I have the opportunity to be on the internet at the hotel so thought I would say HI to all. The trip here was perfect. We got out before the snow. Dick says there are 4 to 6 inches in Sheboygan.

The rehearsal dinner was SO pleasant. We got to introduce the two families and the members of the wedding party at an excellent Italian restaurant not far from her.

This morning Barb and I went on a five hour quilt hop. We both found treasures. I was freed up because Nora offered to ship things that won't fit in bags home for me. We went to three great shops.

Poor Bart is not feeling well at all. He seems to have a bug that has unsettled his tummer. We are trying to get him better for tonight.

I lost my itinerary but Barb showed me how to do this hotel stuff and I have a new copy in my hot little hands. The wedding is at 6:30 at a Chinese restaurant near here. We will get there at 6 as ceremonies are usually right on the dot and we will eat right after the ceremony. Such fun.

Take care. Until tomorrow.

Love

Mary

Yippee. I went to the doctor this morning at 8:15AM. Dr. Peschke said that my ankle is lookin' good! I do NOT have to take the crutches to Texas unless, of course, I want to play the sympathy card. (I DO NOT.) He did suggest that I use the brace for any long walks, like airports and such to provide some stability. Also, my blood pressure was back down to normal. We figure it was just the trauma of the pain of the sprain on that day that caused it to soar. So I am almost all well again and certainly ready for the trip.

I spent the rest of the day getting packed and all and trying to be sure the house is in order for Dick while I am gone. He has lots of food that is easy to find and prepare, so I am not worried about that. We got him all showered, stockinged and medicated so he will be OK until I am home on Sunday. Whew.

Chelsea was very quiet today and slept a lot. I think three days of company is very tiring for and old lady like her but she sure enjoys the company. When I get back if there is no ice, we will start walking again. That will definitely be a bonus for both of us. I am sure that by then walking will be the BEST exercise for my foot and I know that I need to be moving. I feel like a slug.

Richard made a movie of Brenda walking Chelsea. That is really a pleasure to watch. Did I tell you that my wallpaper on the computer disappeared? I wouldn't and don't care too much but I do miss seeing my Waylon looking at me. When I get to heaven, all of my critters will be waiting for me.

Now, remember, I will be gone until Sunday. I will tell you as much as I am able (depending on tired) about the trip on Sunday evening. Hopefully I will have a good picture of the bride and groom and of Bart and Barb for you.

I wrote a Haiku about getting rid of my crutches.

To talk with freedom
After being long constrained
I laugh for happy.


Love

Mary

Did you miss me? Our whole cable system was down from Christmas Eve until about 3PM this afternoon. We were really upset. The Time Warner guy came and fixed it. He found that a cable up at the top was severed. We believe that some critter has invaded our people domain as he also found corn and stuff under the TV as if it was being horded for the future. He checked all their ingresses into the house and put some DCon up into that area. There were no signs that anything could have gotten through there. As soon as I am able I will go and check our outlets for the dryer etc and see if the covers are off again. It is such a cold and snowy winter we could EASILY have some critter finding a warm spot in our pipes etc. Otherwise we may have to get an exterminator.

Christmas was truly wonderful. Bobbie and Bill, Jim and Michelle and Dick and Brenda were all here. Dinner turned out good. I fixed meatloaf, overnight potatoes, Brussel Sprouts, carrot salad and double chocolate upside down Potcheen cheesecake for dessert. All the gifts were well received and we loved ours so that went well too. After dinner we went over to Jim and Michelle's to enjoy their Christmas decorations and Boots. Altogether it was really great.

Today was quiet. We had Brenda and Dick with us until almost noon, a real delight. Then they headed up to Dick's mother's and we went grocery shopping. This afternoon was the visit from the "Cable Guy" and preparations for dinner. I have everything cleaned up and put away now.

