tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83609653031839660352024-03-18T22:24:07.731-05:00Shuffling Along With Parkinsons DiseaseWhen this blog was started, both of us (husband and wife) were diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. On May 2, 2013 wife's diagnosis was changed to Essential Tremors without Parkinson's, and husband's diagnosis remains Parkinson's Disease It has been a long journey to date!
Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.comBlogger122125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-76444363645696447212016-04-02T16:33:00.003-05:002016-04-02T16:33:34.525-05:00Needed - Brain Transplant<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmm_Isg6dfASgGAdE-wIKwYFCo8Ti7Omt8xZlEGEICFXNNWHc-vtVPJ92TpQCGgH-SY6s5hthY_TZJf8AswRj2jsDPcbKGpTE6O1o93aIIloV38s_ySyM_nbWzDW3b0qFw6O8zf4TZf_8/s1600/4.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmm_Isg6dfASgGAdE-wIKwYFCo8Ti7Omt8xZlEGEICFXNNWHc-vtVPJ92TpQCGgH-SY6s5hthY_TZJf8AswRj2jsDPcbKGpTE6O1o93aIIloV38s_ySyM_nbWzDW3b0qFw6O8zf4TZf_8/s320/4.0.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy Belated Easter Friends,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Would you believe I had an Easter post ready to go and forgot to post it? Yup!! Totally forgot about it. No excuse either as we were home that entire day. My brain needs to be replaced. It's too bad we don't have Velcro body parts so when one thing fails, we just undo the Velcro and replace the part. Simple!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I really thought when I posted by in January that I could do something a little more frequently than twice a year. So much for those plans. I told a very dear friend one day when she asked why I don't post more frequently that I just don't have anything new or interesting to post about. But I'll try to be more faithful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">By the way, the photo in the header of this blog was taken when we were in Sorento, Italy about 8 years ago. I loved that city and the view was fantastic. Our daughter and son-in-law took us on a cruise around Italy. it was a fantastic trip and we enjoyed every minute of it. I would love to do more of those trips, but traveling is way too hard for Mr. D and me these days. So, those of you still in good health, do your traveling now while you can. There will come a day when you can't do it anymore.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thanks so much for reading this blog. I welcome comments and look forward to them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Until next time,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mary</span><br />
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Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-6805928891458536882016-01-15T18:38:00.004-06:002016-01-15T18:41:37.400-06:00Deep Freeze<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREBThNJP0RPooWbsslhCVpc1yIU57mSOZwNnjA-Ob3HriNccoePPOH5UiPYDTp3u0APdtjj9Znpdg78qd9xdc-1pEZABR9AvRlWeETDVE4enO9gLSNe-UhGU3kGctY_zYZ8NkGevLIUo/s1600/ice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREBThNJP0RPooWbsslhCVpc1yIU57mSOZwNnjA-Ob3HriNccoePPOH5UiPYDTp3u0APdtjj9Znpdg78qd9xdc-1pEZABR9AvRlWeETDVE4enO9gLSNe-UhGU3kGctY_zYZ8NkGevLIUo/s320/ice.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hi Friends,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Remember me? It's been so long that I would not blame you if you didn't remember. A very dear friend has told me I need to post over here more frequently......last post was at least 6 months ago. I guess that isn't very "frequent" is it? I wish I could say with confidence that I will be more faithful this time around, but my back isn't any better, so that means I can't sit very long at a time. But I'll do what I can. Mario is already mad at me because I have neglected his blog too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We're headed into the deep freeze. Temp will only be a high of 3 above tomorrow. Tonight we'll be -15 with a wind chill of -30 below. Brrrrrr! I'm not really complaining (yes I am) as out East they are getting a Noreaster and that certainly doesn't sound like fun either. We're being paid back for the super good days in November and December where the temperature was more fall like than winter. We have had 12 inches of snow so far this winter. It all fell during our first snowstorm of the season. I'm not complaining because the southern states really got hit hard during that same storm. This sure has been a strange winter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How are things at your house. I plan on getting around tonight and tomorrow to visit a few blogs and catch up on your news. I have missed you all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is something about bloggers - they are all so friendly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm signing off for tonight, with the hopes of seeing you again soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Until next time,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mary</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span>Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-63126790344337755222015-04-20T14:04:00.000-05:002015-04-20T14:04:47.932-05:00April Showers Will Bring May Flowers - RIGHT?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Tsh8hzOWpnD_euo0xH5Hl0zqZEUhFDOa3GBD5RExsjnG67oGs-rpe7Cu4IaOZbFLcsS6ZPQwIg0Q20urnDNIHmHXhXkvKNjW37EhnpHkl87B41zj82k572q229f5iyp8B5zyItYiVT4/s1600/DSCN0711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Tsh8hzOWpnD_euo0xH5Hl0zqZEUhFDOa3GBD5RExsjnG67oGs-rpe7Cu4IaOZbFLcsS6ZPQwIg0Q20urnDNIHmHXhXkvKNjW37EhnpHkl87B41zj82k572q229f5iyp8B5zyItYiVT4/s1600/DSCN0711.jpg" height="320" width="217" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hi Dear Readers,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know, it's been awhile again since I last posted. Part of it was because I just couldn't get into the mood. But after a dear friend kicked me in the butt to get me moving, here I am. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We FINALLY are having some rain. Had a nice shower last night that lasted about 3 hours of steady, soaking rain. Now it's mostly drizzle, which is better than nothing. I know some areas are sick of rain and have had way too much. Wisconsin, on the other hand, is 2 inches behind so far this year because of not much snowfall this winter and no rain so far this spring, except for last night and mist/drizzle today. There is a burning ban for the entire state - no camp fires, no smoking outside where there are leaves, etc. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We had a nice week last week - lots of sunshine and temps hovering near 60 most days. It's been a teaser, just enough to let us know summer will come to Wisconsin eventually. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The picture above is our northern variety Magnolia tree. It's not as pretty as other years, for some reason - maybe no moisture when it needed it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A week ago we had a circus in our yard - there were 4 men running around with various pieces of yard equipment. The crew came into thatch the yard, do fall cleanup that never got done in the fall as it snowed too soon, trimmed some bushes, etc. Now our yard looks nice except for the tree in this coming picture.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbS04HIdf1XWf4Lj4t3hymsCWR1tNxeZ9qc_rUv6Xkp9HBwy1mSdmmsXh37xP24fVdBLfqyk4x6QjaIADYFCjQoqjWtDajO0tUKG29P_i3BSYdXBjFBIkksyEwyAzq_HM8SFcUpndeOy4/s1600/DSCN0714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbS04HIdf1XWf4Lj4t3hymsCWR1tNxeZ9qc_rUv6Xkp9HBwy1mSdmmsXh37xP24fVdBLfqyk4x6QjaIADYFCjQoqjWtDajO0tUKG29P_i3BSYdXBjFBIkksyEwyAzq_HM8SFcUpndeOy4/s1600/DSCN0714.jpg" height="257" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This tree has been slowly getting worse each year. This year most of the smaller branches under the big globe on top are almost dead. Mr. D was going to have the cleanup crew cut it down, but I held him at bay until we can figure out and line up someone to clean up the mess, haul in some new dirt, move rocks, and plant something new. Neither one of us should be doing that kind of thing anymore. One thing always leads to another it seems. The joys of owning a home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Will close for today, and try hard to blog again soon without waiting a month or two before I do. Thanks for putting up with me. I know it makes it hard to follow my blog. I really suggest getting posts via email so you won't waste time searching for a new post when there isn't one. There is a link in the side bar and it's easy to do. It should save you time in the long run. