Today was a very good day.  Jody came at 8AM to clean.

I cleaned the desk for the week and worked on taxes and getting ready for the call from SSI that was scheduled for 10:30AM this morning.  When they called, I DID have everything I needed at hand and we were able to get everything done by phone.   The only thing I will have to do is send our marriage license for review and they will be sending an envelope for that.

I had lunch with Betty, Marlene and Ceil at Dairy Queen today.   That was pleasant as usual.   We have been friends and work mates for SUCH a long time.  Good to have old friends.

Then I came home and napped.Tonight I picked up Kate and we went down to the Plymouth Arts Center for the opening of their new show called Paint Color Blend - The Garret Girls.   Are really great showing of 10 Wisconsin artists.   All talented.  All I need is another painting.   There were two that might have tempted me.  No way though.

So Home again I am heading for bed.  Tomorrow I am going to Chicago for the Brigid Celebration at the Irish Heritage Center.
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Dia Dhuit

Mary

I finally figured out (again) how to import a picture from Picasa into Blogger.   So. I can finally deliver on my promise to show you the completed wall hanging that I made of the four crazy quilt squares that Mother had finished before it became too difficult for her to sew any more because of her vision and the discomfort in her hands.     I am quite pleased with the finished product and have decided what I am going to do with it.    

Today was very busy but fruitful.    I had a dentist appointment at 9AM.   No cavities and I now have the cleanest teeth in the family.  Janelle, my hygienist, was also Dick's so it was a bit hard for us.   You know how people loved him, but we both shared and hugged and felt better for the time.

On the way home I did a few errands and then had lunch.

After lunch, I drove over to Kate's house and we went to Hobby Lobby.   Kate is getting ideas for her 50th wedding celebration and I was after a case for Dick's flag.    I found a case.   It was even on sale.    I have to stain a little chip but will be glad to have the flag safely ensconced.   I also found some birds for the Kevin wall hanging, and a light table, which I have secretly wanted.  It was only $10 so you know it is a very small one, but that will do for my projects.   Oh, we also found an Irish hanging for the door or wall that looks great.    We both got one as it was somewhat unique.   It looks like a huge bottle cap with a greeting on it.   This was just a fun shopping day.   I haven't done that in ages.

I had an appointment with Dr. Murthy this afternoon to discuss how we should move with the treatments of my neck/arm/shoulder pain.   He has referred me back to Dr. Leben, who had done some good for my ribs.   The trouble is, I won't see her until February 22.    So I am going to keep trying various things, for example, massage and hot and cold applications and stretches.     I am just sick of aching.

Tomorrow I will be home until evening.   Then I will go to the Plymouth Arts Center for their opening.   I do have a telephone appointment with SSI at 10:30AM.   That is one of the last loose ends to tie up.    Soon I will be done with all that stuff and can move on.

Rest easy tonight.   Rest is so healing.
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Dia Dhuit

Mary.

Another cold day.   It is supposed to start warming up, tomorrow, I think.  

I did stay home all day today.    So nothing terribly exciting came about.    I was busy all day but nothing to shake up the world about.  

I did bake some raisin bran muffins.    I think I have all the food in this house now in some control.   I will not need meat for months.   If anybody is hungry, just let me know the night before and I will gladly feed you.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

We are still in the deep freeze here.   I looked at the thermometer just a few minutes ago and it was back down to 1 degree from 4 degrees this morning.  I am running a heater in the garage to cut the cold a bit.

I had not intended to leave the house today, except to get the mail and put out the trash, BUT I was out of cat food and Roxie insisted that I had to get her some.    So off I went to the Pig and now I am set for at least a week with the few things that I need.    I WAS out of lettuce and really like to have salad almost every day.

So it was a good day.   I cleaned a couple of closets, baked a cake, got some items ready for this weekend and even for the next weekend.

