It was rather warm today but kind of damp and misty. Chelsea and I were able to have a very nice walk this morning.

I went to the meeting at the Senior Center in Plymouth. I think we all know that once the deal is set, the State of Wisconsin and the Railroad Consortium will outvote and outweigh any input or reasoning that we give, but still believe that if a person DOESN'T give input and/or show up you have noone but yourself to blame. There was a nice crowd and not just from the Tall Grass condos and we have been doing most of the noisemaking.

Senator Leibham, the mayor, representatives from the railroad, Reprsentative Kestell and several alderman were there. They all told their takes on the deal but did not convince anyone that this is a good thing. The initial story is that there will be maybe two or three runs a week of maybe 10 cars going through the right of way at about 10 miles per hour. By the time they had finished the number had jumped to possibly 6 DAYS of runs going up to 40 miles an hour. This is past a park which runs in front of a school. Street traffic is limited to 25 MPH and 15MPH when children are present. I knew that railroads have a lot of power (still) but was a bit shocked by the fact that local laws mean nothing. It is noted that the entire 11 miles of track will have to be removed and redone. There are several intersections that have been paved over and will need signaling. The most significant is where the track will have to go over Hwy 57. The most significant to US is the one just outside of our Tallgrass Lane between us and Plymouth.

Phil Kalkthaler, an attorney and old friend who lives down the street, is concerned because he is just a street width from the track. If there is a derailment he could end up with a car in his bedroom. We are almost as close but DO have trees that would slow things down a bit. However, there was no satisfactory answer as to safety issues or what would be done to protect the homes along the route as far as noise and vibration etc. It was much what I expected. I sat with our neighbors, Harold and Dick.

This morning was a happy time though. When I took Chelsea out for a second chance to relieve herself, I finally heard and saw a red winged blackbird and he was singing his little heart out. Hope he comes EVERY day.

Jim and Michelle came for an hour or so and did some of the repairs on the computer. Dick now has Windows and I have been changed to Thunderbird from The Bat. However, I cannot SEND anything from Thunderbird so am still using Bat, Thunderbird and Google kind of where it works.

Oh. Well. Nobody said life would be easy.

Tomorrow, I have only to go to church. The rest of the day I can stay home.

I made the corned beef and cabbage for supper. Also some parsnip cakes. It was really good and Dick even ate a decent supper.

DOG DIARY

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!



Til tomorrow.

Love you

Mary

The day was eventful. Chelsea and I had a really nice walk. I didn't wake up until well after 6AM so it was pretty light when we started. It is so much more pleasant to be walking when it is light.

I cleaned the kitchen and hall this morning and cleaned up the desk. Then I picked up some canned goods that were on sale at the Pig for the bust up dinner that I will help prepare in May. Seems logical to save as much money for the club as we can. I figure on making a BIG pot of calico beans. I will be watching for the rest of the stuff to be on sale too.

Had lunch with my bank friends at the Dairy Queen. Sure glad they have the grilled cheese sandwich as it is Friday in Lent. I hope they feature their Crab chowder before Lent is over. That was really good too.

Dick and I are working on changing our doctors and dentists to Plymouth. I made an appointment with a Dr. Murthy at Aurora in Plymouth because I need to have my tummy meds figured out AND I made an appointment with a Dr. Joseph DDS on Mill Street and will cancel my Wednesday appointment with Dr. Huberty. I will miss him but it will save me a lot of driving.

This afternoon, Dick and I went over to Hunters Glen. We ran the water and flushed the toilets. I checked out the flower beds and neatened them a bit. My tulips and day lilies are coming up nicely, also my chives. I took down the hanging pots from the pole out front and emptied them.
Then I loaded the yard waste into the car and when we got home, I added the bags we had here and hauled them off to the city yard. I was a little worried, but it was real easy to find and to get in to.

We went over to St. John's at about 4:30 for an excellent fish fry. The church puts them on during Lent. I had heard that they were good and I heard right. We got the senior meal. Two pieces of fish, noodles or chips, cole slaw, applesauce, rye bread and a huge piece of dessert. The sponsors of each week bring the desserts and they are extremely generous. Dick and I brought ours home. We shared one this evening after I got back from shooting and will have another for tomorrow. Tonight we had apple pie.

I went to shoot league and my friend Lil has absolutely nothing to worry about this time. I am just unable to hunker down this time. Too much on my mind and I wander. Well, I still have fun and practice practice practice is bound to do something eventually.

Tomorrow will be interesting. There is a meeting at the Senior Center involving our congressmen regarding the proposal to reopen the rail line that runs about 20 yards behing our house. I will go alone as Jim and Michelle are coming for our alloted hour to do some work on Dick's computer sometime after 10:30AM and we don't want to take a chance on losing our "appointment". We have questions for the congressmen and the railroad itself such as what sound and sight protective measures will be provided as we are practically sitting on the track. My other question is the cost. I know it is federal and state funds but that is our money too and it is in the MILLIONS. Can the two factories that will benefit from this justify it. I would like to know. The whole track has to be almost relaid and the spots that go over roadways are non existent. Hope I can bring home some answers.

We received a thank you note from Nora today (Pray for her - It is a hard thing she is doing and I give her credit. Poor little thing said that she is scared. That is not a bad thing. Being scared I mean.) We also received a DVD of the lovely wedding. She was gorgeous and the groom isn't bad either. AND we got her graduation picture. I must get a new frame so we can display it properly.

SO it was quite a day and tomorrow will be busy too. I am going to fix the corned beef and cabbage for our supper.

Have a nice weekend. It is supposed to be warm but rainy. Even Thunderstorms - Poor Chelsea.

Love
Mary

Today was beautiful. The sun shone. The temperatures were such that I was able to get by with a spring jacket all day.

Chelsea and I had a lovely walk. We took the whole route and she probably would have gone further. No sitting down on the job this day.

Dick and I went to McDonalds for breakfast then on to the Pig for our grocery shopping. I had that list to pick up for Mother too. I used to shop for Aunt Helen, Aunt Nonnie and myself but have lost the knack. It was very confusing but we did get it done in good time.

I had to be in Sheboygan at Mead by 10:30 to meet with Paul and Jane for the choosing of the final winners of the poetry contest. It only took us about an hour. We had some struggles as this year there were none that just jumped out at us. I felt a bit bad about one that was really good, but did not reference the theme at all. But we finally picked three that were acceptable to us all and were on all of our yes or maybe lists. Then we went to Applebee's for lunch. I had a wonderful spinach, shrimp salad and a wrap.

Stopped at Battery plus for a battery for my gold watch, then took Mom her groceries. We had a nice visit. She had a quiet week this week but next week is really hopping. She will go the the Senior Meals, the Sheboygan Theatre and Canasta with friends.

Yes, next week is the Sheboygan Theatre production, the second last already. It is Cheaper by the Dozen and I believe that I will finally be able to go. We saw the first one, Annie, then Mother was sick for the second, which was Beauty and the Beast and then Dick was sick for the third, The Diary of Ann Frank. If Dick isn't up to going, Donna hinted that she would join Mother and me this time.

Chelsea and I walked around to the back of the condo this afternoon to see what is coming up. I found the rhubarb, chives are coming and a few other things that I cannot identify. I measured for the size of planter boxes that we will need for the deck. It smelled so springlike that it made me anxious to get a start. Of course we all know that one cannot do TOO much before Memorial Day because there is always chance of frost.

Have a good Friday, I hope none of you have to work the weekend.

Nora is on her way to boot camp. We must keep her in our prayers. That is a lot to take on.

Love

Mary

A comparatively quiet day. A gloomy one too. It did get up to 55 degrees this afternoon which was at least nice for me as Chelsea was a real little pest this afternoon. I don't think she feels well lot of the time and thinks she has to go out. Or maybe she isn't feeling quite right and wonders why I don't just fix it because, in her eyes, I take care of everything else. She sleeps SO soundly now and a lot.

We had a pretty good walk this morning. I turned us back a little early because it was raining. Then when I thought that she might like to go around another cul de sac, she just sat down and looked at me. She does that when she if feeling worn out.

I spent the morning writing and clearing my desk. I also ordered a prescription, watered and transplanted some plants and caught up on the computer. Took Dick to Aurora Plymouth for his blood test at 11AM. Then we stopped at Walgreens for a few more supplies ( we are putting that salve on his feet and ran out of sterile pads). Then I fixed lunch and took a little nap.

This afternoon, I vacuumed the den and downstairs bedroom and baked some carrot raisin muffins. We had spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. Then I went downstairs to watch BONES and sew for a while. I have almost finished another kitty.

