The weekend was truely a wonderful break for me. Irish Fest was vibrant and full of music and fun as usual.
On Saturday, I drove to Sussex to pick up Suzi, Dick's niece, at her and her mother Hazel's home. Suzi went to the Fest with me on Saturday. I had passes that were given to me by Dan Vircks, who organizes the song circle which I stumbled on last year. So Suzi and I got in free on Saturday. We delivered my lavender scones and Irish brown bread to the bakery area and then wandered through the shops, picked up a spinach roll for lunch and went TO the song circle and SANG.
It is fun. Whoever wants too can join the circle and they just go around and take turns singing songs. It reminds me of the song sessions we used to have when I was young and when Dad was still around.
Then we went back to the bakery contest to see if I won. I didn't. I figure they just don't know good bakery. I am sure enjoying what I left at home. I LOVE brown bread and my recipe tastes just like I remember eating in Ireland.
I also connected with my friend Maureen Smith from Chicago. We visited and made arrangements to meet again on Sunday.
I also ate a lot. I had a scone and and Irish coffee and then a cheese and bacon baked potato. Nummy Nummy.
We spent the afternoon shopping and listening to the musicians. We saw the Kinsella Acacemy Dancers, who are going to be dancing at our Celic Faire, and they are marvelous. I am so relieved. Their teacher is a many time winner of competiions in the Unites States and in Ireland, even more than Michael Flatley.
We saw Tommy Makem, Gaelic Storm and Grada in the evening.
Sunday, I got up early and got to the grounds at 8:45 so that I could get to the Mass in the Ampitheatre. Archbishop Dolan was the celebrant this year. He gives a great sermon. He told about a trip he just got back from - to Ireland. On one tour they sent to a chapel or something featuring Blessed Matt Talbot, who was an alchoholic in Ireland, who attained sobriety and set up programs to help other alchoholics - a kind of pre 12 step program. Archbishop Dolan said that he didn't know who planned the tour but they went right from there to the Jamison Distillery. I don't know, sounds very Irish to me.
Then I ate breakfast and met Maureen again. I was wearing my Celtic Women tartan scarf, so Maureen took a picture of me in it. We like to feature pictures in the newsletter, called "Where in the World is the Celtic Women Tartan". As she was taking the picture Donna, Jessie and Becky wandered by so we visited for a few, they were heading to a concert at the Leinie Rock Stage.
I gave Maureen five of my books to put on their table at the Chicago Irish Fest. Wish me luck.
Then I finished off the day until 6PM moving from stage to stage to enjoy a few songs by The Irish Rovers, Lamand, Tom Sweeney and a few others. There is REALLY WAY too much. I was home by 7:30 but am still exhausted.
I was mildly busy today too. Bible Study this morning and a Celtic Faire meeing tonight.
Tomorrow, I get to stay home ALL day. We will bottle wine, pack and I will do some computer jobs that need to be finished.
The good Lord didn't create anything
without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.
Mary
Monday, August 21, 2006
Friday, August 18, 2006
Well, I think we have the house all spic and span for the open house on Sunday. That way, Dick can just relax tomorrow and Bobbie and Bill are coming to get him and the critters at about 11:30AM Sunday so the open house can be held successfully.
I cleaned the kitchen and took several boxes out to the garage and generally picked up and put away. This noon, I went to Plymouth, via Sheboygan Falls, stopping at Wingert's for corn. Dick and I had that fresh corn with tomatoes for supper.
Next was Blattner's Piggly Wiggly where I picked up some paper plates to carry my bakery to the Contest at Irish Fest. I am entering Lavender Scones and Irish Brown Bread in the Baking Contest. While at the Pig, I ran into Jean and John Blattner. Hadn't seen them for a while, so had a bit of a visit. Then on to Plymouth where I cashed a check and picked up the rest of my books. I am really rather proud of it. It is called Fragments, I think I mentioned that. I will be selling it at the Celtic Faire and the Historical Research Center and where ever else I can. I figure can price it at $6. Lastly, I met Marlene, Betty, Ceil and Barb at the Dairy Queen for lunch. Soon, that will be a REALLY short trip.
This afternoon, I baked the scones and I mixed the day ingredients for the Brown Bread. I want that to be super fresh for the contest.
I will be leaving her at about 9 to get to Suzi and Hazel's so that Suzi and I can get there by 11:30 or 12:00. It is going to be a great two days.
I think I gave you my Brown Bread Recipe before, but here it is anyway.
IRISH BROWN BREAD
2 cups wheat flour
2 cups white flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tbs.. white sugar
2 tbs.. brown sugar
2 cups buttermilk (in a pinch you can sour milk by putting a tsp. of lemon juice or vinegar in it and letting it set for a bit but buttermilk is best.)
Sieve the dry ingredients into a large bow. Scoop up handfuls of the dry ingredients and allow to drop back into the bowl to aerate the mixture. (Very Important!)
Add enough buttermilk to make a soft dough. Work quickly as the buttermilk and soda are working. Knead the dough lightly. Keep flouring hand to keep dough from sticking. Too much kneading will toughen, too little it won’t rise.
Form a round loaf about as thick as your fist. Place on a lightly floured baking sheet or stone and cut a cross across the top with a floured knife.
Bake at the top of a preheated oven. 450 Degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. The loaf will sound hollow when rapped on the bottom. Wrap immediately in a clean tea towel to stop the crust from hardening.
Love
Mary
Remember, you won't hear from me again until Sunday.
I cleaned the kitchen and took several boxes out to the garage and generally picked up and put away. This noon, I went to Plymouth, via Sheboygan Falls, stopping at Wingert's for corn. Dick and I had that fresh corn with tomatoes for supper.
Next was Blattner's Piggly Wiggly where I picked up some paper plates to carry my bakery to the Contest at Irish Fest. I am entering Lavender Scones and Irish Brown Bread in the Baking Contest. While at the Pig, I ran into Jean and John Blattner. Hadn't seen them for a while, so had a bit of a visit. Then on to Plymouth where I cashed a check and picked up the rest of my books. I am really rather proud of it. It is called Fragments, I think I mentioned that. I will be selling it at the Celtic Faire and the Historical Research Center and where ever else I can. I figure can price it at $6. Lastly, I met Marlene, Betty, Ceil and Barb at the Dairy Queen for lunch. Soon, that will be a REALLY short trip.
This afternoon, I baked the scones and I mixed the day ingredients for the Brown Bread. I want that to be super fresh for the contest.
I will be leaving her at about 9 to get to Suzi and Hazel's so that Suzi and I can get there by 11:30 or 12:00. It is going to be a great two days.
I think I gave you my Brown Bread Recipe before, but here it is anyway.
IRISH BROWN BREAD
2 cups wheat flour
2 cups white flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tbs.. white sugar
2 tbs.. brown sugar
2 cups buttermilk (in a pinch you can sour milk by putting a tsp. of lemon juice or vinegar in it and letting it set for a bit but buttermilk is best.)
Sieve the dry ingredients into a large bow. Scoop up handfuls of the dry ingredients and allow to drop back into the bowl to aerate the mixture. (Very Important!)
Add enough buttermilk to make a soft dough. Work quickly as the buttermilk and soda are working. Knead the dough lightly. Keep flouring hand to keep dough from sticking. Too much kneading will toughen, too little it won’t rise.
Form a round loaf about as thick as your fist. Place on a lightly floured baking sheet or stone and cut a cross across the top with a floured knife.
Bake at the top of a preheated oven. 450 Degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. The loaf will sound hollow when rapped on the bottom. Wrap immediately in a clean tea towel to stop the crust from hardening.
Love
Mary
Remember, you won't hear from me again until Sunday.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
We started out this morning with breakfast at Zana's with Terry, our favorite waitress, who actually quit about a month ago. She and her boyfriend Paul joined us anyway. I asked her if she has figured out what she wants to do now and she hasn't. Will have to keep in touch with her. She has a little dog that looks much like Chelsea.
Then we went grocery shopping and to the drug store. Then home where I was able to stay and work until this evening when we had our first choir practice of the church year. We are getting ready for Celtic Faire now. It is exciting to finally sing the new songs and meet with everyone again.
Stopped at Mom's too. I made chocolate zucchini bread so I took her some of that and the blueberry zucchini bread that I baked the other day.
I packed the bottom drawers of my desk, the wrapping paper and Dick emptied the file cabinet. So we are making headway every day.
Since we are having open house on Sunday and I will be gone to Irishfest Saturday and Sunday, I am really working to get the house ready. Waylon's room, the dining room and the guest bathroom are ALL done. I will run the roomba in the office tonight and the hall and livingroom tomorrow and clean the kitchen tomorrow. That's the best I can do. Hope we get a good turnout. One never knows. Sometimes open houses are busy sometimes the realtor sits there for nothing. Since this is the first time we are open and it IS supposed to be a pleasant day, I have hopes.
Tomorrow, I will pick up corn on my way to Plymouth for lunch and the rest of the books while I am there.
A Reminder that I will not be posting Saturday night because I will be at Irishfest until late, with Suzi and spending the night with her and Hazel.
Before you order a drink in public, you should read this!
Seven New York City bartenders were asked if they could nail a woman's personality based on what she drinks. Though interviewed separately, they concurred on almost all counts.
The results:
Drink: Beer
Personality: Casual, low-maintenance; down to earth.
Your Approach: Challenge her to a game of pool.
Drink: Blender Drinks
Personality: Flaky, whiny, annoying; a pain in the ass.
Your Approach: Avoid her, unless you want to be her cabana boy.
Drink: Mixed Drinks
Personality: Older, more refined, high maintenance, has very picky taste; knows EXACTLY what she wants.
Your Approach: You won't have to approach her. If she's interested, she'll send YOU a drink......................
Drink: Wine (does not include White Zinfandel)
Personality: Conservative and classy; sophisticated yet giggles.
Your Approach: Tell her you love to travel and spend quiet evenings with friends.
Drink: White Zinfandel
Personality: Easy; thinks she is classy and sophisticated, actually, she has NO clue.
Your Approach: Make her feel smarter than she is...this should be an easy target.
Drink: Shots
Personality: Likes to hang with frat-boy pals and looking to get totally drunk... and naked.
Your Approach: Easiest hit in the joint. You have been blessed. Nothing to do but wait, however,
be careful not to make her mad!
Drink: Tequila
No explanations required - everyone just KNOWS what happens there.
Love
Mary
Then we went grocery shopping and to the drug store. Then home where I was able to stay and work until this evening when we had our first choir practice of the church year. We are getting ready for Celtic Faire now. It is exciting to finally sing the new songs and meet with everyone again.
Stopped at Mom's too. I made chocolate zucchini bread so I took her some of that and the blueberry zucchini bread that I baked the other day.
I packed the bottom drawers of my desk, the wrapping paper and Dick emptied the file cabinet. So we are making headway every day.
Since we are having open house on Sunday and I will be gone to Irishfest Saturday and Sunday, I am really working to get the house ready. Waylon's room, the dining room and the guest bathroom are ALL done. I will run the roomba in the office tonight and the hall and livingroom tomorrow and clean the kitchen tomorrow. That's the best I can do. Hope we get a good turnout. One never knows. Sometimes open houses are busy sometimes the realtor sits there for nothing. Since this is the first time we are open and it IS supposed to be a pleasant day, I have hopes.
Tomorrow, I will pick up corn on my way to Plymouth for lunch and the rest of the books while I am there.
A Reminder that I will not be posting Saturday night because I will be at Irishfest until late, with Suzi and spending the night with her and Hazel.
Before you order a drink in public, you should read this!
Seven New York City bartenders were asked if they could nail a woman's personality based on what she drinks. Though interviewed separately, they concurred on almost all counts.
The results:
Drink: Beer
Personality: Casual, low-maintenance; down to earth.
Your Approach: Challenge her to a game of pool.
Drink: Blender Drinks
Personality: Flaky, whiny, annoying; a pain in the ass.
Your Approach: Avoid her, unless you want to be her cabana boy.
Drink: Mixed Drinks
Personality: Older, more refined, high maintenance, has very picky taste; knows EXACTLY what she wants.
Your Approach: You won't have to approach her. If she's interested, she'll send YOU a drink......................
Drink: Wine (does not include White Zinfandel)
Personality: Conservative and classy; sophisticated yet giggles.
Your Approach: Tell her you love to travel and spend quiet evenings with friends.
Drink: White Zinfandel
Personality: Easy; thinks she is classy and sophisticated, actually, she has NO clue.
Your Approach: Make her feel smarter than she is...this should be an easy target.
Drink: Shots
Personality: Likes to hang with frat-boy pals and looking to get totally drunk... and naked.
Your Approach: Easiest hit in the joint. You have been blessed. Nothing to do but wait, however,
be careful not to make her mad!
Drink: Tequila
No explanations required - everyone just KNOWS what happens there.
Love
Mary
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Such a lovely anniversry day Dick and I had.
We exchanged e cards this morning. Then we went out to breakfast before going to get Dick's blood tested at the Clinic. For those of you who have been following, Dick was AGAIN within the perameters and has not reached 20 months without needing an adjustment on his medication. Sue is trying to figure out what the heck he is doing. And Dr. Phelan was extremely impressed when he had is physical last month.
I packed a couple of boxes today and took them out to the garage. We are having an open house on Sunday (I think I told you that). Linda from ReMax is coming Friday to look the house over before doing the open house on Sunday. She is coming at 10:30AM.
Then, we went to Marcus to see The Pirates of the Caribbean, Dead Man's Chest. We liked it a lot. We have become quite the fans of Johnnie Depp since Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the first Pirates movie.
Tonight Dick took me to Nonna Maria's to celebrate the anniversary in style. Needless to say, we are both very tired. Neither of us got a nap and we are feeling it.
Did I tell you the story of my Mother's first day at school. Well, if I did, you are going to hear it again.
Mother grew up in a farming community and went to school her first couple of years at a school called Pius School, which no longer exists.
The first day of school, she was dropped off with George Dwyer, a neighbor boy. Grandma Bowser, Mother's mother, was working in the kitchen at about noon when Mr. Dwyer came walking in with George and my Mom. Grandma, quite concerned, said what happened, what went wrong. And Mr. Dwyer, gentle, easy going, hardworking farmer, said "That was long enough for those little persons to be at school." He figured that they would be tired and went and got them.
They never got away with that again. Mr. Dwyer was informed that they HAD to stay for the whole session.
Have a lovely day
Mary
We exchanged e cards this morning. Then we went out to breakfast before going to get Dick's blood tested at the Clinic. For those of you who have been following, Dick was AGAIN within the perameters and has not reached 20 months without needing an adjustment on his medication. Sue is trying to figure out what the heck he is doing. And Dr. Phelan was extremely impressed when he had is physical last month.
I packed a couple of boxes today and took them out to the garage. We are having an open house on Sunday (I think I told you that). Linda from ReMax is coming Friday to look the house over before doing the open house on Sunday. She is coming at 10:30AM.
Then, we went to Marcus to see The Pirates of the Caribbean, Dead Man's Chest. We liked it a lot. We have become quite the fans of Johnnie Depp since Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the first Pirates movie.
Tonight Dick took me to Nonna Maria's to celebrate the anniversary in style. Needless to say, we are both very tired. Neither of us got a nap and we are feeling it.
Did I tell you the story of my Mother's first day at school. Well, if I did, you are going to hear it again.
Mother grew up in a farming community and went to school her first couple of years at a school called Pius School, which no longer exists.
The first day of school, she was dropped off with George Dwyer, a neighbor boy. Grandma Bowser, Mother's mother, was working in the kitchen at about noon when Mr. Dwyer came walking in with George and my Mom. Grandma, quite concerned, said what happened, what went wrong. And Mr. Dwyer, gentle, easy going, hardworking farmer, said "That was long enough for those little persons to be at school." He figured that they would be tired and went and got them.
They never got away with that again. Mr. Dwyer was informed that they HAD to stay for the whole session.
Have a lovely day
Mary
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
I got up ahttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5293456
Create bit early this morning because it is a holyday of obligation in the Catholic Church. It is the Feast of the Assumption. I went to Mass at 7:00AM. It was sparsely attended. There do not seem to be many people who consider the holy days all that important.
After Mass, I took pictures of the church quilt, which I forwarded to Sandy at the parish office, and went to the Serenity Gardens for a breakfast. I got there just as they were pulling fresh cranberry muffins out of a pan so I had one of them, still warm for breakfast. My hair cut appointment was at 9AM so the timing was perfect. I got to see a young man getting cornrows in his hair. That was kind of interesting. Never seen that process before. It takes FOREVER. Even if I ever thought of such a thing, I would not have the patience.
Dick and I are working on boxing up the office and have made a great deal of headway. We got five boxes out into the garage today. I hope to get one or two more started this evening.
I saw Dr. Casy this afternoon. Things are pretty good lately but I needed a bit of adjusting. We are back to a month again and I told him that next month was a real puzzle and they are going to call in a month to see if I am ready to schedule.
We had salad, a super mexican burger patty and veggies for supper. Just enough.
We also racked and filtered the Luna Bianca wine. We want to bottle it as soon as possible so it can be boxed for transport to our new home.
Uncle Bob and Aunt Kathleen came by to bring me the Evening Optimist Packer Yearbook and we had a nice visit. Aunt Kathleen wanted to hear all about the Irish Reunion at St. Michaels. She hated to miss it but she and Bob were up at a "snowbird" get together in the UP of a bunch of Barbershoppers and they had a good time with the singing and good company and all.
As I was cleaning up, the door bell rang and there was a special delivery from Bobbie and Dick of a wonderful gift for our anniversary, which is tomorrow. We are so thrilled. Got our card from Mother also. It is so warm and fuzzy to be remembered and loved.