I am trying to get ready for the trip to Dallas next. Tomorrow morning is my visit with the doctor to determine if I am healed. I am hoping against hope that I can go to Texas without those danged crutches. I do not hurt any more actually there has been no pain since the second day and have pretty much done everything I was told to do SO that should be that.

Dick has not been sleeping well and is not feeling as well as he should. I hope that maybe with me gone he will have a chance to rest. With my foot he has had an awful lot to do. Of course he will still have Chelsea, but I think that Jim and/or Michelle will help him with her. I am really looking forward to the break actually.

ANyway that is where I have been. I will post tomorrow night and then you will not hear from me again until Sunday night.

I know that I have put this in the blog before but at this time of year it is worth repeating.

Love

Mary

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand & a glass of wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Can you believe that there is only one more day before Christmas. Christmas Eve is TOMORROW.

We stayed home all day today. I was very disappointed. It IS Sunday and I hate missing Mass, but it was slippery out there and the wind was horrendous. Not a great place for a 67 year old woman on crutches.

My foot feels fine. I weathered the Clancy Legacy with no complications and have now begun exercising the foot as the doctor instructed. I am determined to travel to Texas without crutches.

I started doing the prep work for the Christmas Dinner. I figure a little at a time is the best way. Today I made the carrot salad and the bread. I did get a pain in my side this afternoon, probably because I am holding myself oddly when I do some things like cleaning the microwave.
We wonder how long it will take Chelsea to realize that I am back "on the job" when I am all healed. Today Dick took her out several times and Jim and Michelle kindly came over an took her for as much of a walk as their poor little bodies could stand. Chelsea with her long fur coat seems to think that EVERYBODY should be able to stay out as long as she does. HAH! She is wrong. But she did get some exercise anyway.

Remember the Christmas pageant with "Gold, Common Sense and Fur."

Here is another one the at my brother and sister in law, Jeff and Kathy sent to me. It think it is great.


Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the
holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial
entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.

So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly
taken aback by its bold title.

Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy
mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.

Those in the front row - center stage - held up large letters, one by
one, to spell out the title of the song.

As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the
letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding
up his portion had presented the complete message,

"Christmas Love."


The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a
small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down -
totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W".


The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's
mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall,
proudly holding her "W".


Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter
continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.

A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant,
we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the
first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our
festivities.


For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:


"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"

And so He was and so He is. We are almost to his birthday celebration. Let's give Him the gift of peace and love.

All my love

Mary

A perfect day. We got up this morning at our usual time. I am on my second day of adding weight to my foot and tomorrow will start foot exercises. I still have no pain and am grateful.

The morning was rather quiet. I did a little cleaning in the kitchen and fixed breakfast and lunch for Dick and me so am feeling a bit useful again.

Jim and Michelle got home from a short jaunt to Minneapolis to the Mall of America this afternoon at about 2PM. They had a great time and seemed very refreshed. Dick asked Jim to pick up Chelsea's leavings as neither he nor I can bend down to to it at this time. Soon I think I can handle it again. That was alright BUT we had the door to the garage and the garage door open and Chelsea zipped down the stairs. When I realized she was there I called, but of course, she is deaf and didn't hear me. Poor Jim chased her all around the cul de sac. I don't think he is quite as relaxed as he was when he got home. She kept running just out of reach. Dick gave her a lecture when we got her back in. He told her that she had behaved in and unseemly manner and that he was ashamed of her.

Then at 3ish, Peg Payne arrived followed closely by John and Toni Nevicosi. We visited for a bit and then headed down to the Clancy Legacy concert at the Irish Center in Milwaukee. We took a side trip, despite the fog, to St. Francis to a polish restaurant that John and Toni like. I ordered a Polish Sampler plate which had Pierogi, stuffed cabbage, a polish sausage AND a potato pancake. It was delicious. I brought some home for us to share tomorrow.