Now I am ready to wind down. Tomorrow, we shop and I need to pick up some things for Mother too. Usually, Donna just gets Mom's groceries when she goes, but Donna has had a terrible cold/flu for several days. She had a fever of 103 which is really scary. But she is improving. Anyway, I will pick the groceries up for her tomorrow and drop them off on my way back from finishing the judging of the poetry entries for the Write Stuff Contest that The Sheboygan County Writers is sponsoring with the Sheboygan Press. Three of us have read the poems, all 107 of them, and selected those that we feel are the best. Now we will pool our notes.

Today, Dick and I were watching the game show Hollywood Squares. We were laughing at the wit of Martin Mull as the center square. Then we reminised about Paul Lynde who was the center square on the original Hollywood Squares. I will always remember his answer to a question presented to him. It went as follows. "What state was Lincoln born in?" and Paul said. "The same state as the rest of us, Naked and Screaming."


Love

Mary

It was cold most of the day. It was cloudy and the temperatures never got much more than 35. Once the sun came out late this afternoon it felt better anyway.

We had Dick's annual eye exam this morning early. Everything is OK except there is a clouding on one of his implants . We need to see another doctor to find out if it is far enough along to laser clean. Otherwise his eyes are healthy and he does not need new glasses.

I feel that I was busy most of the day but don't feel that I accomplished a whole lot except confusion. However, I am making progress on Quicken. Dick, in Madison, has found out that we can install Quidken in up to three computers in a household, so that solves that problem. Now we have to determine how to do this. I think we can do it with the instructions in the package and Dick said that he would walk us through it if it would help. I am going to read a bit more and then try it when he is available to call for help if I run into trouble. We will have the same situation as before in that only one of us can be IN Quicken, we can't be on at the same time.

We went to Walmart for toilet repair stuff and another rug for the office. We are trying to keep the carpet protected from Chelsea's icky drool. I found a pot that is all ready to mix and plant tomatoes. It made me feel a bit more like spring on this cold and damp day. Tomorrow then. I will plant tomatoes.

I had a telephone conference at 4:00PM with the Celtic Women's board. We are not as big as we wish we were but are doing quite well. The Chicago area is co sponsering a Women's program called Imperfect Balance. One of our board members is doing a theatrical production as part of an art exhibit and the Celtic Women International have assembled a list of books for women. I will give you a site to peruse them as soon as it is available.

I am going to a conference on April 21, 22 and 23 in Galena. Mary Schultz made room reservations at the Irish Cottage where we will be doing most of our meeting. I can share a room with her. I met her at the Celtic Women Conference in September and that will be fun. The room includes breakfast. I like that.

We had Philly Sandwiches for dinner tonight.

Tomorrow the only outside errand is Dick's blood test. We scheduled it for the Aurora in Plymouth at 11:00AM so we won't have to go into Sheboygan.

I am very tired. Dick says I am not getting enough sleep. Don't know about that but I think we both need catching up.

I hope we can get one of the five gallon wines racked tomorrow too.

Guess that is all for now. Tomorrow is the first day of Spring. The Cadfael Book of Days for SPRING with Quotes from Ellis Peters assembled by RobinWhiteman says "A time for all manner of births and beginnings, and for putting death out of mind." Sounds like a perfectly wonderful thought to me.

Be good to yourselves today. Remember that I love you all.

Mary

Today was a GREAT day. Chelsea and I had a lovely walk. All through Tallgrass and around and through the park and woods. She is SO pleased that things are coming around to her way of thinking again. Those walks are when she shows the most energy. The rest of the time she mainly sleeps.

Next I went to Bible Study. We had some animated discussions about judging others. The Avery trial was a good tie in. We were impressed with the compassion that the Halback family has for the Avery family.

Mom and I had a nice visit. She got lots of St. Patrick's Day cards. She had fixed a corned beef for the day's supper BUT -- Jeff and Kathy stopped at Chuck and Sue's in downtown Sheboygan Falls on their way from my house. Keith Carpenter was tending bar and had cooked corned beef to serve at the bar. When the Carpenter's owned the bar, Lynn Carpenter, Keith's brother always fixed the corned beef and they brought a dinner over to Mom and Dad. This year Keith fixed a plate for Mother. What a guy. We also had such a good talk about the old St. Patrick's days with the singing that went on in our family and the extended family. We wonder if the current and the next generations will even know these songs.

Home again where Dick and I had the leftover Mexican Lasagna from Bobbie for lunch. Imagine my delight when I got home and found that there was a message on the machine informing me that I was a semifinalist in a poetry contest that the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets did with the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra. I did not will the first prize but am so proud to be one of the semifinalists. She said there were 13 semi finalists, 16 finalists out of the over 300 entries received. I am just glowing and was so proud to be able to announce it at the Plymouth Writers Club meeting. When I got to Book Heads, the book store at which we meet, I found that she had sold one of my books. This is the first one sold through a store, so this is INDEED a red letter day.

Now I am all pumped up to do more.

Love

Mary

Today was a lazy lazy day. Chelsea and I went for our walk at about 6AM and I went to the 8AM Mass. It is good to be back to that. I really prefer that early Mass. I was Eucharistic Minister and I like that too. On the way home I stopped at Fleet Farm to pick up some wrappings for Dick's feet to hold the pads over the areas that we put salve on. Teresa at Sheboygan Clinic told us to get the wrapping there. They are cheaper. The ones at Fleet are marketed to wrapping horses legs so they cost less that the ones in the drug stores for humans. I got four different colors. Won't that be fun. I did not get the fuchsia though.

I was starved when I got home so fixed a nice big breakfast of bacon, sausage, potatoes and eggs. That made Chelsea really happy. She is probably hoping that life is settling down again. She has been very confused these past few weeks. She coughed pretty bad this afternoon, but I rubbed her and talked to her and she did not have one of her episodes.

I did a bit of sewing today but mainly just rested and did some miscellaneous stuff on the computer.

We had pork chop, fresh parsnips from Jeff and Kathy and cranberry relish for supper. I heated a bumbleberry which we shared with ice cream for dessert.

Tomorrow is Bart's birthday. I can hardly believe that my little baby is now thirty six years old. I remember his birth so clearly because I got to watch him being born. There are no words that can describe the wonder of seeing your child enter the world and take his very first breath. He was such a pretty baby too. He had a nice shaped head and round cheeks and just a brush of dark hair on his head.

I remember too that a friend of mine came to the hospital to wait and was a bit under the weather and kind of make a spectacle of herself. Fortunately, I was unaware of all the to do. And so was my ex, I guess. Her name was Tome and she was married to Crazy Karl Kendall. Karl was a carpenter and a real hard head. One time he was framing up a second story of a building and fell off the roof. He landed with his head wedged between the bumper and the body of a truck. They pulled him out and except for a couple of scrapes on his face he was just fine. We always told Karl that if he had landed on his feet he probably would have killed himslf.

Have a great week.

Mary

Today was a day of highs and lows. Mostly highs.

Started off a bit before Six AM with Chelsea and I going for a nice long walk. She sure is happy that we are not turning back at the corner any more. All of her good smells are back. But she sure is tired when we get home.

We got Dick to the Clinic at 9AM for Sue to test his blood again. Yippee! it tested out at 2.2 Quite a dramatic improvement over the awful 6 that it tested at on Thursday. Sue was very happy too. We are to go back in two seeks unless the blood test next Wednesday shows some problem.

We got home at 9:30, plenty of time for me to change and gather stuff up for the bit Irishman's Walk. Jeff and Kathy got her at 10AM. Jeff, Kathy, Jim, Michelle and I all piled in Jeff's van. Jim dropped us off at the Family Video for the gathering. Boy was there a crowd this year. What with the beautiful weather and the fact that it is a Saturday the ranks just swelled. We made our way to the Inn where Jim had a table saved for us. We ate (I had root soup and a corned beef sandwich with fries) and then went out in plenty of time to get a good seat to see the band. This year they did have entertainment. Sometimes, when it is during the week, they don't have a band until evening when the crowds come. But this year a band, Beef Tea, was in a tent in the parking lot. There were lots of friends there. The Mersbergers, Nancy Roehre, Rip and Christine O'Dwanny. I had a really good time.

We came home at about 1:30PM. Jeff and Kathy headed for Falls to see Mom so I sent her some wine and the money I got for her the other day. Then I took a nap.

We left for Bobbie and Bill's a bit before 5PM. Nice drive. Bobbie fixed an excellent dinner as usual, her Mexican Lasagna. It was GOOD. Then we had Sacher Tort for dessert. Chelsea got to go along, of course. She always gets to go to the "goddess's "house.

Roxie came out and let me pet her. She may remember me. I am not sure. But Oscar was scared and would not have anything to do with me. My heart is broken.

