If you missed me last night, I am sorry. If you did not miss me I guess I am sorry too. Sure am a sorry individual.

I had two glasses of wine before dinner last night and for some reason, I just got to feeling awful. All I could do was head for bed and stay there.

These have been busy days. Yesterday I has physical therapy in the morning. I was so sore when I got there and when I left. But today I felt better. Maybe it is doing some good. I got home in time to meet Bob Kalies, a heating servicer, who had originally installed the furnaces in these condos. There was a free check and a fix for the furnaces. He checked and fixed ours and then I let him into Jim and Michelle's and he did theirs too. He was very helpful about explaining how we can keep our furnaces working efficiently and longer.

Shortly after he left, Rachel, the nurse came and checked out Dick's wounds and just his general health. That pretty well wiped out the day. I tried to take a nap and then had that wine and fell apart.

Well, all the sleep I had really helped. This morning I did the shopping and put the groceries away and took a little nap. Then Dick got up from his nap and we tried out the new shower equipment. We got him a transfer bench for the bathtub and a clip on rail. It was much better. We have a few things to work out but it is much safer and easier. We want a handle for him to use to get up and some bath mats. Our next step will be a ramp and rearranging the furniture.

This afternoon, Mary Meschler, the occupational therapist came. She gave us some hints for making the bath easier and reviewed his exercises.

I fixed venison teriaki steaks on the grill tonight with fried rice on the side. The steaks were SO good. Dick even asked if they were from Market Day or the Pig and was impressed that they were venison.

Nora called today. It was so good hearing her voice. I was glad to be able to report that things are falling into place around here. I told her how much I had enjoyed reading Stenn's journal of his and Bing's trip to China. They will be closing on their new home next week and are all excited.

We always each give a "word" at the end of our Writer's Club in Plymouth. The words last month were floating, weddings, vacations, strawberries, asparagus and summer concerts.

I could not get them all into ONE poem but did come up with one I liked about Peggy and Brian's son Nicholas's wedding. I think I will send it to them.


The wedding was celebrated
Under the evening sky
On a summer evening.
The violin music was redundant
As the sound of the birds was melody enough.
A concert of unique beauty
Heralding the youth and love
That were joined
Under that evening sky.

Have a neat Thursday.

Mary

This was a very strange day. Chelsea got me up at 5:30AM. Not TOO bad but I lost a half an hour sleep right off the bat.

We put the new stickers on the car so I won't get ticketed for expired plates. Then I went to Bible Study. There were 7 of us there, enough for a good discussion. We decided that Jeremiah must have been very depressed when all his friends turned their backs on him when he defended the faith and that we are pretty lucky that Jesus was willing to take us on.

I stopped at Mom's and dripped off some mac and cheese and scones for her. She is having her new stove delivered this afternoon. Donna is coming over when they do to help her.

Home again after a stop at Adams Aurora to pick up a transfer bench for the shower for Dick and a grab bar for the edge of the tub to give him some more security. Deanna at Adams is SO helpful.

Then home for lunch and on to the Cream City Writers. There were six of us there today. Our Jenna had a poem published in a book that is part of a contest she entered. We are very proud of her.

I did a couple of errands then and was able to go home and check on Dick before my appointment with Dr. Ghandi. He is a specialist and I had great hopes that he could figure out why my side is hurting, but I was wrong. He is ordering a CT scan but I am not holding out much hope. This ache is probably going to be with me for a LONG time much like the arthritis pain in the neck and shoulder. Sure is discouraging.

I ran out of day before I could water all my planters. So. Tomorrow afternoon, I will do that. We have three appointments tomorrow morning, so that will take care of that.

I was thinking of my Uncle Leo Ayers the other day at his grandson's wedding. I remember when he married my Aunt Kathleen, I was just a little girl but I remember the reception and my first REAL memory of Uncle Leo. He kept asking Dad to tell us girls to call him "Uncle Leo" and, of course, we got all coy and wouldn't.

Nice memories.

Have a lovely Tuesday.

Mary

A lovely day. Father's Day and we had a nice warm fuzzy day. Jim and Michelle, Bobbie and Bill joined Dick and Brenda and Dick and me for breakfast this morning. I went to the 8AM mass and got home at 9AM, in time to prepare a nice egg dish with sausages on the side for the non vegetarians. Jim and Michelle brought a special coffee and I had baked really great fresh cranberry scones on Saturday. It was a nice finish to an altogether special Father's Day weekend.

After breakfast the Dick and Brenda and Bobbie and Bill headed up to Green Bay to visit their mother Barbara who is back in the hospital. Pray for her. She has been having difficulty breathing and they are saying that the cancer is back. Her poor body has really gone through quite enough.

The rest of the day was quite. Chelsea is relieved. I think she is longing for the quiet days when people seldom came by our place. Here she is getting old and we are having all KINDS of people invading her space and disrupting her routine. Just when she thought she had us almost trained.

I make Wolfgang Puck's recipe for mac and cheese today. I had to make a few adjustments because (forgive me Wolfgang) I just COULDN'T see spending $50 for mushrooms for an experiment. I used portabella mushrooms, which the produce manager at the Pig said are another "woody" mushroom. It would be interesting if I could taste Wolfgang's and find out if there is a lot of difference. We liked it a lot, but Dick really likes the traditional Cheddar, (and I think Velveeta) based mac and cheeses best. I might make this again though. It WAS good.

This is turning out to be fun. As most of you know, I have been trying a new Mac and Cheese every month. This is the 5th. So far Dianne Sawyer's is our favorite, with Robin Roberts coming up a healthy second.

Tomorrow will be a busy day but I will have to take the time to water all the pots on the deck and porch. Everything is green and most of the plants are growing. I planted several tomato plants. I have never in all my 68 years done well with tomato plants. Watch - this year they all all do well and I will not be able to find homes for all my produce.

Talked to Bart today. He sounds good. He had some suggestions for us to ask the doctor about pain management for Dick's knee. He is the expert on that and I have made notes. We see Dr. Murphy on Thursday.

Love

Mary

Well, as it turned out I had to leave the neighborhood once after all. I started giving Chelsea her pills this morning and discovered that she only had enough of one of them for TODAY. That would not work well as the vet is closed on Sundays so I called right away and was able to pick them up in an hour. I also got notice that it was time to give her the heartworm pill. Guess what, we were out of them too so I picked up both.

It was really a lovely day today. It did get a bit warm, 83 or something, but there was a breeze and it has now dropped to the low 60s.

Had a nice day, I cleaned the kitchen floor and straighten out my desk and baked cranberry scones.

Jim and Michelle came over at about two oclock to make the very nicest offer. They want to come here one evening a week, probably Fridays when Michelle gets off earlier, and stay with Dick and clean for us. Their only condition is that they want me to leave for some alone time or time with friends. I admit that I cried. What a way to help both Dick and me at this time. He will have company, other than me, I will have help with the work here and get a chance to be on my own a bit. A break. This is a very special gift.

Then at four or thereabouts Dick and Brenda and Bobbie and Bill arrived. Bobbie had all the fixin's for dinner including pasta with a choice of Italian Sausage OR shrimp sauce, salad and fresh asparagus. This was preceded by antipasto. Then it was capped off by Sachertort. We enjoyed the meal and the company so much. This is to honor Dick for Fathers Day.

Now it is after 10 and I am winding down. I do want to tell you what happened to my Mother yesterday.

The night before she lost power for a while in that storm. When she got up Friday morning she noticed that the Carbon Monoxide detector was doing something. She tried her stove and found that one of the burners would not light. So she tried to light it with a match. (Naughty Naughty) Fortunately NOTHING happened so she called the Gas Company. They told her to call the Fire Department, who came right over. They about had a canary when she told them about trying to light the burner. The firemen told her to NEVER do that again with any possibility of a gas leak but they checked everything, made sure all the pilots were lit and there was no buildup of anything bad. They told her to call a repairman for the stove.

WELL, when noon rolled around, so did my brother Randy. He asked her what was going on and Mother asked him how he found out.

Here is a small town event if there ever was one. The Fire Department reported their call to the Police Department. Somebody from the Police Department was over at the middle school during the morning and told Donna, my sister in law, that the Fire Department had been over at Mother's. So Donna called Randy who came over on his lunch hour.

Anyway, Randy told Mother that she should not even think of getting that stove fixed. It is way to old. They had it at the old house and have been here for 18 years. So after work yesterday, he went to Bitter Neumann and found her a new glass top electric. She is glad to go to electric because of the safety factor and will have her new stove on Monday. The nice thing about Bitter Neumann is that they will haul the old one off too.

So she was tired even before we went to that wedding, but she had a good time anyway.

Today was nice. I feel all warm and fuzzy.

Love
Mary

Well, here I am, finally winding down from two of the longest days of the week. One would think that all days, since they consist of 24 hours, would be the same length but they are not.

The night before last was a difficult one, I got very little sleep and then we had to be in Sheboygan to see Dr. Moreno. Dr. Moreno was pleased with the look of the callouses. He said that the big one had shrunk a little bit and was not doing something that it is not supposed to. I guess I need to get a medical dictionary here sometime.

