My Funny Little Visitor and of course, Jack

My son has a pup named Bogey. Bogey is my guest this week. He is a great source of amusement for me, and I think I've even seen Jack smile a time or two. Bogey is a garbage hound.

When I went to therapy the other day, I made sure that all garbage was out of reach. I had bananas on the counter so I put them way back in the corner. When I got home, I knew by the look on Bogey's face that he had been up to something. He tells on himself. I looked around and couldn't find anything, until I got to the kitchen...uh oh, broken glass all over the place. He had been up on the counter! I scolded him and he went to his bed for a few minutes, but then came to ask for forgiveness. I'm just glad he didn't cut himself. 

He's as crazy about balls as Jack was before he got sick. Jack would still chase one until he dropped, so the vet has advised me to put the balls away. This is a picture that Michael had sent to me. I'm glad Jack had many good years playing ball, but sad to see that he can't do his favorite thing, any more.

Yesterday, I figured out with a myriad of gates how to confine him to the den yet give him and Jack access to water. Susan and I went to grab a bite to eat. Ah, now I outwitted him--silly dog! Did the little man really think I wouldn't figure it out?

We had a pleasant meal at Marlows about a mile from my house, but arrived home to garbage all over the place. I had a bag of garbage full so I wouldn't forget to take it out when I left, then walked right past it. DOH! We got home and there was the guilty look, again. After a scolding, Susan and I set about cleaning up. We cracked up because Bogey decided he would help. He knew where all the garbage was so he was bringing pieces over to be put back in the bag. He handed Susan a can! Too funny.

Michael tells a funny story. He had Bogey walking in a wooded area and a big buck appeared in a clearing. Bogey being Bogey chased him. They ran figure eights in and out of the clearing with Bogey running with wild abandon. Back out they came and the buck was chasing Bogey! He is a very athletic and fast pup.

Where's the cat? 

Could you let me out, please?

I can see why Michael loves this little guy. We call him the little guy because he's a runt--Bella was so much bigger than he is, and most Weimaraners are. I was raised with a huge one--not very many in this country at that time.

I don't know if you can see the pollen, but that porch is dark brown. I think the rain is clearing out the worst of it, but I guess I'll have to ask one of the kids to hose down the porch because it's covered overhead so the rain won't help.

Jack has decided that he needs help getting up on his couch so he wakes me in the middle of the night (I do think he's having a little difficulty seeing at night). I ask him if he needs help and he tells me yes with his eyes and his help me sound, and then jumps up on his own. We go through this several times day and night. Last night he woke me, I looked over by his couch and he wasn't there. He was two steps away from his bed on the floor. I got up to see what was wrong. I asked if he needed help and he told me yes with his eyes and his help me noise. Really Jack? It's on the floor! But, what the heck. I walked over to him, and he walked into his bed. <rolling eyes> Well, he has been my comfort, he was with us during the happiest of times and he's seen me through my darkest times so anything I can do to make him comfortable.

Leslie, the Physical Therapist asked me if he helped me when I fell. I told her, "Of course. He called 911." I think I had her convinced for  few seconds. People think of all yellow Labs as assistance dogs and think they can do anything! Funny. Well, at least he doesn't panic in the moment.

Jack tolerates Bogey. Here he's watching him howling at me because he wants to go out.

I stored my trailer at the place I had it repaired up in Dahlonega, GA until September. There was no way I could have hitched and unhitched, and then turned and twisted (thanks Gail) to back it into the driveway. When it was in the driveway, I checked on it a couple of times a week. I can't do that, so I'm a little worried about critters getting in. I'm going to do some research to see what would keep mice and such from getting in and I seem to remember moth balls would do the trick, but I want to see if there's a better way. I'll take a ride up there this week. I like this little town. It'll give Jack and me an outing. If you have a better idea than mothballs, please leave a comment, as most of you are the experts. :)

Just had to come back to post this:

Think Jack is Starting to Like the Little Guy?

One More Year Without You...

I Know You By Heart

Hola!

It's a Dark and Shiny Place (song)

Keely and Victor's Prom Evening!

