4/26/09 Another great day

Jan and I spent the day together. We bought flowers and plants for my garden and then came back here and Jan did all the hard work. She really knows her stuff though and I'm learning a little from her. I now know how to put down newspaper and mulch. :) And I know how to tell Rob what to do with the rest of the plants. So thanks a million, Jan, for all your help.

We also went out to lunch which was so relaxing and enjoyable for me. I look forward to eating with family on the weekend.

Joe and Cindy helped me out too, by bringing extra mulch.

It indeed was a very good day, but now I have to get in a hot shower because I'm getting stiff. Gussie already had his bath from being a mud dog while we were outside. He sure had a ball. Love to all.

Tonight's article: Narcissism epidemic: Is it true?

4/4 Nice surprise

Jane and I went out to dinner by ourselves tonight. It was really nice. Went to Gem City. Then went to Kohl's and did some damage. Thanks for asking, Jane. I had a really nice time.

Gus and I walked a mile today. Yay. But first we stopped in Joe and Cindy's yard. We saw Kirby in the backyard so I let Gus and Kirby run and play awhile. Don't know where Cindy and Joe were, but it didn't matter. I sat in the sun on their swing and enjoyed watching the dogs.

Jill, Todd, and the kids are officially on their cruise. I spoke to them today as they were driving down to Long Beach. The kids are really excited. Kayla said the best part will be the "formal dinners." She can't wait to dress up. Plus she said they can have dessert with every meal. :)

Tonight's article is Studies say 'no' to vaccines as autism cause

2/28 A wonderful day with my family

I spent the day with Jane and Sarah and it was really fun, although tiring. We spent so much time together that we had both lunch and dinner. Pete joined us for dinner. Then we went to Joe and Cindy's to say hi to Eric and Julie. And Gussie dragged his butt on the floor and made poop streaks. All because I gave him some Greenies and they made "stuff" stick to his fur. God bless him.

And God bless Joe and Cindy. They didn't even blink. While I cleaned Gussie's bottom they cleaned the rug. Kirby just watched.

I left early to write my article, so they're probably all still talking about me. :)

Tonight's article is about Qtown.info--City Secrets: Qtown embraces the soul of Quincy.

11/30 Welcome home

Gus just peed on my bed. Yep. This is a dog who would never pee in the bed he sleeps in. It's almost like he didn't even know it happened. Normally when he has to go outside he growls at me (like it's my fault or something). But not tonight. So consequently my sheets and blankets are in the washer. I've put on clean sheets and luckily Bea and Rob gave me a new blanket. So I'll still be able to sleep.

Lucky also that he peed on top of the covers so it didn't go down to my new mattress.

Think he's paying me back for being gone so long? :)

Speaking of that, I thought the kitty would be mad that she'd been left alone in the house for five days. But she was so happy to see me. She's more affectionate than ever. That makes me smile.

I missed both my animals so much. And I'm happy to be home. Even though Gussie wet the bed.

Oh--Elizabeth gave him a bath, so when I picked him up he looked adorable. But one foray out into the wet backyard turned him back into the dirty bird he always is. Wish he'd stop eating mud. Sigh.

Anyway, I had a perfect time with Rob and Beatka, but I'm so happy to be home. Joe and Cindy, thanks a million for getting the mail and newspapers and for taking care of my sweet kitty.

By the way, I posted a new article today on examiner.com.

11/23 What fun I had

Today was fun. I went with friends to Troy, MO to meet up with tons of other friends from the REC program. REC is Residents Encounter Christ and is a prison ministry program I used to be involved with when I lived her in Quincy and also in St. Louis. Today was the 25th anniversary celebration, so a perfect time for me to see old pals and catch up on everything.

I ended up singing with my friend, Joe, and also with several women pals. Ate way too much, and brought home some great bread from St. Louis Bread Company (known as Panera Bread elsewhere).

Joe and Cindy, I have some foccacia bread for you. Thanks a million for taking care of Gussie in my absence. I know he loved it.

11/16 Dear Kirby

Joe and Cindy's dog, Kirby, spent some time alone at my house. I didn't think that he'd be able to get through the broken baby gate that keeps Gussie in the kitchen. When my sister Jan and I got to my house after a fun get-together at Joe and Cindy's we noticed my curtain was gone from my front window. At first I said, "Oh, that darn cat." But then I remembered she can't climb curtains anymore because of having her front claws removed.

Then we noticed the gate was down and lots of papers strewn about in the dining room. I started laughing and couldn't stop. Kirby had gotten into many of my shopping finds that I'd left on the dining room table. Among those finds were two bags holding about 15-20 "homemade" dog treats that I'd bought at a holiday gift show. Some of those treats were for Kirby anyway, but he just helped himself to all of them. (I think Joe said that Kirby had gotten sick when he got home. I was laughing so hard I don't know if that's what he really said, I couldn't hear him.)

My only fear is that Joe and Cindy won't let Kirby come over anymore. And I don't want that to happen. Omigod, it was good for a laugh. I love that dog.

