Well, my Abby got sick last night and couldn't come to spend the day with me.   I was SO disappointed.   Didn't do too much.    Worked a bit on Christmas as I am trying to figure out what to do in this new home.  

How much do I WANT to do.   It is mainly for myself.    So only I can determine that:)

Tomorrow, I will be an usher at church for the first time.   I will probably meet more people that way.  

Dia DHuit

Mary

In the 30's again this morning.  It is colder during the days too.  We are having rain tonight, much needed.

I was busy today mostly at home.  I baked some scones, went to the store and did some bookwork again.

Tomorrow, Abby is coming over to spend the day with me.  This is Barb's son, Adam's youngest, my step grandaughter.   We have plans for the day.  I wrote a children's book several years ago and she is illustrating it for me.   FUN!!

She is quite the girl.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It was 30 degrees this morning when Nicky and I went out for our walk.   No wind so it was not too bad as I bundled up.  I think Nicky liked it.    His friend, doggie Mustang, was out across the street with his owner, Sondra.   

Aside from dog walks, I did not have to leave the house all day.    I worked on the "books",  my supplemental insurance for next year, sorting things for Christmas.    A little at a time and it will all get done.    I have three of my creches up now.

My wrist feels better.    I had to call to find out how long I should wear the splint.   The directions that I got for care were great except for that.    Actually as I was getting ready to call, they called me to see how I was doing.   I found that VERY reassuring.   I have to wear it for a week and then as needed for comfort.     I am putting ice on it a couple times a day just for the good feeling of it. Can't hurt anyway.

I have started taking tumeric as a supplement to help arthritis on the suggestion of one of my Oklahoma Celtic friends.   I do believe that it is helping:)   I'll keep you posted.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Things are starting to cool down here, at least at night.   It is supposed to be in the 30's tomorrow morning but temps are getting up into the 50s or 60s during the days.

I went to mass and bible study today.    That is always a good way to spend the morning.   We are close to 20 people in the study so the discussions can get quite lively.   We are back on Psalms for the winter.   Did Psalms with the Blessed Trinity group but we used a different study guide.  Both of the studies select representative Psalms  - one doesn't do them all- some are the same as my previous study, so I am trying to incorporate.

Went grocery shopping on my way home. 

I bought another TV on Saturday.    I decided that I really wanted one in my bedroom.   With all those years with Dick, who had the TV on all night, I found that I was often sleeping in the guest room so I could leave the TV in the office on for the noise.    I figure that I am worth it.

Tomorrow, no appointments, no obligations.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

The night before last, I tripped (in the house) and sprained my wrist.    I did not think it was sprained until I woke up during the night in pain.   I finally went to Urgent Care yesterday afternoon and had it xrayed.   Just a sprain but I am pretty black and puffy.   It is my left wrist.    Don't ask me how it happened.  You all know that I am usually thinking five feet ahead of where I actually am.   I need to slow down and watch where I put my feet:)

I am still icing and will be wearing a splint for a bit.  I find that I am really tired and it took a lot out of me.     I am thinking of precautions and safety measures. 

Aside from that.  I have make the buckeyes, so everybody can relax.  They keep well refrigerated and that is why I usually make them early.  

It is getting cooler here but is still quite comfortable.  We have not had a freeze.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A great day.   The temps are a bit colder but it was sunny and not windy so easy to cope with.

I had a nice conversation with the Smiths, including Sara and her John and Matthew and with Nora who is visiting them for the Thanksgiving weekend.

So good to hear their voices and catch up a bit.

Then I drove over to Bart and Barb's for schnitzel dinner.  It was scrumptious.  Tim, Amber and little Augie were up and Lexie and the girls were there.   Also Marlies.   An altogether lovely day.

AND I am exhausted.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A rather busy day.    The low tire pressure gauge showed up on my  monitor a few days ago.  Bart  helped me to make sure that the tires were as they should be but it took forever for the light to go out.
I made an appointment for the guage  to be checked after a couple of days and , OF COURSE, this morning the warning light was out.  I went anyway, just to be sure.   All is OK and they did not charge me.   I will definitely to to them when i am ready to replace my car.

Barb's son Tim and his family will be in town tomorrow and I will be having dinner with them.   It will be nice to see little Augie again.  As it was to see Jackson and his sister on Thanksgiving.   The little people are what we are all about.

Dia Dhuit
Mary

Happy Thanksgiving.   

It was a beautiful day in Oklahoma.   Sunny and in the upper 60s to low 70s.

The dinner at Adam and Lexie's was excellent.   We had turkey (cooked two ways - Adam actually cooks one in oil.   Very good - this was the first time I had one cooked that way.)   We also had ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, yams, apple dumplings, yeast dumplings with LOTS of gravy, red cabbage and two cranberry relishes.    Also breads and I cannot even begin to list the desserts.