When we got home I took the car for servicing. As it turns out it will come under the maintenance agreement we purchased in about a thousand more miles, so they just made sure it was OK and sent me on my way. I got home in time to fix lunch and have Dick at the table when Sarah, the VNA Physical Therapist arrived. She came back today, Friday at 8AM and we reviewed everything and we have covered lower extremity exercises and the wheel chair transfer tips she. We will now have her come only once a week to monitor his progress but we can call her any time we have questions.

I had my therapy at 1:30. It hurts. I do usually feel a bit better when I leave but the pain comes back with a vengeance by morning.

Today was just as busy. As I said, Sarah came at 8AM. We then had to go to Sheboygan Memorial for Dick's procedure by Dr. Siddique. We only have one more scheduled and then Dr. Siddique thinks that we can take a break. That will be quite a relief. It has been a long haul.

We got home just in time to meet Mary Meschler, the Occupational Therapist. We went over the upper extremity exercises and discussed the changes we are going to make in the shower arrangements and possibly rearranging furniture to make things easier for us.

Tonight I picked Mom up at a little after 5PM to go to my cousin Brian's son Nicholas's wedding. It was out at the Osthoff. A lovely outdoor garden setting. Judge Stengel officiated. They had a violinist for music. The sun shone and the birds sang. Thank heaven, they picked today so the sun COULD shine on their union. Yesterday would have been a disaster with the storms going through here like they were.

We then joined everybody for the reception up in the hotel. The meal was absolutely wonderful. Chicken, fish, great veggies, potatoes and salad. And it was topped off with desserts of Cheescake or Carrot Cake.

I got to visit with several of Aunt Kathleen's children who came in for the occasion and met two of my Cousin Pat's triplets. He could not make this wedding but two of his girls came to celebrate the occasion.

Jim and Michelle came over and had dinner and played cards with Dick so he was not alone for such a long time. He said it was a good time. He won a game and so did Michelle.

So now you are updated on the past two days. Guess what!!! Tomorrow I do not have to go anywhere!!! And Bobbie is bringing dinner over to us too. We will be celebrating Father's Day with the three that live here in Wisconsin. Wish EVERYBODY could be here but we are so glad of any that can be here.

Here is a simple little poem I wrote last fall. At my Plymouth Writer's club, when we leave we all give a word and those who want to TRY to make a poem using all or at least most of those words. The October words were: comfort, the cold is coming, family, warmth, evening and gathering. Here was my offering.

As evening approached
We gathered in the comfort
Of a glass of evening wine
And watched the cold come in.

Have a great weekend. We are apparently looking forward to five or six clear days. A welcome relief after the storms.

Mary

Yesterday, Thursday, was a day much to full of medical appointments and tornado warnings. After the previous night when I got little sleep, I just got to evening and went to bed.

Anybody wondering, be assured we are OK and I will update you this evening. It will be after 9:30PM as I am taking Mother to a wedding and reception, but I will post.

In the meantime, have a good day and stay dry. WE may even start drying out late this afternoon.

Love

Mary

You may boast of your knowledge, and brag of your sense,
'Twill be all forgotten a hundred years hence. "

Rye Whisky". Traditional.

Today was a very quiet day overall. Because it is our grocery shopping day and Dick can't go until his knee is better, I went and got our breakfast at Mc Donalds. We like to keep our traditions going you know. Then I went shopping. That was interesting. I am going to be making June's Mac and Cheese pretty soon and am going to try Wolfgang Puck's recipe. He used truffles. SO, I asked at the Pig if they have truffles (having already checked online and KNOWING that they cost $50 per pound MINIMUM). As I suspected ----- they do not carry them but the expert in produce said that Portabella, would a a possible substitute as a mushroom with an underlying woody taste, so I am afraid that Wolfgang's recipe will have a substitution.

Mary Meschler, the Occupational Therapist from VNA came over this afternoon. She checked out the area available to move around with the wheelchair and gave some suggestions as to how to make more room or perhaps to change our whole HOUSE functioning. We are considering everything. I am going to do some measuring and I know that I have graph paper around here so we can do some "Paper planning."

I also did some vacuuming in the den and downstairs bedroom. That turned out to be a project in itself. The bag on the turbo was STUFFED, so I went up to get a new one and couldn't find a bag that fit. SO I pulled the canister vacuum down and THAT bag needed changing too. BUT I finally did get it done. By then I was exhausted.

We had Chili for supper tonight and the last of the blueberry cobbler. Boy was that a good blueberry cobbler. This week I picked up some raspberries. I do love spring and summer with all the good fruit. Last week I made a pineapple, watermelon, grape salad that was to DIE for.

Hope your week is doing well. Tomorrow I will take the Explorer for it's first oil change. It keeps giving me a message that I should be getting close to doing this. We now have 4000 miles on the car and for the first oil change, that should be just about right.

Have a nice Thursday.

Love

Mary

Another long day. Chelsea woke me up at 4PM but I gave her lettuce and shut her out of the bedroom until the alarm went off at 6AM. I wanted to get up then because we had to have Dick to the Anti Coagulation Clinic by 9AM and there was a lot to do before we left.

Chelsea and I had a nice walk. We saw our lady with the cane this morning. Chelsea has been getting me up so early lately that we are not seeing any of our regulars.

His count was better this week. Still a bit low but better so we made a minor adjustment and went on our way. We go home at about 9:45AM, just in time to greet Josh from the Visiting Nurses bringing Dick his Wheel Chair. He went over everything with us and we made sure it would fit through the doors. It does. We have do do some jerry rigging to get him to his desk but it can be done and it is much more comfortable than on the walker.

After Josh left, I did some computer work and fixed lunch. Then we got Dick down for a nap and I had to head for Aurora for my Physical Therapy. This is my second session and I am doing my homework. So far, with the storms and all, I am still hurting a lot, though I do feel looser tonight and will let you know if there is any relief in the morning.

When I got home it as almost time for Dick's Physical Therapist from the Visiting Nurses to come. Sarah was wonderful. She helped us understand the wheelchair a lot, gave us some tips to help Dick get down the stairs to the garage floor AND put him through some exercises and gave him homework exercises.

She was our last appointment. It makes a long long day. Tomorrow is much better. I will shop in the morning. We decided that I will go to pick up breakfast at Mc Donalds so it will be like we are going out for our usual Wednesday breakfast. The only other appointment we have is with Mary Meschler, the Occupational Therapist at 1PM. We are really hoping that she can help us figure out how to make Dick's showers safer. We are concerned because of the numbness and the pain in the knee. I am so grateful for all the help we are getting. The Visiting Nurses are just wonderful.


Poor Chelsea is very confused. She has never had this many strangers come into her home before in her entire life. And she is old and "sot in her ways". She keeps looking at me like she is just asking that things go back to normal. She is very polite to the people that come. I am proud of her.

Hope you all are well. Saturday we do not have to go anywhere.

Love
Mary

The rain has stopped, at least temporarily. Good thing too, there is flooding in the county and some of the homes on June Grass and Cattail Lanes have had seepage into their basements because the grading around the homes was not done properly.

Chelsea and I had a nice walk. I did not get any mosquito bites. She decided to go through the park and back through the woods. I really had to make her run through the woods. Wasn't easy either, with all the rain, our path is almost overgrown. Saturday, if it is not raining, I am going to spray myself with insect spray and go over it to pull all the overgrowth. I had to fix it last spring too.

I went to Bible Study today. There were 7 of us there. The readings next week are nice and all fit nicely together. We are promised that if we keep the "covenant", meaning the 10 Commandments we are members of a royal priesthood. Sounds like a good deal to me. We also decided that when things are difficult, we are so happy to have Jesus to call on. How sad if people have no God to help. Where does their strength come from.

Then I stopped at Mom's. She looked lovely with a new permanent. She asked me to help her pick out something for the wedding that she I am taking her to on Friday night. It is my Cousin Brian Ayers son. We picked out a really pretty pantsuit. She will look lovely and be very comfortable in it. As we were in her bedroom next to her fishtank, I noticed baby fish. She had not seen them before and we don't know WHO the parents are. There were at least 9 of them. We do not know if they hatched or were live births. There are enough that if the big fish get hungry, some of the little things should be able to make it.

Got home and fixed lunch then tried to nap. The phone rang four times. One was the nurse who came to check Dick out at 4:30 this evening, one was a call for Celtic Women, one was they guy who is bringing the wheel chair tomorrow and the last was the therapist who is coming the give Dick physical therapy. Whew.

Suzi, Dick's niece, called tonight. She has been having some problems too. Notably, a vacation trailer she owned was destroyed in a tornado. Poor thing. That was her retreat. Hopefully something will come up that she can replace it.

Tonight Jim and Michelle and I went to present some requests and questions to the Tallgrass Condo Board. I requested a change to the bylaw that says one can only have one pet. That multiple cats, of a size, if kept inside , would be OK. It will be FOREVER, but will be brought up at the next general meeting.

