Today was a very special day.  

The only visitor we had today was Andrea, the health aid, who gave Dick his bath.   We were pretty well rested when she got here as both of us had a reasonably good night's sleep.

I DID have to get up at 5AM to put the venison roast in the crock pot.   I fixed it as a pot roast this year and it had to cook for at least 9 hours.   After I got it started, I fed the cat and went back to bed until 7AM.

When we got up, we had breakfast and then I baked some Irish Brown Bread to take along too.  

I left for Eileen's house at about 12:30PM.    Everybody gathered between 1 and 2PM.   We had a nice crowd.   Randy and Donna,  all three of their girls, Erin and her Jon, Becky, Brian and Elizabeth and Jessica,   Jeff, Kathy and Shane, Dolores, Ken, Kurt and Jody with Evan and Sean and Todd's Morgan, John and Holly (who came late) and, of course, Eileen and Fred.

Jeff brought me two of the greatest presents EVER.    Remember when I was deer hunting.   The last year, Jeff set me up closer to the road than I had been and just over the hill from his stand.    A perfect buck came over the ridge from my left and ran across in front of me.  I got three shots off at the darn thing but he ran faster than I could shoot.   BUT, I drove him over the hill right to Jeff who got him.   Jeff always said that that was OUR deer and I loved that.   He proved it today by bringing me the antlers mounted on a plaque for hanging.   It has the year and our names carved above and the names of all my fellow hunters on the bottom.   I will take a picture and post it soon.   He also gave me a picture from 1993 of one of the first sausage tasting days after rabbit hunting.  Kenny, Jeff, Randy, LeRoy Kramer, Jim Karls and  wonder fully, Tim are on that picture.    I will treasure it and frame it.

Only 15 contestants were in the beer tasting contest.  There were 21 beers.  Since Bing and Bobbie weren't there, Eileen helped me serve the beer to the enthusiastic crowd.    When we were about half way through, Jody arrived with Evan and the two of them helped wash the glasses as the rounds finished.   We really could have used more glasses.  

Little Elizabeth was a lot of help too.  She helped put the glasses on the trays for us.    Her only question was why we did not have root beer.  

The final winner was Kurt with a taste off with Becky and Jon.    Jon and Kurt tied on the taste off and since Jon and Erin aren't going to get married in the next 24 hours,  Kurt was declared the winner.

The we dined and we dined and we dined.   We had the pot roast, vegetarian taco soup, turkey in gravy, pheasant enchiladas, Brunswick stew, beans, potatoes, 7 layer salad, smoked fish, chips and dip and steak sandwiches.   I hope I didn't forget anything.  Everything was spectacular.   I told everybody that if they send the recipes, I would be glad to put together a little family cookbook for us.

I was done eating and able to leave at about 5:20PM.   So I got home very close to the 5:30PM that I told Dick would be the time.    He did OK while I was gone.  That is comforting, but of course, I don't like to be gone for quite that long a time.

So it was a perfect day from my point of view.  I found out that Nora and Leif will be in Wisconsin for St. Patrick's Day so that will be another family get together.     So cool.

Tomorrow will be much quieter.   I will go to Mass at 9:30AM and pick up a couple of Brats from the KC's Winter Brat Fry.   So I won't even have to cook.  

Ken and Dolores gave me an absolutely delicious hunk of smoked trout.   They got it from a friend.   It is SO delicious.   Bobbie, I will share if you would like.

So. until tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A lovely sunny winter day.    The sun shining with blue skies and no wind, made it very pleasant.   Altogether enjoyable for the last week in January.

I baked some scones this morning, just because I felt like it.

Jody came to clean at 8Am so I was able to share some with her and then this evening share some with Nancy and Warren when we went shooting.

Rachel, the RN, came for her last visit unless something should change.    We are pleased with his overall health these days.   After she left, I prepared some cheeseburgers sans buns with beans and salad for our lunch.  

Then at 12:30PM, Sara, the PT came and put him through his paces.  He did very well, but his right heel and knee are really hurting today.    We took off the right prosthesis to see if there is a pressure that is causing it.   I don't know if we really know yet, but this evening, he is feeling better.

I spent the afternoon cleaning out "Roxie's" room.   I went through the bookshelves, dusted everything and  cleaned the windows.  I still have to go through everything in the file cabinet and in the closet but this is a good start.


Tonight I did go to pistol league.   It was rather a disaster.  I could not hole my arm steady for anything.  Oh Well.  There will be a next week.   Now I have finished all the evening preparations for tomorrow and am almost ready to start getting myself ready for bed.   Tomorrow is the annual Deeley Wild Game Dinner and Beer Tasting Contest.  I have to get my roast in the slow cooker very early in the morning.    I am depending on Roxie to wake me up early to do that.  She had better not let me down.