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now I'm to go around and visit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mary</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-1673393075524675102015-03-21T05:00:00.000-05:002015-03-21T05:00:04.474-05:00Piece Of Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdxizFb2z6ueOXcdS6kkba5hVGU21uN95aMzC4n51o1SyEH_cvw22Wo93h6x0ExoghHxiND7J_n_4e-EaFotbgRa6IT2EuiRpCbdlapZi7F9cZDoILUjuXz1fCingOKo6rNNHSd-PHrY/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdxizFb2z6ueOXcdS6kkba5hVGU21uN95aMzC4n51o1SyEH_cvw22Wo93h6x0ExoghHxiND7J_n_4e-EaFotbgRa6IT2EuiRpCbdlapZi7F9cZDoILUjuXz1fCingOKo6rNNHSd-PHrY/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Hello Friends,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As you all predicted, the surgery was a piece of cake. The only aftermath visible was a hand that was black and blue. The poor nurse had trouble finding a vein, but with the help of two other nurses, they managed. The fun wasn't over. When they went to discharge me and removed the IV, a blood vessel burst and my hand turned black and blue. Standard instructions were to go home and put ice and pressure on it and keep the hand elevated. By the next day, it was really spreading. So, off to the emergency room to have it looked at. Then I was sent home with a brace and told to wear it when up and moving around as I had fragile skin. If that is the worse thing that ever happens to me, it's a "piece of cake." ha ha</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, the calendar says it's Spring. If that is the case, then why are our friends out East getting another serious snowstorm? We have lucked out and have had temperatures in the low 40's with lots of sunshine, so I'm not complaining.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Our Northern type of Magnolia tree has buds on it, and I suspect in another 2-3 weeks, maybe it will sprout blooms. We'll hope that March doesn't go "out like a Lion" and bless us with a few inches of snow. Stay tuned for that one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Happy Spring everyone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Mary</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-34696286008968679682015-03-03T19:55:00.001-06:002015-03-03T19:55:49.096-06:00It Could Be Worse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVgskttCvwjt_TPFSnUzt9QcUSzd76ehVFNEOA23YjKKi3QnfQYbdd5mhCIQl5XIHmKweJ01JDjJ4IZhMZLFRYeQMe6ugU4QaGxPEuptp_75WMIZrgw-GuqpDdk75xi420143cPo9COc/s1600/PD+Blog+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVgskttCvwjt_TPFSnUzt9QcUSzd76ehVFNEOA23YjKKi3QnfQYbdd5mhCIQl5XIHmKweJ01JDjJ4IZhMZLFRYeQMe6ugU4QaGxPEuptp_75WMIZrgw-GuqpDdk75xi420143cPo9COc/s1600/PD+Blog+2.JPG" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hi Friends,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It seems I'm becoming a once-a-month poster! I had good intentions a month ago, but good intentions don't go far if you don't put forth the effort. Maybe I'll be better between now and the next post. (ha ha - we can hope anyway).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have you ever had to give yourself a good "talking to" about something? I had to do that today after sitting here feeling sorry for myself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On Friday I have to have a small, recurring cyst removed. It should be a simple, routine surgery and one that won't be very invasive. But I'm a little apprehensive about the surgery as I have never had surgery before other than on a bone spur on my foot years ago. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had to remind myself that our daughter has had two hips and two knees replaced before the age of 40 due to Rheumetoid Arthritis, and Mr. D has had open heart surgery and half of his stomach removed due to ulcers. What on earth am I complaining about or worried about! Having a cyst removed should be a "piece of cake." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm now feeling better about the situation and will stop thinking about it. Why do we do these things to ourselves?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">March came in like a lamb. Does that mean it will go out like a lion? Probably in Wisconsin anyway. We got about 3 inches of snow today, making a total of maybe 15 inches for the winter. So it will be interesting to see what the Ides of March brings. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mary</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-38967992747631206722015-02-08T17:49:00.003-06:002015-02-08T17:49:57.423-06:00Time Flies - Stop The Clock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurg_ZiZEt_VqMIrv7QvSusDMTT71A5fl2oHRR9YN8Qtl_fW7k_Ti3K3n3fw_6KQauOPgXqWjtlAbejVtoSWgv8Y1SEDIRZfQEqnOSNMfTooesbYeFFupzz4kgsxvEup9HZOrFu_yTsTE/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurg_ZiZEt_VqMIrv7QvSusDMTT71A5fl2oHRR9YN8Qtl_fW7k_Ti3K3n3fw_6KQauOPgXqWjtlAbejVtoSWgv8Y1SEDIRZfQEqnOSNMfTooesbYeFFupzz4kgsxvEup9HZOrFu_yTsTE/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi Friends,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sorry I've been missing for over a month - one whole month! Wish I could say it was because we were on some fabulous trip or we've moved to a warmer climate. Truth be told - it was none of those things. I just wasn't in the mood to write anything and had nothing of interest to say! A dear friend tells me I won't have any readers left or grow any if I don't write more frequently. She is right---I know that--- but still didn't do anything about it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Presently I'm thinking about our friends out East and West. Horrible weather is and has been happening in both places. I can't even imagine dealing with the amount of snow that the East Coast has had. Then there is all the rain, flooding, mud slides, etc., on the West Coast. Our hearts really go out to anyone living in those areas. Since Mario has an active Twitter account and is friends with lots of dogs and cats all over the world actually, several are located in the parts of the US that are getting extreme weather. We always worry about them and feel better when we'be had a tweet from someone indicating they are okay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did spend some of that time playing around with various programs on the internet that help you create pictures or fancy them up. That has been fun and I've learned a lot. The header at the top of the page was originally created by me and then run through one of those programs to give it a little character. One can spend hours doing that type of thing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our winter has been mild this year. Yes, we've had a few days where the temperatures were below 0, but on a whole they have been in the teens and 20's. We are lacking in snow this year, which will not be a good thing for the farmers our gardeners. I have loved having a winter without much snow, but I know it is needed. After last year's extreme weather, we are not complaining about what we have this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope all is well with you and your families. I am going to try to post something more frequently now. Yes, I have said that before and then not followed through. But I'm going to try hard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now that I've bent your ear with a page full of nothing, I'll say "until next time."