As Dad would say, it is hotter than the hinges of hell.  

A day at home.   My neighbor, Peggy, took me to Mass again tonight.   So glad I have such wonderful friends.

Bobbie and Bill are going to take me to the church on Monday by 8:15AM.   And Richard and Brenda will be here.   I am so happy.   I need hugs.  

Dia dhuit

Mary

HI

I am still here.    I think that as of this afternoon, I have completed all that I have to do for the goodbye for my Mom.

I planned the Mass yesterday with the church, Sandy and Loraine, and sent the readings to my precious nieces who will be reading them.  All I should have to do now , is show up.

It is hard to realize that she is in heaven.   I am SO very happy for her.  I know that is where she wanted to be.  I hope that when I reach that point, all those who live me will know and also be willing to let me go.   I can imagine the celebration for her.   What a precious follower she was -all her life.

I will miss my visits with her.   But now I can talk to her any time, as I do with Dick and with others, especially Dad, who are there.

Tomorrow and Sunday should be quiet unless, I connect with family which will be so welcome.   What a celebration this will be.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A day of preparation and accepting.   I find it hard that I will not be able to visit Mom on Monday mornings as I have for so very many years.   But knowing that she is where she wants to be, with God and with my Dad, I am OK with that.

Thank you for all your prayers and support.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Mom

Most of you who read this are family, but for any who do not, this is to let you know that Mother passed away, very peacefully, this afternoon at about 1:45PM.   She peacefully went to sleep.  We are all going to miss her but are still grateful that she is now in the hands of God and receiving hugs from Daddy and all those who went before.

Prayers and love to all.  For all you who have been praying for Mother and for our family, we are so grateful.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Bobbie took me to see Mother today.   She is on full hospice now and approaching death.   She wakes and tries to tell us something but we cannot understand her.   She does not seem distressed which is the most important thing.

She has no appetite, but they do offer her food at the proper times.  We spent a couple of hours with her.  Jeff joined us for part of the visit.  It is up to the Lord now.  We have all given her permission to go when it is time.

Bobbie took me grocery shopping and we had lunch together.  She and Bill enjoyed a super vacation up north recently.   Art and Music.

My foot was not so sore today.  The weather has a lot to do with it.   I hope that next week I find that it is healing the way it should be.

Pray for Mom and my cousin Greg Ziegler and my friend Gary Cole and all our families, as we are facing our loved ones coming close to heaven.

Dia dhuit

Mary

Sunday

This has been a very uncomfortable  day for me in body (the foot) but more in spirit.

Mother is now on full Hospice, in that she will not be moved to her chair during the day, and there are no other efforts made than to make sure she is comfortable and pain free.

Talked to Dolores, who saw her this afternoon, and she was resting pretty well.  Dolores thinks Mom knew she was there.   Bobbie is going to take me to see her in the morning.   I wish I felt comfortable driving.  Thank God for my Bobbie and friends who have helped out.

Dia dhuit

Mary

July 18

A very unsettled day.     My neighbor, Bob, drove me to Meadow View Manor this morning so that I could spend time with Mother.    She is in hospice now.   I think I told you that.   This means that the journey to heaven is imminent.   That imminent could be a week of so, but it is now visible.   That is hard, even if I knew that it would happen and I know that Mom is ready to join Dad.

Jeff and Kathy came in at about the same time I did so we sat together.   She slept most of the time and though offered food did not eat.

After they left, I prayed a rosary in the chair next to her.   She does not hear well, but I figured she would know.  She has been praying her rosary every day when she was here in mind AND spirit so I figured she would like that.   I also sang a couple of nice Irish songs to her.  She slept but seemed so peaceful.   You know me.   I always need to DO something and this I could do.

Mothers still live forever.    And I know she will, in my heart and mind and sometimes when I hear the words that come out of my mouth.

So pray for an easy crossing for her.

I have the most wonderful neighbors.   My neighbor from across the street, Peggy, took me to mass tonight.   I needed that too.

Dia dhuit

Mary

A day at home, not dull.

I decided to bake.   I have scones and cupcakes and tomorrow or the next day will make brown bread.

I shared the scones with some of my neighbors.

I had called Meadow View and asked about Mom and things were ok this morning, then I received a call from Jeff this afternoon, that she is not responding, so she is definitely in a fragile way.    She may come back and be fine for a while, but we don't know.   I am going to ask my neighbors to take me there tomorrow, if nothing happens tonight.    I just feel that I should be there.

This not driving is so inconvenient.   I could just scream.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Just got back from St. John's from a dinner provided by our High School Kids who are just back from a Mission Trip to Pittsburgh.    They fed us a sumptuous meal of turkey in gravy on mashed potatoes with corn and pie for dessert.   Fruit salad first.    They had a great video of the event and then told their experiences and answered questions.    Makes us proud to see such loving helpful kids.