I am bringing roast and brown bread.   We always have way too much food and way to much beer.

Goodnight all

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It seemed like a very long day today and I only had to leave home once.

I slept until almost 8AM.  Dick wanted to get up when Roxie did at 6AM, so we got him all put together, I gave him his meds and some tea and juice, fed the cat and went back to bed.  That extra time really meant a lot.  

When I got up, I fixed breakfast and did some sewing and cleaned under the refrigerator (I hadn't really planned on that, but one of Dick's wheelchair wheels popped the refrigerator vent below and as long as it was off, it seemed like a good idea.)  I also gave Dick a sponge bath as the home health aid had not been here for a few days and we knew he would feel better.   Good thing I did, there was one little sore to be tended to.

Sara, the PT, came at about noon and put Dick through his paces.   For some reason, his right heel was very sore today.   We are trying different ply sox on that stump to see if different pressure will help.

I tried a nap when Sara left but it did not work.

So I went to Walgreens to pick up the prescriptions that were waiting there and a couple of things for Mom, then on to the bank for money, then to the post office.   Jim and Michelle, your Christmas Box finally came back and I have relabeled it and sent it to the RIGHT address.   You should be getting your Gibbsville box any day now,  after the post office, I stopped at Plymouth City Hall to pay the RE taxes, then finally a run into the police station to dispose of some meds that we are no longer using. WHEW.   But it was all one nice convenient circle and now ALL those errands are done.

A nice quiet evening.   And I am winding down and almost ready for bed.    I am enjoying a perfect Irish Coffee.  Decaf, of course, with Jamison, of course.

Are you jealous?

Until tomorrow
Dia Dhuit

Mary

Today was quite a nice day despite the fact that we had to take Dick to Wisconsin Prosthesis this afternoon in a rain snow mix.

I slept until 7:30AM and then went grocery shopping.  Dick was still sleeping, I woke him enough to tell him that I would be gone for an hour.   He was willing to sleep more, so that worked out quite well.

I got home and he was still sleeping, so I put the groceries away and caught up in Quicken.  Then he was sitting up in bed, so we got him all ready for the day.   And a busy day it was.   

Bobbie got here at about 10AM.   We had wine to work on.  We bottled two gallons of beet wine.   It sure is a pretty wine.   We hope it tastes as good as it looks.    So far one of them just tastes like beet juice, but it has to age for a while to find out its potential.    As the saying goes.   "No wine before its time."   Bobbie got a new siphon which really works well.   It stops when the bottle is full so that you can switch bottles without drips and spills.

We had hamburger helper for our lunch.   Dick has been asking for that.   I picked up a box of cheesy hamburger flavor.    We had that, a salad and lavender cookies for lunch.

Dick's Health care worker was supposed to come to give him his sponge bath but could not because her daughter had the flu.   So tomorrow, I will wash him down in the morning.    Bobbie and I took Dick to Wisconsin Prosthesis at 2PM.   He had his "second fitting" for the permanent prosthesis.   We go back in two weeks for another and then hopefully two weeks later he will have it.   It is a long process but has to be I guess.

We got home at about 3:30PM.   Tomorrow will be a quiet day.    Sara for PT at about noon and I need to go and run several errands at about 3PM.  

I accidentally shut Roxie in the wine room downstairs for about 45 minutes.    I thought she might have followed me downstairs when I took the potatoes and onions down but did not realize that she had gone in there.   I even left the door at the bottom of the stairs open so that she could come up.   When Bobbie got here we started looking and heard her meowing.   She was quite indignant.

So now you know the day.   Now I will be signing off.   I will share with you a St Bridget tradition that continues to this day in Ireland.   St.Bridget's day is February 1st.   I will be doing it myself.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Brat Bhríde

In Ireland there has been a custom down through the centuries of putting a white cloth out on a bush beside the house on the Eve (31st January) of St Bridget's Day. This cloth was left out over night and it is believed St Bridget passed over it during the night and blessed it. In the morning the cloth was taken in and folded away for the year. People believed in had powers of curing sore throats, headaches and toothaches. If someone developed any of these conditions they wrapped the cloth around their heads to help cure whatever was the problem. This cloth was known as Brat Bhríde and in many parts throughout Ireland the custom still exists of putting out the white cloth on the night before St Bridget's Day. The custom is still widespread throughout the country.

The day is over and what a day.

We had Dick's first appointment with Dr. Kream at 10:30AM.   So we both slept a bit late.   The trip there and back went very well.   Dick is really good at getting in and out of the car.   The appointment went well also.   Dr. Kream is pleased with Dick's improvement, is asking the VNA to update his CPAP machine.   After 8 years there are much improved machines, and he is adjusting his meds a bit.   We will go to see him after Dick has used the new CPAP for 30 Days.

