We had a nice surprise. Sophia, Rosa, their dog Lily and my sons Mike and Dan came over. Mike and Danny came to help their Dad. Sophia and I had the best time. We played restaurant. She made up a menu, made me a credit card, wrote up my bill and so on. She even had me write a comment card after the pretend meal. Danny joined the fun. I love her active imagination. Rosa was very good cruising around so I had more time to play with Sophia. Also some of the time Danny, Mike, or Greg were there to help with Rosa. Sophia and I and both dogs also had fun outdoors. Gosh this was the kind of day (like yesterday) that is good for my spirits. I don't see Sophia as often as Rosa (like yesterday) as she is often with her Dad. It was sure fun to be with her today. She is awesome. So smart, kind and considerate.

I am so proud of Tia and Mike as parents. Tia is a wonderful Mom. She knows how to enjoy her kids, laugh, tease, and cuddle. She also knows how to set rules and boundaries. She got some time today to go to a class, and to be alone. She deserves that. My observation is that Mike is a wonderful Daddy to Rosa and to Sophia (his step daughter). I think they both feel very loved and cared about. They are such a nice family and I am so proud to be related to them.

Emma did well with Lily. They kind of do their own thing. Outdoors at times they both would be in the same area checking out new smells. At other times they just roam around on their own. It is sure nice to have a fenced yard. I had to clean up some of Emma's messes outdoors. Gosh I waited awhile and I hate that. I like to keep up with cleaning up the poop so it doesn't seem like much work. Oh well.

Today, we went to the church in Maple Grove (not where Greg works). Greg read one of the Scripture readings. Emma does so well we sit in the front row or second row. No matter when we go their are always some people (especially children) who are surprised to see a dog in church. Others know us and know she is excellently behaved. She doesn't make a peep. She lays on her blanket and is content. We met someone I had not seen for awhile and she was so impressed with Emma's behavior. That is nice for me.

Greg was suppose to work the rest of the day. He came home early as he was not feeling well. He is going to stay home tonight and rest. See if that helps him feel better. I thought Emma and I were going to have this long day all alone. Boy was I surprised by how the day went.

Rosa of course was a doll. I like when Sophia is here also because they play so nice together. Sophia is so patient as a 7 year old. She really amazes me. She wanted a chore to do and did some dusting. Oops she accidentally saw a Christmas present I had for her in the office. I hadn't hid it as I wasn't expecting her. It was some Barbie clothes. Oh well it will still be fun for her Dec birthday or Christmas. She also is never greedy or whining when with me. She still isn't sure what she wants for Christmas from Grandpa Greg and I.
She is just the greatest granddaughter. Of course Rosa shares that title also.

I have a Dr. appointment with a MS Specialist that also specializes in the vision disorders associated with Multiple Sclerosis. It will be interesting to see what his opinion on my vision problems are and his prognosis. I talked to him informally at a meeting last week and he indicated he thought the dizziness and vision problems that I have now are related.
I don't know if that is good or bad news. I guess I wish I knew if the dizziness will end.
On a scale of 1-10 it was about a 4 or 5 today. That is a good day. I almost fell but didn't outside due to the dizziness and also at church. Greg is getting to be an expert at catching me as I grab him frantically due to dizziness.

Yet, with the problems of MS I have to be pleased. I am still in my home not a nursing home. At one time it was thought I might be in a wheelchair full time by now and I still walk in my own home (using walls or furniture as needed for support), and a cane, walker, or scooter outside the home depending on the situation and the amount of walking involved.

Best of all I am able to enjoy my children and grandchildren. I try to inhale the experience, to soak it up and appreciate those minutes, hours etc. I am so glad my health and emotional health are such that I can still enjoy the time with them.

Emma seems happy too. We gave her lots of attention. Outside I think she is very interested in having Lily around. They both found places to smell and one or the other would follow the first one to find a spot. They were good companions today. Times when they ignore each other and times when they play.

My picture today is when Sophia slept over. She was resting on Emma. It was taken before Rosa was even born. Sophia is older and wears her hair shorter these days. Still it is such a cute picture that I wanted to share it. The other is just a more current picture of my darling Sophia. She has many involved grandparents but I feel fortunate to be one of her grandma's.

Here's hoping you have happy times with family.

Mary and Emma

Emma and I had a fun day at home. We did get outside and also played inside. My daughter Anna came over. She is so great with Emma. She also took Emma outside to play. Tia and Mike and Rosa also came over. We watched Rosa while they did some things to help us out. I have great kids. Rosa was a lot of fun. Very smiley and happy.

Rosa fell asleep in Grandpa's arms and he talked them into letting her stay awhile longer while they went home. She slept some more and Grandpa loved snuggling her. Then she ate dinner with us, entertained us and was so adorable

Rosa petted Emma so gently today. I am giving Emma lots of extra attention since she had to share me with Rosa today. I didn't nap but Emma did. Well I did nap a little on the couch, I forgot. Emma sat with me much of the day too. She gets so excited when Tia and Mike come over. She is one happy dog today.

I didn't get much done but seeing Rosa and the kids is the best medicine for me these days. I have been having more trouble with depression. People with MS are likely to suffer from depression due to changes in the brain itself. Anyway it was good to have them around today.

