A marvelous day. For me at least.

We left from the KMart Parking Lot at 8:30AM for the Fireside to see Anything Goes. Bobbie and Bill went too. So it was extra special.

We had as usual, a wonderful meal, an Asian Salad, Fresh Breads, Tenderloin of beef on toast, green beans, a potato croquette and a delicious chocolate dessert.

Then the play, Anything Goes. The Fireside ALWAYS puts on a good production and this was even better than most. The music and dancing just blew us away. Anything Goes is an OLD Broadway musical with such memorable music as You're the Tops and Anything Goes itself.
There was a lot of tap which one does not see too much any more and they were GOOD.

An uneventful drive and we were home just when they said we would be.

I was so glad that Dick came along this time. He as missed to much. He has mixed feelings. He loved the show, the food and the company but the trip was hard on him. The next one is in June and hopefully we will be done with all the leg procedures AND he will be steadier on his feet. Barefoot in the Park is next and we both want to see that too.

That was our day.

Hope you had as good a one as we did

Love

Mary

Wow. This day has been a whirlwind.

I woke up real early because my back hurt. When I am in bed that long that sometimes happens. SO. I just let Chelsea out the garage door, for her initial business. She was a bit upset with me because it was lightening and thundering but I made her stay out until she was done.

We did go for a walk a bit later. I found that I got really tired and kind of out of breath so we turned back earlier than she wanted to. Except for that initial weakness and a bit of a sore throat, I am no worse for wear. I will be relieved when I get my clean bill of health on the biopsies. I expect clean bills because I have had no symptoms of any problems and this was just a standard test.

Dick had his second physical therapy session this morning. He is doing very well. We had a young attractive lady named Dara putting him through his paces today.

We were able to get a shower for Dick in between this appointment and the procedure with Dr. Siddique. Good thing because he is not supposed to get the leg that was worked on wet for a week. It is going to be a saran wrap event and we will not attempt it for at least a couple of days. This procedure was called a Stab Phlebectomy. Sounds pretty serious which it isn't BUT they do stab and then remove veins. Dr. Siddique did 18 "pokes" and removed at least 18 pieces of vein. So it was not the easiest of the procedures. But not the worst either. We got home at about 2:30 and we both rested

I actually feel better tonight than I did this morning though I am really tired.

Jim and Michelle took us out for dinner tonight to thank us for watching their Bootsie for them. We needed a visit. We found out that their home phone is just not ringing. I was getting a bit frustrated because I would call after I had heard their car and not get an answer so I would either leave a message on her cell or an email or both. They will now check as to why the phone is not ringing. That is not a good thing. I had told Dick that it would do no good to call them if we REALLY needed them if the phone doesn't ring.

We had a lovely dinner at the Wilderness AND found out that they are now serving breakfast so Dick and I can try them next Wednesday. We are trying to find a place besides Mc Donalds that has a decent no smoking area. There is NOTHING.

When we got home Dick invited them to play a game of hearts with us. that was fun. Jim whipped us all royally.

He is feeling pretty good. A little sore in the throat and his taste buds are not fully reawakened BUT he is doing fine.

Dick and I are going to the Fireside tomorrow. At least I hope we are both going. Dick wants to but is waiting to see how he feels in the morning. I am SO looking forward to spending a day with him at FUN. Bobbie and Bill are also going to this show - Anything Goes. I can spend the $10. coupon I won for stumping the Band at the last show with "Whiskey on a Sunday". Jim and Michelle will help our Chelsea by letting her out during the day and feeding her at about 5PM. She CAN make it but she is old and if we have a relief for her we like to provide it.

I am glad that this week is over. Next week is just as busy.

Take care and know that I pray for you all every day.

Love

Mary

This will be really short because I am fading fast.

Bobbie came over this morning and drove Dick and me to the Plymouth Hospital for my colonostomy/gastroscopy. I must have really dehydrated because I got really weak in the shower and had to be quick and lie down until we left.

The procedures went very well. Dr. Sharon found three polyps which he removed and did some biopsies on my esophagus. We will have the results of those in about a week. I am not too concerned as all has been pretty well in there for some time.

Then Dick, Bobbie and I went to lunch at Antoinettes. I was then exhausted and slept for a couple of hours. I think I tried to stay awake too long this afternoon so will head to bed soon.

