As I went to bed very early last night because I had to get up at 3AM to get ready for my trip, I did not blog then.

I am all ready and have enough time now, so here you are.

A lot of good going to bed early did me.  I didn't sleep very well.   I found out that I do know how to set the alarm on the new alarm clock.    Turning it off was another thing, I hit the snooze and then when I was in the shower, there it went again.  

It was a mainly quiet day, especially after Bobbie came to pick up Roxie this morning.   I had been explaining to her that she was going on vacation too.   As Bobbie said to Kitty Camp.    She, of course, was quite upset when she was put into her carrier and taken for a ride,  but Bobbie emailed that she was settling in just fine and was trying to tell Bobbie that it was time to take a nap shortly after noon.

My first trip in such a long time.  

If I get to a computer, I'll blog but otherwise, have a nice week.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I was almost asleep last night when I remembered that I had forgotten to blog.    Dick would be very proud of me for not jumping up to do it.    He always wanted me to relax.

I just was too busy all day,   I am getting everything ready for the trip and don't want any of my projects to be neglected while I am gone.

My neighbor, Jean, brought me the Sunday paper just about 5ish.   I invited her to share a glass of wine with me and she graciously accepted.   That was nice.     A glass of wine with a friend is always a pleasant way to spend an hour or two.

Today was a typical Monday.   I went to bible study.   We had 7 of us there and couldn't quite get past Psalm 118, which we have been on for three weeks.   However we started off with a discussion of the first episode of the mini series, the Bible.   It is always difficult to understand why Abraham allowed Hagar and Ishmael to be sent out into the desert after Sara had her Isaac and was jealous of Ishmael.   But God came to the rescue in the end.

The I went to Mother's and we paid her bills and made sure that she will not run out of things while I am gone.   If we missed anything, I am so blessed to have brothers and sisters who will just pick up the slack and take care of it. 

Tonight I drove over to Redeemer Church to practice for the Spring Concert for the Plymouth Arts Center that Kate talked me in to.   We are singing grand pieces from older musicals, like Chorus Line and Porgy and Bess and songs like I Got Rhythm.   It is fun.  But I am really tired now.   As Kate said, it is past my bed time so I am just going to go there.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It is after 10PM.   I just got home from having dinner with my friend Rosemary Mugan and then enjoying a concert by Theiss and O Connor at the Plymouth Arts Center with her and a whole slew of other friends that also came to enjoy the show.

Anyway, I am tired and going to go right to bed.    Hope you sleep tight and hope I do too.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Happy St. David's Day.    The daffodils I bought to celebrate the day.   Daffodils are blooming in Wales and are a big part of the celebrations.

It was a quiet day.    I was home almost all day.   I did go and have lunch at Dairy Queen with the Bank Ladies.   There were only three of us.    But it was a nice break in the day.   Always good to have someone one likes to talk to.

Same old, same old at home.     I just keep plugging away at things.   And eventually will be through everything.   Still can't bring myself to do Dick's clothes, but I was chilly the other day and got one of his flannel shirts out and I love it.    It makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

Til tomorrow.   I am going to see Theiss and O'Connor tomorrow evening with my friend Rosemary.   They are a great local Irish trio. 

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I stepped outside of the house twice today.   The first time to put a letter in the mailbox and the second to pick up the mail. 

Not a bad day.   The snow has stopped falling and the wind seems to have died down.   Not especially cold but not warm enough to reduce the very high snow banks around the greenspace in front of the condo.

I had a maintenance on my water heater.    The gentleman who came said that he was a block over at one of my neighbors.   They also have windows out under a deck and there was a big deer resting there.   He startled it a bit, but not enough to make it run away.    With all the snow AND with so much of their habitat was stripped for the impending railroad that I recon they are looking for sheltered safe spaces.    We do have at least three, I thought I saw four, that run back and forth behind us.

I believe that I have finished mending the top of Mom's Cathedral Window quilt.    I say believe, because those little loose tabs can hide, I have discovered.    I turned it over and now will check all the bottom seams, many of them are loose also.

I worked on the Cookbook today too.   So it was a full day.

Tomorrow will be a day at home also, unless something comes up.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A winter Haiku by me

Gloomy Cloudy day
Made a hole for the sun and
Broke into a smile.

I am too tired to spend much time here tonight.   You all know that I am a 9 O'Clock Wonder and it is almost 10PM.

