Things have gone very well today. I slept until 6:15AM and Chelsea and I had a very pleasant walk. It was a bit over 60 degrees which is good walking weather. Chelsea is a bouncy young pup on these walks but she spends most of the rest of the day sleeping. I can see her getting weaker. Tonight she slept almost 30 minutes past her normal dinner time. A first.
We sure like our little girl.
Dick had a good day. We have had no more severe bleeding incidents. There were a few spots during the day but nothing to be concerned about. A Diane from the Visiting Nurses Association came this morning and checked Dick out. She even changed the dressing on his right foot after she checked it out. So I had a day of just making sure Dick was OK on getting to and from the bathroom and bed.
My only excitement was going to the drug store. That turned out to be easy. Dick had "tried" to order his diabetic testing strips and a med online but got cut off. SO we were resigned to going through fiery hoops and lots of time before we were able to get the strips etc. When I got there, I started to explain my problem to the pharmacist and he just smiled and said that the prescriptions were ready. Apparently it had registered. Than heavens. He knew my concern as Medicare and diabetic testing stuff CAN be a real bear. But we are all set anyway. I told the guy he made my day. Then I picked up CHESLEA's preseriptions and went to the Pig to get some groceries and stamps.
I arrived home just as a delivery truck from Rick's Florests was dropping off a beautiful plant. It is a gift from Nora and Leif to brighten our home and indeed it has. It is beautiful and is a plant, I believe called Mother in Law Tongue, that I have been able to get to survive. I hope so as it is much to pretty to die.
Have a nice Saturday.
Love
Mary
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
A LONG day. I actually got to sleep until 5:15 this morning but it was still way to early. I was so sound asleep when Dick woke me. We left for the hospital at 6:45AM. Kate came with us. She says that someone told her once that she was a lucky charm and perhaps she is.
The surgery went well according to the doctor, the anesthesiologist and the nurses. Because of the numbness in his legs, they numbed his foot by doing shots in the five major nerves and then sedating him, but not putting him totally under which helped him not get nauseous. They sent us home at about noon. The foot is all wrapped up mummy fashion, so we have not seen what it looks like. Dr. Fehrman said that he is pretty sure that he has accomplished what he wanted to, he was able to incorporate enough skin and flesh to form a surgical scar, the hole is gone and now hopefully it will heal. I hope so. The nurses and all the staff were SO solicitous. We were treated with concern and kindness. We are lucky to have such a caring institution in Sheboygan.
I am actually now concerned about the other wound. It is still shallow but that blister that formed needs to be trimmed and Dr. Moreno is out of town. I keep cleaning it and putting on the medicine but really want it looked at.
Jim and Michelle had cleaned house while we were gone this morning and came over to check on Dick when we got home. I fixed some grilled cheese for us to snack on. Then everybody left and Dick laid down for a bit. His foot started bleeding through the bandage and I called the nurse. They said to keep wrapping it. So I did and that seems to have stopped it. Everything is supposed to stay on until Tuesday when we go to see Dr. Fehrman again. I am glad that the VNA nurse is coming tomorrow, as I will feel better if there is a professional to ask questions of. I am also running low on some supplies and they bring them.
I fixed lasagna for dinner. Tonight, Bart and Richard both called and Bobbie and Nora and Jeff and Kathy emailed. It is so nice to hear from people and to feel the prayers and love that are supporting us. This still a scary time but we feel better today than yesterday. I am exhausted and intend to take a hot bath to soak some of the aches out of my bones and then go to bed. I will miss some of the speeches but am just too tired to care.
We watched most of the Packer Game, though I fell asleep during part of that too. Not too impressive but they were playing second and third string most of the time and there were a couple of really exciting plays.
Take care. Tomorrow will be a day for quiet and healing.
Love
Mary
The surgery went well according to the doctor, the anesthesiologist and the nurses. Because of the numbness in his legs, they numbed his foot by doing shots in the five major nerves and then sedating him, but not putting him totally under which helped him not get nauseous. They sent us home at about noon. The foot is all wrapped up mummy fashion, so we have not seen what it looks like. Dr. Fehrman said that he is pretty sure that he has accomplished what he wanted to, he was able to incorporate enough skin and flesh to form a surgical scar, the hole is gone and now hopefully it will heal. I hope so. The nurses and all the staff were SO solicitous. We were treated with concern and kindness. We are lucky to have such a caring institution in Sheboygan.
I am actually now concerned about the other wound. It is still shallow but that blister that formed needs to be trimmed and Dr. Moreno is out of town. I keep cleaning it and putting on the medicine but really want it looked at.
Jim and Michelle had cleaned house while we were gone this morning and came over to check on Dick when we got home. I fixed some grilled cheese for us to snack on. Then everybody left and Dick laid down for a bit. His foot started bleeding through the bandage and I called the nurse. They said to keep wrapping it. So I did and that seems to have stopped it. Everything is supposed to stay on until Tuesday when we go to see Dr. Fehrman again. I am glad that the VNA nurse is coming tomorrow, as I will feel better if there is a professional to ask questions of. I am also running low on some supplies and they bring them.
I fixed lasagna for dinner. Tonight, Bart and Richard both called and Bobbie and Nora and Jeff and Kathy emailed. It is so nice to hear from people and to feel the prayers and love that are supporting us. This still a scary time but we feel better today than yesterday. I am exhausted and intend to take a hot bath to soak some of the aches out of my bones and then go to bed. I will miss some of the speeches but am just too tired to care.
We watched most of the Packer Game, though I fell asleep during part of that too. Not too impressive but they were playing second and third string most of the time and there were a couple of really exciting plays.
Take care. Tomorrow will be a day for quiet and healing.
Love
Mary
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Hello at the end of this very, very long day.
We had to get up at 4:30AM so that we could get Dick to Sheboygan Memorial by 6:30AM for check in.
I just staggered out of bed and into the shower, then took Chelsea for he walk. IN THE DARK. Doesn't bother her but I am not thrilled with that scenario. We got out of here on time anyway. They checked him in at the front desk and the next hour was spent preparing him for the procedure. Everything was on time anyway. When you are the first or second there is less chance for delays because of complications. So He was back in the room by about 9:30AM or so. Then his "suffering" began. It is SO difficult for him to lie on his back and lie on his back he must - for four hours - which is just agony for him. Dr. Siddique had prescribed morphine and a tilted bed for him which helped immensely.
I HAD planned on zipping home to walk Chelsea at about noon, but Dr. Siddique had promised Dick that he would come up to talk to me about the results and it took much longer than we had anticipated for him to arrive. So, I started to worry and called Jim and Michelle, who, thank God, were between errands and went over to walk the poor little old lady dog. They also came over at about 4:30PM. and walked and fed her. This was so great because Chelsea, though naturally very happy to see us, was not frantic.
Anyway, Dr. Siddique said that everything went very well. An area between two stints had plugged and he opened it up. We are to call his nurse in about two months after he is healed from the surgery tomorrow and she will order another ultra sound so he can evaluate the need for more vein surgery. Sufficient unto the day. We will need to rest and Dick needs to heal.
So we finally got out of there at about 4:30PM and got home at about 5. We are exhausted.
I went grocery shopping and to get gas. I picked up a rotissary chicken for dinner. They are really good and SO tender. I will make a chicken salad and perhaps a casserole with the leftovers. A WHOLE chicken is several meals for us.
I really feel comforted. Several people have called to see how Dick did. It makes me feel not so alone. Tomorrow is the more major of the surgeries, but the shortest time in the hospital. We are being told he will be released around noon. My friend Kate is going to go with me and sit with me. I am SO glad.
All that is left tonight is to dress Dick's wounds and get a fresh sleeve and wrap on the right leg.
The Sheboygan County Fair has started and this weekend is also Harley's weekend. So the county is going to be really humming. We, however, will hole up in our little house and just watch Dick heal. Pray for us.
I will add a story that has been floating around the internet for a while. It reappeared this week and really IS funny.
Love Mary
> A little guy is sitting at the bar just staring at his drink
> for half an hour when
> this big trouble-making biker steps next to him, grabs his
> drink, gulps it down
> in one swig and then turns to the guy with a menacing
> stare as if to say,
> What'cha gonna do
> about it??
>
>
> The
> poor little guy starts crying.
>
>
> 'Come
> on, man. I was just giving you a hard time,' the biker
> says. 'I didn't think
> you'd CRY. I can't stand to see a man
> crying.'
>
>
> 'This is the worst day of my life,' says the little
> guy between sobs.
> 'I can't do anything right. I overslept and was
> late to an important meeting, so
> my boss fired me. When I went to the parking lot, I found
> my car was stolen and
> I don't have any insurance. I left my wallet in the cab
> I took home. I found my
> wife in bed with the gardener and my dog bit me. So I came
> to this bar trying to
> work up the courage to put an end to my life, and then you
> show up and drink the
> damn poison.
We had to get up at 4:30AM so that we could get Dick to Sheboygan Memorial by 6:30AM for check in.
