Teddy

Mom is unable to have a dog at Sandi's apartment, so Kelly has been caring for her little shih tzu, Teddy.  Kel already has three dogs, so she really didn't want to keep Teddy, even though she loves him very much.

So we've been hoping to find a good home for him.  My hospice aide fell in love with him when she met him one day when he and Kelly were here.  Kelly told her that we were searching for a home for him, and D said that she would love to have him.

Kelly took him to the vet, made sure he had all his shots up to date and took him to be groomed, so that he would be all ready for his new family.  D took him on Monday, and he is doing great.  We are so relieved to have a loving home for him.

Saturday Summary

Wow, it's quiet here right now.  Josh and his family have gone to the grocery store and Ron went to the pool store for shock.  

Reece and I went to Gran's this afternoon.  He loves her so much.  We stayed over there for quite awhile.  It's peaceful, and Gran does whatever he wants to do.  We baked some cookies and they took Teddy for two walks.  Reece took Gran out onto the patio.  He was pretending to take Teddy to school out there, and he told me that no Grammas were allowed in school.  Only dogs, Great Grans and Reece.  :o)  Teddy got into trouble at school for not paying attention.  Hmmm.

We're still having great weather--74 degrees right now.  I feel bad for the people in the north with all the frigid temperatures and ice.

Have you seen those stories about Obama with flies on his face?  Weird.  It's happened quite a few times, evidently.  When I told Kelly about it, she said, "Lord of the flies."  :o)  That was such a sad book.

I made cinnamon bread pudding on Thursday.  It was so good.  I need to make it more often.  Josh has liked it since he was a little boy, and Ron likes it, too.  And so do I!  Real comfort food.

It was so warm yesterday that we stayed outside from the time the kids got home from school until dark.  I blew the leaves off the patio, and Cammy and I walked all around the yard with the yard cart, picking up toys and bits and pieces of junk.  The kids and I ate out there and just enjoyed the gorgeous weather.

So far it's been a nice weekend.  Hope you're enjoying yours.

Katy and Sister

Josh and I took Sister and Katy to the vet this morning. Their rabies vaccinations had expired and I didn't realize it. They got an exam, some other shots, a heartworm test and had their nails clipped. They were so good, except for a little pulling and trying to see what the vet was doing to the other one while waiting their turn.

I really like our vet. He has been taking care of the girlie dogs ever since we got them, so he knows them and treats them wonderfully. He's the one who got them through their bout with parvo a couple of years ago.

They both rode in one kennel in the back of the pickup, and were so interested in all they could see. They don't get out much, so they're always excited to go somewhere.

The top picture was taken right after they came to us. A friend had found them on the road with their golden retriever mother. After our big black lab died, I told Ron that if we ever got dogs again, I wanted two of them. When K posted that was trying to find homes for them, I told her I wanted them, and she gave them to me. They stole our hearts immediately. All of us love them, including our grandchildren. They are family. :o)

Here are my big girls today. Katy's on the left, Sis on the right. Ron and I bathed them yesterday and they feel so soft and silky, but Sister already has mud on her leg and chest.

Thursday Chitchat

Teddy's medicines seem to be doing the trick--he is feeling much better, thank goodness! Kelly and I are going shopping for an end of the bed bench for him tomorrow. Meanwhile, he seems to know better than to jump off the bed or couch. He waits for someone to lift him down or up.

I have a break from the BMT clinic until next Thursday. When I saw the doc on Tuesday I told him that I've had more nausea than usual lately, so he is waiting to give me the next dose of methotrexate next week. We were at the hospital today anyway though, because I had a follow-up appointment with my radiation oncologist. I haven't seen him for a few months, since before the transplant, and he was very pleased with my progress.

We were waiting at the desk after my appointment, to schedule a six month follow-up. It was a bit of a traffic jam, with lots of people clumped together. I was noticing one ladies colorful shoes when I glanced up and saw her friend smiling at me. A few minutes later she came up to me and leaned over and said very softly, "Would it be okay if I pray for you?" I said, "Oh, thank you!" and she took my hand and prayed for me then and there. Sometimes people are so incredibly sweet.