Guess that is all. This has been a marathon day and tomorrow is JUST as bad. The people who are coming to help us are all just wonderful. We need to address the shower situation. Dick is just in so much pain and so unsteady that we worry.


Love

Mary

Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest and actually as I had no specific deadlines it almost lived up to its name. I did stay in bed until 6AM and had a pretty good night's sleep too. Chelsea and I went for a nice walk. I made her stay out of the wooded areas because the mosquitoes are SO bad this year. As it was I got two bites before we got back home.

I went to 8AM Mass. Fr. Van Beeck talked about the shabby, motley group of men that Jesus selected for his apostles. He gave us a message for the week - Acceptance and appreciation. I need to hang on to those.

We got a call from Rachel, our assigned nurse, who told us that she was sending an associate tomorrow. She should be here between 4:30 and 6:00PM. It will be a little tight but will work. Michelle, Jim and I are going to the Tallgrass Condo Board meeting down the street at 7PM.

There has been rain and thunder all day. We lost our power at about 11AM for about an hour. Dick took a nap and I just puttered around and played some solitaire by candlelight. I did cut out some squares for quilting and baked a blueberry dessert during the afternoon.

We had fryout (in California we called it barbeque) for supper. I made brats and ribs. Also
my potato salad and pork and beans. When I fried out, I sat on the deck for quite a while. I sprayed the area with Listerine. I had read that will keep the mosquitoes away. I don't know for sure if that was the reason, but I did not get ONE bite while I was out there. So I will try that again. I also picked up some citrinella candles. We will see, because I REALLY want to spend time on that deck this summer.


Have a good week.

I intend to. We have seven health appointments between us this coming week. Sometimes I feel like I am on a merry go round.

Love

Mary

Chelsea got me up WAY to early this morning but that was because it was such a strange night. I was awake off and on from about 1:30AM. My arm hurt and I just could not get sound asleep. Finally, I could hear her pacing a panting outside the door and got up at about 5:30 to take her for her walk. It was quite pleasant.

The rest of the day, she has been very subdued. I don't think she really feels too well and I think she is getting a bit senile.

There are a couple of, I think, Kildeer at the end of June Grass Lane. They used to try to lead us away from their area, but now seem to accept that we will walk right by if they stay on the lawn. Chelsea doesn't usually see them anyway.

When I got back, Dick and I both lay down to take a nap and wouldn't you know, Rachel, from the Visiting Nurses called and asked to come over to do her nurses evaluation. She checked Dick all over again, and looked at his feet. She said they looked really good which made me feel like all the work we have been doing was for something. Now if they will just heal. Both she and the Mary will be back next week to do more. We should have the wheel chair early next week too.

The rest of the day was quiet. At least I did not have to go anywhere. I was sure glad because thunder and lightening and were just rolling across the land. There is potential flooding all through the area. On the news they showed the streets full of water and warned of driving through them as rushing water can float a car away.

This reminded me of Pismo Beach. We went jeeping there as a family with the Orange County Four Wheelers in my previous life. It is was a huge area of sand dunes nest to the ocean. We always camped in a kind of traditional area near the water and then would go out from there to the favorite dune area. It is long enough ago, that I have forgotten the names we gave the challenging spots, but one of them was down the beach a long way and we crossed over an area during low tide that became a small river when the tide came. in. Careful timing was required and I do remember one trip where Big Al came last when we were a little late and his jeep started to float out to sea. We hooked a two line on it and pulled him back to shore before any damage was done. Quite a site.


Have a Blessed Sunday

Mary

Another busy "Medical" day. We started out easy enough. Chelsea and I had a lovely walk. We saw and heard lots of birds and saw a couple of bunnies. After NO walk yesterday because of the rain this was a real treat.

Then I mopped the kitchen floor and got ready to take Dick to the hospital. The procedure went quite well, though is it terribly painful getting him in and out of the car. Once we have him in the wheel chair it is OK until we have to get him up on the table. This procedure was on his upper left leg and is a stab phlebectomy. I call it the "worm" procedure. Basically, he removes the vein in pieces. The next procedures will be just injecting chemicals that burn out the veins. Very easy. Dr. Siddique said that because of Dick's pain we could hold off for a bit but Dick just wants it DONE.

When we got home we received a call from Mary Meschler, an occupational therapist , sent by Visiting Nurses to see what we can do to help make it easier to move Dick around and keep him safe. She worked at the library for a few years and knows Bobbie. She worked in circulation with Sue Matthews. She was so sweet and kept saying how "honored' she was to meet Dick and how much she loved Mead. Anyway, she had suggestions for us, got all her information and a release and will be back on Tuesday to do some more. I am just so relieved that there is help out there.

I bought a seat for the shower but it is not working. She suggested that we get a pivotal seat and use the bathtub which would give more space to maneuver and provide a solid base. there are handles that attach to sides of tubs too that might help him be able to get up. The trouble with the seat is that he hasn't anything to hang on to in order to get up AND it is cramped in the shower. At least we are getting input and may come up with answers.

I received a really strange mailing today. Somebody sent me a had addressed envelope with three computer printouts that documented that a James F. Kunert had died on February 12. I know of course, that our Jim is OK but is was shocking and whoever sent it did not identify themselves which makes it really creepy. A lot of the information was correct but a lot was wrong and I did not like it. We had Jim and Michelle come over after work tonight and gave it to them. They were creeped out too.

A story that came to my mind. Years ago, my ex husband worked on assembling luxary sport fishing boats to order. These were the kind of boats that , if you have to ask how much, you cannot afford it.

Anyway, Dick and his fellow workers took a boat out for a test cruise one day. It was a beautiful day and they went out for a ways and put the boat through all its paces including auto pilot.. Everything seemed just fine, until, one of they guys went down into the head to use it. When he flushed toilet, the boat did a very neat 90 degree turn and then slowly eased its way back to it's proper setting. He was kind of shook and it actually took a couple of flushes" to figure out what was going on. I thought it was a funny story and it was certainly a good thing they found it on the test cruise. Imagine what a shock this would have been to the new owner.


Love

Mary

We finally got our rain. I don't know how much, but it rained most of the morning. Everything got a good soaking. Chelsea and I, for the first time in a long time, were unable to take a walk. There was quite a bit of thunder too. Chelsea does not get so frightened anymore because she does not hear very well.

I had called the other day to ask Dr. Sharon to send a referral to the Visiting Nurses. Boy are they quick. We got a call from an Ellen this morning and she came at 11AM to review things with us and to fill out all the paperwork. She went through EVERYTHING. From Dick's meds to how we move him in and out of bed and around the house. She is recommending a wheelchair. I told her that I don't think it will fit into the bedroom and office but she is concerned because he cannot walk over a few feet because of the pain. She is sending a nurse and and occupational therapist to evaluate and see how they can help also. We should hear tomorrow or Monday to set those up. They do know that he has a procedure with Dr. Siddique tomorrow.

I had my first actual physical therapy for my shoulder today. That is kind of painful. She is working on relaxing the muscles and that involves pressing on them until they resist. I now have three exercises for homework.

I think Chelsea is getting a little senile. She is really nagging me and whining a lot. If I could only figure out what it is she wants.

Doggies are really funny. I remember when I got my Tara, a beautiful black lab. My ex husband came home one night a bit tipsy and said, in front of the boys, "How would you like a dog?" WELL. You know how THAT turned out. So he brought Tara home the next evening. She was a excited girl but kept coughing. I looked more closely at her and found that her choke chain was literally cutting into her neck. Apparently her previous owners had put it on her as a puppy and never checked it again. So my Ex cut it off with metal cutters. Poor baby. I think I thought about that because we had to tighten Chelsea's collar with the loss of all her hair and I need to be checking it. As a matter of fact, I think I want to put a middle hole in it so it will not be quite as tight as it is.

Tomorrow is another procedure with Dr. Siddique. We hope we are almost to the end of those.

Take care and pray for us and all the people on MY list.

Mary

This was a very exciting day. You have already seen the results of some of my labors. Isn't our girl just the prettiest thing you have ever seen. She is being very persistent and kind of whiny tonight. I think she feels a little sorry for herself. But she is beautiful and when the hot weather really hits us she will be a grateful little puppy.

We stopped off at Mother's on the way home so she could see Chelsea. She said that she would not have known her. She is always amazed at out white she is.

I then went grocery shopping. I needed to be home by noon because Leslie had emailed that she was calling at 1PM. And she did.


A lot of happenings down there. Leslie was in the hospital on Monday night. She has anemia. Quite severe anemia but at least now it is being treated. They still love their house and are making improvements and making it "theirs" a bit at a time.

They will be here for a visit, Bill, Leslie and BOTH GIRLS |TOO in August. They are hoping to arrive the 1st and leave the 8th but MAY if problems arise, arrive on the 4th and leave on the 11th. Anyway it has been way too long and we are eager to see them and spend time catching up. The girls are doing well. Nora is well ensconced in her Air Force life as a Dental Technician. Her husband is working AND going to school to be an electrician. Sara is happy and her special person is moving to California and she will be going too. We can find out EVERYTHING when we are together. I can hardly wait.