I also have a sore throat either from the tube or the biopsies and want to sleep it off.

Chelsea keeps bugging me and it is raining out there so I hate taking her out. However, I hate the whining more. Now I will leave it up to Dick when I go to bed.

Pray that my throat is better tomorrow.

Love

Mary

We have been quite occupied today. Started out with the Chelsea walk at 6:30AM.

Then Dick and I drove to the Family Restaurant for breakfast. It was my last meal until tomorrow after my colonoscopy is over. I was able to have eggs and white bread. We are about to give up on the Family Restaurant. We like their food and their waitstaff, BUT it is a smoky place. Sometimes it is OK, but if they get a gang at their counter, which is right in the non smoking section, it is just gaggy. I don't know what it is about Plymouth. They don't have much for breakfast and even less that is non smoking.

Then we did our grocery shopping and came home. Dick took his nap then. He fixed all his own meals today so I don't have to look at food. Chelsea feels that she is being cheated because whenever ONE of us eats she expects the other to eat too.

Dick had his first physical therapy session today. It went quite well. He is definitely, as he puts it, wobbly. He was put through several tests and then several exercises. The idea is to increase his ability to maintain balance. It was quite interesting. We are scheduled for three weeks of three sessions each.

Then home again. I am now in the middle of "getting empty" for the procedure tomorrow, so I am not too happy. But this too will pass. Bad choice of words.

Walking this morning I was delighted to see worms all over the road. I think I have mentioned before that I have come to know that this is a final sign of spring. After the first few spring rains, the worms come up out of the freshly thawed earth to avoid drowning. I wrote a haiku about this some time ago that goes like this.

Rain soaking the dirt
Drives earthworms up from the deep
Drowning the sluggards.

This provides a true feast for the robins who get very fat this time of year.

Love

Mary

It was a chilly rainy day. Fortunately it did not rain this morning, so Chelsea and I had a really lovely walk. We went around the park for the first time and came through the back yard. I need to do some work on that last slope for the times that it is wet and slippery but we did just fine. She was a happy little girl.

We had to be at the Sheboygan Clinic for Dick's coagulation check. He is even lower than last week, which is OK for the procedure he will have on Friday bit Sue changed his dosage so we hope he is back within the parameters when he is tested next Tuesday.

On your way back to Plymouth, we stopped at my cousin Brian Ayers to pick up my watch. He is a jeweler. Dick had given my a watch that was way to big and I had him take out some links so I can wear it. He took out a lot and it is just fine. I think he thought he should have taken out a couple more but I am happy. He says my wrists are like a 16 year old. If nothing else is skinny, my wrists are. Anyway, I gave him a bottle of our Gewertiziminer wine. He did not charge me. What a dear. It is nice having cousins who are wonderful. His daughter got married, actually renewed her vows in the Catholic church this past weekend. Mother went to the dinner and reception. He was so glad that she was there. We marveled at our mothers. His Mom, Kathleen, is my mother's younger sister and they are just spectacular. We are SO lucky.

Next, Dick had his annual appointment with Dr. Cheryl Ziegler, the eye doctor. He had some eyelashes that were brushing on his eye and needs one lens corrected. She is such a good doctor. I am so glad that we found her.

The rest of the day was at home. We both napped and now we are working on getting his shower and his legs taken care of. I am going to go over to feed Boots soon and spend an hour with him. Jim and Michelle sent me an e-mail that they are in Chicago this evening and need someone to take care of him tonight and tomorrow morning. He is a sweet kitty and I am glad to spend time with him.

Guess that is all for now. We had scalloped potatoes and ham, green beans and banana pudding with strawberries for supper.

Tomorrow I have to fast for my colonoscopy. No fun. But I can have breakfast. Eggs and Toast. So I will.

Have a nice day.

Mary

This has been a day and a half.

I got up at 6:30, walked Chelsea. Went to Bible Study at 9:30. Then over to visit Mother and take her some scalloped potatoes and friendship bread. Then I drove to Kewaskum to have lunch with Gail McAleese, a CWI person to give her the Celtic Women Banner and some other stuff for her to have for the table we have signed up for at the Irish Center in Milwaukee this Saturday.

