It was COLD today but the sun shone which made it bearable.      I slept until 7and then had to get out of here to be at St. John the Evangelist in Kohler for the funeral of a friend, Virginia Rammer.   The Rammers were neighbors across the street on the old gravel road.     I wanted to be there to see the family, all the kids that grew up with me and my brothers and sisters.      Ginny had a rough last few years, suffering from dementia.   LuAnn said that she was talking about their Dad, Gordy, the past week or so.   Perhaps he was there waiting for her.

Then I drove to St. John the Baptist to be a part of the annual Craft Fair.   I bought some chances for the baskets, put my name on a couple of silent auction items, bought a Jar of Raspberry Jam and a copy of the choir's new CD, then picked up some cookies and then went to Rocky Knoll to have lunch with Dick.

I was so tired that I laid down on his bed and slept for an hour after lunch.  That helped a bit.  Richard and Brenda arrived at about 2:30.   We visited the four of us until I had to leave for Mass at 3:30PM.   I stopped and fed Roxie on my way back to Rocky Knoll.   Richard and Brenda bought dinner at Sweet Basil and Bobbie and Bill came with wine so it was a lovely evening.    It was good for Dick and I hope it perks him up a bit.   

Monday I will be checking into things to do to help his weakness and exhaustion.

God love you all.

Richard and Brenda and me have just enjoyed a Jamison Irish Coffee and will be heading for bed soon.

Tomorrow will be another busy day.

Mary

It was VERY cold when I woke up this morning but did warm up later in the day.  The sun was a welcome sight and really does help warm the middle of the bones.

I left at 10:30AM to get gas in the car and then went to Sheboygan Medical Center for my appointment with Dr. Holmes.   He is pleased with my progress and has given me a new exercise to add to the two I am doing.    Roxie is a very confused little kitty when I get down on the floor to do them.

Since my appointment was so late, I decided to have lunch with my friends at Dairy Queen.   There were six of us there and I feel a bit caught up with the news now.    Ceil, Joyce and Betty are going to Branson next week and are quite excited.  

So. I arrived at Rocky Knoll around 1:30PM.   Corrie had suggested to Dick that since he has been SO tired, he take today of to give a three day weekend.   He is using the stand lift for going the the bathroom so the legs are being used.    We went down to therapy this afternoon and he used the pulleys and weight lifts for arm strengthening for over a half hour though so I was pleased with his effort.   I know how hard it is for him.

We had supper together and then I came home.  

Tomorrow will be a nice day for Dick.  Richard and Brenda and Bobbie and Bill are all coming to visit him and we will eat our evening meal together.  

So until tomorrow  May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Mary

It was sunny today but very chilly.    I spent the morning working of bills and the like and then went over to Rocky Knoll at 11:00AM.   Dick's therapy was scheduled for afternoon, so I sat with him til lunch.    I had a sandwich and some coleslaw.    He gave me his cookie dessert.

I went with him to therapy at 1:15.   He practiced getting up from the chair and sitting back down about three times.   Then he rested and attempted walks.   He seems to be having more trouble lately.   He has trouble keeping his knees straight and therefore taking the steps.   Hopefully it is just because he has been so tired.  

Before I had left home, Alicia called from Mother's house.    Jody, our cleaning lady, was there too.   Jody had opened the microwave to clean it and it turned on all by itself and the cancel button did not work.    I remembered that we had a microwave that we had purchased for a gift several years ago that did not work, so I told them to tell her not to use it and I would be there this afternoon.  Before I went to Rocky Knoll, I loaded it in the car and then went right to Mom's when I left and set it up for her and told her how to use it.     I set the old one on the floor and Randy will get it out of there.    It is very similar to her old one so it will be easy for her to use.    I knew we'd find a use for that thing one of these days.

Home again, I am winding down again.    I will go to bed early and read.   This morning I slept until a little after 8AM.   Can't do that tomorrow.   Too much to do.

God love you

Mary

A friend sent this to me today.    I simply had to share

A smile - is a sign of joy.
A hug - is a sign of love.

A laugh - is a sign of happiness.

And a friend like me????

 

Hell....that's just a sign of good taste!!!!

A rainy gloomy day.    I don't really feel justified in complaining when I hear that there are people in the New England states, still without power after the snow storm that occurred several days ago.   

I was home until 10AM.     After picking up a couple of things at Walgreens, I stopped at Kate's to drop off three little Kitty Cucumber figurines for he to put in baskets that she is putting together for the craft fair at St. John's.   I can't help with much, but am able to donate things to help make it a success.

I got to Rocky Knoll at 11:AM.   No surprises this time.    Corrie came to the room today and Dick worked on transferring from the chair to the bed and back again.   And then they brought in the stand lift and Dick is now able to go to the bathroom IN the bathroom as long as both of his prostheses are on.    Yea.   This will help with many things.

We played a game or two of rummy before I came home at 3PM.  Then I called Alison, our board president here at Tallgrass, and a good friend.    I had told her I would have her over for an Irish coffee.    So, we did.   I found out that the gal who bought Dick Kastburg's place was a neighbor at Creekside.    I don't exactly remember but will look forward to meeting her.   She is a quilter too.   Then Alison and I decided that the three of us could meet occasionally.   Nice to have good neighbors.

Today, as I mentioned, is a holy day for us Catholics,  All Saint's Day.   So it filled up and already busy day.

I went grocery shopping at 8AM as I usually do.    I picked up a donut for breakfast as I had slept until after 7AM.   Quite a slug-a-bed am I.  As it was also trash day, I had to be back from shopping and have everything put away in time to get to church on time at 10AM.    No glitches but I had to move pretty steady.   Mass was a good chance to settle my soul.   It was the school children's mass also, which is always a treasure.    Such a joy to see all those lovely healthy children gathered in one spot for good.

Home again, I had lunch, dropped of some items for Kate for the church craft fair and went to the Kettle Quilters meeting.  We had a nice meeting.   I didn't have anything new done.  (I have about four projects in various stages of completion downstairs.)    So, I brought the spiderweb wall hanging that I had made several years ago.   I had not shared it before and they all liked it a lot.  I am six squares behind on this years block of the month which has turned out to be 2 blocks of the month.    I may not finish it until next years.

I went right from the meeting to Rocky Knoll.  Lots of excitement there.   I got there and did not see Dick in the room but the bathroom door was shut.  I was putting things away when I heard Dick's voice from the bathroom.    I went to open the door and it was locked.   So I went for the first nurse that I could find who opened the bathroom door and we found Dick sitting on the floor.

As it turned out he was trying to surprise me by going to the bathroom by himself.    Well ---- He did surprise me all right.    He had managed with little problem until he tried to get up and back into the chair.   He ended up on the ground on his bottom, with the right prosthesis, the one with the sleeve, tucked under him.    Several of the nurses came in and after much discussion and trying different things, they got him back in bed to recoup.  I waited outside because I have to admit, I was pretty upset.    Except for a minor scrape, he is just fine.  He has been reminded that he is not released to DO THAT YET!

After he was in bed and checked over, I went down to the On The Rocks and brought us each back a glass of wine.   We were both glad that this was available today.    We relaxed and visited until it was time to go to supper.    I came home shortly after we ate and am now winding down for bed.   Dancing with the Stars, the Results is on tonight.    I will go to bed after that is over.

Tomorrow is a quiet day.   I will be at Rocky Knoll about 11AM and get home by 3PM.   I need some rest.

God love you all.  
Mary

Monday Monday.

Started off busy and stayed that way.   I took care of some financial problems before heading out to Bible Study at 9AM.    When I got there, Helen Morgan helped me get in the door as I had enough Blessing Bundles for all of my  fellow prayer partners and for the Blessed Trinity staff.   We had a good showing and a lively discussion of that is the value of "things".   We are trying to discern what really has value.

I next stopped at Mother's and we took care of a lot of her financial items.  We managed to get in a good visit while I was in between phone calls.  Good thing as I had to leave in time to go to have lunch with Dick.   I brought the Irish Meatloaf for my lunch and Dick had a taste of it.    He said that he liked it but likes my meatloaf better.   I need to think about that.