There were close to 20 people there,   Some I had met before and some new to me.   A very agreeable group of people.    It was lots of fun.   

They are hosting a Secret Santa Party on Christmas eve too.    We drew names and will bring a present that has to be new and cost $25. for our person.    I don't really know this person very well, but Bart and Barb can help me there.

Nicky was sure glad that I came home.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

This was a quiet day.  I went over to see Bart this morning.  He helped me get my tires inflated equally.

The rest of the day was spent baking. I made the figgy hobbin and the pumpkin pies for dinner tomorrow.  I am looking forward to the gathering.

Talked to my brother George and a couple of friends today so don't feel so lonely.

Dia dhuit

Mary

Just got home from Writer's Club.   We are working on publishing an anthology on Amazon of our member's collective works.    Should be available for Kindle next week, just in time for Christmas.

It was a really lovely day.  Temps in the 60s, not windy and sunny.  I mixed up my pie crust dough today so that I can make the pies for Thanksgiving.  I am making pumpkin pies and Figgy Hobbin.   I probably told you that already.

I worked on the president's challenge wall hanging that I am assembling for the Wichita Mountain Quilt Guild Show in February.  I have six butterflies to finish and attach.   I need to give them some pizazz.


Dia Dhuit
Mary


"The best thing to hold on to in life is each other."   Audrey Hepburn

I got a bit lazy about posting over the weekend.   Nothing exciting happening anyway.

I just keep plugging away at various projects and trying to keep myself busy.    It is best that way.

This last week was SO busy.   I did not have one whole day without an appointment.   I had hoped to hear the results of my gall bladder scan on Friday, but no such luck.

I will call them Tuesday if I have not heard.

This coming week is Thanksgiving.   I will be going to Adam and Lexie's for their annual Thanksgiving day dinner and bringing pumpkin pies, figgy hobbin and cranberry relish for my share of the bounty.  Glad to be with family.    I will miss Bobbie, Bill, Richard and Brenda.   We always had such good dinners. Though they have become small.  Our family has scattered like the wind.    I remember cooking for 13 or more for the holiday dinners.

Today was opening deer gun season in Wisconsin.   Haven't heard how the first day went.    I assume my prayers for safety worked as bad news travels fast.

Until tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

    

I went to lunch at the Center for Creative Living, a PALS luncheon.  I don't know what that is exactly but I had a good meal and good companionship.  Yes, my children, I talked to everybody.

Had a couple of other errands. So am pretty well caught up on life.

Jeff called this morning.   The Gun Deer Hunting seasons starts tomorrow.   Please keep the hunters, my brothers, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, brothers in laws.  etc in you prayers for a SAFE and successful hunt.

I miss them all and the camaraderie and closeness with God's earth,   I do not miss the cold and achy bones. 

Prayers for a successul hunt.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I had a busy day.   This morning I was scheduled for a scan of my gall bladder.  This is the longest scan  in the WORLD.   The initial scan is  an hour then they give your M & Ms.   (Yes M & Ms.) and make you wait for a half an hour then do a quicky scan.    I got there at 9:30AM and left at about noon.

Home again, I found out that my Celtic Member who was going to do a  presentation was sick.  So I went to the meeting with my wall hangings of Celtic Saints and some stories and we did fine.
I love our group.   Next month Loretta and Charles have arranged for us to to to the Heritage Center in Duncan - Free of Charge_ to learn about the Celts on the Chisholm Trail.   I am so delighted that our members are so talented.   The gal who was unable to perform still wants to do her talk.  What more can we ask.?

A mildly busy day tomorrow, but I can relax a bit.   I will probably be a mom to Bart and
Barb's critters over the weekend as they have a weekend trip planned.   Keeps me busy and I like their critters:)

Dia Dhuit
Mary

"In my world , everyone's  a pony and they all eat rainbows and poop butterflies."   Dr. Suess.

It was a busy day. 

The temperatures were up in the 80's.  Unseasonably hot for this time of year, but nice to live with.

I went to the 9AM Mass and then to the Holy Family Bible Study.   We are studying Psalms for a bit now.   I did a study of Psalms with my Blessed Trinity group too.  We used a different study guide which makes me happy because I will get a different slant and probably different psalms, though , I checked and some are the same psalms anyway.  I hope this stands our group with good insights.   I DO love the Psalms.  They are so beautiful.

This afternoon I had a local investment appointment, so my financial plan is pretty much in order.

Now I just need to maintain and keep on a livin' :)

I am having yet another test tomorrow morning.  Please pray for me.   Just let them come up with SOME diagnosis.  I have never in my life spent this much time trying to find out what is wrong with me.



