Tuesday, February 15, 2011
A full and exciting day. I was home until after lujnch, but my dear friend Janet Bieschke came over around 10AM to help me learn how to import pictures to Facebook. I figure that each thing I learn will help me become more proficient in Facebook. I really need to spend at least a bit of my morning updating myself on what is going on there.
We ha spaghetti again for dinner. As spaghetti does it gets better every time we have it. I think I will prepare some lasagna with the sauce on Thursday.
After lunch I went to vote. I stopped at the post office to mail a couple of packages and pick up some stamps. Then I went to the bank to cash a couple of checks that I had to replenish my personal stash which was down to absolute zero. I feel better now.
We just lunched tonight for our dinner.
I called my friend Bob today and we are going to get together for lunch next week, date to be decided when he has his work schedule. The Brigitine nuns at Solas Brede where the Brigid flame is being kept burning, were excited about his Patrick so I promised that I would send them one. Bob says that he has some of the prints left so I will purchase one for them. I love his Patrick and his Francis and he is going to put together a Bridget for us.
I am watching the Westminster Dog show. I have enjoyed this show for 12 years now, ever since I stumbled onto it the year that the Papilon won the best in she. That dog was such a ham and proud as could be. He knew he was great.
I have learned to put pictures on Facebook and am working on that. I am moving slowly and very selectively. So far, my biggest problem is how to delete one that I put in twice.
Take care and enjoy this warmer weather.
God love you
Mary
We ha spaghetti again for dinner. As spaghetti does it gets better every time we have it. I think I will prepare some lasagna with the sauce on Thursday.
After lunch I went to vote. I stopped at the post office to mail a couple of packages and pick up some stamps. Then I went to the bank to cash a couple of checks that I had to replenish my personal stash which was down to absolute zero. I feel better now.
We just lunched tonight for our dinner.
I called my friend Bob today and we are going to get together for lunch next week, date to be decided when he has his work schedule. The Brigitine nuns at Solas Brede where the Brigid flame is being kept burning, were excited about his Patrick so I promised that I would send them one. Bob says that he has some of the prints left so I will purchase one for them. I love his Patrick and his Francis and he is going to put together a Bridget for us.
I am watching the Westminster Dog show. I have enjoyed this show for 12 years now, ever since I stumbled onto it the year that the Papilon won the best in she. That dog was such a ham and proud as could be. He knew he was great.
I have learned to put pictures on Facebook and am working on that. I am moving slowly and very selectively. So far, my biggest problem is how to delete one that I put in twice.
Take care and enjoy this warmer weather.
God love you
Mary
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day again.
I left early for Bible Study to stop at Walmart. My friend Kate told me that they had Irish shirts not far from the Green Bay Packer stuff. The Irish T Shirts were only $5. I got Dick and me matching shirts that call us Hooligans. and another shirt for myself that is rather pretty. I also found a Packer tshirt for myself. They did not have any in Dick's size so I got a commemorative mug. It just seemed right.
Then on to Bible Study. I shared a Bridget prayer and water from the holy wells with my fellow bible study people. Next week, I will share the flame. I forgot my candle today. So this gives a chance to share twice with the bible study group. This week the water and next week the sharing of the flame of peace and justice.
After a good discussion at bible study, I drove into Sheboygan to see Mother. She is doing very well and looking forward to going home. We are still a bit fuzzy on the date. My understanding is that it will be next weekend, but we need confirmation from SOMEBODY. I just have to take care of reinstating Charter, The housekeeper, her colostomy bags and being sure that her meds are in order. Dolores and Ken came to Meadow View while I was there, just after Mike Gustafson came in with candy and a card for Mother and the PT nurse came to collect her. I did not stay long as we had discussed her bills and she needs her PT as much as possible before going home. Dolores is going to reinstate the Companion Care. Donna called this afternoon to see what was going on. I shared what little I know and she will reinstate the lifeline. So grateful for all of us. I had a friend who was an only child and was, of course, the only one to help her mother and she lived in Milwaukee. She commented at one time how lucky we were to have all of us. And I agreed with her. Then she commented that as she never married or had children that she wondered who would care for her in her old age. We have all. Between the love we have for each other and the love of all of our children we are a wealthy family indeed.
Here is a little poem I wrote as we were flying over the ocean to Ireland:
It is a Haiku
Darkess surrounds us.
We fly over the ocean
Hels up by angels.
Love you
and God does too
Mary
I left early for Bible Study to stop at Walmart. My friend Kate told me that they had Irish shirts not far from the Green Bay Packer stuff. The Irish T Shirts were only $5. I got Dick and me matching shirts that call us Hooligans. and another shirt for myself that is rather pretty. I also found a Packer tshirt for myself. They did not have any in Dick's size so I got a commemorative mug. It just seemed right.
Then on to Bible Study. I shared a Bridget prayer and water from the holy wells with my fellow bible study people. Next week, I will share the flame. I forgot my candle today. So this gives a chance to share twice with the bible study group. This week the water and next week the sharing of the flame of peace and justice.
After a good discussion at bible study, I drove into Sheboygan to see Mother. She is doing very well and looking forward to going home. We are still a bit fuzzy on the date. My understanding is that it will be next weekend, but we need confirmation from SOMEBODY. I just have to take care of reinstating Charter, The housekeeper, her colostomy bags and being sure that her meds are in order. Dolores and Ken came to Meadow View while I was there, just after Mike Gustafson came in with candy and a card for Mother and the PT nurse came to collect her. I did not stay long as we had discussed her bills and she needs her PT as much as possible before going home. Dolores is going to reinstate the Companion Care. Donna called this afternoon to see what was going on. I shared what little I know and she will reinstate the lifeline. So grateful for all of us. I had a friend who was an only child and was, of course, the only one to help her mother and she lived in Milwaukee. She commented at one time how lucky we were to have all of us. And I agreed with her. Then she commented that as she never married or had children that she wondered who would care for her in her old age. We have all. Between the love we have for each other and the love of all of our children we are a wealthy family indeed.
Here is a little poem I wrote as we were flying over the ocean to Ireland:
It is a Haiku
Darkess surrounds us.
We fly over the ocean
Hels up by angels.
Love you
and God does too
Mary
Saturday, February 12, 2011
A comparatively quiet day. I went to Mass at 4PM. On the way, I got gas in the car and picked up a loaf of bread.
A bit more about the Brigidine nuns and I will post pictures of the Outdoor flame that was for a while lit by gas but is now lit by LED lighting during the night and the sun during the day. The flame, actually lit during preChristian times was kept lit by the Brigidine Sisters until the 16th century. It was relit by Sr. Mary Teresa Cullen, then leader of the Brigidines, at the opening of a 1993 Peace and Justice conference in Kildare.
Srs. Rita and Phil have a small shrine with the original flame in their home. We were invited to their home and were allowed to light a candle from the flame to take the message of peace and justice home with us. I have that cancle and will light the flame for my bible study and for the Celtic Women when we meet. So the flame has been burning again for 18 years and the nuns are trying to raise money for a proper shrine to house the flame. I purchased a book called Rekindling the Flame by Sr. Rita.
Tomorrow I will be able to be home ALL day again. That will be nice. I believe that I can transcribe all of my notes by the end of tomorrow. Oh Dear. There will be no football game.
Have a lovely sleep and God love you
Mary
A bit more about the Brigidine nuns and I will post pictures of the Outdoor flame that was for a while lit by gas but is now lit by LED lighting during the night and the sun during the day. The flame, actually lit during preChristian times was kept lit by the Brigidine Sisters until the 16th century. It was relit by Sr. Mary Teresa Cullen, then leader of the Brigidines, at the opening of a 1993 Peace and Justice conference in Kildare.
Srs. Rita and Phil have a small shrine with the original flame in their home. We were invited to their home and were allowed to light a candle from the flame to take the message of peace and justice home with us. I have that cancle and will light the flame for my bible study and for the Celtic Women when we meet. So the flame has been burning again for 18 years and the nuns are trying to raise money for a proper shrine to house the flame. I purchased a book called Rekindling the Flame by Sr. Rita.
Tomorrow I will be able to be home ALL day again. That will be nice. I believe that I can transcribe all of my notes by the end of tomorrow. Oh Dear. There will be no football game.
Have a lovely sleep and God love you
Mary
Friday, February 11, 2011
Such an exciting day. I met Jeff and Kathy and Mother and the therapist from Meadow View, Linda at Mother's house. Linda was there to check the house for safety and convenience for Mother. It looks like she will be coming home for sure. She is definitely much stronger and more alert than she was even two weeks ago when I saw her before going to Ireland.
There are a few things that we will have to do in the house such as a light switch on the door side of her bedroom and moving. rearranging or eliminating some pieces of furniture so she has more room.
The therapists are going to work with her on stairs. She really does not have to use stairs in her house but the back door, which would be an emergency exit DOES have stairs and we are tentatively going to bring her home on either the 18th or the 19th. We are now putting the wheels in place to get all of her help, medicines and services back in place. A week is more than enough time.
So Thank you all for the prayers. We are still a bit worried about her being alone some times but will be adding help in the late afternoon or evening so there are more check ups on her and she looked so very content to be in her very own chair in her very own living room.
Thank you all again
God love you
Mary
There are a few things that we will have to do in the house such as a light switch on the door side of her bedroom and moving. rearranging or eliminating some pieces of furniture so she has more room.
The therapists are going to work with her on stairs. She really does not have to use stairs in her house but the back door, which would be an emergency exit DOES have stairs and we are tentatively going to bring her home on either the 18th or the 19th. We are now putting the wheels in place to get all of her help, medicines and services back in place. A week is more than enough time.
So Thank you all for the prayers. We are still a bit worried about her being alone some times but will be adding help in the late afternoon or evening so there are more check ups on her and she looked so very content to be in her very own chair in her very own living room.
Thank you all again
God love you
Mary
Thursday, February 10, 2011
A whole day at home. It was very peaceful in this cold cold weather. I stepped out the door just twice, once to put some mail in the mailbox and once to pick up the mail.
I made a stew in the crockpot for our supper. Jody came today to do the cleaning. She is still having car trouble and was able to get a ride today. She walked in the door and smelled the stew immediately. I also made brown bread as I have gotten used to having it every day and could not go cold turkey.
So with working on transcribing my notes from the trip and cooking and washing, it was a very busy day.
The following are a couple of paragraphs from my notes from the third day of the trip. I will have a couple of pictures too.
I made a stew in the crockpot for our supper. Jody came today to do the cleaning. She is still having car trouble and was able to get a ride today. She walked in the door and smelled the stew immediately. I also made brown bread as I have gotten used to having it every day and could not go cold turkey.
So with working on transcribing my notes from the trip and cooking and washing, it was a very busy day.
The following are a couple of paragraphs from my notes from the third day of the trip. I will have a couple of pictures too.
Tuesday, February 1, a goodly number of us headed back to Kildare at 9PM for the TRAD (a tradtional music session) at the Cove in Kildare. The place was JAMMED. When we got there a group were playing in the second alcove of the place. They were finishing up so that the regular guys could come in between 9 and 10. I slithered over to the end of the bar to get a pint of cider and got into a conversation with a lovely gal named Collette. She plays bodhran in the session and sings. I was looking for Kieran who helped us make the Bridget Crosses this afternoon. I reintroduced myself and he asked if I would sing. I told him I knew Whiskey on a Sunday and he liked that. I found a good seat between Collette and another drum player. What a rush to get that beat coming in both ears. Before the music started I got to talking to a darling young man who actually flirted with me. He is a jockey and his name is Steven. I will put a picture of him and of Kieran on the blog. Steven's mother was there for the music too. I told her I would like to take him home in my pocket. She grinned from ear to ear but said that I could not have him.
Sr. Phil and Sr. Rita, the Brigidine nuns were there for the Trad too. We were supposed to be out at the bus at 11PM. At quarter to, Debbie pointed at her watch and we started to gather up people. I went to Kieran and told him that I had to leave as everybody else was piling out the door. He said that I had not sung yet so I told him if we could do it right away it would work. I sat on Collette's chair and sang Whiskey on a Sunday in the Cove in Kildare. What a thrill. Then I bolted to the door. Sweet Kieran was indicating “Call me” in sign. What a nice flirt. I stepped out the door to find Mick, our bus driver, coming in to get me. The others sent him. I was in disgrace. Ha Ha. What a night.
So everybody have a nice night. I will post pictures of Kieran and Steven from the Trad.
God love you
Mary
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Life if almost back to normal. I am still exhausted but figure by the weekend will be back on Central Time.
Today I did my grocery shopping in the morning and got my hair cut. It is COLD. It was sub zero during the night and got all the way up to 10 degrees this afternoon. The wash is almost caught up.
I had intended to be meeting Mother, Jeff and a therapist from Meadow View at Mother's house this morning, but because of the cold, Jeff put the visit off until Friday when it will be warmer. It is not wise to take Mother out into that bitter cold. She will be able to go home soon and we want to be sure that the house is ready for her. Then we will have to reactivate her morning help, the cleaning and the TV service and whatever else she should need.
Now for a bit of a continuation of the tour. Sunday night we were all finally gathered and in the evening had a wine and cheese plus reception in the hotel. I will attach a picture of the whole gang (of the women anyway, the men chose to stay out of that picture) and also a picture of Christchurch from the hotel room.
We went to bed from that as the next morning, we were picked up at about 10AM by Mick Mulcahy, the driver for Donohgue of Galway. I recommended that company as I had traveled on it for two tours. Joe, the first driver that Bobbie and I had, is now the owner and manager of the company. Mick was a marvelous driver providing commentary as appropriate for the whole 7 days telling us the highlights of the countryside, the traditions and lots of stories. That first day, we drove to the Kaedeen Hotel in Newgrove which is near Kildare. We stopped at the home of Sr.Rita and Sr. Phil. the Brigitine nuns who relit the Bridgit flame in 1992 at a peace conference in Kildare and have tended it ever since. I purchased Sr. Rita's book Rekindling the Flame that tells the tale of the meaning of the flame.
Tomorrow a bit more about that.
I am going to close up now and get ready for bed.
May God and Mary keep you safe
Mary
Today I did my grocery shopping in the morning and got my hair cut. It is COLD. It was sub zero during the night and got all the way up to 10 degrees this afternoon. The wash is almost caught up.
I had intended to be meeting Mother, Jeff and a therapist from Meadow View at Mother's house this morning, but because of the cold, Jeff put the visit off until Friday when it will be warmer. It is not wise to take Mother out into that bitter cold. She will be able to go home soon and we want to be sure that the house is ready for her. Then we will have to reactivate her morning help, the cleaning and the TV service and whatever else she should need.