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mary</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-28854595813173462672015-01-06T18:53:00.000-06:002015-01-06T18:53:04.607-06:00Brain Freeze<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrLCxN1_FiUQ8HKZIU_AqeO3dtiV53V5IYgOPo5pafLr3o-ttwXAtSomSZycIZpJHJwoHRT6cxGQ910YIpTvjUgi4vk5yC96Myk4kQ0rRxXYre1F44qyQTnY6lx7f3G_uH2dsnPykrIM/s1600/Marfio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrLCxN1_FiUQ8HKZIU_AqeO3dtiV53V5IYgOPo5pafLr3o-ttwXAtSomSZycIZpJHJwoHRT6cxGQ910YIpTvjUgi4vk5yC96Myk4kQ0rRxXYre1F44qyQTnY6lx7f3G_uH2dsnPykrIM/s1600/Marfio.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi Friends,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Along with a good portion of the US, Wisconsin is in a deep freeze this week. The start of the school day on Monday was delayed in our city by 2 hours. With the wind chill dropping to -45 tonight, it wouldn't surprise me if there would be a delay tomorrow morning too. It's only January 6th!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monday morning Mr. D and I decided I would drive him to his water exercise class at the CP Center so he wouldn't have to walk out to a cold car. Then I would go back and pick him up after the his class. He, in turn, would drive a friend and myself to a local restaurant for lunch where my friend and I were meeting the remainder of our Group. Easy peasy - right!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mr. D and I got in the car, I backed up to let the car idle a couple of minutes outside of the garage. Asked Mr. D to get my sunglasses out of the glove compartment, which he did. I quickly put them on. I was about ready to back up when it suddenly dawned on me that the right lens must have a big smudge on it because it was a little blurry. I took the glasses off and grabbed a tissue to wipe the lens with - --------WHOOPS - there was only a lens in one half of the glass. The other was an empty circle!!!! The lens had fallen out somewhere and I didn't even see that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We laughed so hard. I was so positive that the lens had a big smudge on it!!! Joke was on me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I need to make a trip to get my glasses fixed, but it's too darn cold to run anymore errands than those that are necessary.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ha ha - I've told a couple of friends about that incident, and we've had some good laughs over it. It has to be brain freeze - wouldn't you agree?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mary</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-69444054662056252602015-01-04T15:58:00.000-06:002015-01-04T15:58:28.887-06:00New Year 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvv61fgrXsO4YSuMEVFzK5BwUSiQXtuO9OifMrjF2EbZ4ixMHwi0lLDKczqiXI740QZGWnGJ6LG9zPjhQSnU2agK7Y3tiUUtuCSGw6zSgMeL8e4QZLpRYFRbWGuI9ouu-IsG_UYCo14I0/s1600/DSCN0531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvv61fgrXsO4YSuMEVFzK5BwUSiQXtuO9OifMrjF2EbZ4ixMHwi0lLDKczqiXI740QZGWnGJ6LG9zPjhQSnU2agK7Y3tiUUtuCSGw6zSgMeL8e4QZLpRYFRbWGuI9ouu-IsG_UYCo14I0/s1600/DSCN0531.JPG" height="194" width="320" /></a></div>
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Happy New Year Friends,<br />
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How can it possibly be 2015 already when it seems like yesterday that we rolled over to 2001. Yikes, that also means I'm 15 years older. I remember my dad saying that he would never live to see 2000, but he did. He did pass away the next summer, but he made it to 2000 in pretty good health too.<br />
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The picture above is a house on the street behind us. It doesn't show up that well in a picture, but it was beautiful seeing it for real. With all the lights in the trees, it really lit up our back yards. It was great. I'm happy I don't have to pay their light bill!<br />
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We had a wonderful Christmas with our daughter and son-in-law, and the weather cooperated so they could spend Christmas Eve with us after leaving work at 3:00. It is always a worry with the weather. One never knows if we'll have snow, sleet and freezing rain, or blue skies! We lucked out this year with no moisture in the air. <br />
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Winter has set in with a roar. We've had snow for the past two days - a total of about 5 inches, with a layer of sleet mixed in. Now the wind is out of Canada (as it is with a good share of the US) and our wind chill is like -35 for most of this next week. I am very thankful for a nice warm house and will try to stay in it for much of the week except for a couple of appointments and maybe our water exercise class at the CP Center.<br />
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We hope you have a most wonderful, healthy, and happy 2015.<br />
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Until next time,<br />
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Mary<br />
<br />Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-54517689757183254392014-12-23T13:12:00.000-06:002014-12-23T13:12:33.041-06:00Merry Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5LeGz0w3txi-uLqVB4Ba0E1UcZyIlYkbKGdmKYZSR0ITMxh4ObqjqhpzLMdqQbmt1L-Vy2gM6ZPbXm_WrEF6Zs5uHAQ4do-qXv5aDGATHyMeaZR4pSw6diayR8_LqnMVy1t-1Y1yTzM/s1600/Final+Christmas+card+for+mail.++2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5LeGz0w3txi-uLqVB4Ba0E1UcZyIlYkbKGdmKYZSR0ITMxh4ObqjqhpzLMdqQbmt1L-Vy2gM6ZPbXm_WrEF6Zs5uHAQ4do-qXv5aDGATHyMeaZR4pSw6diayR8_LqnMVy1t-1Y1yTzM/s1600/Final+Christmas+card+for+mail.++2014.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hi All,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sorry I've been missing again, but hopefully after the holidays I can settle down and post on a more regular basis. It's been a busy time of year, as you all well know. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Weather permitting, our daughter and son-in-law will arrive after work tomorrow in time to have dinner with us. They stay overnight here and leave for SIL's family after they cook us omelets for breakfast. Yes, that's right - they will cook the omelets. How's that for service. They surprised us with that last year, so I asked them if they would like to do it again this year and we'll have the ingredients. It's a real treat for us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The above photo was our Christmas card this year, so feel free to take a copy if you wish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We hope you and your family have a most wonderful Christmas and a very happy, healthy 2015.</span></div>
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Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-77169455228601419292014-11-29T10:22:00.000-06:002014-11-29T10:22:49.452-06:00Someone's Asleep At The Switch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtAbrPvWjzhKJr9VABZLgqTRU5DejHl5mcqVK22gF338dxTYEhaVV06cDhBTOJe_aLOX3p6UjiSWIo5lXK-tvRsrmxW0oFHiAVzIb_6bFUr7DTc9B_dadQ1YTgTx_Zp9HvNJKGwjM9ZY/s1600/Spring+2013+April+9+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtAbrPvWjzhKJr9VABZLgqTRU5DejHl5mcqVK22gF338dxTYEhaVV06cDhBTOJe_aLOX3p6UjiSWIo5lXK-tvRsrmxW0oFHiAVzIb_6bFUr7DTc9B_dadQ1YTgTx_Zp9HvNJKGwjM9ZY/s1600/Spring+2013+April+9+010.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The scene above was actually taken last year about this same time, but it looks exactly the same way this morning after getting 2 inches of snow topped off by a little sleet last night. Our long range weather forecast is predicting more snow than normal and colder than normal temperatures. Oh goody!!!! A repeat of last year. At least we don't live in Buffalo, NY - I can't even imagine how they begin to clean up from that much snow. I should not complain about the snow we have received so far. But last winter went on forever, and I'm not looking forward to this one being a long one either.