It does not seem that 20 years have passed by already. Tomorrow, we are going to go out to Nonna Maria's for dinner to celebrate. Dick gets his blood tested in the morning, which is not too celebratory, but we will use the opportunity to go to breakfast also and we might even go to a movie in the afternoon if all goes well. So we will enjoy. It is rather great that we enjoy each others company so much.
YOU SAY-GOD SAYS-BIBLE VERSES
You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you
(John 3:16 & John 3:34 )
You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28 )
You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)
You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5
Hope it helps you too.
Love
Mary
Create bit early this morning because it is a holyday of obligation in the Catholic Church. It is the Feast of the Assumption. I went to Mass at 7:00AM. It was sparsely attended. There do not seem to be many people who consider the holy days all that important.
After Mass, I took pictures of the church quilt, which I forwarded to Sandy at the parish office, and went to the Serenity Gardens for a breakfast. I got there just as they were pulling fresh cranberry muffins out of a pan so I had one of them, still warm for breakfast. My hair cut appointment was at 9AM so the timing was perfect. I got to see a young man getting cornrows in his hair. That was kind of interesting. Never seen that process before. It takes FOREVER. Even if I ever thought of such a thing, I would not have the patience.
Dick and I are working on boxing up the office and have made a great deal of headway. We got five boxes out into the garage today. I hope to get one or two more started this evening.
I saw Dr. Casy this afternoon. Things are pretty good lately but I needed a bit of adjusting. We are back to a month again and I told him that next month was a real puzzle and they are going to call in a month to see if I am ready to schedule.
We had salad, a super mexican burger patty and veggies for supper. Just enough.
We also racked and filtered the Luna Bianca wine. We want to bottle it as soon as possible so it can be boxed for transport to our new home.
Uncle Bob and Aunt Kathleen came by to bring me the Evening Optimist Packer Yearbook and we had a nice visit. Aunt Kathleen wanted to hear all about the Irish Reunion at St. Michaels. She hated to miss it but she and Bob were up at a "snowbird" get together in the UP of a bunch of Barbershoppers and they had a good time with the singing and good company and all.
As I was cleaning up, the door bell rang and there was a special delivery from Bobbie and Dick of a wonderful gift for our anniversary, which is tomorrow. We are so thrilled. Got our card from Mother also. It is so warm and fuzzy to be remembered and loved.
It does not seem that 20 years have passed by already. Tomorrow, we are going to go out to Nonna Maria's for dinner to celebrate. Dick gets his blood tested in the morning, which is not too celebratory, but we will use the opportunity to go to breakfast also and we might even go to a movie in the afternoon if all goes well. So we will enjoy. It is rather great that we enjoy each others company so much.
YOU SAY-GOD SAYS-BIBLE VERSES
You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you
(John 3:16 & John 3:34 )
You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28 )
You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)
You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5
Hope it helps you too.
Love
Mary
Monday, August 14, 2006
Today was much too busy. Started off with my walk with Chelsea. It was very nice, so she was eager and we did the whole thing. Then I watered the plants and started the sprinkler. We did have a little bit of rain last night but not enough to do a lot of good.
Bible study was interesting. We are talking about the bread and wine becoming the body and blood and how gross and shocking it must have been to the people of Jesus' day when he said that if they did not eat his flesh and drink heis blood they would die but if they did they would live forever. Wonder what I would have done.
This afternoon was Writer's Club. I brought my book. They are all very proud of me and I sold my first two books. WOW.
This evening I went to church to help decorate for the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady. We also hung the quilt for the Celtic Faire which is done and absolutely beautiful. I will be going the the 7AM Mass in the morning and get a good digital picture to send to Sandy in the office so that she can get it into the bulletin.
Now I am home and tired. I had trouble sleeping the latter part of last night. I kept waking up and having trouble getting back to sleep. Such a pain.
I am getting excited about Irish Fest. Suzi, Dick's sister Hazel's daughter, is going with me on Saturday. We had such fun last year and I know we will repeat that fun. I will spend Saturday night with them in Sussex and then go back to the festival on Sunday in time for Mass at 9:30. I have two passes so Suzi and I can get in free on Sunday and then I will bring some groceries and get in free on Sunday. Such a deal.
We are going to have an open house on Sunday afternoon from 12:30 to 1:30. Bobbie is going to pick up Dick and the critters for a couple of hours. Best that the house is empty when there is an open house.
Wish us luck
Love
Mary
Bible study was interesting. We are talking about the bread and wine becoming the body and blood and how gross and shocking it must have been to the people of Jesus' day when he said that if they did not eat his flesh and drink heis blood they would die but if they did they would live forever. Wonder what I would have done.
This afternoon was Writer's Club. I brought my book. They are all very proud of me and I sold my first two books. WOW.
This evening I went to church to help decorate for the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady. We also hung the quilt for the Celtic Faire which is done and absolutely beautiful. I will be going the the 7AM Mass in the morning and get a good digital picture to send to Sandy in the office so that she can get it into the bulletin.
Now I am home and tired. I had trouble sleeping the latter part of last night. I kept waking up and having trouble getting back to sleep. Such a pain.
I am getting excited about Irish Fest. Suzi, Dick's sister Hazel's daughter, is going with me on Saturday. We had such fun last year and I know we will repeat that fun. I will spend Saturday night with them in Sussex and then go back to the festival on Sunday in time for Mass at 9:30. I have two passes so Suzi and I can get in free on Sunday and then I will bring some groceries and get in free on Sunday. Such a deal.
We are going to have an open house on Sunday afternoon from 12:30 to 1:30. Bobbie is going to pick up Dick and the critters for a couple of hours. Best that the house is empty when there is an open house.
Wish us luck
Love
Mary
Sunday, August 13, 2006
It was supposed to get up to 80+ degrees today. But thank heaven the forecasters were wrong. It was beautiful - not over 74 with slightly overcast skies. Mother and I got there about 12:15 or so. We went right after the 10:30AM Mass. There was a nice crowd. Mother got to talk to several family members of families that she grew up with. She was baptized in St. Michael's in 1916.
Ken and Dolores always come, of course, since this started as an O'Reilly reunion and Ken's mother was an O'Reilly. Kurt, Jody and the boys, Brandon and Evan came too. Kurt is interested in family geneology and was delighted to have Mother walk around the cemetary and point out the gravestones and tell about the various family members involved. I think that I have mentioned the Bowser stone over four children that died between December 1859 and June 27, 1860. One, Sarah, an infant in the dead of winter and three in June of a summer fever, I think typhoid but am not totally possitive. I know that my Great Grandfather Joe Bowser had to help his Dad bury the children because the neighbors were afraid to come close because of danger of infection. They would come to the drive and inquire and leave food or any requests but could not help. It must have been awful. To lose three children and not be able to get comforted physically by your friends and neighbors. It must have been almost as difficult not to go and comfort your friend.
Anyway. Today was a joyous day. We had a good meal. Lots of good company. I added a picture below of Mother, Dolores and myself. It is from last year, but at our ages we don't change much. When I download today's pictures, I will put a picture of St. Michael's on for you. It is a charming little church.
Hope your day was as pleasant.
We had the first couple come through the house today. It has begun.
Love
Mary
Ken and Dolores always come, of course, since this started as an O'Reilly reunion and Ken's mother was an O'Reilly. Kurt, Jody and the boys, Brandon and Evan came too. Kurt is interested in family geneology and was delighted to have Mother walk around the cemetary and point out the gravestones and tell about the various family members involved. I think that I have mentioned the Bowser stone over four children that died between December 1859 and June 27, 1860. One, Sarah, an infant in the dead of winter and three in June of a summer fever, I think typhoid but am not totally possitive. I know that my Great Grandfather Joe Bowser had to help his Dad bury the children because the neighbors were afraid to come close because of danger of infection. They would come to the drive and inquire and leave food or any requests but could not help. It must have been awful. To lose three children and not be able to get comforted physically by your friends and neighbors. It must have been almost as difficult not to go and comfort your friend.
Anyway. Today was a joyous day. We had a good meal. Lots of good company. I added a picture below of Mother, Dolores and myself. It is from last year, but at our ages we don't change much. When I download today's pictures, I will put a picture of St. Michael's on for you. It is a charming little church.
Hope your day was as pleasant.
We had the first couple come through the house today. It has begun.
Love
Mary
Saturday, August 12, 2006
We packed and cleaned all day today. Tomorrow is the first time that prospective buyers will view the house and we want it to be looking its very best.
Guess what. The Packers are playing tonight. I can't believe it either. It is only August but of course there are pregames and we got the first. It is starting NOW, which is 9PM because they are playing IN San Diego against the Chargers. I know I won't make it through the whole game. But I will have it on and do the best that I can. We did tape a program that was on from 7 to 8 previewing the whole league. I intend to view that when I can concentrate and use the information in the fantasy football league.
We had to tape it because Jim, Michelle, Dick and I played cards tonight. Dick won both games, one hearts, and one rummy.
Tomorrow, except for last minute picking up and kitchen cleaning, I intend to just play. I will go to the 10:30 Mass and then Mother and I are going out to that Irish Reunion. I am bringing some of my books and the information on the Celtic Women Conference.
I fixed Busy Day Chicken tonight but had to do a bit of adapting.
The recipe is as follows:
1 Cup Rice
3 lb. Chicken
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 1/2 Cups Water
1 Pkg. dry onion soup
Layer rice in baking casserole. (I sprayed it with Cooking spray) Layer chicken on top of rice. (I used four chicken breast pieces instead of 3 lb chicken.) Mix the soups and water and pour over all. (I didn't have Cream of Mushroom so I used Cream of Celery and I did add a can of drained mushrooms for the flavor.) When it was time to serve it however it was still pretty watery, so I added a cup of instant potatoes. It worked and tasted wonderful.
Have a good day tomorrow. Wish us luck on the viewing.
Mary
Guess what. The Packers are playing tonight. I can't believe it either. It is only August but of course there are pregames and we got the first. It is starting NOW, which is 9PM because they are playing IN San Diego against the Chargers. I know I won't make it through the whole game. But I will have it on and do the best that I can. We did tape a program that was on from 7 to 8 previewing the whole league. I intend to view that when I can concentrate and use the information in the fantasy football league.
We had to tape it because Jim, Michelle, Dick and I played cards tonight. Dick won both games, one hearts, and one rummy.
Tomorrow, except for last minute picking up and kitchen cleaning, I intend to just play. I will go to the 10:30 Mass and then Mother and I are going out to that Irish Reunion. I am bringing some of my books and the information on the Celtic Women Conference.
I fixed Busy Day Chicken tonight but had to do a bit of adapting.
The recipe is as follows:
1 Cup Rice
3 lb. Chicken
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 1/2 Cups Water
1 Pkg. dry onion soup
Layer rice in baking casserole. (I sprayed it with Cooking spray) Layer chicken on top of rice. (I used four chicken breast pieces instead of 3 lb chicken.) Mix the soups and water and pour over all. (I didn't have Cream of Mushroom so I used Cream of Celery and I did add a can of drained mushrooms for the flavor.) When it was time to serve it however it was still pretty watery, so I added a cup of instant potatoes. It worked and tasted wonderful.
Have a good day tomorrow. Wish us luck on the viewing.
Mary
Friday, August 11, 2006
It was almost chilly this afternoon. I tried to sit out on the deck at about 4:00PM but it was cool so I came right back in. Sure is a relief actually as the house is quite comfortable and we have been able to open windows and doors and air it out. Kitties are VERY fond of that.
We went grocery shopping in Plymouth today BECAUSE, I picked up the lions share of my book. They still had to trim out about 75 of them but I was able to get most of them. That is good because I can take them with me to the Irish Reunion. I want to share them there and see if I can get Beth to sell them at the Research Center in Falls. I am really pleased. I will be able to take them to Writer's Club too.
We were going to go to a movie, but Dick did not feel well enough, so I just did some more packing and cooked a bit. I made a squash casserole with chiles and cheese that I really liked. Don't know if anyone else did. Jim ate it, Dick didn't even try and Michelle didn't eat much of it. She is very polite of course and probably wouldn't say any thing. I'll take some to Mother and see what she thinks.
I also made cucumber salad and some brownies.
Tonight I started working on my desk. There are less than three weeks until we sign and can start transporting boxes. Tomorrow we will pack some more.
An imponderable. "If flies didn't have wings would they be called walks?"
Love
Mary
We went grocery shopping in Plymouth today BECAUSE, I picked up the lions share of my book. They still had to trim out about 75 of them but I was able to get most of them. That is good because I can take them with me to the Irish Reunion. I want to share them there and see if I can get Beth to sell them at the Research Center in Falls. I am really pleased. I will be able to take them to Writer's Club too.
We were going to go to a movie, but Dick did not feel well enough, so I just did some more packing and cooked a bit. I made a squash casserole with chiles and cheese that I really liked. Don't know if anyone else did. Jim ate it, Dick didn't even try and Michelle didn't eat much of it. She is very polite of course and probably wouldn't say any thing. I'll take some to Mother and see what she thinks.
I also made cucumber salad and some brownies.
Tonight I started working on my desk. There are less than three weeks until we sign and can start transporting boxes. Tomorrow we will pack some more.
An imponderable. "If flies didn't have wings would they be called walks?"
Love
Mary
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Did anyone miss me yesterday. I just got all tired at the end of they day and did not post.
We were home most of the day. I packed some more boxes and Dick took them out to the garage. It is getting full out there. At 4:30PM I went over to Ebenezeer Church and had the quilt that Mother found between the pieces of ticking in the Deeley garage appraised. I want to give it to Becky, who loves antiques and has such a love of the family history. But I wanted her to have a value on it by an expert. The woman who did the appraisal, Carol Butzke, is one of only 14 quilt appraisers certified by the American Quilting Society in the nation. It is quite fascinating to watch her work and she explains as she goes along.
Then last evening I went to the Quilt Guild where Carol gave a lecture on the origin and history of Sunbonnet Sue in literature and quilting. I was glad that I took the time. I think I will make some version of Sunbonnet Sue just to have done it now that I see what imagination can do with the basic premise.
Today was the BIG Brewer game arranged by Uncle Leif Salvesen to gather all who could come together. We had a fun tailgate. There were lots of us. Myself, Jeff and Kathy with daughter Sara, Donna and Randy with all three daughters, Jessica (who left the park in a BUS to go back home in downtown Milwaukee. We all wondered if she was REALLY old enough to go on the bus all alone.) Erin, with boyfriend Josh, and Becky with husband Bryan. (Have I lost you yet.) Then there were Nora and Leif who brought Fred and Eileen with them. Eileen and Fred's son John came from Chicago with my nephew Shawn, George and Betsy's son, who also lives in Chicago. We were rounded off with my Jim and Michelle and Leif's friend Bob Doody and his wife Mary Ann.
Mary Ann and I discovered that we both went to high school at St. Mary's Academy in St. Francis many years ago. Me, several years before her. They are a nice couple. She has her own landscape and design company. I am impressed.
We had a great tailgate. Brats and portobello mushroom sandwiches, salads, cucumber sandwiches, bruschetta and other snacks. And to make the day perfect, the Brewers won.
It was hot in the stadium. They left the roof closed, which I think was dumb, but there was rain projected. I suppose it costs too much to close if they were afraid of having to open it again.
I am tired now again and will close with a quote that I liked from an e mail that I received from my friend Janet.
"Do what you can, for who you can with what you have, and where you are."
We are so blessed, I wish all these blessings for the children of this world. They deserve it. Maybe their parents don't, but the children do. At least a full tummy, a warm bed and a few hugs a day.
Mary
We were home most of the day. I packed some more boxes and Dick took them out to the garage. It is getting full out there. At 4:30PM I went over to Ebenezeer Church and had the quilt that Mother found between the pieces of ticking in the Deeley garage appraised. I want to give it to Becky, who loves antiques and has such a love of the family history. But I wanted her to have a value on it by an expert. The woman who did the appraisal, Carol Butzke, is one of only 14 quilt appraisers certified by the American Quilting Society in the nation. It is quite fascinating to watch her work and she explains as she goes along.
Then last evening I went to the Quilt Guild where Carol gave a lecture on the origin and history of Sunbonnet Sue in literature and quilting. I was glad that I took the time. I think I will make some version of Sunbonnet Sue just to have done it now that I see what imagination can do with the basic premise.
Today was the BIG Brewer game arranged by Uncle Leif Salvesen to gather all who could come together. We had a fun tailgate. There were lots of us. Myself, Jeff and Kathy with daughter Sara, Donna and Randy with all three daughters, Jessica (who left the park in a BUS to go back home in downtown Milwaukee. We all wondered if she was REALLY old enough to go on the bus all alone.) Erin, with boyfriend Josh, and Becky with husband Bryan. (Have I lost you yet.) Then there were Nora and Leif who brought Fred and Eileen with them. Eileen and Fred's son John came from Chicago with my nephew Shawn, George and Betsy's son, who also lives in Chicago. We were rounded off with my Jim and Michelle and Leif's friend Bob Doody and his wife Mary Ann.
Mary Ann and I discovered that we both went to high school at St. Mary's Academy in St. Francis many years ago. Me, several years before her. They are a nice couple. She has her own landscape and design company. I am impressed.
We had a great tailgate. Brats and portobello mushroom sandwiches, salads, cucumber sandwiches, bruschetta and other snacks. And to make the day perfect, the Brewers won.
It was hot in the stadium. They left the roof closed, which I think was dumb, but there was rain projected. I suppose it costs too much to close if they were afraid of having to open it again.
I am tired now again and will close with a quote that I liked from an e mail that I received from my friend Janet.
"Do what you can, for who you can with what you have, and where you are."
We are so blessed, I wish all these blessings for the children of this world. They deserve it. Maybe their parents don't, but the children do. At least a full tummy, a warm bed and a few hugs a day.