Now for a bit of a continuation of the tour. Sunday night we were all finally gathered and in the evening had a wine and cheese plus reception in the hotel. I will attach a picture of the whole gang (of the women anyway, the men chose to stay out of that picture) and also a picture of Christchurch from the hotel room.
We went to bed from that as the next morning, we were picked up at about 10AM by Mick Mulcahy, the driver for Donohgue of Galway. I recommended that company as I had traveled on it for two tours. Joe, the first driver that Bobbie and I had, is now the owner and manager of the company. Mick was a marvelous driver providing commentary as appropriate for the whole 7 days telling us the highlights of the countryside, the traditions and lots of stories. That first day, we drove to the Kaedeen Hotel in Newgrove which is near Kildare. We stopped at the home of Sr.Rita and Sr. Phil. the Brigitine nuns who relit the Bridgit flame in 1992 at a peace conference in Kildare and have tended it ever since. I purchased Sr. Rita's book Rekindling the Flame that tells the tale of the meaning of the flame.
Tomorrow a bit more about that.
I am going to close up now and get ready for bed.
May God and Mary keep you safe
Mary
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
The actors doing a skit on the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl
Walking back to the hotel. At the statue of Molly Malone or as she is known in Dubling, The Tart and the Cart.
Micheal O Doibhilin at the Kilmainham Goal.
Mareen Smith and me at the Westbury Hotle Afternoon Tea looking out to a Dublin Street.
Love
Mary
I'm home safe and sound from the Island of Green Grass and poetry and spirituality. It was a wonderful trip. I can't say enough about the experiences and will try to relate an incident or two for the next few days (or weeks) however it happens.
I was dropped off by Joseph and Felicia at about 9PM last night. We had an uneventful but interesting flight from Dublin to Chicago. It was raining a bit in Dublin, but Aer Lingus has settled their strike so we were on an Aer Lingus plane. The transportation there was a bit more dicey.
The group that left on Thursday got to the airport to find that the strike was on and that they were "renting?" a plane from another airline. It was 11PM when they left almost 4 hours late and the plane was an American Airline plane which was not as nice. We left on time but had an AirBerlin plane which we heard is much better than American Airlines but still, as we ALL found out yesterday Aer Lingus is Much nicer. Better seats and other amenities.
We arrived in Chicago in a storm. Fortunately, once our transportation to Milwaukee arrived, we drove north out of the storm. We were all tired but still talking like a bunch of crazy people about the wonderful week we had just shared and the Packers. Yeah Packers. I won the Guessathon Fantasy Football league that I belong to with family and friends. I was tied in points with Mike Gustafson, Mary Margaret's husband, but I won on the number of total correct picks. I also won a quarter in the league we did as a CWI tour group so I feel very rich and lucky.
The tour was wonderful and exciting. I will review it as the week goes on. We spent our first two days, Saturday and Sunday in Dublin. We went on a pub crawl, which was every bit as fun as I remembered when Bobbie and I were in Ireland many years ago. I will enclose a couple of pictures of the crawl. At the end, they again had a quiz. Last time, I won a poster. This time I was neck in neck with a gal from England. She won the t shirt but I got a little bottle of Bushmills so don't feel that I did so badly after all.
The next day, we went to Kilmainham Goal for the tour. It was truly moving and informative. Our leader was a man named Micheal O Doibhliin who has authored a book called Anne Devlin , one of the true female heroes of the 1916 uprising. I purchased his book and have his email.
We also went to the Westbury Hotel for an Afternoon Tea. That was very special. Such good finger sandwiches, a lovely selection of tea served beautifully in tea cups, good scones and breads and special sweet desserts. I have nice pictures of that also.
That is enough tonight as I am really ready for bed. I am almost caught up on wash and have the house almost put back together after my diving back in and unloading.
So until tomorrow. The pictures will foloow.
Love
Mary
I was dropped off by Joseph and Felicia at about 9PM last night. We had an uneventful but interesting flight from Dublin to Chicago. It was raining a bit in Dublin, but Aer Lingus has settled their strike so we were on an Aer Lingus plane. The transportation there was a bit more dicey.
The group that left on Thursday got to the airport to find that the strike was on and that they were "renting?" a plane from another airline. It was 11PM when they left almost 4 hours late and the plane was an American Airline plane which was not as nice. We left on time but had an AirBerlin plane which we heard is much better than American Airlines but still, as we ALL found out yesterday Aer Lingus is Much nicer. Better seats and other amenities.
We arrived in Chicago in a storm. Fortunately, once our transportation to Milwaukee arrived, we drove north out of the storm. We were all tired but still talking like a bunch of crazy people about the wonderful week we had just shared and the Packers. Yeah Packers. I won the Guessathon Fantasy Football league that I belong to with family and friends. I was tied in points with Mike Gustafson, Mary Margaret's husband, but I won on the number of total correct picks. I also won a quarter in the league we did as a CWI tour group so I feel very rich and lucky.
The tour was wonderful and exciting. I will review it as the week goes on. We spent our first two days, Saturday and Sunday in Dublin. We went on a pub crawl, which was every bit as fun as I remembered when Bobbie and I were in Ireland many years ago. I will enclose a couple of pictures of the crawl. At the end, they again had a quiz. Last time, I won a poster. This time I was neck in neck with a gal from England. She won the t shirt but I got a little bottle of Bushmills so don't feel that I did so badly after all.
The next day, we went to Kilmainham Goal for the tour. It was truly moving and informative. Our leader was a man named Micheal O Doibhliin who has authored a book called Anne Devlin , one of the true female heroes of the 1916 uprising. I purchased his book and have his email.
We also went to the Westbury Hotel for an Afternoon Tea. That was very special. Such good finger sandwiches, a lovely selection of tea served beautifully in tea cups, good scones and breads and special sweet desserts. I have nice pictures of that also.
That is enough tonight as I am really ready for bed. I am almost caught up on wash and have the house almost put back together after my diving back in and unloading.
So until tomorrow. The pictures will foloow.
Love
Mary
Friday, January 28, 2011
Bet you thought I left the country early. But I didn't. We got phone calls in the evening and I was trying to be sure that everything was in place for Dick and frankly forgot to post.
Today, I will be picked up by my friends. Felicia's husband Joe Riendl and Debbie's husband Mike O Grady are picking up Joan Brigham and me to take us to Milwaukee to pick up the coach that will take us to O Hare.
I received an email from one of yesterday's travelers, Joan Kramer. They did not get out til almost midnight as there was as she said "industrial trouble" with Aer Lingus. We can only hope that this is resolved or other actions have been taken.
Anyway, this is my last blog for a while. Wish me well and I will pray that God keeps you all safe while I am gone away.
God love you as I surely do.
Mary
Today, I will be picked up by my friends. Felicia's husband Joe Riendl and Debbie's husband Mike O Grady are picking up Joan Brigham and me to take us to Milwaukee to pick up the coach that will take us to O Hare.
I received an email from one of yesterday's travelers, Joan Kramer. They did not get out til almost midnight as there was as she said "industrial trouble" with Aer Lingus. We can only hope that this is resolved or other actions have been taken.
Anyway, this is my last blog for a while. Wish me well and I will pray that God keeps you all safe while I am gone away.
God love you as I surely do.
Mary
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Only one more day before I leave the country. This morning I did the grocery shopping. I think I have everything here that Dick and Roxie could possibly need. Then I went to Wells Fargo to pick up the euros that I had ordered. As a PMA account holder, I got the euro exchange free of charge. Pretty good. I saved us $15.
Home again, I put the groceries away and worked on the trip papers and packing. Then this afternoon, I drove to Kmart to buy some shoes and to Walgreens to pick up some prescriptions for Dick. Now, I should not have to go out again until I am picked up on Friday to head for O Hare and then straight on to Dublin.
I will only be sending out one more blog before February 8th. I will remind you tomorrow. I hope that you will miss me.
I am afraid that I am not too full of news as I am too full of excitement and trying to be sure that all is ready at home for Dick.
I will miss him and my Roxie but hope to come home all full of rest and enthusiasm after a nice break on a special tour.
God love you all
M ary
Home again, I put the groceries away and worked on the trip papers and packing. Then this afternoon, I drove to Kmart to buy some shoes and to Walgreens to pick up some prescriptions for Dick. Now, I should not have to go out again until I am picked up on Friday to head for O Hare and then straight on to Dublin.
I will only be sending out one more blog before February 8th. I will remind you tomorrow. I hope that you will miss me.
I am afraid that I am not too full of news as I am too full of excitement and trying to be sure that all is ready at home for Dick.
I will miss him and my Roxie but hope to come home all full of rest and enthusiasm after a nice break on a special tour.
God love you all
M ary
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Only three more mornings until I leave for Ireland. I am jazzed and hope I can get everything that I need to get done finished before I leave.
I have everything in place for Dick and Mother which are my main priorities. Sorry if anyone on the trip is reading this but I do have my first place considerations and Mom and Dick are there.
I am getting the final do on the i's and crosses on the t's for the trip. The Occupational therapist came by this afternoon and will see Dick two times while I am gone. Mary, who was here before when this stuff all started seems happy to be working with Dick again. I am so glad that we are able to take advantage of VNA to monitor Dick while I am gone. Perhaps they will come up with things that will be helpful to make his progerssion to walking and keeping his legs healed.
I had my dental cleaning today and they told me that my teeth are in excellent shape. She thanked me for making her job so easy. Wow.
So tomorrow, except for shopping, I am home all day. I will pack tomorrow and then have Thursday to be sure that Dick is all taken care of and everything is convenient for him.
God love you and sleep tight.
Mary
I have everything in place for Dick and Mother which are my main priorities. Sorry if anyone on the trip is reading this but I do have my first place considerations and Mom and Dick are there.
I am getting the final do on the i's and crosses on the t's for the trip. The Occupational therapist came by this afternoon and will see Dick two times while I am gone. Mary, who was here before when this stuff all started seems happy to be working with Dick again. I am so glad that we are able to take advantage of VNA to monitor Dick while I am gone. Perhaps they will come up with things that will be helpful to make his progerssion to walking and keeping his legs healed.
I had my dental cleaning today and they told me that my teeth are in excellent shape. She thanked me for making her job so easy. Wow.
So tomorrow, except for shopping, I am home all day. I will pack tomorrow and then have Thursday to be sure that Dick is all taken care of and everything is convenient for him.
God love you and sleep tight.
Mary
Monday, January 24, 2011
It was much warmer today, climbing all the way up to the mid 20s. This morning Ellen, a physical therapist, came to the house and worked with Dick. She came just as I was ready to leave for Bible Study.
He said that she ran him through several exercises and that he is expecting him to do them at least three times a week with my help.
Bible Study was wonderful. I can't believe how beautiful the Psalms are. There were 5 of us there today. We got into quite a discussion as to how our perception of God has changed during our lifetime. We also got into quite a discussion on forgiveness and the really holiness of people who can forgive people who have harmed them.
Then I drove to Meadow View Manor to spend some time with Mother as this is my last opportunity before the Ireland trip. I got there at about 11Am and stayed through lunch with her. We visited, part of the time with Dolores and Ken, and then she and I went to the dining room for a lunch of pot roast, potatoes and gravy and squash. It was altogether a pleasant visit and she knows I will be gone for two weeks.
On the way home, I stopped at Walgreens to pick up a few things. When I got home Dick was sleeping, so I worked a bit on the computer until he woke up. We both had a rather restless night last night so with his exercising, he was a tired guy.
After tomorrow, I well have all of my errands done, except for the grocery shopping, and can concentrate of finishing packing and taking care of Dick.
I put in my last pick for the fantasy football league for the Super Bowl. The game is on while I am in Ireland, but I believe that even there, I can find out who won the game. If the Packers win, I am #1. Isn't that the greatest thing ever?
So Have a lovely sleep.
God love you
Mary
He said that she ran him through several exercises and that he is expecting him to do them at least three times a week with my help.
Bible Study was wonderful. I can't believe how beautiful the Psalms are. There were 5 of us there today. We got into quite a discussion as to how our perception of God has changed during our lifetime. We also got into quite a discussion on forgiveness and the really holiness of people who can forgive people who have harmed them.
Then I drove to Meadow View Manor to spend some time with Mother as this is my last opportunity before the Ireland trip. I got there at about 11Am and stayed through lunch with her. We visited, part of the time with Dolores and Ken, and then she and I went to the dining room for a lunch of pot roast, potatoes and gravy and squash. It was altogether a pleasant visit and she knows I will be gone for two weeks.
On the way home, I stopped at Walgreens to pick up a few things. When I got home Dick was sleeping, so I worked a bit on the computer until he woke up. We both had a rather restless night last night so with his exercising, he was a tired guy.
After tomorrow, I well have all of my errands done, except for the grocery shopping, and can concentrate of finishing packing and taking care of Dick.
I put in my last pick for the fantasy football league for the Super Bowl. The game is on while I am in Ireland, but I believe that even there, I can find out who won the game. If the Packers win, I am #1. Isn't that the greatest thing ever?
So Have a lovely sleep.
God love you
Mary
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Cold Cold Cold. I suppose you are tired of seeing that at the beginning of the blog. But it was -3 when I looked this morning. I was able to stay in bed until ALMOST 8AM. Then I had to kind of hurry as I had to be at John the Baptist for Mass at 9:30AM.
Mass was pleasant. The choir all were dressed in green and gold (except for one Pittsburgh Steeler fan dressed in their colors, whatever they are.) I was dressed in my Reggie White Jersey. Then there was a shortage of Eucharistic Ministers so I had to go up to offer the wine to the celebrants in all my Green Bay glory. It was fun. The choir really sounded good tonight. Perhaps it was all that green and gold.
When I got home, I made a potato salad for our lunch. We had a couple of brats for a sandwich and some home make applesauce. Quite nice. After lunch, I changed the tube-a-grip and bandages on Dick;s legs and then took a nap before the Packer game
A very exciting game led to a Green Bay Win!!! We are in the Super Bowl and I got my points. Then the Steeler/Jets game followed and lo and behold, The Steelers won too. So I have maintained my place in number one in the football league.
The only thing that I have to do now is pick the winner of the Super Bowl. I believe that no matter WHAT I do, I will be in the top six and get some part of the winnings , but if I pick right, I am in all the way.
Tomorrow I will go to Bible Study and then on to see Mother. I will not see her again before I get back to Ireland, so I decided to have lunch with her. I will tell the front desk when I get there.