The Celtic Gathering we planned occurred at 52 Stafford was just great.   There were six of us, despite the storm.   I was able to tell those attending about Sts.  David and Piran and to share the Welsh Cakes with the members attending AND the customers around the bar.

The music was  the icing on the cake.

Now I am tired.  I love you all.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

The predicted storm started a couple of hours ago.   The previously clear driveways are now all white again.    The storm started with a strong wind, I could hear it when I napped.

I got a LOT of trash out today, I have been shredding.   I am a couple of years behind so next week will be another heavy load for the trash guys.  

Then I went to do a couple of errands.  I did a bit of grocery shopping, I don't need much but did wander the store and got some cat food and trash bags.  Then I filled up my tank  in the van as I was below a half a tank.    Then I decided to go to Cain's Floral to see if they had a Daffodil plant.   I wanted one for tomorrow for the CWI Meeting.   We are celebrating St. David and St. Piran and the daffodil is featured at all of the celebrations for both feast days.    Daffodils must be blooming in the British Isles now.

The rest of the day was spent here at home.   There is never a lack of things to do.    I never get bored.   If I am tired of doing something, I just go to something else.

Today, I baked some cupcakes.    I had a lot of corn left from dinner (I had some with two meals from the same package already) so I searched and make a batch of corn/bacon cupcakes with a maple frosting.   They are OK.   I like them but they are not at all like the decadent  cupcakes that I made a couple of months ago.

Tomorrow will be quiet until evening when I will be going to 52 Stafford for the CWI meeting and the Craic.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Just another frantic Monday,

I had to have the car at Van Horn for its oil change at 8AM.  So I brought a book along to read while I wait.    I had Heaven is For Real.    It is SOOO good.  

From there I drove to Sheboygan Falls for Bible Study.   Several people are on vacation, but we had a group of five and lots to say.    The smaller groups sometimes are very intimate. 

Mother was fine today.   We did the pills and bills and had good time leftover to visit.   She really feels pretty will.   She will see the eye doctor on Thursday,  her sight is bad and it is distressing her.   I can't blame her.

I left for Sheboygan from there, picked up some supplies from Office Max and then went to Mark Miller's to get my taxes.   He got done much sooner that I thought he would, it always depends on how busy he is and if he needs more information.    He agreed with me that there is no way to figure out this year at all.   I will file single and probably only have standard deductions.   So we will wing it this year and next year be able to adjust.   

Home again, I took a great nap.    I must have been much more tired than I thought as I intended just to rest for a bit and fell sound asleep.

Tonight I went over to Redeemer Church for a practice for a musical program that will be at the Plymouth Arts Center in May.   My friend Kate has been trying to get me to come for years.   I finally went.   I hope it isn't too much.   I love singing and had a great time but am still trying to pace myself.   We are singing pieces from several Broadway musicals, so at least I am familiar with the music.

So that is the day.   I am now very tired and it is past my bedtime  So rest well tonight and be ready for the day.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It would have been a whole day at home, BUT my printer ran out of black ink (darn) so I had to go OUT!

I went to Walgreens where I could pick up  some cartridges and refill a prescription that I would have had to do tomorrow.   So - Tomorrow is a very busy day and this will be one stop that I don't have to make.

A neighbor came over late this morning for a visit.   Alison Smith, the condo board president, you remember her, Jim and Michelle, a really lovely lady.    She is such nice gal and has a really big heart.   I think she was worried about me, just because.   We had a very pleasant visit.   I will check in with her when I get back from my trip to visit again.


Then I spent the rest of the day getting things ready for Monday, which has turned into a marathon.  The rest of the week is pretty lazy, thank God, but Monday will test my mettle.   I start at 8AM at Van Horn for a service on the Van.

Must to early to actually BE somewhere.   I didn't used to feel that way.   Must be gettin' old.

Til Tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A snowy day.   I woke up to an unplowed Tallgrass Lane.   Jody got here at exactly 8AM despite the weather, so I figured that it would be alright.   I had an appointment with Dr. Leben, the Physiatrist, this morning.   

She checked me over and decided to give me some steroid injections in the various muscles to see if this will bring some relief from the pain.   I am to call her next week to let her know how this went.

Then I went to see Heather at the Spa Studio for a massage.   That was very relaxing, but with all those treatments, I still hurt.   A day or two should tell the tale.