Then on to the concert. It was great. We found out about half past 7 that there was a preact. A Jeff Ward, who was really good. I bought his CD. Then Robbie, Aoife, and Donel came on and gave us the nicest Christmas concert of music both instrumental and vocal and poetry. We were all delighted. I found Robbie during the break and we had a nice little visit and I gave him a copy of my book to give to Roxanne. They are hoping to be home by tomorrow night, Good Lord Willing and the snow and airlines cooperate. I bought Donel's CD also.

We are home save and sound well before the temperatures are supposed to drop and the snow to fall. I hope they are wrong about that as I would hate to miss Mass again. This has been a really bad year with snow and ice.

Now Christmas can come. I will spend the next couple of days cooking.

Love

Mary

It was a wonderful day. I am now putting some weight on that right foot and it still doesn't hurt. My wish is that when I go to the doctor on Thursday he says that I do not have to take the crutches to Texas. I will be as good as I know how til then.

It was a nice day. Dick was double busy of course, but I was able to fix the meals and load the dishwasher so that made it a little easier. Naturally this HAS to be the time that we are feeding Jim and Michelle's Boots as they are out of town. Usually this is my job but it is still a bit slippery out there, Dick tells me. So he is doing it. He does not see much of Boots and I hope Boots misses my visits. But he is well fed and his litter box is kept clean. His folks will be home tomorrow.

Dick and I did go out to do some banking and to get gas. With our Pig points we paid $1.91 per gallon. What a deal but who a few years ago would have thought of that as a deal. At this point we are REALLY happy to get the discount.

I did a bit of sewing this afternoon to make good use of my time. I was surprised by a welcome encouraging call from Nora, my sister, because she heard about my food injury. Nice to know that people care. I talked to my Bret today too. His package to us arrived yesterday and both of the packages I sent him have arrived so we are all set on that end.

When I was a little girl, Mom and Dad would just keep presents at the Grandparents houses. They would also pick up the presents From the grandparents on Christmas Eve. They put up the tree and would have it decorated when we woke up in the morning too. Not at all like now when we do all that decorating shortly after Thanksgiving. As we kids got older we stayed up later and did help with the decorating and all. Dad would go to Midnight Mass. (Which was actually at midnight.) and on his way home pick everything up from the Grandparents. Then he would come home, have a TBone Steak for breakfast and he and Mother would arrange the presents in the living room. Eventually 9 little piles of presents for 9 children. What a joy. Probably not such a joy for them when their little people would be trying to get up at about 6AM to see what Santa brought.

Have a good Saturday. I am going to see the Clancy Legacy. Pray that the snow holds off as they say until after midnight.

Love

Mary

A rather eventful day considering that I am still stuck sitting with my foot up as much as possible.

Bobbie came over to take Dick to get his blood tested this morning. It just seemed that he needs a ride there as I usually drop him off at the door and then join him so he doesn't have to walk so far. She had a "free" day so was glad to come. Then they stopped at the store for a couple of things and lastly we had a nice visit. Chelsea was SOOOOOOO glad she came as she took Chelsea for a nice long walk. It will be a while before I can do that for her.

Bobbie said that she kind of needed a walk too and Chelsea is fun to walk in snowy weather. She rolls and eats snow and runs just like a young pup. It was doubly good for Chelsea because she has done a LOT of coughing since last night. No seizures but that poor body is just racked with those coughs. She is drinking an awful lot of water too. Not too encouraging.

After their walk, Bobbie and I had tea and cookies for a little treat. Chelsea was rather offended that we did not offer her any but as Bobbie pointed out, Chelsea had not offered to share any of HER treats either.

Only 5 more days until Christmas. I read the cutest story of a Christmas pageant. When the little guy Wise Man said his lines, he got a bit mixed up or perhaps he just said something that made sense to him. "We bring you gifts of Gold, Common Sense and Fur."

The rest of the day was spent resting and computering. Dick is taking good care of me. Tomorrow I can start putting a bit of weight on my toes of the right foot. Yea, before you know it all will be well again.

Hope you have a nice Friday. Mine will be quiet of course as I had to cancel my Blood Donation appointment which was going to involve a couple of other errands in Sheboygan. Now I am going to HAVE to do them after Christmas.