Then to Walgreens to pick up the Fleet that I need on Wednesday to get ready for my Colonoscopy and Gastroscopy on Thursday. WOW.

Wouldn't you think that is enough. But OH NO. Silly me, I put all of THAT on the first Monday of the month when the Rhine Plymouth meeting takes place at 7PM So here I am at 9:45 writing to You All. I am also trying to get a dumb thing off of my computer that I was silly enough to let in. I am hoping that Norton will take care of it and am running a whole scan. Pray that it will.

I won't bother you any more tonight. Except to tell you a cute saying that I got in an email. You have heard of a "flock of sheep" or a "pod of whales" or a "gaggle of geese"? How about a PADDLE of DUCKS!

I love it.

Mary

Another perfectly loverly day. It was warm. All the snow seems to be gone, except for the last small hills that remain from the mountains that the snow plowing left.

Chelsea and I had a nice walk this morning. Then I went to the 8AM mass. I was Eucharistic Minister this morning. That is always such a privilege. I filled up the tank on my way home so am set for the week.

I spent the day baking and resting. A pleasant way to spend a Sunday. I made Friendship Bread. Then when I was talking to Kate about it I realized that I forgot to put the instant pudding in it. We tasted it and it seems just fine so I am not going to worry about it. I made a double batch and will be able to share it at the Tea during our Celtic Spring Fling.

I also made the homemake banana cream pudding that I promised Jim for during his healing. Then I have been unable to reach them. I saw them leave sometime this morning and did not hear the car come home though it must have. I tried calling but got no answer so I left a message on her cell but did not get a reply from that either. So I will try again tomorrow. He has to be careful what he eats until he heals. I remember a soup I used to fix for the boys that they loved. Egg Drop Soup. I would just heat a can of broth or bullion nice and hot. Then beat an egg in a cup and swirl it into the hot broth and cook til soft cooked. Tasty and healthy.

We had scalloped potatoes and ham for supper with pudding and strawberries for dessert. My, we do live like royalty.

A busy week looms ahead. Dick is still feeling pretty good after the most recent procedure so we think we are on the home stretch.

Thanks for all your prayers and please keep remembering.


Love

Mary

I am posting early today. It was a busy day with a drive to New Berlin for a wedding shower. I drove and expect that the sandman will be strewing sand all over my brain in not too long a time.

Chelsea and I and a nice walk. I got to sleep until 6:30 which is always a good sign. We ran into my friend Bill Cain and his friend Pat on our walk. Chelsea was torn. She didn't know whether she should be sniffing rocks or barking but pretty much chose sniffing rocks which makes it easier for me to visit.

I spent the morning preparing the shower gift and cleaning up the kitchen.

I picked up Bobbie at about noon and we drove with no problems to the wedding shower for Sarah Gretzinger. Sarah is Dick's grand niece, Teresa and Gary Gretzinger's oldest daughter. The wedding will be in Medford on May 10 and we are just crossing our fingers that Dick will be well enough to go. Teresa would be so disappointed if he can't.

The shower was a lot of fun. Brenda was there too. Dick dropped her off and then headed for the mall to cruise a bit. They had a big spread of food and two wonderful cakes. Then we played ONE game. We split up into groups of 5 or 6 and dressed one of our members up as a bride using toilet paper for the dress. Brenda, Bobbie, Suzi, Jeanie, Hazel and I formed a team. We dressed Hazel up as our bride. We gave her straps, a bodice, a dress, a headdress, a bouquet and the finishing touch --- a garter. She won hands down and we all got a door prize. Then we went to my favorite part of any shower. The gift opening. Sarah received beautiful gifts. She is registered at several places and many gifts reflected that. I had gotten things to surround a bottle of wine brewed by Dick and me. She seemed pleased with the gift and I love to be able to personalize. I have decided that any wedding I am invited to the gift will include the trivets that I make because I like to give something really unique and this is something of me.

From Reader's Digest. "What do you call Photographers who chase dogs? Puparazzi."

I remember when the Deeley's were in Texas for a wedding several years ago and Uncle Leif was calling for us to smile every time we turned around so he could snap pictures. We felt like we had paparazzi and loved it. We got very good at posing when we were told to. It was easier than resisting and such fun. We all treasure those memories. We are a loving family and delight in making memories.