Mary
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
It was a beautiful day all day today. I was actually a little chilly when Chelsea and I went out for our walk. I don't have a thermometer any more but the TV said it was in the low 60s. It got up to the mid 70s and stayed there. Chelsea was pretty enthusiastic about her walk, but did cut out one cul de sac. She just sits down, looks down the road and keeps on going past it.
Today I talked to two neighbors that I hadn't seen face to face since the sign went up. Mary, across the street, was looking kind of sad. We don't see each other too much because we are both so busy but have common interests in quilting and faith. She said that she and her husband will probably be thinking condo soon too. It is getting harder for Gary to keep up the lawns and all and she, like me, can't really do it all.
The videos of our house showed up on Bill Cain's web site. So - if you want to see it go to billcain.com. Look under "Our listings". Select single family and find 4409 Hunters Glen Drive. Nick did a good job of filming. We will entertain offers.
Dick saw the podiatrist today and had his callouses trimmed. They need some extra care for a bit and we will go back to be sure they are healing in three weeks. Then we went and did a wee bit of shopping and Dick took me out for lunch.
Tonight I went to Rhine Plymouth to work the "Traveling League", a trap league that shoots at several different clubs and several different yardage. It was fairly busy. They stuck me in the gun room with little instruction but I finally figured it out. I worked from 4:30 to 8:00. It was Dennis Behr 's birthday and he and Sara brought cheese, sausage and crackers for a treat. That plus the yogurt I brought made a good evening meal.
I am working on articles for the paper regarding Celtic Faire and have come up with the season the Irish celebrate of Lughasadh, beginning August 1st and ending November 1st with Samhain. Lughasadh is the harvest time. John O'Donohue in Eternal Echos speaks of an Irish Notion called "Meitheal": the act of a community gathering to do the work for each other that one person working alone could not do in ages. Very reminisent of our barnraisings or co-ops that our country had in it's early days. We still experience Meitheal in small ways such as the example of Habitat for Humanity building houses on the quick with large volunteer crews. I want to incorporate Meitheal into my article and also Lughsadh - the harvest.
Love
Mary
Today I talked to two neighbors that I hadn't seen face to face since the sign went up. Mary, across the street, was looking kind of sad. We don't see each other too much because we are both so busy but have common interests in quilting and faith. She said that she and her husband will probably be thinking condo soon too. It is getting harder for Gary to keep up the lawns and all and she, like me, can't really do it all.
The videos of our house showed up on Bill Cain's web site. So - if you want to see it go to billcain.com. Look under "Our listings". Select single family and find 4409 Hunters Glen Drive. Nick did a good job of filming. We will entertain offers.
Dick saw the podiatrist today and had his callouses trimmed. They need some extra care for a bit and we will go back to be sure they are healing in three weeks. Then we went and did a wee bit of shopping and Dick took me out for lunch.
Tonight I went to Rhine Plymouth to work the "Traveling League", a trap league that shoots at several different clubs and several different yardage. It was fairly busy. They stuck me in the gun room with little instruction but I finally figured it out. I worked from 4:30 to 8:00. It was Dennis Behr 's birthday and he and Sara brought cheese, sausage and crackers for a treat. That plus the yogurt I brought made a good evening meal.
I am working on articles for the paper regarding Celtic Faire and have come up with the season the Irish celebrate of Lughasadh, beginning August 1st and ending November 1st with Samhain. Lughasadh is the harvest time. John O'Donohue in Eternal Echos speaks of an Irish Notion called "Meitheal": the act of a community gathering to do the work for each other that one person working alone could not do in ages. Very reminisent of our barnraisings or co-ops that our country had in it's early days. We still experience Meitheal in small ways such as the example of Habitat for Humanity building houses on the quick with large volunteer crews. I want to incorporate Meitheal into my article and also Lughsadh - the harvest.
Love
Mary
Monday, August 07, 2006
It was kind of warm but not heat stroke hot today. Chelsea and I had a nice walk. We did not really see many other walkers but I did not get started until about quarter after six so most people were already done. I did see Steve turning into his driveway.
Bible Study went well this morning. We had nine people there so it was a lively discussion. Then I reviewed the initial worship folder for Celtic Fair with Sandy. I shrunk three Celtic Letters from my Celtic Coloring Book to put on the cover. Jim Wilsing and I came up with a really neat idea for it this year. (Jim is jealous of my coloring book so I said I would look for one for him when I go to Irishfest.) We are going to use the capital letters that I shrunk (B T AND P) for the first letters of Blessed Trinity Parish with a nice medieval looking font. I chose goldenrod for the cover because the intro I wrote mentions Harvest and gold is a good harvest color.
We had Swedish Meatballs, noodles, fresh green beans from Mom's garden for supper. I am working on cleaning out the freezer and the meatballs are one of the treasures to be finished off.
Bobbie and I had the Rhine Plymouth meeting tonight. It was mentioned AGAIN that all the officers are up for replacement this December. Bobbie and I (at least) will not keep our positions. Three years is enough. It is time for another member to step forward. I will be helping Doc out tomorrow at a shoot that we are hosting.
Bernice Sipiorski, an old neighbor, died on Sunday. Her funeral is tomorrow. I believe that Dick and I, with any luck at all, can get his doctor's appointment done and I can get there for the Mass. It would be nice. She was a sweet woman and I used to babysit for her boys when I was young. Her son, Donald, is deceased but Dennis will be there and it would be good to see him again. I wonder if he even remembers me. That was a cushy babysitting job. Bernice and her husband, Martin, would go downtown to the tavern every Saturday evening from 9 to 1. I came over and sat with the boys, who were usually in bed asleep. Bernice would have a fit if I did the dishes or any other little things that I saw. I did them anyway (Mom taught me better than that.) And I could watch anything I wanted on TV and then go to bed til they came home and Martin walked me home across the vacant lot between our homes. Like I say a cushy job.
Say a little prayer for Bernice.
Love
Mary
P. S. I packed two boxes and sorted through ALL the medicines and first aid supplies today.
Bible Study went well this morning. We had nine people there so it was a lively discussion. Then I reviewed the initial worship folder for Celtic Fair with Sandy. I shrunk three Celtic Letters from my Celtic Coloring Book to put on the cover. Jim Wilsing and I came up with a really neat idea for it this year. (Jim is jealous of my coloring book so I said I would look for one for him when I go to Irishfest.) We are going to use the capital letters that I shrunk (B T AND P) for the first letters of Blessed Trinity Parish with a nice medieval looking font. I chose goldenrod for the cover because the intro I wrote mentions Harvest and gold is a good harvest color.
We had Swedish Meatballs, noodles, fresh green beans from Mom's garden for supper. I am working on cleaning out the freezer and the meatballs are one of the treasures to be finished off.
Bobbie and I had the Rhine Plymouth meeting tonight. It was mentioned AGAIN that all the officers are up for replacement this December. Bobbie and I (at least) will not keep our positions. Three years is enough. It is time for another member to step forward. I will be helping Doc out tomorrow at a shoot that we are hosting.
Bernice Sipiorski, an old neighbor, died on Sunday. Her funeral is tomorrow. I believe that Dick and I, with any luck at all, can get his doctor's appointment done and I can get there for the Mass. It would be nice. She was a sweet woman and I used to babysit for her boys when I was young. Her son, Donald, is deceased but Dennis will be there and it would be good to see him again. I wonder if he even remembers me. That was a cushy babysitting job. Bernice and her husband, Martin, would go downtown to the tavern every Saturday evening from 9 to 1. I came over and sat with the boys, who were usually in bed asleep. Bernice would have a fit if I did the dishes or any other little things that I saw. I did them anyway (Mom taught me better than that.) And I could watch anything I wanted on TV and then go to bed til they came home and Martin walked me home across the vacant lot between our homes. Like I say a cushy job.
Say a little prayer for Bernice.
Love
Mary
P. S. I packed two boxes and sorted through ALL the medicines and first aid supplies today.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
It seems like it was a very long day. Chelsea and I had a good walk before the rain. It rained from about 7:00 to 11:00AM. A nice steady rain and it brought the temperature down a bit for today.
I went to the 8AM Mass and then visited with Mother until it was time for her to go to Mass. I stayed long enough to walk her over as it was still raining lightly and I don't think it is wise for her to walk alone if it is wet. Someone always walks her home. People are so good and there are three or four of our friends who note that she is there and see that she gets home safely.
I only packed a part of one box today. But I also got one item sent into the Press for the Celtic Faire. I must e-mail Ann Pirrung to find out the name of her editor. Perhaps I could send an article for the beliefs section to him to present to the beliefs editor. I can try anyway. I need to do an article for the Falls News and the Plymouth Review also.
This week is a very busy one with bible study, Rhine meeting, working at Rhine, a quilt appraisal and a ball game. Nora and Leif will be in Wisconsin, the reason for the ball game, and it will be good to see them. Michelle and Jim are joining us at the game. Michelle will meet Nora and Leif and Eileen and Fred. I called Jeff and he will let me ride down to the stadium with him, Kathy and Sara. I am so relieved, I was not thrilled about driving alone.
It has been an exhausting day for some reason. Dick and I are watching Bluebeard, one of the Horror Movie collection that Dick gave me for Christmas. We watch them when nothing else is on worth watching and lately that has been a lot. John Carradine is in this one. It is quite good.
A W. H. Auden said. "We are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are here for I don't know."
Have a good week.
Mary
I went to the 8AM Mass and then visited with Mother until it was time for her to go to Mass. I stayed long enough to walk her over as it was still raining lightly and I don't think it is wise for her to walk alone if it is wet. Someone always walks her home. People are so good and there are three or four of our friends who note that she is there and see that she gets home safely.
I only packed a part of one box today. But I also got one item sent into the Press for the Celtic Faire. I must e-mail Ann Pirrung to find out the name of her editor. Perhaps I could send an article for the beliefs section to him to present to the beliefs editor. I can try anyway. I need to do an article for the Falls News and the Plymouth Review also.
This week is a very busy one with bible study, Rhine meeting, working at Rhine, a quilt appraisal and a ball game. Nora and Leif will be in Wisconsin, the reason for the ball game, and it will be good to see them. Michelle and Jim are joining us at the game. Michelle will meet Nora and Leif and Eileen and Fred. I called Jeff and he will let me ride down to the stadium with him, Kathy and Sara. I am so relieved, I was not thrilled about driving alone.
It has been an exhausting day for some reason. Dick and I are watching Bluebeard, one of the Horror Movie collection that Dick gave me for Christmas. We watch them when nothing else is on worth watching and lately that has been a lot. John Carradine is in this one. It is quite good.
A W. H. Auden said. "We are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are here for I don't know."
Have a good week.
Mary
Saturday, August 05, 2006
I got to stay home all day. The temperatures were quite pleasant. It is really quite comfortable in the house tonight. Yesterday it was kind of muggy.
I packed five boxes today. Dick said he would carry four of them (books) out into the garage for me.
Jim and Michelle and Dick and I played cards tonight. Jim and Michelle were the winners again. We old people are really falling down on the job lately.
I cannot get the sewing machine to accomodate the iron on applique. So I guess I will just start hand sewing the banner tomorrow and any time that I watch TV. It will make the time pass nicely.
I finished the draft of the worship folder today. I sent the rough draft off to Jim and Beth and will take it in to Sandy at the church office on Monday. I have to work on the cover and the publicity next.
Tomorrow, except for church, we don't have to go anywhere again. That is two days in a row. But next week will make up for it.
My father in law had an expression that I really liked. He used to tell the grandaughters when they were sensitive that their "Tears were too close to their eyeballs."
Have a nice Sunday.
Mary
I packed five boxes today. Dick said he would carry four of them (books) out into the garage for me.
Jim and Michelle and Dick and I played cards tonight. Jim and Michelle were the winners again. We old people are really falling down on the job lately.
I cannot get the sewing machine to accomodate the iron on applique. So I guess I will just start hand sewing the banner tomorrow and any time that I watch TV. It will make the time pass nicely.
I finished the draft of the worship folder today. I sent the rough draft off to Jim and Beth and will take it in to Sandy at the church office on Monday. I have to work on the cover and the publicity next.
Tomorrow, except for church, we don't have to go anywhere again. That is two days in a row. But next week will make up for it.
My father in law had an expression that I really liked. He used to tell the grandaughters when they were sensitive that their "Tears were too close to their eyeballs."
Have a nice Sunday.
Mary
Friday, August 04, 2006
Fresh corn and tomatoes from Wingert's for supper along with fresh blueberry pie with REAL whipped cream for dessert.
As my brother in law George would say. "Wonder what the rich people are eating tonight."
Bobbie and Bill joined us and Jim and Michelle were home too so we had a lovely dinner with good conversation.
Had lunch with Betty, Marlene and Ceil in Plymouth today. They are happy that we are moving to Plymouth. I feel that I have a belonging there already. As I worked so long there I will be running into friends in stores and church and so on. It is hard to go to a place alone. I've done that enough in my life.
I got three more boxes packed and stacked in the garage today and cleaned the kitchen.
Fr. Mike Shea called this evening. He is in the states, but is leaving Wednesday for Thailand. He was only here for two weeks, and had run out of time, so we will have to plan on getting together next year when he is hoping to be here longer. I told him that Beth Dipple and I will let him know AS SOON as the date is set for the Irish reunion at St. Michael's Church near Parnell and he can hopefully say Mass for us AND we can make it a big fundraiser for Sarnelli House. He called Mother this morning and was very pleased to visit with her. He is so impressed with her independence and I told him how proud we are of her. We both agreed that it does not pay to get into an argument with her. She reads constantly and knows her facts before she speaks.
Tomorrow, I am going to spend the day working on the banner for Celtic Mass. I have not had the time or inclination for weeks and there are only about five weeks left. If I can just get the edging around the fused applique the rest will go VERY fast.
I have finished the introduction for the Celtic Mass Worship Folder. Dick always helps me by editing. I do like to present a different view of Celtic Spirituality each year.
This year I am presenting the idea of the feasts that the Celts celebrated and how they can relate to today quite easily. The season of the Harvest, or Lughasadh begins August 1 and continues til November 1st. Very easy to feature.
Love
Mary
As my brother in law George would say. "Wonder what the rich people are eating tonight."
Bobbie and Bill joined us and Jim and Michelle were home too so we had a lovely dinner with good conversation.
Had lunch with Betty, Marlene and Ceil in Plymouth today. They are happy that we are moving to Plymouth. I feel that I have a belonging there already. As I worked so long there I will be running into friends in stores and church and so on. It is hard to go to a place alone. I've done that enough in my life.
I got three more boxes packed and stacked in the garage today and cleaned the kitchen.
Fr. Mike Shea called this evening. He is in the states, but is leaving Wednesday for Thailand. He was only here for two weeks, and had run out of time, so we will have to plan on getting together next year when he is hoping to be here longer. I told him that Beth Dipple and I will let him know AS SOON as the date is set for the Irish reunion at St. Michael's Church near Parnell and he can hopefully say Mass for us AND we can make it a big fundraiser for Sarnelli House. He called Mother this morning and was very pleased to visit with her. He is so impressed with her independence and I told him how proud we are of her. We both agreed that it does not pay to get into an argument with her. She reads constantly and knows her facts before she speaks.
Tomorrow, I am going to spend the day working on the banner for Celtic Mass. I have not had the time or inclination for weeks and there are only about five weeks left. If I can just get the edging around the fused applique the rest will go VERY fast.
I have finished the introduction for the Celtic Mass Worship Folder. Dick always helps me by editing. I do like to present a different view of Celtic Spirituality each year.
This year I am presenting the idea of the feasts that the Celts celebrated and how they can relate to today quite easily. The season of the Harvest, or Lughasadh begins August 1 and continues til November 1st. Very easy to feature.
Love
Mary
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Dick and I went grocery shopping early this morning. We were home before 9:AM which is unusual. We stopped for breakfast at Hardee's for a change. I do like their bisquits. So I had an egg and cheese bisquit.
When we got home, I put the groceries away and called Dolores to find out how the new baby and her parents are doing. All is well. Stacy's c-section only took about 20 minutes. Doesn't that seem impossible? She is just fine but will have to remember to be very careful for a few weeks so she heals up right. Todd is such a happy Daddy.
I called Eileen too. She has been a sick lady. A reaction to a very strong antibiotic. Now she is on ANOTHER one that is easier on the system and will help counteract the problems caused by the first one. What a mess, right.
Dick and I went over to Menards and bought a hex driver so that I could try to replace the broiler element in the stove. However, when I took it out, the wire was broken. I am not capable of repairing, only replacing, so we called Sears and the repairman will be here tomorrow.
I cleaned the bathrooms today too.
This evening, I wrote the rough copy of the intro for the Celtic Mass worship folder. I will have Dick edit it for me. I have decided to tell about the Celtic Season Lughnasadh, which starts on August 1 and celebrates the harvest. It is one of the two minor seasons. Beltane, celebrated on May 1, means bright fire, and marks the beginning of the "light half" or summer of the year. Samhain. the most important of the four, is celebrated on November 1. It is now associated with our All Hallows Eve (Halloween) and marks the "dark half" or winter of the year.
So it was a busy day, all day. I even got a couple of boxes packed and out into the garage.
We are getting fresh corn and tomatoes for dinner tomorrow and Bobbie and Bill will join us.
Love
Mary
When we got home, I put the groceries away and called Dolores to find out how the new baby and her parents are doing. All is well. Stacy's c-section only took about 20 minutes. Doesn't that seem impossible? She is just fine but will have to remember to be very careful for a few weeks so she heals up right. Todd is such a happy Daddy.
I called Eileen too. She has been a sick lady. A reaction to a very strong antibiotic. Now she is on ANOTHER one that is easier on the system and will help counteract the problems caused by the first one. What a mess, right.
Dick and I went over to Menards and bought a hex driver so that I could try to replace the broiler element in the stove. However, when I took it out, the wire was broken. I am not capable of repairing, only replacing, so we called Sears and the repairman will be here tomorrow.