So After talking to my friend Bob and to Bart and Barb this evening, I am now ready to hit the bed. Hope you had as nice a day as I have. had
God love you
Mary
Mass was pleasant. The choir all were dressed in green and gold (except for one Pittsburgh Steeler fan dressed in their colors, whatever they are.) I was dressed in my Reggie White Jersey. Then there was a shortage of Eucharistic Ministers so I had to go up to offer the wine to the celebrants in all my Green Bay glory. It was fun. The choir really sounded good tonight. Perhaps it was all that green and gold.
When I got home, I made a potato salad for our lunch. We had a couple of brats for a sandwich and some home make applesauce. Quite nice. After lunch, I changed the tube-a-grip and bandages on Dick;s legs and then took a nap before the Packer game
A very exciting game led to a Green Bay Win!!! We are in the Super Bowl and I got my points. Then the Steeler/Jets game followed and lo and behold, The Steelers won too. So I have maintained my place in number one in the football league.
The only thing that I have to do now is pick the winner of the Super Bowl. I believe that no matter WHAT I do, I will be in the top six and get some part of the winnings , but if I pick right, I am in all the way.
Tomorrow I will go to Bible Study and then on to see Mother. I will not see her again before I get back to Ireland, so I decided to have lunch with her. I will tell the front desk when I get there.
So After talking to my friend Bob and to Bart and Barb this evening, I am now ready to hit the bed. Hope you had as nice a day as I have. had
God love you
Mary
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Cold Cold Cold again. it was again below zero when we got up and as far as I know it only hit 12.
I got up early, put the venison roast in the crock pot and went back to bed until almost 8AM. Then I got up and had to rush a bit because today is the day I pick up SHARE. After breakfast and shower, I made it over to the Armory by 9:15AM Plenty of time. We got a nice selection today. Chicken, pork tenderloin, beef sandwich meat, stew meat, grapefruit, potatoes etc.
I heated up a Marie Callendar dinner for Dick this noon and we shared a honey bell orange. I just had a piece of peanut butter toast because I knew I would be eating heavily at the Wild Game Dinner.
I went over to Donna and Randy's a little after 1PM for the party. Bing and Stenn and George and Betsy were there so I got to visit with them a bit before things got CraZY as they tend to do at this event.
It was quite the party. There were 21 contestants in the beer tasting and 23 beers. Bing and Betsy helped me serve the beers and keep the list intact. It was again an amazing finish. Mike and Mary Margaret helped score. Mary Margaret came up with the best idea in the world for that. One person reads the key list and two or three people check papers. No looking back and forth, no need to double check. We had a tie again. That Jessica had 10 (in the top two the second year in a row.) She was tied with John. We ended up with a double drink off as they tied again on the first one. Finally John took it this year so we may be going to Chicago to John and Holly's next year. Holly was proud of John but kind of jealous because she lost to Jessie last year.
The food again was delicious. My roast, chili, Brunswick Stew, pheasant, turkey Cordon Bleu and tons of other things. Erin brought some vegetarian dishes that were really scrumptious too.We had angel food cake with berries and shipped cream for dessert.
So home in the cold, it was 2 degrees as I drove home. I got here at about 7PM and after I finish talking to you all, I will crawl in bed. Tomorrow will be very quiet. I will go to Mass at 9:30 then the rest of the day will be Dick's and mine to watch the big Packer game and just be together.
God love you all.
Hope the Packers and Steelers win.
Mary
I got up early, put the venison roast in the crock pot and went back to bed until almost 8AM. Then I got up and had to rush a bit because today is the day I pick up SHARE. After breakfast and shower, I made it over to the Armory by 9:15AM Plenty of time. We got a nice selection today. Chicken, pork tenderloin, beef sandwich meat, stew meat, grapefruit, potatoes etc.
I heated up a Marie Callendar dinner for Dick this noon and we shared a honey bell orange. I just had a piece of peanut butter toast because I knew I would be eating heavily at the Wild Game Dinner.
I went over to Donna and Randy's a little after 1PM for the party. Bing and Stenn and George and Betsy were there so I got to visit with them a bit before things got CraZY as they tend to do at this event.
It was quite the party. There were 21 contestants in the beer tasting and 23 beers. Bing and Betsy helped me serve the beers and keep the list intact. It was again an amazing finish. Mike and Mary Margaret helped score. Mary Margaret came up with the best idea in the world for that. One person reads the key list and two or three people check papers. No looking back and forth, no need to double check. We had a tie again. That Jessica had 10 (in the top two the second year in a row.) She was tied with John. We ended up with a double drink off as they tied again on the first one. Finally John took it this year so we may be going to Chicago to John and Holly's next year. Holly was proud of John but kind of jealous because she lost to Jessie last year.
The food again was delicious. My roast, chili, Brunswick Stew, pheasant, turkey Cordon Bleu and tons of other things. Erin brought some vegetarian dishes that were really scrumptious too.We had angel food cake with berries and shipped cream for dessert.
So home in the cold, it was 2 degrees as I drove home. I got here at about 7PM and after I finish talking to you all, I will crawl in bed. Tomorrow will be very quiet. I will go to Mass at 9:30 then the rest of the day will be Dick's and mine to watch the big Packer game and just be together.
God love you all.
Hope the Packers and Steelers win.
Mary
Friday, January 21, 2011
I was lazing in bet this morning, it got to be a bit after 7AM when I remembered that Jody was coming to clean at 8AM so I had to jump up and get dressed and ready right away. Dick was still sleeping too. But we were both up and at 'em when she got here.
Poor Jody, her car broke down on the way here this morning in this awful cold. Thank God for cell phones, she was able to get a friend to pick her up and drop her off here and her fiance was going to get the car going. She had us to clean and then our neighbor's Tom and Linda so she was set here until noon.
Then I washed a load of wash and did a few things around here. I left for the bank and Walgreens for some errands. I had lunch with the gals at Dairy Queen. We had a really nice visit. I won't see Ceil and Betty for a month because I will be gone two Fridays and then they are leaving for a trip to Panama which will make them gone for two Fridays. We are quite the world travelers.
When I got home, I ordered the euros for the Ireland trip. They will be delivered to Wells Fargo on Tuesday. I felt safer having them delivered there because I am sure someone has to be there to sign for them and there is always the remote possibility that I would be out just when the delivery is made.
We had minestrone soup for our supper. I took mine to Rhine with me as I had to leave a bit before five and was not quite ready to eat. I did not really expect very many people tonight. It really surprised me that there were six squads out in this bitter cold. When I came home, it was 0 degrees and probably will dip below zero again tonight. It was -9 when I got up to feed the cat this morning. A lot of us pistol shooters were there. We have 22 in the pistol league this winter.
I was not too bad but did get a bit shaky and have to be steadier and remember to SQUEEEEEZE the trigger.
Home again. I am finally warm again and ready to go to bed. Roxie is telling me that it is time.
God love you
Mary
Poor Jody, her car broke down on the way here this morning in this awful cold. Thank God for cell phones, she was able to get a friend to pick her up and drop her off here and her fiance was going to get the car going. She had us to clean and then our neighbor's Tom and Linda so she was set here until noon.
Then I washed a load of wash and did a few things around here. I left for the bank and Walgreens for some errands. I had lunch with the gals at Dairy Queen. We had a really nice visit. I won't see Ceil and Betty for a month because I will be gone two Fridays and then they are leaving for a trip to Panama which will make them gone for two Fridays. We are quite the world travelers.
When I got home, I ordered the euros for the Ireland trip. They will be delivered to Wells Fargo on Tuesday. I felt safer having them delivered there because I am sure someone has to be there to sign for them and there is always the remote possibility that I would be out just when the delivery is made.
We had minestrone soup for our supper. I took mine to Rhine with me as I had to leave a bit before five and was not quite ready to eat. I did not really expect very many people tonight. It really surprised me that there were six squads out in this bitter cold. When I came home, it was 0 degrees and probably will dip below zero again tonight. It was -9 when I got up to feed the cat this morning. A lot of us pistol shooters were there. We have 22 in the pistol league this winter.
I was not too bad but did get a bit shaky and have to be steadier and remember to SQUEEEEEZE the trigger.
Home again. I am finally warm again and ready to go to bed. Roxie is telling me that it is time.
God love you
Mary
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Today was exceptionally busy, especially for Dick.
The nurse, Megan, from VNA came over again today to recheck Dick and to redress the wound on his leg with a new ointment. I have great hopes for this medication.
She left and we finished breakfast and then Bobbie came because Dick had his hair cut appointment at 11:30AM. We got there on time with no trouble Janet was ready for us. The hair cut is at Shear Delight at the Plymouth Care Center where Dick spent his recovery. We saw Lori, his physical therapist from that time and several other of the care givers. Anyway his hair and beard are all cut and trimmed and he looks and feels good.
Home again, Bobbie, Dick and I feasted on brats, rice, broccoli and salad. I had made an apple cheesecake for dessert.
We finished before Dick's next appointment. A physical therapist from VNA came and put him through his paces. She was very nice but will not be the regular person.
Needless to say, Dick is exhausted. He has not had that much activity in one day in months.
Bobbie and I racked the last of the gallons of wine in the winery that are about ready for filtering and bottling. we figure that we can do that about the time I am back from Ireland.
So it was a truly busy day. Tomorrow will be busy for me as I am having lunch with the girls and working at Rhine in the evening, but Dick should be able to rest up a bit with any luck at all.
So the day is done and I am glad. Roxie got tired of all the visitors, except for Bobbie of course. When we went downstairs to rack the wine, she was in "her" room so we just got to business. We had the door almost shut. She figured out where we were and was quite annoyed with us as she had to push the door open herself. She yammered at us for quite a while before forgiving us.
So Have a nice Friday
God Love You
Mary
The nurse, Megan, from VNA came over again today to recheck Dick and to redress the wound on his leg with a new ointment. I have great hopes for this medication.
She left and we finished breakfast and then Bobbie came because Dick had his hair cut appointment at 11:30AM. We got there on time with no trouble Janet was ready for us. The hair cut is at Shear Delight at the Plymouth Care Center where Dick spent his recovery. We saw Lori, his physical therapist from that time and several other of the care givers. Anyway his hair and beard are all cut and trimmed and he looks and feels good.
Home again, Bobbie, Dick and I feasted on brats, rice, broccoli and salad. I had made an apple cheesecake for dessert.
We finished before Dick's next appointment. A physical therapist from VNA came and put him through his paces. She was very nice but will not be the regular person.
Needless to say, Dick is exhausted. He has not had that much activity in one day in months.
Bobbie and I racked the last of the gallons of wine in the winery that are about ready for filtering and bottling. we figure that we can do that about the time I am back from Ireland.
So it was a truly busy day. Tomorrow will be busy for me as I am having lunch with the girls and working at Rhine in the evening, but Dick should be able to rest up a bit with any luck at all.
So the day is done and I am glad. Roxie got tired of all the visitors, except for Bobbie of course. When we went downstairs to rack the wine, she was in "her" room so we just got to business. We had the door almost shut. She figured out where we were and was quite annoyed with us as she had to push the door open herself. She yammered at us for quite a while before forgiving us.
So Have a nice Friday
God Love You
Mary
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
A day between the snow and the cold.
I went shopping this morning. That went quite well and I picked up donuts for our breakfast. I have been hungry for donuts so picked some up for our breakfast.
The representative from the Visiting Nurses Association came to evaluate this morning at about 11:00Am. She spent a couple of hours with us reviewing Dick's history and examining his legs and we believe that we will have help for up to a month, including the time that I am in Ireland. I am hoping that they will have advice on easier ways to help Dick get his cleaning and also help him organize and get his physical therapy on track. I am very happy with what has been proposed to us and feel that Dick will have a good support while I am gone.
After Megan left, we had lunch, Dick had requested cannibal sandwiches on half rye. I assume that all of you know that cannibal sandwiches are raw beef and onions. He was a happy camper.
Then I drove to Meadow View to visit with Mother. She is doing very well. I got there during her physical therapy and the therapist said that she is amazed at how well mother is doing.
So here we are at the end of a very busy day. Tomorrow will be somewhat quieter though Megan is coming back and Dick has his hair cut appointment for 11:30AM.
Hope we don't have to cancel that.
God love you all
Mary
I went shopping this morning. That went quite well and I picked up donuts for our breakfast. I have been hungry for donuts so picked some up for our breakfast.
The representative from the Visiting Nurses Association came to evaluate this morning at about 11:00Am. She spent a couple of hours with us reviewing Dick's history and examining his legs and we believe that we will have help for up to a month, including the time that I am in Ireland. I am hoping that they will have advice on easier ways to help Dick get his cleaning and also help him organize and get his physical therapy on track. I am very happy with what has been proposed to us and feel that Dick will have a good support while I am gone.
After Megan left, we had lunch, Dick had requested cannibal sandwiches on half rye. I assume that all of you know that cannibal sandwiches are raw beef and onions. He was a happy camper.
Then I drove to Meadow View to visit with Mother. She is doing very well. I got there during her physical therapy and the therapist said that she is amazed at how well mother is doing.
So here we are at the end of a very busy day. Tomorrow will be somewhat quieter though Megan is coming back and Dick has his hair cut appointment for 11:30AM.
Hope we don't have to cancel that.
God love you all
Mary
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
No snow today. Good thing as there was quite enough yesterday and last night. Our wonderful crew at Tall Grass had our roads and driveways and sidewalks all cleared early. I was able to get the trash out by 9AM. Good thing because the collectors were here before noon today, something that I did not expect.
I was able to stay home most of the day. I did have to pick up two prescriptions for me and some gauze pads for cleaning and protecting Dick's wounds on his leg. I also went to Fleet to look for good old fashioned shoe rubbers or overshoes. I can't find them any where. That is what I would really like to take to Ireland with me.
We had pork chops and rice for lunch and soup and sandwich for supper.
Today, Regis Philbin announced that he is retiring from Regis and Kelly at the end of the summer. I was remembering that the first time I saw Regis was sometime between 1970 and 1983 when they appeared on an early morning show similar to the Regis and Kelly show. She was still married to Steve Garvey at the time and they were referred to as the Ken and Barbie of the sports world. She was indeed a beautiful blond and he was a gorgeous dark haired athelete.
I remember one show that Tom Sullivan, a blind actor, appeared on. Apparently he was in Cyndy's dressing room as she got ready. She mentioned that she felt quite comfortable getting ready with him in the room. He got this smile on his face and said. "The sounds were driving me crazy." She was so embarrassed.