I did rest this afternoon but am still glad that it is getting on to 9PM when I can take Chelsea out for her last walk of the evening and get ready for bed.

Today I was thinking of my Dad. I was his firstborn, you know. I don't know whether I told you this story. When he took Mom to the hospital, he picked up my Grandma Bowser, so he must have been pretty scared. I was a rather difficult delivery, Mom said. They had to use forceps and I was kind of blotchy and bruises up.

So they brought me out to show Dad, who had never seen a newborn baby before, and he told them that I could not possibly be his. He told me this when Randy was a baby. Randy was a beautiful baby from the very beginning. Dad DID tell me that he was glad they kept me as I improved very quickly.

Love

Mary

Two pictures of Chelsea with her "Summer Do." Isn't she just beautiful?

Mary

Much cooler today. It was misting when Dick and I drove into Sheboygan to get his blood tested. His level is still a little low. We think it is because he is not drinking as much cranberry juice as he was as he has been thirsty for V8. We figure it is alright a little thick as he has another procedure with Dr. Siddique on Friday.

I got my haircut this afternoon. Chelsea will get hers cut in the morning. She is never happy there but seems pleased to be shorn and a little cooler in the heat of summer. We are goint to stop off at Mom's on the way back to show her how beautiful and cute Chelsea turns out.

I bought us a new blanket today too. The one we had has been with us for over 20 years and is showing a LOT of wear. I figure we deserved a new one. I think I will be able to us the denim quilt I made as a bedspread and will make some pillow shams out of the leftover denim and flannel squares I have left.

Love Mary

Thought you might enjoy this.

It's the summer of 1961 and Harold goes to pick up his date, Peggy Sue. Harold's a pretty hip guy with his own car and a duck tail hairdo. When he goes to the front door, Peggy Sue's mother answers and invites him in. "Peggy Sue's not ready yet, so why don't you have a seat?" Peggy Sue's mother asks Harold what they're planning to do. Harold replies politely that they will probably just go to the malt shop or to a drive-in movie. Peggy Sue's mother responds, "Why don't you kids go out and screw? I hear all the kids are doing it." Naturally this comes as quite a surprise to Harold and he says, "Whaaaat?" "Yeah," says Peggy Sue's mother, "We know Peggy Sue really likes to screw; why, she'd screw all night if we let her!"! Harold's eyes light up and he smiles from ear to ear. Immediately, he has revised the plans for the evening. A few minutes later, Peggy Sue comes downstairs in her little poodle skirt with her saddle shoes, and announces that she's ready to go. Almost breathless with anticipation, Harold escorts his date out the front door while Mom is saying, "Have a good evening kids," with a small wink for Harold! About 20 minutes later, a thoroughly disheveled Peggy Sue rushes back into the house, slams the door behind her and screams at her mother: "Dammit, Mom! It's the Twist! It's calledThe Twist!!!

We got a little bit of rain tonight. I hope it is not over yet. What we got was pleasant but not enough to really do a lot of good.

Chelsea seems to be coughing a lot more again. It is almost time to renew one of her meds and I will mention it to her veterinarian when I call. She did say we can do a bit of upping the doses to help her.

This morning, Dick and I went to see a Dr. Moreno at the Sheboygan Clinic. He checked out Dicks open callouses and gave us a new medication to treat them with and some post surgical slipper shoes to wear for a while. He is not happy about the support stockings because they constrict circulation, but knows we need them for other reasons. He is ordering one of those compression thingies for his legs to help with circulation and swelling.

Then I went to Sheboygan Falls. I got to Bible Study just in time for the final prayer, then went over to visit with Mother for a bit and to find out the changes on her medications. That seems to be the story of my day. Changing Meds.

After lunch, I went for my physical therapy evaluation. I saw a Rebecca who did a very thorough look at me. I will be going twice a week to try to strengthen the muscles and nerves in my neck and shoulder and I even have homework. I haven't had homework for years.

On the way there I exchanged Dick's walker for a new one. (Did I tell you that one of the hand brakes broke on Friday. Deanne, the helper at Adams Drug Store, had never had that happen before.) Anyway we just exchanged it. It sure is a Godsend, as it helps Dick with his balance and provides him two handles that are solid on the ground to hang on to. When he is really tired, we can even roll him a short distance, sitting.

The Rhine Plymouth membership meeting was tonight. I went, it is only an hour so I am was gone too long. On the way there, I saw a hawk flying. That is not really too unusual, BUT he was carrying a mouse in his beak. I never saw that before. I guess they have to eat too but I don't know what the mouse thought about that.

They are doing a special on how Las Vegas developed on PBS. I remember years ago, my mother in law, Lily used to save all her nickels in a big jar just waiting for the change to go to Vegas and plug those nickels in the one armed bandits. One weekend, Jacquie, Doris, Lily, another roommate of Jacquie's, I think her name was Tammy, and me all drove there and just had a ball, all in one motel room and just plugging those machines. We couldn't have done too well, but we had fun and were calling Lily, "Madame Lil".

Have a nice Tuesday.

Love

Mary

Another warm day. It got up into the high 70s and the house hit 80. Soon we will have to consider the air conditioner. Things have changed at this house. I used to be the one who got chilled, now it is Dick who seems to be cold more often. Chelsea got me up at 5:30AM. A bit early but she was insistent.

I went to 8AM Mass. The high school graduates where there celebrating their big time. They are all so handsome and beautiful and healthy looking. It makes a person feel good just to see them.

Fr. Van Beeck did a very good job of talking to them. He spoke of a story that he told to some grade school kids one time. He asked them if any of them had any two or three year old little sisters or brothers at home. Then he asked what this little person would choose if they were offered a check for $100,000 or an ice cream cone. He said that is kind of what we are offered. We can grab EVERYTHING here or choose wisely and have eternal live.

I went out in the back and did a very little bit of weeding. I did it quickly so that the mosquitoes would not catch on that I was back there. Three of them found me anyway.

Then I baked some Mill Hollow Bread. I have not made that in years. It is a bread with rye, wheat, sunflower seeds, bran and wheat germ and is really quite tasty.

Dick got a couple of good naps today, I think the medication is helping the pain a bit. He does manage himself at night so I am getting sleep.

Tomorrow we see Dr. Moreno, the wound specialist. Dr. Murphy thinks he may be able to help us heal that open callous that we have been struggling with.

I also have an appointment with the physical therapist to see if we can get rid of some of my arthritis pain.

Then in the evening is the Rhine Plymouth meeting. So it is a busy day.

Bret called today. He is doing well and I am always so glad to hear his voice. My boys seem so far away. And Leslie too. She has not emailed lately either.

We talked to Dick today too. He and Brenda had a good time on vacation in Austin. Even if it WAS hot.

There was a fire on the Universal Studio lot this morning. When they boys were quite young, we went to the Studio for their tour. It was a great tour and I would go again. I am sure they have changed and added things. At the time, I remember, we saw Lucile Ball's dressing room. We also went on a tram ride and a big part of the ride was going over the "Jaws" site. As we went over the water, the shark came out of the water biting and writhing and my Bart lunged for the other side of the tram. He was terrified and kept saying "It's just a model. It's just a model." I managed to hold him and assured him that it was indeed a model. It startled Bret and I so I can see why one as little as Bart was so scared.

Almost time to go to bed. I am pretty tired. As usual.

Mary

It was a warm and windy day today. Chelsea and I had a lovely walk this morning. We were the only walkers out there, though we did see one of our neighbors working in her gardens.

I did a bit of gardening myself. I had decided to make a hummingbird planter. I needed a fuchsia, begonias and a sweet potato vine. So, since I had to go and pick up a couple of prescriptions for Dick later this morning, so I swung by Moraine Gardens and picked up the plants I needed and a large planter.

This afternoon, I planted the Hummingbird Planter and a couple of herb plants, then watered everything thoroughly since it was windy all day and dried everything out.

I talked to Barbara today. She is home from Florida and said that her critters were very glad to see her and that one of her kitties crawled into her arms to sleep last night. I sure miss my kitties. I wonder if Oscar will have anything to do with me if I ever get him home. Roxie seems to be more social, but I am sure she will miss Bobbie if I ever get her home.

I remember our Waylon. Cat food commercials reminded me of him today. He liked to eat only dry food. Though he did change from Purina to Science Diet, he did not like anything new. If we tried to give him canned food or treats, he would just cry. We always said that he must have thought we were trying to kill him.

Aside from my little shopping excursions, we stayed home today. Except for doctoring, I can't see Dick going anywhere anyhow. It is hard enough for us to get him from one room to another

Tomorrow is another quiet day. I think I will bake some bread. If it is as warm as it was today, I will bake it downstairs. It is sure nice to have that extra oven.

Love

Mary

Chelsea and I had a very short walk this morning because it was raining. But we did have a walk. It was warm enough and I am glad that everything got a drink today.

We spent the day at home. We are moving Dick around on his walker mostly. He can sit on the seat and with him pushing and me pulling we are able to get him where he needs to go with the least pain.

I spent the day cleaning and doing computer stuff. I also had a ginger root that had sprouted so I planted it. Wonder if that will work. I don't know how to harvest it if it does work but it is fun.

