when Heather showed up unexpectedly, it was the answer to a prayer.    I am so weak that I was kind of dreading getting Dick ready for bed.  

So pray for me.   I cannot be sick.    We all know that.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A quote from William Debs

"Too long have the workers [...] waited for some Moses to lead them out of bondage. I would not lead you out if I could; for if you could be led out, you could be led back again. I would have you make up your minds that there is nothing you cannot do for yourselves."

Today started out pretty bad.  I woke up with that same old headache and was all sweaty.   The day went on that way until after lunch.    I laid down on the couch to watch the Packer game and my head seems to have stopped hurting.    I hope I am right.    I feel pretty good about it.   I am wondering now if maybe I had a touch of the flu.

I need to really rest and hopefully will sleep well tonight and tomorrow be ALL better.   I can't stand non productive days.

Tomorrow I will be a very happy and busy person and have lots to say.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Today was a lost day.     Dick had to get up at 3:45AM, so I, of course, went back to bed.   He fed our Roxie cat and I did not get up until after 8:30AM.   The only reasons I got up were guilt and hunger.   Dick needed his meds and some attention.   We had breakfast and then Dick napped.   I laid on the couch and read my book.

By noon, we were ready for lunch.  We had Mac and Cheese with cauliflower and cranberry relish for lunch.   Then I laid down on the couch and slept until 3:00PM.   I woke up feeling like all the aches had at least receded for a while.

Heather arrived at 3:30PM  and and I headed to Mass.   A lovely Mass talking about the greatest Commandments.   The first comes from the Old Testament which was read in the first reading.  Deuteronomy 6:2-6.  Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.

Jesus, the good Jew that he was, quoted that and added. And love your neighbor as yourself for the love of God.

When I went up for communion I asked Jesus to do some curing as long as he was inside me.

We had pizza for supper and probably will go to bed early.   Tomorrow, thank God, is another quiet day.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I was right.   It was a much better day today.   The headache is way in the background and my other aches stayed away until later this evening.

Jody cleaned this morning and Kay came at 6:30PM this evening so that I was able to finish shooting my targets at Rhine.   I only had two left.   When I got there the place was empty except for three of the people working.    Only one other shooter had been there all evening. Leann shooting pistol also and she had only ONE target to shoot.     I did very poorly on my first one but still got a 31 and much better on the second.  Oh Well, It is still lots of fun.

On the way home I stopped at the Pig  to pick up a couple of things I had forgotten on Tuesday. Got home and still had forgotten the Dishwasher detergent -  the main thing I needed, so I zipped back and got it.

I had a friend who always said that the first thing to go is the brain.

Dia Dhuit

Mary