Today when I was lying down for a nap, I remembered an incident from Bret's kindergarten days. He had a wonderful teacher, Miss Gamel. She was having a bit of a problem one day. The kids were saying naughty words and would not settle down. She made an announcement that the next child who said a naughty word would have to go to see the principal. Well, Bret whispered. "Poopy, Poopy, Poopy." just loud enough to be heard. So she sent him to the office. He got hysterical. Some people in the office said that she should not have done that but I told her she had to maintain her credibility with those kids and it was not that he was hurt. She told me that poopy was not one of the words she was concerned with but Bret obviously thought so. So he was defying her. I thought it was really rather funny.
Have a lovely Wednesday. The VNA is coming over to evaluate Dick for seeing him while I am gone and I am going to visit Mother tomorrow. A busy busy day.
God love you
Mary
I was able to stay home most of the day. I did have to pick up two prescriptions for me and some gauze pads for cleaning and protecting Dick's wounds on his leg. I also went to Fleet to look for good old fashioned shoe rubbers or overshoes. I can't find them any where. That is what I would really like to take to Ireland with me.
We had pork chops and rice for lunch and soup and sandwich for supper.
Today, Regis Philbin announced that he is retiring from Regis and Kelly at the end of the summer. I was remembering that the first time I saw Regis was sometime between 1970 and 1983 when they appeared on an early morning show similar to the Regis and Kelly show. She was still married to Steve Garvey at the time and they were referred to as the Ken and Barbie of the sports world. She was indeed a beautiful blond and he was a gorgeous dark haired athelete.
I remember one show that Tom Sullivan, a blind actor, appeared on. Apparently he was in Cyndy's dressing room as she got ready. She mentioned that she felt quite comfortable getting ready with him in the room. He got this smile on his face and said. "The sounds were driving me crazy." She was so embarrassed.
Today when I was lying down for a nap, I remembered an incident from Bret's kindergarten days. He had a wonderful teacher, Miss Gamel. She was having a bit of a problem one day. The kids were saying naughty words and would not settle down. She made an announcement that the next child who said a naughty word would have to go to see the principal. Well, Bret whispered. "Poopy, Poopy, Poopy." just loud enough to be heard. So she sent him to the office. He got hysterical. Some people in the office said that she should not have done that but I told her she had to maintain her credibility with those kids and it was not that he was hurt. She told me that poopy was not one of the words she was concerned with but Bret obviously thought so. So he was defying her. I thought it was really rather funny.
Have a lovely Wednesday. The VNA is coming over to evaluate Dick for seeing him while I am gone and I am going to visit Mother tomorrow. A busy busy day.
God love you
Mary
Monday, January 17, 2011
This is going to be very short. I am tired. It started snowing just about the time that I left for bible study. A steady slippery storm. So after bible study I came right home without going to Sheboygan to see Mother. We canceled the Writers club meeting too.
Bible study was very interesting. There were just four of us but we had a nice lively discussion. The Psalms, as I have said before are truly beautiful and with the nice study guide we have are quite exciting.
Tonight was the telephone board meeting for CWI. We had all but two of the board on the line so it went quite well. I have a couple of things to do tomorrow so that the newsletter can get out and we can keep everybody informed of things in the Celtic world.
That was the day.
It was still snowing the last I looked and the stuff is piling up but it should be done by 3AM and tomorrow is a full day at home.
So Sleep Tight and God Bless
Mary
Bible study was very interesting. There were just four of us but we had a nice lively discussion. The Psalms, as I have said before are truly beautiful and with the nice study guide we have are quite exciting.
Tonight was the telephone board meeting for CWI. We had all but two of the board on the line so it went quite well. I have a couple of things to do tomorrow so that the newsletter can get out and we can keep everybody informed of things in the Celtic world.
That was the day.
It was still snowing the last I looked and the stuff is piling up but it should be done by 3AM and tomorrow is a full day at home.
So Sleep Tight and God Bless
Mary
Sunday, January 16, 2011
If New England wins the game tonight, I will be a vey happy camper. It is not looking too good. At this point, I have the highest score in the Fantasy Football league. If they lose, I should still be in the top 6 but am not sure of my number one place. The Chicago/Seattle game was exciting and the Packers will be playing the Bears next Sunday.
I had a rather quiet morning. A couple of loads of wash and some computer cleaning. I deleted a ton of trash messages that I should have dumped some time ago.
Then at about noon, I drove out to the Weirl Wind, a bar on Hwy 67 to join the rabbit hunters for the annual sausage tasting event. All the hunters bring their various venison sausages, we slice them, put them on plates so that noone knows what came from where and then all the patrons and hunters who want to taste and rate the sausage for their favorite. The last taster is the dog that hunted with the rabbit hunters. He is sweet Digger who belongs to Dennis and Sara Behr. They had another sweet hunter last year but he died this winter. His name was Copper and he was a very good dog and a good hunter.
The hunters went out from about 8:30AM to 11:00AM and did not see a single rabbit. I am sure glad that I decided that I was not going. It was single digits when they started. They said that the snow, however, was what probably kept the rabbits in their lairs. They were much smarter than the humans.
We really have quite a bit for the wild game dinner. We have venison, pheasant, turkey, squirrel and rabbit. Should be another feast. We will be celebrating Mom's birthday too but not all with her. Short visits from the visitors and the rest of us will celebrate on our usual visit days.
So. I really don't know what sausage came out the favorite at the Weirl Wind. I brought a stick of the sausage that we had made from the deer that Jeff's friend got and was shared with Jeff, Randy, Shane and me. Actually it was very hard this year as all of them were pretty good.
We watched the Chicago Seattle game while the tasting was going on. We met a couple of cousins of Fr. Mike Shea. They may or may not be cousins of ours, I think not, I think not but I will check on it. Mike goes to see his Grandmother Anna Marie when he is home too as well as our mother.
BREAK FOR DINNER AND A BATH.
Well, Dick got his bath a few minutes ago and while we were doing that the Patriots/Jets game ended and dang it shuckins, the Jets won. By tomorrow, I will know what it did to my standings and will be able to do my picks for next Sunday.
Tomorrow will be very busy. Bible Study, a visit with Mother, Cream City Writers and then a telephone conference in the evening.
The rest of the week should be quiet.
I had a rather quiet morning. A couple of loads of wash and some computer cleaning. I deleted a ton of trash messages that I should have dumped some time ago.
Then at about noon, I drove out to the Weirl Wind, a bar on Hwy 67 to join the rabbit hunters for the annual sausage tasting event. All the hunters bring their various venison sausages, we slice them, put them on plates so that noone knows what came from where and then all the patrons and hunters who want to taste and rate the sausage for their favorite. The last taster is the dog that hunted with the rabbit hunters. He is sweet Digger who belongs to Dennis and Sara Behr. They had another sweet hunter last year but he died this winter. His name was Copper and he was a very good dog and a good hunter.
The hunters went out from about 8:30AM to 11:00AM and did not see a single rabbit. I am sure glad that I decided that I was not going. It was single digits when they started. They said that the snow, however, was what probably kept the rabbits in their lairs. They were much smarter than the humans.
We really have quite a bit for the wild game dinner. We have venison, pheasant, turkey, squirrel and rabbit. Should be another feast. We will be celebrating Mom's birthday too but not all with her. Short visits from the visitors and the rest of us will celebrate on our usual visit days.
So. I really don't know what sausage came out the favorite at the Weirl Wind. I brought a stick of the sausage that we had made from the deer that Jeff's friend got and was shared with Jeff, Randy, Shane and me. Actually it was very hard this year as all of them were pretty good.
We watched the Chicago Seattle game while the tasting was going on. We met a couple of cousins of Fr. Mike Shea. They may or may not be cousins of ours, I think not, I think not but I will check on it. Mike goes to see his Grandmother Anna Marie when he is home too as well as our mother.
BREAK FOR DINNER AND A BATH.
Well, Dick got his bath a few minutes ago and while we were doing that the Patriots/Jets game ended and dang it shuckins, the Jets won. By tomorrow, I will know what it did to my standings and will be able to do my picks for next Sunday.
Tomorrow will be very busy. Bible Study, a visit with Mother, Cream City Writers and then a telephone conference in the evening.
The rest of the week should be quiet.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
We are just getting into the Packer Game of the second week of the playoffs. This has been a very stressful day as I am currently in the first place on the Guessethon football pool and if I do well could come out in a winning position.
Pittsburgh won. It was touch and go for a while, but they did win and I had them as my pick. A good beginning. Now if Green Bay wins, I should be OK as tomorrow,my picks look pretty good. I should end up in the top 6 anyway but right now, I am NUMBER ONE and would just as soon just stay there.
Today was a pretty quiet day. I dis some wash. I updated some computer problems and I fixed a really great dinner. Pork chops, rice and broccoli. Num Num.
I got on the phone to Jacquie and Bart and Barb and it is now very late, at least for me so I am going to cut this short.
Perhaps I will be more interesting tomorrow.
God love you
Mary
Pittsburgh won. It was touch and go for a while, but they did win and I had them as my pick. A good beginning. Now if Green Bay wins, I should be OK as tomorrow,my picks look pretty good. I should end up in the top 6 anyway but right now, I am NUMBER ONE and would just as soon just stay there.
Today was a pretty quiet day. I dis some wash. I updated some computer problems and I fixed a really great dinner. Pork chops, rice and broccoli. Num Num.
I got on the phone to Jacquie and Bart and Barb and it is now very late, at least for me so I am going to cut this short.
Perhaps I will be more interesting tomorrow.
God love you
Mary
Friday, January 14, 2011
Dick had an eye appointment today and it was nothing but good news. His eyes are healthy. There is a very slight change in his vision but not enough to warrant a lens change. That pesky lash was growing again, but it was very fine this time and came out easily. Bobbie came to help us get him there and back again.
I fixed a meatloaf for our dinner. Then just as we were leaving for the eye doctor, I remembered to put the meat loaf in. I had the oven preheated. So it was all ready when the three of us came home. A good dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy. peas and salad.
Roxie is so happy when Bobbie comes. Bobbie and I racked three gallons of wine today and filtered and bottled a fourth. It must be time to be starting a new batch or two. Wonder what we have in the freezer. We bottled her strawberry wine. It smells and tasted very strawberryeee. We think it will be ready sooner than some of the other scratch wines. A nice summer wine.
I remember that Dad loved to make wine. You know that. That is kind of why Dick and I started to do it. I am glad that Bobbie is now having fun with it.
I remember one summer when Bret and Bart and I were here for a visit and we went out to the Kettles to the Parnell Tower. Dad found a big patch of blooming wild bee balm and decided to make some wine out of that. I told him that I though a balm would probably just make people sleepy. But he won. He and Mother and I had to pick it because the boys were not about to go near the bees that DO hover around bee balm. Dad said that if this worked he was going to make a batch out or his old shoes. I think it did make a decent wine but I never did hear of any old shoe wine.
God love you
Mary
P. S. It is snowing.
I fixed a meatloaf for our dinner. Then just as we were leaving for the eye doctor, I remembered to put the meat loaf in. I had the oven preheated. So it was all ready when the three of us came home. A good dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy. peas and salad.
Roxie is so happy when Bobbie comes. Bobbie and I racked three gallons of wine today and filtered and bottled a fourth. It must be time to be starting a new batch or two. Wonder what we have in the freezer. We bottled her strawberry wine. It smells and tasted very strawberryeee. We think it will be ready sooner than some of the other scratch wines. A nice summer wine.
I remember that Dad loved to make wine. You know that. That is kind of why Dick and I started to do it. I am glad that Bobbie is now having fun with it.
I remember one summer when Bret and Bart and I were here for a visit and we went out to the Kettles to the Parnell Tower. Dad found a big patch of blooming wild bee balm and decided to make some wine out of that. I told him that I though a balm would probably just make people sleepy. But he won. He and Mother and I had to pick it because the boys were not about to go near the bees that DO hover around bee balm. Dad said that if this worked he was going to make a batch out or his old shoes. I think it did make a decent wine but I never did hear of any old shoe wine.
God love you
Mary
P. S. It is snowing.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
I am extremely tired tonight. It was a busy day with medical appointment and visiting Mother.
Started quietly enough, I spent much of the morning just putting things back where they belong. Then I got Dick in the bedroom to change his tubagrip and bandages before Bobbie arrived.
She got her at about 10:30 so that we could get Dick to the anti-coagulation clinic by 11AM. That worked out just fine until we got to the clinic and there was not a wheel chair to be found. So I rushed to the therapy entrance and found ONE wheelchair at that door. We got him into it and up to the second floor as soon as possible. Not great news this week. His count was 1.4 Too thick. As it is supposed to be between two and three. There is a new medication for his Acid reflux that can apparently change things. So he has his dosage adjusted and we have to go back in two weeks for a checkup.
The three of us picked up lunch from Dairy Queen and came home to eat it. Then after a bit, Bobbie went home and I left to spend some time with Mother. She is looking very good. Dolores and Ken were there when I got there so we all visited with her. She had me check on a couple of medications and things that she had questions on. I resolved one and am not sure of the other.
She was scheduled for a hair cut so I stayed until they came to get her for that.
I got home at about 3PM and spent the rest of the day resting and washing clothes. As I said I am really tired and intend to hit the bed early.
I have the Literary Pub Crawl all scheduled for Saturday night in Dublin on January 29. What a nice way to start the trip. It is hard to believe that I will be leaving for Ireland in two weeks from tomorrow.
So sleep tight.
and God love you
Mary
Started quietly enough, I spent much of the morning just putting things back where they belong. Then I got Dick in the bedroom to change his tubagrip and bandages before Bobbie arrived.
She got her at about 10:30 so that we could get Dick to the anti-coagulation clinic by 11AM. That worked out just fine until we got to the clinic and there was not a wheel chair to be found. So I rushed to the therapy entrance and found ONE wheelchair at that door. We got him into it and up to the second floor as soon as possible. Not great news this week. His count was 1.4 Too thick. As it is supposed to be between two and three. There is a new medication for his Acid reflux that can apparently change things. So he has his dosage adjusted and we have to go back in two weeks for a checkup.
The three of us picked up lunch from Dairy Queen and came home to eat it. Then after a bit, Bobbie went home and I left to spend some time with Mother. She is looking very good. Dolores and Ken were there when I got there so we all visited with her. She had me check on a couple of medications and things that she had questions on. I resolved one and am not sure of the other.
She was scheduled for a hair cut so I stayed until they came to get her for that.
I got home at about 3PM and spent the rest of the day resting and washing clothes. As I said I am really tired and intend to hit the bed early.
I have the Literary Pub Crawl all scheduled for Saturday night in Dublin on January 29. What a nice way to start the trip. It is hard to believe that I will be leaving for Ireland in two weeks from tomorrow.