Arriving at Friends House for Pictures

Prince and Princess

Great Looking Couple

Proud Papa

Victor Has Sometime Up His Sleeve!

Clark Kent!

Victor's Mom Did Keely's Hair- Isn't it Beautiful?

Pretty Maids All in a Row

The Whole Crew

Kudos and Big Thank You to Rick!

Well, thank goodness for Rick. You'll notice how much nicer my title is thanks to Rick's help. 

I Just Heard The Most Wonderful News!

I received word just a little while ago that Mary can ride her bike without training wheels! She was so happy and excited when I spoke to her. As anyone would expect for a princess, it's a beautiful pink and purple bike!! Her Mom is going to send me pictures--I'll post them as soon as I got them, but we are all so excited, including my sister, her Gramma, that I just couldn't wait to tell everyone the good news. Hurrah for Mary!!!

Party Time at Michael and Laura's

We all converged on Michael and Laura's home for their first family gathering, today. Laura and Michael are excellent hosts. We met Laura's cousin, James, who lives in Atlanta. It's about a 50 mile drive from my house to Michael's and about 85 from Lisa and John's house. Susan was on call so she couldn't make it. She hung out with Jack and took him shopping at PetSmart and for a walk at the nature center.

Keely, Michael's daughter was working until 5:30 so the other four girls took the golf cart and went over to say hi. It was good to see all the cousins having such a good time.

I tried to get some good pictures of all the girls together, but that's like nailing jello to the wall! They are all so silly, but that's the way I love them. I took over 80 pictures, but just chose a few for the blog.

New Sisters-in-Law

John, helping with something, as always

Amanda clowning around. Do you believe those eyes?

John and Lisa brought an Ice Cream Cake. Yum!

L-R Peyton, Laura, Michael, Keely

Like I said, Like Nailing Jello to a Wall

It's Like Laura Has Always Been Here

All the Girls in the Family! Oops, I lost Michael!

John's Ladies

If You Are a Dog Lover and You Want a Laugh!

Dog Wants Kitten - Link to Video

Blogger has really been bugging me. It won't let me change the color of the Blog Title which was great with the last picture I used, but is too light for the picture I changed to to try to balance the look of the top. Seems like they've changed the whole way to get to where I can blog or edit. Now, in this post I tried to emphasize the link with a different color, but it won't show when I view the blog.

Might as well write a little blurb. As each day passes I try to do more and more. I'm having my counter tops sealed on Friday so one task, today, was to clear off the counter tops. At the moment, it looks like I took a step backwards geting the house in order, but by Saturday everything will be back in its place. In preparation for surgery, I had put everything I could think of that I would need at counter top level. I have slowly gotten most of it back. I can reach a little more upward, but still have trouble bending especially if I have to twist at the same time. Baby steps I keep telling myself. I am really starting to feel the benefits of the aqua therapy. I go tomorrow.

I vacuumed a little and straightened up, including a little vacuuming reaching as far under things as I could which wasn't far. I have a small Eureka boss vacuum that I leave out and just do a little at a time so there's no heavy lifting or pushing involved. We're only talking one room anyway, but it's still progress. 

I did such a dumb thing that I should be ashamed to write about it. When I wrote my check to the IRS and mailed it, I started to wonder whether I had written the amount in and whether I signed it. The more I thought about it, the more convinced I became that I hadn't--sort of like when you leave the house and wonder half way down the street whether you left the stove on. Only, it was too late to rectify this. What to do? I called the IRS and they told me to write another check and send it with an explanation of what happened. 

Today, I checked my checking account on line, and they have cashed the two checks. Now, tomorrow I have to call and try to see how fast I can get my money back.  I couldn't believe that the first check was just fine. I've gotten so used to banking online that I rarely write checks any more, and still being a bit cloudy from pain meds was just enough to send me over the edge. Oh, well. If that's the worst I do in life, I'll be fortunate. Just hope I can get it back before the end of the month.