I just staggered out of bed and into the shower, then took Chelsea for he walk. IN THE DARK. Doesn't bother her but I am not thrilled with that scenario. We got out of here on time anyway. They checked him in at the front desk and the next hour was spent preparing him for the procedure. Everything was on time anyway. When you are the first or second there is less chance for delays because of complications. So He was back in the room by about 9:30AM or so. Then his "suffering" began. It is SO difficult for him to lie on his back and lie on his back he must - for four hours - which is just agony for him. Dr. Siddique had prescribed morphine and a tilted bed for him which helped immensely.
I HAD planned on zipping home to walk Chelsea at about noon, but Dr. Siddique had promised Dick that he would come up to talk to me about the results and it took much longer than we had anticipated for him to arrive. So, I started to worry and called Jim and Michelle, who, thank God, were between errands and went over to walk the poor little old lady dog. They also came over at about 4:30PM. and walked and fed her. This was so great because Chelsea, though naturally very happy to see us, was not frantic.
Anyway, Dr. Siddique said that everything went very well. An area between two stints had plugged and he opened it up. We are to call his nurse in about two months after he is healed from the surgery tomorrow and she will order another ultra sound so he can evaluate the need for more vein surgery. Sufficient unto the day. We will need to rest and Dick needs to heal.
So we finally got out of there at about 4:30PM and got home at about 5. We are exhausted.
I went grocery shopping and to get gas. I picked up a rotissary chicken for dinner. They are really good and SO tender. I will make a chicken salad and perhaps a casserole with the leftovers. A WHOLE chicken is several meals for us.
I really feel comforted. Several people have called to see how Dick did. It makes me feel not so alone. Tomorrow is the more major of the surgeries, but the shortest time in the hospital. We are being told he will be released around noon. My friend Kate is going to go with me and sit with me. I am SO glad.
All that is left tonight is to dress Dick's wounds and get a fresh sleeve and wrap on the right leg.
The Sheboygan County Fair has started and this weekend is also Harley's weekend. So the county is going to be really humming. We, however, will hole up in our little house and just watch Dick heal. Pray for us.
I will add a story that has been floating around the internet for a while. It reappeared this week and really IS funny.
Love Mary
> A little guy is sitting at the bar just staring at his drink
> for half an hour when
> this big trouble-making biker steps next to him, grabs his
> drink, gulps it down
> in one swig and then turns to the guy with a menacing
> stare as if to say,
> What'cha gonna do
> about it??
>
>
> The
> poor little guy starts crying.
>
>
> 'Come
> on, man. I was just giving you a hard time,' the biker
> says. 'I didn't think
> you'd CRY. I can't stand to see a man
> crying.'
>
>
> 'This is the worst day of my life,' says the little
> guy between sobs.
> 'I can't do anything right. I overslept and was
> late to an important meeting, so
> my boss fired me. When I went to the parking lot, I found
> my car was stolen and
> I don't have any insurance. I left my wallet in the cab
> I took home. I found my
> wife in bed with the gardener and my dog bit me. So I came
> to this bar trying to
> work up the courage to put an end to my life, and then you
> show up and drink the
> damn poison.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
It is getting closer and closer to two kind of icky days. Tomorrow Dick has another stint. He is not looking forward to that. And to top it off the past couple of days, the wound has been seeping every time he walks on it. I cannot get it tight enough to stop the bleeding. This has been very hard on both of us. I hope that tomorrow, they can get it to stop.
We have to be at the hospital at 6:30AM for an 8AM procedure with Dr. Siddique. We are both getting pretty discouraged.
Thursday we have to be there at 7:15AM for an 8:45AM surgery. He is an outpatient there too and they expect that we will have him home about 12PM. WOW! They take off a toe and send him home right away. I hope they give me LOTS of directions and stuff. I am sure glad that I asked Rachel to send someone on Friday. I am going to be quite insecure.
My friend, Kate Herman, called and asked if I wanted her to go with us on Thursday. Since she asked, I said yes. I am really kind of scared and it will be nice to have someone with me while Dick is in his surgery.
Today was otherwise, kind of quiet. I went to the store for the lottery tickets and to the bank and Walgreens. Then we took Dick to the Clinic for his pre surgery lab tests this afternoon. The rest of the day, I did some CWI stuff and made some detergent and moved stuff off of the deck because they are going to stain them.
Now I am very tired both physically and mentally. I will be so glad when all of this is over. I can't believe that they are sending Dick home without a toe in less than 6 hours total though.
It is going to be OK though. I have people praying for us all over this nation and I know that prayers are answered. There is a quote. "See how I have loved you. I have carved you in the palm of my hand."
Tomorrow night I hope things are happier.
Love
Mary
We have to be at the hospital at 6:30AM for an 8AM procedure with Dr. Siddique. We are both getting pretty discouraged.
Thursday we have to be there at 7:15AM for an 8:45AM surgery. He is an outpatient there too and they expect that we will have him home about 12PM. WOW! They take off a toe and send him home right away. I hope they give me LOTS of directions and stuff. I am sure glad that I asked Rachel to send someone on Friday. I am going to be quite insecure.
My friend, Kate Herman, called and asked if I wanted her to go with us on Thursday. Since she asked, I said yes. I am really kind of scared and it will be nice to have someone with me while Dick is in his surgery.
Today was otherwise, kind of quiet. I went to the store for the lottery tickets and to the bank and Walgreens. Then we took Dick to the Clinic for his pre surgery lab tests this afternoon. The rest of the day, I did some CWI stuff and made some detergent and moved stuff off of the deck because they are going to stain them.
Now I am very tired both physically and mentally. I will be so glad when all of this is over. I can't believe that they are sending Dick home without a toe in less than 6 hours total though.
It is going to be OK though. I have people praying for us all over this nation and I know that prayers are answered. There is a quote. "See how I have loved you. I have carved you in the palm of my hand."
Tomorrow night I hope things are happier.
Love
Mary
Monday, August 25, 2008
A full day. I got up shortly after 6AM and Chelsea and I went walking. We were not alone today. Several other walkers are taking advantage of this beautiful weather. It was in the low 50s and nice and clear.
When we got home, I made a few calls to health care providers. I left messages, BUT two of them got back to me before I left for bible study. I reached Rachel, our VNA nurse, and she will have a nurse come out on Friday, instead of tomorrow, as I think I really would like someone the day after Dick's surgery. He is an outpatient and will probably come home right away on Thursday. I reached the surgery department this afternoon and they will let us know tomorrow, what time he has to be there and what to expect.
Tomorrow, I am going to Sheboygan Clinic to attend a Diabetes Education program called Plentiful Produce, which will cue us in on using the produce that is pouring into our world at this time of year. Then I have to take Dick for lab tests.
At 9AM, I went to bible study. There were 8 of us. We said special prayers for our friend, Judy Hendrickson, who died yesterday and her husband Gary. They were both in choir with me. But my fondest memory of Judy is at the end of one of our Parish Picnics. We were standing at the food table, dishing the last of the bars and cookies out to kids, free, and we kind of leaned back and looked at all these healthy children and both of us marveled and thanked God for all of them, so beautiful, healthy and charming. A moment of joy, shared. God has a special place for Judy.
I visited Mom. She had two letters from Nora for me to read. The first was about their boat tour in Europe. They had such a great time. The other is telling about their tentative schedule to be in Wisconsin in mid September. Leif's fraternity is having a big reunion along with another Madison celebration. They will have three or four days in Sheboygan county also. I hope I can have them over for a meal. I love cooking for people. By then Dick will be feeling much better. God willing. Then Nora called this afternoon, what a joy. My brothers and sisters are really rallying around. It is so comforting to feel the support and love.
At four I went over to Kate's and we got on a CWI conference call. It was very productive. We had nine of the board members on the like which is a good majority. I will be the president next year, starting at the end of January. There is a general meeting on September 13, in Chicago. I told them that I would be unable to attend, because I can't leave Dick that soon, but they will hook me up on a conference call, so I can be a part of the meeting. I told them that I want my presidency to concentrate of starting new branches around the country and the world, if possible. I have been working on putting together the steps Plymouth, me and Kate, did to get the quite active branch in Sheboygan County going. I will finish it and send it to Maureen and she will add her ideas and the things that she has done. We can then get it in a format that we can share with people who want to start branches.
Than home for the evening. I grilled a stuffed hamburger for our dinner, served along with a fresh batch of my potato salad. Num Num.
Talked to Bret tonight too. Just needed to hear him say, "Don't worry,Mom. It will be OKAY."
A quote from a little booklet that I found on retreat. "Don't sing for anyone else, except maybe for God. Sing for YOURSELF. Sing for the delight in it. Hum your way from parking place to work. Hum on your coffee break or even as you work. Let yourself enjoy this expression of your soul." I learned this from my Mother. And I hum and sing all the time, I am sure to the annoyance of many.
Love
Mary
Mary
When we got home, I made a few calls to health care providers. I left messages, BUT two of them got back to me before I left for bible study. I reached Rachel, our VNA nurse, and she will have a nurse come out on Friday, instead of tomorrow, as I think I really would like someone the day after Dick's surgery. He is an outpatient and will probably come home right away on Thursday. I reached the surgery department this afternoon and they will let us know tomorrow, what time he has to be there and what to expect.
