We had Mother over for dinner this evening. Always a pleasure. The Schlitzhagen and the blueberry pie were both very good. Jim and I took her home at about 7:00PM. As it turned out, we picked a good time. There is a freezing rain out there and by the time we got to her house it was quite slick. I was glad that Jim was there to help Mother, because she needed help getting into the house.

Since we are home, Jim has been listening to the scanner and reporting every so often on salt trucks that are stuck out there at the bottom of hills unable to even get back to the lot. A warm spell is supposed to be coming in over night so we should be able to walk and drive by morning. It is good to be safe and secure on a night like this.

Just a note to usher in the New Year. Helen Keller said, "No effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost."

Pray for the living in the Tsumami area. Bless the rescuers and speed them on their mission of hope and relief.

Love

Mary

I am trying to post early because it is New Year's Eve and I want to post a picture of the duplicate ball that drops on New Year's Eve in Time's Square. When Bart and Barb and I were in Ireland, we went on a tour of the Waterford Factory, they keep duplicates of everything they make and have that duplicate on display and lighted. It is really a beautiful thing.



One last note on Reggie White. In the glory years, the year of the Superbowl win in 1997, I was still working, of course, and we had a holiday party after Christmas at a hotel, I believe in Appleton. We all came in Packer Gear. I had to buy something because I had nothing. I ended up with a Reggie 92 Jersey. I wore green jeans, a gold turtleneck and the Jersey and won a really nice Packer throw, because "everybody was mistaking me for Reggie." Still have the throw. It is in the den with all the other Packer stuff, such as the Packer Care Bear and Packer troll to bring us luck during the games.

Sunday is the last regular game. Then the playoffs.

Happy New Year.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!


Mary

Dick had his appointment to have his blood checked today and it is finally back within the parameters that they want it. For the first year, after they discovered the irregular heartbeat, we had the count just perfect and then about 6 weeks ago it went just a teensy bit high. Sue, the nurse in charge, adjusted the medicine dose and we are now perfect again. Nice to end the year that way.

One more day left in 2004. The death count in Asia keeps climbing and climbing. I keep praying and we sent a bit in care of the Red Cross to hopefully help a bit. The numbers are staggering.

Reggie White was buried today. How sad for his family. His children are still so young, a daughter in high school. I am glad that I have my Reggie 92 Jersey. The last regular Packer game is against Chicago, Sunday. They have already cinched a playoff seat so it really doesn't matter but we had BETTER beat Chicago. We lost the first game with them and they are really BAD this year. People say that Bret should not play to "save" him for the playoffs. I found it interesting that he said that he does not understand "saving" people who are healthy and doing well for a later game. He does love to play football.

Gloria Vanderbilt said "Have great, secret, big, fat hopes for yourself."

Sounds good to me. You must all do that.

Love

Mary

Lunch with my classmates was so nice. There were 10 of us at the Firehouse, including two spouses. Lorraine Schmitt Schaap, Bob Guse, Diana Brown Jurista, Nancy Gallagher Roehre, Ken and Barb Richter, Joe and Sharon Ehren, Elaine Evanoff and me. Not too bad on three days notice. The Firehouse is always a good place to go. The food is tasty and the atmosphere is pleasant.

After lunch, I stopped at Mother's for just a few minutes. The guys have started the work necessary to intall the washer/dryer we got for her.

I am very tired tonight so this will be short. Only two more days left in 2005. We are spending a quiet evening here at home. We invited Mother for dinner on New Years Day. I am fixing Schlitzhagen with mashed potatoes. I need to decide what to have for dessert.

Did I ever tell you the Schlitzhagen story? Years ago, Dad was a good friend of a man named Fitzpatrick, who owned Fitz's Tavern on Broadway in Sheboygan Falls. They had a bowling alley in the basement and served dinners. Their chicken dinners were very good I guess. Anyway, Fitz asked Dad if he had any use for chicken broth. They preboiled their chicken for the dinners they served and had buckets of the stuff that was otherwise just tossed. Dad would occasionally bring a bucket home and Mother became very inventive.

One of the recipes was Schlitzhagen. She would mix up a meatloaf mixture, roll it into meatballs, flour and brown the meatballs and drop into the hot chicken broth and cook til the meatballs were cooked through. It is just great over mashed potatoes or noodles. We called it Schlitzhagen. Schlitz because the broth came from a bar and Hagen because we liked the sound of it.

Have a nice Thursday.