Tomorrow I also get to stay in out of the cold.     I have several other projects that I want to get to.   Roxie loves me home.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Paddy  was coming through the customs at the airport  carrying a large bottle.
"What have you there  ?" said a suspicious customs officer.
"T’is  Lourdes Holy Water. I am bringing it home with  me," said Paddy.
The officer took the bottle  and tried some. “Why, it's Irish whiskey !!" he  spluttered.
"Lord bless me,” said Paddy,  "another bloomin`miracle  !!"

Happy 97th Birthday to Mom!!!

The weather was brutal today.   I don't think the temperatures ever topped 4 degrees. It was as low as 1 degree.    Brrrr!

We had 6 people at bible study today and had a really good prayer session and then a nice discussion on a psalm that was actually featuring prayer. 
And what a nice group we have.    Helen brought one of her homemade birthday cards for Mother for all of the group to sign for her.

I also showed them the wall hanging that I put together with her picture and the Crazy Quilt Squares.

Next on to Mother's.   I gave her her present, a nice bottle of Madeira wine and my card along with the card from the Bible Study.  She seemed very pleased.   There were already tons of cards on the dining room table.   She is a very popular lady.  Had a couple of bills to be paid and we watched a bit of the inauguration.    Then I came home.

I had a quick lunch then picked up Lynn and Jena for Cream City Writers   We had very good news.  Both Lynn and Bev had poems selected for the 2014 Poets calendar.    Isn't that just super?    Lynn is so excited.   This is her first acceptance to the calendar.  

We had a short meeting because there were just the four of us.  So. I came home in time to get a lot of cleaning done around here.  

Bart and Barb called at about four.   They have both been fighting sinus infections.   Must pray for them. 

My friend Kate invited me over for supper tonight.   That was a nice change.   We had pork chop, stuffing and apple casserole and carrots.   SO good.   We had a nice visit too.   Hadn't had much of a chance for that lately.

So.  A typically busy Monday that made me feel good.

Now it is time for Night Night.

]Dia Dhuit

Mary

Such a pleasant Sunday.

It was cold and the wind blew like there was no tomorrow, all night.   But the sun shone and the sky was just radiant.

I spent the time at home finishing the wall hanging that I have assembled out of the four crazy quilt blocks that Mom made.   She said they are her last sewing project because of her sight so I felt they need to be preserved.    I'll send a picture of it.

At about 11AM, I drove to the Wierl Wind south on 67 to meet the rabbit hunters after their morning of hunting.   I got there shortly after 11, figuring that the cold would drive the guys to the bar before their noon deadline.   I underestimated their resolve.    They arrive at noon, almost exactly.   I was able to find people to visit with while I waited  (surprise, right?)  Then Jeff recruited me to help him and Shane prepare the several venison sausage offerings for judging.    I don't know if you know this, but every year after rabbit hunting this group of guys, and anyone else who wants to, bring in the venison sausage made that year from the deer hunting.    Then all in the bar taste and rate as to their favorite.    This year there were 5 entries.    The guys are going to let me know which sausage won.   I was ready to come home before the final eaters voted.   It was a really fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon.     I don't hunt anymore but would probably not get to see those guys that I hunted with all those years and came to be so fond of.    They always seem glad to see me too!

So, home again, I made a Roxie cat very happy.   I napped for a bit and then got things ready for tomorrow which is a VERY busy day - at least in the morning.

Hope you have an excellent week.
Dia Dhuit

Mary

They said we might have rain today but I did not see any.     It was quite warm but I understand that the next three or four days are going to make up for it.    One night it will drop to the minus degrees.    Of course, I remember, years ago, my ex husband and the boys and I came to Wisconsin and it was below zero, as much as -16 almost every day we were here.

I am always thanking God for the nice warm homes that we have and for the warm clothes and safety. Wasn't always so easy.

I drover to John Michael Kohler Art Museum today for their Family Festival China.   I met Bob Fleming, my artist friend there and ran into my friends Richard and Joan Kramer.     We all kind of interacted together until we all had to leave at different times.    I was a nice festival.    I made a Chinese Lantern, a Dragon Mask and did some Calligraphy.    The food provided was really good.   AND I got to sit through an explanation of a Tea Ceremony.    This is very interesting to me as I did participate in a High Tea in Ireland.   Veru different, of course, but still fascinating that such ceremony surrounds tea in different parts of the world.

