Scuba Diver Snowbird

August 2, 2010

2010-08-02T17:40:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,
Well, I had an interesting time since I last blogged. Two weeks ago I swam 5 events in the Senior Olympics regional games. Our state games that qualify for nationals are in Springfield in September. I took 5 firsts in the events I entered and hope to go to Springfield. The Nationals are in Houston next July. This competition is not as hard as Masters but it gives me a goal to keep swimming. A day or so before I swam I started having some back spasms and I thought it was probably from golf. I went to the chiropractor twice but wasn't getting the relief I usually do. Last Tuesday night I woke up with really bad pain in my abdomen and called the ambulance to go to the hospital. After an endoscopy and an ERCP which looks at the bile ducts, they concluded that it was probably a stone lodged in the common bile duct. It was gone by the time I had the procedure but they cut the bile duct open so if I got another one, it would pass. I was in the hospital for three days and on a pump so I could control the pain medicine. Being on my back for three days really worsened my back spasms so when I got out Friday I went to the Chiro first thing Saturday and got adjusted from top to bottom. I went again today and I feel much better. This Wednesday I leave to sit for my Ohio grandchildren while Michael and Heidi go to Boston for the Pan Mass Challenge bike ride to raise funds for carcinoid cancer. I will be there one week and then I go to New Jersey to see our friends, Bob and Diane for a week. They are on the Jersey shore and we will play lots of hand and foot and maybe some bridge.
Lisa, my housemate is working out really well and the two dogs pretty much ignore each other.
I am looking forward to the next two weeks and glad I feel better. Hope all is well with all who read this. Take care and God bless.
Mary Anne

2010-06-28T08:14:00.000-07:00

June 28, 2010
Hi Friends,
Well my kitchen will be finished this week and if you want to see pictures, they are on my facebook page.
I also have some exciting news. I had a friend call and asked if I would be interested in renting a room to a friend of hers. I said I would consider it and we interviewed a few weeks ago and I decided to give it a try. she has been with me for about 10 days with her snouzer (sp)Wrigley who is very quiet and it seems to be working out fine. lucky and Wrigley get along very well.

We are both very busy so we come and go a lot with just short exchanges but she just started working for Comfort Keepers so we have that in common. Her real profession is a concert pianist and I have yet to hear her play but I love classical music.
Saturday I swm in a meet with just one event The 1500, which is a mile. I did it in just under 31 minutes which I was happy with.
Luckcy is just finishing intermediate dog obedience and he has done super. He still barks at the dogs when he first comes in but once he is busy, he is fine. I plan to keep him in classes to socialize him. My friends next door Ed and Jayne got a rescue dog, part terrier that is just about Lucky's size and they played really cute together yesterday.
I get my countertop today and hopefully my sink hooked up tomorrow. It wll be nice not to do dishes in the bathroom sink although it has only been 2 1/2 weeks from start to finish. I hear that is pretty good for kitchens.
That's about it for now.
Take care and God Bless.
Mary Anne

2010-06-15T06:40:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,
It has been along time but I am doing well. I have just started a kitchen project. I am replacing the cabinets and counter tops and they started yesterday. All the old ones are out and the new ones will be in by Friday. Then I have to wait for the counter tops.
I am so excited for the new look.
Just finished a wonderful weekend in Arkansas to see my niece Meghan get married to Jonathan Curth. It was 99 in the shade and the wedding was outside by a lake but it was shady and the ceremony was short. We had a great time. First time all my sibs were together since Joe's funeral a year and a half ago. Seems impossible that it was that long ago. I am back swimming regularly. The state meets was great and I plan to do a mile swim the end of this month. I am back coaching swimming also and that is always fun for me to help them get better technique.
Matthew, my grandson, (Cassie's son) is helping the painter in the kitchen so it is nice having him around. He is usually caddying this summer but he gave me a few days.
Lucky completed his reactive dog class and he isn't perfect but he is a lot better. He is now in intermediate obedience. I figure if I keep him exposed to dogs he will get better and better. The trainer said he was taken away from his Mom too soon and missed the socialization time with other dogs. Makes sense.
I have stopped working for Comfort Keepers. It was a good experience but it kept me from my swimming time too much. Now I just do private clients on my schedule and that works much better.
That's it for now. I may post a picture of my kitchen when it is done. I took before pictures. You probably don't want to see them.
Take care and God
Bless.
Mary Anne