I cleaned the bathrooms today too.
This evening, I wrote the rough copy of the intro for the Celtic Mass worship folder. I will have Dick edit it for me. I have decided to tell about the Celtic Season Lughnasadh, which starts on August 1 and celebrates the harvest. It is one of the two minor seasons. Beltane, celebrated on May 1, means bright fire, and marks the beginning of the "light half" or summer of the year. Samhain. the most important of the four, is celebrated on November 1. It is now associated with our All Hallows Eve (Halloween) and marks the "dark half" or winter of the year.
So it was a busy day, all day. I even got a couple of boxes packed and out into the garage.
We are getting fresh corn and tomatoes for dinner tomorrow and Bobbie and Bill will join us.
Love
Mary
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
It was hot again today. The cold front that was promised started to come through this evening. The temperatures have dropped from the high 80s to the high 60s this evening. We are even getting a bit of rain. Not enough but anything we get is very welcome at this point.
Chelsea and I had a nice walk this morning and ran into a couple of neighbors, Sherry from next door and Mikki from across the street, so I had to tell them what was going on. I will be somewhat difficult to leave as this is a lovely neighborhood with really good neighbors. Anyone who buys this house will be accepted and feel very comfortable.
Dick and I ran a few errands this morning then went to Falls to the Firehouse to join a bunch of my classmates and their spouses for lunch. The Firehouse is always good and we did some catching up. Dick admitted that he did enjoy himself. We sat across from Dick and Lorraine Schaap who are always good company.
Then I went to Plymouth to do the final review of my book. There was a question on one page which will be emailed for my approval when corrected, then the printing. I want it done by the 10th so I can take it to show everybody at the Ball Game. I will also have it ready for Irish Fest, the Irish reunion at St. Michaels and Celtic Faire.
This evening I did the minutes of the Rhine Board meeting and the outline for the Celtic Mass to take to Sandy on Monday. I still have to write a bit of an introduction to the Worship Folder. I like to change that every year.
So it was a productive day and now I am tired. I did get two boxes packed also. I forgot to mention that.
From Cadfael's Book of Days "Tongues wag more freely before the deaf man."
Be cool and safe. Keep us in your prayers. I am still very worried about many things. I must remember that all I have to do is do my best and keep plugging along and that God will pick up the slack for me.
Love
Mary
Chelsea and I had a nice walk this morning and ran into a couple of neighbors, Sherry from next door and Mikki from across the street, so I had to tell them what was going on. I will be somewhat difficult to leave as this is a lovely neighborhood with really good neighbors. Anyone who buys this house will be accepted and feel very comfortable.
Dick and I ran a few errands this morning then went to Falls to the Firehouse to join a bunch of my classmates and their spouses for lunch. The Firehouse is always good and we did some catching up. Dick admitted that he did enjoy himself. We sat across from Dick and Lorraine Schaap who are always good company.
Then I went to Plymouth to do the final review of my book. There was a question on one page which will be emailed for my approval when corrected, then the printing. I want it done by the 10th so I can take it to show everybody at the Ball Game. I will also have it ready for Irish Fest, the Irish reunion at St. Michaels and Celtic Faire.
This evening I did the minutes of the Rhine Board meeting and the outline for the Celtic Mass to take to Sandy on Monday. I still have to write a bit of an introduction to the Worship Folder. I like to change that every year.
So it was a productive day and now I am tired. I did get two boxes packed also. I forgot to mention that.
From Cadfael's Book of Days "Tongues wag more freely before the deaf man."
Be cool and safe. Keep us in your prayers. I am still very worried about many things. I must remember that all I have to do is do my best and keep plugging along and that God will pick up the slack for me.
Love
Mary
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Well, I am home. Actually, Dick and I were able to stay in out of the horrible heat all day. It was 95 again with a heat index in the triple digets again. Tonight it is supposed to cool and tomorrow, the temps will be in the mid eighties. It has been raining this evening.
Tonight, I went to Beth Hoegger's (my choir director) house to meet with her and Jim Wilsing (the bagpiper)to plan the Celtic Mass. Dick said they must be Deeley's. We could have been done in an hour but it took us almost three because we had to to talk and visit. BUT - we got it done and it will be a beautiful service. We will have a couple of new instrumentalists joining us for some of the music, especially in the prelude. Jim promised that he will play the Old Rustic Bridge to get the program started. (One of my personal favorites). We will sing the song that I wrote the words to and Beth is writing music for the standard parts of the Mass (e.g. the Gloria and Sanctus.) Now I am getting excited.
I need to finish the banner too. With all the house stuff and confusion, it has been put on a back burner.
We got a few more boxes packed and stacked against the wall in the garage. We also pulled out books that we are donating to the library.
Mother called this evening. My nephew, Todd, and his wife Stacy are expecting a baby and she is having a long hard labor and they have decided to take the baby by a C-section. Best to do it sooner than later, but it is still a worry. Please pray along with me for the safety of little Morgan and especially her parents, who I am sure are scared beyond belief. This is their first child too.
We now have a for sale sign on our front lawn. Wonder what the neighbors are thinking.
All my love
Mary
Tonight, I went to Beth Hoegger's (my choir director) house to meet with her and Jim Wilsing (the bagpiper)to plan the Celtic Mass. Dick said they must be Deeley's. We could have been done in an hour but it took us almost three because we had to to talk and visit. BUT - we got it done and it will be a beautiful service. We will have a couple of new instrumentalists joining us for some of the music, especially in the prelude. Jim promised that he will play the Old Rustic Bridge to get the program started. (One of my personal favorites). We will sing the song that I wrote the words to and Beth is writing music for the standard parts of the Mass (e.g. the Gloria and Sanctus.) Now I am getting excited.
I need to finish the banner too. With all the house stuff and confusion, it has been put on a back burner.
We got a few more boxes packed and stacked against the wall in the garage. We also pulled out books that we are donating to the library.
Mother called this evening. My nephew, Todd, and his wife Stacy are expecting a baby and she is having a long hard labor and they have decided to take the baby by a C-section. Best to do it sooner than later, but it is still a worry. Please pray along with me for the safety of little Morgan and especially her parents, who I am sure are scared beyond belief. This is their first child too.
We now have a for sale sign on our front lawn. Wonder what the neighbors are thinking.
All my love
Mary
Monday, July 31, 2006
It was HOT today. I believe it topped 98 degrees with a heat index of triple digets.
Nick Cain came over today to measure the rooms and take pictures and video for their website. I remember him as a little kid when I worked at Wells in Plymouth and he and his sister Katie would come in to see their Mom, Dawn, after school. He has grown up to be a pleasant competent young man. They can be very proud.
Bible Study this morning. We had about 8 of us. A nice number. Helen Morgan and Esther Hasler were both back after an absence so we were glad to have them to add to our discussion. They are sad that we are moving and I will probably switch parishes because we will be so close to St. John's in Plymouth. I said that I MIGHT stick to the bible study because I should come in to visit Mother at least once a week and this would make it a two for one trip.
H. Jackson Brown Jr. said "Never deprive someone of hope, it might be all they have."
Love
Mary
Nick Cain came over today to measure the rooms and take pictures and video for their website. I remember him as a little kid when I worked at Wells in Plymouth and he and his sister Katie would come in to see their Mom, Dawn, after school. He has grown up to be a pleasant competent young man. They can be very proud.
Bible Study this morning. We had about 8 of us. A nice number. Helen Morgan and Esther Hasler were both back after an absence so we were glad to have them to add to our discussion. They are sad that we are moving and I will probably switch parishes because we will be so close to St. John's in Plymouth. I said that I MIGHT stick to the bible study because I should come in to visit Mother at least once a week and this would make it a two for one trip.
H. Jackson Brown Jr. said "Never deprive someone of hope, it might be all they have."
Love
Mary
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Sunday, Sunday. It was much cooler that they predicted but very humid. I understand that the heat tomorrow will more than make up for today. I am still having trouble sleeping. I wake up every morning at about 4AM and cannot get back to sleep. I managed to stay in bed and listen to the music that was on for about an hour, then got stiff and just got up. Chelsea is not doing too well in this humidity. She is cutting back her walk and sometimes just sits down to rest for a bit.
I went to the eight o'clock mass and had a nice visit with Mother. We got to talking about my brother Tim and his friend Gene Drossel. They were thick as thieves as kids. One time Mom and Dad and the Drossels got called to school. There was a party at school and the kids were allowed to bring a snack and something to drink. Tim, Gene and a couple of other boys decided to bring cokes, however, they got the idea to spice them up a bit with some whiskey from one of the Dad's cupboard. Somebody squealed and they got caught. Mother said that now days that would have been all over the papers. At that time, the parents were called and THEY handled it. Tim and Gene grew up JUST fine.
I got home somewhere around 10:30AM and fixed a brunch for Dick, Michelle, Jim and myself. Jim and Michelle went back to West Allis shortly after we ate.
Than, except for an hour for a nap, I worked on getting final touches on the house for the big video taking tomorrow for the house listing. Supper was easy, we had a couple of Jeff's bratwurst and some potato salad left, so we ate that at about six.
Tomorrow, I have Bible Study and a Rhine Plymouth Board meeting. I will also be taking my edited book to Sun Graphics to leave for inal publication.
Today is Nora Schwarten, our granddaughter's birthday. She is eighteen now. It hardly seems possible. We have not seen her now for several years and she never seems to be available when we call. It is sad not to be close to her any more. She is a lovely little thing and seems to be doing well from what Leslie, her mother, says. I think of her often and we have such lovely memories.
Love
Mary
I went to the eight o'clock mass and had a nice visit with Mother. We got to talking about my brother Tim and his friend Gene Drossel. They were thick as thieves as kids. One time Mom and Dad and the Drossels got called to school. There was a party at school and the kids were allowed to bring a snack and something to drink. Tim, Gene and a couple of other boys decided to bring cokes, however, they got the idea to spice them up a bit with some whiskey from one of the Dad's cupboard. Somebody squealed and they got caught. Mother said that now days that would have been all over the papers. At that time, the parents were called and THEY handled it. Tim and Gene grew up JUST fine.
I got home somewhere around 10:30AM and fixed a brunch for Dick, Michelle, Jim and myself. Jim and Michelle went back to West Allis shortly after we ate.
Than, except for an hour for a nap, I worked on getting final touches on the house for the big video taking tomorrow for the house listing. Supper was easy, we had a couple of Jeff's bratwurst and some potato salad left, so we ate that at about six.
Tomorrow, I have Bible Study and a Rhine Plymouth Board meeting. I will also be taking my edited book to Sun Graphics to leave for inal publication.
Today is Nora Schwarten, our granddaughter's birthday. She is eighteen now. It hardly seems possible. We have not seen her now for several years and she never seems to be available when we call. It is sad not to be close to her any more. She is a lovely little thing and seems to be doing well from what Leslie, her mother, says. I think of her often and we have such lovely memories.
Love
Mary
I forgot to blog last night. We spent the day getting as much stuff of of flat surfaces and into boxes along the garage wall as we could.
I think Michelle is doing too much with her foot as the surgery was only Monday but only she can judge how she feels.
Dick took us all out to breakfast.
I have been waking up at 4AM and am unable to go back to sleep for the past two days. Too much on my mind but it is not helping. I am tired and dwelling on problems that I don't have solutions for. I need to keep working on letting go and letting God. I know that he will take care of things but I am so worried.
Later
Mary
I think Michelle is doing too much with her foot as the surgery was only Monday but only she can judge how she feels.
Dick took us all out to breakfast.
I have been waking up at 4AM and am unable to go back to sleep for the past two days. Too much on my mind but it is not helping. I am tired and dwelling on problems that I don't have solutions for. I need to keep working on letting go and letting God. I know that he will take care of things but I am so worried.
Later
Mary
Friday, July 28, 2006
Most of the day was pretty good. It was very hot. The last time I checked it was 85 degrees. I guess we are better off than most of the nation and thank heavens for air conditioning. Thank heavens too, that we are not being threatened by rolling blackouts and have not been hit with the power outages that have been occuring in parts of the country.
I cleaned the kitchen this morning. Must remember to water the plants on the deck and on the pole out front in the morning before it gets too hot. I have one tomato that is red.
Had my weekly lunch with the ladies at the Dairy Queen. I told them today that we are moving to Plymouth. They all said that I was welcome. That is nice. Two of them go to the church, St. John's, so I won't be all alone. I remember moving to a new parish in California one time and being so alone that I cried. I cry alone, I don't like other people to see me crying.
After lunch, I picked up the proof of my book from Sun Graphics. It looks nice. Mary Kay did an edit for me. Dick and I will both check it. Then, with the corrections, we can get it printed. I am so excited.
Then I stopped at Cappelle's and picked up the first sweet corn or the season and a nice big fresh tomato for supper. Stopped at ReMax and dropped off the condition report. Swung by the Pig and picked up milk, eggs and (special treat) Krispy Cream donuts for dessert. Then I went to Wells to meet George, a personal banker, who wanted to review my accounts. Because of his review they are giving us a $150 credit on the closing costs on the mortgage. He had to tell me that we are really using everything that we need and would not recommend changes. I did tell him that after we buy the new house AND our current house sells, we will need to do SOME adjusting of accounts.
Then home.
Nora's Birthday is on Sunday. I can't believe that she will be 18 already.
Sometimes I wish I could wiggle my nose like Samantha the witch and make everything all right.
Love
Mary
I cleaned the kitchen this morning. Must remember to water the plants on the deck and on the pole out front in the morning before it gets too hot. I have one tomato that is red.
Had my weekly lunch with the ladies at the Dairy Queen. I told them today that we are moving to Plymouth. They all said that I was welcome. That is nice. Two of them go to the church, St. John's, so I won't be all alone. I remember moving to a new parish in California one time and being so alone that I cried. I cry alone, I don't like other people to see me crying.
After lunch, I picked up the proof of my book from Sun Graphics. It looks nice. Mary Kay did an edit for me. Dick and I will both check it. Then, with the corrections, we can get it printed. I am so excited.
Then I stopped at Cappelle's and picked up the first sweet corn or the season and a nice big fresh tomato for supper. Stopped at ReMax and dropped off the condition report. Swung by the Pig and picked up milk, eggs and (special treat) Krispy Cream donuts for dessert. Then I went to Wells to meet George, a personal banker, who wanted to review my accounts. Because of his review they are giving us a $150 credit on the closing costs on the mortgage. He had to tell me that we are really using everything that we need and would not recommend changes. I did tell him that after we buy the new house AND our current house sells, we will need to do SOME adjusting of accounts.
Then home.
Nora's Birthday is on Sunday. I can't believe that she will be 18 already.
Sometimes I wish I could wiggle my nose like Samantha the witch and make everything all right.
Love
Mary
Thursday, July 27, 2006
The house is listed. Bill Cain stopped over this morning and we did the deed. He will have it on the MLS and the internet very quickly and Nick Cain will be over on Monday afternoon to take some videos to put on his website.
As soon as we can get some of the excess "stuff" out of the way, we can have open houses if it seems right. It is good to do a real big crush when one first lists a property because that is when the activity is the heaviest and it is more likely to get the closest to the asking price.
We also have official loan approval (with a letter) and have received permission from Judy, the owner, to store boxes in the property that Jim and Michelle are buying, which will help us clean out the excess and make the house look neater and less cluttered.
We also asked Bill's advice as to what we have that we are not using that we can sell at auction.
I packed a couple of more boxes and now have Waylon's room ready to videotape and have done quite a bit in the livingroom or "greatroom" as it is more properly called.
Tomorrow is a very busy day. I will be having lunch with the girls, checking my book at Sun Graphics, picking up corn for supper, picking the garage door opener and dropping off the condition report at ReMax, and meeting the personal banker at the bank. Whew.
We are almost to the end of July already. Then it will be one more month until this is all over, and there is a lot besides just moving going on in this month.
You might be a Redneck if:
1. It never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase, "One nation, under God."
2. You've never protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in public places.
3. You still say "Christmas" instead of "Winter Festival".
4. You remove your hat and bow your head when anyone prays .
5. You stand and place your hand over your heart when they play our National Anthem.
6. You treat Viet Nam vets with great respect, and always have.
7. You've never burned an American flag , but would kick someone's BUTT if they did.
8. You know what you believe and you aren't afraid to say so, no matter who is listening.
9 You respect your elders and expect your kids to do the same.
10. You'd give your last dollar to a friend.
Not a bad credo.
Mary
As soon as we can get some of the excess "stuff" out of the way, we can have open houses if it seems right. It is good to do a real big crush when one first lists a property because that is when the activity is the heaviest and it is more likely to get the closest to the asking price.
We also have official loan approval (with a letter) and have received permission from Judy, the owner, to store boxes in the property that Jim and Michelle are buying, which will help us clean out the excess and make the house look neater and less cluttered.
We also asked Bill's advice as to what we have that we are not using that we can sell at auction.
I packed a couple of more boxes and now have Waylon's room ready to videotape and have done quite a bit in the livingroom or "greatroom" as it is more properly called.
Tomorrow is a very busy day. I will be having lunch with the girls, checking my book at Sun Graphics, picking up corn for supper, picking the garage door opener and dropping off the condition report at ReMax, and meeting the personal banker at the bank. Whew.
We are almost to the end of July already. Then it will be one more month until this is all over, and there is a lot besides just moving going on in this month.
You might be a Redneck if:
1. It never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase, "One nation, under God."
2. You've never protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in public places.
3. You still say "Christmas" instead of "Winter Festival".
4. You remove your hat and bow your head when anyone prays .
5. You stand and place your hand over your heart when they play our National Anthem.
6. You treat Viet Nam vets with great respect, and always have.
7. You've never burned an American flag , but would kick someone's BUTT if they did.
8. You know what you believe and you aren't afraid to say so, no matter who is listening.
9 You respect your elders and expect your kids to do the same.
10. You'd give your last dollar to a friend.
Not a bad credo.