I barely got home when I got a call from them telling me that I won a ticket to Shen Yun 2013 at the Milwaukee Theatre for February 19.   Of course, I had to buy an adjacent ticket and now will have to see who can come with me.  This show features 5000 of Chinese dance in one night.   I am excited.

Home again, I took a nap, then drove to Mass.  

Hone again, I have been just picking up pieces and getting things organized for tomorrow.     Tomorrow will be nice, I am meeting the rabbit hunters at the Whirl Wind for a sausage tasting.   Will be good to see the guys.  It is going to be COLD so I don't imagine they will be out too long.


Dia Dhuit

Mary

Such a full day.    Mixed feelings.    Suddenly I realized that today it is a month since he is gone.   Why do these milestone days make it more real?   I kept really busy today and that helped.   But the missing is in me.

Jody came at 8AM and got the house vacuumed and scrubbed for me.

Today I finished the binding on the wall hanging that I am making out of the four crazy quilt squares that Mom finished just before she decided that her sight just makes it to difficult for her to sew.  I am pleased.   Just need a label and an embellishment to complete it.     I hope to do that this weekend.  It is really coming together.

Then I went to Dairy Queen to lunch with the bank ladies.   That was fun.   We always have so much to talk about.  Having known each other for so long, it is a nice break in the week.   After lunch, I had several errands.    I took all the Dick's meds and expired stuff over to the Plymouth Police station for disposal.    Yesterday, I cleaned out the first aid supplies and gave extra pads and lotions to someone that I knew could use them.  I now have a reasonable first aid supply.   VNA also stopped by and picked up excess books and brochures and a couple of medical kits that I can't use but are still sealed. The frugal person in me just won't let me throw everything away.

Then I stopped in at the Sewing Basket for a couple of photo fabric pieces and finally went to the trophy shop to kind of firm up what we want on the plaque.   By next Friday, they will email me a mock up of what we think will work best.    Then I can forward it to the kids and we can either say Yea! or fine tune.

Home again,  I finished a lot of straightening up.   I don't have a real plan, but have been finishing any project that I start so it is kind of like a puzzle coming together.  

After supper, I drove over to Rhine for a visit with friends.   That was fun.  One of my friends gave me four packages of venison steak.   I am set now.   I only had a couple of packages and these will get me through the year because they have to be three pounds each or so.   I am so grateful.

Speaking of which.   Only two weeks til the Wild Game Dinner.     The shower too.  I have presents for the twins, just need to wrap them.   I know that the shower is at 11:00AM but still am not sure what time the Wild Game Dinner starts.

So, today was busy and it made me feel better.   Starting to be creative is helping too.  It took a while to want to.  

Love you all and thank you for being there

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I was home all day today.  

I ended up spending most of it sorting my 2012 receipts and gathering for tax season.    I hadn't really planned on doing it all, but once I got started it mushroomed.   I also now have my left had desk drawer all cleaned and my various projects and things that need to be finished all in manageable groupings.

So it wasn't too exciting a day.   I have things ready for a couple of errands tomorrow and someone from VNA is coming to pick up some things that I have and hate to throw away.    I am such a "green" person.   

Heard from Nora and Leif and from my friends Sheila, Rosemary and Gail with encouraging cards.    So I had a smiley time when I came in with the mail.

Glad that chore is over with.   I love having things organized.

Dia Dhuit

Happy Friday

Mary

Hello Again.

Quite a day.    I spent the morning with phone calls.   Talked to my friend Bob Fleming for one.   He sent  the lovliest sympathy card with a poem he wrote  for Dick and me.    Bob and I had a good talk.

I left at about noon to pick up a prescription for Mother and then get to Sheboygan Falls to Blessed Trinity for Mass.   Joseph and Felicia Reindl, my bible study/Celtic friends had ordered a Mass for Dick.   I was pleased to see that the Mass was also for Fr. John Theisen.   He was pastor at Blessed Trinity while I was a member of the parish.   He was so helpful to Dad.   Fr. John was at Rocky Knoll while Dick was there this last time.   I had walked down to the lunchroom to get a cup of coffee and saw him at dinner so went to talk to him.    He was a dear man.   I am sure Dick and he have found each other.