Oh Well. Life will go on even if I DO have to change my list around.

Love

Mary

A Government study found the average American walks 900 miles a year. Another study found Americans drink, on average, 22 gallons of beer a year. That means, on average, Americans get 41 miles to the gallon. Kind of makes you proud to be an American!

Just a day trying not to walk. My foot feels fine now but as Dick says, I have not stepped on it since yesterday and have iced it down four times so it should feel better.

My arms are getting tired from those blankety blank crutches. I don't think I would make a good disabled person.

Dick has been very good to me. He went grocery shopping all by himself this morning and has been preparing meals and cleaning up. I sure will be glad when I can get back to normal stuff. I like being waited on but not because it has to be. Chelsea is VERY confused.

Saturday I am supposed to be going to Milwaukee to the Irish Cultural and Historical Center to see The Clancy Legacy with Robbie O Connell, Donel Clancy and Aoife Clancy. Barring weather I have it figured out. John and Toni Nevicosi will drive and take me and Peg Payne and (if she comes) Kate Herman. Kate's husband thinks she should and that it would be good for her. I think so too but not if she would be worrying about Ron too much. Only she can decide. Anyway, barring weather, this wretched ankle will not stop me.

Less than a week until the big day. Jesus birthday. It is a wonder that we are the ones that get the presents. Maybe he is like me and likes seeing us open them up.

Have a good night

Mary

Today has not turned out at ALL like I planned.

This morning I tripped over Chelsea and my boots but seemed alright.

First, Dick had an appointment with Dr. Hodous to check and trim his callouses. The deepest one is shrinking some. That is really good news. We stopped at Mother's on the way home and I dropped off the Christmas gifts for my brothers and sisters and Mother. Then when we got home,I vacuumed downstairs in the den and sanitized the jug to rack the currant wine and put a casserole together and lots of other little things.

Everything was JUST fine. Then I sat down and shortly, my foot and ankle started hurting. It kept getting worse, but I figured I could walk it off when I got my hair cut at 2:30PM. It didn't work. By the time I got home, I couldn't put ANY weight on it at all. So. Dick drove me to Urgent care here in Plymouth. (He finally got to drive the car anyway. I have been suggesting that he should do that.) They took X rays and examined it and all. There is no break so I have my work cut out for me. For 48 hours I have to stay off of the foot and put ice on three times a day. I have crutches and after the 48 hours instructions on how to gradually get back to full use of the foot. We had an interesting time getting my blood pressure and I am not sure they ever did get a good one. Otherwise, I am really messed up. The first one was 240 over 100.

So I am home again. And really distressed. Poor Dick. He needs me to take care of him and now he is stuck with me. Well. We will have to take each day as it comes. He is going to do the shopping tomorrow.

So now you know the story of the great Christmas Ankle sprain.

Yesterday was fun. The bible study was lively and we will now disband until January 7. The Writer's Club party was indeed fun. We went to Antoinette's. We had lunch, exchanged presents and read to each other. It was a warm fuzzy. I like those.

Take care and pray for me.

Love

Mary

Well, It is the 18th. I usually unwind in the evenings by blogging, but last night I unwinded by going to bed.

It was a busy fulfilling day.

Bible Study, Writer's Club party and lunch and a Celtic Women telephone conference.



Just letting you know that I am still around and will flesh things out tonight.

Mary

A view after the snow from the deck looking out on the woods towards the park. Isn't it beautiful.

Love

Mary

The plows had the driveways and roads cleared in plenty of time for me to get to church at 8AM. After that first fiasco the snow plowing crew have been Right ON. With all the snow, I can't even begin to wonder what the condo snow plowing will amount to this year. Want to bet that our condo fees go up next year?