So  Home again.   I am still putting things away from the Samhain dinner.    And also trying to pack away the Halloween decorations.    I took my Spider Wall Hanging over to Rocky Knoll to share with the workers.   I wore all my Halloween clothes and jewelry and will pack it away until next year.   The fun thing I got this year was a Spider ring.    It has green "stones" in it and was a real bargain at Hallmark.   That and my Kmart bat earrings made me a real hit.

The rest of my evening will be spent trying to find a book I seem to have misplaced.   I need to share it with a friend.   I know I had it last week.   There are little people in my house hiding things on me.

God love you all

I prayed for everybody with my prayer friends this morning.

Mary. 

He had therapy at 1:15PM.   Things went quite well.   We figured out a bit of a plan and Corrie has a goal of having him getting out of bed and into the bathroom without the hoyer lift by Friday.   At least during the day time.   This will require lots of transferring and walking practice.

We played Rummy and I beat him for a change.   I was home before 4PM and have been putting things away that accumulated over the weekend.

Did you miss me yesterday?   I just plain forgot.    That is not normal but I did go to bed early and had a lovely night's sleep.   So I guess that is worth it.

Saturday was not too eventful anyway.    I prepared things for the Samhain Dinner which was tonight.  And I spent the middle of the day with Dick at Rocky Knoll.    We had lunch together and played some cards before I went home.

This morning I finished all the preparations except for the cooking of the food I was bringing to the Samhain Potluck.   Then I went to Rocky Knoll for Mass and my visit with Dick.    I helped bring a couple residents down for Mass.   It was a very special Mass.   Father gave a lovely sermon and everybody seemed to be involved.   I was reminded that Tuesday is All Saints Day and a holy day of obligation.    I figure that I can to to the 10AM Mass at St. John's and still do the grocery shopping before Mass.   I will go to Rocky Knoll AFTER the Quilt Club meeting which is at 1PM and be with Dick for the On the Rocks and will have supper with him.       See how things work out.   Thank heavens there is NOTHING scheduled for either Wednesday of Thursday.  Sleep late days.  Yippee.

Dick seemed a bit weak today and his knees were hurting again.   I hope that will work out when he gets up on his feet in therapy tomorrow.

I came home at 1:30PM to cook the meatloaf and the colcannon for the dinner tonight.   About mid afternoon, the phone rang.   It was our Nora, returning my call from last week.    She sounds so wonderful and is so excited about this precious baby that she is carrying in her tummy.   Did I tell you she posted a picture on Facebook and she looks adorable.
 
It is a boy, they know and she is planning everything for his room and to be sure that he is will clothed and cared for.   I will be so delighted to be a great grandma again and of a boy this time.    She and Ernie are hoping to come to Wisconsin when Leslie and Bill do next August.   She would like a five generation picture with Mother and me and Leslie and her and little Marcus.   Won't that be great.

Our potluck was really nice.  I found for Irish Meatloaf.   It has beef and pork and apples and it covered in potatoes mixed with broccoli.  It is a keeper.  Debbie brought Mushroom Guinness pie and Sweet Potato Apple Soup.   Joan K brought Potato Soup and Cranberry scones.  Janet brought Irish Whiskey Cake, Joan B. brought cheese and crackers and pumpkin bread, Rosemary brought Reuben Dip and rye crackers,  Gail brought a molded jello salad,  Peg brought a pumpkin bar and somebody, I think Joan brought chips and a great dip.

We had several placemats set up for our ancestors.   Every year more people participate in that.   Their table looked really good.   I made blessing bundles for everybody again.   It is a nice harvest gift.  I made enough to take to bible study tomorrow.

So that is the day and a bit of yesterday.   I will be signing off until tomorrow.   I loved today.

God love you

Mary

Today was a rather lucky day.   I beat Dick at Rummy today for the first time in about a week AND I saw a line of wild turkey hens crossing the road on my way home from shooting at Rhine tonight.  

I left for Rocky Knoll at 9:30AM so that I would be there when Tim from Wisconsin Prosthesis got there at 10AM.   Tim was on time.    He checked the final left prosthesis and declared it done.   Then Corrie, Tim and I helped Dick get up and walk so that Tim could check the right prosthesis that is still in the shrinking stages.    He made some adjustments that we feel will help Dick distribute his weight better and place his feet more correctly.   Now - Practice - Practice - Practice.

After lunch and playing cards for a while, I headed for Sheboygan.   I left at about 1:30PM.   I stopped at Glander Drug to pick up something for Mom, then went to the Memorial Mall to spend my 16 dollars in credit from Hallmark.   I got some nice paper plates and matching napkins and the neatest plaque for Halloween.

I picked up some feathers and small rickrack at Hobby Lobby, then went to The Clinic for my appointment with Dr. Holmes.   My rib pain has shifted some but when I told him how it was feeling, he said that this is what he was hoping would happen.    The nerve that was injured is slowly healing and I need to continue with my exercises to keep up the healing.   I was relieved because this is such a slow thing to be healing anyway.

I finished earlier than I thought I would so I stopped at Woodlake on my way to Rhine and picked up some choriso, Revolution Earl Grey with Lavender and a couple of bottles of wine.  

My last stop WAS Rhine where I finished the last two targets for pistol league and visited a bit with the guys.   I showed them (especially Doc) the pictures of me with the corn snakes draped around my neck in Dublin.

Home for the night,  after making my apologies to Roxie for being late, I fixed supper and now am settling down for the night.  

Have a great weekend.   This is the weekend of our Samhain dinner.   Prelude to Halloween.  Looks like we will have a pretty nice group there.

Til tomorrow then.   Love and God love you all.

Mary

Hello everybody.    I got up this morning and the heat had not come on for the daytime warmup.    At first I thought perhaps I had the time of the change wrong, but that was not it.   

SO I called Steger, the place that had installed the thermostat, and talked to the guy who did the installation.  He went over the settings with me and then suddenly a light went on in his head and he told me to go downstairs and see if he had flipped  the furnace switch on when he was done.     Oops,  he had not.   I flipped the switch and it warmed up in nothing flat.

I went to Rocky Knoll at 11:AM.   Dick was already in therapy.    Today he did the strengthening, then we practiced standing in the bars and getting those hips to do their share of supporting his body.   His knees are not as straight as they should be as he needs to do some of that shifting.

Then we had lunch and played some cards.    I came home before two PM and took a nap.   I was so tired and am still very tired so will go to bed early.   Tomorrow is a very busy day.

God love you

Mary

A rather quiet day.   I slept until almost 8:30AM, except of course for feeding a pestering kitty.  I almost have my desk cleared off and am almost caught up on the immediate chores that have to be done.

I went over to Rocky Knoll at 11:00AM so that I could be in on Dick's therapy.   Before lunch he just did stretching exercises, then after lunch, he practiced getting up out of the chair to the bed and back and then from the chair to  the bathroom and back.    Quite a lot for one day but we are going to have to push it even harder eventually if he is going to get home.

I came home at about 3PM.   Cut out some pieces for a Christmas quilting project, did some wash, had an early supper and then went to Mead Library via Sy Regan's house so that he could go.    I wanted to go to Karl Elder's Poets Corner anyway but sometimes I get lazy when I get home of an afternoon.   Knowing that Sy needs a ride gives me that little push I need.   I am starting to feel very comfortable with the other poets there.

I get home between 8 and 8:30 from this Poets Corner so I now ready for bed.    I will finish sipping my tea and head there immediately.

God love you all

Mary

Another day on the run.   I started off by going to fill the gas tank and pick up groceries and taking out the trash.

Then I drove to Wisconsin Prosthesis in Green Bay and retrieved Dick's left prosthesis.    It looks good.   I got to Rocky Knoll shortly after 11AM.

We had lunch and then rolled down to therapy so that Dick could get on his feet again.   It was a bit difficult.   He is having some pain.  It seems to be in different spots in both feet and legs.

But he did stand and do some walking.

I had to leave at 1:45 for an informational session on  the changes to United Health Care for next year.   Mother, Dick and I will all be automatically renewed.   I just wanted to be sure what, the changes were.

Then I drove over to John Michael Kohler Art Center for the Meeting on the Irish Family day that I am helping with in January.    We had a lively meeting, decided a lot of things.   Assigned each other duties and will meet again at the end of January for more tightening up.   It should be really wonderful.

