The weather is at least 10 degrees cooler, but we are getting warnings of severe thunderstorms.   So far those storms have not hit Lawton.  At least my part of Lawton.

Barb and I went to the International Fest here in Lawton this afternoon.  We met Lexie, Adam Adria, Abbie and Jackson there.    I am a bit confused as to why it is an International Fest.  I guess the stages feature dancers and music from many nations and I did see some really great Native American dancing.   But there were no booths or areas to feature the various ethnic backgrounds that settled and grew this area.  There was a great variety of food.   Mostly food trucks which I am not knocking.  They had a nice variety of really tasty ethnic food.   But I would have liked to share the history of the food.    I think I expected something different.     It is always good to spend time with Barb and her family.


So Sunday rolls around again.   I actually ran into a gal, Pam, who I have met at church while at the festival.  It gives me hope.    When in Sheboygan County, I knew somebody everywhere I went.    I get lonely sometimes.

But it will be OK.   I am tough and will gradually find a place where I belong here too.  This isn't my first rodeo.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

just had an odd experience.  I started out of the bathroom and my belt loop hooked on the door handle:)

Very disconcerting.  Who else has this happened too.  I hope it is not just ME!

A quiet day.  Not as hot as it has been. Nate mowed the lawn this afternoon.  I did not have to go anywhere.  Finished a couple of projects and planned for some more.

 A good day.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Well, I went to see the doctor today.  I have had an itchy rash on my upper arms.   No where else, Just my upper arms.   I have been trying to heal it myself but it has been a week now.   The nurse practitioner and I have come to the conclusion that when I raked out the leaves from the shed in my back yard, there must have been spores there that landed and gave me the rash.  I have meds that should clear it up.   I HATE it.  Guess I should not be doing yard work:)

Bart came over today and had lunch with me.   I had made Green Meatballs and since Barb hates pea soup, this seems like a nice treat for Bart and me.   We had a nice visit.   I much prefer having meals with other people.

Tomorrow is a quiet day.  Bart may have me run an errand with him.  

The sound is out on my computer.   I am going crazy trying to get it to work again.

Dia DHuit

Mary

I am watching the news these days and feeling very sad.   Dick said at one time that when he was young and in the Korean War, he thought that things would get better for our species as we continue on this world but he was losing hope.

I am watching the events that are taking place.  Slightly different but still the same.    I was in Southern California, Costa Mesa actually, during the riots in Watts in 1992.   Santa Ana, not that far from where I lived was also affected with the violence.   It was a long HOT summer and people were on edge.   Poverty, anger, racism (I find THAT hard to justify in my neighborhood and faith community) are rampant.  We have a police force that is 90+ % dedicated to keep the communities they protect safe.   

Unfortunately, there are abuses.   We need Martin Luther King Jr. to come back and teach us AGAIN peaceful demonstration.  I remember looted stores, burned cars and stores and horrible violence in LA and in Santa Ana.   Haven't we learned anything.  That was 51 years ago, for Heaven's sake and my heart is breaking.   Destroying is not going to solve anything. 

Why can't we all just appreciate our differences and love the things that are the same.

Sorry for the Rampage.   NO! I am not.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

An unseasonably hot day.  MY thermometer said that it was 104degrees.  The weatherpersons said that 105 was the heat index.   Who cares.   It was HOT.

I was able to be indoors in air conditioning all day so am truly blessed.  

It was a quiet day.  I went to the drug store and to the grocery store this morning.  

My friend, Janet, called shortly after lunch.  We had a great visit.   I miss all my friends.  

Bart and Barb were in Oklahoma City today for a back evaluation so I went over to let Lily and Leo out around two.   They would have been fine, but it is no trouble for me to go over and break up their day.   I enjoy them anyway.

Worked on the big quilt and the president's challenge as far as quilting.

Must start fitting in writing more.   I am out of the habit.  And need to get back into it.

Dia Dhuit

Mary 

I don't know why, every interest that I have has to have a meeting in the same week, but this is what happened.

Quilt Guild on Monday, Writer's Club on Tuesday, Bible Study on Wednesday and Celtic Club on Thursday.     

Am I getting involved. OR WHAT.  Dick would have been holding me back.   Actually it is the timing, not the interests.   (I mean that, Dick!!!)   Hopefully, I will be able to spread things out a bit.   But it did work.

I am meeting good people and getting involved. 

Today was great.  I saw Dr. Toy and my bones are not too bad considering the weather.   I had a furnace maintenance done and my lawn mowed.   Tomorrow I have NOTHING.   What a relief.  

Actually, Mary will come to clean, but I don't have to do anything except let her in for that:)

Time is winding down.   I am tired.   It looks like the condo may close a bit early.   That would be nice.   It will be pleasant not to be paying a house payment again.   I spent part of this afternoon sorting receipts.  Each year I do the same thing  throw them into a folder and then about this time of the year realize that I have a spider's web and sort.  Tee Hee.  Must be an easier way.

