phyllser

Good Morning. Didn't think I'd have time to post until much later so I sent Janet a short email. But... now here I am! Just got back from church. We have a church picnic at noon, so leaving in a few minutes. Back pain is terrible today... back to the intensity it was last March when I went to urgent care. Took a pain pill before church and all it did was make me light headed! Don't know what to do. Yes, Candice... I should go to the Dr! But.. it's Sunday and I don't want to sit around in ER half the day. Tomorrow is super busy. Sky Valley WA state reunion picnic up towards Camano Island. Could go to walk in before that except we are supposed to get there early to help set up because we agreed to take over organizing it next year. Lady who has been doing wanted off the hook. In a weak moment I said we'd take over. So she wants to teach us what is involved. But... I might skip TOPS weigh in and go early to Dr. office as walk-in. Not that I think they can do anything... but to document that the back pain was intensified, apparently by the accident. Because I told the insurance people.. no physical injury. Zoey is so funny... crate her while we are at church. But whenever we get home from somewhere, and she's been in the crate... Earl is the first one in the door so he opens the gate on the crate. He always puts the crate up on his chair. So... she just sits in there until she sees me come in the door. Then she comes FLYING out and runs to greet me! Of course, there is a reason for that besides she loves me!! LOL! Usually when she's had to stay home, then I take her for a scooter ride when we get home... usually to Surf Shack. And now "Daddy" says she has to have her harness taken off before bed so she can sleep more comfortably!!?? HUH?? What a riot he is! Well, guess we better leave. Earl loaded a lawn chair for me because I don't think I can handle picnic benches today. Probably won't stay long, but this is first opportunity to socialize with these people... we're going to a new church the past couple of months. Hydocodone...nice buzz... too bad no relief from the pain! Hugs to all!! Sorry this was all about me but not thinking clearly!! LOL! Don't remember any of your posts except Candice didn't get to dance!

Oh, my goodness!! Sorry about the drama with Andrew over Ryder. Was hoping the new puppy would help fill the gap. Hope he gets over it soon! Is Ryder somewhere that he can visit him?? Funny story about Bella.... but not at the time! I can only imagine your anguish!! Like I felt yesterday morning when zoey was so sick! I wasn't sure she was going to make it but she was back to normal by last night! Earl was so frustrated today because there was absolutely nothing he could do about getting the car fixed... nothing open until Monday morning and we have a VERY busy day on Monday... Agreed to help with the WA state Sky Valley reunion picnic. In fact, we agreed to take it over starting next year, so were asked to get there early on Monday to help set up and learn what is involved so we can be ready to do it next year. So... will weigh in on Monday at TOPS and then go pick up this old lady at a nearby nursing home and head out to the picnic. I think it's going to take up most of our day which will further frustrate him! Sorry about your frustration with Mel. He doesn't know what he's missing!! Earl has always been a very "hands on" grandpa! From tiny baby on, he's enjoyed spending time with them and helping to take care of them. I have photos of several of them sound asleep on his lap, in his recliner, with him sound asleep too!! Very cute! Maybe he'll get it when they are a little older. Such a precious time for us as grandparents! He shouldn't miss out on that! No, I probably shouldn't be taking Ibuprofen... didn't take any Aleve... but I was in so much pain. I think I've taken it several times lately because of back pain, headache or pain in my rt. foot from an old fracture. If I take it, I just try to drink a lot of liquid so it doesn't sit in my pouch!