Tomorrow, I am going to Sheboygan Clinic to attend a Diabetes Education program called Plentiful Produce, which will cue us in on using the produce that is pouring into our world at this time of year. Then I have to take Dick for lab tests.
At 9AM, I went to bible study. There were 8 of us. We said special prayers for our friend, Judy Hendrickson, who died yesterday and her husband Gary. They were both in choir with me. But my fondest memory of Judy is at the end of one of our Parish Picnics. We were standing at the food table, dishing the last of the bars and cookies out to kids, free, and we kind of leaned back and looked at all these healthy children and both of us marveled and thanked God for all of them, so beautiful, healthy and charming. A moment of joy, shared. God has a special place for Judy.
I visited Mom. She had two letters from Nora for me to read. The first was about their boat tour in Europe. They had such a great time. The other is telling about their tentative schedule to be in Wisconsin in mid September. Leif's fraternity is having a big reunion along with another Madison celebration. They will have three or four days in Sheboygan county also. I hope I can have them over for a meal. I love cooking for people. By then Dick will be feeling much better. God willing. Then Nora called this afternoon, what a joy. My brothers and sisters are really rallying around. It is so comforting to feel the support and love.
At four I went over to Kate's and we got on a CWI conference call. It was very productive. We had nine of the board members on the like which is a good majority. I will be the president next year, starting at the end of January. There is a general meeting on September 13, in Chicago. I told them that I would be unable to attend, because I can't leave Dick that soon, but they will hook me up on a conference call, so I can be a part of the meeting. I told them that I want my presidency to concentrate of starting new branches around the country and the world, if possible. I have been working on putting together the steps Plymouth, me and Kate, did to get the quite active branch in Sheboygan County going. I will finish it and send it to Maureen and she will add her ideas and the things that she has done. We can then get it in a format that we can share with people who want to start branches.
Than home for the evening. I grilled a stuffed hamburger for our dinner, served along with a fresh batch of my potato salad. Num Num.
Talked to Bret tonight too. Just needed to hear him say, "Don't worry,Mom. It will be OKAY."
A quote from a little booklet that I found on retreat. "Don't sing for anyone else, except maybe for God. Sing for YOURSELF. Sing for the delight in it. Hum your way from parking place to work. Hum on your coffee break or even as you work. Let yourself enjoy this expression of your soul." I learned this from my Mother. And I hum and sing all the time, I am sure to the annoyance of many.
Love
Mary
Mary
Sunday, August 24, 2008
A perfectly lovely Sunday. The only place I had to go was to Bobbie and Bill's to feed my baby kitties. Jim and Michelle rode along with me this afternoon. That made it a little easier. They seem glad to see me. Of course, I am feeding them and that is probably why. But I got to pet them and cuddle them for a bit.
The rest of the day was REALLY full. I washed several loads. We got a notice that they are going to power wash and stain the decks this week so they need to be empty or the doers will pass us by. I moved most of the plants to the front porch and will get the rest tomorrow.All that is left is the table and chairs, the fryer and two BIG plants. I can pretty much put those things on a plastic sheet in the bedroom.
I had an excess of several spring vegetables too. So I froze some tomatoes, zucchini and beans. Thin I boiled eggs and potatoes for a potato salad for tomorrow.
Michelle called early this afternoon offering to bring dinner over tonight. She made a chicken, brocolli, cheese casserole. It was truly delicious.
And that was the day.
Another week started. Wednesday and Thursday are the BIG medical days for Dick. Please keep us in your prayers.
Love.
Mary
The rest of the day was REALLY full. I washed several loads. We got a notice that they are going to power wash and stain the decks this week so they need to be empty or the doers will pass us by. I moved most of the plants to the front porch and will get the rest tomorrow.All that is left is the table and chairs, the fryer and two BIG plants. I can pretty much put those things on a plastic sheet in the bedroom.
I had an excess of several spring vegetables too. So I froze some tomatoes, zucchini and beans. Thin I boiled eggs and potatoes for a potato salad for tomorrow.
Michelle called early this afternoon offering to bring dinner over tonight. She made a chicken, brocolli, cheese casserole. It was truly delicious.
And that was the day.
Another week started. Wednesday and Thursday are the BIG medical days for Dick. Please keep us in your prayers.
Love.
Mary
Saturday, August 23, 2008
This was a strange day. Chelsea and I had our walk, of course, but had to cut it short because we were trucking along pretty good when I heard thunder in the sky so I decided that we had better get home. Thunder can be an indication of lightening AND heavy rain and I did not want to be stuck out in that. Chelsea is so deaf that she does not hear thunder any more, but she is an agreeable little thing and if I head back that is where we go.
I picked up Kate at about 9AM and we went to get the Share and sign up for next month. That went well, I picked up Jim and Michelle's Share also as Jim had a doctor's appointment this morning at about the same time. Then Kate wanted to go and get some breakfast so I went with her and I had a cup of coffee as I had already eaten. Then we hooked Dick up to the sequential for his first session. Then after lunch, I cleaned his legs and wounds and rewrapped the legs. The wrapping with the tubes IS keeping the swelling down.
At about 2:30 I left to go to Bobbie and Bill's to feed my kitties. They are on vacation. I also got to glean from Bobbie's garden. The tomatoes are marvelous. The plants themselves got a fungus and Bobbie is really irritated, but the tomatoes that had already set are just fine and delicious. My kitties seemed glad to see me and let me pet them and hold them. I miss them so very much. Maybe if we get the by law changed, I can have them back by Christmas. I sure hope so. I makes me so sad without them.
Jim and Michelle had to take their Boots to the veterinarian today. We now know that there is NOT a Vet on call in Plymouth on Saturday or Sunday. They had to take him to Port Washington. He had blood in his urine and is now set up with pain pills and they will probably have to change is food after they see the vet again next week. Poor little guy.
After I left my kitties, I went directly to church for mass. Now, tomorrow, the only thing I will have to do is go to take care of the kitties in the afternoon. Jim and Michelle are going with me. Maybe that will be easier.
Here is a quote from Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul by a Jean Cocteau about Kitties. "I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul."
The evening has been quiet. I called Bart and Barb because I had not heard from them for a while and then my brother George called. It is good to have people who care about you call. I am just tired.
We had pork and lima beans for supper. Was that ever good. I prepare the lima beans with cheese and cream of mushroom soup and it is SO good.
Tomorrow will be quiet and maybe I can settle my soul.
Love
Mary
I picked up Kate at about 9AM and we went to get the Share and sign up for next month. That went well, I picked up Jim and Michelle's Share also as Jim had a doctor's appointment this morning at about the same time. Then Kate wanted to go and get some breakfast so I went with her and I had a cup of coffee as I had already eaten. Then we hooked Dick up to the sequential for his first session. Then after lunch, I cleaned his legs and wounds and rewrapped the legs. The wrapping with the tubes IS keeping the swelling down.
At about 2:30 I left to go to Bobbie and Bill's to feed my kitties. They are on vacation. I also got to glean from Bobbie's garden. The tomatoes are marvelous. The plants themselves got a fungus and Bobbie is really irritated, but the tomatoes that had already set are just fine and delicious. My kitties seemed glad to see me and let me pet them and hold them. I miss them so very much. Maybe if we get the by law changed, I can have them back by Christmas. I sure hope so. I makes me so sad without them.
Jim and Michelle had to take their Boots to the veterinarian today. We now know that there is NOT a Vet on call in Plymouth on Saturday or Sunday. They had to take him to Port Washington. He had blood in his urine and is now set up with pain pills and they will probably have to change is food after they see the vet again next week. Poor little guy.
After I left my kitties, I went directly to church for mass. Now, tomorrow, the only thing I will have to do is go to take care of the kitties in the afternoon. Jim and Michelle are going with me. Maybe that will be easier.
Here is a quote from Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul by a Jean Cocteau about Kitties. "I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul."
The evening has been quiet. I called Bart and Barb because I had not heard from them for a while and then my brother George called. It is good to have people who care about you call. I am just tired.
We had pork and lima beans for supper. Was that ever good. I prepare the lima beans with cheese and cream of mushroom soup and it is SO good.
Tomorrow will be quiet and maybe I can settle my soul.
Love
Mary
Friday, August 22, 2008
This was warm humid day. The temps were not too bad but the air was heavy. I spent the morning catching up on emails to people that I owed them to. And I got Dick on the sequential compressor once. Did I tell you that when walking the other morning, I saw a tree that has allowed one of its branches to turn color already? What is that all about, it is only mid August, way too early.
This noon, I joined the bank people at Dairy Queen. That was a pleasant break. While I was out, I picked up Dick's prescription and a couple of bargains at Walgreens. Then this afternoon, we changed Dick's dressings and did another compression before the kids came over. Jim and Michelle cleaned AND helped me get my database address books into a place where I can print them again. So along with cleaning, they had to be technicians and then cooks and card players too. Whew. What WOULD we do without them.
My friend Nancy picked me up at 4:15PM and we went out to Rhine to shoot pistol. Then we ate at Culvers before going to her house to visit for a while. We go back a long way as we graduated from high school together and were in the same school from kindergarten on, though not always in the same class. The only years we were not in the same school were the two and a half years I spent in the convent.
