Cards, Rain, and February

Went to Mass yesterday evening. Good day today to stay inside and play cards since rain is in forecast. Expecting the gals over about 1:00pm for a fun day of card/domino fest. Sandwiches, vegetables/fruit and apple crisp are in order for our lunch or late afternoon snack.

Michael did not place at State but was said he wrestled his best. Did talk w/Michael after his last match and he was glad to have made it to State. Big meal outing planned next weekend. Hear through the grapevine we have another great grandchild on the way----anxious to S/W expectant one to get more details. How great is that!??

So, it is last day of February, twenty more days until Spring and I am getting more anxious each day. Seeing more signs of Spring. Noted some of the ornamental grasses are sprouting shoots through the mulch and perennials are greening up. Bring it on---I am so ready to be outside and working in the yard/flower beds.

Hope the rest of your weekend is peaceful, staying healthy, safe, and keeping in touch.

Love, Mom

Wisdom and Thanksgiving

Think about it:

"Since time is the one immaterial object which we cannot influence---neither speed it up nor slow down, add to nor diminish---it is am imponderably valuable gift." Maya Angelou

What a wise, brilliant, and gifted woman. Time is intangible, cannot be held, nor seen, only lived to the fullest, and in the present. How time has flown by the last year. Like the blink of an eye. Have busied myself, tried to keep focused, and am working on settling into this solitary life. Would be lost were it not for God, and the wonderful supportive family and friends.

Hope your weekend goes well staying healthy, staying safe and keeping in touch.

Love,
Mom

Crossing Fingers

Today is Michael's Day---as well as tomorrow. Hopefully, Sunday's blog will tell of another State champion/place in our famly. Cannot work up the courage to go but will be "hooked up to Allison and Kevin" to get play by plays after each match. Nick and Jake have been following the State brackets and have ventured to say Michael has a great chance to place. Ask all of you to please keep your fingers crossed.

Off to Mass, volunteer at rectory, attend a Harvest House Meeting/salad luncheon, come home, pick up the house, chill, and end the day w/birthday dinner w/Keith, Becky, and boys.

As the week ends; stay healthy, safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Looking Forward and the "boys"

Busy day yesterday----Mass, lots of birthday wishes, calls, cards w/the gals, e-mails, and lots of BD cake. Such great, special persons in my life---How exciting! I am so thankful for each of you--the best of all gifts!

This has been a blur of a week---moving forward. Looking forward to having another State wrestler in the family this weekend. Go Michael!!! Looking forward to going to the Billy Joel/Elton John Concert on Wednesday. Go Billy, Go Elton!!! Jax and Terry will be celebrating BD's next week.

Mass Info: Masses offered for Pop on 03/04/2010 at 8:00am at Church of the Resurrection and St. Patrick Church on 03/06/2010 at 8:00am, for Pop, Kelli, and Ken. Please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers.

Back from Mass, visiting w/Taylor, taking priests back to airport this afternoon, picking up the house, and get ready to settle in for the predicted snow.

Move forward w/me staying healthy, being safe, and keeping in touch.

Love, Mom

Creating a Monster

How does one create a monster? Serenade, phone calls, cards, and gift them w/a Flip Ultra HD Video---that's how. Grab your seats (chairs that is)! I will now be including videos (flower garden tours, dog antics, possibly morbid mole/rabbit shots, etc.) in this blog. Am anxious to get it hooked up and begin the show.

Transported attendees to a conference at the SLC yesterday afternoon. (have added that to my volunteer roster). Total of 2 trips from airport to SLC. Attendees included 6 priests from WA, and two lay persons from CA and MD. All delivered by 7:30pm, all were hungry after long day traveling, so Peg (dear friend in crime) and I procured another car, and we all headed out to Cheddar's Restaurant for a fun evening. Had them all fed, back safe and sound at the SLC before 10:30pm. We'll take them back to airport on Thursday afternoon. Back from Mass---off to play cards.

Thanks for being who you are and celebrating this journey with me (you know who you are)...Please keep healthy, safe, and in touch.

Love,

Mom

Spencer Rules

Check out the "dooos." Grooming report: Buster and Rowdy shook all over, whined, cried all the way to the groomer. Spencer sat on his pillow, in perfect form, best behavior looking out the window enjoying the ride and taking in the scenery. Hard to get them all in one place but wanted to share their post grooming looks with you (Again, Spencer performed perfectly---check out the poses). All looked great and were very tired all evening. Looks I am the winner on grooming days, time off and tired "boys" all evening.

