Today is Palm Sunday and we did not get to church. I am very tired from having company yesterday. We had lots of fun but I had lots of preparation. It was worth being this tired for. I slept till after 3 pm. today and am still tired. My cleaning woman does not come till this week so I had lots to do. Our friends were fun with their growing boys. 5th and 7th graders. Becky my daughter came, Tia, Mike and the girls too. Dan stopped by later. We had 11 for dinner. Greg did the main cooking. We really enjoyed it so much.

Both Greg and I are fighting colds. He is feeling really crummy and so not going to work or driving me to church either. I am going to read the Bible passages and reflect on them.
Both Greg and i have sore throats and hope we did not get our guests sick. I felt so much better yesterday.

Emma is still getting outdoors and content to rest a bunch too. She loves to cuddle close to me. She brightens any day. It is cloudy and very gray today. I like sunshine. Greg bought me spring flowers to enjoy as we have a few months or more till they will grow in our gardens. Sure is fun to have daffodils and other flowers around the house.

We are cuddled in here. We have left overs from the past few days so we don't even have to cook. It was so joyous yesterday to have family and friends here with us.

Hope your week goes well.
Mary and Emma

Emma had a spa day. Okay maybe not as fun as a spa day - but she got groomed, nails trimmed, fur brushed to get rid of loose hair etc at the groomer. We all think she looks so thin without that extra layer of hair. I had to drop her off but they promised to give her lots of tlc since she is a service dog. IT was quiet there when we dropped her off - not as hectic as it is sometimes. She looked beautiful and was so happy to see me. The gentleman who took care of her said she was well behaved and didn't seem to mind it at all. Yeah Emma I am so proud of you.

I also got my hair cut. Now I need to dye it. Ugh. We got to see our granddaughters today. We picked Rosa up from daycare and it sure was fun to see her environment there. We were delighted to spend time with Sophia and Rosa. Sophia had her violin lesson tonight. She is doing just great. They came back to our house to eat and play. What fun we had.

Emma got a little too excited and accidentally got her body in the way knocking Rosa down. Her tail and body are just the right height to get in the way and throw Rosa off balance. Rosa is very forgiving and later was sitting on the floor next to Emma who was in a drop position. Next time I will be more aware of this problem and get Emma to rest away from the action.

Tomorrow we are having friends for dinner. So don't worry if we don't write till Sunday am. It will be fun to see them and their children. I can't wait. We better get to bed so we have the energy we need for tomorrow.

Have a good weekend, Mary and Emma

50 degrees and people in MN are happy. Sunny and fresh outside. Emma and I loved it. While waiting for my ride to water exercise, I sat outside and watched Emma play. Snow is melting each day and some places are already a bit muddy. It is too early in to say no more snow this winter - but we can hope this is the end of winter...Emma will miss the snow.

Water exercise tired me out. We joined friends for a light lunch and then came home for a nap. Not before some outdoor play. We are headed back outside again before dinner.

Today the pool was so cool. We found out they were working on the water heater. The location of there equipment meant Emma could not be in her normal spot. This time she was much closer to the pool (and to me) and there were lots of people walking back and forth in front of her. There also was no where to hook her leash.

Well that great dog just stayed on her towel despite all the commotion. She did not try to get in the pool or anything. She watched intently at everything going on, but remained in her position. A few times I verbally reassured her as the equipment they were using was loud and smelly. The fumes caused me to leave the pool early and head for the showers.
Emma just shines and displays excellent behavior at the pool. I was so proud of her. A less trained lab would have moved a foot or so and joined me in the pool.

I am doing some political calling again tonight. I also have to do a little bit of laundry with Emma's help. We have rested all afternoon so I better go get supper going and get to work. I will need to start phone calls in about an hour.

Hope you are doing well. Let's hope spring is around the corner for us all.

Mary and Emma

Wed night I did not blog. I took a long nap and also went to bed early. After a day at the Capital plus the training day we were exhausted...or at least I was. Even Emma seemed content to be home and nap after all that napping.

Today is Thursday, we are getting ready to go to water exercise for people with MS. It is sunny and going to be near 40 degrees today. Spring will be here soon I hope. Snow is melting fast with the warmer temperatures.

Helping Paws is expecting two litters of puppies. One the end of the month and I think two weeks later the other litter. I will let you know what I hear and if pictures are taken. Yeah to Tiga (Emma lived with her) who is one of the mom's.

I have to get ready. I will write tonight again. Hope you have a good day.
Emma and Mary

Emma and I went Monday to a training and to hear speakers about being an activist for Multiple Sclerosis. This is MS Awareness weak. We heard them speak about the topic and a video. Then they did some training us to lobby the legislators that represent us in the state level. We stayed overnight in a hotel. Then today they bused us to the State Capital for a Rally, appointments with our representative and senator. We also could attending a hearing on one of the bills we are hoping to pass.

First, I want to say Emma's behavior was superb. So many people asked about her and/or wanted to pet her. I had to remind them she was working. She was so well behaved. Today we walked the long tunnel from the capital to the state office building several times. I had a scooter, Emma got a lot of exercise. We had an interesting day. Both days I couldn't have been more pleased with her behavior.

I will write more about it all tomorrow. I am so tired. We were up early and did not get home till after 4. I took a nap with her (after she got time to be outside in her own yard) and still am ready for bed.

there were over one hundred people with MS or family members who all lobbied today. It was awesome. The capital was buzzing with many youth and adult groups there for various reasons.

Through every second Emma was remarkable in her behavior. I am so proud of her. She is a great ambassador for Service Dogs. She was the only dog I saw there. I was so pleased. She enjoyed sharing the comfort rest queen size bed with me last night. She is the best do g ever.

More tomorrow. I am too tired to think. Do you know every hour of the day one person is diagnosed with MS in the United States. Over 10,000 individuals in MN alone. This has a big impact both on the person with MS and their family.

Thanks for reading the blog and yes, i feel better....Mary and Emma