We did come to the conclusion that we were in different kindergarten classes as she remembers one of her classmates coming to school in a pink tutu and doing a ballet dance for the class. I would have remembered that for sure. We always have a lot to talk about past and present. It is good to have such friends around. On the way home we swung by Culvers and picked up a scoop of Oreo Landscape custard for Dick. He was pleased. I like to bring him treats.
I have been reading about Travels through Celtic Holy Ground also referred to as "Thin Places". This is a very interesting concept. To quote, my first source. A 'thin place' is a place where the veil between this world and the Other world is thin, the Other world is more near.' Cemeteries can be such places and I believe I felt one when I was soaring up above the ground in the parasail many years ago.
Take care and have a good weekend.
Mary
This noon, I joined the bank people at Dairy Queen. That was a pleasant break. While I was out, I picked up Dick's prescription and a couple of bargains at Walgreens. Then this afternoon, we changed Dick's dressings and did another compression before the kids came over. Jim and Michelle cleaned AND helped me get my database address books into a place where I can print them again. So along with cleaning, they had to be technicians and then cooks and card players too. Whew. What WOULD we do without them.
My friend Nancy picked me up at 4:15PM and we went out to Rhine to shoot pistol. Then we ate at Culvers before going to her house to visit for a while. We go back a long way as we graduated from high school together and were in the same school from kindergarten on, though not always in the same class. The only years we were not in the same school were the two and a half years I spent in the convent.
We did come to the conclusion that we were in different kindergarten classes as she remembers one of her classmates coming to school in a pink tutu and doing a ballet dance for the class. I would have remembered that for sure. We always have a lot to talk about past and present. It is good to have such friends around. On the way home we swung by Culvers and picked up a scoop of Oreo Landscape custard for Dick. He was pleased. I like to bring him treats.
I have been reading about Travels through Celtic Holy Ground also referred to as "Thin Places". This is a very interesting concept. To quote, my first source. A 'thin place' is a place where the veil between this world and the Other world is thin, the Other world is more near.' Cemeteries can be such places and I believe I felt one when I was soaring up above the ground in the parasail many years ago.
Take care and have a good weekend.
Mary
Thursday, August 21, 2008
A rather quiet day after yesterdays cleaning frenzy.
I slept until almost 6:30AM. It was kind of cool again, in the upper 50s. Nice for walking.
I picked Mom up at 9:30Am and took her to see Dr. Nytes to have her hearing aids checked and cleaned. The doctor upped the volume a little bit and gave her some tips as to how to adjust them. I think this will help Mom. I went in with her because as Kathy Keyes told me once, Four ears are better than two.
Got home in time for lunch and then spent the afternoon kind of writing and puttering around. This evening, heard from Jim and Michelle, they were answering phones for a telethon for the 106FM CAP fund and were on the internet to be viewed, so we watched them for a while. They sure have a wonderful TV presence. We called and pledged a bit to the fund.
When they got home, they brought us treats. Muffins and cookies. Guess what we are having for breakfast tomorrow.
Love
Mary
I slept until almost 6:30AM. It was kind of cool again, in the upper 50s. Nice for walking.
I picked Mom up at 9:30Am and took her to see Dr. Nytes to have her hearing aids checked and cleaned. The doctor upped the volume a little bit and gave her some tips as to how to adjust them. I think this will help Mom. I went in with her because as Kathy Keyes told me once, Four ears are better than two.
Got home in time for lunch and then spent the afternoon kind of writing and puttering around. This evening, heard from Jim and Michelle, they were answering phones for a telethon for the 106FM CAP fund and were on the internet to be viewed, so we watched them for a while. They sure have a wonderful TV presence. We called and pledged a bit to the fund.
When they got home, they brought us treats. Muffins and cookies. Guess what we are having for breakfast tomorrow.
Love
Mary
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
A rather nice day. Pleasant temperatures and a lot accomplished. I even got to sleep til almost 6:30AM. Dick shut Chelsea out of the room for a while which helped. They were putting the second layer of blacktop on Highview today. This turned out to be very traumatic for me. The crew blocked off ALL ways out of Tallgrass. One had to kind of just be ready to go out or in whatever of the three ways they had open. It took a mind reader. I am not handling stress very well these days but I believe that the worst is over now.
I went grocery shopping at about 8:30AM. All went well. I got home by 10AM having shopped, stopped at the bank AND filled the gas tank on the car. When I got home we got Dick hooked up to his compression machine. We got all three sessions in today and changed the dressings and re wrapped the legs. The swelling is a bit down so we will continue with the wraps.
I went to Rhine for lunch. It was the bust up party for the summer league. I was only able to shoot once because of the sore neck and arm, but figured that I might as well enjoy the bust up. Good thing I did. Doc needed help cleaning up the kitchen. He asked if I had time and since I arrived close to the end and had about a hour I was able to help him. I brought home some Sloppy Joe mix and potato salad. That will be a good meal for Dick, Jim and Michelle on Friday. I have rolls.
I got to stay home the rest of the day and even got a little nap. I also canned a couple of jars of refrigerator pickles and worked on some of the computer projects that I HAVE to get done by the weekend. I need to finish a writeup for the worship folder for Celtic Mass and I need to get a quick letter off to my CWI group.
Friday, Nancy and I are going to go out to Rhine and shoot some pistol. We can take our time and then go somewhere for a sandwich or something.
Tomorrow, I only have one errand. I will be driving Mother to see Dr. Nytes, her ear doctor. She needs her hearing aid checked. The NEW one seems to be having a volume control problem and they both need cleaning.
The rest of the day is mine, I hope.
We had Kraft Tangy Spaghetti for supper tonight. Dick has been hungry for that for a while, so I decided that this was a good night for it. That is about the best package spaghetti around.
Have a nice Thursday.
Mary
Here is a quote from Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul that I found really touching. A Steve Smith wrote this in his story. "Chris was the archetypal freckle-faced little guy with missing teeth and chubby cheeks. He had the knack of looking sad and pitiful even when he was happy. When he was broken hearted, the angels held their breath."
I went grocery shopping at about 8:30AM. All went well. I got home by 10AM having shopped, stopped at the bank AND filled the gas tank on the car. When I got home we got Dick hooked up to his compression machine. We got all three sessions in today and changed the dressings and re wrapped the legs. The swelling is a bit down so we will continue with the wraps.
I went to Rhine for lunch. It was the bust up party for the summer league. I was only able to shoot once because of the sore neck and arm, but figured that I might as well enjoy the bust up. Good thing I did. Doc needed help cleaning up the kitchen. He asked if I had time and since I arrived close to the end and had about a hour I was able to help him. I brought home some Sloppy Joe mix and potato salad. That will be a good meal for Dick, Jim and Michelle on Friday. I have rolls.
I got to stay home the rest of the day and even got a little nap. I also canned a couple of jars of refrigerator pickles and worked on some of the computer projects that I HAVE to get done by the weekend. I need to finish a writeup for the worship folder for Celtic Mass and I need to get a quick letter off to my CWI group.
Friday, Nancy and I are going to go out to Rhine and shoot some pistol. We can take our time and then go somewhere for a sandwich or something.
Tomorrow, I only have one errand. I will be driving Mother to see Dr. Nytes, her ear doctor. She needs her hearing aid checked. The NEW one seems to be having a volume control problem and they both need cleaning.
The rest of the day is mine, I hope.
We had Kraft Tangy Spaghetti for supper tonight. Dick has been hungry for that for a while, so I decided that this was a good night for it. That is about the best package spaghetti around.
Have a nice Thursday.
Mary
Here is a quote from Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul that I found really touching. A Steve Smith wrote this in his story. "Chris was the archetypal freckle-faced little guy with missing teeth and chubby cheeks. He had the knack of looking sad and pitiful even when he was happy. When he was broken hearted, the angels held their breath."
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
What a day. I am exhausted. I woke up at about 6AM and Chelsea and I had a lovely walk. It looks like they are working on Highview Avenue again. They oiled the road and I hope they put another layer of blacktop soon because there are big bumps at all the intersections and the cars really get bumped around.
During the night, Dick's foot start seeping again and there was a blood path from the bedroom to the kitchen to his chair and back again. So, this was a busy day. I soaked up the blood with a vinegar and water mixture, then vacuumed, then ran the carpet cleaner over all. By tomorrow it will be dry and I will vacuum again. Poor Dick. We seem to finally have it all stopped. Tonight I redressed everything and there is no sign of bleeding.
I left at 11:30 to go to the Clinic to pick up some meds from Dorothy at Dr. Moreno's office. I had called this morning to ask for help. Dr. Moreno told me what to do about the bleeding, the swelling and dressing the wound on the right foot. They gave me a dressing which is what I picked up. Then I had lunch with my friend Esther Hasler. Esther is a friend from Blessed Trinity and is moving towards the end of September to Florida to be near one of her sons. We had a really nice lunch at the restaurant at the airport. We had a nice lunch, both opting for Paninis.
