5/29 Xray results

Xrays show degenerative disease (arthritis) of the lumbar spine and sacroiliac. Worse on the right side than the left. (I think everyone my age has it. Maybe I'm wrong....) Our dad had a really bad case of it.

So I'll need to ask the doc if that could have caused the pain that came on so suddenly, or if there is something in addition. I'll ask him on Tuesday when I get back from Chicago. In the meantime I'll just take it easy and let the anti-inflammatory stuff try to work.

That's it for now.

5/28 Family fun

Just returned from Kelly and Todd's where we had dinner to celebrate Adam's return to Quincy for a vacation. It's so much fun to be with family even though tonight was for a short time. I was uncomfortable as I had a painful day, so came home early.

Tomorrow at 7 I have xrays, so that might tell us something. Sure hope so.

5/27 Beautiful pups

I love my dogs. Two pictures depict them calm and sweet. Two pictures depict them looking for the squirrels and rabbits that dare reside in our yard.

5/26 Memorial Day

It was nice to sleep in today. Of course the dogs woke me up at 6 AM as they normally do, but they were nice enough to go back to sleep until 7:20. Felt great.

My back felt better last night, and I am beyond thrilled! Here's hoping it keeps heading in that direction and I can get back to normal, whatever that is.

I'm working on losing weight (although it's hard without being able to exercise.). It didn't work when my family had the Bozarth Biggest Loser contest. But I"m now doing it with some of my writer friends online. I'm down 7 pounds in four weeks. Pretty good, but I have a long way to go.

Missing work actually. That's sad when I should be enjoying a holiday.

Had dinner last night at Maya with Jan, Jane, Paulette, Sarah, Kelly, and Deb. Tasty food of course, but the best thing was the company. We always have such a good time when we're together. The only sad part is that Jane may not be able to go on the Avon Breast Cancer Walk because she may need to stay home with Pete. And if she doesn't go, Deb won't go. Although Deb didn't say why. So it would just be Jan, Kris, Cassie, and me. Sure hope Pete is doing well and Jane can go.

5/25 Storms and such

It's been storming since 7 AM. (I've been up since 6.) Luckily I have wireless so I can still be on the computer.

We're on a slight break between thunderstorms right now, so the dogs are going crazy at all the rabbits and squirrels in our yard. Making me crazy too. I guess I'll have to have another session getting them used to rabbits and squirrels just like we did with the cat at Alpha Dog.

Here's a picture my brother Joe had. He and I are with our godson, Jordon, the graduate. Of course the only weight I'm supporting is the empty diploma holder. I just love the picture. Thanks, Joe and Cindy.



I'm going to put some things away today, and then this evening will have dinner with my sisters and two friends. We're all leaving Friday for Chicago for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk. Jane is iffy at this point because she wants to make sure Pete can do without her. We won't know that for a few days. I'm a bit iffy too, but am fairly sure I'm going to go.

5/24 Home with the dogs

The laziest of days.

The only thing I've really done all day is go to the grocery store. The dogs are a little whiny and get upset when squirrels and rabbits are in the yard, but other than that have been good. And I'm grateful for that.

Just wish there weren't so many squirrels and rabbits.

I feel really bad that I can't walk the dogs. It would calm them down. Always does.

5/23 Doc

Either my back is just strain or it's something more serious. The doctor's concern is that there are some other symptoms that may mean it's something other than a muscle strain.

Will begin physical therapy soon, and I'm having xrays taken on Wednesday. Will report back then.

5/21 Is it a full moon?

My dogs are both so crazy tonight I can't bear it. Makes me wonder if it's a full moon. They have both been so squirrel crazy that it's driving me nuts.

5/20 Oddities

It's odd. So many of my clients are people I know or people who know other family members or even people who may be friends of the entire family. Once they walk in, I always give them the option of going to someone else, but no one has taken me up on it yet.

They trust my confidentiality. And that absolutely makes me proud.