So sleep tight.
and God love you
Mary
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Wednesday, shopping day. We woke up to find that our marvelous snow plow crew had been through during the night and the driveways, sidewalks and roads were all clear.
We had decided that if it was clear we were going to have a Mc Donald's breakfast so I went and got it as soon as we were up and dressed. Tasted good too. Do you know that they are now serving oatmeal? I have a coupon for a free bowl. Perhaps I will try it one of these days.
It was a busy computer day as we have finally a final cost for the Ireland trip and are now requesting final payment and trying to make sure that everybody knows what they need to know to prepare for the trip. I have been following the weather and it seems to be warming up there. The past week and going into the next week seem to be settling into the 50s. in Dublin and the rain is sporadic. Yippee. It will at least be much warmer than here.
The only other errands were the bank and the drug store.
Tomorrow, Dick gets his blood coagulation checked and then I will go to see Mother in the afternoon. I got a call from Dr. Larson, her eye doctor, we really need to reschedule her eye checkup.
There was a little snow today but none of it settled on the ground. It all seemed to melt on contact. Now, If it does not get so cold that we get ice, we are in good shape. We seem to be better off than the poor people in the middle of the country and east of us.
I am glad to see that God and prayer are playing such a big part in the mourning for the victims and the survivors and the families of those affected by the shooting in Arizona. In tragedy we call on Him. What we need to do is to remember that He is here in the peaceful and good times also. At those times we should offer thanks and praise.
Take care and God love you.
Mary
We had decided that if it was clear we were going to have a Mc Donald's breakfast so I went and got it as soon as we were up and dressed. Tasted good too. Do you know that they are now serving oatmeal? I have a coupon for a free bowl. Perhaps I will try it one of these days.
It was a busy computer day as we have finally a final cost for the Ireland trip and are now requesting final payment and trying to make sure that everybody knows what they need to know to prepare for the trip. I have been following the weather and it seems to be warming up there. The past week and going into the next week seem to be settling into the 50s. in Dublin and the rain is sporadic. Yippee. It will at least be much warmer than here.
The only other errands were the bank and the drug store.
Tomorrow, Dick gets his blood coagulation checked and then I will go to see Mother in the afternoon. I got a call from Dr. Larson, her eye doctor, we really need to reschedule her eye checkup.
There was a little snow today but none of it settled on the ground. It all seemed to melt on contact. Now, If it does not get so cold that we get ice, we are in good shape. We seem to be better off than the poor people in the middle of the country and east of us.
I am glad to see that God and prayer are playing such a big part in the mourning for the victims and the survivors and the families of those affected by the shooting in Arizona. In tragedy we call on Him. What we need to do is to remember that He is here in the peaceful and good times also. At those times we should offer thanks and praise.
Take care and God love you.
Mary
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
A whole day at home again. I went outside three times. Once to take out the trash, once to take mail to the mailbox and once to pick today's incoming mail up.
We had leftover beef rouladin for our lunch and some of the soup that i prepared the other day for our supper so it was a very easy cooking day
I felt busy all day but it was a lot of little things like hemming pants and checking on nursing care for Dick and washing clothes and such.
Tomorrow is shopping day. We also have a slew of prescriptions renewed to pickup.
It snowed all day, very lightly but steadily. The earth is covered in a lovely fluffy light blanket. If they plow tonight, Dick and I have decided on a Mc Donald's breakfast.
Have a good Wednesday yourself.
Love and God love you
Mary
We had leftover beef rouladin for our lunch and some of the soup that i prepared the other day for our supper so it was a very easy cooking day
I felt busy all day but it was a lot of little things like hemming pants and checking on nursing care for Dick and washing clothes and such.
Tomorrow is shopping day. We also have a slew of prescriptions renewed to pickup.
It snowed all day, very lightly but steadily. The earth is covered in a lovely fluffy light blanket. If they plow tonight, Dick and I have decided on a Mc Donald's breakfast.
Have a good Wednesday yourself.
Love and God love you
Mary
Monday, January 10, 2011
Happy Monday. The morning started out very cold but did move up into the 20s toward afternoon. There were a few flurries this morning but the sun came out for a bit too and there was no wind so it was not a bad day at all.
I went to bible study at 9:30AM. We really are enjoying our studying of the Psalms. They are so beautiful. It is interesting to think of David, the warrior, the King, the poet and the musician. I really want to go to see David by the guys who wrote and composed The Rock and The Rabbi, Witnesses and The Child this summer at the Fireside. I can imagine what they can do with that material.
Then I drover to Meadow View to visit with Mother. She was not in her room so I went down to the therapy department and sure enough. There she was working very hard playing "toss the balloon back and forth" with Delores Bemis, the lady who is in the room next to her. Delores arrived at about the same time with exactly the same injury. Mom is pleased to have the sling off of her arm. She has experienced some pain in her hand but that comes with reawakening the nerves and muscles in the arm. The therapist also had her walking with the walker (and the therapist's help.) Just a little bit but enough to see that she did well. They really keep her quite busy there.
When we got upstairs from the therapy, Dolores and Ken were waiting. So we all had a nice visit. Dolores's birthday was yesterday. Nora called Mother yesterday and told Mother that Dallas has 2 inches of snow.
Then I went home. We had spinach casserole for lunch and I tried to nap. Tonight was the Rhine meeting. I went early so that Bill, Travis and I could audit the books before the board meeting. The meeting was quite busy with a lot of discussions because we had a couple of hot topics that needed to be resolved. I think we did so as best we could.
Now it is again past my bedtime. So I will sign off. Tomorrow I will be able to stay home all day, probably.
Take care and God love you
Mary
I went to bible study at 9:30AM. We really are enjoying our studying of the Psalms. They are so beautiful. It is interesting to think of David, the warrior, the King, the poet and the musician. I really want to go to see David by the guys who wrote and composed The Rock and The Rabbi, Witnesses and The Child this summer at the Fireside. I can imagine what they can do with that material.
Then I drover to Meadow View to visit with Mother. She was not in her room so I went down to the therapy department and sure enough. There she was working very hard playing "toss the balloon back and forth" with Delores Bemis, the lady who is in the room next to her. Delores arrived at about the same time with exactly the same injury. Mom is pleased to have the sling off of her arm. She has experienced some pain in her hand but that comes with reawakening the nerves and muscles in the arm. The therapist also had her walking with the walker (and the therapist's help.) Just a little bit but enough to see that she did well. They really keep her quite busy there.
When we got upstairs from the therapy, Dolores and Ken were waiting. So we all had a nice visit. Dolores's birthday was yesterday. Nora called Mother yesterday and told Mother that Dallas has 2 inches of snow.
Then I went home. We had spinach casserole for lunch and I tried to nap. Tonight was the Rhine meeting. I went early so that Bill, Travis and I could audit the books before the board meeting. The meeting was quite busy with a lot of discussions because we had a couple of hot topics that needed to be resolved. I think we did so as best we could.
Now it is again past my bedtime. So I will sign off. Tomorrow I will be able to stay home all day, probably.
Take care and God love you
Mary
Sunday, January 09, 2011
This was a whole day at home. I did not have to go outside for any reason at all.
I took the tree down, packed it into its box and slid it downstairs and into the furnace room. The room looks a bit empty but, of course, bigger too. And now if Dick gets cold, we can turn on the fireplace. I think we could have anyway, but Dick did not feel good about it with the tree close to it. I think it was far enough away.
We had beef rouladin with mashed potatoes, gravy and fresh cooked carrots for lunch. Boy was that good. I was just plain hungry for mashed potatoes and gravy. Tonight homemade chicken soup.
My football league extended into the playoffs so I am still following the games very closely. I blew it on the Seahawk/Saints game but so did almost everybody else and I picked right on the next two. Now if Green Bay comes through for me I can relax until next week. I won two of the 17 regular season games this year and I am one of 5 winners in Survivor Football. If I can end up in the top 6, I might just come out even or ahead. Yippee. Go Pack!!!!!!!!
This week is starting off moderately quiet. Monday, of course, is busy because of bible study and the trip to Sheboygan to see Mother. Then I have Rhine Plymouth meeting in the evening. But the rest of the week is pretty quiet. I need to start planning what I am taking to Ireland. I got two pair of fleece pants that I have to shorten. Where are all of these 6 feet women.
I got distracted with the game. YEA The Packers won. So we have another chance next week. It has been a good year.
Have a good week .
God love you
Mary
I took the tree down, packed it into its box and slid it downstairs and into the furnace room. The room looks a bit empty but, of course, bigger too. And now if Dick gets cold, we can turn on the fireplace. I think we could have anyway, but Dick did not feel good about it with the tree close to it. I think it was far enough away.
We had beef rouladin with mashed potatoes, gravy and fresh cooked carrots for lunch. Boy was that good. I was just plain hungry for mashed potatoes and gravy. Tonight homemade chicken soup.
My football league extended into the playoffs so I am still following the games very closely. I blew it on the Seahawk/Saints game but so did almost everybody else and I picked right on the next two. Now if Green Bay comes through for me I can relax until next week. I won two of the 17 regular season games this year and I am one of 5 winners in Survivor Football. If I can end up in the top 6, I might just come out even or ahead. Yippee. Go Pack!!!!!!!!
This week is starting off moderately quiet. Monday, of course, is busy because of bible study and the trip to Sheboygan to see Mother. Then I have Rhine Plymouth meeting in the evening. But the rest of the week is pretty quiet. I need to start planning what I am taking to Ireland. I got two pair of fleece pants that I have to shorten. Where are all of these 6 feet women.
I got distracted with the game. YEA The Packers won. So we have another chance next week. It has been a good year.
Have a good week .
God love you
Mary
Saturday, January 08, 2011
I was at home all day today except for going to Mass at 4PM. I slept until about 7:30AM.
Today, I got all the ornaments off of the tree. Tomorrow I will bring the box up, stow the tree away and slide it down the stairs to its resting place until next year. As my brother Matt said in his poem about Christmas:
CHRISTMAS IS OVER
christmas is over again
it won't be back for another year
the lights have been taken town
santa claus went back to the toy factory
so we can all fight each other
with a clear conscience once more
Matt never used capital letters or punctuation. When he was in his grade school days, I was home for a visit and Nora showed me some of his papers. They looked like a foreign language but if you just read them phonetically they were perfect. He did learn to spell but in his poetry preferred to forget the capital letters and punctuation.
I fixed spinach noodle casserole for our lunch. Boy was that every good. We have enough for at least one more meal. Dick does like his pasta and spinach egg casserole is always a treat.
I think I would like something with mashed potatoes and gravy tomorrow. Doesn't that sound good?
So today is over. So far my picks for the playoffs are not paying off too well.
I don't know why those teams don't listen to me.
Have a loverly Sunday.
God love you
Mary
Today, I got all the ornaments off of the tree. Tomorrow I will bring the box up, stow the tree away and slide it down the stairs to its resting place until next year. As my brother Matt said in his poem about Christmas:
CHRISTMAS IS OVER
christmas is over again
it won't be back for another year
the lights have been taken town
santa claus went back to the toy factory
so we can all fight each other
with a clear conscience once more
Matt never used capital letters or punctuation. When he was in his grade school days, I was home for a visit and Nora showed me some of his papers. They looked like a foreign language but if you just read them phonetically they were perfect. He did learn to spell but in his poetry preferred to forget the capital letters and punctuation.
I fixed spinach noodle casserole for our lunch. Boy was that every good. We have enough for at least one more meal. Dick does like his pasta and spinach egg casserole is always a treat.
I think I would like something with mashed potatoes and gravy tomorrow. Doesn't that sound good?
So today is over. So far my picks for the playoffs are not paying off too well.
I don't know why those teams don't listen to me.
Have a loverly Sunday.
God love you
Mary
Friday, January 07, 2011
What a nice day. It was cold as can be. 3 degrees at morning. But it did warm up. All the way into the mid teens. Whoop de do!
This morning was an absolute crush of phone calls. First Kathy called to tell me that she and Jeff were on their way to pick up Mother to take her to see Dr. Fehrman to check her shoulder. They wanted to confirm the appointment time and were traveling without a phone book. Then I got a call from my cousin, Colleen in Florida. I had called and left a message for her to tell her that Mother was hurt so she can keep abreast of the situation. She was relieved that it was only that Mother is in a rehab center and not gone on to be with Dad.
Then Bob Fleming called in response to a call that I had made to him yesterday. We, Bob, Kate and I, will be meeting for a coffee sometime next week.
Then Kate called me to tell me that she had some meatballs for Dick and me for the taking. So I drove over there and picked them up. They are sweet and sour meatballs and are really delicious.
Then I went to have lunch with my bank friends. Barb was there so I gave her the Tupperware that she had ordered. It was good to see everybody after the holidays.
Got home at about 1PM, before Tim from Wisconsin Prosthesis came to fit Dick for his new shoe insert. Now his foot is definitely much more stable and hopefully he can try walking again.
Then tonight, Nancy Roehre and I went out to Rhine to sign up and shoot the Winter pistol league. Today was the first Friday of that and I will miss two Fridays when I am in Ireland. We figure we did pretty good for not having shot for over a month. Next week will be EVEN better.
We had soup for our dinner.
Then as I was starting on the blog, the phone rang again and it was my Bret. We had the nicest long talk. He is doing very well but embarking on some extensive dental work. He will have a whole two weeks of vacation in early February and is going to spend part of it playing and the rest working on his mobile home at the River. He sent pictures of it at Christmas and is so proud of it. I know he would like to live there if he could get work within a reasonable distance.
I miss my boys.
Tomorrow I am home most of the day again. Will work some more on the Christmas tree.
God love you
Mary
This morning was an absolute crush of phone calls. First Kathy called to tell me that she and Jeff were on their way to pick up Mother to take her to see Dr. Fehrman to check her shoulder. They wanted to confirm the appointment time and were traveling without a phone book. Then I got a call from my cousin, Colleen in Florida. I had called and left a message for her to tell her that Mother was hurt so she can keep abreast of the situation. She was relieved that it was only that Mother is in a rehab center and not gone on to be with Dad.
Then Bob Fleming called in response to a call that I had made to him yesterday. We, Bob, Kate and I, will be meeting for a coffee sometime next week.
Then Kate called me to tell me that she had some meatballs for Dick and me for the taking. So I drove over there and picked them up. They are sweet and sour meatballs and are really delicious.
Then I went to have lunch with my bank friends. Barb was there so I gave her the Tupperware that she had ordered. It was good to see everybody after the holidays.
Got home at about 1PM, before Tim from Wisconsin Prosthesis came to fit Dick for his new shoe insert. Now his foot is definitely much more stable and hopefully he can try walking again.