Now that we are through with hospitals for while, I will be able to go to he 8AM Masses again. So tomorrow will be normal. I am a Eucharistic minister too. So glad, it would be embarrassing to have to find another substitute.

Love.

Mary

Boy, this was the first time in AGES that we have not had to got to either a hospital or a doctor's office ALL DAY. I slept until almost 6:30AM and Chelsea and I went for our whole walk for the first time in weeks too. Boy was she ever tired most of the day. But she was sure a busy little bee during the walk and did not act a bit 13.

Then I cleaned the kitchen this morning and cleaned out my recipes. Actually, I was looking for a specific bread recipe that seems to have disappeared.

Had lunch with Marlene, Mary and Barb today. That was a pleasant break. We did get a counter offer on the house. They only came back with $197000. We just rejected it with no counter. If they are not serious, why bother. Why are they looking at home in the 229,000 range if they intend to pay less than 200,000. Give me a break.

Someone is going to look at it again on Tuesday.

I went and shot league today. The first one was terrible but the next two steadily improved. I seem to need to shoot one to get my bearings. Perhaps it will improve as my stress reduces. Now that Dick is somewhat better - at least we are getting some rest now.

Yesterday, Dick and I saw our first robins. Good sigh. Today, while Chelsea and I were on our walk, I (and I mean I, Chelsea is not too alert unless something moves you know) saw TWO deer in the grasses at the end of Cattail Court. Then later in the day when I took her out, I heard geese honking and there were two of them sitting on the top of a house across the way.

Lots of nature activity. I like that. When I see a red winged blackbird and hear it's trill, I will really believe that spring is here.

Love

Mary

Dick and I now get to sleep until 6 or later. I actually did not wake up until 6:20 and probably could have gotten back to sleep but I could feel Chelsea getting anxious. It was SO cold after these extra warm days that we have been experiencing. And I was unable to "keep the wind at my back". Pretty hard when you go around a block.

This morning we picked up the salve for Dick's feet that must have gold dust in it for the cost. Then we went to the Sheboygan Clinic to see Dr. Hodous, the podiatrist. He took care of Dick's feet then we went to have Sue check Dick's blood count. For the first time in over two years, his count is BAD. It is supposed to be between 2 and 3. Today it was 6. Ouch. So down we went for a full blood test. Now Sue has had him stop taking the cumedin until she tests him again on Saturday morning. We have to be there at 9AM. Which will give plenty of time for me to get back to go to the Irishman's Walk at 10:30.

Jeff and Kathy are going to join us. Jim and Michelle are joining me too. It will be fun to have family. It has always just been me. But I have lots of friends there so I always have fun. Of course, I usually have fun whenever I do anything. Bloom where you are planted I always say. Enjoy the moment. It won't return again.

After we left the clinic, Dick and I went grocery shopping, to the post office and out for lunch before getting home at about 12:30AM.

We were talking about congestion today (Don't ask me why.) I remembered something about Bret. When he was a very small baby, he developed asthma. For years, he never really got a cold. Every time there was the slightest sign of an infection it would all settle in his chest and he would wheeze like an accordian. It was really scary. I spent many a night with him sounding like he was breathing through cotton.

Anyway, when he was about 11 years old, he came to me one day obviously frightened. He said that I had better take him to the doctor right away. He couldn't breathe through his nose. I had to explain to him that he had a normal cold. For the first time in his life he had a just plain head cold that didn't turn into bronco pneumonia.


Tomorrow will be St. Patrick's Eve. Sure hope they have something musical on TV. Saturday will be nice with the walk and dinner at the Mays.

Have a happy Friday.

Mary

Guess what. My day at home turned out to be just a dream. Our appointment with Dr. Phelan was changed to 9:30 this morning. and we did not get home until about 12:00Noon.

The appointment went very well. Dr. Phelan feels that, at this point, the antibiotics have done as much as they can. There is still Something wrong, but we will go without the meds for a while at least and see how things go. We have to pick up a very expensive salve to put on some spots on his feet that are troublesome and must continue with the special soap and cream when bathing.

SO. He had Theresa, a nurse there, take out the PICC line. BOY is that a long thing. It just slides right out though and Dick felt no discomfort at all. He has to have a blood test next Wednesday to see if the good levels are holding. We stopped at Walmart for a bit of shopping, the Plymouth Clinic to make an appointment for the blood test and I filled the tank. We were beat when we got home. I fixed lunch and then took a nap.

Anyway, no more 5AM wakeups and every evening at the hospital. We are SO tired and SO grateful that we can maybe get caught up on some rest. Dr. Phelan gave Dick some sleeping pill samples which we hope will help him get some rest too.

When I got up, I vacuumed and made some fudge to send to Bart for his birthday. I have some left if you want to come over.

Now we don't have to worry about what time Bobbie will have us over for dinner on Saturday. She can just choose a time.

Just a little joke. I read Andy Capp this morning. He is at the track and tells his companion. "It's not a good sign when the horse you've bet on sinks to its knees when they put the saddle on."

Love

Mary

Another 5AM wake up. I was really sound asleep when Dick called me. This morning went well. We asked Linda to check and be sure that we were getting a dose this evening. She called Dr. Phelan's office and they said that we were but that he wanted to see Dick tomorrow instead of Thursday. There goes our "whole day at home". Oh well, we wouldn't know what to do with all that luxury.

I have a feeling that Dr. Phelan will be putting him on another round. We got to Valley View tonight to find out that there WAS NO evening dose, but the trip was not for nothing as the lab had to take blood anyway. He also got the ports flushed one more time.

We countered on the low ball offer that we got on Hunters Glen. I don't believe we will hear from them again.

Tonight I went to the funeral of a dear friend, Stan Payne. Stan and his wife, Peg have been Irish friends for many a year now. Peg and I found common roots when we worked at Wells Fargo together. For Example: Her mother, Margaret Michaels, stayed with my Grandpa and Grandpa Bowser in Sheboygan Falls while going to the Normal School (the teaching college) back in the late 1920s or so. Families did that. The Michaels were friends from the Parnell area.

Stan was a barber in Cascade until he retired. He had been quite ill with heart failure for the past few years and the last time I saw him he was quite weak. It was at a picnic at St. Michaels out in Town Mitchell. He stood up, sweet gentleman that he was, to greet me. He said that with his struggles he felt that people were looking at him and it made him feel funny. I told Stan that he should stand tall and let them look because he was well worth looking at. The past few days, I hope that he remembered what I told him and walked up to St. Peter at the gate and said. "Here I am, Stan Payne and I have come to get what I have been promised." If anyone earned the promise of the Lord, Stan did.

Today was absolutely beautiful. The temperatures were up to 63 degrees and the snow is fading fast.

Love

Mary

What a day. It was well up into the 50s. The snow is melting like crazy and we have at least two more days so most of it will be gone.

Had to get up at 5AM of course. This morning's intravenous went just fine. Then the rest of the day for me was run run run.

First I went to Fleet to pick up my turkey license. I got a free compass for buying the license there. Big WOO but I took it anyway.

Then on the Bible Study. There were 5 of us. Almost everybody else is on vacation somewhere exotic like Florida. The study went well. It was all about reconciliation. Actually the Gospel was the Prodigal Son. It is easy to understand the feelings of the son who stayed home and kept on a truckin. But God expects more of us. I am minded of a poster that my friend Pam Mc Carthy had on her wall above her desk. Iggy is standing on a mountain looking up at the heavens with his arms outstretched in a big pleading prayer and he is saying."You expect TOO much!" Sometimes it is really hard to hang on the the promise that He won't give us more than we can handle.

Stopped at Mother's next and brought her the prescription, and her papers and a cheese shaped like a shamrock from the Mars Cheese place. She really liked that.

Leaving there, I stopped off at Mark Miller my accountant friend and dropped off the K1s that have arrived. We figured out what still should be coming in so I know what to look for.

Then I swung by the Superior Aurora and picked up Dick's compression stockings and on the Jumes where I at an egg salad on rye for lunch.

Lastly was the Sheboygan County Writer's club meeting. I gave the 107 poems for the Write Stuff Contest to Paul for his chance to judge them. When Jane gets back next week, the three of us will get together and pick out the final three winners.

Are you tired yet? I sure am.

I got home with an hour to spare before Dick and I had to be back at Valley View for the last treatment of the night. We only have tomorrow now. Guess what, Wednesday we don't have to to ANYWHERE. Hope to high heavens that nothing ruins it.

Then we had dinner and wonder of wonders, Jennifer from ReMax called with an offer on the Hunters Glen house. We got ahold of Jim and Michelle and went over to get it. It is a REAL low ball offer so I have been crunching the numbers and we will counter. This should just be a beginning anyway. There have been lots of showings and several other people besides these have been expressing interest, but we will counter with an offer acceptable to us. The good thing about this offer is that there are no contingencies and they want to close in a month.