Love

Mary

Dick commented today that my haircut and my chiropractic appointment cost exactly the same. I did both today.

The weather was comfortable - in the mid 20s and not at all windy. Chelsea and I both enjoyed our walk this morning. The little vixen talked Jim into taking her out at 5:15AM then woke me up acting pathetic at 5:55AM. What a faker.

Tomorrow, I am going to have lunch with some friends. I got an e-mail from Diana Brown Jurista, a gal that I graduated from eighth grade with. We also both were in the group of young girls who all went to the School Sisters of St. Francis Convent in St. Francis WI right out of grade school. Actually 13 girls from Sheboygan Falls went to the convent in a three year period. None of us are still there. Sister Rosanne was our religious education teacher while we were very young. We all admired her so much that we literally migrated to the sisterhood. At that time, they let girls come as Freshmen in high school. After a year our two we found that we were not suited for the life after all. At least that was my experience. We were much too young and eventually, they realized this.

Anyway, Diana is visiting tomorrow and wondered if we could get together.

Lorraine, another classmate, and myself, contacted all of the members of the 8th grade class that we could and there will be at least five or six of us there. Not bad on such short notice. We were the first to graduate from St. Mary's Catholic Grade School 50 years ago.

Friends after all these years. Pretty special.

I read something in a catalog that I think is funny.

If it has tires or testicles, it's gonna give you trouble.


Enjoy

Mary

What a Sunday. First the news of the tsunami in Asia. Death tolls are still rising. I e-mailed Fr. Mike Shea, my cousin, who has a mission in Thailand. First, I checked the location of his school and orphanage in relationship to the west coast and found that the mission is far north and east. He sent a blanket message to us and I know that they are OK but that the death and devastation is awful. I am so relieved that he and the 0ver 100 children he has under his care are OK.

Then the word came that Reggie White, the retired Packer #92, died suddenly at the age of only 43. What a shock. He helped lead the Packers to the Super Bowl in 1997. I always admired him. Some of his ideas were a bit odd, but he was a sincere Christian, who became a practicing minister and wore his faith proudly.

My fondest memory is the following. During those glory Super Bowl years, our grandkids, Sara and Nora went up to Green Bay with the Recreation Department to watch a practice. At that time, they were probably 6 and 8. Nora was a teeny little blond thing and Reggie at 6' 5" , 304 pounds must have looked like a true giant next to her. Anyway when they came back, Nora was wide eyed with wonder and told us in a trembling, awe struck voice. "Reggie White touched my hand."

I am going to try a picture again.



Have a good Tuesday and let me know if you see the picture.

Mary

It was kind of warm today, all the way up to 22 degrees. WOW. We had a dusting of snow too and Chelsea was in her glory. She kept thinking of excuses to go out so she could roll in the snow.

Church was nice this morning. It was the feast of the Holy Family and Fr. Gene talked on the value of our families. We need to be sure to let our children AND the other members of our family circle know how we value them.

We had a nice visit with Dick and Brenda before they headed back to Madison.

The rest of the day was just laid back and goofing off. I rested and did a bit of sewing and puttered on the computer. Tomorrow is soon enough to get back on the fast track.

There was an announcement at Mass this morning that there is a desperate need for bedding, so I went through our closets and found a couple of blankets and quilts and sheets and pillowcases that we have not used in years and probably never will. So, Dick and I will drop them off at the church tomorrow. I shudder at the thought of anybody being cold when we have so much.

I understand that pictures have not been coming through recently. Jim just fixed it and tomorrow will be the BIG test. Look forward to a picture tomorrow. I am just too tired tonight.

Only five more days til the New Year.

Love

Mary

Christmas is almost over. We have eaten the meal, exchanged the gifts and are settled down to a nice quiet visiting time.

I talked to Bart and Barb this morning, Bret this afternoon, and Leslie, Bill, Sara and Nora this evening. It is good to hear those voices since we cannot physically be together for hugs and sharing.

Dinner was very good and I DO recommend the Guy Pie. Everyone loved it and I can see how it won Emeril's contest.

The animals are very tired. Chelsea is hoping that I go to bed soon. Her tail is still bravely curled over her back but whenever she stops moving her eyes start closing. She isn't as young as she used to be.

Santa was very good to us again. We are indeed blessed in all ways. Especially with family that love us and that we love in return.

Stay warm and keep in touch.