Back from Mass, volunteering at the rectory, made phone calls, plan on loading more firewood on the outside patio rack, and running errands the remainder of the day. Did I tell you the SUN is out?----Yea!!!!!

Hope your day is great; remember none of us are getting younger so we should stay healthy, be safe and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Mom's Day Off

Twenty-four degrees, still dark, and a light dusting of spotty snow. Boring, wet, and cold yesterday. One wonders how many Olympic feats and how long it takes to do all the trials----just show me the medal winners! (like Michael). No cards yesterday. Figured it was time to call it a day when all the inside firewood was gone. Will bring in more wood today to sit by the fire another evening. WHERE IS THE SUN AND SPRING!!!!!

Off to Mass this AM. Boys to groomer at 11:00am. Pitiful site to see all of them whining, shaking, and cowering on their pillows in the front seat all the way to the groomer. Wish they could drive themselves. Think they do it to make me feel bad----It works---only til I leave the groomer's driveway and break out into my own joyful rendition of Martin Luther King's "Free, Free at Last" song/speech. I will have almost 3 hours of untethered freedom!!!!!

Hope your day is sunny, staying healthy, safe, and in touch.

Love, Mom

New Regional Champ

Could hardly wait to get a newspaper this AM to look at the regional 6A wrestling stats. Michael took 3rd in Regionals and will go to State next weekend. Knew the boy could do it---it's that genetic fiber!!!!
Went to 5:30pm Mass at Resurrection for Pop yesterday. Went by Ascension Cemetery (do so often) before Mass to stop and say prayer for the repose of the souls of our family. Spoke w/the priest following the Mass and thanked him for offering the Mass for Pop.

Planning on being in today. It is wet outside; the fireplace, reading, "boys", and Olympics sound like a winner on a day like this. The "boys" are treading a fine line this AM--- acting like real animals, barking, rough housing...

Stay warm, healthy, safe,, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Winner's Bracket/Medal

Okay, this is proof I need more experience w/the new camera. This should quiet some rumors of my hiring out to take special event photos. (Please DO NOT double click so you can see Michael's name on the bracket---It is all blurry. I will work w/the camera to improve skills before flower taking time)

Michael should be in Manhattan by now warming up for today's action. His entire team has done well and should be the best in the State. History does repeat itself---think it was around the late 70's that Heights also had the same excitement/great team.

Expecting some wet cooler weather this weekend. Planning on going to Mass this AM, breakfast w/friend, Mass this evening at Church of the Resurrection then home to watch the Olympics w/the "boys" by a warm toasty fireplace.

Have a great weekend, staying warm, healthy, safe, and keeping in touch.

Love,

Mom

Visit from City Champ and Support Team

This is what life is all about----wonderful grand kids. How great it was this group (Michael, aka Potential KS State Wrestler, Allison, and Alex) stopped by to visit. Michael also brought by his medal, bracket, and 2010 senior group picture. Took some pics w/the new camera and found I really need practice to get up to speed w/all the picture options. Allison was coaching me through the picture taking. The girl knows her cameras. Today/weekend Michael will be in Manhattan, KS for Regionals then in Wichita at the new Intrust Arena next Friday/weekend for finals. How great it would have been to have another State Champ being hugged by Pop----wonder if Pop could have hurdled the barrier at Intrust like he did at the Coliseum when Jake took State. Wouldn't that have been something to see? Believe me it would have happened. If I were the grandma I should be, I would volunteer to hurdle the barrier to uphold the tradition but, instead have come to my senses and offered to take all to a great meal to celebrate the end of wrestling season. Cannot even talk about my day as am still enjoying yesterday thinking about the visit from these three "amigos." More pics to follow.

Hope your day is not full of hurdles, but keeping healthy, staying safe, and in touch.

Love, Mom

Another OTD DTR Day

Had fun playing cards yesterday. Lost, but had fun. Was home by 4:00pm, fed, played w/the "boys", and watched the Olympics sans fire. It was too late to start the fireplace.

Expecting the firewood to be delivered later this afternoon---the weather was too windy and brutally cold to have it delivered last weekend. Good timing---more wet, possibly snow weather predicted in the next few days.

