Thursday -

Emma and I went on Metro Mobility to my Lung Specialist. They are still concerned about my lungs and my breathing capacity. I go for a follow up CAT scan in three weeks to check a spot on my lungs where there is an infiltrate. Then the next week see the Specialist again and also for some other tests. They think I need to say on prednisone (bummer) which is tough on the diabetes but helps my lungs. I hope things improve in the next month.

The good news is we had a blast at Sophia's birthday party. It was at a place called Space Aliens besides food they have those games for kids and adults where they win tickets for prizes. Sophia brought a friend, all my kids were there, and two sets of grandparents so 13 in all. Everyone had fun. Rosa too.

I am off to bed and will write more tomorrow. I can't believe our darling Sophia is 9. Emma did fine at all the activities today.
It was a long Metro Mobility ride (over an hour) but she managed just fine. The location if we had gone directly was not that long but they picked up another rider and dropped her at her destination first. I was almost car sick it took so long. Oh well we got there and that is what is important.

Off for bed. Perhaps pictures of the wedding rehersal and rehersal party tomorrow night. HURRAY Rebecca and Justin are suppose to close on there home tomorrow. Finally they have waited for that day.

Have a good day. I think it is suppose to snow here tonight and tomorrow. I hope not too much Sat morning as we have breakfast plans with my siblings, my children, and my Aunt...

Hope you are doing well and enjoying the holiday preparations - Mary and Emma

Fun with Friends before the wedding day

The Thursday before the wedding our friends Dave and Gerri came out to our house. They insisted I take a nap while Gerri read a book. Emma was glad for the nap too. The men ran errands. one trip included the dry cleaner where they found they lost a shirt we needed for the wedding. So that meant a trip to purchase a new shirt to be pressed. Dinner was made by the men (don't worry I got clean up duty ha ha). It was a sea food pasta, big salad, bread and yummy. Spontaneous plans sometimes are the best. Happily our other college friends Montana (yes nicknamed because of where he lived) and Deb and there boys joined us.

The boys were very happy to see Emma. In the picture I think you can see how they wanted to lay on the floor to be with her. She enjoyed there petting her (she was off duty). At the wedding they helped me by taking her outside a few times to do her duty. Overall though they are active young men they were so gentle and good to Emma.

The evening was a delight as it brought old friends together. The three men were in the college seminary together. They chose to marry so all continued their career as lay ministers (we are Catholic) and now Dave is an ordained Deacon. He celebrated the marriage of Rebecca and Justin.

This was just the first full day of five tremendous days with friends. I am sure glad my health held up.

Fatigue hit me today and Emma and I took an over three hour nap. I woke up when a friend called. I needed the rest. Tomorrow we are headed to a dr appt with lung specialist. I am a bit nervous as it will be a longer Metro Mobility ride and I hope I get their on time. You have to allow time for them to pick up other riders going the same way at that time of day.
I have seen this doctor only at the hospital so we will see how it goes.

Stay warm. I hear many parts of the country are cooler than normal. We are cozy and warm. Yeah the Christmas tree is decorated. Happily tomorrow we celebrate Sophia's 9th birthday with a fun dinner. Yeah for that. I love her so much. I hope she likes the gifts I bought her.

Take care, Mary and Emma

Emma's Busy Week

This is a picture of Emma and I greeting our friends at a light rail station after they arrived from Seattle. We of course brought Emma to all the events of the almost a week of fun, friends and family. As you can see our friends arrived to see snow to remind them of when they lived here. We are told they arrived home to colder than normal temps in Seattle and a cold house since their heating system was not working - brr.

The first night Emma got a big taste of what the week entailed for her. We greeted friends and then took them to the hotel. i told you Emma snuggled in the back with Gerri and I. Keeping me warm for sure.. Then we gathered at the Apple Bee's at the hotel and chatted for a few hours. Lots of catching up, old memories, new tales of what our kids were up to, what our life was like - lots of laughter and no end to the enjoyment of one another's company. We had such fun the first night I couldn't believe it was just a start to the festivities.

We came home late but our Becky (the bride) was up and had some time for a quiet chat. That was rare the busy days before the wedding. Having her home again for a few months gave us some meals together, and at least some times to chat. Now I have to get use to a quieter house again. I was spoiled to be able to chat with her again now and then as she lived here. I treasured that time. Now she is a married woman and I wish her well.

Each day the past week it has been fun to share with family and friends. I am an steroids for my asthma till i see the dr at the end of the week so I am sure that helped me in my ability to walk and function. We had such a good week. Emma was really so well behaved. In some ways she didn't work as hard due to my abilities, but in other ways she had to really handle a lot of situations with new people and new surroundings. I am so proud of her.