I got home at 5:45PM and fixed myself pizza with wine for my dinner.   I am going to watch Dancing with the Stars at 8PM and then hit the heay.   Tomorrow I can sleep as late as I want to.  

God love you

Mary

Well,  after a thunder and lightening storm that sped through last night, today was sunny, clear and beautiful.   One of those days that we remember why we live in Wisconsin.

I left at 6:30AM for Green Bay to take Dick's left prosthesis for completion.   My friend, Mary Steger, rode with me.   Isn't that great.   I had not been there before and we were leaving in the dark, so I was glad of a companion.  She is somewhat familiar with the Green Bay area also.     There was an accident just shy of the turnoff to Sheboygan Falls on 23, so we had to take a detour but still got up to Wisconsin Prosthesis at 8AM.   The man there asked what time I would be back tomorrow night and I told him that I would have to come Wednesday because I have appointments Tuesday afternoon.    He said that he can have it ready for me tomorrow by 10AM so I will go back up tomorrow to pick it up.   What a guy.    Dick will only be one full day without it.

We got back to Sheboygan Falls and stopped at the Mac Donalds there.   Mary called Bob to pick her up there  so I could get to bible study on time.    I bought us breakfast anyway.   I had not eaten and was starved.

Bible Study was great.   We only had 5 of us there but it got pretty lively.    We are still on Psalm 49 and learning a lot.    We will finish the Psalm 1 portion of this Little Rock Study in a couple of weeks.   Good thing we sent for the Psalm 2 workbooks.

Mom and I had a great visit.   We did not have much "business" so could really visit today.    I did have to set up her pill box.   She is such a pleasure to spend time with.

I got to Rocky Knoll just before noon, and caught Dick as he was finishing therapy.   SO I was able to tell him and Corrie, that I will be able to pick up his prosthesis tomorrow morning and have it there for tomorrow's therapy.   The minimum possible days without standing.    We have to keep working at that.   I say WE when it is really him, but it seems like we.

I came home about three and rested for  a while.   Shortly after 4PM, Neil from Steger Heating came to check the furnace.   He determined that the problem is the thermostat, so he replaced it.   I now have it set where the temperature should just maintain.

Now I am finishing up a couple of things for tomorrow's meetings, will watch Dancing With The Stars and get ready for bed.

Tomorrow is even busier than today so pray that my Guardian Angel keeps up.

God love you

Mary

Lots of weird adventures to relate.  I am watching the Packer game as I do this.   We have to hang on to the ball for two minutes or score again to seal this game up. 

So.  The adventures.

Last night, as I let the house get a bit cold because I opened up the doors  to air things out, I turned on the furnace. 

We have the temperature limit set, so I did not give it another thought.   Until - I woke up at about 11PM and I was sweating.   It took a while to wake up enough to realize that I had better go to look at the thermostat.  I staggered to the hall and Faith and Begorra it was 92 degrees in this house.    I checked and everything looked like it was set correctly.   The temperature that had been preset was 73.  But it was 92.   So I opened windows and doors, turned the thermostat to air conditioning and turned on all the fans.   In about an hour and a half, I was finally able to sleep.   Poor Roxie came in the bedroom and laid under the fan.   She will never figure that one out.

By the way, the Packers just won.  They beat Minnesota 33/17.   Yippee.   That's seven in a row.

Now, I will tell you the tale of the mouse.   No pun intended.    I got to Rock Knoll at 9AM and went to Mass, helping bring some of the residents down, as usual.   A lovely Mass and I met a couple of the new residents.

I arrived back in Dick's room shortly before 11AM.   He was a bit sleepy and I was reading when I saw a mouse climbing over this CPAP and the edge of the bed.    Dick said that he knew there was one around and I ran for help.    They came right down with towels and whatever else they could think of.   Dick and I got out of the room and waited.    AH, you should have heard all the banging and furniture moving and chatter going on in there until someone said,  "There it is!" and there it was,  OUT of Dick's room and along the baseboard of the hallway.   It had travelled through the walls.  So the hunt continued.   By then maintenance had joined the chase.  Up and down the hall the valiant hunters ran.   Finally it ran into one of the other rooms and Joseph from maintenance managed to scoop it into a waste basket and covered it with a towel.

At this point, Dick said that he thought it had bitten him this morning.  Then I got VERY nervous.  It turns out that he woke up feeling something and batted at it around his arm and also around his knee.   He thinks it bit him but he was so sleepy it was difficult to be sure.   He could possible been feeling little claws too.   Anyway, he told the morning nurse.   The message about the mouse was passed on, but not the fact that Dick thought he was bitten by it.  That bothers me a bit.

Terry, the nurse, called a Veterinarian and a Doctor who both concurred that mice are not rabies carriers.  The doctor said to just watch the offending area to be sure there is no sign of infection.  Bobbie and Bill came to visit while Dick and I were playing rummy as the cleaning crew cleaned his room from top to bottom and inside out.  We could have moved to another room but I can't see that a mouse wouldn't be there too.   And he is probably in the cleanest room in the facility right now. 

We had a nice visit with Bobbie and Bill.   Told Bobbie what the doctors said about mice not rabies carriers and she mentioned that they do however harbor the hantavirus.   Very reassuring.   We agreed that it takes a LOT of dry dusty mouse poop to really spread the disease, if the mouse has it to begin with.

So was your last 24 hours as exciting as ours?

Tomorrow I have to get up very early as I have to be in Green Bay by 8 Am to drop off Dick's right prosthesis for finishing. 

 So good night, sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite.

God love you

Mary

The hallway was full of spectators and Joseph took it to a deep empty trash can.

At this 

I waited too long to start this.   I am very tired tonight.

SO I will just tell you that it was a beautiful day.  Sunny and warm with very little wind and no rain.

Dick is doing well, but  was a bit lazy today which is OK because there is not therapy on weekends.

We had a lovely lunch together and then he whupped me at Rummy before I came home to just BE.

So have a lovely sleep as I hope that I do.

God love you

mary

What a day, but I got a LOT done.    I am almost done with the minutes for CWI.   I need to verify a couple of things but will get them out this weekend.   Our secretary, Betty, was unable to join the meeting so I volunteered.

I washed the sheets today too because Jody helps me put them on during her cleaning.  Then I went to Sheboygan to have a chirpractic treatment from Dr. Holmes.   That went well.   I have a new exercise, that is not as uncomfortable at the ones I did last week.    He is still trying to find the best solution to the healing. 

I was delighted that I got the appointment when I did because, I was able to join my bank buddies for the first time in weeks.   Had a nice catch up with Marlene, Betty, Joyce and Barb.

I went next to Rocky Knoll.   I got there a bit before 2PM.   We decided to wander the halls because Dick seemed restless.   I ran into my friend Pat and her mother in law, coming to visit Pat's husband, Bob, who just arrived yesterday after a double knee transplant.  Pat and Bob shoot with us AND Pat is in CWI.  So Dick and I went to Bob's room so I could say HI.  Turns out that Bob sits at Dick's table.    Nice.

Tim, from Wisconsin Prosthesis got to Rocky Knoll at about 2:30PM.   A little early which was great.  He did some adjustments on his right prosthesis and we have made arrangements for me to take the left prosthesis to Green Bay for completion.  If I take it up on Monday morning early, I can pick it up on Tuesday afternoon which will only be two days without it.   If Tim takes it and sends it, it will be 5 business days including the travel time.  SO very early on Monday morning, I will be driving to Green Bay, and again on Tuesday afternoon.

We were done in time to go to On the Rocks.   I just had coke, today, of course, because I shoot on Friday evenings.   But we enjoy our time there.   Shooting went well.   Not great, but not bad.   I really felt shaky today too so am doubly pleased.

Tomorrow I have to get air in my right front tire and make sure that all three are equal.

A totally busy day, tomorrow SHOULD be really quite tranquil.

God love you

Mary



Whenever God closes a door, He always opens another,even though sometimes its hell in the hallway.

It was COLD and DAMP today.   It got into my bones.   Just a start of winter, I guess.

