Tonight I am enjoying my cozy home with Emma. We will be home all day and evening tomorrow. I am enjoying the calm. I made a few phone calls to catch up on the news with family. We had fun watching Rosa for a few hours. She said Grandma!!! Okay it was Grandma and she knew it meant me. I was so darn thrilled. Sophia read some books to me. She is such a big girl. I love them both so much.

Rosa and I did not sleep much today so I am tired. Emma on the other hand and Lily (their dog) both enjoyed trips outside and slept away the afternoon. Emma is very comfortable at their house. She knows Lily is boss and then things go smooth as silk.

I need to spend some time working on Christmas presents tomorrow. I can't say what I am working on as family reads this. I also will nap and do a few chores.

I feel like I am in a writing slump. If there is anything you want to know about having a service dog, coping with MS, or other things let me know. When you push submit you will see how to send a comment. Or email me at maw40@comcast.net.

I was thinking tonight what a wonderful companion Emma is for me. She was so good in the car going to Sioux Falls. She snuggled with me when we got home on our own bed. She laid with her head and half her body on my legs. As if to say "this is the greatest to be in out bed!!". I had the same thought.

For the record she does have her own bed right next to mine. Sometimes she feels too crowded when Greg joins us in bed and heads to her bed. Most often she sleeps with us.
I like it that way. I like when she lays so close I feel her breathing. My life is so much richer because I have her with me all the time. What a gem she is.

Thursday night Emma will be with my husband Greg for a few hours. My son bought me tickets to see The Sound of Music. It was a gift for my August birthday and has been fun to anticipate. My friend Jan is going with me and will drive. I love that Movie and am anxious to see it in live theater at the Ordway. Emma has been there with me before. I do find there is not a lot of leg room. So Greg who loves her almost as much as I do offered to dog sit. I know they will have fun. Jan offered to help me as much as Emma does ha ha. I would not be worried about Emma's behavior. I will just have more foot room this way.

One of my favorite songs in that show is Climb Every Mountain. It makes me cry every time. I was/am a dreamer. I wanted to make a difference in the world. I wanted to find my "dream". I think I found that in being a mother. I always wanted to be a mom. I love every minute of the journey - though I sometimes worry too much about my children. I feel it was/is an honor to be the mom to four lovely children. Now Tia (Mike's wife) and Justin (Becky's boyfriend for many years) also brighten my days. Plus I have these wonderful granddaughters!!! How fortunate and blessed I am.

I also wanted to work with children. I started out in religious education running programs for children and parents. My office was housed in a school. Then I stayed home for 7 wonderful years and did daycare. I was having health problems during those years and found myself in ER. I thought "What if I die and never get to be a teacher?" So I spent nights going back to school to be a teacher. When my youngest was in first grade I started my student teaching. The rest is history. So that was my second dream to be a teacher.

I hope that I have many more years, decades, and dreams to pursue. Emma helps me cope with daily life and is part of my dreams now. She helps me be more positive about life and feel hopeful about my future. I do think though if my life were to end early I would still be very blessed. My most precious dreams have been part of my life journey. I am so fortunate.

So tonight I will count my blessings and leave my troubles till tomorrow. I hope you can do the same. Maybe I will even look up the words to that song...

Have a great day.
Emma and Mary

We are home safely. We went the long way home to visit a few towns. We also got lost a few times. Home looks good to Emma and I.

We are very glad we went to the funeral. Emma does not sleep much in the car. She sits on the seat and looks out the window. We took her outside to play immediately when we got home. Now she is ready for some attention indoors. I will write more tomorrow. Emma was awesome.

Mary and Emma

Emma helps with decorating for Christmas. Have a wonderful day. We are fine. Headed out of town for a funeral for a few days.

Merry Christmas from Emma and Mary

Thanks to the help of my son Danny, our Christmas tree is up. I just put the lights on. I may wait to decorate till tomorrow. It also was fun to take out some of the house decorations. I think Emma enjoyed watching us with this task. She looked with interest when I turned on the lights. I like a lot of lights and multi colored. I can't wait to have my granddaughters see the tree. I heard they finished decorating at their house tonight.

Dan also joined us for dinner, we watched most of a tv Christmas Movie and chatted. I appreciate time with my children more than they could ever imagine. Maybe they will understand when their own children are adults. When they grow up and while you marvel at the individuals they have become - you have empty minutes or hours when you miss their presence. I just love time with Anna, Mike, Tia, Becky, Dan, Justin are here. Justin is Becky's boyfriend but seems like one of the family.

We also went out to lunch at a place that served Mediterranean food. It was so yummy. My friend Jan and I had the best lentil soup I have ever tasted. We chatted and had a good time. We both had chores to do today but this was a nice break in the day.

We rested, played outside (but brr it was 0 degrees and windy so it was cold. It was a nice day for Emma and I.

Emma was so good when we were out for lunch. I think it was new for the owner of such a small place to have a dog come in so I did some explaining. He did like Emma and marveled at her behavior. I even let him pet her. She can handle being petted if I say "release". She allows some petting and then I am able to easily get her easily back at my command. Even if someone pets her with my permission she watches me. If someone comes to pet her without my permission she gives me a paniced look like "what should I do". Most times then she would even back a step away.