Then I went to Cappelle's and bought some corn for dinner. So we had corn and tomatoes. Always a good meal.
I FINALLY have Dick's wounds dressed and DRY ( they got wet after I changed them the first time because we forgot that the carpet was wet from the shampooing. DUH!!), I put fresh tubes AND wrapped them with ace bandages. Now he is in bed and I hope the swelling will go down. I got a lot of instructions from Dr. Moreno when I called this morning and did EVERYTHING.
Now I am tired too.
An Irving Townsend said "a family cat is not replaceable like a worn-out coat or a set of tires. Each new kitten becomes his own cat and none is repeated. I am four-cats old, measuring out my life in friends that have succeeded, but not replaced one another."
Isn't it interesting to think of oneself as "four cats old."
Dr. Fehrman's nurse called this morning. His stint procedure with Dr. Siddique is still on for 8/27 and Dr. Fehrman will do his surgery the next day. Pray for us.
Love
Mary
During the night, Dick's foot start seeping again and there was a blood path from the bedroom to the kitchen to his chair and back again. So, this was a busy day. I soaked up the blood with a vinegar and water mixture, then vacuumed, then ran the carpet cleaner over all. By tomorrow it will be dry and I will vacuum again. Poor Dick. We seem to finally have it all stopped. Tonight I redressed everything and there is no sign of bleeding.
I left at 11:30 to go to the Clinic to pick up some meds from Dorothy at Dr. Moreno's office. I had called this morning to ask for help. Dr. Moreno told me what to do about the bleeding, the swelling and dressing the wound on the right foot. They gave me a dressing which is what I picked up. Then I had lunch with my friend Esther Hasler. Esther is a friend from Blessed Trinity and is moving towards the end of September to Florida to be near one of her sons. We had a really nice lunch at the restaurant at the airport. We had a nice lunch, both opting for Paninis.
Then I went to Cappelle's and bought some corn for dinner. So we had corn and tomatoes. Always a good meal.
I FINALLY have Dick's wounds dressed and DRY ( they got wet after I changed them the first time because we forgot that the carpet was wet from the shampooing. DUH!!), I put fresh tubes AND wrapped them with ace bandages. Now he is in bed and I hope the swelling will go down. I got a lot of instructions from Dr. Moreno when I called this morning and did EVERYTHING.
Now I am tired too.
An Irving Townsend said "a family cat is not replaceable like a worn-out coat or a set of tires. Each new kitten becomes his own cat and none is repeated. I am four-cats old, measuring out my life in friends that have succeeded, but not replaced one another."
Isn't it interesting to think of oneself as "four cats old."
Dr. Fehrman's nurse called this morning. His stint procedure with Dr. Siddique is still on for 8/27 and Dr. Fehrman will do his surgery the next day. Pray for us.
Love
Mary
Monday, August 18, 2008
What a day. Chelsea and I had a very nice walk, though my knee and feet are still sore from all the walking at Irishfest yesterday. We didn't see any other walkers out there this morning. That is a bit unusual.
I went to bible study at 9AM as usual. There were 5 of us there this morning. We are a strange little group but keep plugging along. We had a lot of good discussions and I collected some more people to pray fro Dick this afternoon when we had our appointment with the Orthapedic surgeon, Dr. Fehrman. Ione was able to tell me that a mutual friend had Dr. Fehrman operate on him and was very pleased with him. That is always reassuring.
Then I went over to Mother's house. I took her some scones and Cauldron Cakes. Didn't have any meals for her as we did not really eat at home during the weekend. But she will enjoy the breads.
When I got home I had time to hook Dick up for his second Sequential Compression before I went to Writers Club. I decided to go because it is only an hour and Dick needed to rest some more anyway. When I got home, he was sleeping. When he got up, I went down for an hour before we had to go to see Dr. Fehrman. Boy Did I Sleep!
We had to wait until almost 5PM to see him. Our appointment was for 4:30PM but they were way behind. Dr. Fehrman seems very nice. He showed us the MRI and what the infection looks like. It is on the side of the bone in the toe and all the way down the bone on that side of the foot. He had three treatments. 1. Pump it full of antibiotics. But with Dick's lack of circulation, this is not a very practical solution. 2. They could remove or scrape off the part of the bone that appears infected. There is always a chance that they can't get it all AND this would not solve the problem of the healing wound. OR 3. They can remove the little toe and the adjoining bone. This would insure that the infected bone is gone and maybe give him the ability to pull the flesh together which would mean that instead of a gaping hole of a wound, there would be basically a surgical scar which would heal much easier. We are opting for three. Dr. Fehrman is coordinating with Dr. Siddique and Dr. Moreno to see about circulation solutions as we do have that procedure for another stent scheduled with Dr. Siddique. They will get back to us in a day or two with arrangements. Thanks for all the prayers, I will keep you informed. We are rather relieved because when we heard "bone infection" we got all kinds of REALLY bad thoughts and this is the least of them.
Tonight was exciting. I cleaned the wounds and put the dry dressing on his left foot. Then I called Mom to report on what had happened and suddenly Dick was calling because the left foot was bleeding rather profusely and there were blood spots all over the carpet. I told Mom I'd call her back and recleaned and dressed the wound with a compression patch and a more protective seal. Then I cleaned the carpet. Richard called from Madison in the middle of that. We were glad of that. He talked to Dick and found out what was happening before the blog even. Quite a coup. They are well and I am happy he called and had a good talk with Dick.
Now things are quiet and it is after 9PM and I am very tired and going to go to bed. Tomorrow the only thing scheduled is lunch with a friend. I will pick up corn for our dinner. With me being gone, we did not have our usual weekend meal of corn and tomatoes.
Have to catch up.
Take care. I love you all.
Mary.
"good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience - this is the ideal live." Mark Twain
I went to bible study at 9AM as usual. There were 5 of us there this morning. We are a strange little group but keep plugging along. We had a lot of good discussions and I collected some more people to pray fro Dick this afternoon when we had our appointment with the Orthapedic surgeon, Dr. Fehrman. Ione was able to tell me that a mutual friend had Dr. Fehrman operate on him and was very pleased with him. That is always reassuring.
Then I went over to Mother's house. I took her some scones and Cauldron Cakes. Didn't have any meals for her as we did not really eat at home during the weekend. But she will enjoy the breads.
When I got home I had time to hook Dick up for his second Sequential Compression before I went to Writers Club. I decided to go because it is only an hour and Dick needed to rest some more anyway. When I got home, he was sleeping. When he got up, I went down for an hour before we had to go to see Dr. Fehrman. Boy Did I Sleep!
We had to wait until almost 5PM to see him. Our appointment was for 4:30PM but they were way behind. Dr. Fehrman seems very nice. He showed us the MRI and what the infection looks like. It is on the side of the bone in the toe and all the way down the bone on that side of the foot. He had three treatments. 1. Pump it full of antibiotics. But with Dick's lack of circulation, this is not a very practical solution. 2. They could remove or scrape off the part of the bone that appears infected. There is always a chance that they can't get it all AND this would not solve the problem of the healing wound. OR 3. They can remove the little toe and the adjoining bone. This would insure that the infected bone is gone and maybe give him the ability to pull the flesh together which would mean that instead of a gaping hole of a wound, there would be basically a surgical scar which would heal much easier. We are opting for three. Dr. Fehrman is coordinating with Dr. Siddique and Dr. Moreno to see about circulation solutions as we do have that procedure for another stent scheduled with Dr. Siddique. They will get back to us in a day or two with arrangements. Thanks for all the prayers, I will keep you informed. We are rather relieved because when we heard "bone infection" we got all kinds of REALLY bad thoughts and this is the least of them.
Tonight was exciting. I cleaned the wounds and put the dry dressing on his left foot. Then I called Mom to report on what had happened and suddenly Dick was calling because the left foot was bleeding rather profusely and there were blood spots all over the carpet. I told Mom I'd call her back and recleaned and dressed the wound with a compression patch and a more protective seal. Then I cleaned the carpet. Richard called from Madison in the middle of that. We were glad of that. He talked to Dick and found out what was happening before the blog even. Quite a coup. They are well and I am happy he called and had a good talk with Dick.
Now things are quiet and it is after 9PM and I am very tired and going to go to bed. Tomorrow the only thing scheduled is lunch with a friend. I will pick up corn for our dinner. With me being gone, we did not have our usual weekend meal of corn and tomatoes.
Have to catch up.
Take care. I love you all.
Mary.
"good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience - this is the ideal live." Mark Twain
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Well, the bus trip that I organized for the Celtic Women was today. It was a great success. We had almost all our seats filled, plenty to pay for the bus, parking and give our driver Bill a nice tip.
We left the Kmart parking lot at 7:30, got to the grounds at about 8:45. We all went into the Marcus Ampitheatre for the Mass which was spectacular. There were thousands of people there. All enthusiastically singing along with the seated choir. We had TWO bishops Bishop Callahan, our new Milwaukee Diocese Auxiliary Bishop and Bishop Martin Drennan of Galway, Ireland. We also had lots of priests and they had enough Eucharistic Ministers that communion only took 10 minutes.