I worked on computer things this morning and called a friend about a Celtic Women  issue.   We are trying to get the CWI Celtic Tartan again as we have run out and apparently it is all sold.   I talked to the designer, Marjorie Warren, a talented woman, an expert on Scottish Tartan, and she and I are working on getting a bolt of the fabric woven for our use as soon as possible.  I presented it to the board and will get back to Marjorie as soon as possible.   Marjorie is recovering from knee surgery.  So pray for her.

I got to Rocky Knoll at 11:00AM.   Just in time to be around when Dick got his PT.  It was OK but he was weaker today.   I am not sure why.    He did accomplish a transfer and we did a lot of stretching exercises because of the weakness.   Dr. Sharon has reduced the number of diabetic tests for Dick because his readings have been so good for the past month or so.   Many of them 100 or less.

A Krueger came in to visit Dick this afternoon.   She worked for Eastern Shores and the Library system.   She even remembered that Mother was one of their most faithful patrons.

Tomorrow is an exceptionally busy day.   I will summarize after it is over.

I am just getting ready to enjoy a brat, beans and broccoli for my dinner.   A perfect B meal.

Love you

Mary



 

I have just been watching the evening news about the release and eventual killing of those wild cats and other animals in Ohio.   What  terrible tragedy.    Such a shame that there was no other solution other than the killing of the beasts.   I am sure glad that Jack Hanna came and has been able to explain that there was no other way without endangering human life.  His love for wildlife and the animals should quell the objectors.

There is always someone, though.   I remember being out on a jeep run in the dunes near the All American Canal.   We, the Orange County Four Wheelers, were a family club and always camped in a circle.   Children ran all over the place from camper to fire and just playing games.    A sidewinder was spotted in the circle and my ex husband got our his 357 Magnum.   As he was shooting, some strange woman, new to us, was yelling, not to kill it.  To catch it and take it out of camp.    Can you even imagine trying to "catch" a rattlesnake?   And what about all those little kids running around.

I went over to Rocky Knoll at 9AM because Dick had a project for me.   He had pulled the sleeve off of his new prosthesis and couldn't get it back on.   He was having trouble getting it stable so he could do it.   I managed to get it back on for him.   He had therapy at 11:00AM.   He got out of his chair and into bed and back out of bed and into the chair and into the bathroom, seated himself and got up again today.   He also did strengthening.     I hope he went down to therapy to use the pulleys this afternoon.    He will not be getting OT but they said that he can use the equipment.

I came home after lunch and took a nice nap.   Then I finished putting the exercise bike I ordered with bank points together and did some sewing.    I will be spending the evening doing CWI computer work.

Tomorrow I have nothing actually scheduled.   That is quite a miracle.    Hope you have a tranquil day also.

God love you

Mary

Today was supposed to be quieter but it did not turn out so.  I went grocery shopping at 8AM after putting out the trash.   I sure don't need much, but I go once a week for fresh things and to get the lottery tickets.

Then I had to be at the Sheboygan Clinic at 10AM for my chiropractic appointment with Dr. Holmes.   He was running late, but how does one know.   I was still out of there at around 11AM so was able to be at Rocky Knoll in more that enough time to join Dick for lunch and then go to therapy with him.

It was a good day, therapy wise.  He did leg strengthening, walked twice and for the first time did a transfer from the wheel chair to the toilet. ( A dry run, just to find out if he can do it.)    We are very pleased with the results. 

Today was On the Rocks day at Rocky Knoll too, so at 3PM we went down to the "bar" to enjoy a glass of wine together, before I headed home.

Roxie was really glad to see me as last night I came home after 6PM and she felt very slighted at that.  I washed clothes and caught up on about half of the items that I needed to from the telephone conference last night.   My main concern is forwarding a file to Maureen.   It is in Publisher and I am not sure that I can.

So.  I will be enjoying a nice cup of tea and then going to bed to read and just relax.  For some reason, I am even more tired than usual and just hope that extra sleep will help.

God love you all

Mary

Just a quick note as it is late and I have been on the go since 7AM this morning.

Bible Study,  Mom, lunch with some of the Writers Club gals and then out to Don Cooper's for our meeting, then over to spend time with Dick.   Had supper with him then went to pick up prescriptions at Walgreens and got home in time to feed poor neglected Roxie before getting on the phone for the CWI board meeting.

Whew.

So.  All is well.  Dick seemed good today.   I will be there tomorrow for his therapy to see if he is still able to stand by himself and perhaps even easier.   Mike, who got us the motorized chair, came and fixed the rests for his stumps so that we can get them on and off the chair easily.   Thank heavens, as it was really getting to be a chore.

So.  Until tomorrow

God love you

Mary

Packers won!!!  What a great game.    I went to Rocky Knoll at 9AM to help get residents down for Mass.   I am glad I did.   There were several new people on Moose Lane, the rehab area, and two of them were Catholic and not on the list.      Sometimes the lists are not up to date.   I was glad I was there to find that out and get them to Mass and/or blessed by the priest.

Then Dick and I worked on his standing.  He actually DID get up without help to the walker from his chair.   Then he stood for four minutes or more before sitting again.   We were elated.  Don't tell Rocky Knoll.   He is not supposed to try that stuff without therapy.

We had a nice lunch and then watched the Packer game together.   What a great way to spend an afternoon.  He is looking good.   There are some problems but we are working on them.

I came home at about 3:30PM and racked the Marigold wine.   As I said.  This is rather poinent as I do not plan on making any more wine after this batch.  It has been a fun hobby but it was more fun when Dick and I did it together.   I have to give up some things and this is an easy one.


Monday is going to be crazy.   Bible Study, Writers Club and lunch with my writer friends and then I want to get to Rocky Knoll to have dinner with Dick.   Whew!   How do I get myself in these crunches.

Til tomorrow night.

God keep you safe from harm.

Mary

The wind blew cold all day.   Clouds were shooting across the sky so fast that if they had any rain in them they would not have been able to let any fall.   It was sunny however.   The wind had finally died down this evening.  Now we will see what is in store for tomorrow.

I cut up a pineapple and a cantaloupe that I bought this week into a really good salad.   I took some for lunch today and a bowl for Dick to snack on.  As it was Saturday, there was no therapy.    Dick wanted to go out for a walk.   We went down the hill and back up and he had enough.   I am not surprised with that wind.   I was more surprised that he wanted to go out at all.

I came home at about 2:30PM so that I could relax a bit and get ready for dinner.   Bobbie and Bill joined me tonight.  It was liver and onion night for Bobbie and me.   I prepared a bacon cheeseburger for Bill.   We all enjoyed fried potatoes and corn and Chess Pie for dessert.    What a great evening.   It is so nice to have people in the house and such good company too.  Boy was that liver ever good and we have enough for sandwiches and I'll be able to take some to Mom too.

I saw a bit of an interview with the two children who are in the new Dolphin movie that is out.    It reminded me of a trip to Marine Land that Bret and Bart and I made with Uncle Jim and I can't remember who else.  Bart was about 3 years old.    At that time you could buy fish and feed them to the dolphins in the big aquariums.  Bart took his fish and held it over the rail.   One of the dolphins rose up out or the water and literally enveloped Bart's whole arm in his mouth.   Those teeth are at least two inches long and that mouth is BIG.   I just gasped in shock.   Then the dolphin sank back into the water and on his way down plucked that fish right out of those little fingers without even brushing his skin anywhere.    What beautiful gentle creatures they are.   Bart was delighted and said.   "He kissed my fingers."

God love you.

Mary

It was cold today.   The temperatures were in the high 50s but there was a biting angry wind that entered my bones every time I set foot outdoors.

I finished Dick's wash and got it all folded and ready to go this morning.   I went over to Rocky Knoll a bit earlier than usual so that we could discuss with Corrie the goals for the next couple of weeks.    What we need to do is make sure that Dick can get himself up from the chair to the walker by himself, turn to transfer to bed and to the bathroom and put on his prosthesis by himself if I am not immediately available for some reason.  We are all on the same page now.    Next week, Corrie will work with him in his room and hopefully be able to bring the CNAs in to know what to do to help him outside of therapy.    He is making quite a distance walking with the walker.   We are going to try to walk tomorrow.  Just he and I, by going to the therapy department.   Then if the therapists will just help me get him up we can practice.    We are trying to avoid actual unnecessary therapy if we can because we have to pay a copay for each session.