Talked to Leslie today.  We always have a lot to talk about.  They are doing well and have a full house, as Sara and her husband Jon, and Joh and Sara's son Matthew are staying there.   I got to talk to Sara's Jon the other day and was impressed.  He seems like a sweetheart and loves our Sara.



Dia Dhuit
Mary

Just got home from Writer's Club.   A good meeting.   I pulled out a short story that I wrote many years ago as the group is planning on publishing an anthology on Amazon before Christmas.    Jed said that I can write or submit a couple of poems for Segway but I DO have his ONE short story too.

Tomorrow, Bible Study and the dentist.

I got the papers for the sale of the condo notarized and sent off to Alison today.   So it was busy.

Had a visit from Bart this afternoon too.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Just got back from Quilt Guild meeting.   It is fun to do that and I get to do it with Barb.   We had a quilt judge go over the criteria and steps they go through in judging quilts at the shows.   The Wichita Mountain Guild (the one Barb and I belong to) has a show every other year and February 2017 is the next one.    I am working on the President's Challenge and will enter a wall hanging or two in the show.   FUN.

I was busy all day.   Made reservations for the hotel in Chicago, hand quilted a bit, paid some bills, just generally a busy day.   Did not finish all my list until after 3PM.

Tomorrow I will be getting the papers for the sale of the condo notorized and sent back to Alison.   The condo will close on the 30th.   Then I can pay this place off and be done with all of that.   Whew.

It was muggy today and tomorrow will be the same but then it is supposed to cool down a bit.   Actually, it was cool when Nicky and I walked this morning.   That was REALLY nice.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A beautiful day.  I had air coming though my home today.   What a pleasure after all the heat we have had.

I went to mass at 8:30AM and got a donut afterwards to socialize with my church friends. 

The rest of the day was too quiet again.

I did accomplish a lot but do miss my sweetheart.  Just somebody to talk to.

Dia dhuit

Mary

WELL.   Nicky had his dental work done today.    I have to laugh.  When I was a child, a dog was happy to have a place to sleep and food every day.   When my kids were young, you made sure your dogs had all their shots and a place to sleep every day.

Now we do dental for our pets.   I have, from my previous veterinarian in Sheboygan County WI, a picture ID of my Nicky.  it has his picture and all  his vital information.  My Mother thought it was hysterical that my pets had picture IDS.  She did not get her first picture ID until she was in her late 80s.   She never drove, and until you needed a picture ID in order to fly somewhere, it was not needed.Think about it.  A simple, trusting age.

We are supposed to get rain tonight.   A welcome rain.  Tomorrow I am going on a buss tour to Oklahoma Amish Country for a Quilt show with Barbara and here mother.   Should be fun.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I was home ALL day today.   Made my Nicky mighty happy.    It was hot - heat index over 100 degrees again.   Humid too.

I made a batch of Jambalaya today.  It is good.  Now I have four meals in the freezer, so no preparation of big meals is out for me for a while.   Anybody hungry?  I have chili, stew, Jambalaya and pea soup.  Glad to have you over any time.

Worked on the quilt that will be going on my bed for a while.

This afternoon, Bart came over to visit and to take me for a ride in his new car.  I am BAD.  I forgot what it is but he is easier able to get into and out of it and it drives more comfortably for him.  I am always glad for somebody in the house.   

My brother, George, called while he was on the phone with somebody and George and I had a nice visit too.  I am twice blessed.

Have to take Nicky's water away at 8PM.  I am to take him for his dental work at 7AM in the morning.  At least, that was my agreement with Meadowland, I missed a call from them asking if I was "Still bringing him in" tonight.   I specifically said that I did not want him to spend a night in a kennel.  I have to find another hair dresser as of this week, do I need a new vet too?  What is wrong with this place?

Pray for your poor befuddled friend.

Dia dhuit
Mary

Hot and muggy again today.  I thought I would be coming to a place with dry heat.   Little did I know.   Humidity makes me ache.

Today I went to Mass and Bible Study.   A great session this morning.   We are a lively group.

Got home just in time to welcome the gentleman who installed my new storm door in the front.  Not, if it ever cools down, I can air my house out.    It really looks good.  I got one with a big window/screen area so lots of light will come in.

Mary came to clean today.   A good thing.  She could not come on Saturday and I will be gone this coming Saturday to an Amish Quilt event.

So an altogether BUSY day.   Nicky is totally exhausted from trying to protect me this afternoon.

I did a bit more straightening out in the garage.  All the wet stuff is dealt with and I will get most of the trash out tomorrow.   Wouldn't you know, they have trash pickup twice a week, but Monday, being Labor Day was off.   So I had to wait.

Dia dhuit

Mary

Wow.   A busy day.