Then this afternoon, we saw Dr. Phillips, a throat specialist.   He checked Dick's throat because we have been concerned that Dick's voice seems so weak and a bit rough.   He says that the throat looks great BUT age is causing a bowing of the larynx.  This causes weakness and hoarseness of the voice but is not a problem unless we feel it is.   There is a surgery but as long as we know there is no tumor or inflammation, we would certainly not opt for surgery.

So Yea! is has been a good day.

So we hope to sleep well because tomorrow is also a busy day.

Dia Dhuit.

Mary

A typical busy Monday.  I got up at 6:30AM.    There is always so much to do before we just get "even". 

I left at about 9Am because I had to get gas in the car before heading out.   I had actually let it get a lot lower than usual so was getting worried in this cold weather. 

Then I went to Bible Study at Blessed Trinity.  There were 7 of us there today.    A nice group, especially with three of our intrepid attendees off to warm parts of the word.   Ione is in Hawaii for another couple of weeks and the Keyes will be gone until almost Easter.   We miss them but what a blessing that they are able to get away during the worst part of the winter.

It was a good bible study.

Then I went to see Mother.   She is fine but the weekend was tiring for her.    Her birthday Saturday was busy with visits and calls.   And Sunday was quite active too.    She handled it quite will and got lots of presents and calls and visits on her 96th birthday.   We got her bills caught up and I explained the Cindy Matyi/Dolores Whelan perpetual calendar that I had purchased for her for her birthday.     She loves the Irish Spirituality so this was a fun sharing for us.

I got home by noon because the PT was coming then.   I have told them that Monday mornings are mine.  Then I get a call last night that someone wanted to come at 11AM.   I flat out told them no.   I could be back by noon, but not before.  I keep hearing how the caregiver has to take care of him or herself.   One would think that one morning a week would not be hard to work around.    Anyway, she agreed to come at noon.  

This afternoon, I finally got my kitchen uncluttered and a lot of other things sorted.   I finished a baby quilt top,  Now I have to get to work assembling it. 

We had scalloped potatoes made with mushroom soup for our lunch and leftover pizza for supper.

A nice day altogether. Spending time with Mom always makes it good.   Tomorrow Dick has two doctor appointments.   Pray for good weather.

All my love

Dia Dhuit

Mary

So.   Here it is.   Getting towards late on a Sunday evening.   It has been a quiet day.   I went to Mass this morning as I was not up to spending another hour away from home, AND Bobbie needed to get home to her Bill.

The Family Irish Day was wonderful.   I suppose you expected that ,as I usually find that the things I enter into are wonderful. 

The Celtic Women hosted a High Tea which was very successful.   We served over 200 people and it was a super Irish event.   We were located to the right of some of the best Irish music available in this area,  Mary Calvey and Jim Wilsing.      I was able to share the Icon that Jim Fleming did for me of Bridget of Ireland.   Jim Wilsing was awed.  When I told him that I was buying it and did not know how much it would be, he said "It does not matter." and he is right.  I gave it back to Jim to have him put the final coat on it and sign the work.   But it is MINE.  As I told Jim Fleming.   I want an original of an artist that I admire.    I do have two from a friend who has probably for gotten that I exist.  And I have an original painting from my Uncle George Bowser.    When I was visiting from California one year, I told Uncle George that I sure would love one of his paintings.   Before we headed back, he sent one of his paintings, an autumn scene because he said that since I did not have that season in California, I should have something to remember it with.   I treasure this painting SO much.

But I digress.   The Irish day was super.   Mary Calvey and Jim Wilsing performed just to the right of us.   In back of us was a table where people were learning how to make Brigid Crosses.    They used Raffia and ribbon to teach people.   In Ireland we used the reeds and rushes but sure as shooting someone would have said they developed an allergic reaction if we tried that here.

In the ARTery, Children were making potato stamps and learning how to write their names in Ogham, an old Gaelic Alphabet.     I love it .   It was fun to be able to convey this information to the Art Center and to give them a picture of a stone carved in Ohgam.  

I was able to try my wings as a storyteller.    Only time will tell if it was worth the effort.  I know that it was worth it for me.    The first session, had two little girls in attendance.  First they asked if they could sit on the chairs next to me and then one of the girls crawled up on my lap for the end of the session.   I figured if she was comfortable and happy with my "gig".   I was happy too.

The second session was fun.  Several close friends were there.  Then when I was really done, a woman came and asked if I would mind doing a bit more for four young people who were disabled.   I said sure and told  about Fairies, how to idientify a Fairy Field and the story  of Liam Clancy trapped in the Fairy Field.    When we were done, I had four "coins" with shamrocks, clovers etc.that I was able to give to each of them (After I asked if it was OK Of Course.)  I was rewarded with a lovely hug and thanks from one of the four little people so I felt that the whole day was worth it.