We went by Mom's after leaving the hospital and took her a fajita steak cabana bowl for lunch. She loves them. I took Teddy for a walk, and he was feeling pretty feisty. Ron took me home, then he went on in to work this afternoon.

Reece's class is having a Fairy Tale Ball tomorrow, and he is supposed to dress up as his favorite fairy tale character. It's hard to come up with a fairy tale costume for a boy; girls are easier. We thought of Prince Charming, the Beast or Peter Pan. But his favorite fairy tale is Jack and the Beanstalk, so he is going to be Jack. He will carry five magic beans in his vest pocket. :o) I'll try to remember to take a picture.

Vet Visit

Josh and I took Teddy to the vet today. We left him there for tests and x-rays. His blood work was perfectly normal, but he did have some inflammation in a couple of places along his spinal column, and that's what has been causing his pain. The vet gave us some steroids and a prescription for muscle relaxers. She said that it could have been caused by any number of things, including Teddy jumping off the couch or bed, and that little dogs with long spines and short legs are prone to this kind of injury. I am so relieved that he doesn't have pancreatitis or something. He did eat when we took him home, so I think he was feeling a little better.

It's been gray and rainy here today, and I've felt chilled all day. I'm sitting here wearing my sweatshirt hoodie in the house.

Another day at the BMT clinic tomorrow.

That's about it for now.

Thursday Chitchat

It was such a warm, pretty day yesterday (Wednesday) here in south central Texas. It's very warm here again today, but mostly cloudy. I hope we get rain! It feels like spring, not winter.

Kelly came over yesterday and went with me to visit Gran and Teddy. We were worried about Teddy because he has been acting so lethargic lately. He was really glad to see Kelly. I truly think that he is depressed because he misses her and her dogs. After spending over a month with them, he felt like part of the pack, and now he's bored to death cooped up in Gran's apartment all day long.

Mom said that he hasn't been eating or drinking, but he will eat his food if you feed it to him by hand. Kelly and I took him out for a walk and he seemed fine, trotting right along. Ron and I stopped there today on the way back from the hospital, and Ted seemed about the same, but he did finally poop a little bit when I took him for a walk. Mom has not been taking him out soon enough. We got there at 3 PM and she was still in PJs and hadn't been outside. So Teddy hadn't been out either. :o(

After we left Mom's yesterday, Kelly asked if I wanted to stop by a church. I was surprised, but thought that sounded like a good idea. We went to the church near my house where we used to go, and when I knelt in the adoration chapel before the monstrance, I had the strangest reaction. I just started sobbing. It was as if Jesus in the Eucharist looked straight at me and said, "Where have you been?" I used to go to Adoration there from 11 to midnight every Monday night, and it was the most special hour of my week. I feel so adrift right now.

I had chemo this morning (Rituxan through my port). That will be the last Rituxan dose, at least for awhile. My blood tests are showing that my kidney function is not doing as well as it should, so they also gave me fluids through the IV. I know I don't drink enough water and am trying to do better. Everything else looked pretty good, though. They did the chimerism test today, to see what percentage of my cells are Johnnie's, but they didn't have the results yet when I left. I have to go back Tuesday--a little earlier than usual because Dr. O is worried about the kidney thing. I'm praying that when I go back they will tell me my new immune system is all Johnnie. :o)

I think I mentioned that Ron had shaved my head while I was in the hospital when my hair started falling out. Now I'm losing my eyelashes and the hair in my nose (and everywhere else). I have lost weight and look like a concentration camp resident. It makes me smile when someone says, "Oh, you look great!" But you know, my little grandkids don't even seem to notice. Now and then one of them will say something. Reece told me, "I miss your hair, Gramma." But then he rubbed my head, grinned and said, "But I like your bald hair." And Aubrey asked me a couple of days ago what happened to my hair. She has been very lovey lately, wanting to sit close to me and kiss me. It's sweet. I'm very blessed.