I left at about 2PM.   Came home and sewed a bit before napping for about 45 minutes.    I was just plain tired and Nancy and Warren were picking me up at 4:45PM for pistol league.    We all did pretty good.   I was really pleased with my second target and reasonably pleased with the other two.
I am going to miss the bust up because that is the evening that Shirley and Bill from the Writers Club are getting married and I will be going to that event.

So the day is done and I will soon go to bed.  I will end with a really nice Maxine that I read about a month a go.   "Personally I think that conservatives and liberals should move towards the middle of the road.   Makes it easier to run over them."

Love and God love you

Mary

Today started mighty early.    I got up at 6:30AM, a little later than I planned, to be at Rocky Knoll by 7:45AM so that I could have breakfast with Dick and help him get ready for the trip to Aurora in Sheboygan to see Dr. Kream.

Tim picked us up at 9:AM and got us to the clinic in plenty of time for our appointment at 9:30.   However, we did not see the doctor until almost 10:30AM.  He is a very good doctor, but way to busy and it seems that there is always a LONG wait to see him, but this really put us behind.   Especially when he decided that he needed an Xray and a blood test taken before we left.    Anyway, all was accomplished by 11:30.   I had a lunch date with Kate at noon, so I called her to tell her I would be a bit late.   Which she was fine with.

Anyway.   Dick's exam went quite well.   Dr. Kream is pleased that the increased diuretic and the new meds in the nebulizer are helping his lungs clear.  The xray and blood tests are to see where all the other vitals are.   Hopefully they will be OK too.   He will apparently will need a nebulizer after he comes home too.

So we got back to Rocky Knoll a bit before noon.  So I walked Dick down to the lunch room and  dropped off the doctor's instuctions to the nurses.  Then I gathered up all the dirty clothes and my other stuff and went to Antoinettes to meet Kate.  

We had a really nice visit and catch up.   As we have been so involved in our own lives, busy as they are.  (Please pray for her daughter in law who is very ill with a hole in her heart, and her family who love her so.)
We had a lot to catch up on, for sure.    As it turns out , Monday is Writers club and we are going to Don's for the meeting.   Several of us are going to meet for lunch at the new Taco place and carpool out to Don's.  That will be lost of fun.

Then I went to the bank to meet Jeff and take care of some corrections on Mom's accounts to make everything clear and easy for all of us.   Shane was there too.   They had come for lunch with Mother, did a few errands and then were going out to do some bow hunting (Shane), squirrel hunting (Jeff) before going home.

Shane and Georgie can't come for liver on Saturday - pheasant hunting.   But I told him that I will invite them any time I cook it until they can come. 

So home again, I did some sewing.  Actually.  Everything on my list is crossed off, so tonight, I will just goof off and do what ever I want to do until bed time.   Isn't that a novel idea?

I am adding a cute Wisconsin email that I received from my friend Dan, who I consider a 6 foot leprechaun.

God love you and have a great Friday.

Mary

THE  RULES OF RURAL WISCONSIN ARE  AS FOLLOWS:

1.  Pull your droopy pants up. You look like an idiot.

2. Turn your cap  right, your head isn't crooked.

3. Let's get this straight; it's called a  'dirt road.'  I drive a pickup truck because I want to.  No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.

4. They are cattle. They're live steaks. That's why they smell funny to you. But they smell like money to Wisconsin farmers. Get over it. Don't like it?  I-94 goes east and west, pick one.

5. So you have a $60,000 car. We're impressed. Grain farmers have $350,000 combines that they drive only 3 weeks a year.

6. So every person in rural Wisconsin waves. It's called being friendly. Try to understand the concept.

7. If that cell phone rings while an 8-point buck and 3 does are coming in, we WILL shoot it out of your hand.  You better hope you don't have it up to your ear at the time.

8. Yeah, we eat taters, gravy, beans and cornbread.  You really want sushi and caviar?  It's available at Jim's bait shop...

9. The 'Opener' refers to the first day of deer season. It's a religious holiday in November.

10. We open doors for women. That applies to all women, regardless of  age.

11. No, there's no 'vegetarian special' on the menu.  Order steak. Or you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the 2 pounds of ham & turkey.

12. When we fill out a table, there are three main dishes:  meats, vegetables, and breads.  We use three seasonings - salt, pepper, and ketchup. 

13. You bring 'coke'  into my house, it better be brown, wet and served over ice.

14. You bring 'Mary Jane' into my house, she better be homegrown, cute, knows how to shoot, drive a truck, and she better have long hair..

15. College and high school football/basketball are as important here as the PACKERS andtheBUCKS.... and more fun to watch.

16.  Yeah, we have golf courses.  But don't hit the water hazards --  it spooks the fish.                                                

Voc-techs.  Folks come outta there with an education plus a love for God and country, and they still wave at everybody when they come for the holidays.

18.Turn down that  blasted car stereo!  That thumpity-thump crap ain't music, anyway. We don't want to hear it anymore than we want to see your boxers. Refer back to #1.

19. Four inches of snow  isn't a blizzard - it's a flurry.  Drive in it like you got some sense, and DON'T take all our bread, milk, and bleach from the grocery stores. This ain't Alaska .  Worst case  you may have to live a whole day without croissants. The pickups with snowplows will have you out the next  day.

20.  By the way.... if you want to talk to God in Wisconsin , it's a local call.

A true Wisconsinite will send this on!! 

 

 

 

Since it is my day off.   I am only going to sign on long enough to say - Hello.

God love you

Mary

Not the usual Tuesday.    I am switching grocery shopping day for a while.   The Pig is trying to trick me.    They have their weekly ad that comes in the paper on Tuesdays the specials that run from Wednesday until the following Tuesday evening.   THEN in the Sunday paper they have two pages of coupons that run from Sunday to Tuesday night.    The coupons are really good too.  But they are not tricking me into coming in two days in a row and I WILL take advantage of ALL the specials.    I am woman - Hear me roar!!!

It was trash day too so I couldn't stay in bed as late as I would have liked to.   I am taking tomorrow off.   I can sleep as long as I want and I will not leave the house except to get the mail.   At least that is the plan.

I did some sewing.   As I said I have two projects that HAVE to be done before December, so I am doing just a bit on each of them each day and should be done before November even.   With any luck at all.

I left for my chiropractor appointment at about an hour before the 12:40 PM appointment so I could pick up some supplies for Mother as long as I was in Sheboygan.   Then I went to the Sheboygan Clinic to be adjusted again.   Dr. Holmes also gave me another exercise, this one a stretching exercise to do for the next week, then I will see him on Tuesday.  So far I am not much improved but it does take time to get things stretched out and repaired.

I dropped Mom's supplies off for her on the way to Rocky Knoll.   Then Dick and I went down the hall to the On the Rocks Saloon for cocktail hour.    That was fun.    I always enjoy that little break with him.   His room gets so small and he is not ever very eager to go outside, though I have convinced him to roll our there a few times.

We had supper together and then I came home.   Roxie was quite indignant as it was after 6PM, a full hour after her suppertime when I dragged in.   She will be a happy girl tomorrow though as I won't leave her. 

Saturday is going to be liver night.   Bobbie and Bill will be here and perhaps Shane and Georgina.   Shane is checking to see if they are free.   Otherwise, I will ask them the next time I cook some as Shane wants to see if he likes it.     As I always have to fix an alternate, this is a perfect way to find out.

So. I am watching Dancing and then will go to bed.

Enjoy your Wednesday as I will enjoy mine.

God love you

Mary

Another busy Monday.   I am remembering to stir my Marigold wine every day.

 I left for Bible Study shortly before 9AM as I had to stop at Walgreens.    There was a prescription for Mother that she did not need ready.   I asked them to take that prescription off the auto fill program.   I got some vitamins for myself and a shower scrubby for me.

We had eleven people at our study this morning.    Everybody but Mary who only comes when there is no school.  Psalm 37 is certainly worth reading and discussing.   We spent three weeks on it.

I had a nice hour with Mom.   She did not have any bills to review so we could just spend the time visiting.  I was able to update her on how Dick is doing and also that Jim is recovering well from his surgery on his Achilles Tendon.  We were both excited about Jessica running in the Chicago Marathon again.   She is quite the girl.   There is rain in Texas per George's call so life is going pretty well for everybody.

