Getting Out of the House

Emma and I got out of the house today. Fresh snow made Emma very happy. Everywhere we went she had to test out the snow. I would let her walk in it, roll in it and stick her nose in it. We were not in a hurry so I could give her some time to do this. We went to my counselor, to swimming, and for a quick lunch. Then at night we went to a store with Greg. Emma was delighted with it all. Of course we also took our nap. I need that. I was a bit slow moving at water exercise but it was good to be back in the water.

Emma was so good today. It has been a few weeks since we went to water exercise due to my cold and she was very comfortable with the routine there. She just lays there so nice and watches us exercise...sometimes she doses. But she peeks out to be sure all is well with me. She has the cutest eyes and is just so darn pretty laying on her towel by the pool. We had a new life gaurd who was in awe of her excellent behavior. I am so proud of Emma.

When we went to the cars today she was just super. We took metromobility once today and the mini bus is NOT her favorite but you can still expect good behavior. That is a good thing for me.

We are off to bed without anything else spectacular to report. Emma is being just great and yes delighted with the snow anytime we go outside. Time to snuggle in on a winter night.

Hope all is well with you Mary and Emma

More Snow

Mn has snow tonight. i guess we could get up to six inches. We are snug in our home. emma is waiting here for another trip outside to enjoy the snow. At night I watch her from the patio door which she doesn't mind at all. tomorrow we finally will get out of the house. We have swimming and a counseling appointment. Both will be needed I think. I sure didn't get much done today which happens due to MS. Just some days I find it more upsetting than others. I can't seem to relax like I need to do so today. Oh well.

Tonight is the finale of Boston Legal a silly show I do watch so I will watch that while Emma and I tackle a bit of laundry. Then off to bed on a snowy night. My mail has been brightened by Christmas cards - I like the cute cards with dogs on the photo. I am so behind I don't know if I will get cards sent this year or not. My goal this week to be ready for the wedding and feeling okay. Becky had her final dress fit tonight - how exciting is that.

Hope you are warm and snug if you are in the snow weather. I know you may be in other parts of the country. Sorry this seems a bit boring as Emma and I are not up to much for the past few weeks...glad to not be in the hospital at least.

Take care, Emma and Mary More later

A Snowy Quiet Sunday

we were home most of the day. My son Dan was here nursing his cold. We were happy to give him some warm meals and tlc. He had a bad episode coughing last night and we had to bring him to urgent care. I had restfull conversation with him today. We both napped hoping to get over the colds.

It snowed today again about an inch or two so Emma liked that. She loves when I take her outdoors. she is quick to have her nose in the snow. As it is falling she also likes to sniff the air catching the snowflakes.

Emma's tail was really waggin today. She liked having Danny around I think. It was a lazy Sunday for me. Greg worked morning to night. When we are home all day she enjoys even more play time outside but she doesn't mind our naps either.

We are off to bed. Hoping tomorrow I can be more productive.
Mary and Emma wish you good slumber/

Saturday - At Home

Emma and i are at home today. Yesterday we stayed home also. Sophia, Rosa, Tia, and Mike came to share time with us. We enjoy that Friday tradition.

I am still dealing with the cold as is Greg. I am having to rest a lot to cope with it. I am coughing less which is a very good thing though. I am enjoying listening to Christmas music as I do some small chores or rest. My "to do list" is most certainly longer than I will accomplish today. I am trying to set priorities.

It has been snowing off and on last night and this morning. EMMA LOVES SNOW. It is fun to be outside with her in the white stuff. It is enough to shovel today. I can't handle that task though. She gets especially excited later in the winter when she can really dive into the snow. I am in no hurry for the deep stuff. We hope the weather stays mild for the wedding which is just a week away. I can't believe now that it is just around the corner. This will be a busy week. Most of all I have to be careful for my health. I don't want to miss the big event, the rehersal dinner, times with our out of town company and so on..

Emma has a new pillow/bed for the living room. Becky bought it for her. She lays on it like a queen when we are resting or relaxinb. We had fun watching a Christmas Movie with the granddaughters last night.

Ilook forward to getting my Christmas tree up..but have to have a bit more energy to do that. Also still have some things in the living room to move out after the work on the floor. I am having a hard time keeping up with my laundry but trying to keep it all in perspective. I am not even worried about Christmas Shopping till after the wedding. I have a few things purchased but not a lot. This will be a simple Christmas I think.

Emma is doing fine. She is helping me with laundry (handing me items from the basket) as needed. We got most the toys picked up last night but she helped with a few stray items. Gosh how we love when the girls or my children come over. I am so blessed that my children and grandchildren all live in town. How lucky is that for the holidays?!!