What a day, wouldn't you agree.   I am glad that today was quiet.  I was able to get MOST of little Marcus's quilt done today.   I like it.  I hope he does.   (It will be nice if his Mom and Dad do too, but it is most important what he thinks.)  I mainly want it cuddly.

So tomorrow starts another day.   Monday is reasonably busy but Tuesday and Wednesday are even more so, because Dick has to leave the house.

Take care of you and be happy

Dia Dhuit

Mary

The weather held out quite well.   It was cold a a witch's nose, but the sun shone and there was no wind to speak of.

The event, Family Day Ireland, was very successful.   I am really a little too tired to tell you the whole scenario, so will save that for tomorrow.   Let us just say that  our Celtic Women International High Tea was very well received.   I did OK with my first storytelling attempt and the music and other amenities were super.

I got home at 4PM and we had leftovers, mainly from the Ireland day.    I brought home colcannon and potato patties and Mulligatawny soup which was left from my lunch.   I am glad that Dick got to share it.    He would have liked the event.    I will  go into more detail tomorrow.

Be happy and rest for tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Whew!   This day our house was like a revolving door and I had to be part of the revolving.

Jody came at 8AM to clean.   We got the Santas down from above the kitchen cupboards and she cleaned up a storm.    I had to leave at 9:30AM to be at Blessed Trinity before Wally Dobrzynski's funeral so that I could hug the family before Mass.   As it turned out, the choir of five of the members that I had sung with several years ago was singing for the service with Zack Holzer playing and leading, asked me to join them.   I thought that was OK, as I had been in the choir for so many years with them and with Wally and his family too.   It seemed a fitting tribute and way to honor Wally.    I teased Zach in the fact that the least he could have done was have a Mass that I did not have to sight read.

I had to leave in the middle of Judy's Eulogy, as it was very Wally.   I had to get home because Rachel, the RN was coming at 11:00Am.   Fortunately she was a bit late so I even beat her home.    We got blood drawn for the anti coagulation clinic and a urine sample to see if his infection is gone.   Both came out very well.   The coagulation count was 221.    Which is as close to perfect as one can get and his urine infection is apparently healed.   Thank God.

I cooked up some grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch.   We were just finishing lunch at about 12:30PM when Sara, PT, came.  Then Dick got a coughing spell.   It was pretty bad.    We finally got it settled and had him do a Albuterol inhalant, which seemed to provide some relief.    He was pretty weak by then but was able to walk and do a  number of the exercises that will keep him strong.
 
At 1:30PM Andrea, the home health aide came to give him his bath.   He really needed it after the coughing spell.    I took advantage of that time to switch the sleeve of his right prosthesis and wash the other one.   Tonight I will clean the left sleeve and have it ready to put on in the morning.

Shortly before 3PM, my Scottish friend Mike, from Accessability came to check out the chair.    He took the stump rests, as we don't need them any longer and showed me how to tighten the foot rest when it gets loose, as it has been.  He also told me that there is a Highland Games in June.   I will be in communication with him as to when that is as I would like to see him in action.   I will probably need a break from the action here about then.

So now you know why I am saying WHEW!

This was a really crazy day.    Tomorrow I will be spending about 6 hours enjoying my Irish heritage at the John Michael Kohler Art Center.   I baked scones to add to the Barm Brack and Lavender Cookies that I am taking for the Celtic Women High Tea we are hosting.    I won't be able to do much with the tea as I am being a storyteller poet for at least an hour probably more.     I just hope that I make a good storyteller/poet.

Pray for me.


So I want to get to bed early tonight so that I can finish gathering stuff for tomorrow.  I feel like I am taking half the house with me.   

I will let you know how it goes tomorrow after I get home.  Bobbie is coming to spend the day with Dick while I am gone.   So I won't have to worry about him at all.

God love you and bless you this weekend.

Mary

A day spent totally at home.    I slept until almost 8AM and Dick slept until 8:30AM which worked out quite well.

We had breakfast and then I started baking.   I made the country bread that I had started yesterday and Barm Brack and Lavender cookies.   The Barm Brack and cookies are for Saturday.   Tomorrow I still have to make scones.   Then I will be all ready.

I did some wash, sewed and took two naps.   

The only visitor we had was Sara, the PT, shortly after lunch.  He did very well with the therapy, including showing him how well he is getting in and out of bed using the bed pull up.   That device was Sara's suggestion and since we got it, I no longer have to get up to help him sit up.   This is such a relief as I can get a much better night's sleep.    Dick is one to wake up of and on during the night and if he can sit for a while he can usually get back to sleep.

