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

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

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

Be happy and rest for tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

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

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

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

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

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

So now you know why I am saying WHEW!

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

Pray for me.


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

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

God love you and bless you this weekend.

Mary

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

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

I did some wash, sewed and took two naps.   

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

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

Dia Dhuit

Mary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dia Dhuit

Mary

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

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

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

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

Dia Dhuit

Mary

An extra busy Monday.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A good rest to you and Dia Dhuit

Mary 

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

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

Then I took a nap.

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

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

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

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

Joy to you and a super week.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

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

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

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

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

I did some more quilt cutting out this afternoon.

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

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

So,  until tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Biscotti

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

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

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

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

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

Another day at home.  Mostly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dia Dhuit.

Mary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I hope your night is peaceful too.  

Dia Dhuit.

Mary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dia dhuit

Mary

This will be short and sweet.   

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love and Dia Dhuit

Mary

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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

Dia Dhuit

Mary

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

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

It was quite pleasant outside again today.   No precipitation or wind and the temperatures stayed in the low 40s.

I stayed in bed until a bit after 7AM after feeding the cat and helping Dick get up between 6 and 6:30AM.   So I was quite rested for most of the day.    It is not almost 8PM and I am winding down nicely, but don't feel too exhausted.

Of course, we had no visitors today at all.   No VNA on weekends.

Dick did his walking and his standing exercises once each today so that was a good beginning.   He looked good doing them too.   And I did not have to help him at all.

I spent a bit of today, getting my Ireland pictures from this year and from the time Bart, Barb and I went all labeled.   Now I can make up a disc to take to JMKAC for use with a projector.   I also have picked several of my CDs for music when live music is not playing.    I have several nice traditional and Irish American traditional CDS that should work well.

I also started putting Christmas away.   That is a major job, not as formidable as some years, as I didn't put everything out this year.  Tomorrow I will do a bit more and will get to work on a couple of quilting projects that I have to have finished by the end of January or early February.  I also have a couple that I would just LIKE to work on.

I went to Mass at 4PM.   The Folk Choir was singing tonight.   This is the last of the Christmas celebrations,  The Epiphany- the Coming of the Magi.   Fr. Van Beek had a sweet story about this feast.   He said that when he was a kid and would hear the story and when Herod would tell the Three Kings to report back to him as to where the Baby King was, he wanted to jump up on the pew and yell.   "No. No.  Don't tell him.   He is a bad man."    How fun it is for a child to become so involved in a tale, especially one of such importance.   This is after all the feast when Jesus was made known to us Gentiles.  Before this it was just to the Jewish people

We had a steak for lunch with garlic bread, beets and a fruit salad.    Then we had Chicken Waldorf salad and a piece of gingerbread pudding pie for supper.

Tomorrow will be another quiet day.   These days are nice for us to get back into the routine.    I hope Dick keeps increasing his walking practices.  Each time he does so will make him stronger.   He has said that he would like to go away, perhaps up north or somewhere for a couple of days in May.   He has that as a goal.    I just pray that he will be able to continue becoming more independant.

So rest easy in your bed tonight and wake up refreshed and ready to be fully a part of you day.   May it be a beautiful, loving day and all you dream.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

These were really good.   I had some oranges that were starting to get kind of old.   I even forgot to brush them with the egg and they were still good.


Orange Scones
Yields 12 2-inch round scones
Orange Scones
Adapted from Inside a Black Apple

1 3/4 cup flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup white sugar
Zest of 1 orange
Pinch of salt
5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small chunks
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup sour cream
1 egg
1 tablespoon milk
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, sugar, orange zest, and salt. Add the butter using a pastry tool (or your hands) and mix until the mixture is crumbly with pea-sized chunks. Stir in the orange juice and sour cream until just blended. Do not overmix or it will result in tough scones.
Roll scones into a ball and flatten slightly on a cookie sheet to resemble 2 inch rounds. Whisk together the egg and milk and brush over the top of the scones. Let scones rest for 10 minutes before baking.
Bake for 12 minutes or until the tops are lightly browned. Cool until room temperature before glazing.
Orange Glaze
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon orange juice
In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. If too thick, add more orange juice until it is smooth. Drizzle lightly over scones.

We got to stay home all day today.   Of course, that did not stop the stream of people wending their way through the house.

I got up at 6AM with the cat.   Got Dick up between 6:30AM and 7AM.   Jody came to clean at 8AM and was followed closely by Denise, the RN.   She did a deep check on him.    All his vitals and changing his dressings (all of the wounds are almost healed.) and helping us figure out how to use the new lung treatment.   At Rocky Knoll all of the treatments went into the nebulizer.   One of the refills has its own dispensing system.   Not hard but very precise.    Just enough to be DIFFERENT and we know what we think about different.  Anyway, Denise was able to help us and we are feeling pretty good about his progress, except for the possible bladder infection.    Denise took a sample and a blood draw to the lab for testing.    We did not hear from Dr. Sharon, so I hope all is well.