Stopped to say Hi to Mom.   Then did a bit of grocery shopping and picked up Mom's birthday present.   Her birthday is Monday and I bought her a really good bottle of Madeira wine for her present.   She always said that this is her favorite wine.

This afternoon I did some sewing and then called Jacquie because I had not talked to her in so long.    She sounds good.   I hope to go to visit her in the future.   Doris, my other sister in law lives with her too.

That was the day.   Tomorrow I will be home all day and have lots of projects I want to get to.   One day at a time.

Dia Dhuit
Mary

Cold again today.    I got up at about 7:30AM because it is trash day an I wanted to be sure it was out.  This week, and from now on, I put it in the back of the car so I don't have to carry heavy bags all the way down to the corner.   Trying to heal the arm you know.

I spent the morning paying bills.  I feel good about everything.    Then at about 11AM, I took Kate's trees back.   I also gave her the ornaments that I culled from my still immensely big Christmas collection. She builds baskets for St. John the Baptist's winter Craft fair.   A lot of money is made at this event.   There is a silent auction, tons of vendors, a bake sale, food and a raffle of super baskets.   Kate puts together many of these baskets and I know that she will put the ornaments to good use  and money will be earned for the church.

Then I went to the Trophy shop to get my initial information on preparing a plaque for Dick to be hung at Mead Library.    Now I have direction and have sent the information to the kids so that they can input.

A last stop was at the bank where I cleaned up one more loose end.   Will they ever end?

Then I came home, lunched and took a nap.

This afternoon, I sewed on the Crazy Quilt wall hanging and washed and folded some clothes.    Too bad these mundane jobs keep interrupting creativity. :)

( I hope that is a smile,   not too good at the symbols.)

So it is wind down time.    I feel good about today.    Tomorrow is a special day.   I will go to Mass in Sheboygan Falls at 1PM.   My friends Joseph and Felicia have dedicated tomorrow's Mass there to Dick.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I am back to marathon Mondays.   Started out OK.   I left the house a bit after 9AM for Bible Study at Blessed Trinity.   We had a nice group of 6.  Our little lady, Jan, was back.   Joseph was able to pick her up.   We ladies were hesitant to bring her in the winter as she is so frail and we worried about being able to help her if she had trouble.  

We are discussing Psalm 73.  The discussion was the criteria that we use to determine self worth now as compared to what determined our self worth as children.   Think about it.

I went right to Mother's and we got her bills paid, her pills laid out and had time for a bit of a visit before it was time for her Meals on Wheels.   I left from there and went on to Sheboygan for a Sheboygan County Writers meeting.  I have not been able to go to one of them for probably four years (except for the parties).  This year because of circumstances, I missed the Christmas party too.   There were not too many familiar faces but enough that I felt at home.    I read the Tree and the Christmas poems and got good response.    Good to get back to real creativity.

Home again, I am still able to keep quite busy with general cleaning and all of the things necessary to bring my life to that of a single person and get the finances squared away.

Ann Pirrung,  a dear friend, was there.  She was a page at Mead at the age of 16 and remembers "Mr. Kunert" with great fear and trepidation.    I know that Dick used to wander through the library occasionally just to "Make His Presence Known."   I can imagine what a 16 year old would think of that.

So life goes on.   I can hear Dick saying to lay back and take it easy.   They mentioned that they need a secretary for the Sheboygan Writers and I "heard" him telling me to just shut up.  So I did.  He would be so proud of me.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

What a nice Sunday.    I slept until 8AM.   I slept much better than I have for quite some time.   I hope that this will continue tonight.   I used to go to bed and sleep until morning.   

Lately I have trouble getting to sleep and then I wake often.

