Tonight Emma got the night off as I went to a political meeting. It was in a home and they had a dog. Greg was home so watched Emma. Emma and I were gone from 9:30 am-5:30 pm. so she didn't mind being home at all. I took her outside before I left with Dan.

emma and I went to see my counselor, then to hear the MS Doctors speak. A friend picked us up and we relaxed and chatted. I sat all day and Emma was glad to get home and exercise. I told her to run when we got home. She ran laps around the yard as fast as she could then she made figure 8's. I have never seen her do that before. She was just delightful. She ran and ran so glad to be in her own yard.

My meeting tonight went late. I don't usually go out at night. I will sleep tomorrow. It was a very interesting meeting about the upcoming Senate District Convention. Now I feel like I know more what it is going to be like and how I can be helpful.

Swimming tomorrow will be our only activity. Then a long nap. i have to be careful to get enough rest so I can manage the MS.

Hope all is well with you. Mary and Emma

Hi,
It seems like things fatigue me more quickly these days. Today I took a long nap after water exercise. I did some calling to remind individuals about an upcoming meeting. That is about it. I have had fun with Emma. She is so darn expressive in her face. She came to me as if to tell me something. I knew she came from where her water and food dishes are kept. I could just tell she was out of water. I said "do you need water" and the way she expressed herself in her face told the story. My husband was amused that I could figure this out but I did. her nonverbal communication skills are good.

We have been brushing and brushing Emma to take care of the hair she is shedding. I think she looks thinner with that extra hair shedding ha ha.

She had fun outdoors but I couldn't go into the snow with her. We had rain on Sunday which now is frozen on the top of the snow. It is too difficult for me to walk in the back yard right now. I can watch her from the patio door. There happens to be a small ice patch on my patio and she has become an expert at leaping over it. She looks so cute and daring.

We are watching election returns tonight. Tomorrow night I have a meeting regarding the campaign I am helping with by calling. They thank and thank me. i only do it as health allows and it is a perfect job for me. I like talking to people. I can do a little at a time and I don't do it on the days I don't feel good. We have a senate district convention on Saturday and I am hoping I feel good for that.

Next Monday- Tuesday Emma and I will be participating in MS Day at the Capital. i will give more details later. She attends more political things than most dogs - that is for sure.

I am so passionate about our local candidate that it is rewarding to help in my small way. Campaign people (staff) I work with are aware of my health concerns and remind me to take care of myself. I had a lot of calling for tonight but they did find others to help call which greatly lightened my load. They told me to finish my last two in a precient and then take it easy.

Hope all goes well for all of you - Mary and Emma

Hope you have a good week.

Yeah today we spent a good part of the day with Rosa. That was fun. Also fun to have time to visit with Tia and Anna though I fell asleep.

I apologize but I am off to bed. Emma is fine. I just had a busy day. I will tell you about it tomorrow. Thanks for your patience....Mary and Emma

Among the activities today was a political event. Emma was wonderful. We helped greet people at the door for a gathering where Ashwin Madia spoke and then answered questions. It went very well. Emma was super in her behavior. I was not surprised.

The rest of our day was quiet. I was tired and had to rest some. Tonight I had to call some people (family) and I got some calls. Time flew by. I am a mentor to two different people with MS and one of them I call every Sunday night. She looks forward to it and I do too.

I didn't do much around the house but that was fine. Emma got outside but oh what a change in weather. The temp wasn't too bad but it felt cold as it lightly rained with a cold wind. It got pretty slippery also. i was glad not to be out this evening.

It was a good day overall. I hope you have a good week. Emma is ready for bed and so am I.

More on Monday, Mary and Emma

We are listening to music so NOTE is not a yell it is to be sung ha ha. I know on internet normally when it is in all caps people interpret that as yelling.

Thoughts...

I re-read my blog and thought certainly there must be something more inspiring than my laundry and chores to write about. Emma is doing wonderful = and yes we just went outside again. The sun and fresh air feels good. I found a ball she hasn't used for awhile (she has a collection of them) and she was thrilled.

I was thinking of how renewing spring can be. Okay beware it is just March in MN and many more snowy days may occur. It is the month where days are noticeably lighter longer. Oh that sun feels good. I know in some places in the country it is already spring and flowers are blooming. I think in MN since winters are long - I rejoice in spring even when it is a month or two away. No matter where you live maybe you can relate to my sense of hope.

Spring brings promises. New flowers, green plants, birds chirping, and increased outdoor activity for Emma and i. I think in spring I reach out more to friends. Night time darkness comes later so early evening I notice people walking there dogs now. In spring it will be tending to gardens and yards. There is more activity in my neighborhood in spring and summer and fall. More interaction among neighbors instead of us quickly running in and out of our cars due to the cold.

When I think of spring I think of hope. I think of how we can depend on the cycles of life. Seasons change, days get longer, there is a predictability that is heartwarming to me.
When winter first starts I like snowy cozy days and warm winter nights. I think snow is pretty. I have lived in MN my entire life so I have no idea what it would be like to not have distinctive seasons and changes in the weather - and in life routines.

One of my friends favorite seasons is spring. It is full of surprises - full of welcome change outdoors. I like how the little plants gradually peek out of the soil where they have hidden all winter. I think it is as if they want to say "is it safe to grow yet?". On my south side garden it is not always safe indeed. The sun can warm those plants up too early. But somehow most of them manage anyhow. When warmer and brighter days come upon us they seem to grow right in front of your eyes. Gosh do I have spring fever or what.

My mom died almost a year ago. I was thinking how she and neighbors loved to sit outside and chat. We have pictures of early spring when snow was still here and there and they were out at the picnic table drinking coffee. We had a front porch that was enclosed but not heated. How we waited till it was warm enough to sit out there each spring. It was like a rite of passage - when you could eat your lunch out there - well look out spring was coming for sure.

Sometimes spring creeps in. Sometimes it leaps in. I remember when Greg and I were dating a spring that came bounding in and we had several picnics at Como Park in March. I can remember when Easter was so warm (probably in April) my kids wore their shorts to Grandma's. I can remember other times hiding adorable easter outfits under warm coats.
You never know.

When my mom was in the nursing home one of her delights even when her abilities continued to decrease - was to sit on the patio with us and chat. My sister and I often brought a picnic lunch (she loved that) or a dairy queen snack. It was treasured time together and brought smiles to us all. Even if mom was confused, or weak it brought a big smile to her face. I will miss that this spring and summer. It has been almost a year and yet I will always miss that time.

Spring will come and this year Rosa is walking (my granddaughter) and that will be fun. It is time for new swings on our little play area in our yard. I think she and older sister Sophia will enjoy time out there with us.

Maybe one of the reasons spring means a lot to me is now summer heat can be difficult with MS. I have the Women's Getaway in April. I have camp (I think in May if I am accepted). Camp was so much fun last year as the weather was perfect and spring flowers begining to peek and bloom.

I hear the Twins are in training and that is another fun aspect of summer and spring for me. My husband and I enjoy the twins games though mostly we watch or listen to them from home.

So oh my goodness I am ready for winter to end and spring to start. You can probably make a sure bet that there will be some more cold and snow but I think the worst is over.

So if you need something to perk your spirits - remember spring is coming. Or if youlive where it is spring now - enjoy enjoy - I think nature is very healing. It brings me closer to God.

Off for a nap

Mary and Emma