That sounds like a GREAT Christmas celebration!! I think I'll come, too!! LOL! I had to go outside and pick up puppy poop that I almost forgot about so now I forgot what I was going to say! Ah... candice... headache yesterday, backache today. Had to take some Ibuprofen. That took the edge off. Glass of wine made me feel a LOT better! Don't think any physical injury from the accident, but a lot of tension and stress is probably causing the increased pain. It's worse than it has been since March when I had that bad episode. Will try to walk tonight, but only made it as far as the dumpster last night.... 2 buildings down. I went to bed 2 hrs earlier than normal last night.. 10 pm.. when Earl went. You may have already read this story on the other thread, but.... Earl was coming right behind me so I told him to bring the crate. So he gets to the bedroom and he's carrying Zoey but no crate. I said, "You forgot the crate." He says, "We don't need it anymore!" HAHAHAHA!! The Dog Rules completed. She slept on the bed with us AND... the cat didn't run away. She stayed too!! Amazing!! So... we're lying in bed facing each other, the light is still on, Zoey is curled up under Earl's chin, and all of a sudden he gets all choked up and starts telling me how much he loves our little puppy! Do you believe this is the same man who insisted I could NOT have a dog!!???? LOL!! Food today.... eggbeaters omelet in the morning with a VERY small, VERY thin pancake.. Then Zoey and I went for our latte, her treats. Then we went to Costco and Walmart. So lunch was Costco snacks. I had a couple of bites of pork loin with Yoshida sauce on it. Didn't know I dropped a spot of sauce on my shirt until I got in the car and Zoey started licking it! She licked it until I had a silver dollar size wet spot on my shirt! But... guess what... stain is completely gone!! Also had a little chicken & rice, corner of a ham and cheese sandwich, and that's about all. Dinner... small piece of BBQ steak w/mushrooms, onions and garlic cooked on the grill, 1 ear of white corn. Had a SF, FF latte this morning, glass of wine this afternoon. I hope to take a walk in about an hour if my back doesn't hurt too bad. that's all for now, folks!

I think your nickname is all wrong!! Cuz.... You're a PEACH!! You are handling this unexpected family crisis so graciously! Eva, I've always thought of "vespers" as evening prayers. I found this definition on the internet though: ves·pers also Ves·pers (vsprz) pl.n. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) 1. Ecclesiastical a. The sixth of the seven canonical hours. b. A worship service held in the late afternoon or evening in many Western Christian churches. c. The time of day appointed for this service. 2. Evensong. 3. Roman Catholic Church A service held on Sundays or holy days that includes the office of vespers. Here's another Zoey story..... two nights ago when I came to bed, Zoey was still snuggled up at the foot of the bed. I'm supposed to put her in her crate when I come to bed. DH goes to bed usually about 2 hrs before me and gets up about 2 hrs before me. Zoey has that time on the bed and not in the crate. So.... I didn't put her in the crate 2 nights ago. DH woke up and said, "she needs to go in the crate." I said, "why? she's okay." So he left her there. Last night... I was exhausted from the turmoil of the day... car accident, sick puppy in the morning, 3 hrs chasing the grandkids around Seattle Science Center... so I went to bed when DH went. Had an awful headache and couldn't keep my eyes open. So, I headed back, told DH to bring the crate with him when he came. He follows me back... no crate. I said, "you forgot the crate." He says, "We don't need it anymore!!" LOL!! The Dog Rules... puppy has worked her way through to sleeping on the bed. And the cat is tolerating it just fine! She used to leave the bed and the room when I brought Zoey back and put her in the crate. Gradually she started staying. Now they are sharing the bed!! HAHAHA!!

My husband is retired military also. We are originally from NY state, then settled in WA state, but Boeing transfer took us to OK for 15 years, now we're back in WA. We have 2 sons, 2 daughters, 10 grandkids, 2 step-grandkids and 4 step-great grandkids! Truly BLESSED!! We are both retired and we're "Snowbirds", so we spend 6 months at home in our condo, and 6 months in CA in our motor home. You're doing GREAT!! Congrats on your success!! My doc's office is very encouraging about my success, too.

