Saturday - We rested most of the day today. Camp is so much fun. I took time for a nap most days but I am still tired at the end of the week. We had such an enjoyable time

My daughter Anna, son Michael, and grandddaughter Rosa took me to camp. They stayed awhile to help me settle in. They also had lunch with us. It was delightful to have some of my friends at camp meet them. Mike even gave Rosa a scooter ride and explored some of the paths. I sure appreciated them taking time to take me there.

When you get back to camp it is like a family reunion. I get teary at the time and even now thinking about it. I have such nice friends there. The campers, volunteers, and staff of the MS society are all wonderful. Spending an entire week together is fantastic.

We were roomates with my friends Judy and Tonya. Judy goes to swimming with me. Tonya does live in the cities but I don't see her very often. We had fun chatting at night and laughing. Like school kids on a sleep over. Tonya had some health problems with her asthma. It was a good thing I brought my nebulizer. She had an ER visit and they prescribed medicine for the nebulizer trreatments. I felt bad that she felt ill. She said she still enjoyed the week. Next year we hope she has better health.

I noticed I seemed weaker in my legs and more fatigued this year. It did NOT hamper my enjoyment however. I had my scooter. They plan a quiet time in the afternoons that many people use as a nap time. Emma and I napped.

Some of my friends were more dependent on scooters or powerchairs also. One gentleman from my support group had really declined. That is the difficult part of this disease. It is unpredictable but normally progressive. So at camp you see the decline in certain individuals. It is a reality check about how serious this disease can be.

The one thing about camp is the people present look past the disability and treat you with respect and care. The volunteers are so helpful. You don't feel like a burden if you need help with an activity (I did) or anything. Others understand what you mean if you describe a symptom like fatigue, weakness...I even me someone who has the same issues with both dizziness and vision as I do. We shared coping ideas. In our conversations we offer a lot of support to one another.

I am off to take a bath and head to bed. I have just a few pictures I will try to download to show you in upcoming days.

Hope you all are doing okay. Happy Mother's Day and Fishing Opener. My children will be coming over tomorrow. My husband is cooking. I am so pleased to have them over.
I have camp stories to share...

Mary and Emma

I will write more later but we are home from camp. We had a wonderful time. NO RAIN and good temperatures. Wild spring flowers were blooming in the wooded areas. Spring flowers in the gardens were not yet blooming - yet they grew by inches in the week. Trees were budding.

Emma was awesome. She was happy to run around her yard at home. The most excited she was though was to be in our home off leash - off duty. She scampered in a manner we call her puppy dance (she did it as a puppy too) Just so thrilled to be home in familar surroundings.

We had the nicest times. Beautiful sunsets on the lake! Cool crisp mornings but the sun warmed things up.

More later....check out Tiga's blog cute picturers ---http://tigaslitter.blogspot.com/

I have received nice email notes wishing us a fun time at camp. I am sure that it will be enjoyable. Today it was suppose to rain and we have sunshine!! So who knows what the weather will be. I am packed and ready for whatever comes our way.

Emma and I enjoyed playing outside though the ground is wet from all the heavy rains yesterday. She is watching with interest as I pack. I have the Beach Boys music on to keep me in a sun shine mood. I love their music and especially as I am working alone in the house. It makes me smile as I sing along. Maybe Emma thinks I am silly? I am not sure.

Camp starts Sunday and goes till Friday noon. I never make plans for the day I get back as i need a few days of rest to recover. I have so much fun. One year I was so active at camp I had some trouble with MS when I got back. I had to be put on steroids to recover. My Dr. Schapiro said you just had so mucch fun at camp - and do it again next year. Some things are worth getting a bit sick after, Actually now I am a bit better at monitoring myself so haven't been sick when I got home. But yes tired.

Camp is good for my husband too. He doesn't have to give me any rides or worry about me in any way. He says he does get lonesome though in the quiet house without me and Emma. This year it hits a very busy week of work so that will keep him occupied.

I will miss the Helping Paws Graduation. Several individuals receiving dogs have MS. It is Friday night and I know I will be sleeping. Greg works that night and can't drive me anyway. My best wishes to the graduates who will never believe how much having the service dog will enhance their lives.