I decided to spend the rest of the day just puttering around,.   I did a little research on the Saints Davis and Piran, and did a little more trip planning and talked to a couple of people.

My taxes are done, so I will pick them up on Monday.

I talked to the out of state and city kids tonight, except for Jim and Michelle,   I got their answering service so will call them later in the weekend.   It just seemed a good night to do that.    I sure felt good hearing those voices.

Time to get ready for bed now.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

"If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague."

A whole day at home and the only time I stepped out of the house was to get the mail.    It was wonderful.

An unexciting day to report though I was pleasantly busy with writing and sewing and with CWI projects.

You can absolutely see that this is the kind of day that Roxie really expects from her person.   Unfortunately her person can't do that every day and would probably be in a booby hatch if she did.

Tomorrow, a doctor visit and a massage.   I hope that both bring some relief to the pain.   I am sick of being so tired every night.

So.   Cross your fingers. 

Dia Dhuit

Mary






 "In times of joy, all of us wished we possessed a tail we could wag."W. H. Audin

These have been two very eventful days.

Yesterday, the snow came.   Apparently the worst was from Plymouth north, but it made me very anxious because yesterday was the day that Bobbie and I were going to Milwaukee for the Shen Yun performance at the Milwaukee Theatre.    I kind of tested the streets shortly before noon by going to vote, stopping at the Pig and filling the gas tank.   It wasn't TOO bad.

So I took a nap after lunch and left at 5PM to pick Bobbie up.  Between Plymouth and Sheboygan, the traffic was just crawling suddenly.   Soon I found out why.    There was a rollover in the medien.   So Bobbie and I decided to go because of the rumors that it was not bad to the south and we were very glad that we did.    There was low to moderate traffic and the roads were just fine.

The performance was really indescribable.   The costuming, the dancing the visual effects, the singing.   It was well worth the drive.   My arm and neck really started hurting.  Bobbie was willing to leave at the intermission as a kindness to her old sore stepmother but I told her that I would be OK.
And it was.   I would have hated to miss the last half of such a dynamic show.    We had not seen anything like it before and it opens up LOTS of questions.

I got home just before midnight and went right to bed with a heating pad on my aches.

This morning was much quieter but I had a haircut appointment at 9AM so had to leave my poor sad Roxie again.   But I was only gone a couple of hours.   Since I was out, I went to Walmart to exchange my Soda Stream aeriator and I picked up a couple of other things while I was there.

I took a nap again.   I really like naps.   Then I worked on Mother's quilt and then almost finished some articles that I need to send to Maureen for the CWI newsletter.

So I have been busy but pleasantly so and tomorrow I will be home ALL day.   Yea.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Mondays are way too busy.    And I am way too tired tonight.

Started off with Bible Study.    We had a nice turnout today.    Better weather and no ice.   Even our little Jan, who is so frail, was able to come today.    She is such a joy.   And we had a new friend.  Denice, who knows both Joseph and me.   I hope she comes back.    We are such a support.   Another friend, who I met while Dick was at the Plymouth Care Center and who joined the Writers Group, may be coming too.  Peggy is a great gal and would be a good prayer partner.

Then I went to Mother's and got her bills and pills taken care of.   Randy stopped in while I was there so I got to visit with him for a bit.   He and Donna were in Vegas over the weekend and he took today off for good measure.

Next I picked up my sewing machine that was in for service.   I brought that home and headed to the Cream City Writer's meeting.   It was really good.   Lots of nice work this month.

I came home and took a nap.  

Tonight was the conference board meeting for CWI, so I am very very tired and will be extremely happy to be in bed tonight.    My shoulder and arm are really getting sore.

Take care, tomorrow Bobbie and I are going to Milwaukee in the evening to see the show Shen Yun 2013 at the Milwaukee Theatre.   I am excited, but don't expect to hear from me tomorrow.  The show starts at 7:30PM and I will just pile into bed when I get home.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Such a great day.   It was REALLY cold.   At least I thought so.

I spent the morning doing several things.   I worked on Mom's quilt.   I am about a third of the way through with the repairs.   I worked on the cookbook.    Really feel that I have things on track.   I intend to have it done by the end of March.