Well put, Julie. I couldn't agree more!! Don't they usually give the victim an opportunity to speak... like about how the crime has impacted his life, at the sentencing phase?? I think I missed your posts regarding this, too. I've just caught up on more than 2 days of postings, so everything is all jumbled up in my head and I skimmed through a lot!! At any rate, hope this works out for you. If not... like you say, you have a walking partner! I am enjoying MY walking partner!! You're doing GREAT!! I'm copping out again.... by saying, I couldn't agree more with what Linda says here, Laura!! Nels will be fine! I can relate to much of what you say because our 4th child is adopted. He turned 38 a few weeks ago! This too will pass, Gwen!! You are getting enough protein, right?? Hang in there with the meds, Kiddo! You are about to embark on a great journey and you need all your resources and that includes your Rx! You have a lot on your plate right now, but you've already proved..... YOU CAN DO IT!! Gwen.... Wait until all these "young" gals get to be our age! They'll understand... we still feel like 16!! Contrary to popular opinion, :biggrin: I don't think what you are feeling is all that connected to age! :w00t::w00t: Why don't they want you to drink coffee?? I'll tell you a story about that. When I had my nutrition consult prior to surgery I was told that, too. So I quit both coffee and diet coke.... which had been two STAPLES in my diet!! So, when I went for my first POST-OP appointment, my question to the doc's P.A. was "why can't I have coffee??" She says, "Who told you that?? That's not one of Dr. Hunter's rules!!" So I started drinking coffee again. I have about 2 cups every morning and later in the day I go to my favorite Espresso stand (Surf Shack) for a QUAD SF, FF latte! So.... I recommend you beg and plead to be allowed your caffeine!! Have you checked out the 60+ thread yet??? Lots of folks our age there. But its not as active as this thread.

You didn't offend me at all! Glad you got some insight from your friend Michelle! I know all about living with a control freak!! I do really value the bond of friendship we have with one another, too!! Don't know what I'd do without all of you! We "get" each other!! Yeah, quite often Zoey is calling the shots. We're learning! She was quite sick this morning. We suspect that I may have dropped a pill yesterday.. we were setting up our plastic stacking containers for the next six weeks. I was being so careful, but Earl found a cranberry tab and a Nexium under the table this morning with little teeth marks in them and one little piece of dry dog food next to them. So afraid she found one and ate it. At any rate... Earl put her in bed with me at 6 a.m., after she'd had her Breakfast and gone outside. We slept until almost 7:30 a.m. Then I usually go in the bathroom, then come back and get her and carry her in to the living room to sit on my lap while I have my coffee. But she started spinning in circles on the bed. She finally stopped and I took her in the LR, but she was acting real weird... like disoriented. She wouldn't sit on my lap and was wandering around. Earl thought she might need to go outside again, so he opened the door and she ran out and ran down the sidewalk before he had a chance to put the leash on her. When he caught her and picked her up she threw up all over herself and him... clear liquid. Then she was shivering for about an hour. She finally settled down and quit shivering and she's been fine ever since. Strange. Really scared us. So that was the start of a really crappy day! When she settled down, we left to go to Seattle. Met our daughter at the Science Center and went straight to the IMAX thater when we got there, to see a Boeing 3D movie, legends of flight, I think was the name. We took Zoey's little red carrier and no one even knew she was there! So... 3 hrs of fun with the grandkids, movie and exhibits... dinosaurs, Butterfly Room, BUGS, etc! But... I forgot that we needed to bring a lunch with us. So... I was already hungry when we got there at 10 a.m., so by the time we left at 1 p.m., I was REALLY hungry!! I wanted to just go down to the waterfront and stop at one of the walk up places for clam chowder, shrimp cocktail or something quick and easy and go home. Earl thought it would be too hard to find a place to park! I finally gave up arguing with him and he decided we'd go to Ivar's seafood restaurant on Lake Union near the U of WA. So we headed over there and decided to eat outside at the fish bar instead of going in to the restaurant. Had oysters and chips and we split a small cup of chowder. Then we get in the car to leave.... Waiting at the curb for a break in traffic and this big huge Loomis Armoured truck pulls in and smashes in to the reaer end of our pretty new car!! What an idiot!! We're NOT invisible! Wonder if he was on his cell phone. He cut the corner short! Tore off the whole rear bumper and panels and bent the steel frame in one place. So now I have a BIG headache, Earl is completely stressed out.. worried that we can't get the repairs done before we leave in 2 weeks, and afraid of what this is going to cost us. We have $500 deductible, but that should be reimbursed by Loomis insurance... they will have to find us not responsible since we were standing still!! And we'll have to get a rental car since that is our only car! That came right on top of an equally frustrating dental appt. yesterday...Two crowns that the idiot dentist in Palm Desert did in Feb 09 have to be replaced and my insurance won't pay for crown on those two teeth within 5 yrs! So those will cost me well over $1000. Thinking of going to Mexico to get them fixed when we get down to CA!! So... whine, whine, whine!! A couple of really crappy days!! Sorry! Yeah.... different versions of the same guy!!! You got that right! AMEN!! Hugs, Karla... just saw your post after I posted mine!