It's odd. Cookie honestly thinks she can get the squirrels that are in our trees. And I believe she is protecting Quincy and me from the nasty rodents. What's really funny is that the squirrels now taunt her, sitting in the tree in the backyard making squirrel noises. She really can jump up high--over six feet. Nearly made it over the big fence this week trying to get a squirrel that had crossed from our huge maple tree to the neighbor's huge fir tree. It's really fun to watch, but I'll be devastated if she ever jumps over. And I'm convinced that besides chocolate lab she is also a coon hound. I saw a special on TV about them, and she behaves exactly like a coon hound.

She's a pain, but I love her.

5/18 Today....

Today was Jordan's graduation from QND. It was fun...especially sitting with the family and making fun of the fact that Jordan wouldn't smile. Or look at us.

The celebration at the cabin was so much fun and I really enjoyed it. Ate too much of course, but the company was great!

Also today--I'm officially older than Dad was when he died. That means I've lived longer than both my parents. I promised myself that I'd treat every day as a gift, especially since I'm older than they were. I truly believe each day is a gift anyway, but especially now....

That's one reason I'm losing weight. I want to take care of myself as much as I can so I can enjoy the gift.

5/17 Too bad....

Woke up and took the dogs for a walk. They behaved really well, but after two blocks I had to turn around and come home. Spent most of the day either in bed or in a chair. The Advil just isn't cutting it anymore.

I'll see the doctor on Friday, and am looking forward to finding out what this is, and to get some relief.

Okay, this is the last post about the pain until I can post that it's better. :)

5/16 Hooray it's the weekend

Nothing exciting to report. I'm still waiting for an offer on the house in MS. Waiting impatiently, I might add.

Last night was my godson's Jordan's baccalaureate Mass. It was long, but was so neat. I can't believe he's graduating from high school. We're having a big family get-together on his graduation day this Sunday. Should be fun. I'm making a vegetable tray and dip and also a cranberry salad.

5/15 Horrible and fantastic news

The horrible is that the deal fell through on my house. Depressing.

The fantastic is that Jill and kids are visiting in October, and I'm thrilled beyond words. We're hoping that Rob and Beata can come at the same time.

5/14 Another offer

I accepted an offer on my house, except said no to one little thing they wanted. My realtor thinks they'll say yes. Maybe tonight.

Keep your fingers crossed!

5/13 Offers

One horrible offer on the house, but when they found out I was getting another offer they upped it $10,000. Still bad, but at least worth a thought. I should get the second offer tomorrow and I'm excited.

Spent a quiet night at home with the puppies. I really missed them. Both are behaving so well. We'll see if that continues while I'm at work tomorrow.

5/12 long day

Monday is my long day. Several cancellations, but of course I still had to be there.

It's good being home. I love traveling, but always love coming home. My old mattress even felt good.

There are tons of branches down in both my front and back yards. As soon as I can bend over, I'll need to get those taken care of. In the meantime the rains and winds continue.

Tomorrow I get a haircut after work, and I am looking forward to it.

Still haven't heard about the offer on my Mississippi home. Realtor said that she would receive the offer tonight, but it's 10 and haven't heard anything yet. Maybe tomorrow.

5/11 I'm home

The drive was the hardest ever. The wind blew so hard for most of the drive that I thought about stopping somewhere and resting. My hands gripped the wheel so tight nearly the whole trip. But the nice thing was that both my wonderful kids called me while I was driving. (Thank heaven for hands free phone ability.)

And when I got home, a surprise awaited me. On the front porch was a lovely arrangement of flowers--roses, carnations, tulips, and bachelor buttons--from Rob and Beata. Such a sweet gift, and it made me feel so special.

I'll take it to work tomorrow since I work 12 hours. Besides if I leave it here Quincy will probably eat the flowers. :)

4/11 Great great weekend

More about the wedding in a moment, but my real estate agent called while I was at the wedding reception and said another agent was writing an offer but just needed to know what my property taxes were. When I got back here to the B and B I looked it up online. Thank you, TurboTax! I should hear something today or tomorrow.