So that was the day.   Tomorrow it is going to be like Grand Central here.  So I am going to bed early and trying to get ready for it.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I would have been able to stay home all day except for one thing.    As I wanted to start a batch of Barm Brack for Saturday,  I needed brown sugar.   Imagine my surprise when I looked in the cupboard and was out of it.  

I did not bet up until 8AM and Dick slept til 9AM.   I kind of like him sleeping later than me because I can get myself ready for the day and do a couple of things before the second wave hits.

We had a good late breakfast, washed Dick's hair and then I zipped off to the store to get the brown sugar before we had to think about Andrea, Health Aid and Sara, PT, coming.    I mixed up the raisins, sugar and tea for the brown bread and made a few phone calls while all of that was going on. 

He is all sparkly clean.  He informed me that he ALWAYS sparkles though.   And his exercises went very well.  He walked and did several balance and strengthening routines.   Sara says that he is definitely getting stronger as we go on.   I know he is working hard between sessions as we have goals to meet.   We may have slightly different goals but they aim for the same targets.

I accomplished a lot of other things.    I got more done downstairs on the quilting projects that I am working on. I have a box of tea pots and tea cups and saucers ready to stow in the car for Saturday and I have started a batch of country bread.

So it has been a very satisfying day.    Tomorrow I get to stay home also.   Then Friday will be a day from hell.

Please pray for the soul of my friend Wally Dobrzynski, who went to be with Our Lord yesterday.  His funeral is Friday at 10AM so I have fit that into the day along with everything else.    I sang in choir with him and his daughters Debbie and Judy and son Tim.   His wife, Ruth, is a dear person too and I know she will miss him.

So that is the day.   We are having Chicken Breasts stuffed with Spinach for supper tonight.  

Hope you are eating as well.   My brother in law, George Hiner, used to say when sitting down to a great meal. "I wonder what the rich folks are eating tonight."

Dia Dhuit

Mary

EXERCISE FOR PEOPLE OVER 50
Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side.
With a 5-lb potato bag in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, and then relax.
Each day you'll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer. After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-lb potato bags.
Then try 50-lb potato bags and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-lb potato bag in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute (I'm at this level).
After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each bag.
 
   

It was a snowy day almost all day.    I left for grocery shopping before it started, hoping to get home before it was slippery.    That did not really work.   By the time I finished, the car was white and so was the parking lot, but as I am not far from the store, it was  a slow but careful and safe drive home.

My friend, Bob Fleming, was coming for lunch.  I called to see if he felt safe coming because of the slippery roads but he was already on the road for another errand so DID come.    We had a great visit.   He has been working on an Icon art piece of Bridget for me and is done unless I want some embellishments.    It is so great.   I will share it with the other Celtic Women on Saturday.   But I told Bob, that I want to buy the original.   I want it to be mine.    We had salad, chili and strawberry shortcake for lunch.    A great visit, now I am worried about him as he was going to call when he got home to let me know he made it.   I am sure he was just running late and went right to work.    I left a message on his phone and will call again in the morning.

The rest of the day was quiet as will be the next couple.   I need to be gathering up things for Saturday and baking.   I have no other outside commitment until Friday Night.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

An extra busy Monday.

I got up reluctantly, as my night's sleep was rather broken, at 6:30AM.  As Dick was sleeping, I took my shower and got dressed and cleaned the cat box and got the medicine out before he  wakened.  Then we finished up the morning things and had our breakfast before I had to leave for Bible Study at 9:15AM.

There were 5 of us there this morning and it made for an intimate discussion.of what integrity means to us in the royal sense.   We all have a royal obligation to be truthful, the  sweep the wicked from our lives and to love one another and cherish one another.

  Did you know that God expects us to follow a royal code of conduct?  Read Psalm 101.

Then I went to visit Mom.   She is doing well but seems tired to me.    We got her checkbook and bills updated and had a nice discussion of everything, as we are wont to do.   Just before I left Aunt Kathleen called.   She wanted Mother to know that she was coming out to visit her.   That will be good for both of them.    Mother and Aunt Kathleen have always been close and it is good for them to be together this close to losing Uncle Bob.

I got home in time to fix a good meal of ham and mac and cheese for our lunch before picking up Lynn and Jena and Kate to go to Beverly's home for our Cream City Writer's meeting.. Beverly fell and broke her hip just before Christmas and ended up with a hip replacement.   She just got home from all the rehab and everything last Friday and asked us to come to her home for the meeting as she is still healing and shouldn't be doing a lot of traveling and/or moving.    We had a nice meeting, reading what we had written in the past month and discussing what we want to do in the next.   

