Santa was good to me this year!

Santa came early...I picked up my new car December 22nd. I traded in my 10 year old Subaru Legacy and bought a 2009 Subaru Forester.
Nothing wrong with my old car, but it was a 5 speed manual transmission and with my bum ankles it was extremely painful to drive in stop and start traffic and bad weather...so I upgraded to an automatic.

Our Un-Traditional Holiday Letter

It has been several years since I wrote a holiday letter, and for that, I apologize.

Things have not gone so well for us the last few years but the good news is that we are doing very well now and are both happy and healthy.

Just a brief review of our lives, more details can be found within this blog by reading past posts here and by looking at pictures in webshots photo album.

Last time I wrote a holiday letter I was ill after my knee surgery. The doctors thought my heart was workings at 75% and that I had had a heart attack the day after the surgery. I had a cardiac catheterization in Jan 2006 and they were able to see that my heart was/is working fine. Theory is that I passed a blood clot after the surgery which caused the mild heart attack.
After my wonderful 50th birthday party September 2006, things went downhill fast. I had surgery on my toes which laid me up for awhile and right during that time Steve's father Ron's health took a turn for the worse and he passed away in October 2006. At the same time my dear Aunt Elma Mae passed away.
Afterwards Steve's Mom became very ill and was diagnosed with Polymyalgia. Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory condition that causes aches and pains as well as stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and hips. During this same time my mother was hospitalized with depression dehydration. She had been taking care of my dad who has Alzheimer's all by herself and not asking for any help. Steve and I went up to central WI for 4 days to get things under control there.
And all during this time the climate at my job was just awful due to new management.

In the spring of 2007 I got away for a vacation to Baja Mexico with my girlfriend, Tami. Beautiful weather, and I got to get up close with humpback whales--but was sick with the flu the whole vacation except for day one!

That summer, 2007, with the help of my brother, Chris, who flew in from California, we moved my parents to an great independent living apartment complex right here in Cottage Grove so Steve and I can be close help them more. Steve's mother got better as time went on and things seems pretty good. Then in October of 2007 I wound up in the hospital with hernia surgery...off work more.

THEN in January of 2008--I fell down here at the house in Cottage Grove and broke BOTH my ankles. Off work for 8 weeks! Then back to work in a wheelchair for a couple weeks then I graduated to a walker until about June.

So that's the sad news...

HAPPY NEWS-we are both happy and healthy now. Mom Schultz is doing great. Mom Querin is also doing very well. Dad Querin's Alzheimer's is progressing fast, but he is happy. He hates going to adult day care once a week, but it gives Mom Q. a full day to do whatever she wants. Mom and Dad Q celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in April.

Steve and I went on vacation in July to the Bahamas and had a fantastic time. My ankles held up and I was able to do most everything...I only skipped the excursion inside a 3 level cave.

We have been doing alot of remodeling to our farmhouse here in Cottage Grove--which you can also see in the webshots album ;)

I got a new boss at my job at UW International Student Services, and again I can tell you that this is the best job I have ever had.

Steve is still working for the Township hiway dept--and working his skinny a** off-- with all the snow we got last winter (100+inches) and now with this season's record snowfall to date. He also keeps busy with the farm and all the work that comes with it

So that's our story. Lots of happy times..lots of sad times. But that's life. We get out to our place at Sleepy Hollow as much as we can. The dogs, Pilar and Lucy, are well and love the times at the hollow that they can run free.

Steve and I hope that you are doing well and we wish you all the best for 2009.

All our Love, S & M

Nightmare Before Christmas

I have my "nightmare before christmas" tree up and am thinking about what to do this holiday season..more decorations? Less decorations? We may be hosting the holiday party at our house this year, so that means I should maybe put up the other "holiday bush"...

Since I have no vacation left this year, I will be working thru the holidays...so not really feeling I have the time to mess around with decor this year...we will see. I'll keep you posted.
m

Joey Hauser and The Shufflin Duprees

Stevie at the Museum November 2008

NAFSA Presentation November 5-7, 2008 Lincolnshire, IL

Chair/Presenter: Martha Querin-Schultz, UW-Madison, International Student Services
Presenters: May Lee Moua-Vue, UW-Madison, International Student Services and Stephanie Cowan, Madison Area Technical College, MATC International Students




NAFSA:Association of International Educators
Goes to Hollywood-Using Film to Teach Intercultural Communication!
Intercultural Communication Education.




“Been There, Done That,” you say?




Well not like we do!





At UW-Madison International Student Services, ISS, and at Madison Area Technical College, MATC" we are using clips from popular Hollywood movies, YouTube videos and Blogs to teach people about intercultural communication.
These are innovative and easy ways to make learning fun. Come learn how to implement these into your own training.