After Mass we all scattered to the grounds. Kate and I got lunch right away because we were starved. I dropped Mary Schultze's painting at the baggage check place that is on the ground and prayed that she was indeed going to be there because I didn't want to haul it home again. As it turned out, she marched in the parade with the Celtic Women (yes, I got to march in the parade at IrishFest) and I gave her the pick up slip then. I told her that if she had NOT come, I figured I would just TAKE it home and hang it because I do love it. It is a watercolor of people carrying the Irish Flag in a parade.
After we ate, we walked to the north end of the grounds and came back along the lake shore, stopping at the Children's Stage to listen to Tom Sweeney for a while. I first heard him when he sang in a group called Barley Bree many years ago. He sang with his brother and another guy and they did some great stuffl. Now he performs alone. He does two shows a day at Irish Fest. One early for the kids and one later on a bigger stage. We left before the later one so I made sure to see the Kid's show.
Next on to the Cultural Village where Kate ran into some O'Hara's from Sligo. Her mother was and O'Hara so Kate is a happy camper. We found my friend Cindy Matyi, She brought her prints AND the children's book that she wrote, Little Town of Spirals. Kate bought one and a print or two. I need to put Cindy back on the prayer chains. She still has the cancer. They are holding it at bay with radiation, but can't cure it or get it in remission. So Remember her, and her daughter who still needs prayer too.
We met Nancy and her friend Kathy at the Harp tent where I listened to a couple of songs then headed off to the Irishfest Song Circle which is SO much fun. There were at least 20 people in the circle and I was able to stay long enough to get once around. Each person has to sing a song and if the crowd knows it they join in. I sang Tom O'Connor's Wedding day.
I left in time to meet the others at the parade gathering spot. On the way, I picked up a my Irishfest glass of mead and stopped at the Tipperary Tea Room for a piece of Guiness Chocolate Cheese Cake.
There were not too many of us in the parage. Mary Schultze, Gail McAleese, Joan Kramer, Sheila Isaacson and me. We were joined by three others on the route, including Nancy and Kathy. Then it was time to head to the bus and come home. Got home just about 6PM. Dick and Chelsea were glad to see me. It is nice to come home to a happy welcome.
Dick had Bobbie pick me up an anniversary present. It is a neat tea for one pot. She and I saw them when we went to Richardson's to their tea room. We were both so impressed with it. Now I won't be having tea dripping all over the desk or the top falling into the cup. My other one does that. It is SO pretty but so messy. I can hardly wait to try the new one.
This evening I went out on the deck and heard cranes calling. I looked in the direction of the noise and three of them were flying. What a joy.
THEN: When I took Chelsea out, I saw a toad sitting next to the garage trying not to be noticed.
It was all together a very enjoyable day.
Hope yours was too.
Mary
We left the Kmart parking lot at 7:30, got to the grounds at about 8:45. We all went into the Marcus Ampitheatre for the Mass which was spectacular. There were thousands of people there. All enthusiastically singing along with the seated choir. We had TWO bishops Bishop Callahan, our new Milwaukee Diocese Auxiliary Bishop and Bishop Martin Drennan of Galway, Ireland. We also had lots of priests and they had enough Eucharistic Ministers that communion only took 10 minutes.
After Mass we all scattered to the grounds. Kate and I got lunch right away because we were starved. I dropped Mary Schultze's painting at the baggage check place that is on the ground and prayed that she was indeed going to be there because I didn't want to haul it home again. As it turned out, she marched in the parade with the Celtic Women (yes, I got to march in the parade at IrishFest) and I gave her the pick up slip then. I told her that if she had NOT come, I figured I would just TAKE it home and hang it because I do love it. It is a watercolor of people carrying the Irish Flag in a parade.
After we ate, we walked to the north end of the grounds and came back along the lake shore, stopping at the Children's Stage to listen to Tom Sweeney for a while. I first heard him when he sang in a group called Barley Bree many years ago. He sang with his brother and another guy and they did some great stuffl. Now he performs alone. He does two shows a day at Irish Fest. One early for the kids and one later on a bigger stage. We left before the later one so I made sure to see the Kid's show.
Next on to the Cultural Village where Kate ran into some O'Hara's from Sligo. Her mother was and O'Hara so Kate is a happy camper. We found my friend Cindy Matyi, She brought her prints AND the children's book that she wrote, Little Town of Spirals. Kate bought one and a print or two. I need to put Cindy back on the prayer chains. She still has the cancer. They are holding it at bay with radiation, but can't cure it or get it in remission. So Remember her, and her daughter who still needs prayer too.
We met Nancy and her friend Kathy at the Harp tent where I listened to a couple of songs then headed off to the Irishfest Song Circle which is SO much fun. There were at least 20 people in the circle and I was able to stay long enough to get once around. Each person has to sing a song and if the crowd knows it they join in. I sang Tom O'Connor's Wedding day.
I left in time to meet the others at the parade gathering spot. On the way, I picked up a my Irishfest glass of mead and stopped at the Tipperary Tea Room for a piece of Guiness Chocolate Cheese Cake.
There were not too many of us in the parage. Mary Schultze, Gail McAleese, Joan Kramer, Sheila Isaacson and me. We were joined by three others on the route, including Nancy and Kathy. Then it was time to head to the bus and come home. Got home just about 6PM. Dick and Chelsea were glad to see me. It is nice to come home to a happy welcome.
Dick had Bobbie pick me up an anniversary present. It is a neat tea for one pot. She and I saw them when we went to Richardson's to their tea room. We were both so impressed with it. Now I won't be having tea dripping all over the desk or the top falling into the cup. My other one does that. It is SO pretty but so messy. I can hardly wait to try the new one.
This evening I went out on the deck and heard cranes calling. I looked in the direction of the noise and three of them were flying. What a joy.
THEN: When I took Chelsea out, I saw a toad sitting next to the garage trying not to be noticed.
It was all together a very enjoyable day.
Hope yours was too.
Mary
Saturday, August 16, 2008
I was in bed already when I remembered you all.
It was our anniversary today. Dick and I have been married 22 years. We went to Sweet Basil for dinner, our first time out in months. It was nice and Dick enjoyed it too. We got a gift from Sweet Basil of a dessert and champagne toast for our anniversary so took advantage of it.
We got lots of cards and some beautiful flowers from Jim and Michelle.
Now I am tired and will go to sleep. You have sweet dreams too.
Mary
It was our anniversary today. Dick and I have been married 22 years. We went to Sweet Basil for dinner, our first time out in months. It was nice and Dick enjoyed it too. We got a gift from Sweet Basil of a dessert and champagne toast for our anniversary so took advantage of it.
We got lots of cards and some beautiful flowers from Jim and Michelle.
Now I am tired and will go to sleep. You have sweet dreams too.
Mary
Friday, August 15, 2008
Chelsea and I had a very pleasant walk this morning. She took me to the right around the park and through the woods today. Lately, we turn left more often than not. I leave that up to her. There were several walkers out this morning and we went out pretty close to 6AM too.
I had changed his dressings this morning. Then when I was all done, Darlene from Dr. Moreno's office told me that he said I should just put a dry dressing on the worst sore because Dr. Fehrman had called and made an appointment to see Dick at 4:30PM on Monday. I am just to keep it clean and dry. I am out of the dressing that he gave me anyway and would have to buy 5 packages which will not be here until Monday if I get any. I am just going to keep both wounds clean and dry and pray that it is right.
I spent the morning doing a bit of cleaning and getting things organized for Sunday. I also realized that I have two days to come up with a cover for the Celtic Mass worship folder and I can also write up a cover sheet. What to write, what to write.
At 12:30PM I joined Betty, Ceil and Joyce at the Dairy Queen. That was a welcome break in the week. When I got home, I hooked Dick up to the sequential compression machine.
and got done with that before Jim and Michelle came over at 4PM. Then I did a bit of shopping and went over to Ron and Kate's. Kate and I went to Mass at 6:30PM. It is the Feast of the Assumption and a holy day. Then we ate and I got home at 8:05PM. I think Dick was kind of sad that I was a bit late. He just does not feel well. I am worried about him.
Now Chelsea is whimpering at me. I think she wants to go to bed. All she ever wants is food, water, a walk or bed and she has had the first three.
When I lived in Huntington Beach, the boys had a hamster for over two years. He was a nice hamster and they named him Spike. He was kept up in Bart's bedroom. I think I told you about him before. He would escape once in a while but I could always get him back the next morning by getting up early and going down to the kitchen. There he would be scooting along the edge of the room. I'd just pick him up and take him back up to his cage.
My boys liked having pets and were very good to them. I like having pets too, obviously.
Take care. The weekend is supposed to be very pleasant. No rain and sunshine. Perfect August weather.
Love
Mary
I had changed his dressings this morning. Then when I was all done, Darlene from Dr. Moreno's office told me that he said I should just put a dry dressing on the worst sore because Dr. Fehrman had called and made an appointment to see Dick at 4:30PM on Monday. I am just to keep it clean and dry. I am out of the dressing that he gave me anyway and would have to buy 5 packages which will not be here until Monday if I get any. I am just going to keep both wounds clean and dry and pray that it is right.