Today we went to water exercise and I think Emma really snoozed as I swam. i bet she was tired. Then home for a nap and she watched me put lights on the Christmas Tree. She watched with great interest. Then I washed dished which just bored her I think ha ha. Tonight there are some Christmas shows on cable channels that I hope to watch if Greg doesn't mind.

With the wedding we weren't focused much on Christmas. Now it is just next week and I have things to do. More than anything I will appreciate the gift of family and time together.

Wow this is long...thanks for reading it all. I have more highlights of the week to share and some pictures.

Hope all is well with you. I will be glad when we see improvement in the economy. So much bad news reported on tv and of course I have two children needing employment - ugh. I worry so much about them...but one day at a time I guess. I also pray a lot for patience.

Wishing you a good day, Emma and Mary

Another Active Day

Monday, My goodness another active day. I think I need sleep soon. We had fun with Dave and Gerri. I spent some time at Greg's work in the morning as he had things to do. In the afternoon we had such fun. We went to the Global Market shopped, had lunch, and chatted away. Dave and Gerri are the nicest friends. I cried after leaving them at the airport. I will miss them. They haven't lived here for many many years but it seems like yesterday. We never ran out of things to chat about, we laughed and had such a fantastic time with them these past days. I wish we did not live so far away. They live happily in Seatle. I don't think they miss MN winters. The ice yesterday and cold temps today (wind chill -24) reminded them why they like to live where they do. They are just the most special friends. Their presence made the wedding and the entire week so special. Dave is a gifted Deacon and Gerri has a gentle kind presence. It was just so great to have them here.

We had one stop after the airport and then headed home for supper and watched some tv. I think Emma liked some of the smells at the global market. They have interesting shops and also eateries. Lots of new smells for her. She rested on the cement floor while we chatted. I didn't bring a blanket in for her. She didn't seem to mind.

Emma did not mind the cold at all. She just keeps putting her nose in the white snow and wiggling her face and body in the small snow banks. Gosh that dog loves the snow. She comes up covered in white and looks like she is smiling. What a sweetie.

While our guests were with us - Gerri and I snuggled in the back seat with Emma. Emma likes to snuggle in with her head on my shoulder. It helps me get warm. She sometimes falls asleep with her head on my shoulder.

I hope our friends have a good flight home. Gerri reads this so I will tell her thanks again. She took some neat pictures while here and I will try to figure out how to post some here.

Tuesday we have swimming if I have the energy to go. I might need to stay home and rest. It is suppose to be very cold. It is also windy here so that makes it feel even worse. There is a weather advisory here due to the cold weather.

Off to snuggle in. Emma likes to sleep between us especially on cold nights. I have to get use to Becky not living here anymore.

Hope you are all well. I will tell you more about the wedding during the week.
Emma and Mary wish you a good day.

Wedding News

The wedding weekend has been a buzz with activity. Today we are soon off to see our out of town friends. Shopping and lunch are planned before they go to the airport late afternoon. I am tired but so pleased with how everything has gone. I think Justin and Rebecca had an awesome wedding day. Here are some highlights:

- Yeah we had a good day 35 degree temps. An ice and snow storm hit Sunday afternoon.

- Emma was awesome. At the reception mostly layed under a table. Justin's brother (I use to tutor) loves Emma so helped Friday night and all day Saturday making sure she got outside for both potty breaks and fun breaks from the action.

- Emma loves the snow. Comes in all white faced from diving her face into the snow.

- family pictures Emma is so use to looking at me - so it was humorous getting her to sit looking at the photographer

- Emma was glad to get home last night. Moved from chair to chair (since this time it was just us) and enjoyed her "home" for the evening

- Emma was wonderful through the entire event.

-Rosa and Sophia were like little princesses they looked so adorable and were so sweet at the wedding. Yikes Sophia turns 9 on Thursday.

More later. I have to get ready for today's activities....Mary and Emma

A busy Day with Friends

It was a busy day with friends from out of town. We still got in a short nap. We also had a spontaneous dinner cooked by our husbands here at home. Three college buddies and oh was it fun for wives, one family had their children...a fun time for all. Tomorrow i will stay home with Emma till the rehersal to be sure I get some rest. This was such a fun day but I am very tired. We had fun visiting, laughing and some time with the bride to be Becky also...a great day. Emma handled it all well.

Mary and Emma

The Big Day Nears

Emma and I were at home today. Friends are flying in tonight for the wedding. We are so excited to see them. We are soon off to pick them up and get them settled in their hotel. Emma is still enjoying the snow. I don't think it will melt and we have white cover to stay. We are hoping there is not more snow before the wedding on Saturday. Emma is like the queen on her new pillow bed that she has in the living room. She sure likes it. Best of all for me is a washable cover. She sheds so much.

Hope you are having a nice day...>Mary and Emma