I went directly go Rocky Knoll to have lunch with Dick.   I got there just as he finished his third walk of the day using the walker.    He looked so proud, as well he should.    After lunch, he had OT and stood twice.   Once for 2 1/2 minutes and for 4 minutes the second time.   Lots of work to do yet and we need work done on the prostheses also but there is definite improvement.     His lungs now seem clear.   We will see Dr. Kream on Thursday to find out for sure .

I came home at about 3:30, did some sewing, fixed supper and rested.   So.  Now I am going to watch Dancing with the Stars and then go to bed.

Have a good sleep

God love you

Mary

Kind of a typical Sunday, at least as they are with Dick at Rocky Knoll.    I was able to sleep until 7AM. 

I left for Rocky Knoll just before 9AM so I could help Dick get his prosthesis on.   Then, Cindy, one of the CNAs had already put the left one on and we did the right after Mass.    I went down to Mass at about 9:30AM.  Good thing I did.  They were short  a little help, but the population seems a bit down now anyway.   It is amazing how fast that fluctuates.   They have one hall in Woodland Village empty right now.   Probably in a week or two everything will be packed again.  

Bobbie and Bill came to visit at about noon.  We had a lovely visit but Dick seemed very tired today, so I left when they did, shortly after 2PM.   I was home by 2:30PM which made Roxie very happy especially when I lay down for about 45 minutes. 

Then I went downstairs and did a bit of sewing before coming up to bake some brown bread and fix dinner.

I am watching the Brewer game and will morph into the Packer game soon.   My picks in the Fantasy Football league this week are not too spectacular.  Too many close calls in my system.

This coming week is a bit quieter.    I intend to take a day without any appointments and just stay home and do nothing.

God love you all

  Brewers Won!!!!


Mary

I finished adding everything I needed to the Marigold wine this morning.  I am pretty sure that this is the very last batch of wine that I will ever make.   A little bit sad, but we had a lot of fun on our run and I just don't have as much fun with it without Dick working along with me.   I don't think I told you this story.  A few years ago, I had a gallon of orange juice start to ferment, so I thought I would add the nutrients, and Camden tablets etc to it along with yeast and see what happened.    Last fall I tried a bottle and it was just awful.    I never got around to pouring it out.   Last week I brought up a bottle and opened it just for fun.   It smelled better and more like orange.   So I tried it and it is much better.   At least drinkable.   So my Dad's flat advice for wines that don't taste good "let it age" was good advice.   I tried it again because Bobbie had mentioned that a strawberry wine that she had made that seemed to be a disappointment was improving with age also.

I was supposed to breakfast with my friend Bob this morning.   I forgot.   When I remembered, I called him immediately and we rescheduled for this evening.    We went to the restaurant at the Airport.  It was good.   The entrees were so big, we got soup and appetizers and I still brought food home.   Bob is working on an icon of Bridget for me.   He showed me the project at this point and it is just super.  

Dick did not have therapy today, but we put both of the prosthesis on and he tried to stand with the walker.   Then Kevin came in and helped him transfer from the bed to the wheel chair and told him not to try to stand alone.   He just might fall and that would be really bad.   He did will with the transfer though.

So the day is done and I am glad.    Roxie is happy to have me home and will be my little companion when I get to bed.  

May your Sunday be all you want it to be and more.

God love you

Mary
.

I just checked WISN and got it just as the Brewers won the first series of playoffs.    Wow,  There is joy in the Beer Capital of the world and all over Wisconsin.   I am even excited and I have not really followed baseball for years.    I guess I will be more involved at least for the next week for the playoffs.

I went over to Rocky Knoll before 8AM this morning to have breakfast with Dick as Tim from Wisconsin Prosthesis was coming at 8:30AM and I wanted to be there for the adjustments and instructions.    I brought a scone and fruit for my breakfast.

Tim was on time and along with Michelle, the PT therapist, Dick walked three separate times with the walker and make more steps than he has ever done before.  His steps are nice and even albeit short and rather hesitant.   The therapists, however, are not holding him up, he is moving and standing all on his own power.   Still need a slight boost to get off of the chair.   Anyway we were delighted and he is now to walk  more and increase wearing time of the right prosthesis.

I had a chiropractor appointment in Sheboygan at 1:40PM so I ate lunch with Dick, then headed over there.   That went well, I hope,  It will take a couple of times to see if this is going to heal my ribs but it can't hurt and I need to be in the best shape possible when Dick comes home.    I ate the Rocky Knoll lunch.   It was great.   Seafood Alfredo.   Dick was not thrilled with that so he had a pork chop.   But it was really good.

Nancy and her friend Warren and I went shooting tonight.   My first target was not too good but the last two were kind of impressive.   It is always fun but as they say, it is MORE fun if you are doing well.   Saw a lot of my friends tonight.   I am sorry that I will not be able to remain a member of the club but I could not maintain the work requirements that are involved.    I don't think they are unreasonable for members but they are too much for me now.

I just snacked for supper and then mixed up the marigold wine must that I have been trying to get to for a couple of months.   So it is almost time for bed again.   There just are not enough hours in the day.

God love you.   Tomorrow should be a bit quieter.  

God love you

Mary

Another beautiful day.    We must treasure these days as it is now well into October and the warmth won't last forever.   Some are calling it Indian Summer but we have not really had a killing frost yet.   So after we DO have a killing frost, we are going to be owed a couple of nice warm days to brighten our spirits before winter really sets in.

I went to Rocky Knoll at 11:00AM.   Dick was in OT.   He ended that session by standing between the balance bars for over 5 minutes practicing standing and lifting one hand off the bar, and then both hands off the bar to get used to standing and maintaining balance.   

After lunch,  he had PT and walked with the walker again.    This is a bit thing as it will mean the ability to get to the bathroom by himself and up out of bed.    He was also practicing putting the prosthesis on by himself.   He managed the left one before the second amputation, but then he had the other leg to lean on.   It will always be harder to get the first one on and will require practice.  

Home again, I did a bit of sewing,  I have two projects that I want to get done before December.  I have gathered up the things that I need to take to Rocky Knoll tomorrow.   Dick needs some information so we can make some decisions and I am bringing the inflatable cushion to see if the fact that it is not so high might help with the positioning of his feet in the chair.

So it is winding down to bedtime.  

I have a Catholic Joke for you though.

God love you

Mary

CATHOLIC SHAMPOO

TWO NUNS WERE SHOPPING AT A 7-11 STORE. AS THEY PASSED BY THE BEER COOLER, ONE NUN SAID TO THE OTHER, " WOULDN'T A NICE COOL BEER OR TWO TASTE WONDERFUL ON A HOT SUMMER EVENING?"

THE SECOND NUN ANSWERED, "INDEED IT WOULD, SISTER, BUT I WOULD NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE BUYING BEER, SINCE I AM CERTAIN IT WOULD CAUSE A SCENE AT THE CHECKOUT STAND."

"I CAN HANDLE THAT WITHOUT A PROBLEM" THE OTHER NUN REPLIED, AND SHE PICKED UP A SIX-PACK AND HEADED FOR THE CHECK-OUT.

THE CASHIER HAD A SURPRISED LOOK ON HIS FACE WHEN THE TWO NUNS ARRIVED WITH A SIX-PACK OF BEER. "WE USE BEER FOR WASHING OUR HAIR" THE NUN SAID, "BACK AT OUR NUNNERY, WE CALL IT CATHOLIC SHAMPOO.

WITHOUT BLINKING AN EYE, THE CASHIER REACHED UNDER THE COUNTER. PULLED OUT A PACKAGE OF PRETZEL STICKS, AND PLACED THEM IN THE BAG WITH THE BEER.

HE THEN LOOKED THE NUN STRAIGHT IN THE EYE, SMILED, AND SAID: "THE CURLERS ARE ON THE HOUSE."    

Another lovely Autumn day.    I got Dick to take a little stroll with me again.     He does not want to go far but at least he gets one or two breaths of fresh air.   

I did my grocery shopping this morning.   Not much to get but we have to get our lottery tickets, you know.   How can we win if we don't have tickets?

I paid some bills and did some desk work and then went over to Rocky Knoll to be with Dick.   I got there for the end of his OT and then we went to lunch.   After lunch, we played Rummy until it was time for PT.
He whipped me again.