Mary
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Dentist this morning. It was a good thing that they called yesterday to remind me because I had not written it down and would not have been there. All was looking good except for a minor problem with the gum on my back upper right. I have some local antibiotics deep in there and it will heal everything up in a little over a week. Teeth always feel so good after they are cleaned and polished.
Then Dick and I went grocery shopping, to the bank and got gas. We shopped at the northside Pig. Pick and Save doesn't have the napkins that we like so it seemed like a good idea to go somewhere that does.
We also went to Superior Liquor to get more boxes this afternoon. I have pulled out all my Irish videos and books to sort. Some I want to keep and some will be donated to the Research Center.
Talked to Bret this evening. It has been hot hot hot out there. He said that it was 118 degrees today. He is moving this weekend. He is going to rent a room from a friend, Mary. Mary's husband Mickey is the one who got Bret into the welding business and taught him all the ropes. Mickey died of cancer a few years ago and Mary does depend on Bret to help with major home and auto repairs and all so it will be a good thing for both of them. Cheaper for Bret and Mary will have help there.
Michelle and Jim are here tonight. Jim is working tomorrow so Michelle can stay here with us while he is gone. Tomorrow night they will go back to West Allis because she sees her doctor early on Friday morning. She experience a great deal of pain yesterday, but finally got to sleep and today the pain is managable.
I had to throw out a plant that I was trying to save today. One of the cats decided that it would make a handy litter box. I got rid of it and sprayed the big corn plant with LOTS of cat repellent. Sure hope they don't decide to try that too. Waylon did the same thing. Once. Well, that is one plant that I won't worry about any more.
Tomorrow, we list the house.
Love
Mary
Then Dick and I went grocery shopping, to the bank and got gas. We shopped at the northside Pig. Pick and Save doesn't have the napkins that we like so it seemed like a good idea to go somewhere that does.
We also went to Superior Liquor to get more boxes this afternoon. I have pulled out all my Irish videos and books to sort. Some I want to keep and some will be donated to the Research Center.
Talked to Bret this evening. It has been hot hot hot out there. He said that it was 118 degrees today. He is moving this weekend. He is going to rent a room from a friend, Mary. Mary's husband Mickey is the one who got Bret into the welding business and taught him all the ropes. Mickey died of cancer a few years ago and Mary does depend on Bret to help with major home and auto repairs and all so it will be a good thing for both of them. Cheaper for Bret and Mary will have help there.
Michelle and Jim are here tonight. Jim is working tomorrow so Michelle can stay here with us while he is gone. Tomorrow night they will go back to West Allis because she sees her doctor early on Friday morning. She experience a great deal of pain yesterday, but finally got to sleep and today the pain is managable.
I had to throw out a plant that I was trying to save today. One of the cats decided that it would make a handy litter box. I got rid of it and sprayed the big corn plant with LOTS of cat repellent. Sure hope they don't decide to try that too. Waylon did the same thing. Once. Well, that is one plant that I won't worry about any more.
Tomorrow, we list the house.
Love
Mary
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
I went on the trip alone today. Dick feels much better tonight but was just not up to the trip today. Now that it is over, I am just as glad it turned out this way. The crowd, even on a Tuesday, was so heavy and moved so slowly that he would have been terribly uncomfortable. The exhibit is definately worth it but I think it would have been a while before he appreciated it.
I bought him some candy in a Tutenkamen tin and a 2006 Calendar that goes with the exhibit with wonderful pictures.
We went right from the exhibit to Marshall Fields for a delightful lunch of spinach salad, chicken pot pie and a mint chocolate ice cream pie. Then we had about an hour and a half to shop. I found two new pairs of jeans in the petite section and two pair of cute sox. Then on to the Chicago River for an architectural tour. The captain of the boat was SO knowledgeable. He knew the history of every building on the river, I swear. Who, when and why and the architectural details too. We saw the Trump tower, now under construction.
Then the long drive home. It started to rain just about Ozaukee county. So the day was perfect.
Michelle's operation went well according to her e-mail. This evening, the drugs are wearing off and she is not feeling too well. With any luck at all, she will sleep well tonight and feel a bit better tomorrow. Sometimes, the next day is worse though. (Don't tell Michelle. She will be fine if she doesn't know that.) We want her healed and happy.
Take care. Til tomorrow.
Mary
I bought him some candy in a Tutenkamen tin and a 2006 Calendar that goes with the exhibit with wonderful pictures.
We went right from the exhibit to Marshall Fields for a delightful lunch of spinach salad, chicken pot pie and a mint chocolate ice cream pie. Then we had about an hour and a half to shop. I found two new pairs of jeans in the petite section and two pair of cute sox. Then on to the Chicago River for an architectural tour. The captain of the boat was SO knowledgeable. He knew the history of every building on the river, I swear. Who, when and why and the architectural details too. We saw the Trump tower, now under construction.
Then the long drive home. It started to rain just about Ozaukee county. So the day was perfect.
Michelle's operation went well according to her e-mail. This evening, the drugs are wearing off and she is not feeling too well. With any luck at all, she will sleep well tonight and feel a bit better tomorrow. Sometimes, the next day is worse though. (Don't tell Michelle. She will be fine if she doesn't know that.) We want her healed and happy.
Take care. Til tomorrow.
Mary
I went on the trip alone today. Dick feels much better tonight but was just not up to the trip today. Now that it is over, I am just as glad it turned out this way. The crowd, even on a Tuesday, was so heavy and moved so slowly that he would have been terribly uncomfortable. The exhibit is definately worth it but I think it would have been a while before he appreciated it.
I bought him some candy in a Tutenkamen tin and a 2006 Calendar that goes with the exhibit with wonderful pictures.
We went right from the exhibit to Marshall Fields for a delightful lunch of spinach salad, chicken pot pie and a mint chocolate ice cream pie. Then we had about an hour and a half to shop. I found two new pairs of jeans in the petite section and two pair of cute sox. Then on to the Chicago River for an architectural tour. The captain of the boat was SO knowledgeable. He knew the history of every building on the river, I swear. Who, when and why and the architectural details too. We saw the Trump tower, now under construction.
Then the long drive home. It started to rain just about Ozaukee county. So the day was perfect.
Michelle's operation went well according to her e-mail. This evening, the drugs are wearing off and she is not feeling too well. With any luck at all, she will sleep well tonight and feel a bit better tomorrow. Sometimes, the next day is worse though. (Don't tell Michelle. She will be fine if she doesn't know that.) We want her healed and happy.
Take care. Til tomorrow.
Mary
I bought him some candy in a Tutenkamen tin and a 2006 Calendar that goes with the exhibit with wonderful pictures.
We went right from the exhibit to Marshall Fields for a delightful lunch of spinach salad, chicken pot pie and a mint chocolate ice cream pie. Then we had about an hour and a half to shop. I found two new pairs of jeans in the petite section and two pair of cute sox. Then on to the Chicago River for an architectural tour. The captain of the boat was SO knowledgeable. He knew the history of every building on the river, I swear. Who, when and why and the architectural details too. We saw the Trump tower, now under construction.
Then the long drive home. It started to rain just about Ozaukee county. So the day was perfect.
Michelle's operation went well according to her e-mail. This evening, the drugs are wearing off and she is not feeling too well. With any luck at all, she will sleep well tonight and feel a bit better tomorrow. Sometimes, the next day is worse though. (Don't tell Michelle. She will be fine if she doesn't know that.) We want her healed and happy.
Take care. Til tomorrow.
Mary
Monday, July 24, 2006
A very busy day. Started off with bible study. Peggy Feider brought the nicest reading for our opening prayer. It was from Mother Teresa. She said, in a nutshell, she never figured that she would help 42,000 people. She just picked up one person and then another and then another. Like adding a drop of water to the ocean. One drop isn't really noticed but without it there would be one less drop.
Then I took Mother to the Clinic to get her blood test. That went very quickly. Next I went to Sun Graphics in Plymouth to drop off my book. They are going to have the proof ready on Friday. I can stop after my lunch with the Plymouth Bank Ladies. That way they can have it ready for August 10th when I go to the ball game with the Deeleys. Uncle Leif and Aunt Nora will be here and Uncle Leif likes to arrange a ball game with a tailgate party. Should be fun.
Finally, I stopped at ReMax and dropped the way we want title to be held off to Erlinda and talked to Tom for a bit. We have not given up on the animals. Judy, the owner,is going to bat for us. She really felt, I believe, that my letter spoke for itself. I explained to Tom again, that Chelsea is really quite old AND she has a heart murmer and does experience little epileptic type episodes. I also told him that we got the cats from the Humane Society three years ago. They are now eight and we love them and hate to put them through any more trauma than just moving. However, bless her heart, Bobbie said that she and Bill would take them for the duration if it became necessary. We can't separate them and I would NEVER take them back to the Humane Society. That was a big relief. At least we have the security of knowing they will be loved and accepted together by someone who knows and loves them too.
Tonight I joined Dottie Diedrich and Marlene Freville to work on the Celtic Faire quilt. It is such a nice experience to hand quilt in a "quilting bee" situation. We all learn little bits about quilting and share in such a comfortable way, our life situations and just fun things. I like that. We got everything but ONE block, the stitching in the border and the binding done. Dottie is going to finish the last block and there will be a last session next Monday for the border stitching. Joyce will sew on the binding and Marlene will finish it off. It is beautiful. I will put a picture on agan and you can all order tickets from me.
Have a great Tuesday. I am going to Chicago. Dick and I were both supposed to go but he is just not up to the walking involved. So I will join the tour alone. I don't want to miss the Tut exhibit. and Dick doesn't want both of us to miss it. So I will go. We have to be really careful now because too much walking is just too much for him.
Have a great day
Love
Mary
Then I took Mother to the Clinic to get her blood test. That went very quickly. Next I went to Sun Graphics in Plymouth to drop off my book. They are going to have the proof ready on Friday. I can stop after my lunch with the Plymouth Bank Ladies. That way they can have it ready for August 10th when I go to the ball game with the Deeleys. Uncle Leif and Aunt Nora will be here and Uncle Leif likes to arrange a ball game with a tailgate party. Should be fun.
Finally, I stopped at ReMax and dropped the way we want title to be held off to Erlinda and talked to Tom for a bit. We have not given up on the animals. Judy, the owner,is going to bat for us. She really felt, I believe, that my letter spoke for itself. I explained to Tom again, that Chelsea is really quite old AND she has a heart murmer and does experience little epileptic type episodes. I also told him that we got the cats from the Humane Society three years ago. They are now eight and we love them and hate to put them through any more trauma than just moving. However, bless her heart, Bobbie said that she and Bill would take them for the duration if it became necessary. We can't separate them and I would NEVER take them back to the Humane Society. That was a big relief. At least we have the security of knowing they will be loved and accepted together by someone who knows and loves them too.
Tonight I joined Dottie Diedrich and Marlene Freville to work on the Celtic Faire quilt. It is such a nice experience to hand quilt in a "quilting bee" situation. We all learn little bits about quilting and share in such a comfortable way, our life situations and just fun things. I like that. We got everything but ONE block, the stitching in the border and the binding done. Dottie is going to finish the last block and there will be a last session next Monday for the border stitching. Joyce will sew on the binding and Marlene will finish it off. It is beautiful. I will put a picture on agan and you can all order tickets from me.
Have a great Tuesday. I am going to Chicago. Dick and I were both supposed to go but he is just not up to the walking involved. So I will join the tour alone. I don't want to miss the Tut exhibit. and Dick doesn't want both of us to miss it. So I will go. We have to be really careful now because too much walking is just too much for him.
Have a great day
Love
Mary
Sunday, July 23, 2006
This is insane. This is the third time that I am trying to post tonight. It keeps crashing on me.
I am trying to vent my frustration with the condo situation. I will try ONCE more.
We received a letter on Friday. After we had verbal assurance from Tom Cain that all was OK. And after we had gone in to see Kaye Beck on Thursday and filled out an application for the mortgage AND ordered th appraisal that the Condo association was turning down our request to bring all three of our animals with us to the condo.
Needlless to say, I am a wreck. I don't crash very often, but when you try to take my kids or my critters away, you are missing with my heart.
We have four choices, as I see it.
1. We cancel the deal and stay here. We could pay the loan WAY down, get it reamortized, get Jim off the deed and him his equity and hopefully have enough spendable income to pay for shoveling and more outside help and general maintenance.
2. Go ahead with the deal and find someway or someone to take part of the animals. We could concievable alot a dog or a cat to Jim and Michelle but what about the third one?
3. Sneak them in.
4. Persist in our request but Dick is afraid of antagonizing the board or our neighbors. However, we KNOW that there are households with more than one animal and we KNOW that exceptions have been made for elderly LARGE animals, so see no reason for the action as we are willing to even sign an affidavit or agreement or whatever that we will not replace until ALL are gone.
Anyway, I am going to see if Judy, the sellor, has any pull or influence and go from there. I am literally sick to my stomach some of the time. I seems like such a mild request and DOES worry me a bit about the condo assocation's ability to cooperate with tenents.
Well. We will see. I am praying a lot and hope you will join me. It is not as imortant as World Peace, but I cannot imagine that God wants three little animals to be frightened any more than just by the move. New owners would be really hard on them.
Michelle has surgery on her foot on Tuesday. Pray for successful surgery for her. Also my nephew, Jesse Johnston, will be starting a bone marrow procedure any day now. Pray for him and opt for life and health.
Love
Mary
I am trying to vent my frustration with the condo situation. I will try ONCE more.
We received a letter on Friday. After we had verbal assurance from Tom Cain that all was OK. And after we had gone in to see Kaye Beck on Thursday and filled out an application for the mortgage AND ordered th appraisal that the Condo association was turning down our request to bring all three of our animals with us to the condo.
Needlless to say, I am a wreck. I don't crash very often, but when you try to take my kids or my critters away, you are missing with my heart.
We have four choices, as I see it.
1. We cancel the deal and stay here. We could pay the loan WAY down, get it reamortized, get Jim off the deed and him his equity and hopefully have enough spendable income to pay for shoveling and more outside help and general maintenance.
2. Go ahead with the deal and find someway or someone to take part of the animals. We could concievable alot a dog or a cat to Jim and Michelle but what about the third one?
3. Sneak them in.
4. Persist in our request but Dick is afraid of antagonizing the board or our neighbors. However, we KNOW that there are households with more than one animal and we KNOW that exceptions have been made for elderly LARGE animals, so see no reason for the action as we are willing to even sign an affidavit or agreement or whatever that we will not replace until ALL are gone.
Anyway, I am going to see if Judy, the sellor, has any pull or influence and go from there. I am literally sick to my stomach some of the time. I seems like such a mild request and DOES worry me a bit about the condo assocation's ability to cooperate with tenents.
Well. We will see. I am praying a lot and hope you will join me. It is not as imortant as World Peace, but I cannot imagine that God wants three little animals to be frightened any more than just by the move. New owners would be really hard on them.
Michelle has surgery on her foot on Tuesday. Pray for successful surgery for her. Also my nephew, Jesse Johnston, will be starting a bone marrow procedure any day now. Pray for him and opt for life and health.
Love
Mary
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Chelsea and I had a lovely walk this morning. We ran into our friend Roger with a "guest" dog called (I think) Rufus. Roger was Chelsea's Schnauser friend, Pepper's daddy. We also met some new walkers. That was nice.
It was cloudy and comfortable all day. We got a thunderstorm with rather heavy rain this afternoon. The thunder came in the strongest just as our poor Chelsea was getting ready to eat, but she finally managed to finish.
We had lasagna, salad and raspberries and ice cream for supper tonight. We went to Walgreens to pick up some prescriptions and when we passed the Menard's parking lot, I saw a "raspberries" sign, so we took advantage.
Packed the cassette tapes and all the Celtic CD's today. Also packed the sewing patterns and that type of thing. I am hoping that if I do a bit at a time, it won't be to daunting a job. It is really up to me as Dick can't do too much.
I trimmed the growth from under our trees. They were looking very shabby. As I was working, a really pretty airdale came out from the back yard to greet us. She was super friendly and I slipped Chelsea's leash on her because I didn't want her to get lost. She very politely led me through Terry's yard to Linda and Greg's in the cul de sac. That's where she belonged. I was not aware that they lost one of their Schnausers last year and replaced her with this dog, Lucy. She is named Lucy because of her red hair. Anyway, Greg had not been aware that she was gone and Linda came back pretty quickly, she had gone out on their bike to look for her. As I said, Lucy is beautiful and VERY well behaved. She is good about staying in the yard, not like their Schnauser, Otto, who they always leash when he is out.
So that was my excitement for the day.
Here is a little poem that was read at that poetry-fabric art.
The Origins of Hypotheses or Where Did You Get That Idea.
Butterfy wing, newt's tail
dragon tongue, unicorn horn
clarity of day and magic of the moon
thumping drum, dizzying swoon
From South Milwaukee to Tangier
from bird song, child's tear,
toenail clippings, from satin, from swish
from an empty yard, the mind of a witch
poets and artists complied
Threaded Metaphors:
Text and Textiles
By Phyllis Wax
Have a nice Sunday
Mary
It was cloudy and comfortable all day. We got a thunderstorm with rather heavy rain this afternoon. The thunder came in the strongest just as our poor Chelsea was getting ready to eat, but she finally managed to finish.
We had lasagna, salad and raspberries and ice cream for supper tonight. We went to Walgreens to pick up some prescriptions and when we passed the Menard's parking lot, I saw a "raspberries" sign, so we took advantage.
Packed the cassette tapes and all the Celtic CD's today. Also packed the sewing patterns and that type of thing. I am hoping that if I do a bit at a time, it won't be to daunting a job. It is really up to me as Dick can't do too much.