Anyway. An offer is a hopeful thing.

1. Go to the Super Bowl
2. See a Broadway show, front row, center
3. Go to the Olympic Games
4. Ski the first tracks at Deer Valley
5. Try to hit a Major League Baseball fastball
6. Stay at a five-star hotel in the best suite
7. See the Northern Lights
8. Take a train ride on the Orient Express
9. Go the the Galapagos Islands
10. Ride a motorcycle across the U.S.
11. Help dig for dinosaur bones
12. Float along the Nile
13. Own a set of Frette linens
14. Volunteer to help the environment
15. Climb Mount Olympus
16. Watch the Sumo Wrestling Championship in Japan
17. Ride a mule through the Grand Canyon
18. Train like an astronaut at space camp
19. Fly across the Atlantic in a private jet
20. Have Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues
21. Drink a mint julep at the Kentucky Derby
22. Drive on the Autobahn in Germany

These were suggested in an email. Why don't we all think of our OWN 22 things to do before we die. I will if you will.

Mary

It was a good day. The weather was beautiful. The 50 degrees that we were promised for Tuesday showed up today. I have not heard that Tuesday will have any surprises so we should be in for a few really seasonably warm days.

It was cold during the night however, and I had to pick my way around sheets of runoff ice on the morning walk. Chelsea just runs hell bent for leather and slips and falls and gets up with the same enthusiasm for it all.

Both visits for Dick's intravenous went very well. As a matter of fact, they were all over us at Memorial because they had goofed us up twice. Once last week when we were there for almost three hours because they could not find one of the meds and yesterday when we were not on the list. We have never once had a complaint about a nurse, however, and that says a lot. They have been compassionate and very helpful and professional. On the way out tonight we ran into Dr. Phelan and chatted with him for a bit. We will see him on Thursday. Things are better so we have hope, but I do believe that there will be some ongoing treatment.

I went to the 10:30 AM Mass again. Sure will be glad to get back to 8:00AM. Fr. Van Beeck reminded us to either stay on track for Lent or reapply ourselves. Frankly, I am just trying to keep afloat this Lent. And I must say I am not really impressed with this early daylight savings time. I think Arizona has the right idea. Forget it.

Mary Calvey and Donna (I don't know her last name) hosted that Seisun that I mentioned yesterday. I went and had a great time. I took some Irish Brown Bread and Butter to share. It was all gone except for one lonely heel. I think it was a nice first time for the event. There were about 6 musicians that came to Jam and 40 to 50 people who came in and out. I read a couple of my poems and sang Whiskey on a Sunday. Sold three books and left five for the Art Center to display. Mary led us in several sing a long songs too. She has a lovely voice. She sang the Fields of Athenry which she does very well. I asked if I could finish with a "blessing" and did the one I know you all remember.

May Light always find you on a dreary day
When you need to be home , may you find the way.
May you always have courage to take a chance
And never find frogs in your underpants.

They loved that one.

Have a nice St. Patrick's week.

Love

Mary

Today was quite satisfactory.

Got to sleep until a bit after 6AM. A treat that won't happen for a day or two because Congress, in its "wisdom" has decided to start daylight savings this night, instead of later in March. They say that we will have more light but it means that I will be walking Chelsea in much darker conditions.

It was warm today and will be just as warm tomorrow. It is not supposed to freeze tonight so I will not have to worry about slipping or sliding anyway.

This morning we got home to find Bobbie just knockin' at the door. She was a bit early for our Quilt Show trip with Jim and Michelle. Chelsea was sure glad to see her. She said that kitties , Oscar and Roxie, are doing just fine. They are yearning for lots of attention. So am I and I miss them terribly. I am sure glad that their "foster parents" love them so much.

The quilt show was very nice. Actually there was a huge geometric painting that Jim wants us to make a quilt of. It was an altogether nice day. It was so nice to take a bit of a trip, have lunch and see a "show" and stop at the Mars Cheese Shop for some fun food shopping. Bobbie and I bought two Irish Cheeses and split and shared them. One is a Porter Cheese that I will try tomorrow.

The trip to Sheboygan Memorial was interesting. We got there to find that we were not on the list. It turned out OK anyway. The nurses were quite concerned. As it turned out the meds were there. The nurses assured me that we did not have to worry, they would take care of us anyway. I am not sure how reassuring it was to Dick but I felt really good about it.

Mom called today while I was gone. To check on Dick, of course, and to let me know that Leif is through his surgery. It went well. They are together in the hotel now and Stenn is coming in to Houston tonight to be there to help Nora drive back to Dallas. George is picking him up. Everything went well. He is a bit uncomfortable but that is to be expected.

I found out also that Erin went to wherever it is that students go on spring break near Houston. She had a meal with her Uncle George and he drove her to the airport. That is so nice. They are both so sociable. Mother said she was going to tell Erin that she hoped that she kept her clothes on.

I found out that Garrison Keillor is doing a poetry contest with Spring as the theme. I must look it up and send one in. I am excited. Remember, tomorrow I am going to a seison at the Plymouth Art Center and will real some of my poems. Perhaps I will stimulate an interest in people buying the book. I am having a couple published in the Celtic Women's Newsletter. At least Maureen, one of my Celtic friends, likes my poems.

Have a great Sunday. It is going to be wonderful, I know.

Love

Mary.

It was rather warm today. What a pleasure. Sunshine and no wind and it went up into the low to mid 40s.

Had to get up at 5AM again but tomorrow we get to sleep in as we don't have to be at Valley View until 8:00AM.

I met Sara Behr at Rhine at 10:30AM and we got the roast beef and everything we could ready for the Bust Up Dinner tonight. Then I went on to Dairy Queen and had lunch there with Barb and Alice. I had an exceptional grilled cheese. They are always good there but once in a while they are really exceptional. I picked up a couple of Blizzards while I was there because Dick said that it sounded good. I AM trying to tempt him to eat. The trick will be to start backing off once his appetite is back.

The Bust Up party went well. I got another trophy for the Pistol League. Lil Pipping, my friend and competition, beat me this time. But my average was 53.8. Each time it does go up and frankly the last few weeks, I was not concentrating. I had made a tuna casserole for those who did not want meat. The trouble is that almost everybody likes that too so it went very fast. The food was really good and we were able to get everything cleaned up so I could come home at about 8:30. Nice because I am really tired.

I want to share a joke that was told at the Irish show last night. It was new to me and I really liked it.


An Englishman, a Scotsman and and Irishman went into a bar. They each ordered a pint of Guiness. As they were sitting there, three flies buzzed into the bar and one flew into each of the pints of Guiness.

The Englishman got upset and said. "How disgusting!" He pushed the pint away and called. "Barkeep I need another. Take this away."

The Scotsman scooped the fly out and drank the pint.

The Irishman picked up the fly by the tail and shook it shouting. "Spit it out, you bloody fly. Spit it out."

Tomorrow, Jim and Michelle are taking Bobbie and me to a quilt show in Kenosha. How fun.

Love

Mary

A LONG LONG day but well worth experiencing.

We got up at 5:00AM, as usual these days. It was only 6 degrees out there. Chelsea seems agreeable to shortening her walks at that hour and in those temperatures so despite the fact that I had to help Dick get his stockings on we made it to Valley View by 6:00. Everything went well, even the dressing change. We were very relieved to see Denice was on duty because Dick says her dressing change hurts the least.

I baked two batches of Kahlua Brownies for the bust up tomorrow. Boy are they good. I made one batch with nuts and one without. Cleaned bathrooms too AND took a nap.

We got to Valley View this evening JUST at the right time. Nurse Lisa got us hooked up and going just before patients started streaming in to Urgent Care like there was no tomorrow. We had to wait for a bit to be unhooked and flushed because they were so busy. But as I said, if we had come there for an urgent reason, I would want me to come first before someone who just needs to be unhooked.

This evening I went to the Plymouth Art Center for Shamrocks and Shenanigans. It was VERY good. All local performers who sang and played guitar and fiddle and told jokes for almost three hours. We had soft drinks, Guiness and O Douls available and fresh potato chips during intermission. It ended with a sing a long. Some was not exactly professional but who cared. They all had good voices and really sang with enthusiasm and care. I was pleased.

Sunday there is going to be a seisiun at the Center from 1 to 3PM. They are serving Tea and breads. I will bake some brown bread and join them. I told Mary Calvey that I would be there and would bring my book of poems to share.

Guess that is all for now. I am tired, but am so grateful for an evening away with the Irish.

Love

Mary

Only 6 more days until the next evaluation. The intravenous went well, except that this evening the nurse accidentally set the time on one of them for an hour. I realized it when a whole half hour was complete and went to tell her. She was able to reset it for only 10 minutes more but that did add time to the procedure. It was almost 6 when we got home.