Til tomorrow.

Love you

Mary

We had a true spring day today. It was 55 degrees at its peak and I wore my jean jacket to shoot at Rhine tonight. The pistol range in the basement was actually not a deep freeze for the first time since before the first of the year. This has indeed been a LONG winter.

This morning Dick and I did a bit of shopping. We needed prescriptions, a couple of things to complete the shower basket for Sarah's wedding shower etc. We were home by 10 and just in time to greet Jim and Michelle returning from Jim's visit to HIS doctor to remove the stints in his nose. He looked tired but still good. He is recovering very well. Dick and I bought him flowers today. Dick always found flowers comforting and wanted his son to have them as he is recovering from the surgery. We visited for a while then Dick and I had to get ready to take HIM to Sheboygan Memorial for HIS procedure. (What is it with these Kunert men lately).

This was a breeze though. Dr. Siddique did a Sclerotherapy procedure which is apparently much less invasive than the lazer. They put a chemical in the vein to eliminate it and wrapped the leg in an ace bandage. The remaining procedures will be like this and much easier to deal with. We are really delighted. It has been such a long road to travel. I am seeing an end. I hope that all of this combined with the newly prescribed therapy will provide some strength to his legs.

When we got home I was exhausted and laid down for an hour. Sometimes I just am DONE. The hour was all I needed. Then I worked on dinner and took a quick run over to Kate's to confer on stuff for the Spring Fling.

We ate a bit early as Nancy and I drove out to Rhine to shoot pistol league. I did not do as well as last week but it was not bad. Nancy did pretty well too so we are happy campers.

I fixed salmon with fresh green beans and rice for supper. Num Num.

Chelsea is staring at me. She is trying to tell me that it is way past our bedtime. She is even starting to whimper a little bit so I know she is very serious. SO. I guess it is time to sign off for the evening. Have a loverly weekend. It should be very nice for us. I enjoy Dick's family and will see them at the shower tomorrow.

All my love

Mary

Another nice day. Not warm. But it was not windy and the sun shone so we are grateful. I know that those of you in Sunny California, or Cajun Country or the Lone Star State or Florida think we are silly to be glad for days with temps in the 30s that just do not drip or snow or blow. BUT we are.

Chelsea likes them all. May poor little girl is getting SO old.


Kate picked me up at 9:30 and we went shopping. We drove to that shopping center in Kohler up next to Hwy 43. Michaels was our first stop and we did pretty well there. I actually have a couple of Christmas presents, which is a bonus, and I got a good start on the shower present for Teresa's Sarah. Next stop was TJ Maxx. I did well there too. I now have the give all planned and only need to pick up two small items to compete it tomorrow.

We had to stop at Home Depot to pick up a toilet seat for Kate. She had to get it replaced immediately.

Then we drove over to Toni Nevicosi's to work on the CWI Spring Fling stuff. By that time I had only one hour so we worked our butts off to get the cutting done so that projects could be done quickly later. I got home at 1:30PM just in time to help Dick get his shower under way.

At about 4pm I called over to Jim and Michelle's and he is up to guests. So I went over and shared some Beef Barley soup that Kate had brought. Jim looks really good. His color is wonderful and he says the pain is not as bad as he thought it would be. I hope that continues. He is getting the stints out tomorrow. The reconstruction is causing him to have to learn how to drink all over again. Kind of interesting. If he goofs, liquid comes shooting out his nose.

We also had soup for supper. I am tired now. Don't you wonder why.

I have been thinking about my cousin Mickey Deeley. He has been gone for some time now. We were good friends when I just got out of High School. If I wanted to go out, (ladies did not go to bars alone, even teen bars) I could always call Mickey. One night he and my friend Jack Lutz ended up at my folks house late one evening and got into a discussion of theology. These were two very intelligent educated people and here was little Mary kind of in the middle of a really deep discussion that I only half understood. I miss Mickey and I sometimes wonder whatever happened to Jack. I would like to see him again. He was a great guy.

Love

Mary

It was rather beautiful today. The sun shone and more snow melted. I am finding green shoots coming up in the gardens. I may, if it is nice in the morning check down at the bottom of the yard to see if any of my herbs survived. It may be a bit early but I need to start checking.