I trimmed the growth from under our trees. They were looking very shabby. As I was working, a really pretty airdale came out from the back yard to greet us. She was super friendly and I slipped Chelsea's leash on her because I didn't want her to get lost. She very politely led me through Terry's yard to Linda and Greg's in the cul de sac. That's where she belonged. I was not aware that they lost one of their Schnausers last year and replaced her with this dog, Lucy. She is named Lucy because of her red hair. Anyway, Greg had not been aware that she was gone and Linda came back pretty quickly, she had gone out on their bike to look for her. As I said, Lucy is beautiful and VERY well behaved. She is good about staying in the yard, not like their Schnauser, Otto, who they always leash when he is out.
So that was my excitement for the day.
Here is a little poem that was read at that poetry-fabric art.
The Origins of Hypotheses or Where Did You Get That Idea.
Butterfy wing, newt's tail
dragon tongue, unicorn horn
clarity of day and magic of the moon
thumping drum, dizzying swoon
From South Milwaukee to Tangier
from bird song, child's tear,
toenail clippings, from satin, from swish
from an empty yard, the mind of a witch
poets and artists complied
Threaded Metaphors:
Text and Textiles
By Phyllis Wax
Have a nice Sunday
Mary
Friday, July 21, 2006
Today was the last day that Rhine is responsible for feeding the pheasants at Maywood. Greg Reich did not have to work today so he came out to help me, thank heavens. There were some pretty heavy losses in some of the pens this week so the birds have been getting a special antibiotic in their water. Also they are eating more, so the big feeder boxes by each pen needed to be topped off. Between Greg and I we finished everything in about an hour and a half. We had 14 dead birds. The four that managed to get into the flight pen in pen three are doing just fine. Greg put a container of food and water out there for them and I think they are bigger and healthier than the others.
I went through some of the books to weed them out. We have a box ready to donate to the library. Tomorrow I will try to go through the one in our office and the one in the basement. I also want to go through and pack cds, dvds, cassetes and videos. Those are easy things to sort and pack. And we can do without them for the weeks that it takes to get resettled.
Chelsea is SO much better but is still a very tired little girl.
Don't have much more today. I think I am tired.
Love
Mary
I went through some of the books to weed them out. We have a box ready to donate to the library. Tomorrow I will try to go through the one in our office and the one in the basement. I also want to go through and pack cds, dvds, cassetes and videos. Those are easy things to sort and pack. And we can do without them for the weeks that it takes to get resettled.
Chelsea is SO much better but is still a very tired little girl.
Don't have much more today. I think I am tired.
Love
Mary
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Dick and I went to see Kaye Beck today and completed our application for the mortgage loan. We are all set except for the completion of the appraisal. Gary Kramer is doing it. I had hoped he would. We will ask for a equity line of credit at the same time so it will be in place when we pay off the first mortgage.
I went to Neenah with Michelle and Jim to peruse a Wedding Expo. I had never been to one before and it was fun. There are all kinds of vendors hawking their wares. There are DJs, flower shops, photographers, caterers, makeup - even Pampered Chef and Taste of Home. Michelle won a cute little bustier purse. It was filled with an interesting kink of "toy." Ask her about it. She was every shade of red for quite a while.
We got to sample some wedding cakes, meatballs, finger sandwiches, appetizers AND chocolate covered strawberries. We did to the the local restuarant and had a cup of soup and shared and appetizer, a quesidilla stuffed with spinach and artichoke. I couldn't finish things so appetizers for lunch tomorrow.
A nice day and very productive. I went through my pots and pans and tupperware and weeded it out quite well today. Tomorrow I will tackle books
Have a great day
Mary
I went to Neenah with Michelle and Jim to peruse a Wedding Expo. I had never been to one before and it was fun. There are all kinds of vendors hawking their wares. There are DJs, flower shops, photographers, caterers, makeup - even Pampered Chef and Taste of Home. Michelle won a cute little bustier purse. It was filled with an interesting kink of "toy." Ask her about it. She was every shade of red for quite a while.
We got to sample some wedding cakes, meatballs, finger sandwiches, appetizers AND chocolate covered strawberries. We did to the the local restuarant and had a cup of soup and shared and appetizer, a quesidilla stuffed with spinach and artichoke. I couldn't finish things so appetizers for lunch tomorrow.
A nice day and very productive. I went through my pots and pans and tupperware and weeded it out quite well today. Tomorrow I will tackle books
Have a great day
Mary
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Chelsea is almost back to normal. We got up at a bit after 6:00AM and we went on our whole walk and except for sitting to rest a couple of times, she trucked right along. Her bowel movements are ALMOST back to normal. She is still pretty tired, but no longer looks distressed and is not begging to go out every hour.
Dick had his dentist appointment today. Went very well. We were out of there in less than an hour. Then we did a few more errands and were able to come home and stay home for the rest of the day.
BULLETIN!!!!!!!Talked to Tom Cain today and we are all okayed to bring all three animals to Tallgrass with us, so we are on our way. I left a message for Kaye, so tomorrow or the next day we will finish our application. Tom and Bill Cain will be coming over on the 27th to list the house and talk about auctioning the things that we do not want to take with us. Now the scramble begins.
We filtered the Marigold Wine today too.
We had quite a dinner tonight too. There were enough meatballs left and, as I said yesterday, we had the fresh green beans from our very own garden. Boy were they ever tender and good.
We finished getting my book all ready to take to Sun Graphics. Dick wrote a biography for me for the inside cover and edited it for me. Now, I just need to get a disc from Jim and copy the book to it to take with me. I am kind of excited.
You're not as young as you used to be and you're not as old as you're going to be. So watch it. And Old Irish Proverb.
Mary
Dick had his dentist appointment today. Went very well. We were out of there in less than an hour. Then we did a few more errands and were able to come home and stay home for the rest of the day.
BULLETIN!!!!!!!Talked to Tom Cain today and we are all okayed to bring all three animals to Tallgrass with us, so we are on our way. I left a message for Kaye, so tomorrow or the next day we will finish our application. Tom and Bill Cain will be coming over on the 27th to list the house and talk about auctioning the things that we do not want to take with us. Now the scramble begins.
We filtered the Marigold Wine today too.
We had quite a dinner tonight too. There were enough meatballs left and, as I said yesterday, we had the fresh green beans from our very own garden. Boy were they ever tender and good.
We finished getting my book all ready to take to Sun Graphics. Dick wrote a biography for me for the inside cover and edited it for me. Now, I just need to get a disc from Jim and copy the book to it to take with me. I am kind of excited.
You're not as young as you used to be and you're not as old as you're going to be. So watch it. And Old Irish Proverb.
Mary
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
What a day. Chelsea is still having bowel problems. We even had an emergency during the night. So, I called the vet at 8:00AM, as soon as they opened, and was able to get her in at 10:30AM. When we walked in the door, there was Terry, the waitress who has been serving us breakfast at Xana's for a couple of years now and her dog, Chester. She quit Xana's about two weeks ago. Kind of a sign, I guess, as Dick and I were trying to figure out how to break our breakfast habit. Now, since we have lost our favorite waitress, we won't feel so bad about finding a place in Plymouth.
She took my number so perhaps we will hear from her.
Back to Chelsea. Dr. Lubenbill said that she definately has a problem. There have been several dogs in the past few days with the exact same symptoms. She gave Chelsea a week's supply of special diet food, antibiotics and a medication to harden the stool. So far it hasn't done any good, but she just took her second pill about an hour ago. Dr. L. did say that the medication uaually acts pretty quickly. She is down a whole pound which tells us how much she is losing. I am supposed to call tomorrow whether or not she is better.
I got my hair cut and saw Dr. Casey today too.
Bobbie and Bill came over to enjoy a supper of chili with us. Jim and Dick did a great job on it and I baked some "bumbleberries" from Market Day for dessert. It is a kind of tart - pie dough baked around a mixture of apple and berries and very tasty. A nice evening.
Dick and I also bottled the Wild Grape wine. It doesn't taste too bad and when it is matured should be really good.
Tomorrow, the only outing is Dick's dentist appointment. I need to get out in the yard too.
I picked enough of my purple beans for a meal for Dick and myself tomorrow. How fun is that!
Love
Mary
She took my number so perhaps we will hear from her.
Back to Chelsea. Dr. Lubenbill said that she definately has a problem. There have been several dogs in the past few days with the exact same symptoms. She gave Chelsea a week's supply of special diet food, antibiotics and a medication to harden the stool. So far it hasn't done any good, but she just took her second pill about an hour ago. Dr. L. did say that the medication uaually acts pretty quickly. She is down a whole pound which tells us how much she is losing. I am supposed to call tomorrow whether or not she is better.
I got my hair cut and saw Dr. Casey today too.
Bobbie and Bill came over to enjoy a supper of chili with us. Jim and Dick did a great job on it and I baked some "bumbleberries" from Market Day for dessert. It is a kind of tart - pie dough baked around a mixture of apple and berries and very tasty. A nice evening.
Dick and I also bottled the Wild Grape wine. It doesn't taste too bad and when it is matured should be really good.
Tomorrow, the only outing is Dick's dentist appointment. I need to get out in the yard too.
I picked enough of my purple beans for a meal for Dick and myself tomorrow. How fun is that!
Love
Mary
Monday, July 17, 2006
Well, Jim and Michelle have an accepted offer. Now, we have only one little hurdle. We need the final word that the condo will let us bring all three of our animals. It seems like a shoo-in but it ain't over til the fat lady sings. Tom is going to try to find out tomorrow.
Then we have to get this property listed and our loan applied for. We have approval for the credit amount that we want but need the appraisal and all done.
Chelsea woke me up at 5:35AM this morning. Just as well, as I had to go take care of the pheasants before I went to bible study this morning. Bob, the guy who taught me what do do for the pheasants, said it would take about an hour. It took me a little longer, but I was alone and I can't do things as easily as the guys can so I was pleased. It is fun, as I said. They are such cute little things. I did have to report that pen three has some of the chicks who are working their way into the flight pens and they are really too young for that yet. Greg's wife Lynn said she would tell Greg and he can find their escape route and seal it and with their son's help get the escaped birds back into their safe pen. I go back on Friday.
Bible study was fine. It was SO hot outside, but the meeting room was nice and cool. There were just six of us today. I expect more next week. Dick and I have discussed it and I have come to the conclusion that I will change to the church in Plymouth when we move out there. It is just not economical to stay at Blessed Trinity with gas prices the way they are. I am making a resolution to not sign up for ANYTHING for a year so I can get a break and decide what I really want to do for a ministry. I would like to concentrate on ONE thing.
Tonight I went back to church and helped quilt the Celtic Faire Quilt. I got a WHOLE square done tonight. Usually, I am half or more done but not quit finished in our evening sessions. We are coming down the stretch. It really is beautiful and very elegant looking.
Chelsea has slight case of tummy troubles most of the day. If she is still in this distress tomorrow, we will take her to see Dr. Z.
Dick is reviewing my book and will do a mini biography for me. Then I can take it to Sun Graphics for printing. I want it done by Aug 13 so I can take it to the Irish Reunion at St. Michaels.
Bobbie and Bill are coming for chili tomorrow night. I am way looking forward to that. The chili was good, even unseasoned so we will have a feast. I have some interesting Market Day desserts that I will fix us.
Love
Mary
Then we have to get this property listed and our loan applied for. We have approval for the credit amount that we want but need the appraisal and all done.
Chelsea woke me up at 5:35AM this morning. Just as well, as I had to go take care of the pheasants before I went to bible study this morning. Bob, the guy who taught me what do do for the pheasants, said it would take about an hour. It took me a little longer, but I was alone and I can't do things as easily as the guys can so I was pleased. It is fun, as I said. They are such cute little things. I did have to report that pen three has some of the chicks who are working their way into the flight pens and they are really too young for that yet. Greg's wife Lynn said she would tell Greg and he can find their escape route and seal it and with their son's help get the escaped birds back into their safe pen. I go back on Friday.
Bible study was fine. It was SO hot outside, but the meeting room was nice and cool. There were just six of us today. I expect more next week. Dick and I have discussed it and I have come to the conclusion that I will change to the church in Plymouth when we move out there. It is just not economical to stay at Blessed Trinity with gas prices the way they are. I am making a resolution to not sign up for ANYTHING for a year so I can get a break and decide what I really want to do for a ministry. I would like to concentrate on ONE thing.
Tonight I went back to church and helped quilt the Celtic Faire Quilt. I got a WHOLE square done tonight. Usually, I am half or more done but not quit finished in our evening sessions. We are coming down the stretch. It really is beautiful and very elegant looking.
Chelsea has slight case of tummy troubles most of the day. If she is still in this distress tomorrow, we will take her to see Dr. Z.
Dick is reviewing my book and will do a mini biography for me. Then I can take it to Sun Graphics for printing. I want it done by Aug 13 so I can take it to the Irish Reunion at St. Michaels.
Bobbie and Bill are coming for chili tomorrow night. I am way looking forward to that. The chili was good, even unseasoned so we will have a feast. I have some interesting Market Day desserts that I will fix us.
Love
Mary
Sunday, July 16, 2006
A rather quiet day. I went to the 8AM mass this morning, and Chelsea and I walked early so we missed being out in the worst of the heat. Today, it got up to 95 degrees on our calenday. Yesterday, the paper said that we reached 101. Seems impossible.
I watered early and will do so tomorrow also. Must get the pots on the deck and on the pole out front. I also need to trim the bushes before we list the property. I fully believe that Jim and Michelle will have their accepted offer tomorrow, then we can move full throttle.
I spent the rest of the day clearing my desk again. I sketched out two articles for the church newsletter and gathered things to take to Bible Study to share with Lynn and Sandy. Must remember to ask them if they still have boxes.
Dick and I measured bedrooms tonight and (if the measurements given on the flyer are accurate) we should be able to fit things in. The difficulty is that there is much more wall taken up with doors and windows, especially in our room. Every wall in the master over there has closets or entry doors or windows which means that much of our current furniture would overlap something. A puzzle. We will have to work it out and we will.
I have the draft of my book all done and out for Dick to review. I asked him to write a short biography of me too.
Guss that's all for now.
Love
Mary
I watered early and will do so tomorrow also. Must get the pots on the deck and on the pole out front. I also need to trim the bushes before we list the property. I fully believe that Jim and Michelle will have their accepted offer tomorrow, then we can move full throttle.
I spent the rest of the day clearing my desk again. I sketched out two articles for the church newsletter and gathered things to take to Bible Study to share with Lynn and Sandy. Must remember to ask them if they still have boxes.
Dick and I measured bedrooms tonight and (if the measurements given on the flyer are accurate) we should be able to fit things in. The difficulty is that there is much more wall taken up with doors and windows, especially in our room. Every wall in the master over there has closets or entry doors or windows which means that much of our current furniture would overlap something. A puzzle. We will have to work it out and we will.
I have the draft of my book all done and out for Dick to review. I asked him to write a short biography of me too.
Guss that's all for now.
Love
Mary
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Today was another full day. Dick and I went to Plymouth to drop off our earnest money for the house. Jim and Michelle have not heard yet, but we did not REALLY expect to because the owner is, as I said, up north at her cottage.
Then we took Mother's vitamins to her. She takes a vitamin called Vita Eyes because she has macular degeneration and we get them for her on the internet.
THEN, I went over to Maywood and learned how to take care of the pheasant chicks. They are now big enough to be let out into the holding pens. So far, except for putting the blinders on, they have been kept in the brooder houses. I learned how to fix their "gatorade" and make sure that they have water and food. Rhine is in charge of them for this week. Greg and Lynn Reich will take care of them tomorrow, Gary Hefter and I are sharing the mornings. I will do Monday and Friday. And Greg will stop after work just to be sure all is well. All we do is replenish water and food and be sure that if there are any dead, we remove, record and dispose of them. It is rather fun.
Then I took a short nap. Bobbie and Bill stopped by for some Rhine information on their way back from the clubhouse and we shared the details of the purchases.
Dick called from Madison for an update and we had a great visit with him.
I fixed fried rice with pork tenderloin and salad for supper.
We played a game of rummy, followed by a game of hearts with Jim and Michelle. Michelle whipped us good on rummy and Jim beat us in hearts. Pretty poor showing for the old folks.
Til tomorrow. James Thurber said that "You can fool too many of the people too much of the time."
Mary
Then we took Mother's vitamins to her. She takes a vitamin called Vita Eyes because she has macular degeneration and we get them for her on the internet.
THEN, I went over to Maywood and learned how to take care of the pheasant chicks. They are now big enough to be let out into the holding pens. So far, except for putting the blinders on, they have been kept in the brooder houses. I learned how to fix their "gatorade" and make sure that they have water and food. Rhine is in charge of them for this week. Greg and Lynn Reich will take care of them tomorrow, Gary Hefter and I are sharing the mornings. I will do Monday and Friday. And Greg will stop after work just to be sure all is well. All we do is replenish water and food and be sure that if there are any dead, we remove, record and dispose of them. It is rather fun.
Then I took a short nap. Bobbie and Bill stopped by for some Rhine information on their way back from the clubhouse and we shared the details of the purchases.
Dick called from Madison for an update and we had a great visit with him.
I fixed fried rice with pork tenderloin and salad for supper.
We played a game of rummy, followed by a game of hearts with Jim and Michelle. Michelle whipped us good on rummy and Jim beat us in hearts. Pretty poor showing for the old folks.
Til tomorrow. James Thurber said that "You can fool too many of the people too much of the time."
Mary
Friday, July 14, 2006
What a day!
FIRST: I did a bunch of cleaning and cooking this morning, and then Dick and I went to the Clinic, where he had his physical. Dr. Phelan is pleased with most everything. He goes back in six months. He is as impressed with Dick's blood tests as Sue, the nurse who tests it is. As I said, he has gone 19 months with his test within the perameters and apparantly this is just unheard of. Yesterday, the lady who was scheduled after him said she was pleased to see him because she thinks he brings her luck. She has been yo-yoing and last month she was right on the money. Sure hope he worked for her this month.