Now that Rosa is walking her position with Emma is so cute. When Emma is standing Rosa can pat her and kind of lean on her too. Emma doesn't mind at all.

Emma is ready to play so I am going to go do that with her. Hope you are having a good weekend.
Mary and Emma

I got my exercise on a stationary bike today. I am working on an exercise program specially developed for me by the Huega Program I went to in August. I have done some exercise in the months since but now am more serious and regular with my efforts. I am slowly building up to do more on the bike. The swimming/water exercises is of course exercise, I also do stretching and use a swiss ball. I do feel better the days I exercise. The program showed me how to do exercise despite the MS.

Emma got her exercise both outside in the yard today and we did errands. We went to a large Lowes store and to Cub. I used a scooter in both places. We took extra time both to practice her skills and then extra laps to get her exercise. So we both got more exercise today than we do sometimes. That's what I like when we get out to stores that Emma gets more exercise. She also runs a lot in the yard. It is nice when Greg has time off on Friday because of working all day and evening Sunday and evenings and/or part of Saturday.
Though he is doing some computer work at home for his job now.

Emma is having such a time adjusting her eating time to going off daylight savings time.
She is already pestering me because she wants to eat dinner. I don't remember if it was this difficult for her last year?!

I think the rest of the day will be quiet for Emma and I. They are hoping tomorrow will be warm enough to finish the staining on the front of my house. We might go to the MS support group meeting depending on if I can arrange a ride and/or am needed here at home. We will have a quiet night tonight.

I can tell you I have exercised enough now that I realize I do feel better. It helps my stress level and gives me some more flexibility in my legs. I can't do it for a long time but I guess starting out slow is the key. I do have MS limitations but it doesn't mean I have to sit in a chair all day at this point in my life. I am thankful for that fact.

Hope you all have a good evening and weekend.
Mary and Emma

This was taken in my first month having Emma. We were making thanksgiving pies. This of course was posed but I think it so cute. It shows Emma's curious side. Normally I don't have her nose in my cooking. ha ha

This picture made me think of how fast Thanksgiving seems to be coming this year. Wasn't it just summer? Time seems to be moving in fast forward lately. Our kids were already asking about if we were having dinner and of course we will have it here. I love the day and having family around. My teacher friend is counting the days till off school for Thanksgiving. Honestly the teachers are worse than the kids in waiting for free days. I once worked with a teacher who would tell us each morning how many days till summer vacation. It was a morning ritual.I am very glad that at this point in time all my children live in the state and actually in town.

We had a nice day. After water exercise, Emma was so cuddly. She doesn't do the "snuggle command" but she lays right beside me on the couch, or in bed. If we are out to lunch she often rests her head on my foot. She is my sweetie, I sure dropped a lot of things today, She was so excited to pick things up. I have though a very odd shaped dove shampoo bottle and she was so puzzled as to how to grab it. It was amusing to see her work at it. She likes a challenge.

Today people commented on how well groomed Emma was, I appreciated the compliment but part of the fact is she really self grooms. I brush her, keep nails trimmed etc but it is not hard -unless she gets in mud. It is especially nice to cuddle up to Emma on these darker winter nights. Boy it gets dark early.

I think we are home tomorrow. We better get to bed. Hope you all are cuddling up with your pets. Take care,
Mary Weinand

Today we took Metro Mobility. I brought a blanket and the driver let Emma ride on the seat. I was the only passenger and he said the blanker would protect the seat from dog hair. Emma was much more comfortable than on the floor. She seems to slip around on the rides in the bus.

We went to the Wed. sessions where my MS Specialists speak. I have come to know some of the people who attend and they greeted us warmly. I think because of Emma they really notice we have not been there for a long while. It is because Metro Mobility has never been able to provide us a ride home. What I found today was Good News - one of the people I just met is from Elk River. We are going to keep in touch and when she attends she will give me a ride home. That was great to hear. I will get to go more often(we). It is alway informative, helpful, and supportive.

I spoke the Schapiro who is my main MS specialist and to Dr. Calkwood who works with me on the eye problems related to MS (he is highly trained). I will have tests on the eyes in a few weeks. I don't know if it is good or bad news but he thinks some of the vision problems are linked to the dizziness - caused by some of the same problems in the brain.
He gave no predictions on if this ever will pass.

There is another drug they want to try for the dizziness to see if it gives any relief but insurance won't cover it so I don't have it. The Dr. is writing a letter to see if insurance will reconsider. I guess we will just have to try to focus on each day (excuse the pun) as I deal with vision and dizziness issues. But gosh I miss driving myself places.

Tomorrow we go to water exercise. I have a friend who will drive me so that is a good thing.

Emma was so good for me today. I was a bit discouraged about some things this late afternoon and evening. She can read me like a book. She cuddles up even closer. Out and about today she did well at obeying commands. We are working on walking a bit closer and watching me a bit more closely and that is going well too.

Last night dinner with my family was fun. I always enjoy time with my children and grandchildren. Greg and Dan and Rosa enjoyed this birthday celebration for them.

No other news tonight. Wasn't that bunny story cute? I mean Emma DID have that bunny pinned against the gate. I was so thrilled even from across the yard she responded so quickly to my command to "leave it".

Wishing you a good night. I am tired as I did not nap today and did not sleep well last night. Hope this isn't boring.

Mary and Emma