5/3 Fairly productive

Gussie and I walked a mile today, I watered my flowers, picked up the house, cleaned up a hairball (thanks, kitties), went to the grocery store, wrote my article and did laundry. Makes me tired just to read it. :)

Tonight's article is--Do you really want to know if someone is lying to you?

4/24 A good life

At 1 I met Jan, Tim, Pete, Jane, Sarah, Jordan, and Ashley for lunch at Krieger's. What a perfect way to spend part of Friday afternoon. Cindy walked by and we chatted with her a while.

Jan stopped by my house a little later with some lovely flowers for my garden. She's the greenest thumbed person I know and she'll help me know the weeds from the not-weeds. Of course I can't do much work myself, but I'm feeling pretty good and can surely do some.

We spoke of all the activities going on this summer, and I think I'm going to walk in the Susan B Koman 5k in Peoria with Jan, Kristen, and Jane. Because we're missing the Avon Breast Cancer Walk this year, we want to do something.

Gus and I took a mile walk this afternoon too, and I saw John (our brother). It was nice to talk to him too. (Oh, yesterday I forgot to blog that it wasn't just Gussie's birthday, it was Bozie's too. And speaking of cats, Allie Cat had diarrhea on my bedroom carpeting this morning. But I still love her.)

Tonight's article: Feel-good Friday: Vaginas don't have teeth.

I'm so happy to be in Quincy. There are so many family events going on and I would have been so jealous if I were still in Biloxi. I love you guys.

3/23 11 months old

Yep, Gussie and Bozie are both 11 months old today, and Allie is 9 months old. They are sure growing. Gussie is now 18 pounds. If he gets too much bigger I won't be able to lift him anymore, and that would make me sad. He should be about done growing.

Gus and I walked for about 2/3 of a mile tonight and I'm not feeling too bad, so that made me happy.

I'm done with my article, did the walk, and now need to make dinner. I'm planning on potatoes and sauerkraut. Doesn't your mouth water when you think about sauerkraut? Mine sure does.

Tonight's article is Comedian Steve Harvey: Advice on love

3/5 Long day

I had a Red Cross Disaster Services meeting tonight. Had to leave it at 6:25 to pick up the Guster by 6:30. Am eating a veggie burger and popcorn, while writing and fending off three animals. Quite a sight.

Tonight's article: Chris Brown charged with assault: Arraignment delayed

3/1 Update on lots of stuff

First, a cat peed on the clean towels I was folding on my bed. When I was there! And they had a brand spanking clean litter box. Am not 100% sure but I think it was Bozie. At least Allie looked innocent. Maybe that's her ploy.

Second, Gussie pooped on the floor. At least he waited until I wasn't there.

So now I'm washing my sheets and blankets as well as the towels again. What a day.

At least I had fun this morning. I went to church with Jan and Jane and we did some shopping for the shower(s). In between we also had lunch at Nothing Special. It was nice to spend time with them.

And Jill is now an official referee for youth soccer in Southern California. I'm so proud of you, sweetie.

Tonight I published an update-- Update: Reporter lives on food stamps

1/26 Quick lunch

The cleaners are there today so I didn't have to go home and let out Gus. That gave me time to write over my lunch hour. Speaking of Gus, since he doesn't have his long coat anymore he can now JUMP onto the bed. It's high too, because I have a new mattress. I'm just amazed at how agile he is now. He and Bozie are both 9 months old. Allie is 6 months now. All of them are cuties.

I'm giving a Mardi Gras party the Friday before Ash Wednesday. That weekend is so crowded, with a niece's wedding shower and a family euchre party on Saturday. But I have to do Mardi Gras before Ash Wednesday and spent a ton of money on decorations from the Gulf Coast. Hope people can make it.

Today's first article is Gone Hiking. Hope you like it.

12/12 Back home and happy

I was so happy to see my animals. I'm serious--I missed my pooch and kitties. Thanks to Cindy for checking on the cats--I appreciate you so much.

Gussie is sleeping on the floor next to me--being at Alpha Dog always wears him out--and the two cats are jumping over him and climbing on my desk. The cats were thrilled to see me. I wasn't so thrilled. They knocked over the lamp in the living room. I'll have to climb over "stuff" to right it. And of course I was thrilled to see them, just not the almost-damage.

Published a new article tonight. Thanks so much for your support by you checking out my writing. I got nice kudos from my channel manager and he mentioned me in an email to all the health writers nationally. Felt pretty good.