Then tonight, Nancy Roehre and I went out to Rhine to sign up and shoot the Winter pistol league. Today was the first Friday of that and I will miss two Fridays when I am in Ireland. We figure we did pretty good for not having shot for over a month. Next week will be EVEN better.
We had soup for our dinner.
Then as I was starting on the blog, the phone rang again and it was my Bret. We had the nicest long talk. He is doing very well but embarking on some extensive dental work. He will have a whole two weeks of vacation in early February and is going to spend part of it playing and the rest working on his mobile home at the River. He sent pictures of it at Christmas and is so proud of it. I know he would like to live there if he could get work within a reasonable distance.
I miss my boys.
Tomorrow I am home most of the day again. Will work some more on the Christmas tree.
God love you
Mary
Thursday, January 06, 2011
I spent time with Mother today. I got to Meadow View at about 9:30 and spend about an hour and a half. We took care of some business and then visited. Today at 2PM there was a birthday party for the residents. Her birthday is this month so I told her that she must be sure to go. She looks really good and tomorrow Jeff will take her to the doctor to have her shoulder checked. Hopefully that part of her recovery will be over.
Uncle Pat called tonight. He and Aunt Joan are going to be gone for about a week and they wanted to be sure that I have Joan's cell phone. They will visit Mom sometime next week.
I started taking ornaments off of the tree today. I am planning on getting it done over a couple of days so it is not such a big job.
It is almost bed time. Tomorrow, Tim from Wisconsin Prosthesis is coming by with a shoe insert for Dick. We hope it will help is walking. His right food has been twisting a bit.
So. A good night's sleep and I will be ready to face the world again.
Hope you will resting in the dark to prepare for the day also.
God love you
Mary
Uncle Pat called tonight. He and Aunt Joan are going to be gone for about a week and they wanted to be sure that I have Joan's cell phone. They will visit Mom sometime next week.
I started taking ornaments off of the tree today. I am planning on getting it done over a couple of days so it is not such a big job.
It is almost bed time. Tomorrow, Tim from Wisconsin Prosthesis is coming by with a shoe insert for Dick. We hope it will help is walking. His right food has been twisting a bit.
So. A good night's sleep and I will be ready to face the world again.
Hope you will resting in the dark to prepare for the day also.
God love you
Mary
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
It was 3 degrees when we woke up this morning.
I went grocery shopping at 8AM. It was in the teens by then but with no wind and sunshine, it was not a bad day overall anyway. It is always the wind that really makes things awful.
Shopping went very smoothly. And after a stop at the bank and Walgreens, I was home by 9:30AM. Dick was sleeping and he slept until almost 1PM. I fixed dinner and ate myself at noon but did not have the heart to waken him as he has so much trouble sleeping. So I fixed his dinner, salmon, baked potato and salad when he woke up.
I put all of the Nativity sets away today. And I took down the Christmas lights. Pretty soon the Condo people would start looking at us askance so it seemed like a good idea as the sun was shining. So I am pretty much down to the tree and all the Santas that are all over the house. Should be done by Monday , the good Lord willing and the creek don't rise.
Jeff called from Hawaii today. He and Kathy will be leaving for home tonight and be back tomorrow. Then he is taking Mother to see Dr. Fehrman on Friday to have her shoulder checked. So I well go to see her tomorrow. I will check the mail at her house and pick up a couple of books that she asked for. I am going in the morning so that I can be home to fix lunch for Dick.
Called Bobbie to see how the construction project is going. She thinks they should be done by the weekend as they projected and is so glad.
So til tomorrow may you be safe and warm.
God love you
Mary
I went grocery shopping at 8AM. It was in the teens by then but with no wind and sunshine, it was not a bad day overall anyway. It is always the wind that really makes things awful.
Shopping went very smoothly. And after a stop at the bank and Walgreens, I was home by 9:30AM. Dick was sleeping and he slept until almost 1PM. I fixed dinner and ate myself at noon but did not have the heart to waken him as he has so much trouble sleeping. So I fixed his dinner, salmon, baked potato and salad when he woke up.
I put all of the Nativity sets away today. And I took down the Christmas lights. Pretty soon the Condo people would start looking at us askance so it seemed like a good idea as the sun was shining. So I am pretty much down to the tree and all the Santas that are all over the house. Should be done by Monday , the good Lord willing and the creek don't rise.
Jeff called from Hawaii today. He and Kathy will be leaving for home tonight and be back tomorrow. Then he is taking Mother to see Dr. Fehrman on Friday to have her shoulder checked. So I well go to see her tomorrow. I will check the mail at her house and pick up a couple of books that she asked for. I am going in the morning so that I can be home to fix lunch for Dick.
Called Bobbie to see how the construction project is going. She thinks they should be done by the weekend as they projected and is so glad.
So til tomorrow may you be safe and warm.
God love you
Mary
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
This was an altogether satisfying day.
I got up at 6:30AM or so because it was trash day. As it was, the trash people did not come until after noon, but they do like to "toy" with us and sometimes come in mid morning so I don't like to dawdle on Tuesdays.
I spent the morning writing the email letter for the Sheboygan Branch of Celtic Women and updating a few things in the Google Calendar which I have transferred to since Works doesn't work too well anymore.
We had leftover Thai Chicken and rice for lunch, then I went to the Plymouth Library for the Kettle Country Qulters meeting.
Was that ever nice. Several of us had all of our last year's block of the month to share. They are always fun as it is amazing what the choice of color does to a pattern. My next step is to get the top assembled and quilted so that I can use it for my blanket. The folded queen blanket is just too bulky and hard to handle. I am afraid that it will have to wait until after the Ireland trip as I have too much to do before that happens.
We decided that this year we would have two people a month bring an assembled favorite block and the instructions to share with everybody. I found that many people have not done Celtic Knots, so I will do a variation of that . I signed up for July. I am gone for next month's meeting and wan t a couple of months to regroup. The sharing is actually beginning in March, so I won't miss that either.
So here we are to the end of the day again. Time to start winding down. Roxie is content under the lamp and will be very glad when I go to bed. Sometimes she goes into the bedroom and waits for me.
Take care and enjoy the rest of the week.
God love you
Mary
I got up at 6:30AM or so because it was trash day. As it was, the trash people did not come until after noon, but they do like to "toy" with us and sometimes come in mid morning so I don't like to dawdle on Tuesdays.
I spent the morning writing the email letter for the Sheboygan Branch of Celtic Women and updating a few things in the Google Calendar which I have transferred to since Works doesn't work too well anymore.
We had leftover Thai Chicken and rice for lunch, then I went to the Plymouth Library for the Kettle Country Qulters meeting.
Was that ever nice. Several of us had all of our last year's block of the month to share. They are always fun as it is amazing what the choice of color does to a pattern. My next step is to get the top assembled and quilted so that I can use it for my blanket. The folded queen blanket is just too bulky and hard to handle. I am afraid that it will have to wait until after the Ireland trip as I have too much to do before that happens.
We decided that this year we would have two people a month bring an assembled favorite block and the instructions to share with everybody. I found that many people have not done Celtic Knots, so I will do a variation of that . I signed up for July. I am gone for next month's meeting and wan t a couple of months to regroup. The sharing is actually beginning in March, so I won't miss that either.
So here we are to the end of the day again. Time to start winding down. Roxie is content under the lamp and will be very glad when I go to bed. Sometimes she goes into the bedroom and waits for me.
Take care and enjoy the rest of the week.
God love you
Mary
Monday, January 03, 2011
Monday Monday.
It was a rather busy day but I was home by 2PM and settled in for the day.
This morning before I left for Bible Study, I reminded Dick that I am, indeed, going to Ireland at the end of the month. He is not happy about that. He does not begrudge my need for a break but of course is concerned about what will happen to him while I am gone. I hope I was able to reassure him that Bobbie will be here every day, I suggested that he get a life line (which he is anti - Please let him know that you think it is a good idea), and I will contact Companion Care to get someone out here every other day to change his leg coverings and his wound coverings (perhaps his wounds will all be healed.).
Bible study was at 9:30AM. There were only four of us today. Some on vacation or away for the winter and some not feeling well. But Helen, Peggy, Shirley and I had a wonderful study. We did Psalm 104 again. You should read it - it is absolutely beautiful.
Then I went to see Mother. I had to go home first because I forgot my purse. But what a blessing I received on my way back on Highway PP. I was almost to PPP when I saw some movement ahead. Then the car in front of me stopped. Seventeen deer ran across the road. The was one big buck and sixteen antlerless deer in a herd. It was beautiful. Then when we finally got to move again a huge turkey flew in front of us across the road following the deer.
Mother and I had a nice visit and I joined her for lunch. Dolores and Ken were there when I got there. I am so glad that they are close and can be there often. I am going twice a week. I will go to see her again on Friday as Jeff is taking her to get her shoulder checked on Thursday. Hope we get good news then. She is planning on going home again but does know that there is a long road of rehab ahead of her. I told her that I don't want her to think about going home until I am back from Ireland which will be five weeks. I think it will be over that before her strength is restored. If it can be restored. We can only pray for what is best for her.
Home again, I took a nap. Then cleaned up the computer and am working on two meeting projects.
Tomorrow I am home except for the Kettle Quilters meeting. I am so glad that I got my square done. Now when I get back from Ireland, I will put them together into a blanket for me. I have a couple of them that I should find homes for and probably will. But that takes time too.
Be good to your self and I will log on tomorrow.
God love you
Mary
It was a rather busy day but I was home by 2PM and settled in for the day.
This morning before I left for Bible Study, I reminded Dick that I am, indeed, going to Ireland at the end of the month. He is not happy about that. He does not begrudge my need for a break but of course is concerned about what will happen to him while I am gone. I hope I was able to reassure him that Bobbie will be here every day, I suggested that he get a life line (which he is anti - Please let him know that you think it is a good idea), and I will contact Companion Care to get someone out here every other day to change his leg coverings and his wound coverings (perhaps his wounds will all be healed.).
Bible study was at 9:30AM. There were only four of us today. Some on vacation or away for the winter and some not feeling well. But Helen, Peggy, Shirley and I had a wonderful study. We did Psalm 104 again. You should read it - it is absolutely beautiful.
Then I went to see Mother. I had to go home first because I forgot my purse. But what a blessing I received on my way back on Highway PP. I was almost to PPP when I saw some movement ahead. Then the car in front of me stopped. Seventeen deer ran across the road. The was one big buck and sixteen antlerless deer in a herd. It was beautiful. Then when we finally got to move again a huge turkey flew in front of us across the road following the deer.
Mother and I had a nice visit and I joined her for lunch. Dolores and Ken were there when I got there. I am so glad that they are close and can be there often. I am going twice a week. I will go to see her again on Friday as Jeff is taking her to get her shoulder checked on Thursday. Hope we get good news then. She is planning on going home again but does know that there is a long road of rehab ahead of her. I told her that I don't want her to think about going home until I am back from Ireland which will be five weeks. I think it will be over that before her strength is restored. If it can be restored. We can only pray for what is best for her.
Home again, I took a nap. Then cleaned up the computer and am working on two meeting projects.
Tomorrow I am home except for the Kettle Quilters meeting. I am so glad that I got my square done. Now when I get back from Ireland, I will put them together into a blanket for me. I have a couple of them that I should find homes for and probably will. But that takes time too.
Be good to your self and I will log on tomorrow.
God love you
Mary
Sunday, January 02, 2011
This was a perfect quiet day at home. My desk is cleaned down to two projects that need to be coordinated and a small pile of calls for tomorrow.
We had a nice noon dinner. I found a recipe for Mama Corleone's sausage and peppers. It was really good. Italian sausage and peppers cooked in olive oil with garlic, basil and oregano mixed all together with spaghetti.
Really yummy with a nice green salad and a piece of garlic bread.
Yea the Packers won today and are in the playoffs. It was a close game but an inch is as good as a mile so who cares. I did really well so far on the Fantasy league. I am tied for 1st this week and in the top five overall. So I should come away with something. My system is not perfect but it keeps me in the running most of the time.
Less than a month until I leave for Ireland. Tomorrow morning I am going to really discuss this with Dick. When I talked about it earlier he was really upset but I know that I need a break and that this is the best way to do it. Bobbie is coming each day to help, I am working on getting him to accept a life line and I want to get someone in here at least three times to check his legs for me. Of course, I don't feel good about leaving him but I know that I am in need of a break to recoup my strength and outlook. I pray that I am right.
Tomorrow the week starts over again. Bible study in the morning and then I will go to spend some time with Mother.
This is really the beginning of the year as yesterday and today were kind of quiet.
God love you
Mary
We had a nice noon dinner. I found a recipe for Mama Corleone's sausage and peppers. It was really good. Italian sausage and peppers cooked in olive oil with garlic, basil and oregano mixed all together with spaghetti.
Really yummy with a nice green salad and a piece of garlic bread.
Yea the Packers won today and are in the playoffs. It was a close game but an inch is as good as a mile so who cares. I did really well so far on the Fantasy league. I am tied for 1st this week and in the top five overall. So I should come away with something. My system is not perfect but it keeps me in the running most of the time.
Less than a month until I leave for Ireland. Tomorrow morning I am going to really discuss this with Dick. When I talked about it earlier he was really upset but I know that I need a break and that this is the best way to do it. Bobbie is coming each day to help, I am working on getting him to accept a life line and I want to get someone in here at least three times to check his legs for me. Of course, I don't feel good about leaving him but I know that I am in need of a break to recoup my strength and outlook. I pray that I am right.
Tomorrow the week starts over again. Bible study in the morning and then I will go to spend some time with Mother.
This is really the beginning of the year as yesterday and today were kind of quiet.
God love you
Mary
Saturday, January 01, 2011
So the first day of 2011 is coming to an end. It blew in like a lion and the cold winds have been shaking the house all day long. From almost 50 degrees yesterday, it dropped down to 13 degrees today. I slept until almost 8AM. Of course, Roxie was at my ear yelling at me at 6AM for her breakfast. She had been bugging me earlier, but at 6 she really got insistant.
We spent a very quiet day. I finished the last block for the block of the month for the Kettle Quilters. We watched the Rose Bowl Parade and the Rose Bowl Game. I went to Mass at 4PM so now I can be home until Monday morning.
I tried a Thai chicken recipe for our lunch today. It turned out really good and I used the last of the coconut milk to cook the rice. It also came out tasting really good and was a nice complement for the spicy Thai meal. We also had fresh asparagus. What a way to start the new year. I liked it.
I hope your day went as well and that you are going into the New Year with as much hope as we have.