April 27,2010

2010-04-27T06:25:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,
I thought I would wait until after the state meet to write again. I have spent the last month swimming five days a week trying to get in shape for the Masters State Meet which was this past weekend in DeKalb.
The picture to the side is of my brother Rick and my sister Trish. Rick was in town from Arkansas to visit his son Ricky and we went to dinner together to celebrate my 68th birthday April 17th.
I had more birthday cards and treats to dinner this year than I can ever remember. It was wonderful.
Ok, back to the swim meet. I swam 9 events in the three days that it went on, and ended up with 6 firsts and 3 seconds. Our team came in second. We were hoping to get out third win in a row but it didn't happen. Rick's son Ricky swims for Evanston Masters and they won so I spent some time with Ricky, my nephew who was a national collegiate swimmer when he was younger. He gave me a few tips on my freestyle which I will try to incorporate in my stroke.
Michael and his kids came in town to watch me. My good friends the Radzkes and Barczaks also drove up for one morning. I felt very supported. Watching a swim meet can be really boring if you don't know many of the swimmers and the day starts at 7 with warm ups and doesn't end until about 6 Saturday and Sunday.
Yesterday would have been Joe's 70th birthday. I can't imagine him getting older. I still picture him as he was when he was healthy.
I am in the final stages of planning a kitchen renovation. It won't start for 4-6 weeks but Joe was the one so good at decorating and I always liked what he picked out. I have input from the kids for sure but I'm not used to all the responsibility.
Hope this spring finds you all well and enjoying the beautiful colors of the spring flowers. I am sure feeling it in my allergies!
Oh by the way, I went to the doctor yesterday and my cholesterol dropped from 230 to 193 since January. The weight loss helped so I am on the right track.
Take care and God bless.
Mary Anne

March 23, 2010

2010-03-22T07:36:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,
Well, it sure had been a long time since I blogged. Not much went on in Bonaire except diving and spending time with friends until the last two weeks. At that time, the owners of Buddy offered to buy my condo. I did not intend on selling this soon but after much thought and talking with the kids, I decided to go ahead with the deal. I will still get to use my condo when I am down there and can keep my owners closet with all my dive gear for a period of five years.
I will continue to go to Bonaire in the winter but now have some money to invest which is a good thing.
It was really hectic trying to tie up loose ends in such a short period and I was so glad for Cassie and her friend Mary who were with me the last week to help. Even though I will still have use of the condo, it will be different because they will turn it into a three bedroom. They will keep Joe's photos of fish up but I had to say goodbye to "our place" as it was.
I came home Saturday night exhausted from the trip and the emotions.
But now I am recovered and will start swimming today to get ready for the state meet the end of April.
Our diving was terrific. I did 62 dives while I was there but more important were the times I spent with friends from Church there and friends like Ed and Jayne and Bob and Diane with whom I spent most evenings playing cards or dominoes or dice.
Our kids are all fine. Several are in theater productions this spring and Isabelle, Mike and Heidi's daughter just did her first horse show. I hope to visit the out of towners this spring and some of them are coming in to see me.
The weather here in IL. is not quite like Bonaire but I am glad to be back home with my midwest friends.
Hope you all had a good winter. Let's catch up on email.
Take care and God bless.
Mary Anne

March 3,2010

2010-03-02T14:35:00.000-08:00

HI Friends,
It's been awhile since I blogged but nothing much goes on in Bonaire except diving and spending time with friends. It is great exercise to dive and wonderful to nap afterwards. Some of our European friends have gone back and others have arrived or are still here.
I have a friend from MN here who is a diver and we taught her hand and foot. Now we can olay four handed or six handed so that is a lot of fun. We are seeing more turtles this year and the friends I dive with are good at finding sea horses and frog fish, which are hard to spot because of their ability th change color and blend in with the coral.
I will be here several more weeks and Cassie, our daughter will be here the last week with me.
Lucky continues to enjoy the warm weather and the nice walks in the morning. We generally dive two dives each day and take Sunday off for church.
Television is Ok down here but everything comes on two hours later than in Chicago so I generally can't stay uop taht late. We watched some of the Olympics but missed the late night stuff.
Hope you are all surviving the winter. It sounds like it was bad in Florida and midwest.
Take care and God bless.
Mary Anne

Janurary31.2010

2010-01-31T17:00:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends,
I finally was able to get the internet hooked up in my condo so now it is much more convenient. We have been in Bonaire for a week and my neighbors are staying with me the first two weeks and then they will move to a house they rent. It ia nice having the company and Jayne is a fantastic cook. We're eating most of our meals in and going out maybe once a week.
Jayne has been laid up with a bad knee but Ed and I dove twice last week. Our friends from Europe arrived this weekend and we will be diving much more this week.
There is a fish that is not native to the Caribbean called the Lion Fish and they are eating all the juvenile fish in the area. They have no natural predator here so some divers are capturing them so they don't ruin the equilibrium here. Marine biologists are involved in this capture. So far they have caught 60 and there are 45 others that are known that still have to be caught. It seems they got loose somehow from Florida and the eggs drifted down here.
Our church down here is in the process of building their own building and they have a roof up and have just started the bathrooms. It is all done by donations from the congregation so it is slow going but it is neat to see that is has started. Joe was instrumental in starting the first small group down here and it is still going and has about 16 people now. It is nice to be able to have a church and a small group while we are here.
The weather of course is poerfect with the temps about 80 to 85 with constant winds to cool you off, Lucky loves it down here and his behavior collar has really helped in keeping him quiet while he chases the geckos(lizards).
Most of my writings will be about diving while I am here.
We get up, go for a walk, eat, dive, eat, nap, read, eat, play cards and go to bed. That may not sound so exciting but it is really restful and good to be with these friends again.