PT went very well.  Kevin worked with him today and he walked twice and then stood using a walker and transferred to a bench and then got up from the bench and walked around a corner using the walker.    We are SO excited.    Tim comes on Friday to see how he is doing.   We need the prosthesis on more often so he can be using it for transferring.

I got a haircut at 3PM and then came right home.   Did a bit of quilting chores until it was time to feed Roxie.   She figured that I was WAY late, but no matter what she tells you, I fed her just before 5PM.   Which IS feeding time.

Then I baked some scones and fixed dinner.   Now I am settling down and am hoping to be able to sleep late tomorrow.

God love you

Mary

Today was a beautiful day.   Sunny, warm (74 degrees), blue skies and not windy.    The trees are turning rapidly and the views from the highways as I drive to see Dick at Rocky Knoll are just spectacular.   The sun makes the leaf colors so intense that sometimes they take your breath away.

I stopped at the library on my way over to Rocky Knoll because the Kettle Country Quilters were doing an all day quilting day.   I could not be there all day but dropped off my 6 9 Patches that we all prepared for making lap robes for Christmas to be given to Rocky Knoll.    Then I went and spent the morning with Dick.  After lunch, I went back to the library for the meeting.    I helped in the assembly of a couple of the  lap robe tops and then shared the Brigid  flame with the club.   I had my Brigid wall hanging too so it was a fun share.

I have a laptop to be assembles by the December meeting.   Seems reasonable.   I am also working on Christmas presents and a couple of quilt tops, especially one for me this winter.

After the meeting, I went back to Rocky Knoll as they are now having the cocktail hour at On the Rocks twice a week, Tuesday and Friday.  Dick was finishing therapy when I got there and walked for me.   After On the Rocks, we went outside for a little walk.

Now I am home and ready to be in bed.   I talked to Bret tonight.   He is doing well.   Busy as can be but he has been able to get out to his place at the river regularly.

So until tomorrow, God love you

Mary

This was the strangest day I can think of.   I got up and did a lot of work around the house until it was time to go.   The trouble is that I was supposed to leave at 9AM for Bible Study.    I had that on my list, right in front of me, but my head was thinking 11AM, which is when I usually leave for Rocky Knoll to be with Dick.  

All of a sudden, I looked at the clock and it was 10AM and the fact that it was Monday penetrated my fuzzy brain so I got in the car, which was all loaded for the day, and got to Blessed Trinity just as the group were getting up to say the scattering prayer.    Boy did they laugh at me.   But I am glad I stopped when I did because they were all worried that perhaps something had happened to Dick.  It isn't at all like me to not let them know if I am not coming.

Then I went to Mom's.  We had a couple of bills to pay and had a nice stretch of time to just gab and catch up.   George and Betsy had sent pictures of Shawn's daughter, Beth.    She is adorable.   In one of the pictures she has a smile that lights up the world.  

I left from there to go to Hobby Lobby to have a painting that Matt painted that Mom has had behind a dresser for forever framed.    It is called the Council and I really like it.   I also have a small one that I call the Conquistador if anyone in the family would like to have it.  I like it and will keep it if nobody wants it but I feel a bit greedy having two when he painted so few.

I at lunch at the New China Kitchen then went to the Medical Center to have my first chiropractic appointment in many a year.   I will have to go a few more times, but he does believe that he will be able to bring relief from the pain in my ribs.

Then I went to Rocky Knoll and stayed with Dick until he went down to the dining room for supper before coming home.  I had a light supper and make a couple of phone calls and now, as that doctor appointment really wore me out, am going to bed. Perchance to dream.

I love you all

Mary

Hi Everybody

Bobbie,  I DID pick Chicago in my Fantasy Football League.  I am still WAY behind this week, but the Chicago game will help.  And thank the heavens that the Packers won as I had a LOT riding on them this week.

I went over to Rocky Knoll at 9AM so that I could be on time for Mass and help bring any residents down that needed help.   I put Dick's left prosthesis on before I went down.  The right prosthesis is still only for during therapy, as it has to be built up for usage.  He ended up keeping it on for 6 hours as I took it off just before I left for home at 3PM.

We had lunch together and watched the Bears game.  Bobbie and Bill came during the game and we had a lovely catchup visit.   We are all hoping to hear good news about Jim's surgery on his Achilles tendon.     There is good news on the Deeley front also,  my god daughter, Erin,  Randy's daughter, passed her bar exam in Illinois and is ready to begin practice.   Yippee!!! We are all SO proud.   And she passed on the first time around.

I did a bit of sewing today before giving up for the day.   I am intending to go to bed really early tonight as I am tired and have a super busy day tomorrow.

Please keep praying for Dick as I am still worried about him as he is so weak and is not eating as much as he should be to keep up his strength.  

God love you as we do

Mary

A very full day. 

I made a chicken Waldorf salad, cleaned out one of my desk drawers and pull the tomatoes.  I left here for Rocky Knoll at 11:30AM.   I stopped at the city drop off site with the tomato plants that I pulled out.   The trash people won't take that much plant material.    I am really glad that the drop off is so close.

Dick was not having a really good day.   He is really tired and has very little appetite.   I am hoping that he will get a really good night's sleep and be perkier tomorrow.  

Tonight I went to Ebeneezer Church to listen to Ceol Caidre, an Irish group from Milwaukee, and learn and do some Ceili dancing.    It was so much fun.

I met a fellow Celtic Woman, Linda there and have another lady interested in us.   So along with the fun it was successful.

I am going to bed now.   So will be more wordy tomorrow.

God love you

Mary

Hello World.

I am still tired but had a pretty good day overall.   I got up a bit before 7AM so I could be all ready when Jody got here at 8AM.   I washed the sheets and dried and folded the load that I did last night.   Jody helped me make the bed.   I always appreciate that.  So going to bed tonight will be really nice.  I love crawling between clean sheets.

Kept myself busy until an hour after Jody left, then started out for Rocky Knoll.  Got a bit of a late start because I got a phone call from the John Michael Kohler Art Center and had to check a couple of things out for them.   I dropped off some items at St. Vincent De Paul on my way.    Dick and I had lunch together.   He ate pretty well, I was encouraged.   Yesterday, he did not eat any lunch at all.  I brought my lunch.  I had boiled a tongue.   Some of you may think that is awful, but cold tongue sandwiches are a comfort food from my youth.   We did not have them often but they taste wonderful.   I will be bringing some to Mother tomorrow.   She will be very pleased.

Dick started his PT at about 1:30PM.   He was able to stand up and walk again.    We were very pleased as he is still very weak.   He needs to be able to get up on his feet and get his blood and body really moving.   We need to figure out a way to get him off of that damned bed pan.

I left again at about 3:30PM.   Got gas and dropped a package off at the post office and then got home in time to pick up the mail, check email and feed the cat before Nancy and Warren picked me up to go and shoot our pistol league.    My first two targets were pretty bad but I finally got it all together for the last one.   Icky.   It was nice being there.  Nancy and I are shooting first and then Nancy stays down with Warren while he shoots his targets so I have a chance to visit with my friends.   I enjoy shooting and miss the guys but will still not renew in January as the commitment is too much time away from Dick.

We got a message from Michelle today that Jim had surgery on his Achilles tendon today.   I don't know how it went but please everybody pray for him as he has been in so much pain from this condition.   I know that if anybody knows, Richard knows.   Hopefully, this will correct the problem

So tomorrow will be quiet during the day but I am going to an Irish event at Ebeneezer Church in Sheboygan at 7PM.   Ceol Cairde will be playing and there will be dancing.  Just a nice break.

God love you

Mary

I slept until 7:30AM this morning as I went back to bed after I fed pesty Roxie and went sound asleep again.

I couldn't have anything to eat or drink before I went to Aurora for my CTScan.    This turned out to be much more eventful than I thought it would be.    I got there a bit before 9AM and started drinking the two bottles of Crystal Lite that are required before the scan.   The scan went well and then after checking to see if I was itching anywhere, I was dismissed and walked right over to the lunch area for a cappuchino and a donut.   This was about 10AM and I was starving and wanted to eat and be able to get my teeth scrubbed before going to my dentist appointment.