I spent the morning doing a bit of cleaning and getting things organized for Sunday. I also realized that I have two days to come up with a cover for the Celtic Mass worship folder and I can also write up a cover sheet. What to write, what to write.
At 12:30PM I joined Betty, Ceil and Joyce at the Dairy Queen. That was a welcome break in the week. When I got home, I hooked Dick up to the sequential compression machine.
and got done with that before Jim and Michelle came over at 4PM. Then I did a bit of shopping and went over to Ron and Kate's. Kate and I went to Mass at 6:30PM. It is the Feast of the Assumption and a holy day. Then we ate and I got home at 8:05PM. I think Dick was kind of sad that I was a bit late. He just does not feel well. I am worried about him.
Now Chelsea is whimpering at me. I think she wants to go to bed. All she ever wants is food, water, a walk or bed and she has had the first three.
When I lived in Huntington Beach, the boys had a hamster for over two years. He was a nice hamster and they named him Spike. He was kept up in Bart's bedroom. I think I told you about him before. He would escape once in a while but I could always get him back the next morning by getting up early and going down to the kitchen. There he would be scooting along the edge of the room. I'd just pick him up and take him back up to his cage.
My boys liked having pets and were very good to them. I like having pets too, obviously.
Take care. The weekend is supposed to be very pleasant. No rain and sunshine. Perfect August weather.
Love
Mary
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Boy did we have rain today. It was really nice when Chelsea and I went out walking. It was actually a little cool but the sun soon warmed us both up.
I spent the morning working on getting things ready for the Irishfest Bus trip. If Candy is right, we now have a full bus. Whew. Things were getting a bit tight. Then after lunch, Dick and I headed for Sheboygan Memorial for his MRI. That is when the rain started. It was sprinkling when we pulled out of the garage but it turned into a full blown cloudburst as we were going down Highway 23. I HATE driving in that kind of rain. One always is afraid of hydroplaning. EEEWWW.
But we got there alright. They have valet parking at the hospital and believe you/me, we took advantage of it today. They are ALWAYS helpful getting Dick into the wheelchair and into the building whether I park or they do. We were there right at 12:15 for our 12:30 appointment. Which is what we were told to do. Then they were behind. An in patient had come in with lots of problems and Dick was not taken in until 1:15 or so. Then the process which the technician told him would take 35 minutes lasted well over an hour. He did not get back out to me until 2:30. I guess the process itself is 35 minutes but this does not account for the time of preparation and changing. He was so uncomfortable as this is all done on his back and he is miserable on his back. BUT it is done. Now we have to wait to hear from Dr. Moreno as to the results and the next steps.
By the time we got out the rain had stopped and the sun was shining. So the trip home was just fine. Dick pretty much just headed for bed for a nap.
We had an early supper and he rested again. It is now about 7:30 and we are doing a second Sequential Compression before I go to bed. I am really tired and will be very glad to get to bed.
I was talking to someone on Sunday at the Reunion of the Clans picnic and was telling about the Clifford Crest and remembered that as young kids, we always believed, probably from something that Dad said, that we came from royalty. Ireland was after all an island of kings. We called our home Deeleyville and I remember dressing George up in robes and a Crown and calling him the King od Deeleyville when he was just a little guy. Kind of nice to feel that you are royal and special from the time you are young.
Love
Mary
I read that in the Torah it says something like this. "Every child has the right to believe that God created the world Just for him."
I spent the morning working on getting things ready for the Irishfest Bus trip. If Candy is right, we now have a full bus. Whew. Things were getting a bit tight. Then after lunch, Dick and I headed for Sheboygan Memorial for his MRI. That is when the rain started. It was sprinkling when we pulled out of the garage but it turned into a full blown cloudburst as we were going down Highway 23. I HATE driving in that kind of rain. One always is afraid of hydroplaning. EEEWWW.
But we got there alright. They have valet parking at the hospital and believe you/me, we took advantage of it today. They are ALWAYS helpful getting Dick into the wheelchair and into the building whether I park or they do. We were there right at 12:15 for our 12:30 appointment. Which is what we were told to do. Then they were behind. An in patient had come in with lots of problems and Dick was not taken in until 1:15 or so. Then the process which the technician told him would take 35 minutes lasted well over an hour. He did not get back out to me until 2:30. I guess the process itself is 35 minutes but this does not account for the time of preparation and changing. He was so uncomfortable as this is all done on his back and he is miserable on his back. BUT it is done. Now we have to wait to hear from Dr. Moreno as to the results and the next steps.
By the time we got out the rain had stopped and the sun was shining. So the trip home was just fine. Dick pretty much just headed for bed for a nap.
We had an early supper and he rested again. It is now about 7:30 and we are doing a second Sequential Compression before I go to bed. I am really tired and will be very glad to get to bed.
I was talking to someone on Sunday at the Reunion of the Clans picnic and was telling about the Clifford Crest and remembered that as young kids, we always believed, probably from something that Dad said, that we came from royalty. Ireland was after all an island of kings. We called our home Deeleyville and I remember dressing George up in robes and a Crown and calling him the King od Deeleyville when he was just a little guy. Kind of nice to feel that you are royal and special from the time you are young.
Love
Mary
I read that in the Torah it says something like this. "Every child has the right to believe that God created the world Just for him."
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
A typical Wednesday. Dick shut Chelsea out of the bedroom so I got to sleep until a little after 6AM. Could have done better if my body did not start aching, but it did.
We had a nice walk. There had been rain during the night but we managed to walk "between the drops" and it was very pleasant.
I then took a shower and zipped off to the bank and Mc Donalds for the first of my morning errands. We, as I said yesterday, have half a date being as I bring breakfast in. Dick had a big breakfast and I had a bacon egg and cheese biscuit. When we opened everything up, Dick had a big breakfast DELUXE which also has pancakes. He can't even eat a big breakfast so we put the biscuit and the pancakes aside for another meal.
Then I went to the Pig to do our shopping. I was totally dis-com-bub-erated. (sound it out). First, I picked out a product that I thought had Pig Points for gas and questioned that. (I was wrong) Then I had forgotten to hand in my Brewer 4 point for a home run coupon, so had to go back for that. They are so very nice at the Pig. After two years I really feel at home there.
We were able to spend the rest of the day at home. I baked some cupcakes. I made Cauldron Cakes. A recipe that I found from Harry Potter. They are very good. I did add my own frosting, a brown sugar cooked frosting which really sets them off. I think Harry and his friends would like them even better.
Tonight we had chicken and spinach with potatoes for dinner. Dick had peas and I had sweet potato for our veggies.
It is getting much closer to Irishfest. I only have three empty seats on the bus now, much better than five. But feel free to join us. I am trying to contact the Celtic Women to be sure that I connect with all who are there. I have pulled a schedule and am going to be sure that I don't frantically run around like a chicken with a head cut off this year. I want to find some Heather and Moss soap and find Cindy Matyi and listen to Tom Sweeney and find my CWI friends. Then I want to join the song circle for at least an hour.
For some reason or other I remembered a story my ex husband experienced. He worked on putting together sport fishing boats. As he said, they are the kind of boat that if you have to ask how much it costs, you can't afford it.
He went out on a shake down cruise with an owner and with a fellow worker who was really a dork. They did some fishing while on the cruise and hooked up a shark. Not a real big one but a shark. This goofy friend stepped out on the back step and reached down to pull the shark in managing to stick his arm right in the fish's mouth. Chomp. Fortunately it let go almost as fast as it bit, BUT they had to abort the cruise and take him in to the doctor on Catalina. He suffered for a long time from that bite. Shark bites don't heal easily. Apparently, it was a really dumb thing to do because my ex was more irritated than worried about his friend.
Have a nice Thursday. Pray for us as Dick gets his MRI.
Love
Mrry
We had a nice walk. There had been rain during the night but we managed to walk "between the drops" and it was very pleasant.
I then took a shower and zipped off to the bank and Mc Donalds for the first of my morning errands. We, as I said yesterday, have half a date being as I bring breakfast in. Dick had a big breakfast and I had a bacon egg and cheese biscuit. When we opened everything up, Dick had a big breakfast DELUXE which also has pancakes. He can't even eat a big breakfast so we put the biscuit and the pancakes aside for another meal.
Then I went to the Pig to do our shopping. I was totally dis-com-bub-erated. (sound it out). First, I picked out a product that I thought had Pig Points for gas and questioned that. (I was wrong) Then I had forgotten to hand in my Brewer 4 point for a home run coupon, so had to go back for that. They are so very nice at the Pig. After two years I really feel at home there.
We were able to spend the rest of the day at home. I baked some cupcakes. I made Cauldron Cakes. A recipe that I found from Harry Potter. They are very good. I did add my own frosting, a brown sugar cooked frosting which really sets them off. I think Harry and his friends would like them even better.
Tonight we had chicken and spinach with potatoes for dinner. Dick had peas and I had sweet potato for our veggies.
It is getting much closer to Irishfest. I only have three empty seats on the bus now, much better than five. But feel free to join us. I am trying to contact the Celtic Women to be sure that I connect with all who are there. I have pulled a schedule and am going to be sure that I don't frantically run around like a chicken with a head cut off this year. I want to find some Heather and Moss soap and find Cindy Matyi and listen to Tom Sweeney and find my CWI friends. Then I want to join the song circle for at least an hour.