Come join us. We’ll dim the lights, have some popcorn and watch a few movies!

Election 2008

What can I say? I am very happy...

Happy Halloween!

Querin's in the Dial

There is Dad in the front and Steve and I are in the back on the right...

Our Bahamas Vacation Photos

We went to the WildStudies Outpost on Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas. July 3-9, 2008.
We went with Steve's brother, Jim and his wife RuthAnn, friends, Les and Kay Gray and 20+ High School students on a class field trip.



Eleuthera Bahamas Vacation



Eleuthera Bahamas Vacation Underwater Camera Photos

Scott's Mom, Jan, Passed Away July 11th

You all have know Scott Harbeson as long as you have known me...Scott and I have been best friends since 1976. Scott's Mom, Jan, who lived in Panama City, Florida (where Scott was born and raised) passed away on Friday July 11th. Jan was 92 years young.

Jan was an amazing, wonderful, funny woman who Steve and I will dearly miss.

If you care to send Scott a note. His email is;
sharbeson@concertpharma.com

Scott's mailing address is;


Scott Harbeson


209 Pemberton Street # 5


Cambridge, MA 02140

Mom and Dad with Bucky Badger

Perfect sleepy Hollow Day

We got out to Sleepy Hollow on Saturday, June 14th and found everything okay in our little Hollow.



June 14, 2008 020.mpg

My Poor Little Gays Mills

Flash floods inundate Gays Mills for second time

.

GAYS MILLS, Wis. (AP) — Flash floods Monday inundated Gays Mills in Crawford County for the second time in 10 months.

The swollen Kickapoo River engulfed nearly the entire village of Gays Mills, forcing about 150 people to evacuate. The community was reduced to a grid of canals with vehicles submerged up to their windows and parking lots looking like lakes, just as it was last August.






Residents stood on the edge of their ruined village, so close to finally turning the corner before this latest flood.

“I can’t believe this is happening again,” said Liz Klekamp, 23, who said she grabbed her cat and fled Monday morning when water came pouring into her house. “It’s really, truly sad.”

When asked if this was the end of the community, Village President Larry McCarn just stared ahead. “It could be,” he answered.

Gov. Jim Doyle had declared 30 Wisconsin counties, including Crawford County, in a state of emergency.

Best Movie EVER!

Mom and Dad Querin's 55th Wedding Anniversary

April 27th, 2008 we celebrated my parent's 55th wedding anniversary. The reception was a huge success.


Querin’s 55th Wedding Anniversary Party

More Property at Sleepy Hollow

March 2008 we purchased 12 more acres at Sleepy Hollow. We bought the land together with our new friends and Hollow neighbors, Mike and Jean. There is an old barn on the property and lots of junk inside the barn and all around the property.
This past weekend (April 19)we went out to the Hollow to start cleaning. This was also a turning point in my recovery :)
I did not use my walker much at all. Steve and I worked in the barn Saturday and my job was separating the recyclables and handing him tools. We then did more work on Sunday when Mike and Jean came out to the Hollow.
On Sunday, some scrap metal guys came out to the place and hauled away a ton of the junk.
I have documented the progress on the new property..this is our photo story.







New Sleepy Hollow Property 2008

Final Medical Update

I am hoping that this will be the final medical update on me for a LONG time (if ever..)

I received Good News from the Doctor Wednesday. She told me to go home and put some shoes on!

She told me to walk using a walker and start getting my legs strong. I am to use the wheelchair if I have to go long distances for the next couple weeks until I get stronger—but it’s all good news.

I am back at work full time now. I have my walker here at work for using around the office and I also have my wheelchair here to get down to the bathrooms or elsewhere on campus.

I am Sooo happy!! It has been a LONG 9 weeks.

Thanks to everyone for all your love and support.

Besos, Martha

Another Medical Update

I went back to work half days this past week, 8-noon.
but Thursday, when I got out of my carpool buddie's car, transferred into the borrowed wheelchair I'm keeping at work, and started inside the building with the aid of my co-worker--one of the front wheels on the wheelchair collapsed (no, I haven't gained more weight :)) I was able to get into the building and sit in an office chair...which by the way, does NOT roll well on carpet!
so Steve came in to campus and got me and brought me home ;(
On Friday we got a snow storm with a total of 10 inches, so I stayed home to be safe.
I WAS able to bring some work home with me but it's about 5/6 hours of work...
8 weeks this Friday since my accident-I am SO tired of this...
I have an appointment on the 25th to see my Ortho Doctor, so I am hoping I will be vertical after that, at least with a walker or cane.
I'll keep you posted.
Martha

Beautiful Sleepy Hollow

 

Martha's Medical Update

I want to give you all an update on the appointment with my orthopedic specialist I had yesterday.. It has been 5 weeks tomorrow since my accident.