Off to Mass this AM, make some phone calls, volunteer for food prep at the Lord's Diner, late lunch w/friend, be here for firewood delivery, and class at SLC this evening to learn more about St. Paul. (Do you see a pattern developing here?----Out/about looking and trying to find Spring.) It cannot come soon enough. Am really getting excited to get out and do the garden shop hop at the local nurseries. Hopefully, my shade garden that I moved last year has survived the cold winter. I covered everything with mulch and tucked them in well for winter.

Hope your day is one of peace, health, safety, and staying in touch.

Love, Mom

Reminder

Reminder: Mass of celebration to be said for Pop on 02/20/2010: St. Mary's in Longview, TX at 9:00am and Church of the Resurrection in Wichita, KS at 5:30pm. This date commemorates Pop's Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Anointing of the Sick on 02/20/2009. What a day that was!!!! Please take a minute during that day/time to give Thanksgiving for God's Mercy and Love for our family.

Back from Mass, having a door ding repaired on the car (thank you, Kurt and Shawny Marie ), planning on playing cards this afternoon with the ladies card group, then home to do what I do best--sit by the fireplace, watch TV, and try to be comfortable w/my lap full of dogs . Spring has to come soon---I am becoming a recliner (aka couch) potato in the evenings.

May your day be filled w/blessings, health, safety, and keeping in touch.

Love, Mom

OTD and DTR

The Bishop's talk last night on Penance was great. Not only practical but relevant especially with Lent approaching. He also has a great sense of humor. He spent a lot of time in Rome but following his ordination he was assigned as an assistant pastor at the Newman Center on the campus of University of Nebraska. His point in mentioning this was making confession available to people at a practical time. When he started his talk on this he mentioned the University of Nebraska and humorously said "now all please bow your heads." He mentioned to the pastor if you expect this age group to come to confession you have it at an hour they will attend. Thus, he was the one assigned to hear confessions from 10:00pm to midnight---and guess what?---they came in great numbers. Nice evening---even the wind even ceased blowing. Everything was so still and quiet when we left the SLC.

Off to Mass, volunteer at rectory, help with funeral dinner this afternoon, then home to watch more of the Olympics by the fireplace w/you know who. Think I could sneak down w/o them? Yeah---right. Saw the tulips popping through the ground yesterday---Is it Spring yet?

Hope your day is peaceful, healthy, safe, and keep in touch.

Love,
Mom

How cold can it get?

Twenty-five, wind chill 10 degrees, gusty wind and down right miserably cold. Back from Mass, planning on bundling up and doing the back yard dog snicker toss into the back field. Still think I could enter the Olympics and place if they had a mole and dog snicker toss event.

We played 3 person Mexican Train yesterday. It worked out well, we ate, laughed, enjoyed the warmth of the fireplace and called it quits about 9:00pm. Used the new round 40" portable table. Plenty of room to line out all those dominoes.

Going to SLC this evening for a pre-lenten presentation by the Bishop on Penance. Then home to the "boys" and the warm fireplace. That is the highlight of each evening---contorting my body, stuffed in a recliner, unable to move due to dogs pressing in and vying for any/every free space... Never, have I felt so close nor loved by another earthly creature. It all comes down to nothing more than me being a source for their food supply and them having the run of the house. My life has basically gone to the dogs (and I love it!!!)

Stay warm, healthy, safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Firewood and crisp

Great day yesterday. We have a City League wrestling champ in our family--Way to go Michael!!! Your Papa would be proud of you. What a tradition. Joe and Jacob celebrated birthdays.

Came home yesterday from the all day class, went to Mass, baked a peach and a cherry crisp, restocked the patio and inside firewood racks (in the dark), cleaned dog doo off my shoes, and after cleaning my shoes, enjoyed a great night in front of the fireplace watching the Olympics with my pup posse.

Twenty-seven degrees, windy, wind chill blows that frigid air right through your bones. Planning on taking down the wind chimes for awhile today. Know the neighbors will thank me. Expecting rick of firewood to be delivered this afternoon. May go to Mass this AM. Hoping to hear the gals are ready to play cards or I will be forced to have a crisp fest on my own. May even have to break out the cards, play four handed cards by myself (rotating into chairs around the table) if they aren't up for cards.

That's my day--hope yours is great. Enjoy the rest of your weekend staying healthy, safe, and keeping in touch.

Love, Mom

Like a flash

Short post. Busy Day. Looking forward to all day class. Thanks again Becky, for being here with the "boys"----they will enjoy your company.