SECOND: We stopped at Hundyai to check on the warranty and see what they have now.
THIRD: We got home to find a message from Tom Cain that our offer was accepted. Judy, the owner is taking our request to bring all three pets to the condos with us (two pets too many) and says she has some pull. I know they have made exceptions before if people HAD animals and agreed not to replace as long as they still had one. We are willing to do that. We are REALLY excited. Did I tell you that Dick gets a pool table along with the house?
FOURTH: Jim and Michelle got their credit approval and went right over to ReMax and made an offer on the condo next to ours. It looks good. However, Judy went Up North to her place up there and probably will not be able to give us an answer until Monday. Holy Tension!!! Sounded like a good offer to me though.
FIFTH: Jim and Michelle took us to Hauser's Hideout in Port Washington to do Karaoke with Michelle's friends, Randy and Diane, who are Almost Live. We had a fun time. Michelle and I sang again. We also each won a t shirt. Mine says Forgive Me for I Have Zinned. A wine glass, on it , of course. The name of the bar is on the back. And wonder of wonder, Jim sang his first song on stage, American Made. And he was GOOD!!! He even has a groupie. A gal from out of the audience came up and told him his was good. If he didn't believe us, I hope he believed her. Because he IS good.
So - WHAT A DAY!
Wonder what tomorrow brings.
Love
Mary
FIRST: I did a bunch of cleaning and cooking this morning, and then Dick and I went to the Clinic, where he had his physical. Dr. Phelan is pleased with most everything. He goes back in six months. He is as impressed with Dick's blood tests as Sue, the nurse who tests it is. As I said, he has gone 19 months with his test within the perameters and apparantly this is just unheard of. Yesterday, the lady who was scheduled after him said she was pleased to see him because she thinks he brings her luck. She has been yo-yoing and last month she was right on the money. Sure hope he worked for her this month.
SECOND: We stopped at Hundyai to check on the warranty and see what they have now.
THIRD: We got home to find a message from Tom Cain that our offer was accepted. Judy, the owner is taking our request to bring all three pets to the condos with us (two pets too many) and says she has some pull. I know they have made exceptions before if people HAD animals and agreed not to replace as long as they still had one. We are willing to do that. We are REALLY excited. Did I tell you that Dick gets a pool table along with the house?
FOURTH: Jim and Michelle got their credit approval and went right over to ReMax and made an offer on the condo next to ours. It looks good. However, Judy went Up North to her place up there and probably will not be able to give us an answer until Monday. Holy Tension!!! Sounded like a good offer to me though.
FIFTH: Jim and Michelle took us to Hauser's Hideout in Port Washington to do Karaoke with Michelle's friends, Randy and Diane, who are Almost Live. We had a fun time. Michelle and I sang again. We also each won a t shirt. Mine says Forgive Me for I Have Zinned. A wine glass, on it , of course. The name of the bar is on the back. And wonder of wonder, Jim sang his first song on stage, American Made. And he was GOOD!!! He even has a groupie. A gal from out of the audience came up and told him his was good. If he didn't believe us, I hope he believed her. Because he IS good.
So - WHAT A DAY!
Wonder what tomorrow brings.
Love
Mary
Thursday, July 13, 2006
We have been busy little people today. Chelsea and I went for our walk at 6:00AM as usual. It was very comfortable. By the time we left for our breakfast and errands it was already getting warm and muggy. Actually, it only hit 86 or 87 and we are supposed to be in the 90s by Saturday but it was quite hot enough, thank you.
We had our breakfast at Zana's, then went on to the Clinic for Dick's blood test. He was perfest AGAIN. That makes 19 months in a row.
Grocery shopping was next on the agenda.
When we got home, I cleaned bathrooms and started the currant wine. Tomorrow, I will strain the juice out of the pulp, add the sugar and additives. Then Saturday, the yeast goes in and we wait.
This afternoon, Dick and I met with Tom Cain and made an offer on a condo in the Tallgrass Condo's. It is the one that is REALLY too big but if we can get the price we asked, it will be OK. We love the view off the deck. I think we made a good offer, so now we have to WAIT. I hate the waiting.
Later
Mary
We had our breakfast at Zana's, then went on to the Clinic for Dick's blood test. He was perfest AGAIN. That makes 19 months in a row.
Grocery shopping was next on the agenda.
When we got home, I cleaned bathrooms and started the currant wine. Tomorrow, I will strain the juice out of the pulp, add the sugar and additives. Then Saturday, the yeast goes in and we wait.
This afternoon, Dick and I met with Tom Cain and made an offer on a condo in the Tallgrass Condo's. It is the one that is REALLY too big but if we can get the price we asked, it will be OK. We love the view off the deck. I think we made a good offer, so now we have to WAIT. I hate the waiting.
Later
Mary
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Well, Today started out rather cool and got very hot and muggy before it was over.
The bust up party for the Morning Trap League was today. We had fun. John Nevicosi brought the food. We had pulled pork in barbeque sauce on rolls, John's special calico beans made with venison sausate and boar bacon, fresh veggies and fruit and a nummy chocolate cake. There was enough, so I brought home enough for sandwiches for Dick and I for tomorrow. It was SO much that I fixed chef's salad for supper tonight. That is always refreshing on a hot day anyway.
We met with Tom and looked at the houses available in Tall Grass. We have decided to make an offer on one as soon as Tom calls us back with one bit of information. The decidinf factors were: the pool table stays and there is a deep laundry tub in the basement. Wow. Now if she will only accept our offer. We are offering the most that we can stretch out. The house is really bigger than we need, but the view is lovely and we love the floor plan.
Wish us luck. Love
Mary
The bust up party for the Morning Trap League was today. We had fun. John Nevicosi brought the food. We had pulled pork in barbeque sauce on rolls, John's special calico beans made with venison sausate and boar bacon, fresh veggies and fruit and a nummy chocolate cake. There was enough, so I brought home enough for sandwiches for Dick and I for tomorrow. It was SO much that I fixed chef's salad for supper tonight. That is always refreshing on a hot day anyway.
We met with Tom and looked at the houses available in Tall Grass. We have decided to make an offer on one as soon as Tom calls us back with one bit of information. The decidinf factors were: the pool table stays and there is a deep laundry tub in the basement. Wow. Now if she will only accept our offer. We are offering the most that we can stretch out. The house is really bigger than we need, but the view is lovely and we love the floor plan.
Wish us luck. Love
Mary
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
We had a lovely day. It rained actually for most of the afternoon. But it was comfortable and we needed the rain badly. I had actually done some watering early this morning but that won't hurt either.
Dick and I drove over to Jeff and Kathy's house to pick up the currants for this year's currant wine. They had picked them because the birds were really going to town and they were afraid there would not be enough left. There are still some inside the bushes that are not quite ripe that they will pick tomorrow or the next day for making muffins and jelly. Currant wine is SO good. We did discover that it definately needs to age for a year to get the full flavor. Patience is SO necessary with wines, especially the wines made from scratch.
We took Jeff and Kathy out for lunch. They took us to a pizza place in Hilbert that has excellent food. We ordered a combo veggie and pepperoni pizza for our lunch. The veggies were fresh and very tasty. What a treat, I had really been hungry for pizza. Downtown Hilbert is in the process of a revitalization and this restuarant has been redecorated too. Very attractive to go with the good food. We will have to go back soon so I can go to an art store that is also on the main street. Jeff and Kathy said that 6 artists using different media own and run this store. Sounds like a fun place to go.
I helped Kathy lay out patches for a quilt and gave her some basic instructions on how to prepare and assemble it. Then we had a piece of delicious ice cream/strawberry cake that Kathy made and came home.
Critters were glad we came home. We often wonder if they worry when we are all gone, or if they just assume we will be back.
Tomorrow is the bust up party for the morning league at Rhine and then Dick and I are going to look at a couple of condos in the Tall Grass Condos. A new one is on the market and we will revisit two others that are still for sale.
I am watching a movie I recorded a few days ago. When it is over I will clean the currants for tomorrow's wine making, then to bed to bed.
Have a good day. Wish us luck on our house hunting.
Mary
Dick and I drove over to Jeff and Kathy's house to pick up the currants for this year's currant wine. They had picked them because the birds were really going to town and they were afraid there would not be enough left. There are still some inside the bushes that are not quite ripe that they will pick tomorrow or the next day for making muffins and jelly. Currant wine is SO good. We did discover that it definately needs to age for a year to get the full flavor. Patience is SO necessary with wines, especially the wines made from scratch.
We took Jeff and Kathy out for lunch. They took us to a pizza place in Hilbert that has excellent food. We ordered a combo veggie and pepperoni pizza for our lunch. The veggies were fresh and very tasty. What a treat, I had really been hungry for pizza. Downtown Hilbert is in the process of a revitalization and this restuarant has been redecorated too. Very attractive to go with the good food. We will have to go back soon so I can go to an art store that is also on the main street. Jeff and Kathy said that 6 artists using different media own and run this store. Sounds like a fun place to go.
I helped Kathy lay out patches for a quilt and gave her some basic instructions on how to prepare and assemble it. Then we had a piece of delicious ice cream/strawberry cake that Kathy made and came home.
Critters were glad we came home. We often wonder if they worry when we are all gone, or if they just assume we will be back.
Tomorrow is the bust up party for the morning league at Rhine and then Dick and I are going to look at a couple of condos in the Tall Grass Condos. A new one is on the market and we will revisit two others that are still for sale.
I am watching a movie I recorded a few days ago. When it is over I will clean the currants for tomorrow's wine making, then to bed to bed.
Have a good day. Wish us luck on our house hunting.
Mary
Monday, July 10, 2006
Three meetings today. Whew!
I had Bible Study this morning. We had a new member of the parish, a gentleman named Joe, join us today. That was nice and good for Tom Keyes, who has been our only regular man in the group. It is really useful to have a nice diverse group. We had a lively discussion about free will and predestination. It is easy to see why predestination would be accepted by some people because God, after all, DOES know everything. However, I believe that we still have free will and can turn Him down if we choose to. And I do not believe that we end up "saved" - I believe it is a work in process. We need to trust God to give us what we need, and I have never been disappointed, but he also expects us to use the talents that he gave us, to get up off our butts and do what is practical and necessary for our good and the good of others in our life.
Then I stopped at Mother's and visited for a bit with her and George. George and Betsy will be heading back to Houston in a few days. They will be spending more time with Shawn and Sara in Chicago before they head back.
Home again to fix lunch for Dick and me. Then on to Writer's Club. I read my poem about the Red Winged Blackbird and shared the picture that I took. They suggested that perhaps I should send it to Birds and Blooms the magazine.
Home again. We had steak, leftovers and corn with peppers and onion for supper along with the last of the apple pie.
At 6:30 Bobbie came by and picked me up for Rhine Plymouth Field and Stream meeting. It was quite uneventful and we were able to get out and on our way home by 8:15PM A minor miracle. John, our acting president, is good about keeping people on the subject and not letting them ramble on. Bobbie and I are insisting that there be a new Secretary and Treasurer for next year and a nomination committee will be established. Three years is quite enough.
Cadfael's Book of Days today says. "Rest easy, for God is awake." Isn't that comforting.
Mary
I had Bible Study this morning. We had a new member of the parish, a gentleman named Joe, join us today. That was nice and good for Tom Keyes, who has been our only regular man in the group. It is really useful to have a nice diverse group. We had a lively discussion about free will and predestination. It is easy to see why predestination would be accepted by some people because God, after all, DOES know everything. However, I believe that we still have free will and can turn Him down if we choose to. And I do not believe that we end up "saved" - I believe it is a work in process. We need to trust God to give us what we need, and I have never been disappointed, but he also expects us to use the talents that he gave us, to get up off our butts and do what is practical and necessary for our good and the good of others in our life.
Then I stopped at Mother's and visited for a bit with her and George. George and Betsy will be heading back to Houston in a few days. They will be spending more time with Shawn and Sara in Chicago before they head back.
Home again to fix lunch for Dick and me. Then on to Writer's Club. I read my poem about the Red Winged Blackbird and shared the picture that I took. They suggested that perhaps I should send it to Birds and Blooms the magazine.
Home again. We had steak, leftovers and corn with peppers and onion for supper along with the last of the apple pie.
At 6:30 Bobbie came by and picked me up for Rhine Plymouth Field and Stream meeting. It was quite uneventful and we were able to get out and on our way home by 8:15PM A minor miracle. John, our acting president, is good about keeping people on the subject and not letting them ramble on. Bobbie and I are insisting that there be a new Secretary and Treasurer for next year and a nomination committee will be established. Three years is quite enough.
Cadfael's Book of Days today says. "Rest easy, for God is awake." Isn't that comforting.
Mary
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Today was WAY too busy but what a fun time.
I started off early with a walk with Chelsea. We kept it short as she did not seem too enthused and I had to be at Maywood by 7:00 to help put blinders on the baby pheasants. It seems like a strange thing to do, but the pheasant often become very cannabelistic if unblinded. So the blinding is for their protection. When time for release comes we cut the blinders. Therefore, the birds go into the wild unblinded and able to see to protect themselves. The only thing they lack is experience and, of course, they have a certain lack of fear of humans. It was noted that the birds raised like this do have a tendancy to gravitate to buildings which mean food to them.
Anyway, I was able to spend an hour. Then I went home, showered, fixed breakfast and headed for Mom's house. I delivered her prescription, meat and potatoes and the newspapers that we share. After we visited for a while, we went to church. I walked her home after church and rushed to Rhine Plymouth, where Bobbie and I were working the 100 bird Lewis shoot. I got there just in time to help Harold Diedrich with the registering of the participants. We had 19 squads. Usually we do good with 13 so this was quite a coup. I learned how to do a lot of the registering and recording of the scores. We were a bit later than I expected so I called Dick to tell him and he offered to take me out for dinner. I accepted. We went to Xana's. I had a Reuben and Dick had a Grilled Cheese. Such a sweet thing to do. I LOVE that guy.
We had a quick thunderstorm sweep through the area. No much rain but thunder and lightening.
Tomorrow will also be very busy. Bible study, Writer's Club and Rhine Plymouth. Why does everything come at once. Dick has the Dentist, his Blood Test AND a doctor Appointment all this week.
Will Rogers said.
"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."
So get up off your butt and do something. Just be sure it is what you want to do. Even if it is NOTHING.
Love
Mary
I started off early with a walk with Chelsea. We kept it short as she did not seem too enthused and I had to be at Maywood by 7:00 to help put blinders on the baby pheasants. It seems like a strange thing to do, but the pheasant often become very cannabelistic if unblinded. So the blinding is for their protection. When time for release comes we cut the blinders. Therefore, the birds go into the wild unblinded and able to see to protect themselves. The only thing they lack is experience and, of course, they have a certain lack of fear of humans. It was noted that the birds raised like this do have a tendancy to gravitate to buildings which mean food to them.
Anyway, I was able to spend an hour. Then I went home, showered, fixed breakfast and headed for Mom's house. I delivered her prescription, meat and potatoes and the newspapers that we share. After we visited for a while, we went to church. I walked her home after church and rushed to Rhine Plymouth, where Bobbie and I were working the 100 bird Lewis shoot. I got there just in time to help Harold Diedrich with the registering of the participants. We had 19 squads. Usually we do good with 13 so this was quite a coup. I learned how to do a lot of the registering and recording of the scores. We were a bit later than I expected so I called Dick to tell him and he offered to take me out for dinner. I accepted. We went to Xana's. I had a Reuben and Dick had a Grilled Cheese. Such a sweet thing to do. I LOVE that guy.
We had a quick thunderstorm sweep through the area. No much rain but thunder and lightening.
Tomorrow will also be very busy. Bible study, Writer's Club and Rhine Plymouth. Why does everything come at once. Dick has the Dentist, his Blood Test AND a doctor Appointment all this week.
Will Rogers said.
"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."
So get up off your butt and do something. Just be sure it is what you want to do. Even if it is NOTHING.
Love
Mary
Saturday, July 08, 2006
What a day. It was HOT. 88 or more I guess. I am watering the front yard this evening. I have to remember to turn it off. We got to stay home today EXCEPT for a drive to Walgreen's to pick up prescriptions for Dick and Mother.
Chelsea and I went for our usual walk at 6AM. I started the soaker hose in the herb garden and watered the plants on the pole. We mixed the White Zinfindal this afternoon.
I called Bart tonight. He and Barb are doing fine, but the heat is really hard on them and Barb is being really stressed at work because the other two people in her department are out for surgery and they have provided her with NO help at all. He parents are doing better. Her Mom finally got some surgery she needed so will be able to better take care of herself and Don.
Sad news though, Bart and Barb's dog, Beauty died. She was almost 16 years old but that makes it even harder. Their other dog, Sheva is really depressed. I remember how depressed Waylon got when we had the cats put down. He cried, literally. It is so hard to lose a pet, but perhaps that is one of the reasons we are on this earth. To take care of the creatures that would be lost without us.
We had colcannon for supper tonight along with pork tenderloin and cole slaw. Boy was it good. Michelle likes Colcannon. This was the first time she had ever had it. In case you don't know, Colcannon is mashed potatoes combined with cabbage and green onions softened in milk with butter liberally applied to all.
We will have apple pie when the kids get back from the Moose Lodge. Michelle is a member and wants to transfer to Sheboygan. She is thinking of using the lodge for their reception.
Have a nice Sunday.
Mary
Chelsea and I went for our usual walk at 6AM. I started the soaker hose in the herb garden and watered the plants on the pole. We mixed the White Zinfindal this afternoon.