I did some mending and general cleaning before Rosemary Mugan picked me up at 11:30AM to go to Lincoln.    The world of Plymouth was encased in a thin layer of ice but she made it and the main roads were pretty well melted or salted by then.  The movie was fantastic, so now I can cheer for it whenever it receives a Golden Globe or Oscar.

Home again, I have just been being really lazy and flitting from one little thing to another.   Since my lunch was popcorn and soda, I fixed a small casserole of hot dog, broccoli, noodles and cheese for supper with a salad on the side.

Tomorrow will be busy until about 3PM.     I will leave it all for a surprise for you tomorrow.

Roxie is sprawled out on the desk, not under her lamp as she was accustomed to, but right smack in front of me on whatever papers that I am working on.  She probably missed our nap today.    Not that she didn't have HER nap which is usually most of the day.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Haiku by me

Sunny sky so blue
The naked trees sillouettes
Like pencil sketches.   

My quiet Saturday got perked up a bit this morning.   My friend Peg Payne called.   She had an extra ticket to see Beef Tea at the Plymouth Art Center this evening.    So after Mass, I met Peg and our friend Joan at Culvers for a hamburger before we went down to the concert.

Beef Tea is a very good local band.  They started out Irish, then added Bluegrass and now are doing a kind of modern folky country along with bluegrass and Irish.    I really liked the concert.   I left a little early because my arm and neck started hurting quite badly.   I think I liked them better a bit more Irish though.   My friend Nancy's son-in-law is in the band.   Nancy and Warren were there and another friend, Gary Anderson and his friend Sue.

The early part of the day was spent sewing and baking. 

This morning another friend, Rosemary Mugan, called and wondered if I would like to go see the movie Lincoln with her tomorrow.   I jumped at the chance.   Dick and I both wanted to see that one.  So she will pick me up just before noon tomorrow for that.

A quiet weekend has become quite eventful.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Woke up this morning to temps in the high thirties, that crept up to the high forties as the day went on.  Of course, the warm air and the rain make the morning VERY foggy.   

Jody came to clean at about 8:15AM.   She was able to give me a status report on the roads as I had to leave at 9:30AM for a 10AM appointment with Attorney Voss.   We have everything legal set up.   I will go back at the end of the month to sign the new will and powers of attorney.   He will file the will and see that the deed is recorded in my name alone.   Another big item crossed off.   Only a couple of necessary things to do then I can start making other decisions.

After I left there, I did some other errands and then joined the other bank ladies at Dairy Queen.   We had a really good visit this week.   I ordered a chicken quesadilla.   It was good.   I have 1/2 of it left for tomorrow.

This evening I rode out to Rhine with Warren and Nancy to visit with friends while they shot.    That was a pleasant way to spend an evening.

So.  Heading into a quiet weekend.    I plan on doing some sewing and more organizing.

It has been a good day.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

William James wrote: "Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing."

This was a really nice day.   Bobbie and I met for lunch at Field to Fork in Sheboygan.    We hadn't seen each other for some time and it was a perfect time to visit and exchange information and cards for the Memorial fund.     We had a good lunch.   I love Field to Fork.  

Then we walked to Mead so that I could see the placque that is dedicated to Marie Barkman.  It is like an open book with her name and the dated of her service and her title and then a nice quote on the other side.   Gives me a direction to go.   I will go to a trophy shop next week to see if they can help me with the design.   Then I will let the kids know and get approval from the library.

I had a quiet afternoon with a very good nap.

I was telling Bobbie that this morning, I walked past the extra room upstairs where I have the wheelchair and the stand lift.    The wheel chair was turned on.    Dick is playing games with me. I did not turn it on and it was not on long because it was fully charged.     What a trickster he is.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I feel good about today,

This morning was very busy.    I went grocery shopping first and then went to Klips and Tips to have my hair cut.    A stop at the bank and then home.

I spent the rest of the day finishing putting Christmas put away.    I have a whole box of nice ornaments that I have decided not to keep.    Now I have to decide what to do with them.    Some of them are VERY nice and they are all in good shape.   I also finished cleaning out the pantry and have discovered several cans and boxes of dated food.     I guess this happens and the past year I have not done the cooking that I did before because Dick's appetite was so reduced that we had to cut back on quantities and some things were just not being made.    I feel like a bit oops.   But I have it under control now.