I was supposed to get a haircut at 10AM.   Went to the shop and noone was there.  Tried to call the number on the card and got no answer and no answering machine.  WHAT IS WITH THESE LAWTON HAIRDRESSERS?

Good thing, though.  I got home just in time to get the call from Shields Plumbing.   They came and replaced my water heater.   I am so relieved. Still have some wood to be drying out in the closet that the unit is in, but all is good.

I got an email from this city's writers club again.  They met tonight, so I tried again.  This time there were of us and there are a couple of others so I feel it will be worth going to.   Interesting readings from the members and nice idea on things to do.   I read the introduction to my new book.

So home again, it is 9:30PM and I am tired.  I had an awful night last night.  Woke up in the middle of the night with every muscle and joint aching which makes it impossible to really rest.   Hope tonight is better.   At least if I get too bad, I now have hot water and can soak in the tub.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I was deliberately lazy yesterday and did not post.   Nothing happened anyway, though 49 years ago, on September 4th, Labor Day that year, my Bret was born.

Called him and sang Happy Birthday to him.   They were heading down to the beach near his Arizona home.   I know he got pampered this weekend.  Wish I could have been with him too.

Today was about as quiet.   I did go shopping so I could get a couple of plastic totes to replace some of the cardboard that got soaked in my water heater fiasco.   Should hear in the morning as to when they can get her to replace it.    I also have that storm door being installed this week.   

Nothing else new.

Love you all

Mary

Another day without hot water.   

There is still some draining in the garage, but it is in a manageable stream and I just Shop/Vac it a couple times a day.    They will be calling me on Tuesday or Wednesday to schedule the installation of the new water heater.  Thank heavens that Bart and Barb live so close so I can go there to shower.   Everything else is OK by heating water on the stove if I need it.

I went over to shower after my supper tonight.  It was nice to have someone to talk to of an evening.   I will miss that part of it.

I went to Lowe's and ordered my storm door for the front.   They will also be calling me on Tuesday or Wednesday so next week will be busy. (And expensive.)    Oh well, it is all to secure and make better my little home.

Dia dhuit

Mary

What a day.

My water heater crashed.  I have the American Shield Insurance so the cost will be minimal to replace it BUT THIS IS THE LABOR DAY WEEKEND.

I did get someone out here who is draining the heater and I have water, though no hot water.   Ouch.  After moving things around in the garage and getting rid of the water that surged into the garage, I really WOULD like a nice hot whirlpool bath.  That is obviously not going to happen as cold water will not do it.

Pray that they do get authorization to fix it tomorrow Saturday (Not much chance) otherwise, Bart and Barb will have me taking showers over there for a while.

Dia DHuit

Mary

I had a very busy afternoon and a reasonably quiet afternoon.

Went to Lowe's and ordered my storm door (the the installer called and came to do the estimate for installation right after lunch), I picked up the crystal cross that the Blessed Trinity Bible study had gifted to me many years ago from the jeweler.   It had disintigrated  on the trip but the jeweler, bless his heart, was able to get it back together.  I have it proudly on top of a bookcase in the living room.   Finally, I stopped at the Post Office and picked up some stamps and a birthday card.

As I said this afternoon was quiet, too quiet as I was kind of reved up, but it is OK.

Worked on the quilt a bit which settled me down. 

It was really nice today, a bit humid but in the 80s so I am not complaining.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A full lovely day.   Mass and Bible Study in the morning.  Lots of support there.

Then Scott and Bart came by and we had a nice visit this afternoon.  Scott will be leaving for home in Sacramento soon so nice to  have the visit time.   Had Dinner this evening at Bart and Barb's too.   Marlies was there also.   Barb made the best  peach cobbler.   Nummy Nummy

Dia Dhuit

Mary

FYI --- Happy Me.    Mama Kitty came during the night and took her last baby away.    I am so relieved.   Was trying to figure out what to do to feed a baby kitty.

Dia DHuit

Mary

An extremely frustrating day.    For some reason, I decided to look in the shed in my back yard to determine how much work it will be to clean it.   I found five little kittens in the corner.    I called Animal Control and they sent someone over.    The kittens are healthy and their eyes are open but they are still just little.  The man who came said that if he took them they would euthanize them.   OUCH.   When we checked on them, all but two were gone, so MAMA is moving them because I found them.   I told him that I could not in my heart send them to certain death.   He was SO nice and said that they are still in my custody and I can do what I want.    When I checked at about 6PM, only one kitten was still in the shed.   I will check again in the morning and deal with it then.  Hopefully, MAMA will have come to get him (or her) too.  

This morning, I went over to church for safe environment training from the Archdiocese.   I have volunteered to be an usher and apparently even ushers have to completer the training and be checked out to be sure we are not criminals.  

The rest of the day was quiet.   Nicky likes that a lot.   He likes me home.

Tomorrow, Bible Study.   I may go to order the front storm door too.

Dia Dhuit

Mary