5/20 Just everything

The poppies are blooming and will soon be gone. Some of the columbine are blooming with many more to come. The peonies are glorious and cheer me when I come home from work. Thanks so much Kris and Jan for making my beautiful little oasis.

My contributions are helping too. The only bad news is that the pole holding the birdhouse and flowers fell over during a bad storm. Jan thought she had it so far in the ground that it wouldn't dare fall over. Too bad. You tried, Sis.

I'll have Rob re-pot it. :) Plus he gets to put together my patio table and chairs.

He and Beata should be here Tuesday sometime. I'm taking off Wednesday and Friday, plus Thursday morning. I'm so excited.

Article tonight is--Update: Is it okay to let your child die?

5/10 Happy Mothers' Day

I've had a great day. Bought some outside furniture. (Thanks, Pete, for unloading it for me.) Gus and I sat outside while I started reading Twilight. I LOVE IT!

Rob and Beata called me today and so did Jill, so my Mothers' Day was perfect. Plus I got a package from B and R with a lovely turquoise necklace and earrings. Additionally, a shout out on Facebook, an email, and a text. How connected is that? I'm so grateful. Love you all so much.

Last night was tons of fun at Kris's bachelorette party. It started at 4 and I was done by 8. This is a real down side of being old. But it sure was fun while it lasted. :)

Tonight's article is Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi: Moms trust them most and so do I

5/1 Relaxing

I took the afternoon off and am happy. This afternoon I bought more goodies for my garden. Can't wait to plan more items, but may have to wait for Rob and Beata to arrive for some help. Jan said she may have time soon to do more planting. I'm okay either way.

Went to dinner at Maya tonight with Jan, Jane, Kris, and Sarah. It was delicious as usual. Then I wrote an article about racism--and mentioned Maya in it.

The flu virus isn't as bad as the racism virus

3/9 Fun at Kris's shower

Kris's wedding shower was so much fun. The food was tasty, the games were clever, and it was so nice getting together with everyone. I love showers...corny, but true.

Today's article is Six ways to cope with change at work

3/7 Got up early

As usual the animals got up me up early. Guess they knew it was the weekend though, and they let me sleep until 6:30. Yay.

I'm tired, so I wrote an article about sleep. :) No wonder we're tired: We don't get enough sleep

Today is Kris's shower and I'm really looking forward to it. Should be fun.

12/4 I'm a homeowner again

After a series of mistakes, mishaps, and miscommunications I finally own my home. Kris and I met at 4 PM yesterday at the abstract office, and they didn't have the paperwork yet from my incompetent mortgage closer.

Despite that, we finished before five. Kris and I hugged outside in the snow and we both said, "Finally." I've lived here eight months already.

We're both very pleased. She's been a great landlord, don't get me wrong, but I want this tax help.

My little cottage was built in 1896, making it 112 years old. (I'll make it's birthday be 12/3/1896--that'll be easy to remember. The third of December is when I bought it.)

We both would have loved to have celebrated with nice dinner and drink, but I had to get to QU and teach the last class of the semester. It went really well.

Cindy did a great job with Gussie while I was gone. And, Cin, thanks so much for putting some salt on my back walk. I wanted to buy some, but couldn't carry it. Anyway, thanks a lot.

Gussie was at the groomer yesterday. I finally found one I like--Buttons and Bows and 24th and Spring. They're open from 6:30 AM until 2 or so. So it's easy to drop him off before work and pick him up on my lunch hour. They did a great job on the "face, feet, and butt" grooming. Yep, I left the rest of him long-haired for now. Figured he had a built in winter coat as a lhasa apso, so I'll take advantage of it. He not only looks like an Ewok, he blends in with the snow and it's hard to see him at night in the back yard.

Yay. I own my home. Love to all.

PS--don't forget to read my new Mental Health Column.

11/9 More excitement

Went to lunch at Panera with Jan and Kris. We didn't get to visit though because lots of people were waiting for seats so we ate and ran. It was still nice to go to lunch with them.

Now I'm working on my QU class while watching the Rams get slaughtered. And I'm number 2 in my fantasy football league, but will probably lose today. Hate that, because I've been doing really well.

Joined Twitter today and it's kind of fun, but another excuse for me to waste time online.