I called Bart tonight. He and Barb are doing fine, but the heat is really hard on them and Barb is being really stressed at work because the other two people in her department are out for surgery and they have provided her with NO help at all. He parents are doing better. Her Mom finally got some surgery she needed so will be able to better take care of herself and Don.
Sad news though, Bart and Barb's dog, Beauty died. She was almost 16 years old but that makes it even harder. Their other dog, Sheva is really depressed. I remember how depressed Waylon got when we had the cats put down. He cried, literally. It is so hard to lose a pet, but perhaps that is one of the reasons we are on this earth. To take care of the creatures that would be lost without us.
We had colcannon for supper tonight along with pork tenderloin and cole slaw. Boy was it good. Michelle likes Colcannon. This was the first time she had ever had it. In case you don't know, Colcannon is mashed potatoes combined with cabbage and green onions softened in milk with butter liberally applied to all.
We will have apple pie when the kids get back from the Moose Lodge. Michelle is a member and wants to transfer to Sheboygan. She is thinking of using the lodge for their reception.
Have a nice Sunday.
Mary
Friday, July 07, 2006
Apparantly today is considered the birthday of the bikini. The bikini was quite a scandle when it first came out. By today's standards the original was quite modest. The scandel of it then was the fact that the belly button was exposed for all the world to see.
I remember coming home for a visit (I lived in California at the time) and bringing a two piece bathing suit. It was not even considered a bikini in those days, but Mother was quite embarressed that I would wear it on the sands of Lake Michigan.
I started thinking of the changes over the years and remembered Grandma Bowser. She was a very outspoken person. Back about 40 years ago, pregnant women started wearing shorts during hot weather. Grandma said that she could not help thinking, when she saw them, of an orange with toothpicks stuck in it. I could never wear shorts while I was pregnant because that image STUCK in my mind. I think I mentioned to you that Grandma Marie (Matie) Bowser was a lady and my image and picture of a lady was the way she behaved and expected us to behave.
I gave blood today. It was even more easy than the first time, because I don't seem to be bruising this time. Of course, I didn't get a t shirt. They only do that for the first time. I went right from there to Plymouth for lunch with the girls, and ran into Kathy Fields, the director of our bell choir at Blessed Trinity. She had a knee replacement and spent a couple of weeks at Progressive Health Care a nursing home, that sounds like a hell hole. Finally, a friend of hers just plain got her out of there. She has a long way to go but is planning on directing the bell choir in September, even if she has to do it from a chair. So she is fighting.
We had a cheesy tuna casserole with a salad and peaches on a merengue shell for supper. Quite good.
I am very tired tonight. Perhaps giving blood does that.
Til tomorrow
Love
Mary
I remember coming home for a visit (I lived in California at the time) and bringing a two piece bathing suit. It was not even considered a bikini in those days, but Mother was quite embarressed that I would wear it on the sands of Lake Michigan.
I started thinking of the changes over the years and remembered Grandma Bowser. She was a very outspoken person. Back about 40 years ago, pregnant women started wearing shorts during hot weather. Grandma said that she could not help thinking, when she saw them, of an orange with toothpicks stuck in it. I could never wear shorts while I was pregnant because that image STUCK in my mind. I think I mentioned to you that Grandma Marie (Matie) Bowser was a lady and my image and picture of a lady was the way she behaved and expected us to behave.
I gave blood today. It was even more easy than the first time, because I don't seem to be bruising this time. Of course, I didn't get a t shirt. They only do that for the first time. I went right from there to Plymouth for lunch with the girls, and ran into Kathy Fields, the director of our bell choir at Blessed Trinity. She had a knee replacement and spent a couple of weeks at Progressive Health Care a nursing home, that sounds like a hell hole. Finally, a friend of hers just plain got her out of there. She has a long way to go but is planning on directing the bell choir in September, even if she has to do it from a chair. So she is fighting.
We had a cheesy tuna casserole with a salad and peaches on a merengue shell for supper. Quite good.
I am very tired tonight. Perhaps giving blood does that.
Til tomorrow
Love
Mary
Thursday, July 06, 2006
We did our grocery shopping this morning. The store was cold. I guess it seemed colder because it was so pleasant outside. We got gas this morning. Can not believe spending $42 for a tank of gas. It is obscene.
I spent part of the afternoon, e-mailing and calling different sources to try to find dancers for the Celtic Faire. I will know next Monday or Tuesday, but talked to a man called Reuel Zielke who coordinates the Caledonian Scottish Dancers. He was encouraging. He will be meeting with the dancers and the piper this weekend and will get back to me. The Faire is held during their natural hiatus (after Irish Fest and before they need to get practicing for holidays) but he was hopeful.
Next I have to call Beth Hoegger, choir director, and Jim Wilsing, our local piper, to plan the Mass for this year.
I think I will do the inserting of my words into the music of "For Ireland, I Won't Say Her Name." tonight. It is good to be getting all these little crummy chores caught up and out of the way. Next week, I want to get back to sewing on the banner and the quilts for quilt show.
I fixed merengue shells last night and we had them tonight with fresh sliced peaches and cool whip. Really refreshing. I made two and they were so big, I split one for tonight and we will have the other tomorrow night. I love the Allrecipes site. You can cut a recipe down by just reducing the number of servings. This will become more useful as time goes along.
Tomorrow, I will be going to Plymouth for lunch, the bank and a stop for a consult at Sun Graphics. The book is getting close and I need to be sure that I have things in a manner that they can work with.
Have a nice Friday
Mary
I spent part of the afternoon, e-mailing and calling different sources to try to find dancers for the Celtic Faire. I will know next Monday or Tuesday, but talked to a man called Reuel Zielke who coordinates the Caledonian Scottish Dancers. He was encouraging. He will be meeting with the dancers and the piper this weekend and will get back to me. The Faire is held during their natural hiatus (after Irish Fest and before they need to get practicing for holidays) but he was hopeful.
Next I have to call Beth Hoegger, choir director, and Jim Wilsing, our local piper, to plan the Mass for this year.
I think I will do the inserting of my words into the music of "For Ireland, I Won't Say Her Name." tonight. It is good to be getting all these little crummy chores caught up and out of the way. Next week, I want to get back to sewing on the banner and the quilts for quilt show.
I fixed merengue shells last night and we had them tonight with fresh sliced peaches and cool whip. Really refreshing. I made two and they were so big, I split one for tonight and we will have the other tomorrow night. I love the Allrecipes site. You can cut a recipe down by just reducing the number of servings. This will become more useful as time goes along.
Tomorrow, I will be going to Plymouth for lunch, the bank and a stop for a consult at Sun Graphics. The book is getting close and I need to be sure that I have things in a manner that they can work with.
Have a nice Friday
Mary
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Today was the last day of shooting in the Morning League at Rhine. I did not do well at all, though, at lease, I did get over half. I finished with a 13. Ich. Next Wednesday is the Bust Up Party.
Dick and I were REALLY busy with wine today. We bottled the Riesling. Twenty Six bottles with the Roxie's Riesling label on them are now ready to put on the shelf. We also added the last ingredients to the Luna Bianca. That will be ready in about a month. Later this weekend we can filter the Wild Grape and the Marigold. Then they will be ready to bottle too. It is a good thing too, because Kathy said that she noticed that the currants are ripening out in Hilbert and I will have to go harvest them in the next week or so.
I got the book I want to publish all put together. There is quite a bit of editing still needed but I think it is really coming together. I would like to have it published before the Irish Reunion out at Mitchell which is August 13.
I was looking at Charles M. Schultz book Happiness Is A Warm Puppy and will share a couple with you.
"Happinessis some black, orange, yellow, white and pink jelly beans, but no green ones."
"Happiness is three friends in the sandbox ..... with no fighting." (The world could sure use a bit more of that!)
Mary
Dick and I were REALLY busy with wine today. We bottled the Riesling. Twenty Six bottles with the Roxie's Riesling label on them are now ready to put on the shelf. We also added the last ingredients to the Luna Bianca. That will be ready in about a month. Later this weekend we can filter the Wild Grape and the Marigold. Then they will be ready to bottle too. It is a good thing too, because Kathy said that she noticed that the currants are ripening out in Hilbert and I will have to go harvest them in the next week or so.
I got the book I want to publish all put together. There is quite a bit of editing still needed but I think it is really coming together. I would like to have it published before the Irish Reunion out at Mitchell which is August 13.
I was looking at Charles M. Schultz book Happiness Is A Warm Puppy and will share a couple with you.
"Happinessis some black, orange, yellow, white and pink jelly beans, but no green ones."
"Happiness is three friends in the sandbox ..... with no fighting." (The world could sure use a bit more of that!)
Mary
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Happy 4th of July! Our country's birthday. We are 230 years old now. It seems like a long time but we still need to realize that compared to many nations we are only a youngster. We are a melting pot, a nation of "mongrels" (that was a great description from a Bill Murray movie called Stripes). We are a mish mosh of ethnic diversity that is always struggling to be fair to everybody.
Fairness, however, does not mean that Everybody can Never be offended. Sometimes we all have to accept that each citizen in our hodge podge of a nation has a RIGHT to believe (or not believe) differently. That if someone chooses to thank or praise God in a public place, it is not necessarily an affront to someone else who does not believe in God. I say "necessarily" because there are always flaunters in our world as well as those who are offended by everything.
We also, as a nation, need to accept the fact that, just as the popular axiom goes,"I wish I was still 16 and knew all the answers." We are a teenager amoung nations and do NOT have the ability to mold the world to our way of thinking. We can only, as the richest nation in the world, try to be generous and as helpful in diplomatic ways and in any other way we can. We are a generous, loving and joyful people. Let us share THESE things.
We went to Randy and Donna's for a fry. What good food and what good company. Michelle got to meet LOTS of the Deeleys. She was a big hit. Everybody is excited about the wedding on October 21. She will meet most of the rest at the Ball Game in August. That is really going to be a busy week.
Donna made a really great flag cake. White chocolate with strawberry stripes and blueberry stars. I fixed calico beans but used chorizo instead of hamburger and were they ever good. We still have a meal or two left.
Did I tell you that I made dill bread? I had made some yogurt cheese (again) I still have not mastered a real good taste mixture, but in the process, I checked for uses for the whey that drains off of the yogurt and found a bread that called for the yogurt cheese AND the whey. It also has fresh chopped onions and dill in it and is VERY good.
At 9:30 I plan on going out on the deck to watch some fireworks for a bit. Poor Chelsea. Well, this will be the worst of it though I am sure there will be some straggling fireworks for at least a week.
Tomorrow, we hope to hear from Bill Cain with some condo info and I am going out to Rhine to shoot my last round for the Summer Morning League.
Have a good rest of the week. If you are working, I am sure the short week is welcomed. At least the weather was beyond beautiful today for United States of America's big birthday bash.
Love
Mary
Fairness, however, does not mean that Everybody can Never be offended. Sometimes we all have to accept that each citizen in our hodge podge of a nation has a RIGHT to believe (or not believe) differently. That if someone chooses to thank or praise God in a public place, it is not necessarily an affront to someone else who does not believe in God. I say "necessarily" because there are always flaunters in our world as well as those who are offended by everything.
We also, as a nation, need to accept the fact that, just as the popular axiom goes,"I wish I was still 16 and knew all the answers." We are a teenager amoung nations and do NOT have the ability to mold the world to our way of thinking. We can only, as the richest nation in the world, try to be generous and as helpful in diplomatic ways and in any other way we can. We are a generous, loving and joyful people. Let us share THESE things.
We went to Randy and Donna's for a fry. What good food and what good company. Michelle got to meet LOTS of the Deeleys. She was a big hit. Everybody is excited about the wedding on October 21. She will meet most of the rest at the Ball Game in August. That is really going to be a busy week.
Donna made a really great flag cake. White chocolate with strawberry stripes and blueberry stars. I fixed calico beans but used chorizo instead of hamburger and were they ever good. We still have a meal or two left.
Did I tell you that I made dill bread? I had made some yogurt cheese (again) I still have not mastered a real good taste mixture, but in the process, I checked for uses for the whey that drains off of the yogurt and found a bread that called for the yogurt cheese AND the whey. It also has fresh chopped onions and dill in it and is VERY good.
At 9:30 I plan on going out on the deck to watch some fireworks for a bit. Poor Chelsea. Well, this will be the worst of it though I am sure there will be some straggling fireworks for at least a week.
Tomorrow, we hope to hear from Bill Cain with some condo info and I am going out to Rhine to shoot my last round for the Summer Morning League.
Have a good rest of the week. If you are working, I am sure the short week is welcomed. At least the weather was beyond beautiful today for United States of America's big birthday bash.
Love
Mary
Monday, July 03, 2006
Well, don't ask what happened to me the past two days. I can't even tell you why I didn't post. I think the days just got away from me.
Saturday we were really busy. Dick and Jim and Michelle and I went out for breakfast and then drove to the Ponds (a Sheboygan Falls Condo area) to just see what they look like. We couldn't get in, of course but did find that there are some that are one story, four in a building that might work. However, today, I think I found them on the MLS and they are more than we can spend so that will eliminate them right off the bat. We also drove to Howards Grove and looked at two new units in one building. They are not of the quality of the condos at Tallgrass, so we have eliminated them too. Then Dick and I went to an open house at Tallgrass in the afternoon, but it was not a floor plan or position in the tract that we liked. Anyway, today, (Monday) I called and left a message for Bill to call us. The four of us have decided that if a unit in the Tallgrass can be found that suits Dick and me, we will make and offer and Jim and Michelle will offer on the one they liked.
Saturday night we had quite a storm. Thunder and wind and rain. To top it off, kids are shooting off fireworks and poor Chelsea is a real basket case. We have to force her out to relieve herself and then she is a trembling little bundle.
Sunday night we did not have the storm, but the fireworks were worse. So far tonight, it is pretty quiet on all counts. But we are under a thunderstorm watch for the next couple of hours.
We had enchaladas and tostadas last night. Pretty good. Tonight I fixed leftover vegetable stuffing with Chicken Italian Sausages and fresh leaf lettuce for a salad.
George and Betsy are in the state. They spent the weekend with Shawn and Sara in Chicago and will go back there later in the week. Today, they chose a headstone for Courtney and picked me up so we could go to the Humane Society to see Courtney's window. It is wonderful. One of the big ones on a cage that holds two cats. I was able to put a picture on the blog. George and Betsy were very pleased. I had trouble leaving a big old kitty who kept bumping his head on the glass to ask for some lovin". But two kitties is more than enough. I always was so glad to be able to tell Courtney that when we got pets, we always rescued them from the shelter.
Tomorrow, the Deeley's will congregate at Randy and Donna's for a pot luck fry. I made Calico Beans to take along. I used chorizo instead of hamburger and they are REALLY tasty.
All else is well. Aunt Kathleen called this afternoon, her daughter Christine and her husband Ron, who is a winemaker also, were there and I wanted to share a bottle of Marigold with him. That is our really nice signature scratch wine. They all liked it. Ron gave me a bottle of his daughter's commemorative wedding Chardonnay. We are instructed to let it age for a year. We are very patient. As some of our wines are still trying to age up. Some never will. I also shared Dad's wine book the Wines of the Southwest which is a real little treasure.
Guess that's all. From Cadfael "Aim at making everybody happy, and if that's wighing reach, why stir up ay kind os unpleasantness?"
Mary
Saturday we were really busy. Dick and Jim and Michelle and I went out for breakfast and then drove to the Ponds (a Sheboygan Falls Condo area) to just see what they look like. We couldn't get in, of course but did find that there are some that are one story, four in a building that might work. However, today, I think I found them on the MLS and they are more than we can spend so that will eliminate them right off the bat. We also drove to Howards Grove and looked at two new units in one building. They are not of the quality of the condos at Tallgrass, so we have eliminated them too. Then Dick and I went to an open house at Tallgrass in the afternoon, but it was not a floor plan or position in the tract that we liked. Anyway, today, (Monday) I called and left a message for Bill to call us. The four of us have decided that if a unit in the Tallgrass can be found that suits Dick and me, we will make and offer and Jim and Michelle will offer on the one they liked.
Saturday night we had quite a storm. Thunder and wind and rain. To top it off, kids are shooting off fireworks and poor Chelsea is a real basket case. We have to force her out to relieve herself and then she is a trembling little bundle.
Sunday night we did not have the storm, but the fireworks were worse. So far tonight, it is pretty quiet on all counts. But we are under a thunderstorm watch for the next couple of hours.
We had enchaladas and tostadas last night. Pretty good. Tonight I fixed leftover vegetable stuffing with Chicken Italian Sausages and fresh leaf lettuce for a salad.
George and Betsy are in the state. They spent the weekend with Shawn and Sara in Chicago and will go back there later in the week. Today, they chose a headstone for Courtney and picked me up so we could go to the Humane Society to see Courtney's window. It is wonderful. One of the big ones on a cage that holds two cats. I was able to put a picture on the blog. George and Betsy were very pleased. I had trouble leaving a big old kitty who kept bumping his head on the glass to ask for some lovin". But two kitties is more than enough. I always was so glad to be able to tell Courtney that when we got pets, we always rescued them from the shelter.
Tomorrow, the Deeley's will congregate at Randy and Donna's for a pot luck fry. I made Calico Beans to take along. I used chorizo instead of hamburger and they are REALLY tasty.
All else is well. Aunt Kathleen called this afternoon, her daughter Christine and her husband Ron, who is a winemaker also, were there and I wanted to share a bottle of Marigold with him. That is our really nice signature scratch wine. They all liked it. Ron gave me a bottle of his daughter's commemorative wedding Chardonnay. We are instructed to let it age for a year. We are very patient. As some of our wines are still trying to age up. Some never will. I also shared Dad's wine book the Wines of the Southwest which is a real little treasure.
Guess that's all. From Cadfael "Aim at making everybody happy, and if that's wighing reach, why stir up ay kind os unpleasantness?"
Mary
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