Gentleman Ted

Kelly has taken Gran's little dog, Teddy, to the vet for all his shots and a checkup, and she had him groomed. He looks cuter and I'm sure he smells better. :o) Kelly said he looks like a little gentleman with his hair combed and his ribbon 'round his neck.

He likes to be with Kelly and her dogs. He thinks he is just as big as any of them, and tries hard to play with them the way they play. Kelly worries that they will hurt him, but I don't think he would keep going back for more if he didn't enjoy the roughhousing. He is crazy about Gran, but I think he likes his vacations at Kelly's. He doesn't get treated like a mini person there, but I don't think he minds. He likes being a dog.

My sister Johnnie will arrive tomorrow to begin the bone marrow donation process. I'm excited and a little bit scared. I can't wait to see Johnnie, though!

Fishing, Colds, Kelly, Dogs, Dinner and Gran

(Picture of the kind of trout the guys are hoping to catch tonight. This was taken last year at the coast).

The guys caught some trout last night, but they were not keepers. Jason talked to a fisherman who told them that the little ones were all they would catch in the early evening. He told them they need to fish about midnight to catch the big ones. So they are going out tonight. I hope they all catch some nice big ones. But they are having a good time and enjoying being together, fish or no fish.

Here at home, all the kids are sick. Reece has a terrible, deep chest cough and his little nose is running constantly. He had a fever last night and stayed home from school today. The little girls had a fever today, and have been little pills. Poor Kelly; she, Cyrise and I are almost certain to catch whatever virus they have picked up. As my doctor says, "They are little germ factories."

Kelly has been cleaning and reorganizing my bedroom. It already looks so much better, and she's not finished yet. She's an absolute angel. Her husband works not too far from our house, so he has come by the past two evenings after work to see her and the dogs.

I haven't spent much time with my dogs lately, and they miss me. So yesterday I went out and sat on the bench while Kelly let them out of the dog yard one at a time. They both came straight to me and jumped up next to me on the bench. They loved on me, and I loved on them and brushed them for about 30 minutes each. They still think I'm their mom, and that they are little puppies that can sit on my lap. :o) I love them so much.

Cyrise made salisbury steak, rice and veggies for dinner last night, and it was such a beautiful evening that we sat outside to eat. The kids thought that was fun. It's been awhile since we ate outdoors. It was nice.

Tomorrow I'll go back to the hospital for labs, and then Kelly and I will stop at Gran's. Kelly said Gran's television is not working right, and she couldn't get it fixed today. I think I know what is wrong and can fix it. Gran is always messing it up by pushing the wrong buttons. I hate for her to be without her TV; I know she is missing it. Sometimes she just turns it on "for company."

Gorgeous Tuesday

Reece liked looking at my container garden. Here, he is talking to my homestead tomato plants. I love the way he has conversations with inanimate objects. :o)











We stayed at Great Gran's for quite awhile today. We planted her window boxes and cleaned up her patio, baked some biscuits and heated a can of soup for her lunch. When we got back to my house we had lunch on the little picnic table underneath the playset.













Reece had some cherry limeade at Gran's. :o)














Here are my beautiful brown-eyed beauties. This one is Sister.







And here is my little chewer, Katy. She's been gnawing on this log for ages.


It's been a beautiful Tuesday. It felt like summer.

Saturday Summary

I had to post this cute pic of Reece that I took a few days ago. I think he had a bite of cookie or something in his mouth. :o)

Can you believe that it's already the end of January? 1/12 of 2011 is already gone!

I last posted on Wednesday. I did go grocery shopping for Mom on Thursday. She's all stocked up for awhile.

Friday I had an appointment with the ophthalmologist at BAMC again, this time just for a vision exam. Although my vision has changed very little, he gave me a prescription for new lenses. I like the glasses I have now, so I'm in no hurry to get new ones. It's mostly my close-up vision that has changed; far vision is fine.

Reece and Aubrey spent the night Friday night. They brought a movie again, and we made a chocolate cake with fluffy white frosting. We read stories and told stories. I love to hear Reece tell the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. And he now sings the Kookaburra song perfectly! He wanted Aubrey to sing along with him on the way to Gran's this morning.