I went to see Dr. Murthy yesterday and he has me coming back in two weeks before they make a final decision on whether I need surgery or not.   So pray.   Each day it hurts a bit less, so I am hopeful.

Time for bed.  
Dia Dhuit

Mary

A MONDAY

I have such dear friends.   Kathy Keyes, from my Bible Study came to pick me up for Bible Study, then she and Tom, her husband, drove me to Meadow View.   She remembered them and was pleased  to see them.

She was SO tired.  I was surprised to see that the therapy person was working with her.  I don't think she should be put through that any more.   It is not improving her quality of life and just wears her out.  Jeff is talking to Dr. Hancock about this.   He was on vacation last week when things went bad so is reviewing everything.

I went to lunch with Kathy and Tom and then home where I rested.   I could not sleep.   I am just too tense.   Hopefully tonight will be different.

Tomorrow my neighbor, Kathy, is driving me to Dr. Murthy to see if my foot is healing.   Pray that all is well.   I do NOT want surgery.   Th foot does feel better, so I am hopeful.   Actually my hips are more uncomfortable than my foot.    Walking funny, you know, does that.

Just took Nicky out for his last evening walk of the day.  Mosquitoes were buzzing and it is miserably hot and humid.

I am grateful for air.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Today my foot felt a bit better than yesterday.    I am still so tired.

My neighbors, Larry and Maryann drove me to church tonight and then we had a glass of wine together afterwards.   Nice way to spend an evening.

Mom is still having a rough time.   The nurse at Meadow View, the emergency room and the doctor are consulting.    I have someone picking me up on Monday for Bible Study and then to visit Mom.   Thank heavens for friends.   Tomorrow she will be having so many people there.

Hope your weekend is good.   I am not going to complain.    Good things, a chance to heal and good weather.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
- -- Joseph Joubert


A beautiful day.   I was able to stay home and tried to rest my foot as much as possible.   I need to heal.

Have been on the phone often today with Jeff and Nora and George and Meadow View.   Mom has another couple of bad tests and decisions have to be make.    Jeff is making the final decision as he sees it and we need to trust that this is Mom's will.    She is so frail and seems to be fading before my eyes.    This is such a difficult time.    How much doctoring should she have?   I know that she has said that she just wants to go to sleep and this is my wish for her.     Dad and she have been apart so long now.   I know now from my own experience, how much she has missed him.

Bless you and yours.  

I am tired in body and soul.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Foot feels somewhat better.

My neighbor, Pat, drove me to see Mom.   She is very frail.   I knew that I had to see her.   I am going to try to get someone to drive me every other day or so.   Just for a few minutes.

The mosquitos are THICK outside.  I have three bites from walking Nicky this evening.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A beautiful day as far as I am concerned.    The sun shone.   But it was rather cool.  Which means that the humidity was down.   It is the humidity that gets a person tired and miserable.

I have accepted the fact that I should not be driving until I am not wearing this horrible boot so called friends until one answered (I got six answering devises before I got a real person).  I almost gave up but one, Kate, called back and she was more than glad to take me for the errands that I needed to do.  Thank you, Kate.   

My foot is sore, and I am tired.   But it does seem to be slowly improving.    It is hard for me to rest.   I find that not doing things makes me more tired than doing things.   I suppose that makes no sends, but such it is.

Pray for Mom tonight.  She had bit of a spell of low oxygen but is improving.   

Til tomorrow.

Dia dhuit

Mary

Another whole day at home.     I rested and tried to keep my foot up as much as possible.

Steger Furnace and Air came today and serviced the air conditioner.   The biggest excitement of the day.     I cleaned some but am trying SO hard to heal.   Now I need to go to stores and the bank.   I called some closer friends but nobody is home.   I will take that as a sign that I am in charge of myself after all.   All the errands are in town.   Well, I will try again in the morning.    Maybe the evening is not a good time to ask for help.

Here I am fussing when I am so lucky.


Have a good day tomorrow.     I have the cleaners coming.   Good thing. 

Dia dhuit

Mary

Please pray for the family of Tom Kunert, Dick's Nephew, who went to heaven today.    He will be missed by his brothers and sisters.

Monday

I took the dog out this morning and realized that I was not in any shape to be driving around the county.   Not an easy decision.   I Hate being dependent or hobbled.   But I was.