God love you
Mary
We spent a very quiet day. I finished the last block for the block of the month for the Kettle Quilters. We watched the Rose Bowl Parade and the Rose Bowl Game. I went to Mass at 4PM so now I can be home until Monday morning.
I tried a Thai chicken recipe for our lunch today. It turned out really good and I used the last of the coconut milk to cook the rice. It also came out tasting really good and was a nice complement for the spicy Thai meal. We also had fresh asparagus. What a way to start the new year. I liked it.
I hope your day went as well and that you are going into the New Year with as much hope as we have.
God love you
Mary
Friday, December 31, 2010
This was a very interesting day. I spent part of the morning trying to get a xls file to print. Yea. I did it. It is a contract for one of the places that we will be staying in Ireland. Bobbie, you will remember the Jury Christchurch Hotel. Remember the wonderful fish lunch we ate on the benches in front of Christ Church. When Bobbie and I were there, we had a view of a roof. When I went with Fr. Mike Moran and the gang, I had a view if Christ Church. I took a picture out of the window. I am going to concentrate on pictures out of windows on this trip. They are really unique. I used one for my book Fragments.
I went to join the girls for lunch but nobody was there. I guess I misunderstood that they were not going to meet until AFTER the New Year. No problem. I picked up lunch for Dick and me and we really enjoyed it. I also went to the bank and send the deposit for the CWI trip to Ireland at Jury's hotel. Then I went to Walgreens and picked up some cough medicine for Dick and envelopes as we are running low. I found a device to snake out in a sink without taking our the stopper. The drain in the master bathroom is slow and I have tried everything else.
So. It was a busy but lazy day. Jody got the house all cleaned for another week. So We are all set for 2011. Are you? Quiet an exciting year for number people. It will be 2 - 1 -2-11. They like those repetitions.
If anyone has tiny empty plastic bottles for water from holy wells, I would appreciate them. I checked at Walgreens and they want almost 2dollars for them. Goofy.
Happy New Year. I will be in bed early because I am very tired, but we are going to put Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year on and perhaps I will wake up for it.
Your are all in my thoughts and in my prayers.
God love you
Mary
I went to join the girls for lunch but nobody was there. I guess I misunderstood that they were not going to meet until AFTER the New Year. No problem. I picked up lunch for Dick and me and we really enjoyed it. I also went to the bank and send the deposit for the CWI trip to Ireland at Jury's hotel. Then I went to Walgreens and picked up some cough medicine for Dick and envelopes as we are running low. I found a device to snake out in a sink without taking our the stopper. The drain in the master bathroom is slow and I have tried everything else.
So. It was a busy but lazy day. Jody got the house all cleaned for another week. So We are all set for 2011. Are you? Quiet an exciting year for number people. It will be 2 - 1 -2-11. They like those repetitions.
If anyone has tiny empty plastic bottles for water from holy wells, I would appreciate them. I checked at Walgreens and they want almost 2dollars for them. Goofy.
Happy New Year. I will be in bed early because I am very tired, but we are going to put Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year on and perhaps I will wake up for it.
Your are all in my thoughts and in my prayers.
God love you
Mary
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Hello all This was a day almost all on the run. I left for the Pig before 8AM so that I could get all the grocery shopping done and the food put away before 9:30AM. It worked. I did not need to buy too much this week which helped a lot.
We got Dick all ready for seeing Dr. Sharon before eleven because we had to be there by 11:30AM. Bobbie arrived at 11AM to help get him there. I wish I had not hurt my ribs . It is distressing not to be able to do everything that I want to do. But I can't take a chance on hurting myself again. Dick is checking on motorized wheelchairs.
The appointment went quite well. We had Dr. Sharon check out the sores on his leg and a toenail that is loose and just general questions about things. Dick is in basic good health. All of his blood tests and vital signs are good. So we are quite pleased.
We stopped at Subway for sandwiches for our lunch. I had made a fake crab pasta salad to have along with it. The whole meal tasted good. I was able to make the crab salad because I could share with Bobbie. Dick doesn't like it and neither does Bill but it is worth making it to share with each other.
I took a nap this morning and then went to pick up a prescription for Dick. We were really lazy and had sub sandwiches for supper too. Not a bad idea. They were still good.
Tomorrow I will go to see Mother. It will be interesting to see how she is settling in and feeling. I will let you know. I know that nothing untoward has happened because I would have heard.
It was lovely today. The sun was shining, no wind and it got up into the high 30s. What more can we ask in December in Wisconsin?
God love you
Mary
Mary
We got Dick all ready for seeing Dr. Sharon before eleven because we had to be there by 11:30AM. Bobbie arrived at 11AM to help get him there. I wish I had not hurt my ribs . It is distressing not to be able to do everything that I want to do. But I can't take a chance on hurting myself again. Dick is checking on motorized wheelchairs.
The appointment went quite well. We had Dr. Sharon check out the sores on his leg and a toenail that is loose and just general questions about things. Dick is in basic good health. All of his blood tests and vital signs are good. So we are quite pleased.
We stopped at Subway for sandwiches for our lunch. I had made a fake crab pasta salad to have along with it. The whole meal tasted good. I was able to make the crab salad because I could share with Bobbie. Dick doesn't like it and neither does Bill but it is worth making it to share with each other.
I took a nap this morning and then went to pick up a prescription for Dick. We were really lazy and had sub sandwiches for supper too. Not a bad idea. They were still good.
Tomorrow I will go to see Mother. It will be interesting to see how she is settling in and feeling. I will let you know. I know that nothing untoward has happened because I would have heard.
It was lovely today. The sun was shining, no wind and it got up into the high 30s. What more can we ask in December in Wisconsin?
God love you
Mary
Mary
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
A day mainly at home again. It was trash day and that took quite a bit of the early morning. I had five bags and a big box of cardboard plus two dead plants. Dick and I are always so grateful when all the trash is taken away every week.
Today we really spent time on Dick with his bath and legging changes and hair washing as over the weekend it was just hit and miss. So we are all caught up. I got my hair cut this afternoon and went to the bank and the drug store.
That was the most excitement. I was busy all day as we are still putting things away and have not even started putting away the Christmas decorations. I always like to leave them up until after New Years Day. So much time is spent getting ready that I hate to end it too soon. I also caught up on the washing.
It was sunny and rather pleasant today. It is supposed to get even warmer as the next couple of days unfold. As we have to take Dick out tomorrow, I am really glad about that. Mild temperatures and no precipitation makes an easy transfer. I am really glad that Dr. Sharon is doing his physical tomorrow. I have a couple of really interesting questions for him.
We are watching the Kennedy Awards tonight. It is hard not to watch the whole Minnesota/Philadelphia game but there are too many great people being honored on the Award show and so far we hare not being disappointed.
Til tomorrow then.
God love you
Mary
Today we really spent time on Dick with his bath and legging changes and hair washing as over the weekend it was just hit and miss. So we are all caught up. I got my hair cut this afternoon and went to the bank and the drug store.
That was the most excitement. I was busy all day as we are still putting things away and have not even started putting away the Christmas decorations. I always like to leave them up until after New Years Day. So much time is spent getting ready that I hate to end it too soon. I also caught up on the washing.
It was sunny and rather pleasant today. It is supposed to get even warmer as the next couple of days unfold. As we have to take Dick out tomorrow, I am really glad about that. Mild temperatures and no precipitation makes an easy transfer. I am really glad that Dr. Sharon is doing his physical tomorrow. I have a couple of really interesting questions for him.
We are watching the Kennedy Awards tonight. It is hard not to watch the whole Minnesota/Philadelphia game but there are too many great people being honored on the Award show and so far we hare not being disappointed.
Til tomorrow then.
God love you
Mary
Monday, December 27, 2010
One would think that now that Christmas is over things would settle down. But there seems to be this aftermath that is keeping life quite active and tiring.
This morning, I left at about 9AM to spend some time with Mother. I stopped at her house to pick up her mail so that we could pay her bills and keep her involved in NOW. I got to Meadowview just as her occupational therapist came to take her for therapy. She is mainly in a wheel chair and does pretty well moving herself around with one hand and her feet. The therapist also worked on keeping the muscles in her right arm strong and flexible.
Mom is surely tired but hanging in there. I stopped again at her house on the way back home and set out a couple of things that she needs and did the dishes that were sitting there. Dolores and Ken got the Meadow View just as I was leaving and Dolores is going to the house tomorrow and will bring the needed things back to her. Dolores is just a block or two from Meadow View which is very useful.
When I got home, we had lunch and I started a bit of wash. Tomorrow is trash day and there is SO much to go out. I worked out in the garage sorting boxes to see what I should keep and what I should dispose of and getting the trash bags ready. It will be a record. 5 bags and a big box of cardboard. Whew.
Tomorrow is a quiet day except for a hair cut and a trip to Walgreens in the afternoon.
Perhaps I can feel that I am ahead of the game again.
Wednesday, Dick has his physical scheduled with Dr. Sharon. I hope we can find out why he is not sleeping and what those sores on his leg are. The salve he prescribed is not healing them.
So. That is today. Only three days left in the year. Where is time going.
God love you all
Mary
This morning, I left at about 9AM to spend some time with Mother. I stopped at her house to pick up her mail so that we could pay her bills and keep her involved in NOW. I got to Meadowview just as her occupational therapist came to take her for therapy. She is mainly in a wheel chair and does pretty well moving herself around with one hand and her feet. The therapist also worked on keeping the muscles in her right arm strong and flexible.
Mom is surely tired but hanging in there. I stopped again at her house on the way back home and set out a couple of things that she needs and did the dishes that were sitting there. Dolores and Ken got the Meadow View just as I was leaving and Dolores is going to the house tomorrow and will bring the needed things back to her. Dolores is just a block or two from Meadow View which is very useful.
When I got home, we had lunch and I started a bit of wash. Tomorrow is trash day and there is SO much to go out. I worked out in the garage sorting boxes to see what I should keep and what I should dispose of and getting the trash bags ready. It will be a record. 5 bags and a big box of cardboard. Whew.
Tomorrow is a quiet day except for a hair cut and a trip to Walgreens in the afternoon.
Perhaps I can feel that I am ahead of the game again.
Wednesday, Dick has his physical scheduled with Dr. Sharon. I hope we can find out why he is not sleeping and what those sores on his leg are. The salve he prescribed is not healing them.
So. That is today. Only three days left in the year. Where is time going.
God love you all
Mary
Sunday, December 26, 2010
What a wonderful day. I woke up at about 7:30Am. Took my shower and got the normal morning things done before I left for church. Mass started at 9:e0AM. It was a nice mass. No choir, just a cantor, but the church was full and Fr. Van Beck gave a wonderful sermon. He talked about family. One of his statements was wonderful. He was talking about family as it is Holy Family Sunday. He has done a lot of counseling in his years as a priest. He said that one thing he has never heard in in years as a councilor is " He tells me that he appreciates me too much."
Dick and Brenda gave me an upgrade to my computer. The thing is that it did not just involve the upgrade but they had to do the installation and trouble shooting and I had not been updated for years. They did not get out of her until well after 4 PM. We sent them off with a snack and a thank you that somehow expressed our gratitude. How wonderful it is to be so looked after. So far, the upgrade is seamless from my point of view.
Everything is behaving as it should and much faster. They have informed me that I can no longer have my computer kitties wandering around the screen as they take up too much space. Since I have my real life Roxie, I can put up with that.
We talked to Leslie and Bret today so have connected with all of our offspring for the holiday.
I have a really great quote for you that my brother Jeff and his wife Kathy sent to me today. I felt it conveyed the season.
PEBBLE
Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas
if you stop opening presents and listen.
-Bobby (age 7), submitted by Kalea, Chico CA
In this strange goofy wild and unsettled world, we have to stop and listen for the peace and the message.
God love you
Mary
."
Dick and Brenda gave me an upgrade to my computer. The thing is that it did not just involve the upgrade but they had to do the installation and trouble shooting and I had not been updated for years. They did not get out of her until well after 4 PM. We sent them off with a snack and a thank you that somehow expressed our gratitude. How wonderful it is to be so looked after. So far, the upgrade is seamless from my point of view.
Everything is behaving as it should and much faster. They have informed me that I can no longer have my computer kitties wandering around the screen as they take up too much space. Since I have my real life Roxie, I can put up with that.
We talked to Leslie and Bret today so have connected with all of our offspring for the holiday.
I have a really great quote for you that my brother Jeff and his wife Kathy sent to me today. I felt it conveyed the season.
PEBBLE
Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas
if you stop opening presents and listen.
-Bobby (age 7), submitted by Kalea, Chico CA
In this strange goofy wild and unsettled world, we have to stop and listen for the peace and the message.
God love you
Mary
."
Saturday, December 25, 2010
What a lovely Christmas. I slept until about 7AM. Which was a good thing as I knew I would not get my nap today.
Dick and I just snacked for breakfast and lunch as we knew the spread we were putting on for our Christmas repast.
He and I exchanged our gifts just before lunch. We also opened the gifts from out of state. Bart and Barb got us a multi media reader. How exciting. I can hardly wait to see what is available to download and read. Bret sent a beautiful candle centerpiece which I immediately put on the table so that we could enjoy it at our dinner. That explained all the votive candles that were NOT wrapped.
We feasted on pasties and mushroom pie, acorn squash and green bean casserole with a Ceaser salad. Then we had coconut cake for dessert.
Richard and Brenda brought a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne. WOW! We toasted with that before we ate and after we opened all of our presents. Dick and Brenda are upgraded my computer this year. I don't know what we would do without their help on the computers. We wouldn't know when or how to upgrade and often need help with problems. I can usually fix things once I have had a similar problem and am learning more and more things to check as time goes on.
So the day is about done. Bart called so we got to talk to him and Jim and Michelle who spent last night and today with them. I am glad they are close enough to be together for holidays.
Jeff called today too. I gave him Mom's room number and phone number. Shane and Georgina are coming to see her tomorrow. I am just waiting until Monday which is my usual day to visit her. I will be able to go a bit earlier than usual too because we are not having Bible Study until the 3rd of January.
There is probably more news but I am just tired and content and am going to sign off now.
God love you and Merry Christmas
Mary
Dick and I just snacked for breakfast and lunch as we knew the spread we were putting on for our Christmas repast.
He and I exchanged our gifts just before lunch. We also opened the gifts from out of state. Bart and Barb got us a multi media reader. How exciting. I can hardly wait to see what is available to download and read. Bret sent a beautiful candle centerpiece which I immediately put on the table so that we could enjoy it at our dinner. That explained all the votive candles that were NOT wrapped.