I had x-rays taken and they show that the bones in both legs have not moved and they are healing well. I have been experiencing some intense cramps in my calf that was in the cast and that did alarm the Doctors when I told them. I was told that can be a sign of a blood clot. So I also had an ultrasound done on my left leg. That turned out OK and they discovered that some of the veins in my leg were compressed. Which will heal fine.

Bad news is that I am still not allowed to put any weight on my left leg for another 4 weeks and the Doctor has instructed me not to return to work right away. I am hoping that come mid-March I can return to work in my wheelchair and maybe work half days for the reminder of the month.

Good news is the cast is gone! They cut off the cast and I am wearing a orthopedic boot, like what I have on the right leg. I can remove the boot to take a shower, or if I am on the sofa for extended rests...

But I guess the best news is that the bones are healing well and everything looks good to be all healed by end of March.

My Accident Aftermath

Here is the link to see some photos we took.
click on the photo


by mquerin

Good News Out of My Bad News

I received Good News at the Orthopedic Specialist last Friday. No surgery needed, the broken bones are stable and haven't moved at all in the last week. AND better news is that I do not have to have the right foot put into a cast, I can continue to wear the boot and use that foot/leg to stand and pivot to get moved between my wheelchair and where-ever I need to go.

The Bad News is that I can't go to work for almost a month. I have another appointment with the Specialist on Feb. 27th and she will determine then when Ican go back... I have to keep my legs elevated almost all the time, so it could make for some interesting work situations!!

It Takes a Village To Take Care of Me!

Hi All,
Just an update on my sorry state of affairs...

I placed a call to Peggy (the Parrish nurse, family friend and local saint) Monday morning to ask her advice on where to go for help. Within 5 hours Hurricane Weber hit our house.

Peggy and a student nurse came here and helped me figure out how to move from place to place safer and taught me what to do and what not to do. Peggy assessed my needs and by 6 pm Monday night I had rails on the toilet, a potty chair for the bedroom and a quad cane to help lift myself into a standing position.

Mom Schultz, Mom Querin and Nancy have been invaluable in staying here and helping during the day when Steve has to be at work. Trixie will be coming over tonight while Steve goes to a concert we had tickets to. (boo hoo)

Friday, with a combination of Nancy, Mom S and my friend May Lee, I'm taken care of until Steve comes home at noon.
Then I get to go to the trauma specialist at the UW fracture center. So tomorrow after that we should know better what my situation will be for the next 6-8 weeks.

I'll let you all know what we find out.
Thanks all for all the best wishes.
Much Love, Martha

I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up!

I have some bad news that i have to tell you all. Friday nite, here at home, I was stepping down into our sun room and stepped on one of the dog bones left laying on the floor. I twisted and fell. I heard and felt my left ankle crack and knew it was real bad. Both ankles hurt real bad once i was on the floor, I have never in my life felt such intense pain. I lay on the floor for almost 15 minutes while Steve tried to calm me down. He tried to get me up to sit on the sofa and we found that I could not put any weight on my right foot either. Steve called 911, and after a fun trip down our stairs (buy 2 very strong paramedics!) and an ambulance ride in a snow storm, I got to the UW Hospital ER.

After X-rays were taken, the Doctor came in and said "oh boy, you really did it"... I broke both ankles!
The doctors were trying to make a decision on what to do with me, cause if both ankles were put into casts, they would have to send me to a nursing home for rehabilitation! The right foot was not fractured as bad, so they put it into a boot and my left foot/leg was put into a cast. That way they could send me home. :)

I can put weight on my right foot (with the boot on) and can stand briefly and use a walker to switch between the bed/sofa/chair/bathroom and I use a wheelchair to get around the house.
I am to see a specialist at the UW fracture center sometime in the next week and she will determine if I can continue having the boot on the right leg. (boy, I hope can cause i don't want to think of the options :(
The cast on my left foot will need to be on 6-8 weeks.
I will know more once I meet and talk with the specialist.

I am going to have to learn how to get around and take care of my personal needs before I can be alone or go to work. I will find out tomorrow from my insurance if can get some assistance in the home so Steve can go back to work. My Moms are going to help, but they would not be able to lift me.

so that is my sad story.

Weird!

Take a look at the following picture, let me tell you .... it is not animated. Your eyes are making it move. To test this, stare at one spot for a couple seconds and everything will stop moving. Or look at the black center of each circle and it will stop moving. But move your eyes to the next black center and the previous will move after you take your eyes away from it--Weird !

Tour of Epic Systems

Joe Martinelli took us on a tour of Epic Systems in Verona where he works. It was a wonderful afternoon. It is the most amazing place filled with so much beautiful artwork.
You can check out the photos on my webshots.