We did get to spend the entire day except for the hospital at HOME. I went downstairs and did some quilting twice. Got two motifs done.

I worked on a couple of other projects and caught up on phone calls today also.

Tomorrow we will go grocery shopping AND I have my Irish Program in the evening. Guess I had better bake those brownies too. There won't be much time on Friday what with hospital, lunch, helping prepare the bust up and the bust up itself. We have almost 80 people signed up to come so it should be quite a bash. Del, our scorer and MC, had throat surgery. I wonder who will be doing his emceeing for him. We are having roast beef sandwiches, chips, chicken soup and I am making a tuna casserole for the mackerel snappers.

Does anyone out there know how to get a form in Publisher to print the vertical grid lines?

I'll tell you about the Shamrocks and Shenanigans show tomorrow night. I am going to get up my Irish Decorations tonight. Of Course, the downstairs has LOTS of Irish art and stuff.

Love

Mary

One more week to go. I sure hope that this round will clear things up. We went in at 6AM as usual. Denice was our nurse. She is the one who prayed with us over Dick's leg. You would all like her. She just exudes enthusiasm. Today, she told us a story. Her husband went to give blood at the Bradley Center so he could get free tickets to a Bucks game. They wouldn't take his blood because (get this) he had slept with a woman who spend over a year in Africa. It was Denice. They met there when she was in the Peace Corp. She spent two year there. He was only there for a few months but that is when they met. Anyway, because he slept with her, he is ineligible to give blood.

I had my annual eye exam this morning. Dr. Cheryl says my eyes are healthy and there is very little change in the vision so we will wait til next year for glasses changing.

We left there and trucked to the Aurora Pharmacy on Superior to pick up some new compression stockings for Dick's poor sad legs. Then we went to the house on Hunters Glen and changed the air fresheners and poured baking soda down the drains to freshen. It has been vacant long enough that it is beginning to smell stale. If it ever warms up, we will open everything and let it air out.

Next time, I may bring some cinnamon and a pan and freshen it that way. Maybe a bag of apples.

We got home in plenty of time for me to take a nap before we headed off to Valley View again. We had to be there a bit early so the lab could bet blood samples from Dick. The Lab closes at 4PM. The evening doses went well and we are now home and winding down.

Barbara called tonight. I was able to tell her that Dr. Phelan says things are better but that we are still traipsing over to the hospital twice a day. She had some sad news. Their dog, Sheva, has cancer and is in quite a bit of pain. They are still exploring things but it does not look good. She is a really sweet creature.

I read this in the Reader's Digest. A Jonathan Katz said "I see a sign that says 'Caution, Small Children Playing.' I slow down , and then it occurs to me: I'm not afraid of small children."


Have a good Wednesday. Except for Valley View I don't have to go ANYWHERE!!!!

Mary

This morning the alarm went off at 5AM. I was the ONLY living creature who woke up. Even Chelsea slept through the whole thing. So I slipped into the shower and got ready before I took her out. Then we walked and got back at 5:30 so that I could wake Dick up for our first trip to Valley View. That went well this morning except that he had to have his dressing changed and it was not Denise on duty. The nurse this morning is very nice but she seems to feel that pulling it off quickly and fast is the best way. The area was still stinging this afternoon. That skin under the arm is really tender.

We went out for breakfast at the Wilderness today. I was hungry for corned beef. Could only eat half of it. (They serve way to much like most restaurants.) We brought the rest along with about 2/3 of Dick's potatoes home. Next stop was Valley View again for the third of our four classes on diabetes. We talked about exercise and foot care mainly. June agreed that until Dick is feeling better, exercise is pretty hard to be regular with.

I drove to Sheboygan Falls after lunch to bring a few things to Mother and visit for a bit. Her new walker is really sharp and I think she is pleased with it. She figures it will give her some freedom outside once the weather warms up. I took Chelsea along. Mom was glad to see her. Remember when she was afraid of Mother's kitchen floor? Well, she isn't any longer. We decided that the "little people' must have moved out or else, she has come to no longer consider them a threat.

The evening Valley View visit went well also. It was quiet there and we were all done and home by 5:30PM. I fixed something to eat and then went on to the meeting at Rhine.

A busy day and tomorrow will also be full. But I won't have to go out in the evening tomorrow. That makes it a little easier.

POLITICAL CORRECTNESS GONE BERSERK, AMEN!!!!

The U.S. Mint hopes the redesigned $1 coin will win acceptance with consumers.

It doesn’t have IN GOD WE TRUST on it.

DON’T ACCEPT THESE COINS…. RETURN THEM TO THE BANK....

Love

Mary

This was a unique and crazy day at the hospitals.

This morning we got there just at 8AM. The same time as the weekend nurses arrived. They took us in right away which was REALLY nice and got us all hooked up. I went out to look for something to read for Dick a bit later and the waiting room was FULL. There was a woman waiting in a chair. Two people at the counter. A car pulled up and some people were walking from the lot. Boy - were we glad we got there early. Once we are hooked up we just have to wait to be done. Then they flush the ports and send us on our way.

We came home and I got ready for the rest of the day. Went to the 10:30 Mass. I had to find someone to substitute for me as a Eucharistic Minister for the 8AM as that is JUST when we have our weekend hospital visits. I feel like that is the only ministry that I am doing right now and I keep having to find subs. But this too shall pass.

Went right out to Rhine for my Sunday shift. Bobbie was already there. She and Bill had a wonderful time at the Fireside. I think you know that since we couldn't go, we asked if they could and they went. It was their first bus trip and their first visit to the Fireside. They had discussed doing this and we gave them a perfect opportunity to "test the waters". Bobbie said that Bill loved it because he could see everything and she said he talked the whole trip. I am so glad it was enjoyable.

Rhine was quite busy until a bit after 3PM then it went dead. So we closed down the cash boxes and Bobbie and I left for home. Dick had expressed an interest in KFC Pot Pies. I planned on picking them up on the way home. Got to KFC in Plymouth to find they no longer make them there. Fortunately, we had two Market Day Chicken Pot Pies so I popped them in the oven.

Then I called Jane Kocmoud, a fellow writer, to tell her that we were going to be in Sheboygan at Memorial at 6:PM. We were delighted that this was convenient for both of us to have Jane bring the poetry entries for the "Write Stuff" (the middle school writing contest sponsored by the Sheboygan Press and our Writer's Club) to me for MY judging. I have about a week and then must get them to Paul, another member, for his input. Anyway, she lives just about around the corner from the hospital, so she loaded her dog and the poems in the car and dropped them off to me after I got Dick settled in his room. There are 107 of the bloody things.

This is were it gets goofy. They hooked up the Cefipine and the nurse mentioned that she figured that she would use the half hour to find the Dapamyicin, which was NOT to be found. As it turned out, it was not here, they had to mix it from their stock (or something like that) and it was almost 8PM before they even got it started. We got home JUST before 9 and are exhausted. Now we have to look forward to getting up at 5AM to be at Valley View at 6AM. Then we have a Diabetes Class at 8:30AM so it will be another Marathon Day.

Our Chelsea must be very confused. I just wonder what the early daylight savings will do to her. At least we will only have two days that we have to get up at the ungodly hour of "4AM". I know the clock will say 5 but our bodies are going to say 4.

When Bret was a little baby and getting his first shots he started to display his gift for words. He was about 6 weeks old and due for his first shot. Dr. Roper gave him his shot and he looked at me wide eyed and shocked but did not make a sound.

HOWEVER, I got him all settled in the car for the ride home and the minute we started moving he started complaining . One would have thought he knew how to talk but was using some foreign language and that little person cussed me out all the way from Laguna Beach to Santa Ana Heights.

Yes, my doctor was in Laguna Beach, about 20 miles from home but the doctor was recommended by my Aunt Lenore, my Grandpa Bowser's sister, a nurse. I don't know if you have ever heard of "The Greeter" Eiler Larson, a Dane, with long hair and a beard who stood on a corner in town and waved at ALL who passed. He was eventually proclaimed the official greeter of Laguna Beach, an art community. Two statues of him immortalize him in Laguna Beach. I saw him every time I took the kids to see Dr. Roper.

Laguna Beach is REALLY an artists community and has the Pageant of the Masters and Art Festivals every year.

Love

Mary

A quiet day. Except for the morning and evening, of course. Being as I got to sleep until after 6:00AM, it started off with a rested me. Chelsea and I had a good walk. The streets were snow covered but not too deep. Chelsea really wants to go around the park BUT with the sidewalk not plowed again and a couple of feet of snow you aren't going to catch ME attempting that until things are melted again and a bit dried out.