Not crude at all!! You are a paragon of strength!! You are both amazing!! Gracious, secure in who you are, exercising tremendous restraint! Amen!! Preach it sis!! I agree completely!! GREAT NEWS, GREAT!!!! LOL CONGRATS, LORI, to you and DH!!

Yeah... stupid... because they carry "food items!!" Give me a break! I take her in the grocery stores and they are falling all over her.... "Hi, Zoey"!! and talking baby talk to her, etc. And today the dentist receptionist wanted to know why I didn't bring my puppy... said she would watch her while I was getting my teeth cleaned!! LOL!! She has the "shake" thing down, but... she is now begging for treats all the time by doing all her tricks! Then she looks up at me, head cocked sideways, looking sweetly, like... "I did all my tricks! Now I want a treat!" And if she doesn't get it... then she barks a little demanding "NOW!" This is getting out of hand. She goes out with Earl to go potty... she comes in and wants a treat. She "sits" at my feet... she wants a treat! She's too smart! Geez, Candice... don't hold back!!! Just let it all out!! HAHAHA!! I can relate to a LOT of that. As you well know, I live with a control freak too!! She didn't get to go far today! I had PT this morning--1 hr of floor exercise today, no pool. Slight drizzle so she didn't get to go. Earl walked while I was gone. When I got back, I took her to Surf Shack and Safeway, but can't go to Target anymore. And it was pretty chilly outside and we were both cold. She was shivering. NOt sure if it was because she was cold or because she was scared because I changed my route a little. Coming back from Safeway I crossed HWY 9 there instead of down a block by Target. More traffic and we had to ride on the shoulder for 1 block w/lots of traffic. The big noisy trucks make her very nervous. So then we cut through the shopping center. I keep stopping at the vet's office because she wants me to bring her by to meet her but she's always busy. Today she was in surgery when I stopped! Then I had to take her home because I needed to have a bowl of soup before dental appt at noon. BUT... I forgot that I have to pre-medicate because of my knee replacement!! So< they sent me back home to take my meds. Hygenist went to lunch at noon instead of 1pm, and told me to come back at 1pm. So that worked fine. Frustrating appt, though, because they told me I had to have 2 crowns replaced!! They are the two crowns that YAHOO in CA put in last year!! My insurance won't pay to replace them AGAIN unless it's been 5 years!! And they said one is not properly sealed and food is getting in all around the edges. Something is wrong with the other one, too! So it will cost me something like $1200 each to fix them!! Will talk to my dentist here about it again on Tuesday, but, right now leaning towards making the guy in CA fix them, or go to Mexico!! Anyways, after 1 trip to the gym, 1 trip to Surf Shack and Safeway and 2 trips to the dentist, the scooter battery was DEAD!! Or almost! So... no more rides for Zoey today. Earl walked her around once, and I will walk her around a couple of times soon. Right now she is all mellow and sacked out, so waiting for her hyper time and then we will walk! Mug of my homemade white chicken chili for lunch... it is SO good! Had a few shrimp w/cocktail sauce this afternoon, followed by my red wine. For dinner.... another piece of that Rock Cod, and some veggies. Unfortunately, Earl made whole wheat bread in the bread machine!! So... dessert was a slice of bread w/low sugar strawberry preserves that my neighbor made the other day. She is diabetic so she found a recipe using very little sugar. I am glad that is behind you. And so glad for the meaningful conversation with your sister. Very good for "closure", too.... whatever that is!! We missed you!!! HUGS!!