This morning I caught a little bit of Regis and Kelly. Regis is on vacation and somehow or other she and Pat Sajak the co host got on the subject of Mc Donalds. Kelly mentioned that Regis can eat at Mc Donalds free for life. But it reminded me of a guy that I worked for years ago at United Savings and Loan.

Craig stopped in to get Mc Donalds for dinner for his family. When he got home he opened up his Big Mac and inside the styrofoam container (at that time all sandwiches were served in styrofoam) was the neatly stacked meat, pickles, special sauce and onions but no bun.


Love Mary

Men's Translations

"I'M GOING FISHING" Means: "I'm going to drink myself dangerously stupid, and stand by a stream with a stick in my hand, while the fish swim by in complete safety."

"IT'S A GUY THING" Means: "There is no rational thought pattern connected with it, and you have no chance at all of making it logical."

"CAN I HELP WITH DINNER?" Means: "Why isn't dinner already on the table?"

"UH HUH," "SURE, HONEY," OR "YES, DEAR..." Means: Absolutely nothing. It's a conditioned response.

"IT WOULD TAKE TOO LONG TO EXPLAIN" Means: "I have no idea how it works."

"I WAS LISTENING TO YOU. IT'S JUST THAT I HAVE THINGS ON MY MIND." Means: "I was wondering if that redhead over there is wearing a bra."

"TAKE A BREAK HONEY, YOU ARE WORKING TOO HARD." Means: "I can't hear the game over the vacuum cleaner."

"THAT'S INTERESTING, DEAR." Means: "Are you still talking?"

Well, we spent a good hunk of the day in doctors offices today without any really good resolution to Dick pain problem. The good thing is that we finally know what is wrong. The bad thing is that it seems that the cure is a knee replacement but they will not be able to consider it until his circulation problems are solved (Dr. Siddique) and we have that open sore on the bottom of his right foot healed for a year. Dr. Murphy prescribed a stronger pain killer and a wheel chair so that he can keep the pressure off of the knee. Exercise will not help this problem, so I guess I have to stop suggesting walks for a while at least. It took forever. We were at the clinic from 2:10 to 5PM, not counting the appointment with Dr. Sharon this morning.

Anyway, we are tired people. And I have to cancel the Quilting Day I was going to tomorrow. Bobbie said she would be glad to take Dick to the doctor but we have to call tomorrow to make the appointment with the specialist to help us heal the sore on the bottom of his foot. It may be that we don't even have an appointment tomorrow, but we have to be ready and now we are facing a whole new set of "truths". We also have a prescription for a wheel chair and I would like to see about that tomorrow.

On our travels, we were listening to PBS. They were interviewing a man who, with six other friends, rafted down the Mississippi. I really enjoyed that interview because it brought back memories that were fun.

When I still was out in California, in my previous life, we went out jeeping a lot. One of the places that we often went was near the Colorado River. One of the fun things that we enjoyed doing was floating down the river. We would gather up inner tubes, inflatable rafts, actually anything that floated and then pile as many people, adults and kids, into a couple of jeeps and drive a couple of miles up the river to an access point where the drivers would drop us off and go back to camp or out jeeping.

Then those who stayed would tie the whole mess of floatibale objects together, pile everybody on this odd mess of an "island" and push out into the river. We always floated an ice chest with beer and soda along with us and we would drift and sing and talk all the way back to our starting point. It was always hot at the "River" and was so cool and relaxing spending the day in the water that way.

So. Hope your Friday is a nice one.

Love

Mary

Another late night. Lil Abner at the Sheboygan Theater. It was really excellent. The talent really turned out for this one. I had not seen the man who played Abner before but he sure could sing. The dance numbers were exceptional too. The only complaint that I might have had was that it was too long. We did not get out of the theater until almost 10:40 which makes over a three hour production. It was acceptable only because it was goo well done.

Bobbie, Mother and I went to Nino's before the play for dinner. Nino's is always good.


We finally got a doctor, Dr. Kapur, to look at Dick's leg. She ordered an ultra sound and blood test and ruled out blood clots and infection but really was not able to do anything else. We have an appointment at 10 tomorrow morning to discuss the ultra sound with Dr. Sharon. Dr. Kapur told Dick he could take the pain pills at somewhat closer intervals but it is not doing any good.

Well. Perhaps tomorrow we will get some relief for him. We keep hoping.

Sleep tight

Mary

This is going to be really short. It is after 10. My CWI meeting ended about a half an hour ago.

We had a great time. There were nine of us. I taught them how to bake Irish Brown Bread. We decided our next two meetings plus tentative dates for the rest of the year. Discussed a bit of genealogy and Kate told us how she reads handwriting. That was fun. We all wrote. This is a perfect day. Then she went through the letters and told us what it meant about our personalities. How cool is that?

The article that I interviewed for at the Review was in todays paper and we got a new member who called and came tonight. The article turned out really nice and I am sure we will be better known from now on.

This morning Dick had his blood tested. It is still a bit low so we are adjusting the dosage and will have to check next week as he has another procedure on the 6th. His leg is getting more sore each day. We pestered the Clinic til they FINALLY got a doctor on who prescribed a painkiller and will see him tomorrow if the leg is swollen. Thank God. Pray for him, these past days have been really painful for him.

That is all for now. Love you all.

Mary

Memorial Day. It was a quiet one. Chelsea and I had a nice walk at 6AM. It was a lovely walk. Chelsea cut it kind of close. She decided to take the path through the woods today. The trilliums are still blanketing the forest and some of them are pink now. Would you believe that there are two tulips blooming in the woods? I was surprised, let me tell you.

Jim and Michelle came over for scrambled eggs this morning. That turned out well. I scrambled them with green onions and cream cheese. Then we went on our busy days today.

I went to visit Mother at about 11AM and was able to help her move some plants from the garage to the front porch. We had a good visit before I headed back home. Jeff had brought some tomato plants for me. There were a couple of extras. That Kathy sure can get those plants started. I took a Roma and a cherry. There were a couple of extra so I brought them for Jim and Michelle.

When I got home, I did some weeding and planted the tomato plants and a few bean seeds. Hope everything comes up. It was 86 degrees here today which got the house up to 80 but it was dry so we were able to stand it because the wind was blowing pretty good too. This kept everything circulating.

I sat out on the deck for about 45 minutes which was really pleasant. Mosquitoes are really thick this year, BUT none bothered me this afternoon. So Chelsea and I were very happy out there.

Tomorrow is a doctor day. We also hope we hear the results of Dick's MRI. His leg seems to be hurting him more every day. The walker IS a big help however.

Have a good week. A short one for you workers.


A group of Americans, retired Teachers, recently went to France on a
tour. Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane.
At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry
on. 'You have been to France before, monsieur?' the customs officer asked
sarcastically. Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously.
'Then you should know enough to have your passport ready.' The American
said, 'The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it.' 'Impossible.
Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France !' The
American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly
explained. 'Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in '44 to help
liberate this country, I couldn't find any Frenchmen to show it to.'

You could have heard a pin drop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Love

Mary

This is turning out to be quite a lovely Memorial Day weekend. So far there is no rain, though we may get a bit tonight and/or tomorrow. Actually, we could really use it so I hope we do. I actually ran the sprinklers on the gardens at the bottom of the yard yesterday, so that I could pull some of those awful wild garlic plants that are invading everything again this year.

I also planted the last of the plants that I bought a couple of weeks ago. So far I have only killed one tomato.

I went to the 8AM mass this morning after walking our Chelsea. It was a nice morning for a walk but we did not see another soul out there today. Church was full. When I arrived, the lot was pretty empty but I guess everybody was just funning a bit late. Fr. Van Beeck gave a nice Memorial Day, Corpus Christi sermon. I fixed Dick and I a good breakfast and then Jim and Michelle arrived. They installed a battery backup for our sump pump. They were doing theirs and asked if we would like it done too. It is nice to have someone watching over us.

So I invited them over for a steak dinner. Was pretty good too. This way I can get Jim to turn on the fryer. I always have to use a match. He just goes Click Click Click and off she goes.

Tomorrow is actually Memorial Day. I don't know if there are any real parades going on. I remember the first year Dick and I were married. Dick and Bart and I rushed up from our home on Broadway in Sheboygan Falls to the corner of Pine and Broadway for the Parade. We still laugh today. The parade consisted of a police car, a number of veterans, some Girl Scouts and Bruce Mertzig with his old car.

When I was a kid there was a band from one of the schools, all the scouts marched and we had to go all the way to the Sheboygan Falls Cemetery in Kohler. It was much more impressive. Now they go the the Municipal Building and do the gun salute and cememony on the steps. Maybe we have forgotten the reason for this day. Sadly, we are making more reasons for Memorial/Veterans Day every single day over in the Gulf.

Pray for all of our boys and girls over there. They need our love, prayers and support.

Mary

This "quiet" Saturday turned out to be a real exhausting day. Started out quiet enough. Chelsea and I had a lovely morning walk.