I do explain to individuals that even if I let her pet Emma that when I am working with her, in a mall, store, or busy with someone I do not allow petting. I also remind them you always have to ask permission before petting any dog...pet or service dog. If i do let someone pet her it is when we are sitting resting. I do not say yes when we are on the move or in a busy place. I want her attention fully on me.

I do allow Emma on furniture in my home. I am glad she is respectful though and knows not to jump on furniture at friend's homes or in public places. She would only jump up with my permission which is a good thing. I don't think foster homes allow dogs on the furniture.

Even Emma's step seems a bit faster in this cool weather. I am glad to have a cozy home. Last year we had a whimpy winter with not much snow till Feb. and not so cold this early either. The nights seem so long, dark, windy and cold to me. When the weather is below zero in the months ahead O will seem like a treat. No wonder some people escape to warm climates in winter.I do like the snow though. Next time we have a good snow I need a snowman in my yard. Maybe some time this winter Sophia and I can make one?

the lights on the tree are pretty. I forgot we had those musical Santa's, a musical Sesame street Christmas Decoration that Rosa and Sophia will enjoy. I have a few more things than I remember and not enough places to put them. That is okay we can make it festive and save some items for another year.

I need to go let my wonderful Emma out. She enjoys when my kids visit too. Greg also has helped make sure she gets outside enough to exercise.

Remember tomorrow we are leaving to go to a funeral in South Dakota. My daughter will check on my house and things. I don't know if she wants to stay here or not. Sometimes she has Monday's off. Emma will be with us. I have to go pack food for her and some treats. I have not taken her that long in the car. I am not the best long distance driver in the car. It is four hours which seems long to me. It might be longer due to blowing snow and some new snow is predicted I think. We will take breaks for sure.

I hope you are enjoying the weekend. If there is something special you would like to know about Emma let me know. I can't imagine life without her. I am daily amazed at all she knows, how she helps me, and just how well behaved she was. The gentleman who owned the restaurant was so surprised to hear she even goes to church with me. It is amazing at how trained she is. He told us to come again and bring the dog along too. A compliment indeed. Way to go Emma.

Have a good evening.
Remember don't worry if I don't write again till Monday night or even Tuesday.

Mary and Emma

Last night I did not write because we were at a Johnathan Colton concert with my children. Emma stayed home alone since it was crowded, and loud. The tickets were sold as standing room only. When we got there I was relieved that the crowd was such they did set up chairs. We had called ahead and they said they would have a chair for me. The entertainer and his opening act had very humorous songs. I haven't laughed that loud for a long time. My kids had fun - even Sophia went along.

It went later than I thought but Emma managed just fine. I was worried about leaving her for a long time. Judy (her foster mom) reassured me that she would be fine. Judy, who trained Emma, is like a trusted friend who can help guide me when I am not sure about something. I could have called Sue K too but wanted to greet Judy anyway.

Today I went for lunch with a friend. Again Emma was home but only for less than two hours. My friend has car seats for grandchildren in her back seat and things in the rear of her vehicle. Emma did fine. The rest of the day I was with her, we played, we napped, snuggled, folded a little laundry, I made fudge, and we watched tv. It was a productive day. Greg helped with the laundry and the fudge too. i have to sit to work in the kitchen but was glad with our team work we got that finished.

I think we wil be home all day tomorrow. Didn't I say that yesterday? I do hope that if my children have time to visit they will help take down the Christmas tree from the garage attic. Greg can't get it down alone. I like having it up and the lights. Emma has been listening to Christmas music with me since before Thanksgiving. I love the christmas melodies. I will enjoy getting a few decorations up for Christmas season.

Emma worked with me on picking up the house this morning. I don't always mention the things that are part of our daily routine. She will help pick up towels that don't get hung up by my husband, socks, the newspaper or things I might drop or bump off the coffee table. Sometimes I stumble somewhat due to MS and might knock off a newspaper or book or something.

Emma brings me so much comfort and joy in a day. I have troubles at times with anxiety and she is a comfort. When I am alone she is so comforting. She keeps me more active when she insists we go outside or when i play indoors with her. She is like a bright light in each of my days. I feel so blessed to have her in my daily life.

I will write tomorrow and we will have to do a bit of laundry. We will be traveling Sunday - Monday to Souix Falls South Dakota for a funeral. It is a four hour drive but might take longer due to blowing snow or if it snows. The land is very flat on the way there. It is to celebrate the life of his wonderful Uncle Earl. He was a fantastic Uncle, Father, and Husband. Very kind, hard working and with a great sense of humor. It will be the first time we have ever gone on a long ride with Emma. I think she will be fine. I am glad we are not trying to do the drive all in one day. Then we can relax and not worry if blowing snow or weather slows us down. We will be there Sunday night and the funeral is Monday. We will be home Monday evening. Greg does have to work for awhile on Sunday morning.

I feel grateful for family tonight. Very grateful for my children, grandchildren, husband, siblings and friends and extended family. i am richly blessed.

Wishing you a warm and cozy night.
Love from Emma and Mary