Agree or disagree with me on politics is fine. Let me get my candidates name spelled correct. Al Franken. Please know I respect your opinion even if you disagree. What irritates me more is people who don't pay attention to politics. I think all sides agree that this is an important time to voice your opinion and be heard.

I am up at this hour (5:31 Maple Grove time) and have been up for almost four hours. My coughing is such that Greg can't sleep. Also I breathe better when I am sitting up. i guess another call or visit to the doctor is in order today.

Emma did finally get some sleep now. She was up with me while I coughed the night away. She is such a dear companion but I think even she tired out. The prednisone is a taper. I take an amount and then reduce it down every three days. I know it makes me more alert. It is not as high a dosage as that I take for MS flare ups.

We will be home today Monday unless I get into the doctor. I will call first. Again getting a ride there might be tough as Greg works. I hate not driving. But I cope.

I hope you have a good Monday. My email is not working for those who might email me. I am going to try to sleep again...have a good day.

shh Emma is sleeping...Mary

Emma went with today to hear AL Franchan speak. He is running for US Senate. Here are the pictures my son took.


It was very interesting hearing his ideas. It was a good crowd. Then we came home for a needed nap. With my cold and cough I need them even more. I had to do another nebulizer treatment and start on prednisone to help my breathing issues with this cold. Anyway Emma was on her best behavior with a crowd of over 200 is our guess.

Tonight we are going to the movie "Atonement". I read the book so am excited to do this.
Hope you are having a good weekend. We go to another political gathering on Thursday.
We of course will caucus on Feb 5th.

hope you take time to know your candidates and to vote in your primary or caucus.
Mary and Emma

Sunday am
Emma seems to be feeling better. We plan to go hear a senatorial candidate speak.
Hope you have a good day. I will write more later
Mary

Emma is not feeling well today. First she threw up. Not sure what made her so sick. What a mess. Then she was very tired all day. She did not even get out of bed when I mentioned we could go in the car. Greg dog sat while a friend took me to a support group meeting. In the afternoon, she had eaten a little, but still was not interested in going anywhere. We went to hear some US Congress Candidates speak but she rested at home. She began to eat and drink a little. She slept I think while we were gone a few hours.

When I got home she would go outside with me, but even then was not her peppy self. She came in to nap with me. Tonight she looks a little better. But I am waiting for her to get that sparkle back in her eye. She just seems so tired out. She has not thrown up again.

I would guess by tomorrow she will be her old self. She is eating and drinking so I thought that was a good sign. I missed her today when I went out and she was not with me. Right now she came in to lift my hand off the keyboard indicating she wants attention. That is a good sign also.

I still am coughing but feeling better. HOpe you stay healthy and have a good weekend.
I will keep a close eye on our Emma.
Take care

Emma and Mary

Friday - You know you have been in a few days when you are excited to go to physical therapy. Today Emma and I were both glad to get out of the house. I see a MS specialist in physical therapy she is helping me learn to deal with my dizziness. I have seen improvement too. I guess it is like reteaching the brain/body in some ways. hard to explain it all but I do exercises with the movement of my body, use of vision and slow but surely the practice is helping me feel less dizzy. It has to do with the vestibular part of your body I think.

Okay I can't explain it but it is helping. Emma is my therapists favorite dog. She can't believe how well Emma behaves. Yes she showed her superb behavior again today. I bring her blanket and she lays on it while I work with the physical therapist. Sometimes we even leave the room briefly to do work in the hallways and Emma just stays at her position. I was so darn proud of her. what a great service dog.

We had to change rooms a few times and each time she was so cute, picking up her blanket and handing it to me. Then I put it down where she would lay down and wait for me. She is such a terrific dog.

Greg and I also too her to PetCo. She got nails clipped, picked out some treats and we got dog food. It is her favorite place to go and smell at the store. The portion of the store that is where she gets her nails clipped is NOT her favorite. She managed fine though. Greg knelt on the floor (she hates going up on the tables) and held her. The woman calmly did her nails. With Emma you just have to do it. She hates it but you have to calmly and quickly get it over with. Actually today she did rather well.

We picked up medication and headed home for a late nap. Emma just was in excellent form all day today. Judy you did such an awesome job of training Emma. Thanks to Judy's parents, children, Steve, and friends who all helped socialize my wonderful Emma. She is delightful.

The other night I went to bed early (not unusual) and later Emma woke me and pulled at me in the manner she does when she goes for help. I could tell she was upset. I quickly got up. Greg was slumped a bit in his chair and deeply asleep. He was fine but it was tough waking him. My guess is that at that time of night he usually takes her out one last time. She often sleeps with me awhile and then about 11 gets up and keeps him company goes outside. Our guess was she could not get his attention and sensed something was wrong. Wasn't that a smart dog to go for help? Believe me I was relieved that all that happened was that Greg had fallen asleep in his chair.

I am looking forward to seeing my granddaughters. I just spent some time giving Emma extra TLC since she will need to share my attention tonight. I also have had to use my nebulizer daily due to the asthma and this cold (bronchitis?) I have. Emma has the funnies look on her face when I use it. She watches me intensely. It makes a bit of a gurgle noise at times. Anyway she keeps her eye on me.

We hope to see Judy (her foster mom) within the next few weeks. Yeah for that. They say MN weather is going to get a bit colder too. We will see if the weather forecast is correct or not.

Hope you have a good weekend. My granddaughters should be here any minute and I am delighted. WE are delighted

Grandma Mary and Aunty Emma