10/25 A good long walk with Gussie

The breast cancer walk was great today. The weather was perfect, the leaves were beautiful, and Gussie was well-behaved. We met Jan and Kris at 9 AM and the walk started around 10. I thought Gus and I would only do two miles because we usually only walk one mile, but we ended up doing all three. I sued my walking sticks and they really made a difference. I was so proud of both of us. He did get tired after about two miles and he just stopped abruptly which was hilarious. I think Cindy said he's done that with her before.

I ended up carrying him for about a half block and then he was ready to go again. I felt proud of both of us.

Tonight we went to Matt and Beth's for a fall fiesta. What fun! I brought Gus because he loves their kids and the feeling is mutual. They have a huge huskie named Storm and he is so calm and sweet with the munchkins. The kids played well and Beth had craft tables set up for them, and the evening culminated in a hay ride and hitting a pinata. Beth made it herself. She is so great with kids and so very creative. There were tons of kids there and every one of them had a great time. Most of them are still there, but Gus and I got tired. :)

10/24 Breast Cancer walk

Tomorrow Jan, Kris, and I are doing a local breast cancer walk. It starts at Washington Park and the walk goes to Madison Park and then returns. That will be such a beautiful walk, since Maine Street is full of lovely trees, most notably maples that will be gorgeous.

In the afternoon we're going to Matt and Beth's for a "fall fiesta." They're accepting food donations for food pantries, so that's a really good thing. It will be fun to be with family and friends too.

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.

7/12 Long time no post

Internet isn't working at home and I haven't had the energy to be on the phone forever trying to get it fixed. I'm at work trying to catch up, so will take the opportunity to post now--it's Saturday.

I misunderstood the doc. If it hurts, don't do it, means that if it hurts and I continue to do the activity then it may cause a muscle spasm which of course hurts like crazy. Activity won't cause further damage, so that's awesome news.

Have felt really bad the last several days except for yesterday. Pain was mild and was a welcome relief. Jan invited Gus and me to come swimming last night because I do need to start doing easy exercise. I swam with my puppy and did it very gently--using a noodle and not flailing my arms about. It felt superb, until afterward. Then the pain started and hasn't let up since. That saddens me because the swimming was fun.

Jan and Kris made a salad and zucchini fritters so they invited me to have dinner. It was delicious and much better than the PB&J sandwich I was going to have. Craig and Megan arrived last night to celebrate Jan's 60th this weekend. They aren't inviting us all over because it was a really long drive for just the weekend. Plus I really understand that they want their immediate family to spend the special time together.

5/26 Memorial Day

It was nice to sleep in today. Of course the dogs woke me up at 6 AM as they normally do, but they were nice enough to go back to sleep until 7:20. Felt great.

My back felt better last night, and I am beyond thrilled! Here's hoping it keeps heading in that direction and I can get back to normal, whatever that is.

I'm working on losing weight (although it's hard without being able to exercise.). It didn't work when my family had the Bozarth Biggest Loser contest. But I"m now doing it with some of my writer friends online. I'm down 7 pounds in four weeks. Pretty good, but I have a long way to go.

Missing work actually. That's sad when I should be enjoying a holiday.

Had dinner last night at Maya with Jan, Jane, Paulette, Sarah, Kelly, and Deb. Tasty food of course, but the best thing was the company. We always have such a good time when we're together. The only sad part is that Jane may not be able to go on the Avon Breast Cancer Walk because she may need to stay home with Pete. And if she doesn't go, Deb won't go. Although Deb didn't say why. So it would just be Jan, Kris, Cassie, and me. Sure hope Pete is doing well and Jane can go.

2/21 Time? Anyone have time?

I can't believe all the stuff I have to do prior to leaving here on March 21. Oh, my.

Today I found out that CitMortgage doesn't do bridge loans, so I'm in process of getting a pre-approval letter, so when the time comes, it won't take long at all to get the mortgage. In the meantime, if my home doesn't sell before I leave, Kris will rent to me until my house sells.

Even though the market is rotten elsewhere, it's still pretty good here, because of the storm. So I'm pretty confident that it will sell within a reasonable period of time.

It's raining horribly here, and I have to take Q to dog training class tonight. But it's supposed to be beautiful over the weekend--70 and sunny. Yay.