Jeff stopped by on his way home from Mom's this afternoon.   The door to the closet is almost ready to be put back on.   He just needs a strong pair of arms to help get it hung.  He brought me a container of homemade wild turkey soup.   I had some for supper and it is very good.

Tomorrow will be a good day.    I am having lunch with Bobbie at Field and Fork.   We are going to talk about the use of Dick's memorial funds.   It will be so good to spend time with her.

So until tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I was home all day today.   It was a pretty quiet day.    I got all of Christmas down and have a whole box of ornaments that I would like to find a home for.   

Not too much else happened.   Except, my neighbor, Jean, called this morning.   She broke her leg and asked if I could take out her trash for her.    Poor lady.   I will be picking up her mail and paper for a few days too.    It is not a really bad break but she is wearing a special shoe and has to take it easy.

So I got a LOT done today and am hoping that I sleep tonight.   I have been having trouble sleeping. 

Bless you all

Dia Dhuit

Mary

This morning was very busy.    I got a call from Eileen at about 8:30AM.   She had gotten a call from Mother as Eileen's was the first number that came into Mom's head.    Mom's caregiver was not there again.    Eileen doesn't have their number so I called to find out what was up. 

There was a "mix up" AGAIN.   This is not the first time that Trish has not communicated to her caregivers and I let her know that we are not happy.   This is our mother.   She gets distressed when they are not there.   She ends up having to get out of bed by herself at least by 8AM which is one of her vulnerable times.     I let Trish know that we expect something to be done.    Eileen, Dolores andI have discussed the fact that there are other care giving services out there.  

I left shortly after 9AM for bible study.  There were 6 of us there.   With Tom and Kathy in Florida this will probably be our winter group.    Please pray for my friend,Helen's daughter who has MS and has taken a turn for the worse.

Then I went to Mom's.   She actually weathered this morning pretty good.   We got her bills paid and stowed away the December Bills.   I am bringing something to put the old ones in and store it down in the basement.

I left when her Meals came.   She doesn't like her schedule messed with and with the late care givers, she did not get her excercises done this morning which really distressed her.

So I came home and have been just working on Christmas stow away AND getting the desk stuff in order.    Tomorrow I am home all day.   Yea.

So on to the rest of the week.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A rather unexpectedly busy Saturday made me forget to post yesterday.

It started out quietly enough, then Jeff called at about noon.   Mother was complaining of discomfort in her abdomen and was convinced that her kidneys were acting up.    I went to Falls and got on the line with a nurse to see if she thought it was wise to bring her to Urgent Care.  She thought perhaps we should.   However,  Mother wanted to see HER doctor and she wanted HER doctor to check JUST her kidneys and her bladder.  

She agreed finally to go to Urgent Care and Randy came over to help me take her.   We went to Plymouth and I knew the nurse and the doctor which seemed to make Mom feel better about the whole thing.  They listened to her and just checked here kidney and bladder function and except for a bit of urine concentration she is just fine.     This seemed to really relax her.  Randy and I got her home before 5PM.    I saw that she had fresh water and gave her her pills.    Than we left her to rest as she was just having soup for her supper and it was in a cup ready for the microwave when she was.  
I am sure glad that we could comfort her.

Today was OK.   I went to Mass this morning at 9:30AM and have spent the day taking down ornaments and napping.   Yesterday left me very tired.   I even had trouble keeping my eyes open in church.

This evening, my neighbor invited me over with some other of the ladies in the neighborhood for cheese and wine.  That was delightful.   We had such a nice visit.  We will have to to that again,   Some of us are alone and some still have their spouses but we had so much to talk about.

I feel that this week will be the first real normal week since Dick went to heaven and I better start out good.    It is not a really busy week but I will have plenty to do both at home and out in the world.    Things are coming together and by mid February, I think everything will be all settled.

You all have a good week too.   Bless you for all your love.

Dia Dhuit

Mary