I am writing this late Wed night. 2 days till the Women's Getaway. We can't wait.

Bummer I fell twice today. My ankle got twisted a bit and hip bruised but not too bad. I elevated it and am taking it easy. i guess my balance was off today.

Emma was ready to help me both times. There was no one to go get for help but she came right to me. I had the cell phone with me so she did not have to go get the phone either. The second time was more pronounced and she looked at me like ""what can I do?".
Either that or she knew it was supper time and wondered "will this delay my meal?"
Let's assume her question was how can I help.

Thursday we get to go to Helping paws in the afternoon and see Judy. We can't wait. Time passes quickly and we haven't seen her since before Christmas. We also plan to go swimming assuming I feel fine (regarding the ankle).

I am setting out the clothes for the weekend. I have my what to bring list for both myself and for Emma. It seems funny but I do have to pack dog food, a feeding dish, treats for her.

We babysat two hours today. Rosa was so darn cute. She can move her self around now by rolling back and forth. She also is at that stage that she has a melt down if you leave the room even for a second to get her bottle. She cries like you might never come back. She is doing just great. A smiley wonderful girl. With a very loving big sister. I saw Sophia too so that was a double delight.

Off to bed. It's too late to think of anything creative. I will walk slower tomorrow and use my cane every inch. mary and emma

Three days till the Women's Getaway.

Today was a day to celebrate friends. A good friend I don't see as much as I would like to called and will be there all weekend. I had lunch with three friends after swimming. I met a teacher friend after she was done with school. It was a good weather day too. A day full of smiles. Emma of course is the great friend who is with me no matter where I go. We sat outside at my friend's. Emma liked that.

I should have come home to do laundry and chores. Friends? Chores? What is more fun? With MS being with friends is much easier on me than any chores also. So we chose fun today. MS sometimes keeps me from driving, or going out - I am thinking how grateful I am the past few months have gone well!! I have my days where I sleep most of the day or 12-14 hours at night. But oh do I rejoice in the good days. More than you can imagine.

Emma was also in a good mood. She helped me pick up some things at home and just was so eager to please me today. We both had a good day.

Here's hoping you had a great day. Spend some time with a friend, email, or call them. It really can lift up your spirits. That's what Emma and I think.

Talke care, Mary and Emma

Four days till we go to the Women's Getaway. Not that I am excited of anything.

Today was just awesome weather. Emma loved getting outside. I babysat a few hours at Rosa's home. There dog Lily gets to be outside as much as she wants on a leash. Being a service dog, Emma only goes out with me, unless it is cold and then I watch her from the window. She keeps her eye on me. They don't have a fenced in yard so when I took her out I used the flexi. Well she handled it very very well. I was so proud of her behavior. she is use to the length of the flexi and listens to me. I never have trouble with her pulling. I never leave her tied on a leash outdoors unattended so she doesn't learn to pull. I am with her all the time.

Some people sure have a hard time understanding the relationship of a service dog and owner. At support group a woman again raised the question of why she goes everywhere with me. Another replied oh the dog just gets lonesome. I needed more time to explain all the ways she helps me, and the bond we form working together. I never think "oh I have to bring Emma along". I want her with me all the time!! Once in awhile i leave her alone for a short amount of time (usually with Greg) so she gets adjusted to that. But the last time I did she layed at the door the whole time waiting for me.

Rosa loves Emma and finds it fascinating to watch her. So Emma is a helper when I babysit for a few hours. We got to see Sophia after school too. She was not feeling good so did not want to go outside to play at all. A sure sign she wasn't feeling well.

Emma seems tired tonight also. We are off to an early bedtime. Not sure what our day looks like tomorrow. Thursday I plan to swim, and we plan to see Judy, Emma's foster mom. What a fun thing to look forward to.

Have a great day Tuesday. mary and Emma

Mary says I need practice.

We werre outside on a walk, Oh the smells, I was so curious to smell everything. I wanted to look at everything, There were lots of barking dogs, I didn't bark (Mary said good girl Emma) but I wanted to see them. I didn't pull Mary or anything. Let's Just Say it was a bit hard to focus on being in position and focusing on Mary. It just was an awesome Spring Day. Nice and sunny too.

Well Mary said - we need to practice Emma. So we went to a place where we did some circles, figure 8's. Well if I am not watching then I get bumped into. That made me realize I better pay attention. Mary said I did much better the second half of the walk.

We walked so far. Mary is of course on the scooter. We really enjoyed the weather. It did make me kind of tired. Mary says I will get in shape as we plan to do this daily. I bet she will warm me up with circles, figure 8's, m & m's and other things I learned at helping paws before we get started.

I know Mary is the boss. I just need reminders sometimes. Mary says she is a life long learner. She always told her class "What is the most important thing I want to teach you?"
They would guess Math, Reading or something like that. She would say "I want to teach you to love learning and that you learn your whole life - you never stop learning".

Consider me a life long learner, who sometimes needs review and repetition,
Emma

Hey did you know in 5 days we go to a hotel for three nights?? I love hotels and am always on my best behavior. It is a resort on a lake. Last year I got to walk in the water and I even ducked my head in a bit. It was a blast. They dried me off quick (some volunteers from the MS Society who walked me) so I wouldn't get cold at all. Water or no water - I think it will be super fun.

Hope you enjoyed your Saturday. I didn't get what my sister calls "those Sat chores done".
We did go to the MS support group, and did a bit of grocery shopping. My dauther Anna and son Dan came over and had dinner with us. My husband grilled. It was such a nice day. A bit warmer than yesterday.

Emma was a bit stubborn about picking up my keys and a few things when I was out and about. I find I have to really be sure to "say it like I mean it" and wait her out if she refuses. She just wasn't as in to working today. Her positioning with the scooter was really good and her manuevers as I use the scooter (back, around, right, left, heel, side, let's go etc) all went well once she got warmed up. I think she thought at first this should be her day off?? Spring fever?? She did fetch things once I made it clear it wasn't optional. A click treat helped too though I hadn't carried more than two treats with me today. i use the littlest milkbones, or the charlie bears to watch the calories.

Oh boy did she have fun running in the yard. She liked having Anna and Dan around for several hours also.

At support group there were a few new people. They were so excited to see her come in, go under the tables and lay on her blankie. She sure does that well. The blanket tells her what to do sometimes before I say a word.

I am tired but had a good day. Maybe those neglected chores will get done after church. Or maybe I will need a day of mostly rest. I don't have anything planned and my husband works in the afternoon and evening. Emma will keep me company.

I am so fortunate to have my family, friends, and support group too. So many things organized by the MS society. Next weekend Fri-Sunday Emma and I go to the Women's Getaway - that will be very fun.

Hope all is well with you.
Mary and Emma