Have a great week. Keep your eye of Tiga's blog for puppy updates.

Mary and Emma, the MS campers

Today I had a fantastic day. I had breakfast with a dear friend for starters. While I was gone my house was cleaned. We came home to take a big nap. Then went out after school for an afternoon break with Jan. Then came home and my son and granddaughter and husband were there. We ordered pizza and had lots of conversation but most of all fun with Rosa. Emma was very well behaved. Then Tia and Sophia came. What could be nicer.

I asked Tia for blog ideas and she gave me this idea. The Green Expo (do I have the name right) at the state fairgrounds. It is at the grandstand I think and will have many ideas for going green. Tia will be there Sunday with the Hour Car information. This is a great option in our Cities. People can rent cars by the hour. There will be many exhibits and ideas that are good for the environment. If you see Tia say hello!!

Tia's job is with Hour Car. She also does a fantastic job as a mother. My granddaughters are the best in the world. I mean it. So cute, smart, adorable, fun, sense of humor, kind, and beautiful. Yes I am a proud Grandma.

It was also very cool to have my son with us tonight for several hours. His interactions with the girls are also so kind and loving. What a special family they are!! Rosa was so funny tonight and entertaining. She showed us how she could do a few actions to the song Head and shoulder knees and toes. Mostly the head and toes. Isn't that smart for 18 months old???

Emma was great. Today I really concentrated on including Emma while playing with Rosa. Emma stayed beside me on the couch or floor most the time. We had a lovely evening.

It rained a lot today so Emma did not get outside to play as much. I think there are lingering showers tomorrow. I think Emma enjoyed our day together. Tomorrow I will finish packing and Emma will observe that. She will be a bit puzzled as I measure and pack dog food for her meals ha ha.

In the afternoon my daughter Anna is coming over. Yeah and then going with us out to a friends home. She will even sleep over. That will be great for us both. So if I don't write don't worry. Emma likes when Anna comes over and plays in the yard with her.

Off to bed now. Have a good day rain or shine tomorrow. (Saturday)
Emma and Mary

Emma was a helper dog today for sure. We went to swimming/water exercise. Then came home to do chores. She helped with laundry and picking up. We also had some time in the yard. Yes - yeah it also was time to start packing for camp. I think I have more clothes out and clean than I need to take. The latest weather forecast will dictate what makes the final packing list.

I even pack for Emma of coutse. A water and food bowl. I measure out in baggies for each meal and also make treat snack baggies to have on hand. I need to make sure I have enough dog food for the entire week. I also will bring a blanket water. I bring bottled water for both of us also..I think I told you she sleeps with me.

Now they predict a dry day Sunday and sunny - yeah. It is a fun day to greet new and old friends as you arrive (11-2). In the evening their is a friendship fire outdoors where all gather. Lots of wheelchairs, scooters, and some who can sit on chairs. The week ends with a closing fire. I find both very touching. We express our gratitude for nature and for being together. On the first night we all add one coal (saved from last year) to the fire so it will be part of the past with the new wood combined. They pass around the coals they have saved. It always causes me to pause and think of the past year and what events have occured.

Some years there are campers who have died over the last year and I think of them and say a prayer. Mostly you rejoice that with our scooters, wheelchairs, canes, catheters, or whatever help is needed - we still gather for this fantastic week together. God bless the many volunteers and staff who help make camp possible.

To enable people with serious disability issues there are lots of nurses and other volunteers who help with dressing people, providing one to one care as needed, and/ or helping people get in and out of bed/chairs etc. They are like angels. They have a strong volunteer ccommunity that comes back year after year. Many individuals have come for over 25 years. Some attend both the May and August camps. Young new volunteers are there too.

At night the volunteers all gather for social time and to talk about the day. They become close to one another and to campers. They are dearly appreciated. They say they enjoy it. Imagine taking a week of vacation to work hard helping others. For many of the campers )and this includes me) it is the only time to get to a lake overnight for the summer. The one chance to enjoy that environment.

Camp Courage is wonderful. I will tell you more about the grounds tomorrow. Emma is ready to go outside so I will take her. Tonight I really am focusin on how fortunate I am to go to camp. No more worrying or complaining about the weather ha ha.

Have a good day. Emma and Mary