Peek-a-boo!! Here I am!! LOL!!! Busy day yesterday! Went to Primetimers in the morning... first time in about a month. I didn't want to miss because the last Wed. of the month the "Stampin' Up" gal comes and we make greeting cards. I love it! Just sent you one that I made, Janet. I made three yesterday. She always has a different pattern for us to do. Yesterday's was really simple and I quickly made three of them. We took Zoey with us to church!! Everyone LOVED her. Earl was so nervous about it he kept taking her away! All the ladies wanted to hold her. One lady said, "OH!!! I've been wanting a little dog for SO long!!" Sound familiar. Guys always sit at a different table... so when we got to her hubby's table he says, "Well, I guess I'm going to be going dog shopping now!" HAHAHA!! When Zoey got all wiggly, Earl brought her crate in and put her in it. Then when we were almost ready for lunch she smelled the food and started barking.. but just an occassional little quiet bark. But he put her in the car! When we got home, we had our scooter ride over to Surf Shack. Then we went to Target. I was politely told by the cashier that I can't bring my dog in anymore because "corporate" told them they have to enforce the "no dogs" rule because they sell some "food items"! Give me a break! I said, "that's too bad because we come in every day and I almost always buy something!" Oh, well... we have lots of other stores we haven't been kicked out of yet! Later we walked and played ball outside until we were both tired. Couldn't rent the 4 yr old upstairs... he must have been at his dad's!! LOL! He loves the dog and it is so fun to sit outside and watch them play... rolling down the hill, chasing each other, playing with the ball! But, alas, he wasn't home. Later in the evening, I worked on teaching Zoey how to "shake" hands! She is starting to get it. I ended the day playing "Mah Jong" online!

I was fortunate... no hot flashes, just depression and it probably had nothing to do with menopause. I was on HRT for 10 yrs when I probably just needed an antidepressant. Then my gyn switched me to Evista. Wonder if that would help. Oh, my!! Hugs, Apples!! So sorry to hear about your MIL's sudden death. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Welcome. Lisa!

Tracy & Jim drove down the coast Sunday/Monday. Spent last night at Chris & Kellie's, Pismo Beach tonight. I think they're going to San Diego and Temecula. Stupid puppy is running around with her bed on her head. She's nuts! She gets under it and then starts spinning around! This is her crazy time. Walked her around, played ball with her, and borrowed 4 yr old from upstairs to run her around on the lawn! Oh...then took her for a scooter ride to try to settle her down! Didn't work. I almost had leftover soup tonight, too, but found that rock fish at Safeway.. 1/2 price. We really like it... I think it's RockCod. But that soup was sure good. Will have it again tomorrow.

Heard about the tornadoes and the deaths. So sad!! Figured it was in your area when they showed the map of MT and where it was. Karla gone until Wed..... scattering dad's ashes, right? So, where is Candice??? Not packed yet. Promised to choose hats today. Three bags next to my chair!! Took early lake loop, then Surf Shack. Got 1/2 price rock fish and shrimp at Safeway on the way back. Had shrimp cocktail for lunch and will probably have the rock fish for dinner. Took Zoey for a walk around the complex after lunch. She sure had a great time outside last night, playing with the neighbor kids on our little hill. They were throwing the ball to her and she was chasing them around and jumping all over them when they were rolling down the hill outside our door... three of them including little boy upstairs....Gavin. Must try to remember his name. I think he is about 4yrs old.