Told ya it was short and like a flash----I'm outta here! Have a great weekend, staying healthy, safe, and keeping in touch.

Love, Mom

Real Deer

Deer were in the back field most of yesterday. The snow has covered their food source so they have to spend more time searching for food. Drives the "boys" nuts (nuttier). Have to get a pic on the run--when the barking starts the deer scatter. Terrible cycle but keeps me agile/prepared, always have my camera close by to capture them on the run. (Thanks to Kat for using her talents and Mac liberties in circling the deer. I do recommend a double click).

Back from Mass, catching up on housework, looking forward to the tomorrow's all day class at SLC. Last night's class on St Paul was great. Looking forward to attending the last 2 classes. Thanks Becky, for being with my "boys" tomorrow.

Love staying busy. Helen Keller once said--"If you rest, you rust." I shall not rust though it has been said I have an iron will. Think about it. Also, think about having a great day (3 days off), keeping healthy, safe, and in touch.

Love,
Mom

On the Go

In the 20's, still dark, no wind, and dogs barking. Some of the a fore mentioned is tolerable, some is not. Will let you figure that one out on your own. Saw the only snow in family weather forecast was in TX. Know they have a great fireplace and are keeping warm.

Had lunch with a dear friend yesterday and a visit from Kevin and Nick---nice. Off to Mass this AM, run some errands, order another rick of firewood...Looking forward to attending a class tonight and the next 3 weeks at SLC on St Paul. Also, have an all day Saturday class at SLC on Church History. Both instructors are great, very casual, knowledgeable...Nice to have house and dog sitter here (see above pic--no need to double click) for my "boys."

Have a warm day, stay healthy, keep safe, and be in touch.

Love, Mom

Weather and Ma Report

Nine degrees, no wind, still dark, lots of snow still on the ground here. Checked the weather and saw that Gilmer, TX is expecting some rain/snow---do they even have winter coats and snow shovels in that part of the world? Blowing snow in Brooklyn and Bristow, VA. One of our TX crew is in DC/VA area on business---take care dear----hope you brought your boots. Enough of the weather.

Busy day planned. Mass, volunteering at rectory, lunch w/friend, load more wood in the firewood racks, and get ready to settle in this evening w/the "boys." Am thinking I might have to have surgery before the winter to remove the "boys" from my lap/hip/rear end---sometimes I feel they are permanently affixed. Either that or join a syncopated/synchronized/something class as they follow my every motion/movement and should perform with excellence in a formal class.

Hope your day is not full of trivia or you will be classified as worthless. Remember, I am retired and can be trivial---you are employed and must be productive. Repeat after me.....

Take care to stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Chilly, Chili, and Chillin'

Fifteen degrees outside, 58 degrees inside---love to sleep in a cool house. I sit before this blog in oversized flannel PJ bottoms, long sleeved shirt, flannel shirt, heavy socks and one of Pop's hats on my head as the house warms up. Can tell you it is not a real pretty picture. Can hear the crunching of ice under the tires as the cars go down our street and am glad to be inside.

Thinking of putting on a crock pot of chili this AM. Have fixed more soup this winter---record breaking. Terry sent me a soup recipe book, have tried many, and enjoyed all. Really fond of the bean/vegetable/lentil/rice soups.

Spencer and Buster now have the cleanest teeth and the best smelling breaths in town. They did well considering the start of yesterday. They were really low key yesterday evening. Rowdy was a bit traumatized by their absence but also recovered nicely --he got lots of "it's only me" attention yesterday.

Mass this AM, taking a friend to the Dr. for post op appt. in mid morning, back to rectory this PM to volunteer, then home to sweep out the fireplace, replace firewood, build a fire and chill this evening. Cannot tell you how much we have enjoyed being in front of the fireplace these chilly evenings.

Stay warm, healthy, safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Busy Day

• Snowed as expected, 5 to 6", really wet, had to use regular snow shovel, still snowing/still shoveling.
• Took Buster and Spencer to Vet at 7:30am for teeth cleaning. Lots of howling---they were starving and then the car ride---What a morning.
• Off to a rosary and funeral. Did not know the man but he has no family and was received into the Church per his request (like Pop). Thank God for Father Jerome!

Doing housework and laundry. Hope your day is off to a great start. Stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Day of Rest

Off to Mass this AM (Mass offered for Pop, Ken and Kelli this AM at St Pat's). Then home and in for the rest of the day. Supposed to start snowing sometime today. Got all my errands/jobs completed yesterday and look forward to staying in and messing w/the "boys" by the fireplace. Have a place picked out to lie on the floor, read, and watch TV. As for the Super Bowl----Love those Manning boys but tell me who could go wrong with the Saints!!!??? Think about it!