I spent some time in the kitchen this morning. First, I mixed a cream cheese-veggie spread for lunch. I found a recipe for this to be served on an open face slice of wheat bread with smoked salmon. Had it for lunch and it was VERY good. I also cleaned and sliced some carrots for snacking and sliced strawberries for shortcake.

Did some more sewing on the Kitty/Dog quilt. I can see headway. And I went to the Plymouth Art Center to see their current exhibit WOMEN WHO RUN WITH SCISSORS. It is a marvelous collection of quilt art. Such imagination and wonderful talent these ladies have. They come from Denmark WI. I also bought a ticket for an Irish event that will be held there next week called Shamrocks and Shenanigans. It was done the first time last year for one night and was so popular that Mary Calvey is extending it to three nights this year. I couldn't go last year because it was the same night as the Unity Concert, the concert that Blessed Trinity's choir sang in last year and for which I wrote the words to the song.

While we were in the hospital tonight there was an Irish special, kind of a travelogue and for some reason, the pictures of Trinity College reminded me of the first time I went there. Bobbie and I were together and when we walked through the gates we saw this big crowd of yelling students assembled around a few on a platform. We asked what was going on and were told that it was an Iron Stomach Contest. Asking further we found out that it was a contest in which students eat and drink and smell disgusting things until all but one have thrown up.

I was also telling Dick today about a talent that my ex husband had. If he saw ducks swimming down the harbor on Newport Bay he could quack and the ducks would swim towards him. As soon as he stopped they would turn and resume their journey. A strange but amusing talent.

Love

Mary

Just got home from Rhine. Bobbie and I worked tonight. It was busy, but the guys let me go home at about 8:30 because of the wind and snow. It was pretty bad out ther. Bobbie left about an hour before that because we were worried about her having to drive all the way to Sheboygan. Actually, I think I had it easier than she did. Not only was my distance closer, but by the time I left, the snow and wind had died down a LOT. It was slippery and the snow was drifting some but it was not too bad. Dick and Chelsea were very glad to see me.

Had to get up at 5AM again. Tomorrow and Sunday we can sleep in a bit as we won't go to Valley View until 8:00AM. Of course, the trade off is that we have to drive in to Memorial in Sheboygan and be there at 6:00PM.

I cleaned the kitchen and (almost) finished fixing the guest toilet. I needed Jim to help tighten the seals and I didn't know how to set the float. He did both and now (after some minor adjustments to the float by Dick) we think we have it.

I gave blood today at 11:00AM. I could go again on April 27 but found out that Bob and Peggy Feider will be having their annual A gallon or so for Joe on May 12 so I will sign up with Peggy at Bible Study. It went well. I have never suffered any discomfort or weakness at all. I like that.

Had lunch with the Ladies at Dairy Queen. I got a fish sandwich as I knew that there would be slim pickings for dinner. That was because, after Dick and I going for his evening intravenous, we got home at 5:30 and I had to head right for Rhine. I brought some soup and fruit which I could easily eat while working.

I shot my last two targets for league. Not impressive at all but I am having fun anyway and there is always next league. Next week Friday is the Bust Up Party. I have to call Sara Behr tomorrow so we can plan the menu. Bill Olson usually brings his "world famous" peach cobbler but told me tonight that he won't be home to fix it. I have decided to bring Kahlua Brownies. They turned out SO good for the Writers Club 50th. I must remember to put white chocolate chips on the grocery list.

Anyway, I am home, and Bobbie is home, safe and sound again. It is about time for bed and I get to sleep late (unless Chelsea betrays me.)

We are getting close to St. Patrick's Day. (It is March now, you know.) So I will share some of my favorite stories between now and the 17th.

I LOVED this and have seen it geared to Iraq also.

Ireland Declares War on France


Jacques Chirac, The French President, is sitting in his office when his telephone rings.

"Hallo, Mr. Chirac!" a heavily accented voice said. "This is Paddy Down at the Harp Pub in County Clare, Ireland. I am ringing to inform you that we are officially declaring war on you!"

"Well, Paddy," Chirac replied, "This is indeed important news! How big is your army?"

"Right now," says Paddy, after a moment's calculation, "there is myself, me Cousin Sean, me next door neighbour Seamus, and the entire darts team from the pub. That makes eight!"

Chirac paused. "I must tell you, Paddy, that I have 100,000 men in my army waiting to move on my command."

"Begoora!" says Paddy. "I'll have to ring you back."



Sure enough, the next day, Paddy calls again. "Mr. Chirac, the war is still on. We have managed to get us some infantry equipment!"

"And what equipment would that be Paddy?" Chirac asks.

"Well, we have two combines, a bulldozer, and Murphy's farm tractor."

Chirac sighs amused. "I must tell you, Paddy, that I have 6,000 tanks and 5,000 armored personnel carriers. Also, I have increased my army to 150,000 since we last spoke."

"Saints preserve us!" says Paddy. "I'll have to get back to you."

Sure enough, Paddy rings again the next day. "Mr. Chirac, the war is still on! We have managed to get ourselves airborne! We have modified Jackie McLaughlin's ultra-light with a couple of shotguns in the cockpit, and four boys from the Shamrock Bar have joined us as well!"

Chirac was silent for a minute and then cleared his throat. "I must tell you, Paddy, that I have 100 bombers and 200 fighter planes. My military bases are surrounded by laser-guided, surface-to-air missile sites. And since we last spoke, I have increased my army to 200,000!"


"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!" says Paddy, "I will have to ring you back."

Sure enough, Paddy calls again the next day. "Top o' the mornin', Mr. Chirac! I am sorry to inform you that we have had to call off the war."

"Really? I am sorry to hear that," says Chirac. "Why the sudden change of heart?"

"Well," says Paddy, "we had a long chat over a few pints of Guinness, and decided there is no bloody way we can feed 200,000 prisoners."

Slainte

Mary

Up at 5AM again. When I took Chelsea out at about 5:30 it was not too bad, but by the time we headed for the hospital, there was a good coating of snow on the ground. We took it very carefully and then when we were done medicating, we drove right to Mc Donalds for breakfast. Then we went on to the bank and finally to the Pig to do our weekly grocery shopping. We were VERY proud of ourselves. It was only about 8:30 when we got home, so we made good time.

I had plenty of time to clean the bathrooms, sew on the quilt and tear apart the toilet in the upstairs guest bathroom. (It has been running so I am replacing some of the innards. Don't ask me for names of things. I have charts and stuff so know what I am doing.) I had trouble getting the final nut out of the bottom. We did not have a big enough lug wrench.

So - - on the way to the 4PM intravenous, we stopped at KMart and I picked up a bigger wrench. Then Jim and Michelle came over tonight and Jim took the nut off for me. Now I can reassemble tomorrow morning.

When we got to Valley View tonight, it was starting to rain and almost as soon as I got inside, the skies opened. By the time we left it had calmed down alot, so we got home OK.

Dick still doesn't have much of an appetite. He just had some potato salad for supper. I had some Pork Cuban Old Rags, just a bit, that I heated up to got with mine.

Tomorrow, is really going to be busy. I will report tomorrow night.

Enjoy. I got this the other day and felt it was worth sharing.

Women are like apples on a tree.

The best are in the top of the tree.

Most men don't want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt.

Instead, they sometimes take the apples from the ground that aren't as good, but easy.

The apples at the top think something is wrong with them, when in reality, they're amazing.

They just have to wait for the right man to come along, one who is brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree.

Now men....Men are like a fine wine.

They begin as grapes, and it's up to women to stomp the shit out of them until they turn into something acceptable to have dinner with.

Have a good Friday

Mary

Another day of antibiotics, only 13 days to go. All went well today. We still have to be at Valley View at 6AM but the evening session is now at 4:00PM which makes it much easier for us. This was not a great day for Dick. His appetite was really bad and he was very tired. He did get a pretty good nap just before lunch which did help.

I have been working on inputing things into the new Quicken. The next major item will be the investments. We weren't happy with the old investment section of Quicken, so it will be interesting to see if there is an improvement.

Aside from that I just did miscellaneous chores around the house. I watered plants, quilted, made a potato salad, swept water out of the garage and took Chelsea for it seemed like 8 trips outside. She is getting worse as she gets older. Just like all old women I guess.

We are supposed to be getting a storm tonight. I hope it is not too bad. 6:00AM comes might early and it is hard enough to get going when it is clear and dry.

Dick just had a little dessert and let Chelsea lick his plate. Now she is over by me begging. She fully believes that if one of us eats something, the other simply HAS to have something too.

