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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mary

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

Love

Mary

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

Mary

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

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

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

Love Mary

Thought you might enjoy this.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have a nice Tuesday.

Love

Mary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love

Mary

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

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

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

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

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


Love Mary

Men's Translations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So. Hope your Friday is a nice one.

Love

Mary

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

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


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

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

Sleep tight

Mary

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

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

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

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

That is all for now. Love you all.

Mary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

Love

Mary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mary

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

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

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

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

Have a nice Sunday.

Love

Mary

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

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

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

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

Have a super holiday weekend.

Love

Mary

We had a very nice day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love

Mary

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

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

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

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

Love

Mary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Til tomorrow

Mary

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

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

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

Anyway we had a lot to say.

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


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

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

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

Have a good day.

All my love

Mary

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

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

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

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

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

Love
Mary