Chelsea is absolutely in hog heaven with all the snow. She is constantly asking to go out. I am sure that the water pills are contributing to the problem but the way she digs around and rolls around in the snow, I sometimes think that she is just taking me out to play. She is filthy. On Wednesday, she gets her bath. She will not be happy, but at least she will be presentable for Christmas.

Fr. Van Beeck is extremely proud that we, St. John The Baptist Church, are "featured" three times this advent season. Today John the Baptist asked Jesus if indeed he was the "One I have been waiting for." Kind of an interesting question. Who would have thought that John would have doubts at this time. He was in jail and was beheaded shortly thereafter. But as Fr. Van Beeck says it gives US hope when we lose a little hope sometimes.

When I got home, I baked the Stollen. I think I told you that I kind of mixed up which part got which amount of sugar, but it did not make TOO much difference. They are really good.

Bobbie and I worked for a couple of hours at Rhine. I brought some pear bread for everybody to snack on. They let us go home early because it was SO slow. We had only two or three rounds shot and half of the shooters were member. It was Bobbie's last day of working. She is dropping out as of January. I will miss our work times together. We really don't see each other that much otherwise. Probably will have to MAKE times to visit. I brought three bottles of bubbles for the kitties too. I sure miss my kitties. Especially when I am very tired and achy. My Oscar was such a comfort. I don't think I will ever have my babies back again. I don't care what anybody says. It has been over a year and I just don't have any hope anymore. I am so glad that Bobbie and Bill love them too. But I miss them SO much.


We racked the Lemon Balm Wine this afternoon after I got back from Rhine.

Now we are spending a quiet evening watching a Christmas Movie that I haven't seen before. It is a little vague but is pleasant enough. A nice way to spend an evening.

I called a number that I had for a cousin of mind, Diana Cool, Uncle Jim's daughter. She sounded so glad to hear from me and asked first about my Mother. So I know her memories are pleasant. We will, I hope talk again soon, and can catch her up on us and me up on her and hers.

Tomorrow is party day. Last Bible Study until after the New Year and the Cream City Writers party right after. I also have a conference call for CWI at 4PM. So it will be a full day. I have not heard from Kate so am assuming that things went reasonably well for Ron on Friday. It is well to keep on praying until we know all is well and then give thanks. Remember to pray for Bret's friend Travis too, the young man who was seriously injured in that motorcycle accident. The last I heard he is improving but his kidney (he lost one) had not started working as yet. Lets opt for Christmas miracles.

That's all. Have a pleasant week before Christmas. I hope you are almost all ready and that your time is special.

Love

Mary

Only 10 days until Christmas. We are all ready. It snowed all day again today. I don't remember a year with this much snow in December in years if ever. Chelsea loves it, of course. Snow really turns her on.

This morning I drove to Sheboygan Falls to see Mother. I mailed her Christmas cards for her on the way home. She is fine but has been housebound this past week because of the weather. I hope it is nice this week as she is supposed to have two Senior meal events, one of them a party and she likes that.

I fixed a turkey for dinner today. The Thanksgiving turkey tasted so good that it made me want more and especially made me hungry for leftovers. Boy, now I have plenty of them.

I mixed up a batch of Christmas Stollen today too. It has to sit in the fridge overnight and then tomorrow I need to roll it out, fill it and bake it. It keeps for a long time. I checked with Mother. She is making a batch today too.

With all the snow, the world is a white and silver wonderland. Quiet and peaceful under the cloudy gray sky. It is so beautiful now before the black exhaust leaves a film on everything and it becomes old and jaded.

We should enjoy the purity of it.

Have a nice Sunday. I am working at Rhine. Bet it will be a very quiet dull day.

Love

Mary

Such an early onset of winter makes us leery of then next five months. It has been many years since we have had this much snow and this much snow this early in December. It would be nice if the snow stayed around until after Christmas. (All that White Christmas stuff, you know.) But snow through March or even into April is hard to accept. Only time will tell, but it was 13 degrees this morning when Chelsea and I went out for our morning walk.