Chelsea was a little crazy dog this morning. She loved her walk and when she came in saw Dick at the table and turned into a whirling dervish. Spinning like a top. It is so good to see her happy and lively.

We then went to McDonald's for breakfast, to the bank and to the grocery store to get the tickets and some wine. Then I took Dick, who was not feeling too well, home and went BACK to the Pig to finish the grocery shopping.

Michelle came over right after lunch to tell us how Jim is doing. Poor guy. Michelle said he is still bleeding some. The doctor instructed him as to how to avoid swallowing the blood so he is not as sick. We will go to see him tomorrow. He needs LOTS of rest. I have this urge to fix special food. Perhaps in a day or two when he can taste and swallow.

Dick did not feel up to going to the Sheboygan Theater Company production of Clue tonight, so I asked Kate. She was delighted. So it was a lady's night. We ate at the Villager. We all had Pasta Voile. A pasta dish where you pick the type of pasta, the sauce, the veggies and the spices. It is served with soup or salad and a bread stick and was really good. We all brought home enough for another meal too.

The play was Clue, the Musical. I had never heard any of the music before and each production has a different ending depending, just like the Clue board game, which cards are drawn and hidden at the beginning of the production as to who, which room and what weapon were used. Kate and I guessed correctly from the clues. Mother did not bother because she can't see well enough so she just enjoyed the music and the dialogue. It was a fun and lively production and well acted and sung.

I think Dick would have liked it.

So another busy and productive day. Keep praying for Jim and his caregiver, Michelle, who has to be nurse and everything right now. Keep Dick in your prayers too. He will be starting physical therapy next Wednesday. I am glad of that. If he has direction, I know he will do it.

All my love.

Mary

Dick had an appointment with Dr. Sharon at 2PM. He has been experiencing more weakness in his legs and some

Well, we are back on the doctor cycle again. Started off with a chilly walk. Chelsea seemed a bit tired. We went quite a way but she was not adverse to coming home a bit early.

We had to be at the Anti-coagulation Clinic at 9AM. Dick's count is a bit low but Sue said that is OK because of the surgery. If it is still down or lower next week she will adjust his thinners.

On the way home we stopped at Woodlake because they have more tea varieties that I like. I now have my Republic of Tea Green Pear. We also picked up some new rubber gloves for putting on the support stockings. I have worn out two pair now.

Then we went to the Plymouth City Hall to vote. Now I am hoping to see some results showing on the news as it is after 9 and results should be coming in. We filled up the gas tank on the way home too. SO Dick was a tired guy by the time we got home.

I spent the afternoon finishing stamping and filling the envelopes with seeds that are going into the gift bags. Now all I have to do is finish the book we are preparing. Kate dropped by this afternoon with two meals of soup - broccoli and 12 bean. They are a welcome treat.

Shortly after we got back we got an email from Michelle that Jim was in surgery. Later, she let us know that he came through with flying colors. The doctor was VERY pleased with what he was able to do. Then she asked me to feed Boots as she decided to stay with Jim. He is sleeping a lot. Michelle said Morphine Jim is funny. They will be home tomorrow sometime. I sat with Boots for a while tonight while Dancing with the Stars was on.

Now it is time to wind down for the night. Keep Jim in your prayers, once that morphine wears off I am sure he will be very uncomfortable. However, they are letting him eat semi soft foods, like eggs and mac and cheese.

Take care


Mary

A full day. Chelsea and I started out at 6:30 with a nice walk. It was not raining then but had before we went out. We did a nice long 4o minute walk. I am trying to do that every day as we were really hampered during this long impossible winter.

Bible Study was almost a reunion. Tom and Kathy Keyes were back from their long sojourn in Texas with their son and Helen Morgan was back from her vacation too. We were 9 strong and had some very lively discussions. The readings were about Jesus revealing himself after the resurrection and somehow we got off on the subjects of moral issues versus legal issues. But it makes us really think.

The Epistle is 1 Peter 1:17-21 and actually is quite beautiful. I found it quite gentle when you consider it comes from Peter who was such a hothead. He speaks of journeying through a strange land. Could that strange land just be our lives?