I called Jeff and he and the family are explaining to Mom why I am not there.   I called Meadow View to let them know why I am not bringing communion and I called my friend Kathy to let them know why I was not coming to Bible Study.    My Bible Study Buddies will be praying for me so I know that I will be healing quickly.     I hate this.      God is trying to get me to realize that I am not Super Woman.  Dick tried that for years.   Maybe this time it will  work.

Bart and Barb called tonight and Bart made me promise to think and take it slower.   Barb has been released by her surgeon til next year.    One step in the process.

A friend, Kathy Paul, stopped by to visit today.   A lovely break in the day.

I am going to prepare things for morning and then go to bed soon.

Love you all

Dia dhuit

Mary

Twas a lovely day

Jody and Evan came by to pick me up at about noon to go to Jeff and Kathy's so that I could be a part of the festivities.    I think I told you they were having a gathering as Matt, Kauru, Colton and Alana are here from Hawaii.    Sara and Shane and Georgina are also here so it was REALLY special. 

Visits with family and Kathy's family (who I only see at these type of events) and friends of Jeff that I see so seldom.   Good food, good company and good everything.    I love family.

My foot is ok, kind of , but I was a bit nervous about driving that far and dear Jody was glad to pick me up.   I can't believe how tall Evan has gotten since the Wild Game Dinner even.    And all the other grandnephews and grandnieces.   (I think the word GRAND is perfect.)  

I sold two tickets for the Small Works event at Sheboygan Visual Artists.   Lucky me.   I still have to get my art piece delivered.   I will try to do that tomorrow.

I need to get to bed on time tomorrow as I will be going to see Mom and to Bible Study.   I figure that is a familiar route and it will be in the morning when I am pretty much rested.

So.   I am watching the World Cup.   Hope the second half is as good for US as the first.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A very quiet 4th of July for Nicky and me.    I had no company and wasn't invited anywhere.    Don't feel bad.   I was actually glad.  Tomorrow Jeff and Kathy are having a family gathering at their home in the afternoon because all of their children and grandchildren are visiting.    Matt and Kauru with Colton and Alana, Shane and Georgina and Sara.     Ya Hoo.  

Last night I went to the Mill Street Players performance.  (A weekly musical event done each year by young people from the area.   Jazz, rock, country, folk - you name it and they dance the whole time.)   I had agreed to sell tickets and figured since I was sitting anyway, it would be OK.   Boy was my foot tired and sore when I got home.   But it was good and the show was WONDERFUL.  I recommend it if you are looking for something to do of a Friday evening.   Starts at 7:30PM at the Plymouth Arts Center.

I did go to church this evening.   I gave communion.   When Fr. Dan gave me the chalice, he saw my foot and said with a goofy grin.  "You didn't shoot yourself again, did you?"   I have been getting a lot of that.  

I have been off of it as much as I can and on the heel in the boot when I have to walk since I got the Xray.   Each day it feels a bit better, but last night was HELL.   I think too much at the Arts Center.

Well, that is my day.   Happy 4th.  

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Hasn't been the greatest day.    Started off all right.   I had a haircut appointment at 9AM and had breakfast with my hairdresser (she even bought  breakfast).   Did a nice job.  I have a DA in the back.
\

Went grocery shopping.    All out of beer.  I don't drink beer but like to have it for those that do like it.

Then I went to a condo meeting with our grounds maintenance owner.   As I left, my friend, Peggy, a retired nurse, said that she thought I should get and Xray - 6 days later- .   Well I did what she said and I have a broken bone in my right foot.   Talk about a bummer.   I have one of those boots.   The doctor told the nurse that is is probably as big as me.   But I am managing.  I can walk - using my heel as much as possible and of course walking as little as possible.   My Nicky is going to be very distressed when I don't take him for our usual walks.

I am OK.  Very upset.   I didn't think my bones would break.

Time to take Nicky out an go to bed.   Sleep and rest and good nourishing food are the best medicines.

 Love you all

Mary 
'

Did you miss me?   I hope so.   I have spent the last several days,  Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday with the Cool family.      The Deeleys know the cools.   Diana Deeley married Philip Cool.   Diana's son Jay, his wife, Reyna and their son Jacob spent the weekend with me to get reaquainted with us again.    I had a Brat Fry on Saturday.    We did church, visited Mother and "toured" Diana's memories on Sunday.   Then they had to leave on Monday.  We did get a second visit with Jeff and Kathy and a tour of Hennings Cheese (they had to get cheese) in on Monday morning.

Diana is just the same as she was as a young girl.   Full of life and ready for fun.

Needless to say,   I am exhausted.   I loved every minute.   Jay looks just like my Bret and he acts like Uncle Jim .

The rest of the week is quiet.   Tomorrow, hair cut and shopping.

Hope all was well with you.

Dia Dhuit

Mary