Love

Merry Christmas


Mary

Christmas Eve is drawing to a close. The choir sang at Mass tonight. The teen-young adult group joined us and sang before Mass and at communion, so we didn't get to sing out great numbers during Mass. Fortunately, we rehearsed before Mass so most of the attendees heard us sing -Mary Don't You Weep and Peace Peace. It was a nice service anyway and I can stay home ALL day tomorrow which is nice for me.

After Mass I stopped to see Mother and wish her a Merry Christmas. She goes to Eileen's on Christmas, a tradition for many years. This year, for the first time in many years, there will be no children. It is time for more children. We have Mary's little ones about 10 and 8, (Mary is Eileen's daughter). They will be with their father this Christmas day. We have Dolores's Evan and Brandon, who are about 5 and 2. (You do realize that I am talking Mother's Great Grandchildren. We have Denise's children who are about 11 and 5 and mine are 21, 20, 17 and 16. Where are the babies. We need babies. Now, I am not advocating babies without families. (This is the Grandma talking.)

Dick, Jim and I exchanged gifts tonight, as always. I am again bedecked in jewels. The guy s seemed pleased with their gifts. Tomorrow, I get to cook. If anyone wants to join us, I always have plenty. We are having Tomato Tart. An Italian sausage, tomato cheese dish which is to DIE for. For dessert, we are having Guy Pie. Guy Pie was the winner of this year's Emeril pie contest and is banana cream, chocolate, coconut cream pie with whipped cream and shaved chocolate.

Eat your hearts out if you don't come to partake.

Anyway, Merry Christmas. and I love you all.
Mary

Because I have choir tonight, I am going to post early. It is about 1:30PM and the temperature has risen from 3 degrees this morning to a rousing high of 11 degrees right now. The garage had dropped to 31 degrees. I actually am grateful right now as I look at the snow that is causing such difficulty in many parts of the nation. However, we must be aware, as we snuggle in our warm homes that there are still homeless out there and these snows in some of our usually warm states are likely to be catastrophic. I understand that the shelters are really stretched. I also heard that - in this cold - Chicago did another sweep under the overpass bridges and again found homeless. Seven in fact that they are trying to direct to help.

Many years ago, while I still lived in California, and the boys were three and seven, my ex husband, the boys and I, flew here to Wisconsin for Christmas. It was a wonderful trip BUT I don't think the temperatores were higher that 3 degrees the whole time we were here. When we stepped out of the airport and ran to my sister Nora's car, the boys actually wailed with shock at the cold. Most mornings the temperatures were 15 to 16 below zero. Not many of the homes on the street that I grew up on had garages. Cars were just parked outside and it was quite an adventure in the morning as people got ready to go to work or school. If one person got their car started, they helped jump the others or whatever else worked to get them moving.
My three California boys really got an education and my ex husband did not drive as he was nervious about ice and snow, for good reason.

It was a wonderful Christmas though and a really special memory.

Take care, stay warm and remember those who are less fortunate.

Love

Mary

I am sure that you have all heard the following by now. It has been around for several years. But I will repeat it and expound on it.

THREE WISE WOMEN

Do you know what would have happened if it had been Three Wise Women instead of Three Wise Men?

1. They would have asked directions
2. Arrived on time
3. Helped deliver the baby
4. Cleaned the stable
5. Made a casserole, and
6. Brought practical gifts.


I want to expand on that a bit. I may have told this story before, but it also is worth repeating. My Grandma, Matie Bowser, was quite a women. She died November 1, 1986 just 17 days short of her 93rd birthday. When she died, except for bequests and special requests, we grandchildren were permitted to go and choose things that were meaningful to us.

Years ago, Evanoff's, now Evans, used to sell Nativity scenes in pieces. There were bins of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, animals, shepherds, Wise Men and Angels. Grandma had purchased a small set. This was way before women's lib and the above little story, but Grandma was practical and made a definate statement with her Creche.

It consists of Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, and angel and - -- - - -three Women. Bet your bottom dollar she was making a statement. If a new baby was born in a stable or a barn, the women would have been there to help providing food, and comfort and begging to cuddle the baby.

I have that little Creche in my home now and display it proudly.

Only two more days.

Love
Mary

Three more days til Christmas. We are really counting down now. Today, Dick and I went to Hartland and took two deer hides to be tanned. We had lunch there too. It was a nice drive. Cold of course, but while we were on the road the snow we started with stopped and gradually changed to blue skies and sunshine.