I wish I had more energy but am trying to be patient. A week ago I could barely breathe and was in the hospital for help...so with that in mind i have to remember I am doing much much better. Emma is hapy to be at my side constantly. It is a sunny day so fun to take her outside. She races around the yard with such delight...life is good. A week till the wedding...

Mary and Emma wish you a good weekend.

Thursday

I slept a lot today and so did Emma. We did squeeze in time to get my hair colored and cut. All I had to do is sit there yeah for that. Then after yet another nap we headed to the dentist. All he had to do was put on a permanent crown so again all I did was rest. That was the theme of the day rest and rest some more.

I am off to bed soon here. Coughing just a little today and feeling much better than I did a week ago. I have some follow up doctor appointments to schedule tomorrow with the family doctor and the lung specialists. Other than that it will be a quiet day. Anna is coming over to visit and the granddaughters for a few hours. We probably will watch a holiday video. We want to take it easy. That is my goal to take it easy and keep recovering from this cold...a good goal.

At the dentist Emma was so watchful. She did not let me out of sight and was able to lay in a spot close to the chair and still not upset the work of the dentist. He seems to like her which is a good thing. She is close to my side. Gosh home feels good to me.
Greg is battling the cold too...what a pair we are. The whole family is getting over the darn cold it seems.

Today it really felt like winter here. Emma was thrilled as it briefly snowed kind of heavy (snow squall) and I had her outside. She was so excited to run around. I am not anxious for snow and very little is on the ground at this point. Emma will love when it is measured in "inches" and she can run, retrieve balls in the snow and so on.

Our friends are coming from Washington State next week for the wedding. We are so thrilled to have them come for this event.
I hope it doesn't seem too cold for them.

Stay warm and cuddle in - Love Emma and Mary

Back At HOme Appreciating Being Able to Breathe

When I was sent by ambulance Saturday to the hospital, I was having a lot of trouble breathing. I was also having some heart difficulties which later they believed was due to the medicine I was using for the asthma. In any case, oxygen, heavy antibiotics, steroids and other care helped things improve. I was in the hospital for five days. Thank goodness for insurance - I hope it covers it enough for us to manage the bill. I am still battling the cold but doing much better. I am at home with medications, resting, and coping with it all.

It is tough because there are chores I would like to do at home but I am doing little. I want to be there for my daughters wedding which is coming up fast. What amazes me is that I was so sick and didn't really understand how bad it was till I saw a doctor. It was really serious how bad my breathing was so good I sought help. I actually went to a clinic but i guess I should have called an ambulance from home. The clinic tried a nebulizer treatment but did a lung xray and heart test and knew i had to go quickly to the hospital.

Pulling out in the ambulance I remember Emma's face. She had been with me till they did the xray and then they wanted to be sure she was not in the radiation area at the clinic. She went with Greg to the hospital via the car. When they put me intoo the ambulance you could see the alarm on her face.

Once she got to ER and was allowed in - Greg said she found me quickly. NO one had to tell him which cubicle I was in. Surrounded by a curtain wall she still found me (via smell?) and was delighted to see me there. We were there in that small space for almost 5 hoours or more and she was perfect.

On Sunday Greg was very sick because he also has the cold so Emma stayed home with him. Mostly due to the driving factor. The rest of the time she was with me days and went home at night. She was content to climb up on the bed with me (even big me on the small beds) and rest or if needed we had a small blanket for her on the floor. She was just awesome. i arranged for family or a friend to take her outside.

The first night I was glad to have her go home as there were peple in and out all night due to my problems breathing. I think the most I slept was an hout. the other days I felt it was easier to not worry about night time bathroom visits. This was our choice I think helping paws would have helped with volunteers? she goe out about 9 ior 10 an then agaain about 7 or earlier in the morning. She did fine going home and spent most the day with me. Becky told me she got a little nervous at home without me but we managed.

I have heard of individuals who kept their helping dog with them all the time for many days at the hospital. They told me aids and otherswould take the dog out. I did not get offers and was shy to ask...also I could have called helping paws but managed. Honestly there were many people in my room at night off and on so Emma would not have gotten much sleep. When she did come to visit she was very very happy to see me.

I am off to take a nap. I still have the cold and have to take care so I make it to the wedding. Drs. warned me this could cause more problems to take it easy and take the meds...a nastry cold I guess..

Thanks for notes of concern. I will do the best I can to get over this bug.

Mary and Emma say take care. Emma is glad I am home.

Home from the Hospital

I am home from the hospital...went in on Saturday due to the cold, cough and difficulty breathing. I need to rest but I am home. Emma handled it well...Mary