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How careful are you when you open US Mail? Do you check the name on the envelope before opening? We don't and probably should, but 98% of the time the mail is ours. Not the case yesterday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An envelope appeared in our box from a major auto insurance company in Jersey City, NJ. Mr. D didn't think anything of it because we get a lot of junk mail. After he opened it, he realized it was delivered to the wrong address. That has happened before as now and then we get mail belonging to a neighbor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The funny part is that the envelope was being sent to someone in Jersey City, NJ - the same city that it was mailed from. Somehow it ended up in Wisconsin! WHAT! Someone was obviously asleep at the switch. in fact, apparently more than one person was asleep to get this far!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monday I'll be calling the company that mailed it out so they can do the paper work for their client all over again. Then I plan on taking it to the post office. I know this sounds anal, but the Post Office would never know they made this kind of mistake if they are not told about it. Even our carrier didn't catch it - the name was totally different, street totally different, and city totally different.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mistakes do happen, but this was a big one that no one caught it. What do you think - am I doing the right thing by taking it to the post office? If I give it back to the carrier, he could very easily just throw it away. No one would ever know. When i worked, I always appreciated it if someone called a mistake to my attention so I learned from it and was more careful the next time around.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Until next time,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mary</span>Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-17865332996208078922014-11-26T18:47:00.003-06:002014-11-26T18:47:42.858-06:00Happy Thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuo1-sLWiESJ3pB0yix7oLk6HkC_wex8j5myVwhMEf7CcRo1RlVh1tDwnbDAnbG1X61WlcSUwkSw2yOLkVeFAbBVUBYmW1CyQMShWmjoQSfHjeWaUDPgm8tdSCYEdWYH2YUgc1nK3ZxE/s1600/Thanksgiving2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuo1-sLWiESJ3pB0yix7oLk6HkC_wex8j5myVwhMEf7CcRo1RlVh1tDwnbDAnbG1X61WlcSUwkSw2yOLkVeFAbBVUBYmW1CyQMShWmjoQSfHjeWaUDPgm8tdSCYEdWYH2YUgc1nK3ZxE/s1600/Thanksgiving2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Dear Friends,</div>
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I'm way overdue for a post, and unfortunately December probably will be the same. The older I get, the slower I move! If I get any slower, a snail will pass me by. he he In fact, I think I saw one run by me this morning.</div>
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Winter has arrived early here. We've had about 5 inches of snow so far (most of which melted last week then was topped off by rain, turning into freezing rain, with a thin layer of snow. This is way way too early. I have a feeling that this is going to be another rough winter, and I know other parts of the country are experiencing bad weather too. We'll be getting another inch tonight into tomorrow - just in time for us to drive to our daughter's house about 45 miles away. Joy!</div>
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We have much to be thankful for this season. We have reasonably good health compared to some, are able to live independently in our own house, have plenty of food, warm clothing, heat, and many friends (local and online on Twitter, and in the blog world)., Also a wonderful companion in our cat, Mario, who is always ready for a lap or a snuggle. I'm feeling extra thankful because yesterday we took a few out-grown winter clothes to donate to the homeless shelter. Nothing like visiting there to put things in perspective. The smiles on their faces said it all - but of course there was a big Thank you with the smiles. They were so very appreciative. </div>
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We will be spending Thanksgiving Day at our daughter's. Her husband loves doing the Thanksgiving Day meal, and his mother and I love it. Kim helps him - they are both good cooks.. We are so grateful to have them.</div>
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We wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving. Safe travels if you have to travel somewhere. I'll try to do another couple of posts before Christmas. It's a goal!!! I have also missed reading your blogs, so I have much news to catch up on. </div>
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Until next time,</div>
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Mary</div>
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Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-27311001538008516352014-11-03T17:55:00.001-06:002014-11-03T17:55:28.074-06:00The Tale Of The Not-So-Smart Clock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wS0iyhwa7baHNqEklu0O6m35sFPoebd991ZBaeoSJ4SNSPBzactSxfxLg6FgfwjaCF3xBobL9Pv4mKMVOlEkmNGC6thmk3bK8s9kQBmz8HfANWglapHPpxldPZTECdEZX12qt2m9048/s1600/DSCN0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wS0iyhwa7baHNqEklu0O6m35sFPoebd991ZBaeoSJ4SNSPBzactSxfxLg6FgfwjaCF3xBobL9Pv4mKMVOlEkmNGC6thmk3bK8s9kQBmz8HfANWglapHPpxldPZTECdEZX12qt2m9048/s1600/DSCN0515.JPG" height="193" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saturday night was the annual Fall, turn-your-clock-back night. Mr. D and I made a big production of going around to the many clocks we have in the house and setting them at the proper time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I happen to have a smart alarm clock by my bed. In the spring it didn't automatically change like it should have - it had to be manually set. After getting the instruction book out and following the procedure exactly on how to set Time Zone, I set the clock to Zone 3, which is what the book said for Wisconsin. It should have gone off - right? Wrong!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For some reason it didn't adjust, and had to be reset it manually--- again. Mumbling under my breath "just give me an old fashioned wind-up clock any day!" ha ha - I think it's time to retire this one even though it isn't more than 5 years old, if that. Ha ha - maybe it will accidentally drop on the concrete, brake, and we can blame Mario! (poor kitty will tell you he gets blamed for everything). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Does your smart clock work, or do you still have a "dumb" clock? Have "dumb-smart clock" - am willing to trade for "dumb clock"!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Until next time,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mary</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-52866602313927981502014-10-31T15:48:00.000-05:002014-10-31T15:48:18.489-05:00Happy Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg92-vGAEnveFnzBx6fmQVIkr-I_cezdLbnWb3Syiug_4UE32l3WF0kz0JC0MT24eh0N8R0U7JTeU7gvr51I8HkmEHzCxG3YiFk3AZ2f-w1E3OID8AgTKkXINYS3AeZyYjYkptNqie1iw/s1600/Halloween1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg92-vGAEnveFnzBx6fmQVIkr-I_cezdLbnWb3Syiug_4UE32l3WF0kz0JC0MT24eh0N8R0U7JTeU7gvr51I8HkmEHzCxG3YiFk3AZ2f-w1E3OID8AgTKkXINYS3AeZyYjYkptNqie1iw/s1600/Halloween1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hi Everyone,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's a very spooky halloween this year. The wind is howling down from Canada at 50 MPH and the temp is 38. Snow flurries are expected off and on today. brrrrr! We feel sorry for the children tonight as they make the rounds of the neighborhood for trick or treat. I remember the days of walking our daughter around the neighborhood - sometimes in the rain, wind, and a little snow one time. Not fun!