She has been a real pest today. I must have taken her out at least 8 maybe 10 times. We don't know what is happening. Is it old age? Is it the pills? Is it because she is a spoiled little puppy (Bitch is the word Dick uses. Not insulting- after all bitch is the proper term for a female dog.)

I cleaned the kitchen and mixed up a pie crust this morning. AND Dick and I finally got the Gewertziminer racked. So a lot was accomplished. I vacuumed the guest room and dusted in that room. Tomorrow I hope to get the den.

Today I was thinking of a dear friend, Twila Heinze. Isn't Twila a lovely name? It belonged to a lovely woman. Twila was married to a man named Ernie. They owned a auto repair place in Santa Ana. Ernie was severely injured in a jeeping accident and was unable to work any longer. They had several children and the business was survival for them. SO - Twila learned how to be a mechanic and to run the business and they did just fine. She was dynamic.

We belonged to the same jeep club. One year at our Christmas party she commented that children were funny little creatures and all raised differently. She said that one of the little people had been scooting by her on all fours and she had patted him on his little rear as he scooted by and her burst into tears. She and I were both used to a little love pat on the buns of our munchkins, just to let them know that we were there if we needed them. She also mentioned that her boys and grandchildren all had dark coarse hair. My boys and the Kirby boys and the Nordin boys all had blond hair. She said that blond kids smelled like puppies. Isn't that the cutest thing you ever heard.

Love

Mary

Today we stayed home the whole day.

I cleaned. Bathrooms, and stairs and the kitchenette downstairs.

I also think I have all of my Christmas cards sent off. If I forgot anybody. I am sorry. It seems so important to be in touch at this time of year. I guess it would be good if it continued all year round but at least Christmas makes us take stock of ourselves and our friendships again.

I got a call at about 6:30PM from Kate. Just a quick call. Ron made it through the surgery OK. They put two stints in the heart. There are two others that need care I guess. The nurse came in as she was talking to me so she had to go. Just keep praying that all continues to go well and that Ron is restored to health. This has been a long and scary road they have been traveling.

Since it is near Christmas I will again give you my Scripture Cake Recipe. I did not make it this year as I have too many other things and still want to bake some of Mom's Stollen Recipe that came from Grandma Deeley.

We should always let the scriptures be our guide. It even works when making Christmas goodies – at least it works when making this delicious cake. Read the scripture indicated to find the ingredients and make this interesting and informative cake for a special family home evening activity.

SCRIPTURE CAKE

1 Cup Judges 5:25 (Last Clause)

1 Cup Jeremiah 6:20 (From a far country)

5 of Jeremiah 17:11

2 TBLSP. 1 Samuel 14:25

1 Cup Judges 4:19 (Last Clause)

2 Cups Numbers 28:5

5 teasp. Amos 4:5

1 teasp. Leviticus 2:13

2 Cups 1 Samuel 30:12 (Second Item)

2 Cups Naham 3:12 (Chopped)

1 Cup Numbers 17:23 (Halved)

Season to taste with II Chronicles 9:9

Mix as quick breads or fruitcakes are mixed.

Follow Solomon's directions for making a good boy, Proverbs 23:14

Bake as a fruitcake at about 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes. Makes two loaves

Love

Mary

When we wpoke up, the plows had neatly cleared our streets. So Chelsea and I tried a walk. We did OK but there was a lot of ice on the streets and big snow drifts on the sides of the road and blocking the paths to the park so we headed back after about 20 minutes.

This was shopping day. So we stopped at the bank then proceeded to the Family Restaurant for breakfast. I felt adventurous today and ordered pigs in a blanket. The brought out three huge pancakes wrapped around pork sausages. I wish they had pig in a blanket. Dick and I will eat a good breakfast tomorrow too.