After Study I went and visited with Mother. She is just fine and has a busy week ahead of her. She was planning on going across the street to play cards with the Seniors at Church. I hope it didn't rain when she was ready to do.

I spent the afternoon putting nice labels on water bottles to put in the gift bags for the CWI Fling. Now I just have the seed envelopes and the book left to do.

We had pork riblets with potatoes and cucumbers and tomatoes for supper. I invited Jim and Michelle over for dessert. The apple pie. I figured they needed a treat before he heads in for his surgery. Would you believe that Jim ran into Brenda and Dick across from the Milwaukee Public Library in Milwaukee today? They were seeing wonderful sights in Milwaukee to celebrate Brenda's birthday. She emailed that Dick was treating her like the royal princess that she is.

Keep Jim in your prayers tomorrow especially at 9:45AM and later because that is when he has his surgery.

We were talking about confirmation today at bible study. I was confirmed when I was 12 and I confessed that in my holy younger days when I got confirmed, I kind of was disappointed because I did not have tongues of fire coming down from the heaven onto my head. No doves flying overhead either. I have come to realize that wisdom sometimes comes with a whisper. So I try to listen.

Love

Mary

It was a super Sunday. Chelsea and I had a chilly walk. A few large snowflakes even came down while we were walking and melted as soon as they hit the road. There was frost all over the grass.

I went to the 8AM Mass. Poor Fr. Van Beeck. He will soon be the pastor of St. John the Baptist in Plymouth AND St. Thomas Aquinas in Elkhart Lake. He is having difficulty deciding HOW he can pastor two separate parishes and laid out some of his problems to US this morning. He is willing to say four masses on a weekend but will be only able to do one each day at each parish. Someone will be unhappy no matter what he does. I told him that I had been through the Blessed Trinity merger, which is even harder because you have to CLOSE churches and this makes people really unhappy. I mentioned that I got a glimmer of the hurt that this entails when they changed the name from St. Mary Help of Christians. After all, my grandfather helped choose that name. That was when I realized how little I was giving up after all. Anyway, I told him to be brave.

When I got home I fixed breakfast and put the Spinach Egg casserole together and baked a Market Day Apple Pie. At about noon, I drove out to Rhine Plymouth to shoot three league targets. I did pretty good. I was a little worried because my shoulder has been rather sore but it didn't hurt while I was shooting and my scores were all above 50.

Then I took a nap. I drove to Falls to pick up Mother to join us for dinner. We had a lovely evening with her as usual. She mentioned that she was on her last bottle of wine so we sent two home with her. A Gewertziminer and a White Zin.

Now I am home and settling down for the evening.

Today I sat down to rest for a bit and Dick had the travel channel on to Samantha Brown's European show. She mentioned that the mountains where she was touring looked almost like they were painted on the sky. That reminded me of the Grand Canyon. It is so big and massive and full of color and also looks JUST like the paintings you see of it. Incredibly beautiful.

Love and stuff and have a great week.

Mary

Chelsea was really happy and a whirlwind on our walk this morning. It is always good to see her having such a good time. Of course, the rest of the day she is usually a little subdued and sleeps a lot. Today, Dick took two naps and she really likes that.

I got to be home all day today. I finished the Angel Bags for the CWI Conference and worked on a couple of other things.

The day just sped by anyway.

Tuesday, Jim is going to have a surgery to correct some of his sleep apnea problems. It is a painful procedure so we must all remember to pray real hard for him. Michelle has time off to be his nurse and I know she will be a very good one to him.

Tomorrow, Mother will be here for dinner. It will be a busy day. Church in the morning, Shooting at noon and Mom in the evening.

My friend Toni stopped by with some more covers for the book we are putting together. She loved the "Don't Piss Off The Fairies" garden stone that I have in the front garden. She wondered if a good Catholic should have such a statement. I told her about Chelsea being afraid of Mother's kitchen when we first got her. She would not set foot on that floor and was obviously terrified. Mother suggested that perhaps some Little People were living in the kitchen and were scaring her. So when Bart, Barb and I were in Ireland, I found, one day, a little Barbie sized jacket on the street. I picked it up and brought it home. I washed it and took it to Mother's house and we left it out for the Little People. They never TOOK the little jacket, but Chelsea is no longer afraid to go into Mother's kitchen. What do YOU think?