I have more little cuts and wounds on my hands and arms and managed to cut my index finger on a soda can tab tonight.   Good Grief.   One \would think that as one gets older one would get more adept at things.

I received the following from a friend today and thought you all might get a kick out of it.

To help save the economy, the Government will announce next month that the Immigration Department will start deporting seniors (instead of illegals) in order to lower Social Security and Medicare costs. Older people are easier to catch and will not remember how to get back home. I started to cry when I thought of you. Then it dawned on me ... oh, crap ... I'll see you on the bus.

A good rest to you and Dia Dhuit

Mary 

A whole day at home with nobody coming in to disrupt the flow.

I spent the morning working on preparing a quilt or two.   I have two that have to be done by the end of the month.   At least the top assembly.   We had meatloaf, roasted potatoes and veggies for our lunch.

Then I took a nap.

I actually did not get to sleep but did gt a bit of rest.   I made some very important calls this afternoon and then baked some beer bread for my friend Beverly and for Mom.

Then we watched the Packers lose.    BOOOOOOO!!!.   Where was our defense?   Aaron did the best he could but with all those dropped balls by the offense what could he do?    Oh Well.   There will be a next year.

I am drowning my sorrows in a glass of Bailey's and then will go to bed.

Hope you had a good weekend.   I will be busy all week getting ready for the Family Irish Day at John Michael Kohler Art Center.   It is next Saturday from 11AM to 3PM.   Cost $8 for non members and $6 for members.  The Celtic Women will be hosting a tea and I will be doing poetry reading and story telling.  There is music by Ceol Cairde and dancing lessons and much more.
  Hope you can come.

Joy to you and a super week.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I just got home from 4PM Mass a bit ago and found my Roxie waiting at the door pointing to the clock.   I WAS, you know, five minutes after 5PM and she should have the food down on the ground by 4:55PM.   Everybody knows that.

I slept until almost 8AM this morning.  That was nice.   We got up then and managed to get everything ready for the day pretty efficiently.  I can't believe how much there is to do before we event get to breakfast.

I fixed fried potatoes, spam and egg for breakfast.    That tasted good.   Then I finished my football picks.  I was quite disappointed.   One of the sources that I use for my picking did not report this week so I used only partial information.  There are only four games so I can't do too badly,   I hope.  However,   New Oreleans is not doing too well for me so far.

Except for Mass, I was home all day.    I baked that biscotti, recipe to follow.   It turned out kind of ugly, but tastes good so I will pick the best looking pieces to take to my friend's house and call it good.

I did some more quilt cutting out this afternoon.

This morning Andrea, the home health aid, was supposed to be here at 10:30AM.  It was almost 11:30AM when she got here, but we were here all day anyway.   She comes from Two Rivers.   Wow.   She also has four children, including a new baby.   Dick likes her because she knows what she is doing and doesn't talk a lot.    He appreciates that some of the aids think they have to entertain him but he is just as happy with just a little talk.   I suppose you find that surprising.

I am hoping to crawl in bed early tonight.   I know I will have to get up with Dick at least once but a head start wouldn't hurt.    We purchased a thing called a bed pull up for him and so far it is a godsend.   Sometimes he has trouble sitting up if his prostheses are not on and this gives him a ballast.   Which means he doesn't have to use me.  And it IS working.

So,  until tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Biscotti

1 Pkg. butter pecan cake   (I used spice cake today)
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
3 tbsp. maple syrup
1 1/2 tsp. instant coffee granules
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup white baking chips
1 cup confectioner's sugar
1 cup finely chopped pecans

In a large bowl, beat cake mix, flour, butter, eggs, syrup, coffee granules and vanilla until well blended (dough will be very thick.)  Fold in chips.

Divide dough in half.  Flour just your hands if it is too sticky.  On an ungreased baking sheet, shape each portion into a 12" X 2" rectangle.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.  Place pans on wire racks.  When cool enough to handle, transfer to a cutting board;  cut diagonally with a serrated knife into 3/4 inch slices.  Place cut side down on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake for 10-15 minutes or until firm.   Remove to wire racks to cool completely.  

In a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar and coffee.  (Today, I just frosted them lightly with some leftover icing that I had.) Drizzle over biscotti.  sprinkle with pecans.   Let stand until set.   Store in an airtight container.

Another day at home.  Mostly.

I had to get up at 6AM though because Dick got up then.    I might have been able to sleep some more
BUT  By the time we got him assembled and ready to go to his desk and doling out his meds, I was pretty much out of the mood.    Also, since Jody comes at 8AM, I would have had to get up in an hour anyway.

