Emma loved our outing Friday to St. Lawrence Neuman Church and to a chinese restaurant in Dinkytown (just a block away). She loved it so much she did not want to listen to me while outdoors. Ooh oh oh the smells, the sounds, the many distractions that seemed much more interesting than me. She stayed at my side but the word "watch" fell upon deaf ears.
No she wouldn't listen while outdoors. We had to walk a bit to get to the place and she just was pleased to stop every few inches to smell things. She was not a model service dog she usually is...

Once inside she did great. She sat/dropped under the booth and was her normal self. Wonderful. I chatted away with a young woman who is a family friend and a first year teacher. It was so enjoyable. We talked a long time and it went fine.

We went outside and this time she seemed more content to work with me. They pulled the car up for me so we didn't have to walk. Once we parked at Greg's work - she loves the yard there (we park in the back) and she did listen but had to smell a bit too. Then we went in. She was perfect while we spent hours labeling post cards to the students living in dorms welcoming them to the faith sharing opportunities coming up. I wasn't the only one labeling but I did it many hours and have more to do today (saturday). A lot of students live in dorms at the University of MN. Greg my husband works at the St,. Lawrence Parish and Neuman Center.

We both were tired and glad to get home. i went right to bed so didn't blog. She on the other hand had rested all day so was ready to play. I did play some before bed and Greg took her outside to play also.

Today we need to take a nap (I missed that yesterday) but have some simple chores to do and will get outside. Yes more labeling to do also. We made the task fun yesterday by chatting away as we worked. Different people came and went to help out. Some students took a bunch with them to do at their dorms. No I didn't have to do them all - thank goodness. Greg is so busy this time of year I was pleased to help a little. It was good to get out of the house.

I think we will be home all weekend. Greg is home today except he needs to do some shopping for work. Emma and i might ride with.

Emma is so funny at night when i go to bed and she really wants me to get back up. She tries so hard to lay quiet by me. Then she starts a wiggling. Last night she laid on her back (rare) and wanted me to rub her tummy. She brought me a few toys too. I did get up and play a bit before going to bed again. Greg also took her out two more times so she got her exercise. When he takes her out she runs into my bedroom, jumps up as if to let me know she is back indoors. Then she cuddles up next to me. I love how it feels when she cuddles next to me. I sure love my Emma.

Have a good weekend.
Mary and Emma

Emma and I were home again today. Again it was a great day to be outside and I had to take it easy. Emma loves being in the yard. We had a relaxing day.

Tonight we babysat Rosa with Greg's help. She is so fun and busy at now 10 months old. Emma is great with her.

I have been working on the speech for the Helping Paws Tail Waggin Dinner. I hope I do okay. I am nervous but honored to speak.

Tomorrow I have a medical appointment in the morning and then a lunch date with a young teacher who is a friend of ours. Emma and I both will enjoy getting out of the house. We do NOT have any plans for the holiday weekend.

More tomorrow. I am pretty tired. Emma was great today. It is so comforting to play with her, and then cuddle on the couch as I pet her, and take a nap with her. She helps me not feel sorry for myself and not feel lonesome. What a great dog I have....Mary

Emma and I had a quiet day at home. I was advised to take it easy for a few days and that is just what we are doing. It is such nice weather we liked being outdoors. I am glad to be feeling better.

Emma is so attentive. Her new thing is she wants to be touching me when we lay down or rest on the couch. I was sitting watching tv and she made sure to be close to me. Part of the time she wanted to sit in my lap. A little big for a lap dog I would say. Most the time she just lays so her body is touching mine whether in bed or on the couch.

We played with some toys outside and she liked that also. It was a wonderful day to be outside. I am also enjoying reading the book "A Thousand Splendid Suns". I read kite rider and this is his second book. It is very interesting and captivating.

I was thinking about what awesome children I have. My husband had to work a retreat this weekend. So I was alone when I needed to call 911. They determined I needed to go to the hospital and police called my son Danny. He was there before I arrived at the hospital. He kept me calm and kept me company. My other children also took turns coming and checking on me. Mike and Tia even brought little Rosa (now 10 months old) and you can be sure my children and grandchildren (Sophia came too) brought a smile to my face.

