We're Back a weekend of family love

Here I am back blogging, almost gave it up but wanted to start again.

We were out of town over the weekend to Duluth. YEah yeah. All my children, even Dan from San Francisco and granddaughters. The event that drew us there was a nephews wedding. They have dated 9 years including his years in dental school so she seems part of the family already. A very joyous celebration with the Weinand side of the family and the kids got to visit even with cousins who live out state. Very enjoyable.

I almost did not go due to health. Probably said before my MS is flaring up. They think sinus infection still part of issue. Will go Friday as it seems worse even with two weeks antibiotic started. But maybe Friday will start another type or decide what to do with that and some minor health issues too. But the dr urged me to go. They gave me medicine and sent us off. Meds for cough and sinus. Said I could rest or sleep there as well as home.

Good lesson to me. My children were adamant I go and also my husband. Did not bring scooter as I don't have lift in this car our only car now. And needed room in back for luggage too as our granddaughters and Dan rode up with us. Well anyway I did little walking or standing but still had great time. I rested and slept plenty but hey change of scenery was great. Hearing lake superior waves lap or crash lulled me to sleep or occupied my mind during the rest times. Shared meals with kids when able and did make it to the wedding too. Then Greg surprised me and arranged for us to spend two days in Grand Maris. Two hours about further north but a lovely drive. We like it there.

Was great for Greg to get away from work, and there our room overlooked the lake. Pretty cloudy in Duluth and yet nice. Warmer in Grand Maris over 70 and there saw some fall colors. i couldn't hike like old days so we drove up the gunflint trail to the boundary waters enterance. We saw beautiful colors, found places to stop the car where I could see more, and I did get out two times and took a few steps to sit at a rock on waters edge. Emma got to wade and explore unique smells. It worked great. The whole time in Duluth and Grand Maris Greg didn't seem to mind that I didn't venture out much as he needed time to relax too. Or I would be willing to be alone with Emma a bit while he walked somewhere with the kids. It was just great for my spirits.

Emma was great...one strange things happened. If you have hints please email me.

while driving up the gunflint trail very early on she started to just go in circles on the seat and cry in a way I never heard ever from her. We got out wondering what was wrong. Got her out of the car and she layed in the grass and didn't want to stand.
She just kept streching and then pulling herself through the grassy area. We though she had to go to the bathroom maybe but she would stand up a bit and then repeat pulling herself in through the grass or just lying there. She wasn't crying though just weird facial expression too. Not sure how long it was but too long for me.

I called the vet and they talked to me. She had been eating, voiding, everything find. They stayed on phone with me, we got her to walk and after aways she did go to the bathroom. she got in the grass streched but then started goofing around rolling her head in the grass like she does. The dog who gets grass stains on her head. She didn't seem itchy or anything. She drank a bit of water and eagerly went back in the car. So they said just watch her.

Well she was absolutely fine and still is. The way she kept stetching I though do dogs get cramps. But she had only been in car at that point for less than ten minutes. She had just walked before that. oh yeah and first thing we did was wash out paws good to be sure wasn't stones or gravel between pads or anything. But we saw nothing. So don't know what it was but she is fine. Will have vet appt in mid to late Oct for normal routine.

Got home late last night. She slept so much today - good deal as I needed it to. We took metro mobility to my counselor again and the 20-30 min ride home was instead 1.5 hours. A tour of the city. From New Brighton, to the U of M, to Lake Street, to around near lake Calhoon (pretty) and to Plymouth and home finally. It was a car not mini bus rare with the dog but she loved being on the seat. The riders had to sit in front with driver to be sure room for all. More comfortable but they should usually send van she said as normally she has three riders at a time. Someone must have forgotten to key in the service dog or something . But nice day, pleasant driver and various passengers who got on and off. With a car we all chatted some so it really did not bother us today at all. But yep at 1.5 hours glad to be home. The driver loved dogs.

So then rested all day for the most part. Weak weak legs but managed. I live with stairs so hope the leg things improve or keep up enough I can do stairs to take Emma out or to go out to car. Split level. Someday we will have to move I know. Talked to MS nurse specialist today, they still optimistic that wihen infection fully cured I will improve even if not to my previous baseline. They could do some physical therapy the days I dont have water exercise to help too if that is needed. But for now rest and deal with sinus and cold or whatever it is.

I love picture above. I mostly sat on walker but we did take granddaughters to train museum and children't museum in duluth (same building). This is Greg and oldest Granddaughter Sophia. She is not with us as much due to time with her biological father. But she is not a step granddaughter to us. I thought this captured family love and happiness that engulfed our entire weekend. We made our own sunshine I guess.

Also with this MS stuff this summer Emma just gets more and more attentive if that is possible. We are having to fine tune a bit some skills we didn't use as much but do now. I find she is doing just great. She however would not get out of car before me. I would get out and be at walker and stand at door and then she would get out. She would not get out of car without me. Had to be coaxed to go out potty with Greg if I didn't go and would want to go back in quick (even in the lovely outdoors up there with new smells). Even home now she is like literally almost touching me every single time. We had a big king bed most the time and she insisted on being very close to me even with so much room. But it worked out Great I am not complaining nor did Greg at all.

Wow this is long. Even have ideas for other blogs this week....keep checking in when your time allows. Hope photo isn't too small or dark. Enlarged it is even nicer. Mary and Emma