Tomorrow, Chelsea gets her Christmas bath. As I will tell her, she can't be a dirty doggie when company comes. Then I am taking a bunch of clothes and stuff over to St. Vincent and a meal of soup and bran muffins to a friend who is not well. Please pray for my friend. Esther has a heaviness in her chest and has to go to St. Joseph's Hospital in Milwaukee on Thursday for tests. She is very brave but frightened and her son Adam is in need of prayer too.

I am so grateful to have so many blessings. So many in this world need so much.

Bless the little children, our soldiers and the homeless.

Mary

Countdown to Christmas. Four more days. The very last of the presents we are giving arrived TODAY. So I will wrap and put under the tree tomorrow. The presents from Bret and Bart arrived today too. It is a red letter day.

Tomorrow, Dick and I will take two deer hides down to a place in Hartland that tans them. I figure I need four to make a nice vest and one of the hunting guys, either Jason Karls or one of the Carpenter boys gave me one of theirs to start my collection. I hope that by the time I have four, one of them is mine. Randy, my brother, said that this is a really nice store too, so Dick and I will really enjoy the trip. There is no snow expected tomorrow anyway. We are going out to lunch too.

God direct all. It is , after all, a way he has.
Ellis Peters



Silver bells are ringing.

Mary

Packers lost. What a drag. They came back from behind again but not soon enough.

The choir sang at the 10:30AM mass. After Mass, we all had a sandwich and cookie lunch and then trucked over to the Mall to sing Christmas carols in the atrium. It was fun. The Kindercore sang first. Then we sang two songs with them and then we sang a few songs on our own. A nice way to kick off Christmas week. It is almost like going out caroling.

I fixed Chili Mac for dinner tonight. I haven't fixed it for a couple of years. One of the good basics.

It is really quite simple.

Brown 1 pound of hamburger, with 1 medium chopped onion, 1/2 chopped green pepper and 1 diced clove of garlic. Add chili powder, garlic salt and black pepper to taste. Throw in 1 small can of tomato sauce and 1 16 oz can of stewed tomatoes and let simmer.

Finally, boil about 3 ounces of macaroni until tender. Mix in to the simmering sauce and let cook together. Add some shredded cheese, (if you want) and serve with a nice green salad.

Love

Mary

Another Saturday with no reason to leave the house. Dick put the tree up on Thursday so I put the ornaments on today and the tree is beautiful. Now it is coasting all the way til Christmas.

Yesterday, I made the applie pie recipe that I heard about which mixes chilis in with the apples. It is really good. It is just basically any apple pie recipe with a 4 ounce can of Ortega chopped chilis mixed in with the sliced apples before you pour it in to the crust.

We had a few flurries today and Chelsea is trying to take advantage of the few flakes that are managing to stay on the ground by rolling around in the grass everytime she gets outside.

Have a nice day. Tomorrow the choir is going to sing at the Mall at 1:00. Perhaps you would like to come and hear us.


Love

Mary

Had a perfectly lovely Christmas lunch at the home of Marlene Schueffner, one of my "Plymouth" people. We are a group of about 7 ladies who all worked at Wells Fargo and meet every Friday for lunch, usually at the Dairy Queen.

Marlene wanted us to come over to her house for lunch. There were 6 of us. Betty, Ceil, Barb, Joyce, myself and of course, Marlene. Mary and Dawn were unable to come. We will not meet until after the New Year turns now. Wow. Only two more weeks of 2004.

After I left there, I went to Mother's house. Jeff brought the new washer/dryer combination, that we bought for her for Christmas. It is really sharp looking. Now the boys have to get it installed. She will no longer have to go down into the basement to do her wash. This will be a great relief to all of us as we worry about her falling. I think she does too and is really pleased with her gift. We were getting a delight out of her neighbor. He asked Mother when she brough him a stollen that she baked to thank him for all he does for her, whether she had an upstairs washer yet. She assured him that it was coming and he said Good. It is so special to have neighbors that are so good to her AND so concerned.

While I was there, I saw a quotation on her refrigerator that I really like and will share with you. She said that she heard it on TV from an Irish group in a song. She can't remember the group so I cannot give credit.

God be good to anyone
who's sleeping out tonight.
Tuck them in and keep them warm
And don't put out the light.

Especially this time of the year, God needs to be there for all the homeless in our country. It is mighty cold out there and I am sure that Guardian Angels are mighty busy.


