Sunday

Gosh it is warm and humid. We are putting out a pool for the grandkids and one for the dogs. I have no idea if the dogs will be interested but what the heck. The water of the pool will be good for the ground when it is done.

We are like kids waiting for Santa when our kids are coming over. We were up early. I still have some cleaning I would like to do and some laundry but I don't want to be too worn out when they come over. I think it will be such fun to see them all.

We have a ceiling fan in the ceiling in the dinning room. Emma is laying under it to catch the breeze. Feels good even with the air conditioning on. I can't imagine surviving with just fans today.

I am going to take Emma out now. Will let you know if she is interested in the water or not. She wasn't last year. I think she wants a real lake.

Will write more tonight if I have time. Sophia is sleeping over - yeah

We are spending a good part of the holiday weekend, cleaning a closet, and sorting through papers and clothes in a spare bedroom/office. It got to be a catch all. Greg is also doing some outside work on the gardens.

A highlight on the 4th was going to dinner with my son Dan and daughter Anna. It was relaxing and fun. I couldn't believe they both had time to be with us. Dan and I chatted by phone and he wanted to come over and one thing led to another. The other nice thing is when we came out of the restuarant we could see fireworks in the sky from a distance. It was fun to watch before heading home.

Our neighborhood was very loud with fireworks the night before on the 3rd. Emma stuck like glue to me. The 4th was better. I do not know what tonight will bring. Today we will continue with our project, do laundry, and grocery shop. You can be sure Emma and I are both taking time to be outside (in the shade for me) and also taking our naps.

If all goes as planned. All my kids and the granddaughters will be here on Sunday. I think they will bring Lily and Emma likes the company.

I need to go sneak in a short rest so better go. Hope all is well with you and yours.
Enjoy the holiday weekend.

Mary and Emma

Today we did not need air conditioning and enjoyed having windows open. It was a good day to get Emma outdoors also.

We went to water exercise today. Oh that felt good. We do exercises to help strengthen our arms and legs which get weak due to MS. We also stretch and do range of motion movements. Finally we spend 15 minutes in the deeper end of the pool swimming, exercizing or whatever we wish. The total work out is at least an hour. Often we can go in early. We also stagger getting out of the pool due to a limited number of changing rooms. Hurray this Y has a locker room for handicapped and families. They are all on one level (no steps) and have individual rooms with handicap bars, private shower etc. It works out great for us.

IT was a real treat that my friend Jan picked us up and we went out for lunch. Truly we go out to chat - the meal is secondary. She is a dear friend since the days when i taught. Emma was very well behaved all day. I was so proud of her.

Since swimming now starts at noon we get home for a later nap. You would think I would get more done in the morning before we leave but I really did not get much done today. A bit of paper work though.

Tonight Emma and I went outside for awhile. She needed the exercize. she loves her fenced in yard. I can't spell tonight. I can't believe that I still feel a bit tired.

tomorrow is the 4th of July. So far I haven't heard many fire crackers in our neighborhood. Emma does NOT like the noise. We will be home all day. I don't think our kids are coming over till later in the weekend but am not sure. I know they all are glad to have a three day weekend.

Hope your holiday is restful and relaxing. We wish you time with friends and family. Tonight I hope to take some time to read also.

Emma is in a snuggly mood. She likes to curl up next to me on the love seat. Then she wraps her paws around my leg and rests her head on my feet. I sure love her.

YEAH next week Sophia is going to day camp. She will be sleeping over at our house for the week. We are just thrilled.

Hope you have a good day.
Mary and Emma

Emma went to the doctor's office with me. I simply needed some blood tests so that was easy and quick. We also went to see my counselor. Emma always is so good and lays in the exact same spot in the room even when I forget a blanket. She was very obedient and adorable.

A friend picked us up and we shopped at a consignment shop. I didn't buy anything but she both bought and sold items. Then off for lunch and best of all a long talk. I don't get to see Terri as often as I would like. It was good to catch up on things. She has a lot going on in her life.

You can guess that Emma did great at the Bakers Square we went to. She got lots of attention for picking up her blanket (which I did remember tto bring in) and the leash. Many commented on how beautiful she was - I of course agree.

Home for a nap which won't surprise you at all. Now we hope to do some quiet chores like fold laundry. Tonight I am going to be doing some political phone calling. I know that people do not always like those type of calls but I have six quick questions and it should take less than 30 seconds to complete. I will let you know if people cooperate or are not happy to be interupted on a summer night. My guess is I will get both types of responses.

I will take Emma out again now. It seems nice out. She loves being outdoors of course. I have a pool for her but she shows no interest in going in it at all. Maybe the next very hot day I will try it again.

Emma is doing great. Hope you are also. Take good care.
Mary and Emma

Sorry I haven't written for a few days.

Sunday we were so fortunate to have Rosa with us. She is so much fun. She loves Emma. She gets right on the floor and hugs Emma. Greg took a good picture but it is still on his camera. We had a nice afternoon with her. She was such fun. She is 20 months now and really learning to use her words to tell us what she wants. She is such a wonderful joy in our lives. I am so blessed to have my granddaughter Sophia and Rosa.

When she comes over the other great thing is Tia and Mike stay to visit when they pick her up. I love that too. I suppose I was just tired so didn't write. We grilled and Emma likes that. Each time someone goes out to start the grill or watch the food - Emma also gets to go outside and that is fun for her.

Monday I had some problems with the heat. It was not terribly hot or anything but oh my gosh I had trouble with vertigo. We went to Target and i was fine. Greg worked at home on the computer for work. When he took a break we went to Target. It was nice and cool lin there. Emma got a lot of walking in as we walked around.

When I hit the sun and warmer air - I got so dizzy (vertigo) I almost fell over. I tried to help plant a little bit but just could not. Then the vertigo would not go away even in the house. I went to lay in my bed to rest early and fell asleep. I have not been outside yet today and feel fine.

Last year I had a bad case of vertigo and I am hoping this does not happen now. I had problems for months and could barely even walk to the bathroom. Now it isn't that bad. I will just have to work at not getting over heated. MS for most people mean you just can't handle the heat once it hits about 80 or less.

Emma is doing fine. When I was dizzy last night I grabbed the wall to not fall. She ran for the phone. Now isn't that a helpful Emma. We go to water exercise today. I am not sure how warm it will be outside. It looks nice and sunny.

Over the course of several days we got our garden planted. Greg did most the work but in the shade i got some pots of flowers done. It really looks nice. Now we need some rain from mother nature. Things are dry here.

Hope all is well with you. Mary