Jack and I are lounging at the moment--well he's snoozing. We usually don't call it a night much before 1 a.m. I don't like blogs without pictures. I'm sure you're all getting tired of seeing Jack, but I never tire of him. I forgot I tried to take a few pictures of the yard, yesterday, but it was raining so I stayed under the roof. I was disappointed this year. I planted 400 daffodils three or four years ago and I don't know what happened. I don't think there were 30 that bloomed this spring. Hope it's just been the warm winter weather confusing them.

Raining so Just got a few of the Azaleas and a little of the Dogwood

The Dogwood Tree. The Spotlight is on our American Flag which has been flown every day and night since 9/11. I don't know how many Flags and spotlights I've had to replace, but there have been many. When I'm away, I leave bulbs with neighbors and the battery operated light in case the electric goes off. 

Jack comfy with Susan last evening

Jack Comfy today

The pictures didn't come out in the order I wanted, but this is the first year the daffodils bloomed. Broke my heart just to see a few this year.

The "Sleepless in Seattle Couple" - He Popped the Question!

Laura and Michael (Carly Simon)

Wishing Them Continued Romance and Happiness for the Rest of Their Lives
Welcome to Our Family, Laura

Another Therapy Update

When I first started this therapy, I had my doubts as to whether it  was going to help me. I was determined to give it my best. I've had two wonderful therapists working with me twice per week. Francine and Leslie are wonderful, loving and caring ladies. They want me to get well. I can't tell you how much I appreciate them. 

I had a difficult time in the beginning, but after the last session I came home and did the usual. Took a pain pill and put ice on my back. I had the best week since surgery so far.

Today, the parking lot was full when I arrived, but I was able to walk the full length of the building without the horrible hip pain that I had just a couple of weeks ago. I can't even describe how bad it was. Amazing! The workout was fairly rigorous. Balance is a big part of helping the back recover which means strengthening the core muscles. I'm doing much better with balance. I told Leslie, today, that I can almost pin point the exact time I let my core muscles go--when I stopped wearing heels and dressing up for the job. I'll never do that, again. Easy to hide not holding your stomach in with a sweatshirt three sizes too big for you! Leslie and Francine make workouts fun because they are such pleasant people. I don't know how many people in the Atlanta area ever read this blog, but if you ever need therapy, ask your doctor to write a prescription to Integrated Therapy. They have a number of locations in the Atlanta area.

As I did the workout, today, I kept my focus on being able to travel, again. Different scenes and places I want to see, again, were like a movie in my head. Before I knew it I was done. I'm still keeping the fall as my goal to go camping, and it seems more realistic, now. If it works out, during the winter I'd like to head south to some of the parks I've read about in Sherry and David's blog. Oh, and Susan would like to go to Charleston--she loves it there and wants to take Jack so I'll have to fit that in. Probably should make reservations, now.

I belong to a swim/tennis club a couple of miles from here--have had the membership since my kids were little. Rich always kept it so I did, too. Funny how that worked out. I'll use it this summer to continue to strengthen my muscles on my own. I'm going to post a few of the memories that I was thinking of while in the pool, today. Onward and upward.

James Island

Haystack Rock Pacific City, OR

Santa Fe

Virginia City, NV

Hemingway Reading Area Memorial, Ketchum ID

Don't Need to Tell Most of You Where This is-Jackson Hole WY

A Picture I'd love to See Again For Real, But I'll Always See it in My Memories 

Silverton CO

DAV Memorial, Taos NM

DAV Memorial NM

The Square in Taos NM

Things Looking Brighter!

Doctor first thing this morning. Pain is normal and as expected so he was not surprised at the extent of it. X-Rays look great. He said this particular surgery is a "long term investment". I could still be healing after a year. (Guess I didn't take my age in mind--huh?)  That was a good way to explain it. He changed my pain meds and gave me a new prescription to continue therapy. I have to call him in six weeks. My activity level is dictated by pain (let's hope that means the new meds will work better and I'll be able to vacuum "under" things, now)--pain in the hips IS coming from the back.

I'm making a new promise to myself, today. JACK.AND.I.WILL.BE.CAMPING.IN.THE.FALL!!