We were alone for a whole hour before Lauren, the OT came.   We asked her for some ideas in helping Dick get dressed by himself.   He can do his shirt and all but the shorts get difficult.    She showed him what he needs to do to be able to accomplish this and we have determined that there needs to be more practice on balance and standing.   He CAN do it, so if I were gone, it would be possible but it is very slow and tiring.

She left and was followed closely by Sara the PT.   Sara put him through walking, balancing and some stretching exercises.    Now if he will take my reminders or remember himself to do these things, he will continue to improve.  I run a fine line between being helpful and a nag.

This afternoon, I took a nap.   I am also gathering things to take to Danika ant KMJAC for the Irish Family Day.  I want them all together by Tuesday when I have a doctor appointment in Sheboygan.   I am trying to group my traveling.    The gas bill should go down some now that Dick is home.   Of course the grocery bill will go up, but not by much.

The weekend looks very quiet.   I will be going to Mass tomorrow evening, but that should be the only time either of us have to leave Tallgrass.   

Have a wonderful vacation yourself.  

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It isn't going to be easy.    I seem to have sprained my ankle.    When we were getting Dick in the car to take him for his appointment with Dr. Sharon, I had to go back into the house to grab his med list and I apparently hit the ramp on an odd angle and twisted my right ankle.

That was at 11:00AM.   I thought I had walked it off actually.    It was tender when we were at the Clinic.   I was doing just fine when I went to the wake for Uncle Bob Finger.

That was a great experience.   I know that funerals are not supposed to be happy, but we have such a marvelous family.   Bob had a perfect death.  He basically just fell asleep.  And I got to see all of my Ayers first cousins, their spouses and lots of beautiful second cousins.   Aunt Kathleen is so brave.    We all agreed that she and Bob were truly blessed.   This was the second very special marriage for both of them and they had 24 years of joy and companionship.   What a guy he was.  

My ankle was still OK, but then I went to the meeting at JMKAC.   When I got up there, I knew I was in trouble. 

The meeting went VERY well.   I have several things to do but will be able to do most of them sitting at my desk with my foot up.   I am more worried about what I will be able to do as far as taking care of Dick.    I can reheat several meals and he can just do some more but I am needed.   Tomorrow, we will have a nurse and a therapist during the afternoon, which will be a big help.

I still hoped that if I got home and iced the ankle it would be OK.   No such luck.   I finally called Bobbie at about 4:30PM to ask her to come and drive me to Urgent Care.    They don't open before 8AM but do stay open until 8PM.  Perhaps they can wrap it or something.

Bobbie will be here any minute and I will finish this when I get back.   Isn't it strange, that I expect you to follow my conversations, even on the blog?

We are back from Aurora.   Bobbie heated up dinner for Dick and I and has headed back to her own home.   I am so grateful that she could come to take me.   The injury is to my foot, not the ankle.   Fortunately, there is no break.    I have a neat ankle brace and it is wrapped with an ace bandage which is really helping the pain.  I am also taking Tylenol for the pain and inflammation.

Dick and I will really have to be a team for the next few days.   But I will heal quickly, I know.

Love and Dia Dhuit

Mary

Dick had a very successful PT session with Sara this morning at about 11:00AM.   He walked twice, quite a distance, and stood by the cupboard and practiced going from side to side and balancing.   We are also working on ways so that he can sit himself up in bed without a leg for "balast" and without my help.   We are going to have to do that because I can't be straining my ribs and back too much.

I did the grocery shopping today.    That went well.   I also went to the bank, mailed Jim and Michelle's Christmas (Aren't you glad, Jim and Michelle?  Christmas isn't over yet.) and picked up a few supplies.

Aside from that I am still picking up loose ends and trying to keep up with the daily grind.   I will be glad when it becomes just part of the routine and I am not forgetting things.    It took a half an hour or more without Dick and he has added a lot.   Today was trash day too.

I am reading about leprechauns and fairies for the Family Festival Ireland on January 21st.     I will be doing two half hour storytelling times.  I intend to spend a half hour on each of the small people.  I will end each tale by letting the children or whoever know that the fairies and the leprechauns came over with the Irish people and are still here.   The tricky part is finding stories that are not to grim.   I want to make a little "purse" to put a shilling in for the leprechaun.    They carry a magic coin, you know.  When somebody does get their money, it comes right back to the purse.