Then at 1:00PM is was at Becky's house for a Wildtree Freezer Bag workshop.    It was fun.   Jessie and Becky's mother in law were there so I knew two of the other attendees.   The others are friends and coworkers of Becky and are lovely young women.     We had been instructed to purchase 10 different "bags" of meet and some vegetables and bring them in gallon freezer bags to the party.   Then the cost of the party included spices and oils by this Wildtree company which we all flavored our meat with and sealed up to bring home and freeze.    I brought half the quantities of meat she suggested because it is after all only me.   Then I divided most of the packages again so I have reasonable amounts for one - some of these will end up being two meals anyway but that is good.   I now have 20 or more meals ready to pull out of the freezer, all spiced and ready to thaw, and cook.   With the instruction.

So a good day.  

I am making plans for a vacation.    I am going to visit Bret for a week.   I will go on a Thursday and we can go to his river property.   I will get to see his place,  meet his friends,   go spend a day with Jacquie and just relax with one of my boys.    I am planning at this point on leaving on March 7th.

Am I excited?   Yes!!!!!


Dia Dhuit

Mary

I liked today.    The sun was shining.   It was cold but with little wind and the sun, the snow that fell last night was all gone by noon.

Jody came at 8AM to clean. I spent the morning working on my book, researching for the Celtic Saints, St. David and St. Piran.   They both have their feast days in early March and the Sheboygan Celtic women are going to meet on February 27th, a Wednesday, for the music.    We are meeting a bit early for dinner and a meeting and I will give them a talk on the two saints so that we can celebrate their feast days too.   It is really SO fun to learn about all our Celtic sisters roots.

I also spent some time sewing on Mom's Quilt.   I am getting there.  It will take a couple of weeks though as it is very finicky work sewing all those little points that have loosened back together.   I can only sew for a short time before my shoulder hurts, for one thing.

Went to the Dairy Queen for lunch with the Bank Ladies.    The Dairy Queen still has the grilled cheese sandwich.   I think it was better under the old management.   But it is still a grilled cheese and OK.  It is Lent and I do abstain from meat on Friday's.     The day that Jeff and I took Mother for her doctor appointment on Tuesday, we talked about the fact that the next day was Ash Wednesday, already.    Mother mentioned that she is so old that she no longer is required to fast or abstain.   Jeff and I laughed and reminded her that we don't have to either.  Same reason.

This afternoon, I prepared all my bags of meats and veggies for Becky's Wildtree Freezer Bag workshop that is tomorrow afternoon.   That will be a fun way to spend and afternoon.  As if I don't have enough food already.

So enjoy your evening or morning depending on when you are reading this and I will check in tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

 

 

 " If you could see the journey whole - you might never undertake it; might never dare the first step that

propels you from the place you have known

toward the place you know not."

                                                                J. L. R.

What a day.    I stayed in bed until almost 8AM.  Sometimes I sleep the best towards morning.   Last night was difficult because my arm hurt so much that I had trouble getting to sleep.   I used the heating pad and it did seem to help.   I have been using cold during the day.

Who knows.

I worked on one of the books that I started to write quite some time ago and have brought our of the drawer to finish.   It is fun reviewing it.  I read the forward to the Sheboygan Writers and they seem to think it has promise.   It will be a cookbook with stories to go with the recipes.

I also worked on Mom's quilt a bit this afternoon.  That plus one more set of drawers cleaned kept me busy all day. 

I saw that it was snowing some this afternoon.   I really don't know how much there will be on the ground but tomorrow is a day in town anyway.    I really only plan on going out once to lunch with the bank ladies.  

Roxie has been very pleased with me today. 

Today was St. Valentines Day.   Several people wished me a happy day.    I missed Dick even though we usually just shared E Cards on this day.

Jim and Michelle called tonight.    Was good to hear their voices.   Jim is recovering quite well from the tooth that was pulled but has a procedure to replace a filling and cap the tooth next to it tomorrow so keep praying that all goes well.    They sounded good otherwise.

So that was the day.    Busy but not exciting.  So I will put a little poem to start you thinking about St. Patrick's day.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Flirty Guys
With flirty eyes
I love the Irish Men.
They charm we gals
As we do them
With mutual admiration.

by me

Ash Wednesday.    No snow and comfortable.    I got up with Roxie at 6AM.  She actually started bugging me at about 5AM so I was not too happy with her little fat self.