We are not 100% sure what caused such breathing difficulty and chest pain and high blood pressure. At least we know it was not my heart. I am home and we will handle that one day at a time.

It feels good to be home with Emma at my side. I think we will be home all day tomorrow. My dear friends invited me to a movie but I think we will stay close to home.

Thanks for the kind notes in my email.
Mary and Emma

I spent four days in the hospital. I went is with spasms, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. The good news is it was not my heart based on tests done throughout those days. The problem is related to my other health problems it would appear.

You will be happy to know Emma was a big hit at the hospital. I left her at home when I went in the ambulance but learned later I might have been able to take her with. I didn't know that as an ambulance seems so small. She was in a bedroom so she was out of the way. My husband and children brought her to the hospital later. I was alone at home when all this happened.

I chose to have Emma come home at night. The hospital did lots of blood tests, vitals, etc throughout the night. i didn't know how she would handle the constant in and out. Also I had some tests at unscheduled times. So one of the mornings I might have been going to a test in a sterile area where she could not come and not have someone there yet to take the dog. Anyway under the circumstances we think it all worked out well. She would be there till 10 or 11 pm and back again in the morning as early as my husband or kids could bring her. We live about 25 minutes from Mercy Hospital. In a few years we will be just a freeway exit away from the New Maple Grove Hospital. It is due to open in two years I think.

I know there are others who might feel Emma should have been there even at night. I was pretty stressed by it all and sick so did not want to worry about if she needed to go out to go potty at night or very early am.

Anyway we got home. I had an angiogram and am sore from it. I am glad to be home. Emma was so thrilled when I got home to take a nap. She just was so excited to climb into bed with me and kept scooting herself till she was fully touching me with her spine and curled up close. At the hospital she usually slept in the bed with me also. She is just so thrilled to be home again with me - I am also.

More tomorrow. Ii am off to bed. Mary

Today Emma and I slept late. I just had trouble last night sleeping. Then the day unfolded to be fantastic. Becky had planned to come have lunch with me as she had the day off. Mike and Tia called and also both had the day off. So we all went to lunch. Greg had to head out for a retreat he is giving this weekend. After lunch we went to Babies R Us and had such fun picking out clothes for Rosa. She is growing like a weed and needed some new items. We found many things on sale. She even got to pick out a toy. The first time she could show her desires.

Even at almost ten months she will hold a phone or remote to her ear to be like a phone. Then she goes "yeah yeah yeah". It is hysterical. So we picked out a toy phone. She could push the buttons and hear either a greeting or music. She liked that. We tried several and found the one she liked best. She cried when we had to take it away briefly to pay for it. It was so much fun.

Her birthday was in October so we had fun looking at other toys to show her which she might
like for her birthday or Christmas. Becky, Mike, Tia and I had such fun. Rosa giggled and laughed. At the toys or us???

Emma had to stay home as their was not enough room in their car for her. Emma must have napped. We have played outside and will be together tonight. She did just fine. My husband was here part of the time.

Becky came home to do laundry and we had fun playing scrabble. It was so fun to be with her. I like to play scrabble though I am not very good at it. We had a good time. I had hoped she could stay for supper but she had other plans.

I am so glad to have Emma to keep me company tonight. Imagine how she will like having half the bed to herself. I just took her outside but will do that again tonight a few times.
She seems very content today. She helped me pick up some of Rosa's toys and put them in the toy basket. What a helper she is today.

She also helped with laundry. That's my girl. Well off to play with her. I rotate her toys and we got out some we have not used for awhile. That will be fun.

Tomorrow my other two children Danny and Anna plan to come over. Aren't my kids the greatest. So much fun to be with. I told them Greg would be gone a lot this weekend and they made plans to see me. Yeah for that.

Hope you find time for some fun this weekend with those you love.
Mary and Emma