Take care and God Bless.
Mary Anne

January 20,2010

2010-01-20T17:42:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends,

Last few days before we leave. Yesterday I took out my carry -on suitcase and Lucky jumped right in. He wants to go no matter what he goes in. How funny! I'm trying to remember to get everything put on vacation hold and tie up loose ends. Got the important things done--- like manicure and pedicure.

The big questions is whether I will fit in the clothes I left down there last year. I really have a lot of work to do and I am hoping Bonaire and the nice weather will motivate me. I plan to do walking, diving reading, napping and as little eating as possible. Now that Lucky's behavior has improved we should be able to take walks without disturbing the local dogs and geckos. I am trying to get visits in to our kids before I go but their schedules are busier than mine. Tomorrow I will see Jason play basketball and last week I saw Matthew perform in his show choir. They came in third in the competition last weekend and have another one this weekend. If you ever watch Glee on TV, that is kind of what he does.
Everyone in the family is good. Michael is going to Phoenix for a conference so he will get to visit Karen and Mark while he is in town. Their weather has to be better than ours. We're having freezing rain right now.

Just read the Kite Runner. Forgot I had read it before - that is always fun. Did that with a movie a couple weeks ago. I remember the part I just read or what I just saw but don't remember what happens. Hope that is just senior moments.

By the way, The organization Feed My Staving Children that is sending food to Haiti is the same organization that our church has been packing food for for the last year. We go there quarterly with about 60 people from Carillon for two hours and pack food for the orphanages which is passed out by missionaries. They are funded strictly by donations from companies and privately. Glad to see they got some good press.

Bye for now. I will update from Bonaire.

God Bless.
Mary Anne

yeah 2010!

2010-01-02T10:51:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends,
Well, here we are in 2010. The kids have all gone home and Cas and her family have come back home after being in Florida for a week. Lucky and I are enjoying some leisure time and I realize I have been too busy the last few months and have to give myself permission to have a day with nothing to do.

I bought a net book computer to take to Bonaire and am trying to figure out how to download books on it from the library. I just successfully downloaded one to my MP3 player with a lot of help from Cassie. How do these young kids figure all that out? These books are free as audio books so it is a better deal than Kindle. Books are important in Bonaire as we do spend time reading in the afternoons and evenings.

Three weeks from today we will be on our way - the "we" being Ed and Jayne and Lucky and me. I should start making lists now.

Hope you all had a good New Year and that God blesses you in the year to come.

Take care,
Mary Anne

2009-12-26T07:14:00.001-08:00

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Boxing Day in Scotland
Hi Friends,Well, a few of you have found my new site. I will send an email to some of you so you can get here. If you sign up as a follower, you will get an email when I post and then you don't have to keep checking the blog when there is nothing there.Christmas Eve was great. I spent the afternoon with Cas and Kirk and family decorating Christmas cookies after a wonderful brunch. Then I sang with the ensemble for Christmas Eve service at 5 P.M. The last two songs were "O Holy Night"( which Joe always did as a solo) and Silent Night (which is always good for a cry). Luckily the lights were out and we were all holding up candles so I wasn't real obvious. I came home and watched part of "Its a Wonderful Life" and then fell asleep. Christmas morning I was lazy and then went to Kev and Tracy's for the afternoon and evening. It was a really rainy day but then it turned to snow and today it is snowing like crazy. Karen and Mark are headed downtown to celebrate their first anniversary at the same hotel as last year. They should have a pretty day down there. We probably have several inches of snow. Cas and family are headed down to Florida to see Kirk's folks for a week. I have their dog Molly while they are gone so Lucky has someone to play with. (How do you not end that sentence with a preposition?) They should change that rule!I got my Skype up and running and talked to my pen pal in Scotland this morning. That was great. I hope to get back there to visit sometime.I am still finding little things around the house that belong to different children and grandchildren but it was comforting to see the house full of shoes, bags, toys, DS's computers etc. I never mind the mess.Well, I think I will go out and see what is on sale after Christmas. That may be a big mistake. No, on second thought, the snow is too bad. I'll stay home. Denny is going to drive us to the show this afternoon to see a Sherlock Holmes movie.Hope you all have great holidays. May you feel blessed by Christ for family and friends. I sure do.Take care.Mary Anne

Merry Christmas 2009

2009-12-24T12:06:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends,
I decided it was time to start my own blog. Joe has been gone a year now and it seems appropriate to do something on my own. My life is full of family and friends and some work. I'm not sure what will be interesting but in case you want to keep up with me and my life in a general way, this is where you will find it.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I am spending Christmas Eve with Cas and Kirk and family and tomorrow I will be with Kev and Tracy and kids. I will be singing at the Christmas Eve service later today at Carillon.

I will leave the other blog intact in case you want to read it.

Take care and God Bless.
Mary Anne