Have a rest filled day, stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Same song, second verse...

Nothin' new here. Off to First Saturday Mass, possible breakfast w/friend, run errand, mail some letters/packages, reload firewood, empty out the big shop vac (the one I use to clean the fireplace) and chill w/"boys", books, magazines, and possibly snooze.

Used to give Pop heck for snoozing in the recliner. Have found I have taken over his evening snoozing duties---If I start to watch a TV show--I push record before watching so I can see the ending--later. Know when spring/summer arrive this activity will cease. It is so quiet around here in the evenings and too cold to get out. (Took a few photo liberties w/this picture---you get the picture?)

Planning a quiet Super Bowl Day. Mass in AM and hangin' by the fireplace w/the "boys." Supposed to start snowing again and will be nice to be inside where it is warm and toasty.

Know some of you are snowed in this weekend. Play games, enjoy spending the time together, stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Learning Curve

Learning all kinds of things this winter. The odometer display on my car sends messages. No, I am not communicating with my car. Messages include: "possible ice" and "low traction." FYI: (These messages are not timely nor of any benefit after I slide through an icy intersection or pass the street to turn and go home.) Might say I am learning new stuff and living in the fast lane(s).

These cold, wet, overcast days are well spent by the fireplace w/the "boys." Am again, catching up on magazine/book reading, still SFS (short for sorting, filing, shredding) in my office, and enjoying the warmth of the fireplace.

Wanted to remind you there are Masses coming up for our family members: Masses at St Patrick Church for Kelli, Ken, and Pop on Sunday, 02/07/2010 at 8:30am and Resurrection Church on Saturday, 02/20/2010 at 5:30pm for Pop. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers always but especially on these dates/times.

Off to Mass, volunteer at the rectory, run some errands and enjoy a peaceful day. Hope your day is peaceful, healthy, safe and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Snowing Again

Thirty-three degrees, no wind, and snow falling in the most beautiful big feathery flakes. Planning on going to Mass, volunteer errands, having Kevin to lunch at 1:00pm, then home to enjoy a warm fire, read, and possibly snooze some this afternoon. Life is good.

Hope your life is also good. Take care, stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

See Jewels Run

Busy day yesterday (cards were fun)---having another busy day today. Plan is: Mass, volunteering for Church (local road trip), pick up some stuff at the grocery store, Rowdy to Vet for yearly checkup, meeting w/Clarisse at 1:00pm, bring in more firewood, clean out fireplace, pick up the house, and try to do all of this before the stormy weather sets in...

Hope your day moves smoothly. Stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Laughing is good

Got a considerable bit of paperwork completed yesterday. Stayed in rest of the day following Mass. Brought in more firewood, built a nice fire, watched some recorded shows on TV, snoozed a bit in the recliner, was in bed by 9:30pm w/3 snuggling "boys".

Mass this AM, volunteer at the rectory, then off to enjoy the day with the card club ladies. Canasta is the game of the day. It is cold, it is foggy, it is icy on some of the streets but nothing stops these ladies from showing up to play cards. Think I may finally be getting a handle on why someone loved to go to McD's and Echo Hills though cards will NOT become a daily event. The company is certainly entertaining and makes me laugh. Laughing is good. Glad I have someone at the house to be with the "boys" during long day.

Hope you can find time during your day to laugh and in the meantime stay healthy, be safe, keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Friends, fun, food...

Cards went well yesterday. Sorted, put away cards at around 9:00pm and treated ourselves to the last of the New York strawberry cheesecake. My kind of day--friends, fun, food. Burned a whole indoor firewood rack of wood, and enjoyed the cards, laughing, and food. The neighbors are onto us---received a phone message indicating there was a concern for possible need of neighborhood intervention---played the message out loud for the card group----more laughing. Hope everyone made it home safely----we were all real silly from the sugar high. Canasta card club meets on Tuesday this week.

Planning a quiet day. Mass, back home, bring in more wood, fill up the indoor firewood rack, then begin sorting, filing, shredding... Am making some headway w/paperwork but cannot stay with it----BORING!!!!!!!

Hope your day is not boring. Stay healthy, be safe and stay in touch.

Love, Mom