They are going to a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese tomorrow, and we are going to watch Gina. The time conflicts with our usual Mass, so we'll go in the evening to Atonement. I'm looking forward to spending time with just baby Gina with no distractions. :o)

Sister and Katy got salmon pate filled beef knuckle bones today as a treat. That kept them busy all afternoon, and they didn't want to leave them outside when they came in for the night. I had to bring the bones inside and show them where I put them before they would settle down. Funny puppies. :o)

I went to confession today. I am so grateful for such a beautiful sacrament. I am so grateful to be Catholic.

Day of Rest

(Pics that make me smile). :o)

No transfusions again today, hooray! I was done at the hospital by 10 AM, and I don't have to go every day this week, but only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. They believe that my platelet cells have ingrafted now, since they increased since Saturday with no transfusion. Now if I could just get my energy back, things would be wonderful. I still get tired so quickly, and just don't feel quite right, but they expect that to last for the next several months. Oh well, day by day, little by little, things are getting better. :o)

We wound up not going to Mass yesterday. Ron didn't think it was a good idea, especially since I had a sore throat. That is much better today, though.

We took the puppies to be groomed at 2:15 and picked them up at 5:15. They look so pretty and smell much better. I think we're going to take them once a month. They are outdoors so much during the day, and often nap under a bush in the dirt, so they get pretty dirty. We are thinking about making or buying them Karunda beds, so they won't be lying right in the dirt. Kelly told me about them, and they're pretty cool.

I've just watched HGTV and napped all day since Ron brought me home. I did go outside for a few minutes, and the weather is so cool and beautiful. My sweet olive tree is blooming and it smells wonderful! It always blooms when we have a little bit of cool weather.

Now Ron is home from work and I need to figure out what we're going to have for dinner later on. Hope you've had a great Monday!

Puppies, Platelets and Visitors

Look at the cool, weird fungus growing on a log in our backyard. :o)

Ron and I just got home from the vet's with Sister and Katy. They were past due for their annual vaccinations. They were both pronounced very healthy. They weigh exactly the same--50.9 pounds, and even their temperatures were the same. They were excited to go somewhere in the car, and were good in the car and at the vet's. I'm pretty sure they remember the vet.

I spent the morning at the hospital. I had a feeling I'd need platelets today, and sure enough I did. It seemed to take them forever to do everything today. I have to go back tomorrow morning, and probably one day over the weekend. I don't know my schedule for next week yet, but I'm sure I'll be there at least several times, if not every day. They are keeping a very close watch on my blood counts.

Yesterday afternoon was nice because I had several visitors. First Josh came by (it was his day off), then Kelly came over and stayed for a couple of hours, and then Josh brought Reece for awhile. Reece was so cute. When he walked into the family room and saw me on the couch he said, "Gramma, what are you doing here?" I told him that they let me come home from the hospital. Then he said, "They fixed you!" It was wonderful to hug him and watch him and listen to all he had to tell me.

I'm doing pretty good. I'm weak and get tired quickly, but that's to be expected. My appetite is good, although food doesn't taste quite right yet. I'm sleeping well without the need for the Ambien they gave me. I won't be taking that. Very little nausea, the diarrhea has just about stopped completely, and my world is looking brighter.

My doctors are pretty amazed by how well I've done. They don't realize what a prayer army I have with me. All of you who are praying, offering your Masses, your Adoration hours, your Communion, your rosaries, chaplets and sufferings--you are the reason I am doing so well. I am absolutely certain of that, and I can never thank you enough. Nevertheless, Thank You!!!

Foaming at the mouth!

Last night I was on my way to the kitchen when I glanced toward the patio door and saw Katy standing there looking in. It was dark, but she had her face right up to the glass and a panicked look on her face. There was white foam all over her mouth and muzzle! I said, "Ron, look at Katy!"

Right away I knew that she had had an encounter with a toad. I hurried to the computer and looked up what to do. It said to wash her mouth out with a water hose for 10 to 15 minutes, so that is what I did.