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is also "exchange leaves" day in the neighborhood. Our yard was cleaned up last Saturday, but now is full of leaves from those up the street! it's a good thing Mr. B will come one last time for cleanup. We so appreciate him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sorry I've been missing again for a month this time. I always have good intentions, but then my brain goes dead on what to write about and/or my back is tired of sitting at the desk. Maybe there is hope this month. I'll try.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Since I'm such a hap-hazard poster, you might want to follow via email - that way you'll get a message when there is a new post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hope all is well with each of you and you haven't blown away yet!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Until next time,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mary</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-14214908964114818342014-09-29T18:40:00.000-05:002014-09-29T18:40:32.932-05:00Great Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6zklCXJg5fCzyZPWEfV1PtkBith_H04CiAmZv0AvSY2M_fXLkbgLRURAjo51gotlW4oUgrDqXew7XBU3Klg0cAhguZbXnKZP5i73REVroRY7BiECFTP9pSvyDE1RzWbFMfLfT0eibkg/s1600/IMG_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6zklCXJg5fCzyZPWEfV1PtkBith_H04CiAmZv0AvSY2M_fXLkbgLRURAjo51gotlW4oUgrDqXew7XBU3Klg0cAhguZbXnKZP5i73REVroRY7BiECFTP9pSvyDE1RzWbFMfLfT0eibkg/s1600/IMG_0024.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hi Everyone,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Isn't that photo of the hummingbird great? Our daughter's mother-in-law took that picture from her kitchen window, which I think is amazing. She took the one below too:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNEWcPnMRAexlqidl1gxMCKiw16idfhp0BG7OQUuDuEF1-w4PqEcQqjhT-Vdo94WONFfgzPAymztDBeqwOYwVELKCSBfGv7gyFddp4JlQxx_9osHRHubESVyKX8Q7DKB4lumvgECbo4A/s1600/IMG_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNEWcPnMRAexlqidl1gxMCKiw16idfhp0BG7OQUuDuEF1-w4PqEcQqjhT-Vdo94WONFfgzPAymztDBeqwOYwVELKCSBfGv7gyFddp4JlQxx_9osHRHubESVyKX8Q7DKB4lumvgECbo4A/s1600/IMG_0025.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bev kindly gave me permission to use these lovely photos in my blog.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We had such a good Sunday. Our son-in-law's mom, Bev (the family photographer) invited both her sons and families to their house yesterday for lunch. Bev and Steve have two sons - both married (one to our daughter). Both sets of in-laws were invited yesterday (we're one of the fortunate in-laws). We had food in abundance and it was such a good time. We are so fortunate to be considered part of their family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After two weeks of perfect weather (lots of sunshine, temps between 72 and 78 daytime and no humidity) things changed today. Fall is here. We had rain today and only a high of 55. This entire week will be below normal fall temperatures. I'm not complaining because I'll take this any day over 90's and humidity. I'm just hoping it doesn't mean an early winter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sorry I've been missing for so long again. I'm trying to rectify that. Now to go around and visit - my favorite part.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Until next time,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mary</span>Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-10179360139225423322014-09-13T09:16:00.000-05:002014-09-13T09:16:47.261-05:00Childhood Revisited - Part I<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM10Qa4qCawd6hC5Wtb0-aRz-eGyD9T0slMtYH_Sl36tjwf1Iuna-XlPY7eZxuzPRSRzlLVHinwk3gZuQLM-JKuF97d706xIO7b1O8cNVqZJQsO7KwWuRiWQvyc_QooLD4fU6FaHZX7vs/s1600/Mary+as+a+young+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM10Qa4qCawd6hC5Wtb0-aRz-eGyD9T0slMtYH_Sl36tjwf1Iuna-XlPY7eZxuzPRSRzlLVHinwk3gZuQLM-JKuF97d706xIO7b1O8cNVqZJQsO7KwWuRiWQvyc_QooLD4fU6FaHZX7vs/s1600/Mary+as+a+young+girl.jpg" height="320" width="245" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hi Friends,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yup - that's me. I sure have no idea how old I was, and my mother passed away a few years ago, so I can't ask her. I'm guessing I'm 3 or 4 maybe. What is your guess?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last spring a cousin sent me a brown mailing envelope containing many photos that she thought I'd appreciate having. This was not one of them, but by and by I'll be sharing them with you. One of my Mother's sisters passed away a couple of years after my mother, and the cousin was still dispensing of things. It was so thoughtful of her to give me a folder full of pictures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm having fun reliving my younger years and thought I'd talk about them here because I'm sure many of you can relate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My mother and I were very poor, and yet I see that picture must have been taken in a photographer's studio. I know my mother didn't have the money for such, so apparently one of her sister's must have paid for it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Most all of my dresses were "hand-me-downs" from a cousin or made for me out of "gunnie sack" or more commonly known as feed sack fabric! Yes, that's right! Apparently various feed items would come in those sacks. Sometimes for animals on the farm. he he - very stylish! But they were usually a good cotton fabric and quite often had pretty, dainty flowers printed all over. However I got a new dress, it was a real treat. I would prance around and feel like a princess!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Probably most of you are not quite old enough to have had clothing made out of Gunnie Sacks or Feed Sacks. But I'll bet most of you are familiar with "hand-me-downs." It was like getting a new dress to me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Those were simpler times back then. Sometimes I miss those carefree days of youth. ha ha - but then I'd have to grow up all over again. Nah - guess I'll stay this age.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Until next time,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mary</span>Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-64505300264617163432014-09-10T19:50:00.003-05:002014-09-10T19:50:26.491-05:00Remembering 9/11<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo taken from Google Images and <a href="http://photo%20taken%20from%20google%20images%20submittedbyroadsideamerica.com/">RoadSide America's Webside</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dear Friends,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you remember where you were when you heard the news? I was at work in an office downtown in our small city in the midwest - far away from where this horrific incident happened. But it left a big impact on me that day. My office mate and I didn't have the radio on that day, but someone came in and asked us if we had heard. We immediately headed for our conference room to watch TV.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One by one people trickled into the conference room. I got there just in time to see the 2nd plane hit the 2nd tower. Our conference room was dead quiet even with about 25 people huddled around the small TV in disbelief. I remember thinking "I wonder if the world is coming to an end!" It was downright scary. My second thought was "I just want to go home and be with family." But since the work day was only about an hour old, I could not do that. We tried hard to keep the office running, man the phones, and do whatever was important to get done. But, no one's heart was really in it that day. We were just going thru the motions thinking of those poor people who were trapped, killed or injured in that horrific event. That was one time where I really appreciated the media's overkill on a subject - it was needed for that event. We were able to catch up on all the news in the evening after work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mario's good blogging friend Cathy Keisha wrote a wonderful, first-hand post of what it was like for her Pop who worked in one of the Twin Towers. I think you will find her post very interesting and worthwhile reading, if you have not already done so.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A couple of years after 9/11 our city decided to have a replica built of the original Twin Towers in a park located downtown for all to see and remember. <a href="http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/11951">Roadside America's Website</a> wrote a very nice article along with the picture. I think you'll find it interesting. Every year a memorial service is held there on 9/11 to remember the event and honor those who perished. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope and pray that we will never have to witness an event like that ever again. But we'll have to remain on the alert forever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What was the impact on you of this event?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mary</span><br />