Love

Mary

I had a very nice day. Chelsea and I went for our walk at the crack of dawn. It was just getting light. No wind and we did go through the park. If we have a warm day soon with no rain I will check out the path in back of the condo. I am afraid of that one because of the slippery hill coming down from the railroad tracks. I am going to see if I can terrace it a bit so I have some steps.

Then I cleaned the kitchen and prepared angel bags with toothbrushes, combs, toothpaste and floss for the Spring Fling. Then I went to Dairy Queen for lunch with the bank ladies. This is the first time that I have been able to go in over a month and will be the last for about another month. It was good to see them all. Barb, Marlene, Betty and Ceil were there. I DO see Marlene and Ceil at church quite often. Poor Marlene had to have surgery for carpel tunnel on her right arm. She said that it is really a pain. One has no IDEA how much we depend on BOTH arms.

We had ham and colcannan for supper tonight. It still tastes good.

Tonight I had to work at Rhine. We are on the second week of league. We only have 13 teams so far. Last week, the opening, was a dud. It was Good Friday AND a storm hit. Only one team signed up then. We got 12 tonight. The shooting was all done by 8:30 so I was home by 9PM which does not break my heart.

This morning Dick and I were watching the game show channel and Peter Marshall was a guest on a contest thing they are doing right now. He was mentioning the stars who sat in the Squares over the years, Wally Cox, Charlie Weaver. And Dick and I both remembered Paul Lynde. He was such a wit. I never will forget the day he got the following question. "In what state was Lincoln born?" His answer was, " In the same state as the rest of us. Naked and screaming."


Have a wonderful weekend. We have invited Mother over for the famous Kunert Spinach Noodle Egg Casserole on Sunday. Should be fun.

Love

Mary

We got to stay home all day today. It was wonderful. I got up at 6:30 and took Chelsea for a good long walk. There was no wind and no precipitation. She loved it and came bounding into the house looking for Dick to tell him how wonderful it was. He was sleeping but it was good to see her so happy. She has been pretty subdued the rest of the day. I think she is like Mother. One big event per day is all she wants to handle.

I spent the day cleaning bathrooms and dusting everything. I also did some emailing and putting together of items for the Spring Fling. I loved today.

We had chili for dinner tonight. Boy was that a good batch.

A lady opened her refrigerator and saw a rabbit sitting on one of the shelves.
"What are you doing in there?" She asked.
The rabbit replied:
"This is a Westinghouse, isn't it?",
To which the lady replied "Yes."
"Well," the rabbit said,

"I'm westing."

I got this from a friend of mine and thought it was really funny. It also reminded me of an incident that happened when my brother Randy was just a little boy.

Mother opened the refrigerator one day and there was a little kitten sitting on a shelf shivering and looking very scared. She asked Randy if he knew anything about it and he said that he HAD put it in the refrigerator. She asked him why and he said "Because I wanted to save it." Then she remembered that he had asked her why she was putting leftover food in the fridge and she had told him that she was "saving it. " Thinking back she remembered that there had been a couple of toys in the refrigerator during the past week or so.

An explanation of "saving" solved the problem. Thank heavens our refrigerator was never closed for any great length of time or it could have been curtains for that poor kitty.

Love

Mary

A sunny cloudless day. Chelsea and I had a really nice walk. We went through the park and she really liked that.

We usually shop in the morning but Dick had such an awful night that he just went to bed for a while. So, I vacuumed the downstairs den and worked on several projects that are in need of finishing.

When he woke up we decided to just move the -breakfast then shopping - to lunch then shopping. We drove to Sheboygan Falls to the Parkview for lunch. We had bacon cheeseburgers and I got a gift certificate for the Parkview for Mother to give to a friend that has been so very good to her.

Then we drove back to Plymouth and did our grocery shopping. Everybody there was surprised to see us there so late. Isn't it nice to be noticed.

I had a dentist appointment to seal the teeth that have been hurting when cold hits them. Now they ache because he had to do some gum work to DO the coating. I will have to be careful and rinse with salt water until it heals. It is weird that now it aches all the time. I guess things have to get worse to get better.