Then, I decided that since I had replaced the glass in the front door with the screen, I had better clean that side of the garage. That was my mistake. I spent the lions share of the day moving things and sweeping and washing the garage floor. BUT it is done and I have lots of trash for Tuesday. I would have even more if I had had the energy to clean the shelves too. But that can keep for another day.

Jim and Michelle brought dinner over to us today. A wonderful refried been appetizer, chicken enchiladas and warm volcano cake with vanilla ice cream. Excellent. We were all very hungry after our busy days and then finished off the evening with a game of Rummy. Dick won and Jim was close on his heels.

So. I am tired and ready for a good night's sleep. TOMORROW will be quiet. (I hope.)

Have a nice Sunday.

Love

Mary

This was a rather pleasant quiet beginning to the Memorial Day Weekend. I had no appointments or errands. I did go to the Dairy Queen and had lunch with the Wells Fargo crew for the first time in weeks. That was a nice break in the day.

I cleaned the kitchen this morning and also cleaned off my desk. Again. This time, I actually accomplished finishing up a lot of loose ends that have been hanging on and on.

Jacquie called today. She had called on my birthday while I was out for lunch with my high school buddies. I had tried to call her a couple of times between then and now and we finally connected. She is a special lady and I miss her. It is good that we do talk once in a while. We have been, after all friends for 48 years and were related for a good chunk of them. I need to email Vikki. Jacquie told me that Vikki's son broke some bones in Rio de Janero. (He is a motorcycle racer on the Kawasaki team and was sent to Rio to race there.) He came home to heal and then will be going back. I am sure that Vikki has mixed feelings about that. She sent me pictures and a poster of her son Scott. He is a handsome young man and doing what he loves.

I have been reading a journal that my nephew, Nora and Leif's son, Stenn wrote while he and his wife Bing were in China for the Chinese New Year visiting Bing's family. It sounds like an a unbelievably wonderful trip and he would like to go back. It is a marvelous journal that he sent a copy of to Mother. She was so pleased. He had a quote in the journal that suited those newlyweds, I thought. "We will fly in heaven, two birds with one pair of wings, and together on earth, two trees with branches interlaced." It was the caption for a picture of them standing in front of two trees intertwined. Isn't that beautiful?

Have a super holiday weekend.

Love

Mary

We had a very nice day.

Chelsea and I walked a pleasant walk. It was a bit early but with the pleasant, not warm, but pleasant temperatures and birds singing and the trees finally all budding out nice and green it was a wonderful walk.

The only appointment we had was with Dr. Herman at the Sheboygan Clinic. He had very good news. Dick's tests were just perfect so unless we see any changes we don't have to to back to him for quite some time.

On the way home we stopped at Adams Aurora Drug Store and picked out a walker for Dick. They had quite a selection and with the authorization of the doctors it is covered for him. At least so far. Anyway, he is walking much more securely. The pain is still as bad but now with solid support, not just the cane, he can move quite easily and doesn't feel so vulnerable and unsteady.

This afternoon, I went over to Fleet Farm and purchased a table and two chairs for the deck. I would like Dick and me to spend a lot of time out there this year when it warms up. I have several ideas to keep the mosquitos away and we love sitting out and enjoying the warm evening air and it will be so pleasant to hear the children playing in Lions Park which is just through the woods and across the railroad tracks.

We had some of Bobbie's delicious lasagna for supper tonight. Now, I am exhausted and intend to rest for the rest of the evening.

Tomorrow should be much quieter. Good thing. I have a LOT of cleaning to catch up on.

Love

Mary

Another long day after a very long night. Dick's legs are REALLY getting worse. He had to wake me up two or three times to help him get back to bed from the bathroom area during the night. His poor sore legs are just not cooperating.

We called Dr. Sharon's office this morning and we will have a walker waiting for us at the Drug Store here in Plymouth. We can even choose. We know that this will not alleviate the pain but at least it will help him to move around with the least difficulty and help me a lot. We have been having himself move around on my office chair which is an adventure in itself. I'll let you know how the walker works tomorrow night.

I did the grocery shopping rather early this morning and then left at 11AM to join several members of my high school graduation class for lunch at Firehouse Pizza in Sheboygan Falls. We have not met for quite a long time and it was really fun. I even saw Karen Kelly Hoell who I had not seen in five years. There were 10 or 11 of us which is not a bad turnout. We will meet again in July at our 50th reunion. I have difficulty believing that it is really 50 years. But it is.

Have special Thursday. I hope it will be very quiet.

Love

Mary

P. S. It was a nice birthday too. I got lots of cards and acknowledgements.

PPS. Michelle had a colonostopy today and all was well. We are very grateful.

This day ended up more full than we expected. I had my physical this morning at 9:30AM.

On the way, I stopped at the review and asked for Jack Lutz. I could hear him saying something like WHo wants to see me. He came out from the back looking really puzzled. So I told him that I was Mary Deeley from 48 years ago and the Young Christian Workers in Sheboygan Falls. He did remember and we had a wonderful visit. I learned a lot about what he has been doing and shared with him. We will have to get together again to do more catching up. I told him that the paintings that I got from him are still with me. He said he still paints but not as much and seemed pleased that I had them. It was fun. I will be so glad to tell Mother.

Dr. Murthy reviewed everything. He ended up sending me to X Ray for my shoulder, scheduling a radiology test for the pain in my side in the gall bladder area and sent me to schedule physical therapy for my knees and hips. He is concerned that I am stressed and not sleeping well too so he prescribed Ambien for two weeks to get me back on track and some meds for my stomach too. So I am somewhat of a mess. But he said that my overall health is great. All my vitals are good and I DO treat myself well as far as exercise and eating. So. We just need to do something about all these dumb achy spots.

I got the x ray done today and the other things are scheduled in the next two weeks. I will start taking the medication tomorrow. We ate kind of late tonight and I need to take both on an empty stomach. The pharmacist suggested that I take them just before I go to bed.

Dick had his dentist appointment scheduled for 2PM for his cavity. We expected that it would take about a half an hour. His next appointment for the MRI on his knee was at 3:15PM which seemed like plenty of time. BUT Dr. Joe needed to spend more time on Dick and it got to be close to three and I was in a panic. I was afraid that they would cancel his MRI and he had already taken the sedative to calm him during what he thought would be a really awful experience (he had one before). The dentist office called the clinic and told them that we would be late and the clinic said there was no problem. The doctor was waiting when we came in and wheeled him right down there. Dick's right leg is WAY swollen again and it HURTS. He is having a terrible time walking. Dr. Joseph helped us get downstairs (thank heavens for the elevator) and into the car. At the clinics they have wheel chairs so that is a big help. After we are all through with the tests and Dr. Sharon reviews everything we will, if need be, discuss a walker or wheelchair.

The MRI turned out to be EASY. They put him in feet first and his head was never inside the dreaded tube. The whole procedure only took about a half an hour. So, this was a good thing and I got calmed down too.

We got home to the amazing smell of lasagna in our house. Bobbie and Bill had arrived and Bobbie had the lasagna already cooking. I did not have to do a thing. (I did cook up the last of the Morels for Bobbie and me to eat with dinner. It seemed only fair that she get some since she WAS supposed to be out searching too before she broke her foot.) We had that delicious lasagna, peas and tossed salad with melt in your mouth caramel merengue cookies for dessert. It was all absolutely delicious. And she left everything for us to freeze for future meals. I am taking a nice serving for Mom tomorrow.

Tomorrow will be much easier. At least there are no medical appointments. That is really hard to believe.

I will be having lunch in Sheboygan Falls at the Firehouse with the gals from the Class of 58. Have not seen them for quite some time. This is our reunion year too.

I read a super proverb today. "You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother."


Til tomorrow

Mary

I knew that today was going to be busy but it turned out to be even more than I had planned on and tomorrow got added on to which was NOT my plan.

Started out with a nice walk with Chelsea. We saw other walkers but from a distance. So it was a nice quiet walk.

I left at about 8:45AM to stop and visit Mom. I brought her some mac and cheese and her quilt that I had done some work on for her. At 9:30AM Bible Study started. It was on the Body and Blood of Christ and we had a lot to say about that. As we are the only church that believes that Christ IS the bread and wine, body and blood of Christ. We have a special gift.

Anyway we had a lot to say.

Then I went to the Plymouth Review office for an interview with Sue there about our Celtic Women Group in Sheboygan County. I think that went quite well. As I was talking to her, we got into a discussion of the general condition of the Catholic Church as to why DON'T they allow married priests or women priests and she told me that a priest who had left the priesthood worked at the Review a day or two a week and his name was Jack Lutz. I am SO excited. I have been trying to find Jack for many many years. I knew him in 1959 or 1960 when I belonged to the Young Christian Workers a group of unmarried working people out of school who wanted to do things together. Jack was in the seminary at St. Francis and would join us during his vacations. He was charming and we became close friends at that time. He painted then. I have two of his paintings framed and hung in my den in the basement. They are beautiful. Tomorrow is as busy as today was


BUT I am going to stop at the Review on my way to see Dr. Murthy in the morning because Jack is going to be working tomorrow. They are not telling him that I am coming. Won't that be fun!!!.