For some reason or other I remembered a story my ex husband experienced. He worked on putting together sport fishing boats. As he said, they are the kind of boat that if you have to ask how much it costs, you can't afford it.
He went out on a shake down cruise with an owner and with a fellow worker who was really a dork. They did some fishing while on the cruise and hooked up a shark. Not a real big one but a shark. This goofy friend stepped out on the back step and reached down to pull the shark in managing to stick his arm right in the fish's mouth. Chomp. Fortunately it let go almost as fast as it bit, BUT they had to abort the cruise and take him in to the doctor on Catalina. He suffered for a long time from that bite. Shark bites don't heal easily. Apparently, it was a really dumb thing to do because my ex was more irritated than worried about his friend.
Have a nice Thursday. Pray for us as Dick gets his MRI.
Love
Mrry
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
We were able to stay home all day today. Chelsea and I went for our walk at 6AM. It was cool again. Ran into one of the regulars, Tim, and he said that it felt like Fall to him. I love walking in that cool air though.
Rachel, from the VNA, came today to check Dick out. We are having her come every other week. I don't want to lose that support. We are really managing OK but she is another help. I am afraid of being alone. Thursday, Dick has his MRI and we will know if there is any damage to the bone.
I cleaned the downstairs bathroom and kitchen today. I also added the "river" to my quilted wall hanging. It was a pretty good day.
We had red beans and rice and Italian Sausages for supper tonight. It was quite good.
Today was Leslie's birthday AND her and Bill's wedding anniversary. I sent e cards and hope they know that we are thinking of them. Dick and I have our anniversary on Saturday. We are going to go to the Sweet Basil Restaurant for dinner to celebrate. We know they have easy access and we REALLY want to go on a date. I miss our breakfast dates. On Wednesdays, we would go grocery shopping and always went out to breakfast. We called them our dates and really loved them.
Tomorrow I am getting take out from Mc Donalds so we can have half a date anyway.
Have a special hump day.
Love
Mary
Rachel, from the VNA, came today to check Dick out. We are having her come every other week. I don't want to lose that support. We are really managing OK but she is another help. I am afraid of being alone. Thursday, Dick has his MRI and we will know if there is any damage to the bone.
I cleaned the downstairs bathroom and kitchen today. I also added the "river" to my quilted wall hanging. It was a pretty good day.
We had red beans and rice and Italian Sausages for supper tonight. It was quite good.
Today was Leslie's birthday AND her and Bill's wedding anniversary. I sent e cards and hope they know that we are thinking of them. Dick and I have our anniversary on Saturday. We are going to go to the Sweet Basil Restaurant for dinner to celebrate. We know they have easy access and we REALLY want to go on a date. I miss our breakfast dates. On Wednesdays, we would go grocery shopping and always went out to breakfast. We called them our dates and really loved them.
Tomorrow I am getting take out from Mc Donalds so we can have half a date anyway.
Have a special hump day.
Love
Mary
Monday, August 11, 2008
Another LONG day. I am very tired and we are almost smack in the middle of the Packer's First pregame. Whew. So far I am not sure. I need to figure out who all the players are. Right now both teams have scored twice, but we are behind, as the Bengals got two touchdowns and we had one and a field goal.
Chelsea and I had a crisp walk this morning. The temperature was 51 when we headed out. I actually like that. It makes for very comfortable walking. They were getting ready to put the asphalt on Highview. Sure will be glad when that is done. They seem to be pretty much done for now as they were done with the first layer before Dick and I came home from the doctor this afternoon. The barricades are down and everything.
I went to bible study at 9:30AM. We had a pretty good turnout and lively discussions. The readings were about the Lord expecting us to welcome EVERYBODY at the table. And the readings were from both the Old and New Testaments.
Then I went to visit Mom. She was nicely rested from the busy day at the picnic yesterday. I brought her some Jello and coleslaw which she was happy for. I had a couple of things to do for her and then headed for home so Dick and I could lunch and get to Sheboygan to see Dr. Moreno.
Things are mixed there. There was another blister on his right foot but it had drained so Dr. Moreno cleaned it up and dressed it. The wound itself looks pretty good. Wish we could say the same for the left foot. The wound is down to the bone and bleeding. Dr. Moreno has set up an MRI. After the results of that we may have to see a surgeon to work on it. I don't understand totally, but apparently there is great danger of infection in the bone and this must be removed. So pray for good results and good doctoring. The MRI is Thursday.
Home again. I watered all the pots and filled the birdbath. Then I worked on various paperwork. I have one more person signed up for the trip. Luanne called and does not have another person so we are down to four empty seats. I am hoping for more from the ad in the
Blessed Trinity bulletin.
Well, As soon as Dick is done "sequential compressing" I will go to bed. I probably will not sleep well until the game is over, but I will try. Tomorrow, we will be home all day. I am SO glad.
Mary
WINNERS VS. LOSERS
Losers quit when they are tired.
Winners quit when they have won.
Author unknown
Chelsea and I had a crisp walk this morning. The temperature was 51 when we headed out. I actually like that. It makes for very comfortable walking. They were getting ready to put the asphalt on Highview. Sure will be glad when that is done. They seem to be pretty much done for now as they were done with the first layer before Dick and I came home from the doctor this afternoon. The barricades are down and everything.
I went to bible study at 9:30AM. We had a pretty good turnout and lively discussions. The readings were about the Lord expecting us to welcome EVERYBODY at the table. And the readings were from both the Old and New Testaments.
Then I went to visit Mom. She was nicely rested from the busy day at the picnic yesterday. I brought her some Jello and coleslaw which she was happy for. I had a couple of things to do for her and then headed for home so Dick and I could lunch and get to Sheboygan to see Dr. Moreno.
Things are mixed there. There was another blister on his right foot but it had drained so Dr. Moreno cleaned it up and dressed it. The wound itself looks pretty good. Wish we could say the same for the left foot. The wound is down to the bone and bleeding. Dr. Moreno has set up an MRI. After the results of that we may have to see a surgeon to work on it. I don't understand totally, but apparently there is great danger of infection in the bone and this must be removed. So pray for good results and good doctoring. The MRI is Thursday.
Home again. I watered all the pots and filled the birdbath. Then I worked on various paperwork. I have one more person signed up for the trip. Luanne called and does not have another person so we are down to four empty seats. I am hoping for more from the ad in the
Blessed Trinity bulletin.
Well, As soon as Dick is done "sequential compressing" I will go to bed. I probably will not sleep well until the game is over, but I will try. Tomorrow, we will be home all day. I am SO glad.
Mary
WINNERS VS. LOSERS
Losers quit when they are tired.
Winners quit when they have won.
Author unknown
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Hi.
This was a perfect day. We had an August day that was in the low 70s, clear and dry. Chelsea and I had a lovely walk this morning. We saw three other dogs in our travels and Chelsea was quite excited about that.
I picked up Mother at about noon and we went out to Parnell to St. Michaels. I took the Clifford Crest Banner to share and I pulled the Clifford part out of my computer genealogy information.
Jeff and Kathy and Dolores and Ken and Mother and I represented the Bowser/Clifford families from St. Michaels. We saw lots of people that made Mother feel good. She visited for quite a while with Bud Dwyer. Bud Dwyer's brother George started school with Mother. Also, Jack Slattery, who knows so many people that Mother does. Rosemary Mugan was there also and joined us for lunch. We are looking forward to next Sunday for IrishFest. Peg Payne was there too. We had a wonderful lunch. Delicious sandwiches, fruit, veggies and potato salad with cake for dessert.
Jeff had tshirts made for us with the Clifford family crest. I will send pictures in the next couple of days. He and Kathy also brought veggies, cukes, zucchini and dill. I was able to share them with Jim and Michelle.
Anyway It was a great day and I am happy.
Love you all
Mary.
This was a perfect day. We had an August day that was in the low 70s, clear and dry. Chelsea and I had a lovely walk this morning. We saw three other dogs in our travels and Chelsea was quite excited about that.
I picked up Mother at about noon and we went out to Parnell to St. Michaels. I took the Clifford Crest Banner to share and I pulled the Clifford part out of my computer genealogy information.
Jeff and Kathy and Dolores and Ken and Mother and I represented the Bowser/Clifford families from St. Michaels. We saw lots of people that made Mother feel good. She visited for quite a while with Bud Dwyer. Bud Dwyer's brother George started school with Mother. Also, Jack Slattery, who knows so many people that Mother does. Rosemary Mugan was there also and joined us for lunch. We are looking forward to next Sunday for IrishFest. Peg Payne was there too. We had a wonderful lunch. Delicious sandwiches, fruit, veggies and potato salad with cake for dessert.
Jeff had tshirts made for us with the Clifford family crest. I will send pictures in the next couple of days. He and Kathy also brought veggies, cukes, zucchini and dill. I was able to share them with Jim and Michelle.
Anyway It was a great day and I am happy.
Love you all
Mary.
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