So I just got up.   I showered, fixed breakfast, emptied the new litter box for the first time.    Did I tell you we got a new one?    It is a roll and empty model and works quite well.  The old one had lost its clips a couple of years ago and when the handle broke the other day, I decided it was time to upgrade.   Roxie had no trouble adjusting.    I put it in the same spot and used the same litter as I had just changed it all on Tuesday, so she felt comfortable.   Maybe she can see that it is an upgrade.

I did some quilt preparation this morning and did a lot of wash.

Sara, the PT, came shortly after lunch and put Dick through his paces.   He did very well.    He had already walked once this morning so got a second walk and lots of balancing exercises.   A very good day.    I hope it tired him out a lot for tonight's sleep.

Tomorrow Andrea, the home health aide, will come to bathe him.   That is such a help for me.    We can wash his hair easily enough and it is good therapy too as he stands by the sink and I do the washing.

I took a nap after Sara left.    Needed it after the short night's sleep and the busy morning.   Then Nancy and Warren picked me up to go to pistol league.     It actually started last week.   I missed the first week, but that will be OK.   So I saw lots of my friends at the club.    I did not renew my membership this year because I don't feel that I can commit the time that is needed to be a member.   But I can still shoot pistol and I really do enjoy that.

My first target was not too bad,  the other two were a disappointment, but I find that my arm was tired.  I must practice building up stability and strength so that won't happen any more.

Tomorrow, the only place I have to go is to Mass at 4PM, and Andrea is coming at 10AM so it will be a comparatively quiet day.   I have been able to keep the weekends quiet lately.    That will end with this weekend though.   Things will start to happen next weekend, starting with the Family Irish day next weekend.

I am going to make biscotti tomorrow.    I have a really easy recipe that you make with a cake mix.   I'll put it in tomorrow.

Time to get ready for bed now so good rest to you all and good rest to me also.

Dia Dhuit.

Mary

A day at home.   I was glad that it turned out that way, as a winter storm was and perhaps is coming in.    There was no appreciable snow until after noon, but it does seem to be accumulating now.

I slept until almost 8AM.  Would have stayed in longer but I was starting to ache.   Dick slept until 10AM and I had to wake him up.   I was a bit concerned because he should be eating at somewhat regular intervals.    So far his sugar counts have been just fine, but we don't want to mess up a good thing.

I finished a big project for CWI today and cleaned up the kitchen.  Jody always finishes it, but there are certain things that she doesn't do, like bleach the sink every so often.

The new litter box for Roxie arrived today.    The old one finally broke enough pieces that I decided to replace it.    I got a rolly polly one that supposedly will, when I roll it put all the Icky stuff into a container that I just have to pull out and throw away.     I like that better than scooping.   It will be interesting to see how Roxie takes to it.  I cleaned the area really deep, vacuuming the carpet and the edges and washing the plastic pad and place mats that I keep under the box.   I put her old litter in it so she should be all right.

Sara came at 12:30PM to put Dick through his paces.   He did pretty will and she is going to see about an extension to the trapeze on his bed.   We should get the bed pull up tomorrow and these things will make it easier for him to sit up in bed unassisted.   Good for him and good for me.

We took the decorations off the tree this evening so that Jody can help me pack up and take the tree downstairs tomorrow.    Then next week, she can help me take down all the Santa Clauses and clean the top of the cupboards.   

Tomorrow I will be able to stay home all day too.   If it is OK, I would like to go to shoot pistol, but I can go out Sunday afternoon, if I need to.   Don't want to get too far behind.

Snow is still falling.  Should make for a nice night for sleeping.

I hope your night is peaceful too.  

Dia Dhuit.

Mary

This was a very busy day.    I did get to sleep until 7AM.  The night was short.  I did not finally get to sleep until almost 11PM.   But those hours were pretty good.

I spent the early part of the morning finishing phone calls and emails that I have been behind on.   I did most of the cooking for the Chili Mac that we had for lunch and got Dick's hair washed.   That is a good way for him to be exercising too as he has to stand by the sink and balance while I do the washing.

Bobbie got here at about 10AM.  We had two batches of wine (mine - Marigold and Marigold/Current) to rack and two batches of wine(hers - both beet - one with brown sugar, one with white) to filter.   That took a bit.  My brother Jeff came at about 11AM to fix a door jam that had been knocked off.   He is so good.  He told me to call if I needed help so I did.    Can one ask for better relatives than that?
He was on his way to Mom's.  He intended to take her out for a walk.   Eileen brought a wheel chair and with today SO beautiful, it seems like the perfect day to get fresh air.  

I even opened the deck door for Roxie for a bit.

Dick had his appointment with the prosthesist.   We have a new one, as Tim has moved on to another company.  His name is Marty and he seems to be very nice.   He casted Dick's left stump and we should have the semi final prosthesis in two weeks.   Boy will that be a relief.   We are using way too much ply for the padding on the temporary one.