At first she tried to turn her head away, but when she realized that the water was helping, she just sat between my legs and let me clean her mouth and gums.

Some of the info on the internet was quite scary, saying that toxins from toads can kill a dog, that they could have vomiting, diarrhea, hallucinations, heart arrhythmia and all sorts of other symptoms. I watched her like a hawk, and she didn't exhibit any other symptoms. I think she came to let me know as soon as she knew that something was wrong. She's a real mama's girl (thank goodness). Her quick action (and mine) kept the toxins from going into her system.

I got up during the night to check on her, and she was fine, and she is okay today. Ron found one dead toad in the yard, and we know there is another around somewhere, so we have to find it and relocate it to the nearby creek. Meanwhile, the puppies are either in the house or in their dog yard where they can't get into trouble!

I took the picture above last August, when we also had a lot of toads coming in the yard. I'm sure it is the same kind of toad that Katy tasted, Bufo Woodhousii Woodhousi, or Woodhouse's toad. It's not one of the most poisonous kinds in South Texas, such as the Colorado River toad or those awful Cane toads, but it can make an animal sick and possibly die, especially if the animal is small.

A few days ago, Sister was running around with half a dried up toad in her mouth, but she never had any symptoms--I suppose the toad was dead when she found it, so couldn't exude toxins.

I tell you, it is always something. :o)

Fat Lotta Good...

...that did.

Last night I put some shock in the pool. I didn't want the puppies in the pool while the chemicals were still strong, so I tried to block their path by putting the chairs from the patio across the steps where they usually go in.

This morning when I let them outside they went exploring around the yard, and then decided to take their morning dip. The chairs didn't deter them one bit.

Katy is looking at me all innocent, as if to say, "I didn't do anything. It was Sister!"

But she is just as guilty as her sib; her wet coat tells the story.

Sister: "Rats! Caught in the act by Mom!"

The pictures are hazy because I was shooting through the (dirty) patio doors. If I had gone outside, they would have been all over me, and I didn't feel like getting wet.

I Still Have Hair

...so far. :o)

My sister wants me to get it cut short before it starts coming out, so it won't be as much of a shock, and so it won't be as messy to clean up.

I've had good day, except for early this morning when I threw up for the first time during this whole thing.

I went to the hospital to have lab work done, and my doctor called me this afternoon and said things are progressing as they should.

I'll be neutropenic soon, meaning my white cells will be so suppressed that I won't have the ability to fight off infection, so I'll have to be very careful.

Josh and I stopped at PetsMart to pick up cat food for Miss Maggie, flea meds for Mom's little dog Teddy, and some toys for the the puppies. Josh got them 2 big tennis balls and a tough, long braided rope toy. When we got home, he threw the balls for them for awhile and they were sooo excited! Then he threw one in the pool, to see whether Sister would jump in after it from the side. She didn't at first; she would go to the steps and swim in. But after awhile she got so excited that she would leap into the water from wherever she was when he threw the ball. It was so fun to watch; my cheeks hurt from grinning. :o)

Katy doesn't love the water the way Sis does. She will go onto the steps, but usually stops short of swimming. She was trying to reach her ball from the side and Josh gently nudged her into the water, and she swam all around chasing the ball. But she would rather wait until Sissy gets her ball out, then try to steal if from her. :o) They are a riot!

I napped for a little bit, and then decided to come out on the patio with my computer where I can hear the birds singing and smell the neighbor's freshly cut grass.

Saturday Summary

Aubrey and Reece love going to see Great Gran on Saturday mornings. Today was such a gorgeous, warm day, so they spent time on her patio, looking at her flowers and playing.