We had creamed egg on toast for dinner. Num Num. We DO love that. One of the advantages of Easter is a lot of hard boiled eggs.

Tomorrow we will not have to go anywhere. The first time this week that we do not have one errand.

Have a good day.

Love
Mary

LIPSTICK IN SCHOOL - PRICELESS

According to a news report, a certain school in Garden City, MI was recently faced with a unique problem.

A number of 12-year-old girls were beginning to use lipstick and would put it on in the wash room. That was fine, but after they put on their lipstick they would press their lips to the mirror leaving dozens of little lip prints.

Every night, the maintenance man would remove them and the next day the girls would put them back.

Finally the principal decided that something had to be done. He called all the girls to the washroom and met them there with the maintenance man. He explained that all these lip prints were causing a major problem for the custodian who had to clean the mirrors every night. To demonstrate how difficult it had been to clean the mirrors, he asked the maintenance man to show the girls how much effort was required. He took out a long-handled squeegee, dipped it in the toilet, and cleaned the mirror with it.

Since then, there have been no lip prints on the mirror.

THE MORAL OF THIS STORY..

There are teachers, and then there are Educators

Hi everybody. This has been a nice day. I spent the lion's share of it preparing things for the gift bags that we are putting together for the CWI Spring Fling. Kate and Tony and I finished the little holders for the soaps we are putting in the bag. We also got a lot done for the little recipe book and a couple of other things. We shared cookies and pizza for lunch. Then I stopped at Walgreens on the way home to pick up some prescriptions, specials and bandage stuff.

It really was a beautiful day. It was a bit windy and chilly when Chelsea and I went out for our walk but she got me up early so we stayed on the roads in Tallgrass where it is safer. We found out yesterday that the sidewalk around the park is in pretty bad shape yet. AND we are supposed to get more snow on Thursday.

My Bret called tonight. He sounds really good. He spent Easter out at the river at his place and said it was a perfect weekend. They spent lots of time in the pool and lots of time jeeping.

Talked to my Bart tonight too. He also sounds good. I do worry that this business of Barb being in Florida is wearing on him but they will be OK. Barb comes home for a long weekend next week and then he will go back down there in about three weeks so they can be together on their anniversary. She will be home for good at the end of May. In June Adam comes back from his overseas mission and they will be going east to greet him.

I was delighted when I talked to Bret when he told me that Tony's wife, Dee, makes Green Meatballs every year for St. Patrick's Day. She LOVES the Green Meatballs and Schlitzhagen cookbook that I sent to Bret years ago. I need to make a copy for Michelle and Jim.

I have pulled some chili out of the freezer for dinner tomorrow. That really sounds good, doesn't it?

It is so nice to have a week without a doctor appointment. Next week we start again.

All my love

Mary

Such a lovely Monday and I finally saw my first robin of the season. This morning when Chelsea and I were walking, I also saw one of the deer prancing around in the brushy area AND I heard the Red Winged Blackbirds trilling. So I do have real hope that Spring is really just around the corner. Now, all we need is a good warm rain and worms all over the blacktop and we are finally THERE!

Bible Study was lively. The Gospel was about St. Thomas. You know the one. "Blessed are they that have not seed and yet believe." Well, as I read it I realized, for the first time, that the apostles DID see. When Jesus came to them he SHOWED them his wounds. Thomas was reprimanded because he did not believe despite the testimony of his friends. But that makes US the blessed because we are the ones who believe without seeing. Pretty good if you ask me.

Mom was fine, we had a nice visit. I will be picking up a gift certificate for her from Parkview Restaurant so that she can give it to a friend who has been SO good about taking her every week that the weather is possible to the Senior Lunch Program. I took her some ham, cake and colcannan.

She had a good time at Eileen and Fred's. The girls WERE there so that was special.

This afternoon, I went over to Kate's close to 4PM so that we could get on a CWI conference call. This was new to Kate who is a new member of the Board. We were able to give a good update on what is going on with the Spring Fling. I stressed that we really would like to have the names of attendees. They will be pleased when they see the name tags. They are truly collectibles.


Tonight Dick took me out to dinner at the Wilderness. It was VERY special. Quiet, a good meal and a nice break after the busy weekend and busy day.

DOG DIARY

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Love

Mary