Since I couldn't go to Mass tonight because of the Poets Corner at Mead, I went to the 8AM Mass.  Walked around proudly with my ashes on my forehead just like I used to do when I was a little kid.    There was a time in our church that people who did not bother coming to Sunday Mass would have died before missing the Mass on Ash Wednesday.   They HAD to get those ashes on their forehead.   I guess the tangible is kind of comforting.

I did my grocery shopping, went to the bank and the post office and then came home by 10AM.  Yea.  I was able to stay home until just after 5PM when I left to pick up Sy for the Poetry Circle.  There was a nice group there tonight.  Just about everybody read something.   I read the poem I read at Writer's Club on Monday.   I will be able to use it next week at the Plymouth Club too.  Getting a lot of mileage out of it.  

So now it is after 9PM, a busy day and I am ready to rest.   Tomorrow I get to be home all day.  I am working on a big writing project.

Michelle called shortly after I left for the Poetry Circle.    I had called and missed them the other day.   We will eventually connect but in the meantime, Jim is having dental hell, so pray for him.

Til tomorrow

Dia Dhuit


Mary

Today was rather pleasant.   It was pretty gray and we had some flurries this morning but by noon, the sun was peeking through and the rest of the day was very pleasant.

Today, I joined Jeff at Mother's house at 10AM to help him take her to see Dr. Hancock.  I am so glad that everything was dry.  Jeff was able to back his van into the neighbor's driveway for a spot with NO ice.   Dr. Hancock did a bit of adjusting on her meds.   Nothing too drastic, but they may help a couple of concerns.   He is generally satisfied.

Then we stopped and got lunch at Mc Donalds.   I haven't been there in ages especially for a hamburger.  Kind of fun.   We took it to Mom's and ate lunch together.  Kathy sent WONDERFUL mint brownies and some muffins for us.   I know what I am having for breakfast tomorrow.

Then I went to Joan Kramer's house for a reflexology appointment.   I felt SO good when I left.   Now the neck is getting sore again.  We always have such a good visit too.   Joan is great.   

That is all.   I have been just working of writing and general STUFF since I got home.   Roxie is absolutely goofy tonight.  Seems to be having fun though.

Til Tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Well, this day did not go as planned but it went.

I went out to drive to Bible Study and the battery was dead.  I called Van Horn.  They came out and got me charged within an hour but I erased  Bible study and a morning visit to Mother from the day.

I spent this time working on Mom's Cathedral Window Quilt.

So at noon, I left for Sheboygan County Writers meeting. On the way, I dropped the last form I need for taxes off at Mark Miller's office and picked up supplies for Mother at Aurora Superior Drug store.

The meeting was great.  I read the entry that won for the 2014 WFOP Calendar and an "assignment" poem on the senses from Sheboygan County Writers.   Then later in the open reading, I read the INTRO to my cookbook.     They liked it and Sylvia said to infuse a bit more humor into the intro to pique interest in the reader.

Next, home stopping on the way to drop Mom's supplies for her.   Finally, a stop at the bank and then HOME.

I am so tired.   So well be going to bed early.  The Westminster Dog Show starts at 7PM .   I will go to bed and watch that.

Til tomorrow.   I will be going with Jeff and Mother for her doctor appointment.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It was a Sunday at home.   Just Roxie and me.   The only time I left the house was to get Jean's paper for her.   She is my neighbor and I think I told you that she fractured her leg and I have been picking up he mail and papers for her.   She generously shares her papers with me ALL of the time.  

I had not paid any attention to the outdoors until just a few minutes ago.   I started watching the news and found out that rain is passing through.  Sure enough.   It is raining.   It is not supposed to get too cold, so I am banking on it being warm enough to keep from freezing.   Then it is supposed to be windy which will help dry the roads.

I kept myself pleasantly busy today.    I baked some butternut squash bread.   I fixed myself a good lunch.   I spent time sewing on a neglected wall hanging that has been on the quilt rack for years and I started mending Mother's Cathedral Window quilt.   It is such a treasure and years of use have resulted in lots of broken points.    I figure I will do a little every other day or so and have it ready for her when she wants it.   She is already worried about it being ready for spring.

I also worked on several CWI projects.

So I am ready to use the rest of the day doing NOTHING.  (Wonder if that will work?)

Can you believe that Wednesday will be Ash Wednesday already?

Dia Dhuit

Mry