Hi! Very quiet day here today. Nice weather. We took our lake loop excursion early today. Zoey enjoys that so much! Joyce said her internet should be fixed by the time she gets back from vacation. But I don't remember when that is! We'll be taking I-90 all the way to I-94. Then we cut south to visit a friend in Madison WI. I'll keep you all posted. We are all in soup mode I guess! I decided I wanted to make white chicken chili yesterday. Saw a packet of seasoning in the grocery store. Didn't exactly follow the directions. It said to saute the chicken... I already had rotisserie chicken that was cooked and in the freezer. Then it said 1 cup water.. but I thought it was too thick. So I added 2 cans of FF, low sodium chicken broth. And I added 2 cans of white beans instead of 1.... 1 Cannelloni and one Navy Beans. And I added some sauteed onion, garlic and yellow bell pepper, and some carrots. It was really good. Great pictures!! Enjoyed seeing them. You look GREAT!! We will miss you! Hugs on the dental work!! Hope you can figure out how to get internet at the lake!!

Welcome to our site! Glad to have you join us. I'm surprised your doctor hasn't expressed more concern about your port. It should not be causing you pain. Seems like he may not have anchored it well enough. I would think it'd be an easy fix if that's the case. You're doing great with your weight loss!! Congrats!

Maybe it is too soon to walk on the treadmill that long. Did your doctor say that was okay? Was that your first time to the gym since surgery?

UGH! I can relate to the pain! Left hip hurt so bad I could hardly walk when I first got up this morning. Back hurting today, too. So... Yeah, made some unhealthy food choices, but got a lot of exercise this weekend. Walked a lot, did a lot of steps on Friday! Played hard with the dog last night... she was a bundle of energy and I couldn't seem to tire her out. The more I played with her the more wired she was! Only made one trip around the condo... back was hurting too much to do it again. Broke a couple of bones in my right foot years ago, and when I've been walking a lot that hurts too. So that was hurting worse than anything else last night. I did quite a lot of walking down at the waterfront before we did the "Happy Hour" thing. So I was trying to tire Zoey out by playing fetch with her last night. Did it for a long time, and the neighbor cat was getting in on it. Then brought her in but she was still CRAZY! So took her out again, and the neighbor came out and we both were throwing the ball for her and the cat... Hilo! They had a great time. Had to continue tossing things at her for a while after I brought her in. She just wouldn't unwind! Did a tough 1 hr workout in the pool today. And I know I will have to walk Zoey around a couple of times tonight, so I didn't go upstairs to the weight machines or bike today. Hope you are all having a great day. We are near 80 degrees today and lots of sunshine.... 4th day in a row!! And the whole week is supposed to be nice. We are finally getting some summer. So.... don't you know Tracy & Jim are traveling down the coast and they're having unseasonably cool weather!! Just talked to Kellie. They're going to be at their place soon. And Earl is over at the RV. Just called to say Adam is working his butt off while they're gone... floating on an air mattress in the pool sipping on a Bud Lite.

Good Morning! Wow! Busy weekend! Trip with Tracy & Jim on Friday, Aquafest on Saturday and then went to Tracy & Jim's for a short visit. They left to drive down OR/CA coast yesterday morning. Yesterday, after church and lunch, went to Everett waterfront. Walked a lot, Farmer's Market there. Zoey got tired... it was in the 80's. So Earl had to carry her in the little red carrier quite a bit of the way!! But then we ended up at Anthony's and enjoyed Happy Hour on the patio. Ate too many bad things all three days and weight is up a little this morning. And my back and hips hurt from all the walking. I don't feel like going to TOPS! Think I might skip it this morning. I never do that, but just not motivated to move out of my chair. Have to go to PT at 11 a.m. Candice... doggie thing sounds like a hoot! Congrats to you and Bridget!! Sorry about the bad haircut. I go to those places a lot! Have been fortunate, though.... no bad haircuts. Just did it again a few weeks ago and was pleased with the haircut. Zoey has been wearing me out. She gets so freaky every evening. Neighbor, Kim, helped me play with her last night. One of her cats has been getting in on the fun the last couple of days. He is starting to run after the ball, too, when I throw it. Yesterday he teased Zoey in to chasing him several times. And they were swatting at each other, having a great time! I was watching closely because he is NOT declawed and I didn't want her to make him mad!!