Aubrey, like Reece, loves Mom's Mary statue. :o)

Mom enjoys watching them play. Her favorite way to describe Aubrey is, "She thinks she's just as big as anybody." And it's true. Mom loves that when Aubrey bumps her head, or falls down, she just gets up and goes on like nothing happened. We think she is such a tough little cookie. Today she was throwing one of Teddy's tennis balls, and Mom said, "She throws like a boy!" And she throws left-handed. But Aubrey is a very feminine, petite little girl. She has a green fleece blanket that she loves, and she likes to hold soft old cloth diapers to her face--they are her lovies. She is talking more and more, and can be quite feisty. Sometimes when I tell her to do something she will reply in a sassy voice, "No!" Yesterday I asked her, "Aubrey, where are the scissors?" And she kind of shrugged her tiny shoulders and said as clear as a bell, "I dunno." If someone is eating, she will hold out her hand and open and close her fingers, saying "Bite!" She eats like a little piggy, but is not one bit chubby.

This afternoon after taking Reece and Aubrey home, Ron and I worked outside in the backyard. We finished putting up the fence for the dog yard. Hammering the poles down into the ground was hard work, especially since our yard is full of rocks under the surface. I called Josh to see if he would come and help us, and he made short work of hammering in the last three poles. Thanks, honey!

Putting the fencing up was quick and easy once the poles were installed. The gate needs a better latch to keep the dogs in. They were curious and eager to see what we had been doing, but they didn't much like being closed up. They won't be expected to stay in their yard all the time, but it will be nice to have a place for them when we can't supervise them, or when we have company for a barbecue or swimming.

Speaking of company, barbecues and swimming, it is spring break time in Texas, and our grands from the Houston area will be here next week. We are looking forward to seeing all of them. It's always fun when they visit. Reece can hardly wait, and keeps telling me "Uncle Jason is coming!" :o)

Saturday Summary

Ron and I enjoyed having Reece and Aubrey here last night. They are so much fun! Aubrey is talking more and more, and tries to imitate almost everything Reece says or does, including the stuff we would rather she not imitate. :o)

He accidentally shut the door on her fingers at Great Gran's today. Fortunately he didn't close it very hard. They were playing on the patio, and coming in and out. Aubrey cried hard for a minute, then stopped when I ran cold water on her fingers and kissed them over and over. When I put her down, she headed right back to the patio to play again. Great Gran said that she sure is a tough little girl.

I finally gave up looking for bookcases at thrift and consignment stores. Ron and I went to WalMart this afternoon to buy a couple of inexpensive bookcases. Cyrise went through all of the kids toys, sorting them into a dozen plastic boxes I got at WalMart ($1.50 each) last week. We will put the bookcases in their closets to hold the boxes of toys. They'll have much more room to play in their room with all the toys organized and put in the closets.

While I was looking for bookcases, I did find this neat print at the hotel outlet store. They had marked everything down 50%, so the picture was $25 instead of $50. I think the frame alone is worth more than $25. But the picture is what I really love. Above the garden gate, carved into the stone, is the Latin word "Resurgam," which means "I shall rise again." The artist is Cyrus Afsary, and the painting is from his "Mission" collection. On some sites the painting is identified as "Resurgam," and on others, "Flowered Doorway." I prefer "Resurgam." :o)

I spent over an hour yesterday afternoon cleaning the yard and patio. The puppies absolutely ruined our little fan palm tree--it's just a fuzzy stump now. I raked up all the debris and threw it away, picked up all the rocks and logs that they scattered around the yard, and scooped poop. Then I put them inside and blew the patio clean with my handy-dandy leaf blower. When I finished, they ran all over the yard, going everywhere I had been to see what I had done. I gave them each a rawhide bone to chew, and they spent the rest of the day chewing on them and guarding them from each other. :o)

I was out there with them again today, reviewing their training with them and playing with them. They are so pretty, and very loving little dogs. While I was outside, Jason called and talked to his dad for awhile, then I talked to him. Ron got a new computer, and I think they were talking about that.

I took a long nap late this afternoon and didn't wake up until 7 PM.

Random Thoughts

1. My puppies snore like big fat men.

2. The most visited post on my blog is Michaelmas, arrived at by visitors googling "St. Michael" or "images of St. Michael." 90% of random visitors to my blog are looking for pics or info on St. Michael. I think that's fascinating. Why are so many people all over the world looking for the Angel who fights against evil, who protects us from the devil? I think it's because people are more aware of the spiritual battle going on in the world, they instinctively know that something is wrong.

