I have no idea why only part of my blog got printed. I just reread it later and saw it ended mid-sentence.

My point about asking Emma's name is this = some people say oh a pretty name for a pretty dog. Ths is fine. Some think they can then call her by name to pet or greet her. I think that was the case today after the movie. There were so many people around and having this woman come at her I think upset Emma and I don't blame her. I don't think the women meant any harm but she looked like she was going to poke Emma in the eye with her hand movement. I think it was threatening to Emma and could tell by her body language and reacted fast by saying she was working and with my hand reassuring Emma.

Emma is use to only allowing others pet her if I say release. I will stop them if I can talk fast enough and tell them she is working or if it is someone that I will let pet her - then I say will you please wait a minute while I tell her it is okay. Then I talk to Emma and say release or shake or whatever is appropriate. If it is a quiet nonthreatening time I do sometimes let a stranger pet her (only with my permission and assuring Emma it is okay) so I am assured she can stay calm in that situation.

I wanted to add to my dentist story from this week that Emma waited in the waiting arrea with Greg since the area is small where the dentist and technician work. She did just fine for awhile. Then Greg said she abruptly stood up and would not sit. He took her outside thinking she had to go to the bathroom but that was not it. When he came back she literally paced in front of him as he tried to get her to lay down. Remember it took only two hours.

Also recall several minutes into it all (after waiting for numbing medicine to work) I reacted almost grabbing the dentists arm and with a noise (since I couldn't talk) because I felt the pain. The second medicine also did not work. Greg figures Emma heard me (it was a small office and that is why she got upset. She gave me the warmest greeting when I came out and stuck to me like glue.

Also when we went to My Fair Lady she kept watching out the window when she heard a car to see if I was home. Our bond seems stronger with each passing day.

Tomorrow we are watching my granddaughters and then having a birthday party for daughter Anna. So if I don't write till Sunday don't worry. I don't know how many of you read this daily.

We are pff tp bed. Have a good weekend. It was around 30 here today and Emma loved many trips outdoors. She likes chasing snowballs with me or rolling in the snow. In MN 30 seems warm. Wait till it reaches 40. We are going to barbeque tomorrow. When it is 60 MN people start wearing shorts sometimes - so glad to having warmer weather...well it is not spring yet but we enjoy the better temps.

Take care,
Mary and Emma

Can it be Friday already? The week flew by. I was so tired last night I didn't write.

We just got back from seeing the movie Vantage Point - it was very interesting. You sure have to watch this action movie closely and I found it very captivating. Emma was so calm during the entire movie. I don't think she slept though. Too loud.

We also went to lunch with a friend I haven't seen for a few months so that was fun. Emma was well behaved their too.

One thing I think I am going to have to change is my response to when people want to know my dogs name. They tend to then say "Hi Emma and like at the movie a women bent down like she thought Emma would come to her. She did it in a rather abrupt manner and Emma's body language showed me she was not sure what to do. I think I need to say "She is working and if you call her by name it is distracting". I hope that isn't rude. Other times she might

Dear Emma,

There was a terrible bus crash in MN that left 4 students dead (2 were siblings) and about 14 others wounded. It is unknown the condition of the 2 other vehicles involved drivers.

Accidents can and do happen but this one had a tragic results for all. I don't drive right now. My husband and children have been with me when I tried to drive and seen it is a challenge for me. My judgement, my reflexes, my vision, and my dizziness( that has decreased but still happens) all cause me to be cautious at this time.

I don't like not driving. I don't like asking for rides and depending on others. I am frustrated I can't get more help from Metro Mobility. I get frustrated that even what could be a quick short errand trip for me ends up being a bigger deal. I get tired of explaining why I don't drive. I sometimes have long days at home when i wish I could just get out of the house.

My MS symptoms might improve. One time I didn't drive for six months and slowlly I got better. i am not ready to give up hope of driving again.

When I hear of accidents minor and major like this one I know not driving is the right decidsion right now. I have to remind myself of that. Becky (my daughter) likes to say
Mom if you wouldn't drive Rosa, Sophia, in a car then don't drive. In those other cars are someone else's Rosa or Sophia. That also is true of Emma. What if a simple ride to a nearby store caused a problem that injured a person or Emma. I would never forgive myself.

So for now Emma I only drive a scooter. You are patient being home. We get exercise at stores when others can take us.

I pray for the children and their families. I pray for all the drivers involved. No matter what they find as a cause of the accident so many in this small town community have been hurt body and soul. May God bring them strength.

May God give me wisdom in my own choice not to drive at this time.

Mary

AND HERE IT IS.... LET THE TRUTH BE KNOWN
WINTER COMPARISONS

60 above zero:
Floridians turn on the heat.
People in Minnesota plant gardens.

50 above zero:
Californians shiver uncontrollably.
People in Duluth sunbathe.

40 above zero:
Italian & English cars won't start.
People in Minnesota still drive with the windows down.

32 above zero:
Distilled water freezes.
The water in Bemidji gets thicker.

20 above zero:
Floridians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves, wool hats.
People in Minnesota throw on a flannel shirt.

15 above zero:
New York landlords finally turn up the heat.
People in Minnesota have the last cookout before it gets cold.

Zero:
Most people in Miami die.
Minnesotans close the windows.

10 below zero:
Californians fly away to Mexico
People in Minnesota get out their winter coats. (true of my husband)

25 below zero:
Hollywood disintegrates.
The Girl Scouts in Minnesota are selling cookies door to door. (True!)

40 below zero:
Washington DC runs out of hot air.
People in Minnesota let the dogs sleep indoors.

100 below zero:
Santa Claus abandons the North Pole.
Minnesotans get upset because they can't start the Mini-Van.

460 below zero:
ALL atomic motion stops (absolute zero on the Kelvin scale.)
People in Minnesota start saying..."Cold 'nuff fer ya?"

500 below zero:
Hell freezes over.
Minnesota public schools will open 2 hours late.

I was sent the above and couldn't stop laughing. Especially about MN schools. It has to be very cold for schools to close especially in the city of Mpls. One year it was so cold when I taught the Governor did close schools for 2-3 days but that is really really rare.

Hope this brings you a chuckle. It will if you live in MN because we are made of tough stuff - we have to be to get through winter here.

How many days till spring. I am going to look it up and start a count down soon.

Mary and Emma (who is NEVER left out in the cold)

Brr tonight (Monday) the windchill is suppose to be -40 below. That is cold and hard on cars. I hope my kids can get their cars started in the morning. Then I think one more cold day and night and then a warm up. Brr this has been a cold winter or so it seems to me.

Today at water exercise Emma had to lay down "go to bed: closer to the pool than normal. She still was well behaved and not tempted (or so it seemed) by the water. I am so proud of her. My hope this summer is to take her somewhere where she can actually swim. She has not done that since she lived with Judy. I am told she loves to swim.

Tomorrow (Wed) we plan to be home all day if things go as planned. I am going to My Fair Lady in the evening with a friend of mine. A nap will definitely be in order. I think Emma is going to stay home with Greg. She would behave of course, but the tickets we have do not allow much room for dogs. I have taken her to the Ordway, movies etc when I know there is a bit more room for her to be at my feet.

Book club is Monday so I told Emma we better read tonight. She will snuggle up with me.
She is so calming and i enjoy being with her. We had fun this afternoon playing (indoors) and just being together. I would be lost with out her. She also is so helpful in countless ways.

I best go read, if I wait too long I will just fall asleep.

Stay warm.
Mary and Emma