Love

Mary

Well, we had good news and bad news. First, Dr. Phelan is seeing improvement in Dick's legs. However, they have a way to go, so he has prescribed two more weeks of the twice a day, two antibiotics that we were on a week ago. We are now going to be getting up at 5AM again, but it looks like we can possibly go for the second session at 4PM instead of 6, which means that we won't have to go to Sheboygan on the weekend evenings.

At one point this morning, Dick had a nurse on each arm taking blood. Marsha was drawing blood for the lab tests to check his level of antibiotics etc, and Sue was poking his fingers to get the clotting level. This brings us to the second bit of good news. His level is back to the ideal, between 2.00 and 3.00. So we are happy. She will check him again when he sees Dr. Phelan in two weeks.

We accomplished LOTS of other stuff. On our way home we picked up prescriptions AND stopped at the DMV and got a handicapped card for the car. Now, if it is right, I can use the handicapped spaces if Dick is with me. I found out how useful this is when Bart and Barb met us in Branson. Bart could never have made it down that whole parking lot for some of those shows. We were almost closer than the spot that the bus let everybody off at.

I think Chelsea is trying to tell me that it is time for bed.

We were having trouble with the computer service dropping on and off, especially during the storm. A Bob Hughes from Time Warner came today and fixed it. There were several splices and extra junctions and so on and he cleaned it all up and got us back with more power and speed than we had before. He is from the area and likes to go to 52 Stafford on St. Patrick's day. His wife and kids march and he waits for them at the Inn. I also found out that he is a cousin of Jim Hughes, an attorney in town, that I used to work with when I was "mortgage banking." He said if we have any more trouble to ask for him. He also said that Paddy's Irish Whiskey is the BEST.

Red Fridays.

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing RED every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority." We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.
Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that .. every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something RED.

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday, a sea of RED much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever... certainly more than the media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is ..."We need your support and your prayers." Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something RED every Friday.

I am going to try to remember to remember to do this. Sounds simple and I have Lots of RED.

Take care. Be prepared for a very tired Mary.

Marymom

I am TIRED.

The roads were clear enough today and the snow was pretty much done, so I went to bible study. There were 5 of us. Not bad after the storm and all. We were able to all give prayers of thanks that Shirley and Dan's Dave is in remission from the autoimmune disease that he had developed.

Then I went to Mother's and we had a nice visit before I came home to take Dick to Valley View. I took Mom some Spinach Egg Casserole and fruit salads. Those are things that she really likes but wouldn't make for just one.

We were talking about family. We were commenting on the fact that the Deeleys and the Bowsers were not very big people. And musing as to why so many of the grandkids are really quite tall. It always seems to be the second son too. As Bret is shorter than Bart and Matt is shorter than Shane and Kurt is shorter than Todd.

We were also talking about the electric trolley that used to run between Sheboygan and Elkhart Lake and Plymouth. That is how Aunt Helen got to work from Sheboygan Falls when she worked in the canning factory office in Plymouth.

All went well at the hospital. The last intravenous before Dick sees Phelan tomorrow. The nurse changed the dressing too. Dick was very brave but he said that it really hurt. That skin under the arm and around the PICC is really tender.

This afternoon I linked our New Quicken with the eligible bank accounts at Wells Fargo. Now we have to determine how best to use it. Once we have it mastered, it should save lots of double entries and that should cut down on errors. Lots to learn again. Are we ready for this? I hope so.

I did some quilting on the Kitty/Doggy quilt and am really seeing headway. I should be done by the end of March. When I am I will tale a picture and put it on the blog for you to see.

Nothing else exciting. We are supposed to have fairly quiet weather until Thursday then another storm will be coming in. So we had better brace ourselves. I hope it starts after we do our grocery shopping.

Have a nice Tuesday. And think of us at the Doctor.

Love

Mary

This weekend has been a computer fiasco. I couldn't post last night because Jim was working on the computers. I fell asleep on the couch before they left and found a note on the computer when I woke that I was not to touch it until morning. So there you go. Dick's also had a note that we weren't supposed to do anything to it either.

Then we lost our server this morning and after several calls to Time Warner and getting a message stating that we would have to wait varying lengths of time, Dick finally waited. 57 minutes later, we talked to a real person who transferred us to two others. These people walked Dick through all KINDS of fixes and finally decided that we need to have a tech come here. So we have an appointment for Tuesday between 1:30 and 4:30. He said "We can get someone there AS SOON AS Tuesday." Doesn't sound soon to me. About 20 minutes after we hung up, I suddenly got a connection. So I am posting like crazy.

We have been hit by a really heavy late winter storm. The plows finally made it down to our end of the tract just before dark and did not do a very good job. Actually, the guys that shovel next to the garage door ran out of steam, I think.

This morning I decided to try to make church. The plows had not come into Tall Grass but I determined that if Highland, the main road we empty into, was plowed, I would go. God must have wanted me there because the plows had cleared to Highland JUST past Tall Grass Lane. So I trucked up Highland, turned left on Eastern to Mill and left on Mill to the bottom of the hill to church. God hadn't told me that neither the hill OR the streets around the church and school were plowed. But I figured that since I was that close, I would go the distance. Up the hill I went and proceeded to get stuck next to the parking lot. I remembered that one should back up and try a new path and it worked. Somehow, I made it into the parking lot, which was plowed. Fr. Van Beeck officiated at an abbreviated service for the few die hards like me that had ventured out. He said that the church was PACKED last night and that he had told the congregation that he would say the masses this morning but figured that it would probably be just him and Puppy. Puppy was not at all enthused, so he was glad that we were there.

There was a respite from the snow during the mid to late morning so Dick and I had a rather easy ride to Valley View for his intravenous. Only one more to go before we see Dr. Phelan. We are really hoping that he has answers and glowing words for us. He slept a wee bit better last night, but his appetite is still very poor.

The Poetry Reading at Plymouth Arts Center was canceled and will be rescheduled. That was good because I was saved the trauma of having to make another decision about going out. We just holed up in our warm little house (except for that silly Chelsea of course.)

I did some sewing this afternoon and we racked a gallon of wine. Now we are watching the Oscars. A pleasant way to end a Sunday. We find that we haven't seen too many movies this year but it is always fun to see the celebrities, even the celebrities that we have never heard of. The clothes all seem to be really pretty this year.

Uncle Fred Michels always sends a report on the Wild Game Feast and he writes a little poem. They are always really sweet. I thought you might enjoy this one.

And now, 30 years have passed
And no one got to gassed!
We swallowed our beers, and shed no tears
When Donna won, at last.


And would you believe that the Wild Game And Beer Tasting has been going on for 30 years.

Have a nice week and stay warm.

Mary

Just a morning note. We lost our connection last evening, just about "blogger" time. And I tried until almost 10:00PM, then went to bed.

We had a decent day. The blood test showed that Dick's blood is still a bit thick. Unusual, as antibiotics USUALLY thin the blood. But then we are talking about Dick. So Sue will test it again when we see Dr. Phelan on Tuesday.

The intravenous went very smoothly and they changed his dressing. The easiest yet. Usually it hurts when they pull that bandage off of the tender skin. Denise was really good yesterday.

I went shooting but was not impressive. Oh. Well. Maybe next week.

Barring lost connections I will blog tonight.

Jim Rohn said that"Life asks us to make measurable progress in reasonable time. That's why they make those fourth-grade chairs so small - so you won't fit in them at age 25."

Mary

The wind was blowing really bad this morning. Chelsea and I did manage to take our whole walk around the park today, but there were times when I was almost at a standstill when the wind was coming right at me. Much easier when the wind was at my back. Give real meaning to the old Irish Blessing, "May the wind be always at your back."

We went grocery shopping today too. Quite successful. Dick and I went to McDonald's for breakfast. Counting carbs works there if one sticks to an Egg McMuffin or simple biscuit.

We had to be at Valley View at 12:00. That went well. Only five more days until we see Dr. Phelan. Darlene, one of the nurses, let me read the description of the possible side effects from the Dactomycine that he is getting. One of the side effects is insomnia. Now he has always had trouble sleeping but it is much worse now. We are hoping that when this is all over he will have less difficulty staying asleep.

I went to John Diedrich's funeral tonight. Such a sad thing for his wife and children and all others who loved him. We know he is safe and waiting for them, but they can't touch him. We are after all human and do relish touch. Fr. Bittner told us that when we see the most beautiful sunset we should remember that John is enjoying SO much more in the kingdom of God. I still like the Celtic belief that John has not REALLY left us anyway, he is out of our sight but within our reach.

Tomorrow is another busy day. We have to get Dick's count checked, go to Valley View, I am having lunch at Dairy Queen and then will shoot pistol league in the evening. Saturday we just have the intravenous. It will be nice to spend most of the day at home. Jim and Michelle said they are coming to fix Dick's computer. I hope so. He is able to do some things but is really rather lost and with his not being able to sleep it is hard for him.