Next was our weekly shopping trip. I think Dick was ready to disown me. He was VERY tired. So went to get some wine while I checked out. HOWEVER. I had a rain check for two dozen eggs at .99 each dozen. That would have been easy but the Pig ALSO was giving Pig Points for gas on eggs this week. That meant that they couldn't run the rain check through and give me credit for the Pig points without some real shenanigans. But we did it. This was a good week. I also bought a turkey because I got $8.00 off on it. I will cook it this weekend and divide the leftovers up into portions for the next couple of months. The only difficulty with not cooking Thanksgiving Dinner IS NO LEFTOVERS.

We went to ReMax this noon for the annual Christmas brunch that Bill puts on. It was excellent as usual and he had some really NICE gifts. A ceramic ornament, some note pads and a calendar. I like that.

Then I framed the presents that I have for my brothers and sisters and Denise this Christmas. I can't tell you what they are because some of them read this blog. It's a surprise. Tee! Hee! Only a couple of weeks until Christmas and I will bring George and Nora's to Texas.

We got started on the wine today but will be spending the next week racking and filtering. Hope we have some more ready for Christmas. We probably have enough anyway but it is nice to have the variety to share.

I remember when the kids were very young. Bret was about three or four and his very best friend was Chip Nusser who lived next door and Joyce, Chip's mother was my best friend. We went out tree shopping. The trouble is that you get two short mom's who are really kind of hyped up about Christmas and send them into a tree lot and things get out of hand. We decided that the tree should be about as tall as we were. The only problem with that is that as we were measuring, our hands kind of started pointing up. Until we got home, we did not realize that the 5 or 5 1/2 foot trees had "grown" t0 about 7 feet and both trees were too tall for our living rooms. Dick and Dan had to cut a couple of feet off the bottoms of them so they would fit. They were beautiful trees though. Good thing I had a pickup.

Have a nice Thursday. Get in the spirit.

Love

Mary

Woke up this morning to a steady snowfall of nice fluffy flakes that kept falling until almost 3PM. Chelsea loved it. We actually had a very nice walk. It was not windy and I wore my non slippy boots so we sent around the park and came through the park back to Tallgrass. She was delighted and bounded in like a young pup. Of course that didn't last too long. She is totally exhausted now.
We did not leave the tract all day. I watered plants and baked Lizzies and changed some arrangements for the Cream City Writer's party that will occur on Monday. We are going to Antoinette's instead of Hub City. Hub City is SO smoky that I think we would be uncomfortable. Between Bev and I we have contacted all the writers.

Today when I was talking to Kate, she somehow connected to the fact that my boys are named Bret and Bart. She laughed and asked how that happened. So I told her it was from Maverick, the series on TV back then. She had assumed it was from the Green Bay Packers two most favorite quarterbacks, Bart Starr and Bret Favre. I remember that Sara and Nora thought that it was pretty neat that their uncles were named Bret and Bart. Actually my Bret is a couple years older than Brett Favre so who named who after whom.

Tomorrow we shop and go to the ReMax Open House. That is always nice and Dick likes it because they have raw beef sandwiches. We also need to get back to racking wine again. The Gewertziminer is ready to rack.

Have a good day. I hope the roads are good tomorrow.

Love
Mary

It was a very cold day today and cloudy and gloomy too. The day was not cloudy and gloomy though.

Dick and I had to be at Aurora in Plymouth for his last Diabetes Class at 8:30AM. This class covered vitamins and minerals and herbals and reviewed the previous 6 classes for us. We have been really pleased with the lessons. And so far, Dick is keeping his sugars within the parameters just with diet.

Then we trudged down the hall to Dr. Sharon's office. He wanted to see how the sores on Dick's legs are doing. I showed him the kind of weepy area on Dick's right foot and Dr Sharon took a swab to test it. We will hear if there is an infection in a day or two. I hope not. We have been working VERY hard to avoid that.

Then I dropped some things off at Kate's and went to the Pig to pick up Jenna from the Cream City Writers to go to City Streets in Sheboygan for the Sheboygan County Writer's Club Christmas party. That went quite well. We ate, then everybody got a door prize, then we exchanged gifts and then finally those who had submitted read their selection from the book that John Textor, our co president, put together. The second COLLECTION OF WORDS, WIT AND WISDOM Volume 2. It is a nice book and I purchased several for gifts.