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Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-46877383519300564032014-08-27T12:39:00.001-05:002014-08-27T12:39:05.455-05:00Goodbye Muggies!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Friends,<br />
It's a glorious day in Wisconsin. The temp is hovering in the low 7o's, there is no humidity (worth mentioning anyway), and a light breeze. The windows are open and one can hear birds singing. Days don't come any better than this. It's a welcome relief after almost 2 weeks of high heat and high humidity. And the best part is that I don't hurt anywhere! Humidity and Arthritis don't get along at all. In fact, I hurt much less in the winter than in the summer when the humidity is with us.</span><br />
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What is everyone doing for the long weekend coming up? For over 25 years we camped with a group of friends, and I do miss that on the holiday weekends. But, I don't miss all the work that goes with it. It was getting to be too much for Mr. D. and me. Maybe we'll go out there for a day trip to visit for a couple of hours. Will see if it is going to rain or not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Streptocarpella plant pictured above is blooming it's little heart out this year. Every year I get two baskets for each side of our patio. It is a plant that likes mostly shade with a little filtered sun peeking through. Our patio seems to be the perfect spot for it. This is the first year that I haven't had a hummingbird visit every night. Or at least, I haven't seen one. The hummers do like the plant and I have missed seeing them this year. </span></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend. For us living in the northern states, it usually signals the end of summer (although we do have many nice days ahead of us in Sept and Oct.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Until next time,</span></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mary</span></span><br />
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Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-17292736560154477682014-08-23T12:11:00.000-05:002014-08-23T12:11:40.671-05:00A Helping Hand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sunset over the Bay of Green Bay on Lake Michigan</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hi Friends,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hopefully you all are having a great week. I can't believe that it's almost the of August. It seems the older I get, the faster time moves. Some days it's over in a "wooooosh!" </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A couple of days ago I had two dentist appointments. Yup - you read it right - two. I'm being fitted for partial plates (replacing teeth). Tuesday morning my regular dentist played around with one of my plates, glued it back in my mouth with Fixident, and sent me on my way. By 3:00, I was grinding my teeth and really irritating one side. Well, to make a long story short, I called the dentist back and was able to get in again Tuesday afternoon. More adjustments made, so I went on my merry way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I decided to stop at Walgreens as I had a couple of coupons that were to expire. I loaded up on stuff, went thru the check out counter, and another passing customer in the next line said to me "Can I help you to your car with the packages?" She could see I was loaded down and dealing with a cane. Of course my car was right outside the door, so I didn't have far to walk. But I decided to take her up on her offer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bless you Peggy Sue - you were a bright spot in my day. I thanked her profusely and told her I'd write about her kindness in my blog (without names). Then she said, oh, you can use my name - it's Peggy Sue - and I don't mind if you publish my name.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So Thank You to Peggy Sue (reminds me of the song Peggy Sue, which has been going thru my head) for helping an old lady with her packages. What an angel you were. Such a nice lady. Goes to show us that kindness is not by any means dead yet. Sometimes you find it where you least expect it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hopefully your day has been blessed with an unexpected kind deed - or you have blessed someone elses day with a kind deed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Until next time,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mary</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-78444981736815129892014-08-20T15:38:00.001-05:002014-08-20T15:38:50.654-05:00One special lady - Aunt Ruthie<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YVwU61QbLp2JP2B9F7piSlaStqMQ6d9dDtdjJFNry4i5dHtnnrcHCOVWBtQjcHC_GKMt1UTcuReCGVHGcW8Ejyiioztnqwl7TOI_YZ2e1IvnNjlzyts-JEJ9I1kXB6KgHpPURjuDiVM/s1600/Ruth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YVwU61QbLp2JP2B9F7piSlaStqMQ6d9dDtdjJFNry4i5dHtnnrcHCOVWBtQjcHC_GKMt1UTcuReCGVHGcW8Ejyiioztnqwl7TOI_YZ2e1IvnNjlzyts-JEJ9I1kXB6KgHpPURjuDiVM/s1600/Ruth.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Ruth Williamson, 86</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dear Friends,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My family has almost reached the end of another era this summer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think I've mentioned before that my mother was 2nd from the oldest in a family of 7 girls, 2 boys, and 3 infants that passed away before they had a chance at life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Aunt Ruthie passed away on July 7, 2014 at the age of 86 after about a 3-month battle with stomach Cancer. She was my mother's second-from-the-youngest sister. There is now one sister remaining, Aunt Lillian, and no brothers! Almost the end of an era!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I always felt especially close to Aunt Ruthie (we are only 11 years apart in age). She and her husband and two children had a farm in Cross Plains, WI - which is only about 10 miles from the City of Madison, WI, where I grew up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After my parents passed on, Aunt Ruthie and I became extra close. Whenever we were in Madison, we would meet somewhere for lunch and/or visit her in her home. She was my contact and only source of news of the family, and I'm really missing her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm so thankful that our daughter and son-in-law drove Mr. D and I down to Cross Plains at the end of June so we could visit with her and her daughter-in-law and son one more time. We enjoyed the visit so much, and so did she. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rest in peace Aunt Ruthie. I'm thankful you are no longer in pain, are with your beloved husband and so many of your brothers and sisters once again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Until we meet again........</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mary</span></div>