Good Morning all! TIRED!! Busy weekend. And I ate a few bad things! Weight is up a little this morning. Day trip w/DD & SIL on Friday...Sr. meat load lunch at Denney's, then we went to Chinese at dinner time and split a chicken stir fry thing with DD. Saturday.... 1/2 a pita sandwich at the local fair... Aquafest, and some fries. Yesterday took a long walk down Everett waterfront. Then did "Happy Hour" at waterfront place we like to go to. So... that's my true confessions! Deserve to be up this morning.. ate way less than I would have in the past, but still made some bad choices. Back on track this morning. Having some hip/back pain from all the walking over the weekend. Have to go to PT in a few hours. New message from Joyce.... she said she's down 2 lb. Joyce: July 25 at 6:48pm yippee. Wanted to share. Thank you for keeping me alive in the group. Hopefully computer will be fixed when I return from vacation. Have a dog sitter here to care for Gizmo - my husband doesn't have the time or patience. Thanks for helping me stay connected. Joyce

Hi, all! Great synopsis, Julie! I enjoyed the update, too! Joyce asked me to post the following: having technical difficulties at my house. New printer didn't work after installation and bought a 2nd new printer. Then the router had to be replaced and the internet won't connect. Had tech here last night & he no-showed this evening to come back & fix it. Would you be willing to let all our friends at lapband talk know that I'm still alive and just out of pocket. I leave Monday morning for Sanibel Island, and hope all these tech problems are solved when I return.

Hugs from me, too, on scattering your Dad's ashes. Closure is a good thing. Dumb guy is out riding the tractor cutting the lawn because they're leaving on a "road trip" down the west coast in the morning! He says he'll be "FINE"! Clinic we both go to has walk-in hours on saturday until noon... so this is so stupid! He'd be in and out in no time and then he'd know if he broke something or not. He thinks maybe the bone is "chipped". Wouldn't you want to KNOW for sure if you were about to leave on a trip?? Yes, I was very nervous about those eagles, as much as we were enjoying watching them soar through the skies! My Zoey did not get to go for a scooter ride yesterday, so first thing this morning she was sort of tugging on the ties of the scooter cover. Earl took it off, so now she is out there on her leash sitting on the floor of the scooter staring at me! I didn't go to the gym yesterday and probably not today, but I did walk a lot yesterday and did SO many steps.... on the ferry, at Jim's Mom's house. And had to walk the dog when we got home, and play fetch with her out in the yard. I even got one of the neighborhood cats in on it. "Hilo" was enjoying chasing after the ball, too, and was swatting at it, and sometimes just watching us! It was funny! We're going to have a gorgeous weekend. Think DD#2, Jodie, might be a little miffed at us. Today is her birthday..41 yrs old. So we wanted them to come up here and go to our local summer festival.... Aquafest. Lots of fun stuff for the kids, etc. And we were willing to take the kids and let them go out for dinner for her birthday, and they want to go to a movie. But she wanted us to come down there... and go out to movie and dinner with them. BUT... they want to see "Inception" in IMAX... and we have NO desire to see that. So I wiggled out of it. Tracy said it was totally confusing. Earl would find that very frustrating... a lot of dream sequences, and convoluted dream sequences. That would probably drive me crazy, too, and neither of us is in to Sci-Fi like they are. So... I called last night when I saw her email and said... how about we come down NEXT weekend and take you out to lunch! She didn't sound too happy about it. But... oh, well. My fault... she was my last born and I kind of spoiled her! So she thinks everything is about her. Love her to pieces.. .she's a good person, but....Don't want to spend such a beautiful day inside a movie theater anyway! They're going at 1 pm!