We feasted on pasties and mushroom pie, acorn squash and green bean casserole with a Ceaser salad. Then we had coconut cake for dessert.
Richard and Brenda brought a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne. WOW! We toasted with that before we ate and after we opened all of our presents. Dick and Brenda are upgraded my computer this year. I don't know what we would do without their help on the computers. We wouldn't know when or how to upgrade and often need help with problems. I can usually fix things once I have had a similar problem and am learning more and more things to check as time goes on.
So the day is about done. Bart called so we got to talk to him and Jim and Michelle who spent last night and today with them. I am glad they are close enough to be together for holidays.
Jeff called today too. I gave him Mom's room number and phone number. Shane and Georgina are coming to see her tomorrow. I am just waiting until Monday which is my usual day to visit her. I will be able to go a bit earlier than usual too because we are not having Bible Study until the 3rd of January.
There is probably more news but I am just tired and content and am going to sign off now.
God love you and Merry Christmas
Mary
Friday, December 24, 2010
Well, I slept quite will last night. I felt good about leaving Mother visiting with a friend.
I spent most of the day preparing the dishes for tomorrow so that all I will have to do is to pop things in the oven and load plates when it is time to eat.
I am excited about tomorrow. Christmas is always a special time. Bart called this afternoon and we will talk again tomorrow. Jim and Michelle are going to go to Lawton tonight so will be there for Christmas eve and Christmas.
I checked in with family and friends to update and coordinate on Mother. We want there to be visited but not overwhelmed. I will go on Monday as I always do. Randy said that when they brought her clothes and supplies, she had just finished therapy and was a tired lady. She will have lots of visitors over the Christmas weekend. Perhaps too much but she will know how much people love her.
Mass was particularly lovely tonight. The folk choir sang the Alleluia Chorus for us and it was truly beautiful.
I forgot the name of the priest who officiated, he has been her before, and he makes the faith a very joyful experience, especially at Christmas.
We are going to open our presents to each other and the presents from Bart and Barb and Bret tonight, if Dick every gets organized. You all know how speedy he is.
So I am signing off for the night. A Blessed Christmas Eve to you. Remember the reason for this special time of year and love each other which is all that is asked of us. Love the Lord your God with your whole heart and soul and your neighbor as yourself for the love of God. Pretty easy actually.
Mary.
I spent most of the day preparing the dishes for tomorrow so that all I will have to do is to pop things in the oven and load plates when it is time to eat.
I am excited about tomorrow. Christmas is always a special time. Bart called this afternoon and we will talk again tomorrow. Jim and Michelle are going to go to Lawton tonight so will be there for Christmas eve and Christmas.
I checked in with family and friends to update and coordinate on Mother. We want there to be visited but not overwhelmed. I will go on Monday as I always do. Randy said that when they brought her clothes and supplies, she had just finished therapy and was a tired lady. She will have lots of visitors over the Christmas weekend. Perhaps too much but she will know how much people love her.
Mass was particularly lovely tonight. The folk choir sang the Alleluia Chorus for us and it was truly beautiful.
I forgot the name of the priest who officiated, he has been her before, and he makes the faith a very joyful experience, especially at Christmas.
We are going to open our presents to each other and the presents from Bart and Barb and Bret tonight, if Dick every gets organized. You all know how speedy he is.
So I am signing off for the night. A Blessed Christmas Eve to you. Remember the reason for this special time of year and love each other which is all that is asked of us. Love the Lord your God with your whole heart and soul and your neighbor as yourself for the love of God. Pretty easy actually.
Mary.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Today was full of medical visits. Dick and I were up at a normal time and we got his legs all washed and recovered before Bobbie got here. His lab appointment was at 10:15AM. That went very well. We were home at about 10:30AM. The three of us had pizza and breadsticks for our lunch.
At about noon, Randy called. He and Dolores and Ken were at Pine Haven with Mother. They had been informed that Pine Haven is not on the network for the AARP Medicare Advantage, so we had to make arrangements to move her again. I went over to join them to see that everything was done to her benefit. They were as helpful as they could be and we ended up taking Mother to Meadow View Nursing home on the south side of Sheboygan. Dolores worked there for many years and lives right down the street.
I felt much better when I walked in the door to get a wheel chair for Mom and tell them that she was here and one of the nurses looked at me and said. "Welcome." just like that. Our first impressions are that she is just where she should be. Randy and I got the paper work in gear, stayed with her for the nurses first evaluation and for the therapy evaluation. About the time we were ready to leave, Harrier Carpenter, a friend wheeled herself into the room to greet Mom. She is a resident and has been there for 6 years and was so glad to visit with Mother.
Now, only time will tell. She is very weak. The arm has to heal and then regain strength. Then we have to see if she is able to function alone before she can go home. She knows that. What a brave lady she is.
Keep up the prayers. Whatever happens, she has to be safe.
Take care of yourselves.
God love you
Mary
At about noon, Randy called. He and Dolores and Ken were at Pine Haven with Mother. They had been informed that Pine Haven is not on the network for the AARP Medicare Advantage, so we had to make arrangements to move her again. I went over to join them to see that everything was done to her benefit. They were as helpful as they could be and we ended up taking Mother to Meadow View Nursing home on the south side of Sheboygan. Dolores worked there for many years and lives right down the street.
I felt much better when I walked in the door to get a wheel chair for Mom and tell them that she was here and one of the nurses looked at me and said. "Welcome." just like that. Our first impressions are that she is just where she should be. Randy and I got the paper work in gear, stayed with her for the nurses first evaluation and for the therapy evaluation. About the time we were ready to leave, Harrier Carpenter, a friend wheeled herself into the room to greet Mom. She is a resident and has been there for 6 years and was so glad to visit with Mother.
Now, only time will tell. She is very weak. The arm has to heal and then regain strength. Then we have to see if she is able to function alone before she can go home. She knows that. What a brave lady she is.
Keep up the prayers. Whatever happens, she has to be safe.
Take care of yourselves.
God love you
Mary
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Well, this has been quite a day. Started out a bit goofy. Dick had to change his lab test to tomorrow because he forgot that he was supposed to fast.
So I dropped Kate's Tupperware, some buckeyes for Ron and a recipe at her house on my way grocery shopping. That went well. I have everything that I need for Christmas now.
Dick and I ate leftovers for our lunch. I want a fairly empty fridge for Christmas Day.
I got a call this afternoon from Randy. Mother had a fainting spell today and this time she hurt her left arm. Apparently she dislocated it. Donna was with Randy and Eileen came over too,. I decided to stay home unless they needed me.
She will, of course, have to be at a care center until her arm heals and she is out of the sling and can use her walker. Wouldn't you think she should have stayed in the hospital overnight? But no. She has to go to a center right away. Fortunately, there is room at Pine Haven in Falls. She was not resisting the fact that she will need to be somewhere to heal and I am glad that she can go to Pine Haven which is a really good center and has several people she knows there.
I am expecting. Donna or Randy to call if they need me to get anything for her tomorrow. After Dick's appointment, I can spend the afternoon helping her get settled or picking out and bringing things she needs.
Please pray for her and her comfort. We are worried.
God love you all
Mary
So I dropped Kate's Tupperware, some buckeyes for Ron and a recipe at her house on my way grocery shopping. That went well. I have everything that I need for Christmas now.
Dick and I ate leftovers for our lunch. I want a fairly empty fridge for Christmas Day.
I got a call this afternoon from Randy. Mother had a fainting spell today and this time she hurt her left arm. Apparently she dislocated it. Donna was with Randy and Eileen came over too,. I decided to stay home unless they needed me.
She will, of course, have to be at a care center until her arm heals and she is out of the sling and can use her walker. Wouldn't you think she should have stayed in the hospital overnight? But no. She has to go to a center right away. Fortunately, there is room at Pine Haven in Falls. She was not resisting the fact that she will need to be somewhere to heal and I am glad that she can go to Pine Haven which is a really good center and has several people she knows there.
I am expecting. Donna or Randy to call if they need me to get anything for her tomorrow. After Dick's appointment, I can spend the afternoon helping her get settled or picking out and bringing things she needs.
Please pray for her and her comfort. We are worried.
God love you all
Mary
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
A day at home. I got SO much done. The table was clear, not there are a couple of things on it again. It is a constant battle. And today boxes came. Presents from Bret and from Bart and Barb AND the Tupperware.
I checked everything and tomorrow I will start getting the items to their homes.
I cleaned out the hall closets and went through all the wrapping paper and ribbons downstairs.
It was just a nice day and Roxie was so glad that we were both here. Did I till you that I stayed in bed until 8. That is a record. Of course, I did get up to feed Roxie at 6AM but got back to sleep easily.
Tomorrow is a bit busier - Shopping and a trip to the clinic. Bobbie is coming to help and I can give her the Tupperware that she ordered.
Take care. Only three days until Christmas. I love this time of year.
God love you
Mary
I loved the quote below
"Before I go on with this short history, let me make a general observation — the test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function. One should, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless and yet be determined to make them otherwise."
F. Scott Fitzgerald
I checked everything and tomorrow I will start getting the items to their homes.
I cleaned out the hall closets and went through all the wrapping paper and ribbons downstairs.
It was just a nice day and Roxie was so glad that we were both here. Did I till you that I stayed in bed until 8. That is a record. Of course, I did get up to feed Roxie at 6AM but got back to sleep easily.
Tomorrow is a bit busier - Shopping and a trip to the clinic. Bobbie is coming to help and I can give her the Tupperware that she ordered.
Take care. Only three days until Christmas. I love this time of year.
God love you
Mary
I loved the quote below
"Before I go on with this short history, let me make a general observation — the test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function. One should, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless and yet be determined to make them otherwise."
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Monday, December 20, 2010
What a nice Monday. It was the last Bible Study of the year. I gave all of my prayer partners a copy of my latest book for Christmas. They are such a support. If you have time, read Psalm 104. It is so totally beautiful. We figure that we will be discussing it for the next two weeks at least. Today we just discussed our part in the taking care of the world.
Mom and I had a lovely visit. We just had a couple of things to take care of so could spend most of the time visiting. She looks wonderful. She id obviously tired but keeping up on everything and we had a great time, as usual. I will go down again before Christmas to take her present. She wants to just stay home for Christmas. I know that Eileen is seeing that she has a Christmas Dinner and probably will be visitint with her that day. As the kids will be with us that day I will leave it for them.
I warmed up some lasagna for Dick's lunch and then went to Antoinette's to joint eh Cream City Writers for our Christmas party. We had almost everybody there, read our writings, ate a great meal and exchanged presents.
This is the last of my club parties, though the Sheboygan Writers may have a gathering in January. We postponed because of dear Rosemary's passing.
So I am home now and won't have to go anywhere until Wednesday. Then I have grocery shopping for the last of our Christmas dinner. Aside for the last minute Christmas preparations, this is a very quiet week. I am glad of that as it will be nice to be rested when everybody is here.
Bless you all
I did write a /Christmas haiku for the Writers club
I call it:
MAGI
They followed the star
Not questioning its truth.
If asked, would we go?
God be with you
Mary
Mom and I had a lovely visit. We just had a couple of things to take care of so could spend most of the time visiting. She looks wonderful. She id obviously tired but keeping up on everything and we had a great time, as usual. I will go down again before Christmas to take her present. She wants to just stay home for Christmas. I know that Eileen is seeing that she has a Christmas Dinner and probably will be visitint with her that day. As the kids will be with us that day I will leave it for them.
I warmed up some lasagna for Dick's lunch and then went to Antoinette's to joint eh Cream City Writers for our Christmas party. We had almost everybody there, read our writings, ate a great meal and exchanged presents.
This is the last of my club parties, though the Sheboygan Writers may have a gathering in January. We postponed because of dear Rosemary's passing.
So I am home now and won't have to go anywhere until Wednesday. Then I have grocery shopping for the last of our Christmas dinner. Aside for the last minute Christmas preparations, this is a very quiet week. I am glad of that as it will be nice to be rested when everybody is here.
Bless you all
I did write a /Christmas haiku for the Writers club
I call it:
MAGI
They followed the star
Not questioning its truth.
If asked, would we go?
God be with you
Mary
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Hello There. We were able to stay home all day today. Boy was that ever a treat.
I got up about 7AM. Dick shut Roxie out of the room at about 3AM so I did not have anybody telling me that it was time for breakfast from 4AM on.
We had a nice breakfast and then Dick took a nap. I baked my Christmas Stolen this morning. Tomorrow, I will mix up the frosting and decorate them. I wrote a couple of Christmas cards and started breaking up cardboard for the trash.
After lunch, we had meatballs and gravy with noodles and corn. I rested and then went downstairs and cut out the last of the applique squares for the block of the month that the Kettle Country Quilters did this year. Now I just need to do the applique before the end of the year. Not this week perhaps next.
I hope to get s lot of presents wrapped tonight. The tree always looks so nice with wrapped packages under it. I did get the stockings hung on the mantle this afternoon. We had Waldorf Salad for our supper.
Tomorrow will be my busiest day of the week. Bible Study in the morning and then the Cream City Writers Christmas lunch at Antoinette's at 12:30PM.
Otherwise it was a quiet day. We will finish by watching the Packer Game. Aaron Rogers is still out with his concussion so it will be a tough game. I actually chose New England because of my "system". So it is a win win for me. I don't want the Packers to lose but on the other hand I don't want to lose points.
Have a nice evening and Monday
God love you
Mary
I got up about 7AM. Dick shut Roxie out of the room at about 3AM so I did not have anybody telling me that it was time for breakfast from 4AM on.
We had a nice breakfast and then Dick took a nap. I baked my Christmas Stolen this morning. Tomorrow, I will mix up the frosting and decorate them. I wrote a couple of Christmas cards and started breaking up cardboard for the trash.
After lunch, we had meatballs and gravy with noodles and corn. I rested and then went downstairs and cut out the last of the applique squares for the block of the month that the Kettle Country Quilters did this year. Now I just need to do the applique before the end of the year. Not this week perhaps next.
I hope to get s lot of presents wrapped tonight. The tree always looks so nice with wrapped packages under it. I did get the stockings hung on the mantle this afternoon. We had Waldorf Salad for our supper.
Tomorrow will be my busiest day of the week. Bible Study in the morning and then the Cream City Writers Christmas lunch at Antoinette's at 12:30PM.
Otherwise it was a quiet day. We will finish by watching the Packer Game. Aaron Rogers is still out with his concussion so it will be a tough game. I actually chose New England because of my "system". So it is a win win for me. I don't want the Packers to lose but on the other hand I don't want to lose points.
Have a nice evening and Monday
God love you
Mary
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