Mary

It was a Christmassy day. Not at first, Dick got his blood checked early and then we went out for breakfast. While we were at the clinic, we found out that they have more flu vaccine and that people over 50 now are eligible. Sue, the nurse that tests Dick's blood, was able to give me my shot so I am now immunized. This makes Dick feel better anyway, because he likes to know that I am protected.

Then I picked up Mother and we sent to dinner at the Senior Center in Sheboygan Falls. It was fun, we exchanged gifts and I got two really pretty Christmas hot pads as my gift. We had a tasty lunch of a 1/2 Cornish game hen with pumpkin pie for dessert. Then I took Mother to the eye doctor where she got a clean bill of health. He said that her vision seems to have even improved a bit. Perhaps the Vita Eyes she takes is helping.

Tonight we had choir practice. Took a bit longer because of Christmas and then I stayed for the bells and even played a bit. Always wanted to try them and it is really fun. - -- Fun but a bit confusing.

I received the following by e-mail this week and at Christmas time want to ask everybody to please pray for our sons and daughters in danger over there. Pray for safety and a quick resolve to the conflict.

Let's remember them especially this time of the year when we count our blessings.
Let's all pray for their safe return.................



The picture is beautiful

Love

Mary

Today Dick took candy to Mead Library and Eastern Shores. He has done that since he retired and he and they all enjoy it. He says that he sees less familiar faces. Some are retiring after 13 years and some are of course on vacation or just not on at the time.

I had lunch with a friend. A few years ago, Blessed Trinity asked if anyone would volunteer to be a confirmation sponser for a young man who did not have family in the area, so I volunteered and met David and his family. He is now ALMOST done with four years of college and I see his mother, Jane, sometimes. We decided that it was TIME to lunch so we did.

Did you know that Tommy Smothers said. "When you don't know what your're talking about, it's hard to tell when you're finished."

I like that

Tomorrow is SO busy. Dick gets his blood test, checking the wine, lunch at the Senior Center with Mom and then on to the eye doctor with her and choir in the evening. I got some chili out of the freezer for supper. Sure glad I have it in there. It is the venison chili and is SO good.


Love

Mary

I flat out forgot to post last night. It was a good day too.

Started out with bible study. There were five of us there. It probably will be a bit sparcely attended until after the new year - and then until spring. Many are very busy with Crhistmas and all and some of our members are snow birds and will be heading for Texas/Florida for a month or two or three. One of our regulars is experiencing medical problems. She is a wonder. She has diabetes, back and hip trouble and now is complaining of chest heaviness (congestive heart failure has been ruled out) and is going through a series of tests to see what can be done. We ended up with a very lively discussion on the roles of women in the church and throughout history. It was pointed out the science has been useful to women. I ancient times, woman was the "nest" - the man "planted the seed". Science showed the human race that it takes the sperm and the egg together to make the child. I pointed out that since boy babies are so prized in many societies, it must have been a real shock to the males to discover that it was their fault if only girls were produced as they provide the gene that determines sex.

Then I went right on to the Writers Club party. We went to Arabellas. It is a good restuarant. For those of who, who know Sheboygan but don't know where it is. It is located on south Eighth street on the roundabout where the Hardee's used to be. We had about 25 writers there, some even came from the Plymouth Club, which is a branch of our club. We ate, exchanged gifts and stories and I got home at about 3:00.

I then finished the little booklet that I am making for the family about Uncle George and his limericks. I will include a couple of his limericks for your enjoyment.




Today we shopped and I have been decorating. I am still waiting for Dick to finish putting the tree up so I can decorate it. Well, there are 10 days to go. I hope that I am not frantically throwing ornaments on the tree Christmas Eve. That would not be fun as the choir is singing then too. I am going to make Apple Cinnamon Liquor today so it can mature before Christmas. That should be fun to share with the GUY PIE.

Have a good day.

Mary

Good day. We had a substitute priest, as Fr. Gene is still recovering from his surgery. He was here two weeks ago. He is an older priest, a Salvatorian, who gives wonderful informative sermons. He explained why, Palestine, so arid and not to fertile, was such a prize all through the ages. It is the passageway to just about everywhere in the Middle East and therefore stratigically vital.

Then the Packers won. The first half was a disaster, but they rallied during halftime and won 16/13. We were happy campers and went out for dinner.

I will end with a quote from Cadfael.

What Cadfael did not regret, he found grave difficulty remembering to confess.

Don't we all.

Love and prepare for Christmas and Peace and Hope

Mary