Dia Dhuit
Mary

When God closes a door, He opens another. But it’s hell in the hallway.

Just got home from Writer's Club.    We are assembling an anthology of short stories and poems as a Kindle book on Amazon so our meeting was mainly the logistics (fonts, titles, bios) of that tonight as we are hoping to have it out by Thanksgiving.   I missed last week so was not aware that we were aiming for that soon.   I will let you know when it is available.

The earlier part of the day was mainly at home.  Leah came to clean this morning.  I baked cupcakes for the Celtic Meeting on Thursday.   After lunch I went grocery shopping.  I forgot MILK.   But I have everything I need for my Christmas baking.    Don't worry,   buckeyes and fudge are on the list.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Just got home from the Wichita Mountain Quilt Guild meeting.    Picked up Barb shortly after 6PM.   It was a good meeting.   I enjoy the members and their enthusiasm so much.  We will be having or bi-annual quilt show.   Things are really gearing up now as it is scheduled for the weekend of February 17th.   I am not entering a quilt for judging, but am offering some of my quilt hangings and Aunt Helen's Flower Garden quilt for display.

Anybody want to come?   You can stay with me:)   We will be displaying the members quilts that will be judged and given awards, a silent auction, a drawing for a king sized quilt and a drawing for an American Girl doll with tons of and made outfits and other things.

Should be very exciting.

I spent much of the day sewing and making appointments. 

Tomorrow will be busy also.   Leah comes to clean, I must shop and have Writer's Club in the evening.

I did get up and take pictures of the moon at a bit after five.  The fog came in shortly afterwards so I timed it right.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Just got home from dinner with Bart and Barb.   Barb fixed a new dish.   She used grated cauliflower in place of rice in a casserole.     It was a definite success.   As rice is difficult for her to digest this will work very well.

I went to the 8:30AM mass this morning then drove back to church at about noon for a goodbye reception for Dallas Gambron, our now past music director.   He has accepted a position in Florida so we are in need of a music director if you know of one who would like to apply:)

Dallas was one of the first church people that I got to meet and know by name after Masses at the coffee and donut gathering after  the 8:30AM Masses.     I will miss him.  Got to meet his wife and children today too.   I had seen them but they have usually gone to the 11AM mass so I never had to occasion to meet her before. 

I am planning on getting up to see the super moon at 5:30AM or so.

Until tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It was a beautiful day.  Rather chilly,  I don't think it got over 60, but it was sunny and not at all humid so I liked it.

I was home all day except for going over to the local Hallmark store because I had $22 in credit and decided to stock up on birthday cards.   

I fixed a couple of things around the house that I thought I might have to get someone in to do.  I feel very smug about that as it would have cost me money to have someone to  do them.

Nothing else exciting. I did run into my neighbor and we talked a bit.  Please pray for her husband Ron, who is in need of surgery and they are very slow in scheduling.  He is in a lot of pain.  

Bless you all

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I finally had two days without any outside the home obligations.  It has been nice.

I finally got back to doing the hand quilting on the quilt that I want to put on my bed in place of the flannel/denim quilt.   I also worked on the President's Challenge for the Quilt Guild.

Today was laundry day and I found that I was actually behind.  But now I am all caught up and back on schedule.   Schedules do help:)

Please pray.   Bart has someone checking his back to see if there a new procedure would help him with the pain.   A few days for test results.

I am sickened that there is ANY violence in our streets as a result of the election results.   Pray for sanity.

Comment:   Houses no longer have bread boards.   Do you even know that that is?    I have been going crazy trying to figure out where to clamp my meat grinder ( do you know what THAT is.)   I finally found the perfect spot.   I need it to properly prepare the Deeley Cranberry Relish.  Can't have Thannkgiving without that wherever I am.

Dia Dhuit
Mary

I baked a loaf of Irish Brown Bread today.    I DO like my own bread.

Dick was not as thrilled with it as it is sometimes a bit heavy, but I LIKE it.

I remember that my boys liked good old Wonder Bread.   I used to tell them that it was just paste:)  Take a slice and squish it in your hand and you have nothing but a gummy blob.

Bible study, after Mass, today.   It was animated.  Some discussions are hard to cope with but at least I know that these women have all gone through life experiences and we all have a right to our own opinions.

How about TRUMP.  Many of you, I am sure, are disappointed.   I spent an hour yesterday praying at our parish vigil before I went to vote.   I voted my conscience and can do no more than that.   Now we need to have faith in the system and God.   I was impressed with the acceptance speech that Trump gave.   He sounded like an adult.  I was also impressed with Hilary's grace and our president's acknowledgment of the choice that has been made.

God bless the United States of America.

Dia Dhuit

Mary