Here is the St. Michael prayer for all those souls who are looking for protection, peace and comfort because of the evil in the world:

Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

3. You can make a good steak in a skillet on the stove if your son borrows his dad's grill and hasn't returned it. :o) I pan-grilled two T-bones tonight, and they were delicious. Here's how to do it:

2 thick steaks
choice of seasoning (I am out of Uncle Chris', our favorite steak seasoning, so I used Texas Cajun Seasoning).
olive oil
a little bit of sherry

Oil the skillet with the olive oil, wiping off most of it. Heat the skillet so that it's hot when you put the steaks in. Sprinkle the steaks with seasoning on both sides, pressing it into the meat with your fingers. Cook the steaks for 5 minutes on the first side over medium high heat. Turn the steaks with tongs after 5 minutes, and cook 5 minutes on the other side. This resulted in medium rare steaks, which is how we like them. If you want them more well done, cook a little longer. Remove the steaks to plates. Deglaze the skillet with a little bit of sherry. Cook it down for about a minute. Pour or brush the glaze over the finished steaks. Serve with baked potatos and green beans. Mmm.

4. Nope, I'm not watching the State of the Union speech. I'll wait for Adrienne to tell me about it. :o)

Sister And Katy On A Warm January Day

I'm up before the crack of dawn this morning. I had to take Ron to the airport for his flight out at 6 AM. I thought I'd go back to bed, but my mind is too busy to sleep.

It's been awhile since I posted any Sister and Katy pics. I took some while I was outside yesterday afternoon, before Reece got here. They are such sweet, loving doggies.

The first two pictures are of them "staying." I think it's cute that they always lie down when I tell them to "stay." Katy is on the left, Sister on the right.















I sat on a bench in the backyard, and they came and put their heads on my knees.












They listen attentively when I talk to them. (Sometimes). :o)















Sister
















Katy





I love them.

Sweet, Joyful Sunday

We had a new priest for Mass today, Fr. Jim Sanner. He was wearing lovely dark rose vestments for Gaudete Sunday. He is a retired military chaplain. He said that he has been a priest for 50 years. He asked us to be patient as he gets used to praying the Latin Mass again, but he did a great job. He said it's kind of like riding a bicycle. :o) I thought his name sounded familiar, and Ron told me that he had been at Camp Zama in Japan when we were there. We were not Catholic at the time, so we didn't know him then. I like him.

We ate at the Asian buffet after Mass and I'm still not hungry. I always eat too much when we go to a buffet.

Thank goodness our warm weather has returned! It was a gorgeous day today, with a high in the 70s. My feet are finally warm. :o)

I did a little more Christmas shopping this afternoon, at the outlet mall. Got some clothes for all the boy grands.

When I got home from the outlet mall, I was on poop patrol. I hadn't cleaned up the yard in awhile, and oh my goodness, it was a mess. I'm thinking of fencing off a part of the yard for them, sort of a dog run. They are absolutely destroying the yard, digging holes, wearing paths in the grass, dragging everything they can find from rocks to logs to pieces of plants all over the place. We can't leave anything in the yard or on the patio. They will chew up whatever they can find lying around. It's a good thing I love them!

They are going to be unhappy puppies tomorrow. I'm taking them to the vet to be spayed. Poor little girlies, they don't have a clue about what is going to happen. They are so sweet. They love when we spend time with them, playing, training, or just out in the yard scooping poop. I put them through their paces earlier, and they haven't forgotten a thing. They watch me so intently when I give them their commands. They are very smart little dogs. Not always good, but very smart. :o)

Reece was just here and saw the Christmas tree for the first time this year. It hasn't been decorated yet, just the lights are on it, but he loved it! His eyes were just sparkling, and he came in and said, "Merry Christmas! Happy holidays!" It was sooo cute! He and his daddy came by to drop off Ron's truck, so they didn't stay long. I told him that when he comes to spend the night on Tuesday we will put all the ornaments on the tree. I reminded him about some of the ornaments he liked last year, and he remembers them. He is excited! I love seeing Christmas through his eyes.