12/7 Trying to get things done

Am on my last two loads of laundry. I finally put some ornaments on my Christmas tree. Can't put the angel on without help however. Am trying to get some things done since I leave tomorrow for five days. Have to pack tonight and have to grade papers. But what I really need to do is just lay down and try to get better. I didn't sleep much last night, but did doze today a bit.

Gussie and Allie have been friendly and fun today. Bozie is kind of hiding out. I think she's a little jealous. But at least she isn't as guarded with the new one as she was yesterday. It will just take a while I guess.

Will stop at my doc's office on the way to work and see if I can get fit in. Sure hope so. This thing won't go away.

As a side note, I'm in the playoffs on my fantasy football team (am #1 in our league). Am playing the 8th guy and he's tied with me right now. Sure hope I catch up. I've done well all season. Would hate to lose in the first playoff game.

12/7 Lots of things

First of all, happy birthday to my brother John. You're really old!

Secondly, Bozie REALLY hates Allie. Hope that changes soon.

Thirdly, my email is screwy.

And lastly I cannot breathe. Just thought I'd get it in there. I'll have to stop by the doc's tomorrow because I leave tomorrow night for St. Louis.

Omigod, Cindy, I forgot to ask you to come over once during the week to check on the cat(s). Allie likes people, not shy like Bozie. But maybe Bozie's bad habits will rub off on her. Who knows? I'll call you today.

Not a smart time to get a cat, I know, since I'm leaving. But she attacked me with love as I got close to her cage. She's three months younger than the dog and cat--four months versus seven months. I'll celebrate their birthdays together.

I have lots of work to do today--laundry, cleaning up, decorating tree, writing and posting a column, reading and grading 10 papers (each 5-7 pages long). What I really want to do is get a cup of tea and then go to bed. Or else play Wii. I think that would be a good antidote to a sinus infection.

Okay, I'm rambling. Sorry.

12/6 New member of the family

We stopped at the Humane Society today and I came home with another kitten. Her name is Hazel Alice and am calling her Allie.

So I have Grandpa Gussie (Gus), Grandma Bozie (Bozie), Hazel Alice (Allie). The dog loves both of them but the two kittens aren't friendly yet. I'm sure it will happen soon.

Jane, Jordan, and Sarah stopped by for a while this afternoon and played some Wii games. We had a really good time. Then tonight Sarah and I went to see Twilight. It was really REALLY good.

Now I'm going to continue my coughing regimen. I'm going to set a world record.

11/30 Welcome home

Gus just peed on my bed. Yep. This is a dog who would never pee in the bed he sleeps in. It's almost like he didn't even know it happened. Normally when he has to go outside he growls at me (like it's my fault or something). But not tonight. So consequently my sheets and blankets are in the washer. I've put on clean sheets and luckily Bea and Rob gave me a new blanket. So I'll still be able to sleep.

Lucky also that he peed on top of the covers so it didn't go down to my new mattress.

Think he's paying me back for being gone so long? :)

Speaking of that, I thought the kitty would be mad that she'd been left alone in the house for five days. But she was so happy to see me. She's more affectionate than ever. That makes me smile.

I missed both my animals so much. And I'm happy to be home. Even though Gussie wet the bed.

Oh--Elizabeth gave him a bath, so when I picked him up he looked adorable. But one foray out into the wet backyard turned him back into the dirty bird he always is. Wish he'd stop eating mud. Sigh.

Anyway, I had a perfect time with Rob and Beatka, but I'm so happy to be home. Joe and Cindy, thanks a million for getting the mail and newspapers and for taking care of my sweet kitty.

By the way, I posted a new article today on examiner.com.

11/24 Soon

I'm so excited. Will now leave at 3 AM on Wednesday (okay, am not excited about that part). But I can't wait to go to Rob and Beata's home. It's such a lovely place and I'll really be able to relax. Can't wait.

But I'll miss my Gussie and Bozie so very much. Wish I could drag both of them with me.

11/23 What fun I had

Today was fun. I went with friends to Troy, MO to meet up with tons of other friends from the REC program. REC is Residents Encounter Christ and is a prison ministry program I used to be involved with when I lived her in Quincy and also in St. Louis. Today was the 25th anniversary celebration, so a perfect time for me to see old pals and catch up on everything.

I ended up singing with my friend, Joe, and also with several women pals. Ate way too much, and brought home some great bread from St. Louis Bread Company (known as Panera Bread elsewhere).