As I was eating, my back started to itch so I went back to the desk where the technician told me to come right in.  We checked my back and other spots that were by then also feeling itchy and sure enough I had hives.  So I drank a lot of water and sat around for about a half hour until we were sure it would not affect my breathing, then I drove out to Rocky Knoll to have lunch with Dick.

He was not having a good day today either, but I was still pretty shaky and after lunch found out what his problems were and we decided that I had better get home and heal myself and he would solve his problems there.  I picked up benadryl on the way home, took one right away and lay down for a nap.

I did not sleep very well but did rest and am no longer feeling shaky.   I cut out some fabric for a Christmas project that I am working on, so feel the day was somewhat  fruitful.

As it turns out there is nothing new in my CTScan, so I just have to put up with the discomfort.    However, Dr. Murthy has suggested going to a chiropractor for some relief from my joint and rib problems.  I have had good results with chiropractic help before so I have high hopes for that.

So was your day as goofy as mine?

God love you

Mary

It is getting dark so much earlier these days.    The seasons sure are predictable.   Soon we will go into daylight savings time and it will be darker even earlier.   I wonder if I can hold Roxie off until closer to 7AM in the morning when that happens.   I kind of doubt it as she was beating me with her little fist at about 5AM this morning and I don't feed her until 6AM.

Tim from Custom Care drove Dick and me to Aurora in Sheboygan for a consultation with Dr. Kream, the pulmonologist.  We waited what seemed forever.  The appointment was for 9:30, he did not come in until 10:30.  BUT - I, at least, was pleased with the appointment.   He came up with several things to do, such as more nebulizer regularly, making sure that his bed is ALWAYS at a 30degree angle and a stronger diuretic.

He believes that part of the problem is his heart.  There is no really BAD thing.  His heartbeat and function are good, BUT it is enlarged and there seems to be fluid around it.   So. Rocky Knoll will start the orders that Dr. Kream has sent and we will see him again in two weeks.  He will probably ask VNA to change his CPAP machine also.   Apparently they have come a long way since he got his.


I went grocery shopping right after we came back and ate lunch at home.   I got back to Rocky Knoll shortly after 2.  Dick was not feeling too well, but rallied shortly after 3:30 and we went down to On the Rocks and then he was able to do his PT for the day.    That is such a necessity in order to satisfy the Medicare requirements so that we can keep up the therapy.    Not feeling well does not seem like an excuse to be excused.

So, I came home at 5 and have been just puttering since then.  I did do a load of wash for Dick and I cleaned four drawers in my desk.   Just the two back bottom drawers left.

I need to get to bed early as I have a test scheduled for 9AM tomorrow.  Then at 11AM I have a dentist appointment.    I can't eat before the test, so breakfast may just be a dream tomorrow.

God love you

Mary

I slept pretty well last night but had to get up at 6:30AM so that I could get the trash out before leaving for Rocky Knoll.   

Tim from Wisconsin Prosthesis arrived right on time, at 8:30AM.   Dick was still finishing up breakfast.   Dick did some walking and Tim made some adjustments to the prosthesis which should make it more comfortable.   Dick seemed a bit better than he was yesterday afternoon, though he said that when he woke up he couldn't even talk.    The nebulizer treatments do seem to help, and  - Alleluia - we will be seeing the pulmonary specialist in the morning.

I did a couple of errands after he finished the PT part of his therapy after Tim left.   I got back in time to have lunch and then sit in on his OT before we had the family meeting with the social worker, the nurse and therapy.  We now all know how he is doing, really quite well.   There is still a lot to do before he will be ready for home though.

I came home shortly after  the meeting and have been sorting through papers and getting ready for tomorrow. 

Sure am having fun in the fantasy football league.    I tied for first one week, but the other guy had less games wrong so he got it.   BUT I am in number on place overall.     Hope my system keeps working.

How about those Brewers?

All my love

Mary

This was a RAINY morning.  It poured for at lease 4 solid hours.  God was watching over me though because every time I had to be out in the open, it would stop long enough for me to get my errand done and back to the car.    How sweet is that.  

Bible study was fun today.   We have a new member, a lovely lady who used to live in Sheboygan.   We got into a deep discussion on Psalm 37.   That psalm says that God will shelter and give rewards to the just and punish the evil.    Jan our new person said that this is somewhat a problem for her because she cannot justify the fact that mothers around the world, innocent people, watch their children,  the most innocent, die in their arms.   She is going to ask God when she gets up there.   In the meantime, we are going to ask our various priest what the answer is for this.   We all agree that we question these things sometimes.   Faith keeps us where we are and we are among the privileged people, that are NOT hungry or alone.   I'll bet next week will be again a lively discussion.

Mother and I had a lovely visit and we took care of several financial thingies.   She looks really good and was so pretty in her purple velour sweatsuit.

I went right there to Rock Knoll to have Lunch with Dick and spend some time with him as I had scheduled a doctor appointment for myself.    I am concerned with the pain in my rib cage and that darned liver thingy.   When Dick comes home, I have to be able to take care of him.    Dr. Murthy has scheduled a CT Scan for the ribs and liver and is sending me to a chiropractor to help relieve some of the other pains that are arthritic caused.   Makes sense to me.  I also got my flu shot since I was there.

Dick is experiencing pneumonia symptoms again.    The nurses and the doctor are doing everything they can to keep it from blooming.   He is taking inhalation therapy,   they are taking another x-ray and there is a new antibiotic being prescribed.   We just want to get him to Wednesday morning when the pulmonary specialist will see him.   I still think that it is abominable that one has to wait three weeks to see one of them.

He is getting rather disoriented again, which worries me very much.   And he is SO weak.    Tomorrow is a busy day for him again too.  Tim is coming to make adjustments on the prosthesis and we are having a conference to evaluate what has to be done before release.

Pray for us very hard the next two days as it is going to be hard on him.  

So I must get a good night's sleep as last night was not good.    I kept waking up with achy body parts.   Hopefully, I am tired enough tonight to sleep through them.

Take care of your selves as you are all very special to me.

God love you

Mary

Bobbie and Bill are home from their vacation.   They were up north for a week and had a good time despite the cold weather.   Bobbie said that it was 28 degrees one night.   BRRR!   But then we all know that winter is coming.

Bill explained to me what is happening in the baseball Brewers triumph.   The only thing I knew for sure was that the World Series is 7 games.    With a winner at 4 out of the 7 games.    Now I know that there are two playoff scenarios,  one with 5 games ( 3 out of 5 ) and one of 7 games ( 4 out of 7).   So there is a LONG way to go but what a year our Brewers have had.   The Brewers won today too.   What a season they are having.

I got to Rocky Knoll at 9AM and went down at about 9:30AM after putting Dick's prosthesis on to help bring the residents down for Mass.    It was, again a lovely Mass.   It is so nice to interact with the residents, especially at the sharing of Peace.    I am worried about one gentleman who seemed to be distressed today when usually he his so much at peace.  I do not know his name and do not need to but pray for him because he seems so gentle.

We had lunch with Bobbie and Bill there visiting.   It was so nice.   We have missed them, you know.  

Dick seemed to be experiencing a bit more pain in his chest and his right knee.   He is being treated with the nebulizer for his chest pain.   We just want to hang on until Wednesday when he has the appointment with the pulmonary specialist.    I still find it abominable that it takes three weeks to get an appointment with one.   He COULD have been in the hospital two times with pneumonia based on the past two months history.

Anyway, he seems a bit weaker and the visit with the pulminologist is becoming much more pertinant.  

I came home at about 3PM, just in time to watch the Packer game.   Boy was that good.    The Bears did play well but we Packers prevailed so I am a happy camper.     At this point I am in the number one position on the Guessathon Fantasy Football.   If the Steelers  win tonight, I think I am a cinch.   Of course, I may be off as I did not check ALL the other players guesses.   I am tied for first right now but I only have three wrong vs. four wrong by Fabian.

That was the day.  I finished by doing some cutting out for a sewing project that I want to get done by Christmas.    I am now all ready to assemble as soon as I get the backing material that I need.   I will do that Wednesday as the Sewing Basket is having an "event" that day and I might as well get in on that.

So until tomorrow.   Hope your weekend was as wonderful.   The rain today was heavy and welcome.  

God love you

Mary