After my Doctor appointment, we will have a bit of time before Dick's Dentist appointment at two followed closely by his MRI at 3:15.

Bobbie and Bill are coming over tomorrow at about 4:30. Bobbie is fixing us a birthday dinner of lasagna with the trimmings. We are so looking forward to it and with all that is now happening, I am sure glad that we picked this day. We can just come home to good company and a good meal.

Have a good day.

All my love

Mary

I went to the 8AM mass this morning. It was a nice service but neither the organist or the cantor showed up so we were as Fr. Van Beeck said "on our own". He started us in most of the hymns and we just recited the Gloria, the Sanctus and the Agnus Dei. During Communion, Father could not start the hymn because he was busy but some brave soul started one. Unfortunately it was one that we had trouble remembering the title so we joined her mainly in the chorus. But it was OK. I think everybody sang louder because they felt their voices were needed.

The rest of the day was spent at home. I did a lot of stuff but I don't really think that I could tell you exactly what. The most important thing was a nice hour and a half nap around noon. I felt so very tired after I got us fed breakfast that I had trouble keeping my eyes open so just laid down and was GONE.

Jim and Michelle came over for dinner so we could hear all about their cruise. They have some really great pictures and looked like they were having fun - so they have PROOF. We had cream cheese with jalipeno jelly on crackers for an appetizer, riblets, corn, German potato salad and salad for dinner. All turned out good. Jim and Michelle worked at a Diabetes Walk in Grafton today and brought Dick a BUNCH of neat Diabetes stuff. Two new meters with test strips, hand soap and lotions and some nice reference books. I have decided to start a shelf of diabetes related books so I can reference easily. Dick's foot was swollen this afternoon. I think the ace bandages they use after the sclero cause swelling, just by their nature and the sensitivity of his feet. His leg was really bothering him today. I am SO glad that we see Dr. Sharon tomorrow. We believe that he is going to do x rays.

Anyway, tomorrow will go on forever so if you think of us, pray for us.

In the Reader's Digest May 2008 issue submitted by Donald Clements. "A garden center customer picks up a container of insecticide and asks the salesperson. 'Is this good for red ants?'
'No', says the salesperson, 'It'll kill 'em!' "

Love
Mary

Three pictures from the hunt. Above: The mother lode. Middle: A "friend" on the trail Bottom: A really good shot of what they look like.

Well, this has been a wonderful day, so far. Chelsea and I went for our walk this morning. It was a bit shorter than some because she cut through the path in the woods which cuts quite a bit out. But she accomplished what was needed in the time she was out.

Good thing, because I was gone from about 9:30 to 4. Jim and Michelle came and took her out twice while I was gone. Dick is just SO unsteady that it seems best. It is becoming very difficult for me to be gone if we think that Chelsea needs anything.

Anyway, at 9:30 I took my bars and cupcakes over to the Senior Center for the Condo Association Meeting which I was unable to attend. I talked to Phil Kalchthaler, who is Vice President, and a friend for many years before I left so he knew I was there. However, later, I wish I could have come. Michelle had said she would run for an open place on the board but needed someone, not in her unit, to nominate her.

However, I was committed to the Morel Hunting day with Little John. We all met at Fleet Farm at 10:15 to 10:30. There were nine of us including Little John. We carpooled. I rode with four ladies. Debbie from Green Bay, and Tina, Kris and another gal, my mind is blanking but it will come to me later, from the Mequon area. They were originally from Two Rivers and knew my cousins Ann and Marcia Bowser. Small world.

We got to the site off of Hwy 28 beyond Beechwood. I need to investigate Beechwood sometime for genealogy purposes. Little John shared one of his spots with us and asked us to please find our own. We snacked while he ran though what we would be doing and what we would be looking for. Then we started out. We had quite a successful day. We found several pockets where there were a dozen or more scattered in a close area. I weighed mine when I got home and have about 10 ounces. I tossed some of them into our common pan. Little John fried some up in Linda's homemade butter in a nice cast iron skillet on a camp stove so we could all taste them. Very good and we did not do ANY seasoning, just the butter fry. Everybody had a nice share of the harvest. It is sure fun. I am going to check the woods in back of us. Now that I know what to look for perhaps there ARE some there. I also want to go out where I go deer hunting and see if there is any luck there especially near the swamp.

They are quite distinctive. They look like little brains on a pole and when you see them they just jump out at you. They are either kind of caramel colored or a bit grayish brown. I brought home two pretty rocks and some feathers too. I liked today.

When I got home Jim and Michelle came over to tell me what happened at the board meeting. It does not sound like a very productive meeting. The board seems to do a lot of deciding, but does not respond to requests or clarifications. I sent a letter to the vice president listing my concerns. This was NOT discussed but was mentioned and they said that it would be brought up at the next board meeting, which I plan on attending.

I am going to a show at the Plymouth Art Center that Kate is singing in tonight. Not the greatest night as I am really tired, but I need to go for Kate's sake. I missed the last one she performed in and don't want to miss another. Too much is happening too fast. Tomorrow, except for Mass, I can stay home. I can hardly wait.

Love

Mary

Chelsea got me up just a bit early this morning but not early enough to complain about. We took a nice long walk. We found four big geese in the park. They grumbled at us a bit as we started around the park edge, they were pretty much in the middle. Chelsea never saw OR heard them and when they saw that we were not moving towards them they just meandered a bit away and pretty much ignored us too.

I cleaned the kitchen first thing this morning because Dick's procedure was scheduled for 10:30AM, much earlier than we usually have them. This was quite confusing. We weren't sure WHAT was going to be happening today. As it turned out it was the easy one, the Sclerotherapy procedure which just involves finding and injecting chemicals into the bad veins and virtually burning them out. It is the easiest however. Very little discomfort and Dr. Siddique then wraps the leg in an ace bandage for two days. Dick's leg is still hurting him. We have an appointment for xrays on Monday. He is hurting enough that he is willing to use a wheel chair when we are going to the doctors rather than trying to walk those long hallways.

We were home by noon, stopping at the Dairy Queen for a Combo Ultimate Burger meal which we shared. I don't know how any one person could possibly eat a whole one of those. We both took naps then. I was really tired.

I spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning my desk. For two weeks things have been just piling up on it. AGAIN, I have vowed to not let that happen again. Ha Ha.

I fixed soup for Dick's supper as I went to Rhine Plymouth for the bust up party for the Spring League. Nancy picked me up at about 5:30 and we were home by 8. Just long enough. We had chicken, German potato salad and corn for supper. Bill Olson made his famous peach cobbler and Toni Nevicosi made brownies and Jean made cookies so we ate til there was no tomorrow and then had the awards. Nancy and I both got trophies for the pistol league. Nancy was SO excited, she can hardly wait to tell her kids.

Toni told me about a two day Quilts and Fiber Arts University being held on May 30 and 31. I want to go on Friday, if I can. If I can find someone to come and let Chelsea out in the afternoon, I can but Dick just doesn't feel secure walking her any more. I will check in the next couple of days and then decide. Ti wounds like a wonderful day. The possibility of four workshops each day, a speaker at lunch and lunch. Actually the lunch is a potluck and the day costs $25. The money is to help the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts build a museum. The website is http://wiquiltmuseum.com.

Guess that is all. It was an absolutely gorgeous day. Tomorrow is supposed to be lovely too. That is a good because I will be out in the woods with Little John and the others searching for Morel Mushrooms. I sure hope we have a successful hunt. I intend to cook them fresh and then use Jim and Michelle's dehydrator to preserve them for winter use. Mom said that Dad would sometimes bring morels home for us when he was out in the woods in the spring. They are easy to identify and along with puff balls are two fungi that are safe to eat. Not a good idea to just go around cooking mushrooms gathered in the wild, they can be fatal.

I plan on pictures and lots of morels.

Love

Mary

Kate and Toni and I went to N Joy this morning to wind down the Spring Fling. I had not been there before. It is very pleasant. They have an actual breakfast sandwich or burrito so I think that Dick would enjoy it for an occasional breakfast. Breakfast spots in Plymouth are getting kind of sparse as two with the best food allow smoking and we have decided that it just isn't worth it hoping that there will be no smokers in the places when we go.

We wound things down nicely and just visited for a while. Kate had picked me up. Dick has a toothache now, (will it ever end) so I got him some Orajel on the way home. He has a dentist appointment on Tuesday, so hopefully it won't get any worse in the next couple of days and they can take care of it then.

The rest of the day was spent at home. I sewed a piece onto a quilt that Mother has almost got finished, cleaned the bathrooms and baked. I also made the fourth Mac and Cheese Recipe from the ABC Good Morning America anchors and weathermen. This was Sam Champion, the weatherman's. We liked it. This time I halved the recipe and still have enough to give to Jim and Michelle, Mom and we will have another good meal and a half from it. Good thing it tastes good.

I also made some ricotta cheese out of some milk that had soured. I seldom buy gallons and this is why. The cheese is good but it is not an efficient way to get it. All you do is heat the sour milk (or fresh for that matter) with lemon juice and salt until it separates. Then you strain it through muslin or fine cheesecloth. The whey can be used to make bread too.