So, I have washed all day and still have one more load to go.   I am tired and going to bed very early.  I can read and relax.   Dick can just call as he needs me to help him.

Take care of you.   We are supposed to be getting a pretty good winter storm tomorrow.    I am glad that I do not have to go anywhere and feel sorry for the health aids that are coming to care for Dick.

Dia dhuit

Mary

This will be short and sweet.   

I had an appointment with Dr. Leben, the physiatrist, who gave me the results of my back MRI.   She did find an area of concern and a slight curvature which can be treated.   We are starting by having me take a medicine for the nerve called Gabapentin.   I will take it for 3 or 4 weeks to see if it will be useful.  The other option is a cortisone shot and I really don't want to do that.   Time will tell and I sure hope that this will help.

I went right from there to JMKAC to bring a flag, some CDs and some pictures to Danika, who is in charge of the Irish Family Day.   We discussed other needs to and had a great conversation.    I got home at noon and prepared tuna sandwiches with potato salad for our lunch.

We finished before Rachel, the RN from VNA, came to check Dick over.    We are pleased with the way the wounds are healing.   She made note of the bladder infection and will be here a week from Friday to take blood tests and to collect a urine sample to be sure that he does not need more treatment.

Then I napped for an hour.   I spent the rest of the afternoon kind of trying to get caught up on computer work.   I STILL have a lot to do there.

At 6:30PM, I left and picked up Kate to go to Fr. Van Beek's last "Evening with the Pastor", his adult education project.   He will be retiring in a few months and I really wanted to be at this evening.   He does such a nice presentation, tonight talking about prayer and Faith and trust.   He also is starting to get us used to the idea of accepting a new priest when the time comes.   He wants the transition to be good for him, and for the man who takes over and for us as the congregation that will welcome him. 

By the way, did you read that Timothy Dolan, our previous Archbishop is going to be a Cardinal.    I am not surprised and am very pleased.   He is a good man.

So I am home and going to be going "up the wooden hill to four corners" soon.   Have you ever heard that expression.   Mother used to say that to us when it was time for bed.

Love and Dia Dhuit

Mary

Today I was able to get back to a "normal" Monday morning.   Bible Study and a visit with Mother.

Bible study was well attended for our winter group.   Tom and Kathy are in Texas until spring and two others could not come, but we were 6 strong and had a good discussion of Psalm 101, especially as it relates to the responsibilities of rulers and the people - and in this pre-election climate, there was a lot.   We DO try to keep too much politics out of our discussions but this was a psalm that just called for it.    How does one make people see their moral responsibilities in the leadership?    None of this is new.   But it will lead to destruction unless somehow, we see the mistakes of the past and change them.   As a democracy, the people should be able to do this.   The tools are there, but someone has to take the reins and do it.    Congress, as an entity, has become a greedy pig, voting itself raises and benefits that are beyond reasonable.   The members of congress should be on the same SSI program, the same health care program and the same pension possiblities of every citizen of this country.   Also, one term in office should not entitle a person to a lifetime of pension.    Who will step forward to get this going?   Dick won't let me.  He says I am too busy.


Mom and I got her finances squared away.    It was simple.  Only one bill this week.  Then we had a nice visit.   She said that she felt a little stronger today which was good to hear.    Eileen was coming out this afternoon to take her tree down.   The tree has shed a circle of pin needles around itself,  much like a fairy circle.

I got home just before noon and fixed Dick lunch before the first of our VNA helpers, Sara, the PT, came.  He is doing very well.   He had already taken a walk this morning, long before shewas due.

Then at 3PM the health care nurse came to give Dick his bath.    So we are well cared for.


I am rather tired tonight and told Dick that I am going to bed early tonight, even if it means that he has to get me up to help him.   I really need the sleep.   I will be glad when the bed pull ups the we ordered come and he can get himself into a sitting position ALL the time.   Sometimes he can, even now, but we are not sure how.   It is hard to figure out when one is half asleep.  I know he tries very hard to get up  before calling me, but sometimes, he just can't get up without help.  Especially when he is half asleep.

So that is our day.   I will end this with a quote that  I used as a prayer at the bible study.   Actually two of them.

They make one think. One challenges us and one asks us to trust.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

St.  Basil:  "The bread which you do not use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked;  the shoes that you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is bare foot;  the money that you keep locked away is the money of the poor; the acts of charity that you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit."

St. Gregory Nazoreane.  "God accepts our desires as thought they were a great value.   He longs ardently for us to desire and love him.   He accepts our petitions for benefits as though we were doing Him a favor.   His joy in giving is greater and ours in receiving.   So let us not be apathetic in our asking, nor set to narrow bounds to our requests; nor ask for frivolous things unworthy of God's greatness.