Martin Crane on Frazier. "What is this comment about a big round duff? The sands of time don't exactly flow UP the hourglass, you know!"

Have a nice Friday and get ready for a stormy weekend.

Mary

Another gorgeous day. It was up in the 40s again. Chelsea and I really enjoyed our walk and it looks like we should have at lease two days before it gets rainy/snowy again. I need to remember to take the pedometer along with me on the walk to see how many steps we take. I know we walk for about 45 minutes. But a lot of that is spent with Chelsea sniffing and running around.

This weather is starting me dreaming of spring. I need to measure for the flower boxes I will need for the deck. I want to plant herbs and colorful flowers in them. I think I might try to plant a couple of tomatoes in the back. down towards the woods. There is a rhubarb plant down there already. Maybe I should get a butterfly house. And a bird feeder.

Must not get too excited. There are months to go before we can plant.

I went to church at 8AM because it is Ash Wednesday. The church was full, half of the kids of course, as the whole school attended. The children's choir sang. I was "minded" of Ash Wednesdays when I was young. Until I started 6th grade, I went to the public school and for some reason or other, we Catholic kids thought we were so cool to go to get our ashes in the morning and then wear them all day at school. (I don't know why either.)

Another thing I remember. When I was young, there were a lot of old world ideas still around. There were four church services that were always full. Of men. Even if a lot of them did not feel that Sunday Mass was all that important. (The women took care of that.), these men always came to Christmas (mostly Midnight Mass), Easter, Ash Wednesday, (got to get those ashes) and believe it or not St. Blaze Day. This is a saint's feast day during which they used to bless the throat against disease with crossed candles.

I read the other day that perhaps if we are going to fast during Lent, we should fast from crabbiness. I will try to do that.

Dick got the second of this new order of antibiotics. Our nurse for today, Chris, told Dick quite sweetly, not to be disappointed if he has to go another week or two after this. We have to see what Dr. Phelan says next Tuesday.

I put together another square for the Blessed Trinity Church Quilt. Only one more to go. I also did a bit more of the quilting on my Kitty/Puppy Quilt. I should have it done in a month or so. It is moving along.

Hope your Thursday is fun.

Love

Mary

It was warm today. This morning was pleasant enough for Chelsea and me to take our longest walk through Tallgrass and then around the park and through the woods to home. She is SO happy. Then I made her unhappy by giving her a bath. She was simply filthy. Of course, I am sure that she felt that she was just beginning to smell just right. Now she smells like Puppy Love.

Dropped all our tax stuff off with Mark for figuring. He and I reviewed it a bit and then I drove Dick to his dentist appointment. He just had a cleaning. It went very quickly. Our next stop was to Valley View. The order is in for another week of one of the antibiotics. So we are on again. This time it is just once a day AND in the middle of the day so will be much easier on us.

We got to spend the rest of the day at home.

I was remembering a friend of mine from California, Ron Heinze. These were jeeping friends. Ron and his wife Connie and their kids were members of the Orange County Four Wheelers. They had a dog that was part greyhound. He was huge and a big love. His name was Tucker. When we would get ready to go out on a jeep ride, Connie would always tell Ronnie that he had to take Tucker with him. Ronnie would beg Connie to keep Tucker in camp. He always said. "Please, Connie, don't make me take him. He LEANS on me." The dog would sit between the seats next to Ronnie and Would lean on him.

One weekend it was terribly hot. We were driving along the All American Canal, a system of canals that was part of the irrigation system in that part of the desert. We pulled over and all jumped into the canal for a swim and to cool off. Ronnie tried to convince Tucker to go in to cool him off and finally just tossed him in. Tucker was not happy. The sides of the canal are cement. Tucker rose up out of the water on his claws and climbed up the cement walls - on his claws. He wore them down too. When he got to the top he glared at Ronnie and shook himself all over him.

Maybe our "heat spell" reminded me of the hot day that this occurred on.

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. The first day of Lent. Where Is the year going?

Be happy.

Mary

Went to bible study this morning. We had a good group, as always. Helen Maurer was back. Bad weather keeps her away, can't say that I blame her. We had a lot of prayer intentions. Everybody is praying for Dick. I also asked for prayers for Harold's son. This coming Sunday is the first Sunday of Lent. So the readings talked of the Hebrew's being asked to bring the "first fruits" to the priests in thanksgiving for their being brought to the promised land. Did the "first fruits" mean the first of the season, Or (remembering that Cain got frowned on my God for bring second rate stuff for a sacrifice) does "first fruits" mean the best? We can't decide.

Dick saw Dr. Sharon at 1:30 this afternoon. He ordered regular flushing of the PICC and is having one of the antibiotics continued because he believes there is still infection there. He took blood tests too. So we won't go backwards anyway.

We got home at about 4, having to go from the Clinic to Valley View to get the ports flushed. We can't start the antibiotics until tomorrow though because they had to order it from Sheboygan and it won't be there until tomorrow. At least we will just have one trip a day for the time being and we will be going at about noon. Much easier than twice a day at both ends of the day.

I remembered a story about my great aunts, Josephine and Lenore and Genevieve. They were my Grandpa John Bowser's sisters. All three of them lived in California. My Uncle Noel and Aunt Lois also lived there and Noel was very good to those ladies. They did like to do little home repairs themselves but sometimes got in over their heads.

One time they decided to tile a room in one of their houses. So they called Uncle Noel to ask how to start. He told them to chalk a line down the center of the room. They asked how to do that and he told them to run a chalked string from one wall to the other side and chalk it. They said they understood but he wasn't sure so he decided to go over to check.

Sure enough, they had tacked the line from one wall to the other side and were on their knees trying to draw a chalk line on the floor. He explained that they were supposed to actually chalk the string and snap it. Needless to say he did it and got them started.

I read this the other day and shared it at bible study this morning. A Jeanne Schuler said, "In the boardroom one language is spoken that seems to make all people one. From the top, everything seems possible. Down in the streets, people from many nations struggle to make a living. With gestures and halting words, they try to understand. Sometimes customs clash or fears polarize. We back away and wonder: will we ever live as one?"

Seems the story of life. Those at the top come up with all these plans but they don't fit the people who they are aiming at or else are not understood. How can there be peace in a whole world?

Well we can have peace with all of us. We don't have to understand everything but we have to love each other.

Love

Mary

I spent a quiet day today. The only times I went out were to church, which is always how I gather myself for the coming week and to shoot for the pistol league at Rhine.

Church was very comforting. Fr. Van Beeck pointed out a "truth" that he brought to my attention once before and was brought to my attention last night at the party for Hazel. Suzi's son, Jerry, mentioned that his wife, Laura, had recovered from surgery on a brain tumor. I said that it must make them treasure every day that comes to them now. He said they lived like that for a time, but now he is so relieved to be back to taking things and life for granted. It was like a revelation - Intense appreciation or really intense feelings cannot stay that way forever. It is comforting, healing and wonderful to be happy in the just plain NOW. And to appreciate the ordinary.

To get to Fr. Van Beeck's message. He said that if God asked us to do some really heroic thing or really difficult task in his name, we would be right there to answer the call. But usually, God only asks us to do the every day things to the best of our ability in His Name. It is hard to do that.

Last night was kind of a sparse blog. I was sure glad that Dick and Brenda were there. They figured out the easiest way for me to get out of there and back to Hwy 57. The way I came in was with directions from Google and was very complicated. It was very comforting for me to see Dick waiting in the parking lot to be sure that I had turned the right way to get to Good Hope Road.

I went to shoot at Rhine today. While I was there, the sister of Harold Diedrich's wife, Diane came in and told us that Harold and Diane's son John, only 39, had died during the night. We are all shocked. I can't imagine what the family is going through. John has two young children too.

When I was young and rather new in California, I rented a house, with Jacquie, my future sister in law, from Doris and Ronnie, also future in-laws. We had a washing machine but no dryer and hung our clothes on a line in the back yard.

One day we hung our clothes and went shopping. To our shock, when we got back, every pair of underpants that we owned was gone. So we called the police. They sent out two officers to take the report. It was quite embarrassing, as one of the officers was Al (can't remember his last name). He had gone to school with some of the Johnstons and though he tried very hard to keep a straight face, it was pretty hard especially when the standard questions are such as "Can you give us a description of the stolen property." "How many items were taken?" and so on.

Anyway, surprisingly, they found three or four of the underpants scattered a few blocks from the house. They decided it was a college prank, but it cost Jacquie and me quite a bit to replace all of our underwear. I am not sure if renters insurance would have covered underpants, but we didn't have any insurance anyway. It was a different time, a different place.

Hope your week is good. Ours is filling up.

Love

Mary