11/2 Gus's surgery

It was only $50. Yep. $50. That's why I love Western Illinois Vet Clinic. That and the fact that my first visit I noticed a vet had a big black eye. He said, "Yep, a horse kicked me."

They're real country veterinarians. (Like the ones you go to in Palmyra, Jan.)

Joe and Cindy got rid of all my leaves today. I appreciate it so much. (We talked about it in a comment on a previous blog entry. Gussie loves you and so do I.)

11/11 All's well with Gus

His surgery yesterday was so successful that he even went to Doggy Day Care today. I thought I'd have to keep him at home. Nope. He was his cute little self right away. I have to put antibiotics in three to four times a day, but he's pretty good about letting me do it.

Joe and Cindy got back tonight from Silver Dollar City. They brought me some apple butter. Yum. Thanks so much. I love me some apple butter. Welcome home.

10/18 A good day

I went to the Hannibal Folk Life Festival with Jane and Sarah. We met Jan and Kristen there. It was really fun. Jane made me take my walking sticks, and I'm so grateful she did. There was a lot of walking and it was painful after a while. So it was a good idea.

The day was super. After Hannibal we drove through Pike County to see the leaves. They weren't at peak yet, but it was still a lovely drive. We stopped in Barry to look at some crafts and we ran into Joe and Cindy--a really nice surprise. Then we drove on to Pittsfield where I bought two cool things for my back yard. Can't wait for spring to come so I can display them. :)

Then Jane, Sarah, Pete and I went to Cassano's for a quick dinner. Yum.

Now I'm home with sweet Gussie and Bozie and will have a very quiet night. Tomorrow I have to work all day on the class for Wednesday night. Love to all.

9/2 Brother and stuff

One of my brothers had cataract surgery today and is doing very well. It's so good to hear that he already sees the improvement. Hooray for that!

I go tomorrow to St. Louis. Am looking forward to seeing the neurosurgeon since I fell twice yesterday. Once at Jan's and once here. The fall at Jan's was definitely from the imbalance issue. The one here was aided and abetted by dog food on the floor. Just what I needed. After I was done crying and cussing, I laughed. Had to. I fell so hard that gas exploded from my body. Luckily no one was around and my animals weren't close enough to be killed by the explosion. Gosh it was funny.

But it sure hurts today.

And I found out today all the work that my car needs. Omigod, I might as well buy a new one. Sure hope it makes it to St. Louis and back. Forgot to ask the mechanic about that. Oh well...I'm sure it will. (I'm an optimist, remember?)

Just went over to Joe and Cindy's to get some tomatoes and Cindy asked if she could take Gussie for a walk with her dog Kirby. Amen and alleluia. Thanks, Cin.

8/13 Surrounded by saints

Jan stopped by at lunch and took care of Gus. Cindy picked him up after lunch. When I got home at 8 PM Joe and Cindy brought Gus home and also gave me a huge salad and a huge brownie. As I said, I'm surrounded by saints.

And St. Jane is doing taxi duty for my epidural on Friday, although Jan said she may go too.

Here's the non-saintly part. They're going to go to lunch while I'm having my spine stuck with a needle the size of Cleveland. Ah well...

7/22 Givers (them) and Taker (me)

Jan gave me cucumbers and zucchini from her garden as well as some perfect tomatoes. Today she dropped off some green beans that I didn't know she was growing. Joe and Cindy had already given me some cabbage and last night gave me yummy tomatoes from their garden. One of them didn't even make it to the fridge. I ate two for lunch. Also they gave me some banana peppers that I added to a pasta dish yesterday--it already had Jan's zucchini in it. Omigod--I'm in the land of fresh vegetables and I'm in heaven.

On the way home from work I stopped to get some fresh sweet corn that Jan had told me about. Another omigod! I can't wait to eat again. That's how good the corn is.

Gave Joe and Cindy some too because I have a feeling I'm going to be getting more tomatoes.

I think my favorite meal is fresh tomatoes, fresh corn, and new potatoes with freshly made iced tea. I know I'll think of more, but right now that's my idea of the best meal ever.

4/19 Poor, poor Pete

I was going to write about the fact that I don't have any fingerprints. It's true, I don't.

But the worst thing happened today. My sister Jane and her husband John (who we call Pete) were here helping me empty some boxes and put books away. Pete was carrying a box out to my car and one of my dogs pushed him or tripped him or something. He fell on his hip, and couldn't move. We thought he'd broken his hip, so we called an ambulance. We found out he broke his right femur in at least three places. He's in surgery right now. And I came home after he went upstairs. Jan and Tim, Joe and Cindy, and Jane's friend Deb were all there too. Deb is staying there with Jane.

I couldn't stop crying. Partially from guilt, I guess. One of my dogs caused the fall, plus if I'd gotten everything done they wouldn't have been here helping me.

Our brother Joe said, "No good deed goes unpunished."

Pete is just great though. He doesn't blame me at all. He and Jane both keep saying that it's just an accident. Pete has diabetes though and lives with so many consequences of that disease, so I worry about him.

Jane will call me tonight when the surgery is done, and I'll go back up tomorrow to spend time. In the meantime I'm praying.