Tomorrow will be very busy.   I have an MRI in the early morning.   Dick sees Dr. Sharon at 11:00 and then I will go tot he viewing for Uncle Bob and to a meeting at JMKAC.   I should be home and ready to settle in by 3PM.  I am hoping 2:30PM so that Dick won't be alone too long.  


Be safe and pray for Uncle Bob's soul and for Aunt Kathleen and the family that will miss him.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

So here we are.   Two days into 2012 already.    With the first of the year being on Sunday - the Packers playing on Sunday then the Rose Bowl Parade and the Badgers playing IN the Rose Bowl today, Monday, it seems like there were two New Year's days.

We did have two health aids from the VNA come today.   The nurse, Rachel, and the home health aid to give Dick his bath.   Aside from that, we were home alone today.

I did go to see Mother after lunch, as it is Monday and  I like to keep the Monday visit as regular as possible as this is the day we check the bills and visit.   She seemed a bit weaker today but was in good spirits.   Shortly before I left, Uncle Pat and Aunt Joan came to visit her.  They stopped on their way to see Kathleen.  A couple readers might not know that Uncle Pat is Mom's youngest brother and is only about 6 years older than I am.   He looks more like my Grandpa the older her gets.    A handsome man.    I stayed for a short visit with them, then left so they could really visit with Mother.

Yesterday, Mom was trying to remember the name of the boat that Phillip King's parents went down on.    It was the Lady Elgin.    I think I have discussed this before in the blog.    When Phillip's parents died, he was taken in and raised by Timothy Clifford who would be my 2nd great grand uncle.   Then Phillip married my great grand aunt Charlotte Bowser.  That was why I got such a pleasure out of A Rising Wind - The Lady Elgin Story a play presented by the John Michael Kohler Art Center.   It may be on public television soon.   They were negotiating at the time it was presented in Kohler.  It is an amazing play.   On the order of Driving Miss Daisy on stage or Our Town.   Very little as far as sets.   The actors tell the story.   

When the Lady Elgin went down it changed whole political landscape of Milwaukee.

Mom had gotten the Phoenix disaster in her head, so I brought her the book by my friend John Textor, Phoenix, the Fateful Journey for her to read.    John was in the Sheboygan Writer's Club.  He died a couple of years back but his book is great - about the disaster that occurred withing sight of the Sheboygan Harbor.   A couple of hundred settlers of Dutch ancestry died in that sinking.

So this is my day.   The Rose Bowl game is still on.   It seems to be lasting at least as long as the Packer game did yesterday.   Don't know what is wrong with these Wisconsin players. 

Dia Dhuit

Mary

The New Year came in with a whisper. 

We were mainly just HOME.  I left to take Mother her dinner and eat with her at 11:30AM.    I fed Dick before I left so that he wouldn't have to mess with anything.    Mother and I enjoyed our dinner together and the nice visit.   She looked beautiful.

Home again, we just watched the Packers win and puttered.   I went downstairs to find a couple of quilt patterns and pull out some fabric.   Otherwise,  just rested as much as I could. 

Tomorrow,  we will have the nurse and the home health aid here and I want to go to see Mother to take care of the bills and bring her some information.  Still a rather quiet day as some of the work with Dick will be taken out of my hands.   I will be glad when we finally see Dr. Sharon on Wednesday.

 “Athbhlian faoi mhaise!  which means Happy New Year in the Irish.


Mary

What a nice New Year's Eve and Day.   Dick slept all night until 6AM so I got a good night's sleep also.

We got up and kind of lazed into the day.  A light breakfast and I did a lot of wash.  I also got the Christmas Box for Michelle and Jim FINALLY packed and ready for the post office.

I finished making a lovely strawberry tart for tonight's dessert.   Suzi couldn't come because she was sick but Bobbie and Bill came so we had the same meal.   I saw no sense in changing anything.   The strawberries were really nice. - from Florida.   I also prepared Braciole de Manzo, one of my venison dishes, with a side of garlic Parmesan spaghetti and a carrot salad.     We had Bobbie's Barolo wine with dinner and a Barefoot Pinot Grigio Champagne to toast in the New Year. 

It was a nice way to see out the old year.    I am sure that I will be asleep before midnight and we all got to toast the old and welcome the new with t he Champagne with a strawberry dropped into it.

I went to Mass today at 4PM.   Tomorrow I will only go out onec, at around lunch time.   I am taking Mom's noon meal to her and will eat with her.

I talked to George today to update him on Uncle Bob's funeral arrangements.    We will miss Uncle Bob and his great smile.   

So Happy New Year to you all.

Until 2012

Dia Dhuit

Mary