Joe and Cindy, I have some foccacia bread for you. Thanks a million for taking care of Gussie in my absence. I know he loved it.

11/19 Wednesday again

One week from today I'll be in North Carolina with Rob and Beata. For some reason I thought they were coming to Quincy for Christmas so I didn't do Christmas shopping for them. But Rob said they hadn't planned to come, so now I have to frantically search this weekend for just the right gifts. Hard enough to do anyway, but in a time crunch it's even harder.

I can't wait to see them. It'll be so nice to have another mini-vacation. Sure wish I could take Gus with me though. I'll miss him terribly.

Took the day off work because of a medical procedure so it was a wonderfully lazy day--just me with Gus and Bozie. I loved it, and the rest felt great (emotionally, not just physically). Tonight I'm teaching a class at QU but it won't be full-length.

10/31 I'll fire my plumber

First of all I'm grateful for the work my (free) plumber did--but leaving the door closed to the utility room is not a good idea. The cat had no access to the litter box. So far I haven't found any surprises in the rest of the house, but who knows.... :)

Anyway, Tim, thanks for fixing the leak. I do appreciate it.

Gussie and I are waiting for trick or treaters. He's wearing a Halloween scarf that he got the last time he was groomed. And he looks so cute. But right now he's passed out on the floor after being at Alpha Dog today. He is also filthy, but I'm too tired to bathe him. Time enough for that later.

I AM SO DAMN HAPPY IT'S FRIDAY!!!!!!!

10/27 Too much

Too much to do. Work is requiring a lot of time and effort and it wears me out. I sure do enjoy the therapy part of the job though. I saw a new patient tonight and it's interesting to figure out the diagnosis and then come up with a treatment plan (with the client's major input).

Gus was thrilled to see me tonight and so was Bozie. It's nice to come home to pets when theyappreciate you. :)

Thanks for the photo, Beth. I just love it. This is one happy dog.

10/18 A good day

I went to the Hannibal Folk Life Festival with Jane and Sarah. We met Jan and Kristen there. It was really fun. Jane made me take my walking sticks, and I'm so grateful she did. There was a lot of walking and it was painful after a while. So it was a good idea.

The day was super. After Hannibal we drove through Pike County to see the leaves. They weren't at peak yet, but it was still a lovely drive. We stopped in Barry to look at some crafts and we ran into Joe and Cindy--a really nice surprise. Then we drove on to Pittsfield where I bought two cool things for my back yard. Can't wait for spring to come so I can display them. :)

Then Jane, Sarah, Pete and I went to Cassano's for a quick dinner. Yum.

Now I'm home with sweet Gussie and Bozie and will have a very quiet night. Tomorrow I have to work all day on the class for Wednesday night. Love to all.

9/24 Good bad ugly

The good is that my relative came though surgery like a trooper. He is strong and solid and I'm so grateful. Will protect his privacy and not give details of his surgery and his identity, but we shed tears of gratitude.

The bad is that the surgery took more than 5 hours, and because of delays we were at the hospital in Springfield for over 11 hours. Yikes. A long day. But our relative slept through it all. :)

The ugly is my throat and ear. Omigod. But luckily I felt good all day and just relapsed on the way home.

Time for bed.

And tomorrow both my animals get fixed. Poor babies.

9/12 Dinner, etc.

Had dinner tonight with Jane and Pete, and Deb. Then I was a designated driver for Jane. I don't know if she really needed one, but I was happy to do it. It's always fun to get together with family.

But the animals were sure glad when I got home.

8/9 Goodbye Charlie

I brought Charlie and Gus to our family reunion and several different families were interested in adopting him. Even though I didn't bring him there for that reason, it did seem like the right thing to do. It will mean I'll only have to lean over half as many times as I do now. I'm trying to do whatever I can to feel better.

I'm going to miss Charlie tremendously. His personality is so beautiful and his face adorable. But having Gus and Bozie will be sufficient.

Charlie is now Harley and will live with Andrew and Sarah a little north of Springfield, IL. They're getting married next year. Sarah fell in love with Charlie immediately and Andrew soon followed suit. Who wouldn't love the little sweetie? :) They changed his name because Andrew's boss's name is Charlie. But it sounds the same, so the puppy won't be confused.

They'll pick him up tomorrow as they head out of town. So I have tonight with him. And yes, I'll cry. Can't help it--that's who I am.

The family reunion was so much fun, and the dogs were very popular. They're exhausted and passed out immediately after we got home.