The wedding was perfect and the reception a riot. We danced all night. (I'm paying for it today, that's for sure.)

Just a few minutes until our breakfast, so I'll close for now. Will try to write when I get back to Quincy. Love to all.

5/10 Happy wedding day!

I'm sitting at a Bed and Breakfast in Henderson KY with my friends. We're watching Soulja Boy (because I tried dancing it tonight at the reception) and an ultimate belly flop contest that was held at my friend Debbie's house and watched Miss Teen South Carolina's silly silly answer on you tube and Jimmy Kimmel's rebuttal of it. Oh my I've laughed so hard.

Lou and Bill's wedding was perfect and the reception was so much fun. We all love this B & B too. It was great being with friends and I'll miss them, but it will be good to be home again. It'll be another 5 1/2 hour drive, but it'll probably go fast.

Bedtime for bonzo.

5/8 Busy busy busy

Today flew by, so busy. Just finished eating dinner and soon will start laundry and packing. I'm going to have a great time with my friends in Kentucky. Just hope the long drive won't wreak havoc on my bod. I have a hard time even walking in the morning and evening. It won't be long and I'll be able to see the doctor!

Hooray for that!

Corey just mowed my lawn. Hooray for that too!

5/7 Ugh, yay, and yay

The ugh is that the offer fell through. The guy didn't respond to my counteroffer because of an unexpected expense that he encountered. Shoot.

The first yay is that my sister-in-law Karen sent me tons of books, for grades K through 4. I will definitely put them to good use, Karen. Thanks.

The second yay is that Jill and kids may be coming to visit in October. I guess it's during school break. I am ecstatic. They just need to find some good ticket prices. And I'm confident that will happen.

Oh, and a mini-yay. I was worried about a huge expense that might happen, but it turns out that I worried for nothing. I called my friend Lou in Kentucky and told her I couldn't make the wedding this weekend in Kentucky because I couldn't justify the expense. She said the room at the B&B was already paid for, all the food was free, and all I'd be paying for is gas. She's so smart. She convinced me. And I'm glad, because I'll see several more of my friends there--some I just saw in CA. I'm looking forward to it and it's only a 5 hour drive or so.

The bad thing is that my family is having a yard sale at my house while I'm gone. Wish I could be there to help. And Jan, Jane, Kris, Deb, etc., I'm trying to get my lawn mowed before Saturday. I promise.

5/5 GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!

I got an offer on my Mississippi house! Hallelujah!

The problem is that it's $12,000 less than what I'm asking. I'm countering at half that. We'll see. Keep your fingers crossed please. (And prayers won't hurt either.)

I'm in between clients at the moment. I saw 8 clients today before I got away for lunch at 4:30. Sure made the day go fast. Have two more before I can go home tonight. It's been a really good, and productive, day.

5/4 News, both good and bad

Pete got to go home from the hospital yesterday. He'd been in for two full weeks. The final problem was four blood clots in his leg, so they had to put a filter in his vein so the clots wouldn't kill him. This was scary stuff. He's so happy to be home, ensconced in a hospital bed in front of a huge window in the family room. Jane collapsed upnon hte couch. She is so relieved, and life will be a lot easier for her.

Bad news. Quincy wet the bed last night. That would be upsetting, but not overly so, but in light of her puppy diagnosis of a pelvic bladder, this could be disastrous. The vet in MS said that since she's been okay the past year, a quick growth spurt could have fixed the location of the bladder, but didn't take xrays to prove it. Originally they'd told me that once she becomes incontinent, there was no cure. So I'm praying this was just an aberration. If not, I've got a very difficult decision to make. And it hurts to even think of it. Anyway, there it is.

As for me, I have a doctor appointment for later this month, but in the meantime am still struggling with my back, hip, and leg. It's gotten worse the past few days.

5/3 Happy birthday yesterday!

My beautiful granddaughter, Kayla, turned 8 yesterday. I can't believe how grown up she is. Here are some pictures through the years. I'll try to find one from our recent beach experience. I love you so much, Kayla. Happy birthday!