I got home at about 3:30 after picking up Chelsea's meds from the Kettle Moraine Veterinary Clinic. We had soup and grilled cheese for supper. Now the day is done and we can wind down. Good thing. I am really tired.

Look into the eyes
Of those who hold out their hands
And you have to love.

Tomorrow we get to stay home all day. If there is no sleet, I will go to Church in the evening for the Evening with the Pastor. The bible study.

Take care. I am going to bake Lizzies tomorrow.

Love

Mary

Another full day. I am almost glad that the weekend if over.

Had to be up by 6 because I went to the 8AM Mass. Sure glad I didn't have to miss another one. Fr. Van Beeck pointed out something interesting. This was the gospel of Matthew referring to John the Baptist living out in the desert wearing camel fur and eating honey covered locusts. John said that the "Kingdom of God is at hand." He did not mean that it was coming soon, which we usually assume but that it is there for the taking. Pretty interesting.

When I got home, I fixed breakfast and then went out to Rhine. We started early today because there was some sort of meet which started at about 10AM. It was not too busy. Sara Behr had made chicken soup for people to eat on as we were open over the lunch time. We also served ham sandwiches and coffee. I left between two and three to come home. I brought some of the soup home for us to lunch on during the week. Sara DOES make a great chicken soup.

I called Kate Herman, my friend, tonight. She is not going to be able to to to Sheboygan Writer's tomorrow as Ron needs her there. I had offered to go to St. Luke's with her and Ron on Thursday when he will be able to undergo surgery, but it looks like their son will be able to go now. That will be much better for Kate, but I told her to remember that I will stay available in case she needs me. Please pray hard for Ron. He is a very sick person and needs us.

Tomorrow morning, Dick and I will be going to diabetes class again. I am not sure what we are covering this time. Then he sees Dr. Sharon. We need to be sure that his legs are not infected. I am sure they are not but am worried about one "hot spot" on his right foot.

What a game the Packers had today. They won handily. It seemed that every time I turned away from the screen, they would do something else spectacular. It was worth my having to see them on the replays.

Guess that should be all for today. I called Bart today and had a nice telephone visit with him. It will be good to see him and Barb in Dallas.

Take care now and have a good week

Mary

Talk about cold. It was 5Degrees when I got up this morning. Chelsea and I went for a nice walk but not too long. It was very quiet out there.

At 10AM, we attended the annual budget meeting Christmas Gathering for the Tallgrass Condo association. It was an exciting meeting but I understand, NOT as exciting as the Spring meeting. The budget passed quite easily, then the discussion turned to questions about maintenance and snow removal. I think our board officers handled it quite well. It was pointed out the concerns should be addressed to the board, preferably in writing and that all residents are welcome to attend board meetings. Michelle brought up the fact that there is a limit of one animal per unit and it was noted that it would take a revision of the bylaws to change this. Someone stupidly said that exceptions could be filed for and I jumped in with a resounding "NO." That has been tried and the board is a heartless group of people. I miss my kitties more near Christmas. Isn't that funny? I suppose it is because it is a more emotional time of year. But it is hard for me to get to sleep and I do miss my Oscar. He was very comforting.

This afternoon, I finished wrapping Dick's presents. I hope he likes them. I also wrote several Christmas Cards out. Soon that will be done too.

My brother George called this afternoon. He is such a pleasure to talk to. I was so happy to be able to tell him that I FINALLY framed the print that he and Betsy gave me to remember Courtney by. It framed up beautifully and looks great above our fireplace. For some reason it reminded me of a quote from Little House on the Prairie that Michael Landon wrote. "Remember me with smiles and laughter, For that's the way I will remember you all. If you can only remember me with tears, Then don't remember me at all."

I hope to be remembered that way. Wonder if I will be remembered?

Love

Mary