Tomorrow, Dick has his procedure. I think it will be a laser this time. So keep him in your prayers at about 10:30AM.

I have bust up at Rhine in the evening. Nancy will pick me up at about 5:30. Toni will be out there helping John with the meal. So Celtic Women will be represented.

Hope you have a lovely day tomorrow. I got this in an email today. Actually I took parts of the email but the part that I thought I needed. Hope you find it useful too.

Love

Mary

When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need.

P-----pray
U----until
S----something
H----happens

It was misting pretty good when Chelsea and I went out for our walk so I did not let her go through the park. We sped along too because I do not like getting wet. I have been going over to feed and water Boots right after I walk and feed Chelsea in the morning. He is always very glad to see me but does not expect anything more than food and a little petting then. However, in the evening, he likes lots of attention and playing. He still does not let me hold him much, but tonight I did pick him up and cuddle him and he actually purred.

Dick had an appointment at the Sheboygan Clinic, then when we got there we found that we needed a lab test which had to be done right away and Dick had not prepared. So, we went home and when he was ready went to the lab here in Plymouth and made another appointment for next week to review the results. Just kind of frustrating to have that extra trip into Sheboygan.

Dick's knee and leg are really bothering him too so I did the shopping after lunch this afternoon. It was pick up day for Market Day too so we have LOTS of food in this house.

Tomorrow I am going to do some baking. I will be home all day after one early outing with Kate and Toni. We are going to NJoy a local newer coffee shop. We are going to wrap up the Celtic Women Spring Fling Thing. Tomorrow, Jim and Michelle are coming home too. My understanding is that it will be very late when they get in so I will take care of Boots morning and evening again. I am sure that they had a WONDERFUL time. Hard not to on a cruise ship.

When we were on our cruise, in my previous life, Bart was pretty young, maybe 8. They had a talent contest in one of the lounges one night and Bart decided he wanted to enter. He wanted to tell jokes. So he practiced and we got him all dressed and ready and he signed up. When it got close, he got a bit scared, so I told him that Johnstons don't quit. And my brave little boy walked out on that stage and up to the microphone. He was trembling but told his first joke and (thank heavens for cruise audiences) they loved him and laughed and clapped for him. His face just lit up and he sailed through the rest with no problems at all. He got a trophy and certificate for his efforts. I was SO proud.


Love

Mary

It was supposed to rain today but so far we have not seen a drop. Chelsea and I had a lovely walk this morning. We got up at 6 on the dot and did not see a single other walker today.

Dick had two medical appointments today. First we had to go to the anti coagulation clinic to have his count checked. It was a bit low 1.7 instead of between the 2 and 3 that is ideal. That is OK for now because of the procedure on Friday. But Melody did adjust the meds a bit. Then we went upstairs to the third floor to see Dr. Hodous. That clinic is SO weird. They have the podiatry department on the very TOP floor at the VERY FAR END of the longest hall so that the people with bad feet have to walk the very furthest for treatment. Dick's foot and leg were bothering him so much that he actually let us get a wheel chair for the trip back down to the lobby. His foot is much relieved tonight and he is doing the recommended exercises so don't worry too much. But keep praying.

We got to spend the rest of the day at home. I did the herb planting today and set a couple of other things outside and watered the indoor plants too.

Tonight I spent about an hour with Boots, so he wouldn't be lonely. Actually, I fell asleep for about a half an hour so I don't know how much company I was. He seemed content to just have someone there. I can't believe that Jim and Michelle will be home in just two more days. Boy does time ever fly.

Bart called today. He is all resettled at home after spending time with Barb in Florida. He said that his critters are hanging on him like velcro. They do get clingy when owners are gone. He sounds good though and he and Barb will be together again in about two weeks. It has been a long long haul. I received a package today from Bart and Barb with my Mother's Day/Birthday present. Two Jim Shore collectibles, Milly, a very sophisticated kitty with a bird perched on top of a birdcage and Jilly, a very suave kitty sitting next to a fishbowl with a goldfish in it. They are quite lovely and I believe they will be perched up above the cupboards peering down on the activity in the kitchen.

I mentioned to him that Jim and Michelle were on their cruise and he, as Bret did, commented on how much fun the cruise we took many years ago was. He said that he really appreciated the fact that I had managed to expose them to so many different things in our lives. I still remember that little guy sitting down for breakfast on the third day or so and telling our waiter. "I'll have my usual please." AND GETTING IT. That was quite an experience for him.

Have a nice Wednesday.

Mary

A usual 6AM wake up. Chelsea and I headed around the park. There were several other walkers out there despite the fact that it WAS chilly, only about 39 degrees. I pulled out the winter coat and stocking cap.

A quiet morning then until 8:30 when I started on my LONG journey. First, I stopped at Walgreens to pick up some calcium for Mother. Then on to Bible Study. The readings today surely caused a lot of discussion. The Old Testament was from Exodus and had the Lord "continuing his kindness for a thousand generations" and "yet, not declaring the guilty guiltless, but punishing children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation for their father's wickedness!" We had a LONG discussion on that and have decided that as Jesus saved us from all evil, the punishing of children and grandchildren refers or at least does refer to the fact that abusive and evil ways in a home life, do follow through and continue from one generation to another unless something, goodness and kindness, change this pattern. Sometimes we do get puzzled. We also discussed loving yourself as a prelude to being able to love others. Then a question: Do plants, too, have a responsibility? of life, of blooming? We humans have the ability to choose.

After the study, I went to visit Mother. She is well and had a marvelous Mother's day. The hanging plants that Donna and Randy and Dolores and Ken give her for Mother's day are hanging. I thought I might have seen one of the "tenants" the finches that take up nesting in their "condos" every year. But I am not sure.

After the visit, I went into Sheboygan to the visitation of a dear member of the Sheboygan County Writers Club, Vera Bloemers, who died this week at the age of 100. She was truly a lovely person and her poetry was beautiful. We will miss her so much.

The Writers Club meeting was today so I stayed in town for that. Finally arrived home at about 3PM. We had a nice group. I read my poem that was accepted for the WFOP 2009 Calendar and a poem that I will post after I give it to the person that I wrote it for. Dick read it first and said that he thought it was pretty but he did not get it. The writers group DID get it and I figure that perhaps just thinking it is pretty is enough for Dick. Next week I will read it at Cream City too and see what they think of it.

After dinner, the last of the leftovers so I will begin to cook tomorrow again, I went over to feed and play with Boots. He had a good time and is letting me pet him more. He does not like to be picked up or held though. I really DO miss my Oscar and Roxie. Did I tell you that the last time I went over to Bobbie's house, Roxie seemed almost glad to see me and let me pick her up and cuddle her. Oscar ran and hid though. I am still sad.

Tomorrow I plan on planting the herbs that I bought on Saturday. They will do just fine even if it does get cold some nights. I was a little disappointed, the only herbs that seem to have made it through the winter are the lemon balm and chives which are thriving and the oregano which is struggling a bit. We have been enjoying the fresh chives in eggs and salads.

Tomorrow is a doctor day. All in the morning though so I should be able to get some things done around here.

Later

Mary

It was a strange day. There was rain when Chelsea and I went for our walk so we did not go very far. I think she was a bit disappointed but that is the breaks.

I went to the 8AM Mass, then fixed a nice breakfast for Dick and me. We had bacon, scrambled eggs with chives, tater tots and toast. Num Num.

I did a bit of yard work this afternoon. I planted marigold seeds in the front garden and cut a rogue tree out of a bush that grows on the other side of the driveway.

Since it was Mother's Day, I went to Mother's and took her a card and a bottle of wine. She said she had just opened her last bottle so that was good timing. I must remember to bring another one soon. Eileen and Mary and her husband Mike and Margaret and Gwen came in as I was thinking of leaving so the gang was gathering to be with her on this Mother's Day.

Bret called this morning shortly after Mass. He sounds great and says he is doing very well. I do miss my boys. Barb called this evening in lieu of Bart who is on a plane heading back to Oklahoma. In three more weeks. Barb will be permanently back in Oklahoma. I think she has mixed feelings but her folks need her and Bart is reluctant to leave Oklahoma, though I am sure he would if she insisted. But it is really hard to know what is the right decision. Keep them in your prayers. Bart IS doing much better these days and it would be wonderful if this continues.

We had leftovers for dinner again tonight. I still can prepare one more with the leavings by adding a couple of things. Tonight we split leftover chicken and steak.

George called to wish me a happy Mother's Day too. They will be home at the end of June for a wedding on Betsy's side. I do hope we get to spend some time together. Mother said she saw Ginnie Rammer in church today with her son Rick. Ginny is an old neighbor from Pinehurst Court from years ago. George and Rick Rammer's brother, Louis, we called him Dewey, were best friends. Mother and I were remembering what cute little guys they were. They were always together, George with his blond hair and Dewey with his dark hair. Once they put sand in Dewey's dad's gas tank. They were only about 4 or 5 and said they were playing gas station.


Have a good week. We have another marathon doctor week.

Love

Mary