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Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-39336632420843285882014-08-02T13:26:00.002-05:002014-08-03T10:39:26.559-05:00Where Are The Cows?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgT3YdcfiC1yMX0ELFxidrjHe85K8tV9Sv6xoOt0lEbZGGcDQ6oOTu1lF2BJftV2BTPIhT7jYmIgimozTSuURbYdJRfpUdGrpBPneCAGsPL8OFWd_AdGra4_WKmTkpV-3IYFPHUBy9-uQ/s1600/Cows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgT3YdcfiC1yMX0ELFxidrjHe85K8tV9Sv6xoOt0lEbZGGcDQ6oOTu1lF2BJftV2BTPIhT7jYmIgimozTSuURbYdJRfpUdGrpBPneCAGsPL8OFWd_AdGra4_WKmTkpV-3IYFPHUBy9-uQ/s1600/Cows.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hi Friends,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wisconsin has long been known as the Dairy State. One could take a ride down any country road and usually see cows out in the pasture. There was always something peaceful about that scene, and it was so very typical Wisconsin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think I've mentioned before, that I was born on a farm. My mother left there before I turned 1 year old, but all her brothers and sisters had farms. Spending time on a farm visiting was how I grew up. I always wanted to be in the barn with the dog, cats, and cows. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We spent a week of driving back and forth to our daughter/son-in-law's house about 2 weeks ago taking care of their two cats. They live about 45 minutes from us and we enjoy driving the back roads to get there. I began to notice there were no cows in any pasture along the way. Where are the cows? I noticed the same situation when we drove to Oshkosh on the I-system also a couple of weeks ago. Where are the cows?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have since learned that the corporation farmers keep their cows in those huge barns round the clock. Those poor cows never get to graze in the meadow in the fresh air or feel the sunshine on their backs. The reason is that the cows give better milk production when they remain inside rather than free roaming - or so I hear. How very sad for them! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are not very many small, independent farmers left these days. Those that we did go by are also keeping their cows inside the barns - or so it seems. I realize you need to make a profit on a farm to stay in business. Farm equipment is not cheap and the farm is your only means of support. You can't always depend on the weather to give you a good crop season either to help make up the cash flow or feed your own animals. But couldn't there be a happy medium in still letting the cows out to pasture some of the time? I guess this is the way of the future, but once again is it for the better??</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for putting up with my rant. I still think it's sad, and I think I'll try Goat's Milk! Most small farmers work very hard for a living, and with animals to feed and cows to milk, getting away on vacation is next to impossible. Do you see cows in the pasture in your state? Or do you have any information on this subject and/or wish to make comments? I welcome them for another perspective. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oh, the new header picture at the top of my blog was taken in our daughter's back yard. Her husband has a green thumb for working with flowers and I couldn't resist getting a picture of the beautiful Hollyhocks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hope you are having a good week.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mary</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-62336448340962523892014-07-22T16:07:00.002-05:002014-07-22T16:20:14.543-05:00Hotter Than ...............<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glacier National Park<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hi All,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As is the case with most of the US, we are baking here today. The current temp is 93 with a Dew Point of 73. The a/c is running full force and I don't even care how much it costs this month to keep us cool. I'm just so thankful to have it. Our state doesn't experience temperatures like this every year - it might be every 3-5 years. We are fortunate so far this year that this is the first time we've hit 90. It is supposed to cool off tonight with a high tomorrow of 71. I can't wait.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I went to the mailbox (at the end of our driveway) a few minutes ago and got light headed just from being out there for all of 2-3 minutes. That's when I decided to post a picture of a glacier in Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska. Just looking at it makes me feel a tad cooler (ha ha - because I'm back inside where the a/c is cranked up).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Did you ever wonder how the pioneers ever survived those early days without a/c? They had to do hard, physical work too. I suppose it helps some when you finally get used to it and don't know any other way of living. Makes me happy I am living in this century!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have some errands that need to be run, but that will have to wait until it cools down some. We're supposed to get severe storms tonight and maybe that will help bring the cold front down. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A very good Blogging friend (Beth) is going through another horrible health scare again after thinking she was in remission. Please add her to your prayers. Such a lovely person. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stay cool!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mary</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">P.S. It seems like I just got thru complaining about our bitterly cold winter - now I'm complaining because we have heat. Guess I'm never happy with the weather, and it's something we can't even control. </span></div>
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Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-76678792996692553182014-07-15T18:22:00.000-05:002014-07-15T18:45:31.940-05:00Keep Your Cool!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDL5aGMB47M65t0dk7QTZzw-40FIXZo7CBMdGiXFGadXZiZUBRG4gNibTvnW3DEq__3Wdb1myifOMnMigVWSCCKsjPbMaxxhejjR308CgNpZWbOiDOna7TUz7XhX_DW2jtXY3fO-NJG2c/s1600/DSCN0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUapCAlyRL_E654CCIF6hrJqYuKrHRlSHoFj104jRg7SxgTXYiCFvelx7K1mJgOgb5iRilnS-Pa1bb8ocCPPBaRHzbyRth8mEN2dS8vIYM4WQaPkEoLgNHC9iV8RmNv9cEss7314I3UNk/s1600/DSCN0417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUapCAlyRL_E654CCIF6hrJqYuKrHRlSHoFj104jRg7SxgTXYiCFvelx7K1mJgOgb5iRilnS-Pa1bb8ocCPPBaRHzbyRth8mEN2dS8vIYM4WQaPkEoLgNHC9iV8RmNv9cEss7314I3UNk/s1600/DSCN0417.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDL5aGMB47M65t0dk7QTZzw-40FIXZo7CBMdGiXFGadXZiZUBRG4gNibTvnW3DEq__3Wdb1myifOMnMigVWSCCKsjPbMaxxhejjR308CgNpZWbOiDOna7TUz7XhX_DW2jtXY3fO-NJG2c/s1600/DSCN0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDL5aGMB47M65t0dk7QTZzw-40FIXZo7CBMdGiXFGadXZiZUBRG4gNibTvnW3DEq__3Wdb1myifOMnMigVWSCCKsjPbMaxxhejjR308CgNpZWbOiDOna7TUz7XhX_DW2jtXY3fO-NJG2c/s1600/DSCN0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDL5aGMB47M65t0dk7QTZzw-40FIXZo7CBMdGiXFGadXZiZUBRG4gNibTvnW3DEq__3Wdb1myifOMnMigVWSCCKsjPbMaxxhejjR308CgNpZWbOiDOna7TUz7XhX_DW2jtXY3fO-NJG2c/s1600/DSCN0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br /><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi Everyone,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sorry I've been missing so long. We've been fine - just busier than what I am able to handle. I swear people retire just to have more time to go to doctor appointments, dentists, and any other appointment you can think of. We've had plenty of them lately - yes, all is well. My doctor said I have the blood of a 20-year-old. Hmmm, why does my body feel like 120! Why can I barely walk because of back problems. But, I have the blood work of a 20-year-old! ha ha But, we're back now and I hope to get around to visit again. I've missed all of you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As all of you know, I love animals. My mother said I was always in the barn with the cows when I was young. A couple of weeks ago, D and I were looking outside in the backyard on one of those miserably HOT days where the Dew Point was 70 and the temperature 80! There were two squirrels out there laying FLAT on the grass - just as flat as they could get, trying to stay cool.