Gone all day with Tracy & Jim. Took ferry over to Bremerton to check on his Mom's other house. we'd never seen it and he'd been wanting to show it to us for a long time. It was a beautiful day for a ferry ride and beautiful view from his Mom's place. Couldn't help thinking.... WOW... we could've paid her $1000 to spend July 4th weekend! Gorgeous setting. But... needs a good cleaning, and new carpet/floors... she let her dogs have the run of the house. Anyway, it was after 6pm when we got home so we went out for dinner. Then I had to go outside and play with Zoey for a while and take her for a walk because she'd been in the car most of the day. Had to watch her real close over at Bremerton. House is on about 7 acres, heavily wooded, and a pair of eagles kept circling overhead.. they have had a next there for years. Remember the movie "The Proposal" ??? where the eagle flies off with the little white fluffy puppy!!?? YIKES! I knew about the eagles, so I was nervous about letting the dog run around. Then when I actually saw them, made Earl pick her up and carry her. Then kept her up on the porch with me and Tracy. Bad traffic on the way home. All stopped up on one freeway over there... Tracy was driving... Jim made her trade places with him and he took off down and ON ramp to get off!! Everyone was doing it but Tracy was freaking out. At first Earl and I told Jim not to do it, but then... everyone else was doing it, so we both told him to go for it!! LOL! What an exciting adventure! It wasn't the end of our traffic woes, though. Got stuck in another traffic jam soon after that. Once we got back on the ferry, I saw a "KING5 BREAKING NEWS" email on my Blackberry that said I-5 Northbound traffic was backed up for 12 miles because of a bus that caught on fire! So Jim zigzagged us through all the back roads to get home. What should have been a 2 1/2 3 hr drive, including ferry and ferry wait time turned in to about 4 hours!! And a little while ago Tracy sent me a text mesaage saying Jim fell down the back porch steps taking the dog outside and his lower leg is all swollen and he's in a lot of pain.. but he won't go to the ER!! Might be broken, I think!

Oh, my!Those new phones sound wonderful! What a great price, too! If they do everything they're supposed to do, that's pretty impressive for that price! I'd love to sync my cell phone contacts with the house phone! Zoey likes to go anywhere, anyway... car, walk on the leash, ride in the scooter! Just walked two more times around the complex with two neighbors. That makes 3Xtoday, maybe 4. The living room is a total disaster... dog toys everywhere! She will have a great time playing with your dogs! She wore Gigi out today... Tracy had to put Gigi in her crate when they were over here to give her a rest because Zoey wouldn't quit trying to wrestle with her. And funny thing just happened with Candy... Candy still HATES the puppy, but she is no longer hiding out in the spare room. She is back to normal. So she was just sauntering through the living room with this "get out of my way, DOG" attitude and Zoey wanted to play. So she kept going right up to Candy's nose. Finally Candy started swatting at her and hissing. Just made Zoey's tail wag harder... she was convinced the cat was playing with her so she kept it up. Candy just kept swatting at her but Zoey just followed her down the hallway trying to play. Don't know about the calories in the white chocolate. I'll check as soon as I can..... Earl put it in the car with the next load going to the RV.

Julie, Glad you got to talk to someone from the clinic and hope you get some satisfactory answers soon! Would love to see a photo of Mimi and the puppy! We are so much enjoying our little puppy and she is keeping us both busy and helping us get some extra exercise!! I will definitely keep you posted on our travel progress. We only drive about 200-300 miles per day. We're planning to leave about Aug. 13-14. So... have yet to plan the route, but I think it will take us through Bismarck. If we can possibly work it out, would love to meet you, too.