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdZNfBXeEBKWXg5VKIbvlyQWHwaQJd5D-1OZCKutfWcXDhasP8murxxZHBHk90K5RcLh0aZ7kpBUHmcnDCzXkNUjSJp8wiU2AHQOZ5_pFmFyjg3uZfVxPtBBnAamtKmmrWjwW-ovzPq4/s1600/DSCN0422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdZNfBXeEBKWXg5VKIbvlyQWHwaQJd5D-1OZCKutfWcXDhasP8murxxZHBHk90K5RcLh0aZ7kpBUHmcnDCzXkNUjSJp8wiU2AHQOZ5_pFmFyjg3uZfVxPtBBnAamtKmmrWjwW-ovzPq4/s1600/DSCN0422.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I apologize that the photo is rather blurry, but D was shaky and he wanted to take the pictures. We tried to get the two squirrels in the same shot, but they wouldn't cooperate. The grass was getting long too as our wonderful friend who mows for us was camping that weekend.. Just the right length for the squirrels to think they were hiding. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJa-zQhigz11tjJ3BafEchAuVasUAxiM_Uqj2JDfQROpgNTo579rxyk0Pra6Ga8YRExmv46zzIsYuPNuH4w5WQ-Ks3ivwLtp2zENs8suacZtdIUFEXqnnWpUFQZF3qFXf8JMQ2UwldMSE/s1600/DSCN0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJa-zQhigz11tjJ3BafEchAuVasUAxiM_Uqj2JDfQROpgNTo579rxyk0Pra6Ga8YRExmv46zzIsYuPNuH4w5WQ-Ks3ivwLtp2zENs8suacZtdIUFEXqnnWpUFQZF3qFXf8JMQ2UwldMSE/s1600/DSCN0418.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Squirrels sure do have the right idea on how to stay cool. Just lay in the tall grass or cool concrete and relax. I think I prefer a lawn chair however! LOL.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hope you are all well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Until next time,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mary</span><br />
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<br />Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-54270051502664626312014-05-14T15:30:00.000-05:002014-05-14T15:30:11.823-05:00Unwanted Guests<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlpqt668PYb_djv50hnIPRNIxkcwNEgMLc_rHIylEjyRThAoyyXybETVABS-cQ9qlVXcp8dB_leY7JR7RZiU_-WhEiyHviz0TXASw7zO_b_VNz6C97zrWLlHgnBe3MNL20v9E_TaFpbg/s1600/DSCN0385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlpqt668PYb_djv50hnIPRNIxkcwNEgMLc_rHIylEjyRThAoyyXybETVABS-cQ9qlVXcp8dB_leY7JR7RZiU_-WhEiyHviz0TXASw7zO_b_VNz6C97zrWLlHgnBe3MNL20v9E_TaFpbg/s1600/DSCN0385.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hi,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A couple of weeks ago, Mr. D decided to clean the grill to get it ready for the season. Imagine his surprise when he opened it up and started working in it. Yup - a mouse nest. Apparently they were nice and comfy for the extremely cold winter. They were well fed too because of my feeding the birds. They stripped the insulation from the grill cover to build their cozy nest. Ingenious little critters!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now we'll spend the next two weeks with mouse traps trying to catch the little critters. Mario has continuous bird, mouse, squirrel TV at our house. He's a happy cat while his humans are grumbling! He he Guess it serves us right for feeding them so well and providing nesting material. We'll have to come up with a different game plan for next winter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day. I sure did. Daughter & SIL came Saturday night and took us out for dinner. It's always nice spending time with them and we never seem to get enough of it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mary</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-62075909615039969962014-05-06T19:55:00.000-05:002014-05-06T19:57:19.908-05:00Goodbye Winter - Hello Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dear Readers,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I hope it's safe to say Hello Spring - it is May! But, maybe I should rap on wood or something. Mother Nature could still make a liar out of me. It's a cool spring with temps in the 50's daytime and high 30's at night. Storms arriving tomorrow - joy! After this past long winter, even a cool Spring is welcomed. At least we haven't had the severe storms that so many have had - so far anyway.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some good pieces of news for a change. Mr. D decided to join the Parkinson's water class at the CP Center. They wanted me to come with him the first session, in case he needed help! haha! It should be the other way around. Mr. D is like a fish in water. But I appeased them and went anyway. It was nice to see what types of things they were doing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The 45 minutes consisted of water walking, stretching, different muscle exercises with the arms, using a 8 inch pool ball and sinking it (not easy), passing it from hand to hand behind the back. Peddling a pretend bicycle backwards - one leg at a time. They try to incorporate things that are not done normally to work on retraining the brain. It's difficult to explain in writing, but some of the arm things were actually difficult.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are 3 Parkinson's patients in the class, with Mr. D being the 4th. All three were much more advanced than he is. This session will last for 5 more weeks, twice a week. Then it will be up to him if he wants to stay in that class or switch to a different one. We both feel that warm water is so therapeutic and we feel better for the day after getting out of the pool. We are blessed to have that option in our small city! This pool is the only one in Wisconsin operated by the CP Center.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy Mother's Day to all you ladies - fur babies count for they are like children to some of us. (Yes, I'm a crazy cat lady - and admit it).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mary</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-1722167282811159902014-04-19T20:20:00.004-05:002014-04-19T20:26:17.480-05:00Happy Easter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I couldn't help but reflect back upon Easters' past because it always meant another family gathering after Sunrise Easter Service. As I've said before, my mother was from a family of 10 children and all the major holidays were spent with at least one or two of her sisters and their family, and sometimes more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When we moved to our current home some 40 years ago, we would still travel to Madison for every holiday. That tradition continued until my parents and/or one of her sisters were too old to host the gathering anymore. Meanwhile the cousins all grew up, married, and had extended families to spend holidays with.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My husband has two surviving siblings - a brother who lives about 5 hours away and a sister who lives 3 hours away. Each has families of their own. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We had a lot of good times during those years and now that there is just Mr. D and I, it's too quiet. But I guess that is the cycle of life. And I am thankful that I'm still able to enjoy a holiday, albeit a quiet one. I'm also thankful that I have those fond memories (and can still remember those times - he he).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Whatever you do for Easter, we hope you can enjoy the beauty of the day and remember why it is we celebrate Easter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Easter Blessings to each of you,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">P.S. Last minute update - turns out we have an invitation for tomorrow for dinner. Will be going to Son-in-law's brother's house for the day. It's a long story, but I can share that part some other post. So we'll be with family after all!</span><br />
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Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.com3