Hi All...

I'm still alive and well and living in Ohio. I know it's been forever since I've been here (or anywhere), but time just seems to get away too fast. I haven't even been on the IMOM threads to catch up on my favorite kids and their parents. I'm going to try to get on IMOM today since I don't think I'm going to work today. I might try to go later, but as of right now, I don't think I'm going anywhere.

I took a great tumble this morning and twisted my entire body. I'm so lucky I didn't break anything. I can't believe I did something so stupid. I have a table leaf that I put sideways from the kitchen to the hallway to keep Gidget out of the bedrooms (I love her and don't "think" she would do anything in there now, but sometimes if I can't see her.. I just feel like I can't trust her not to get in trouble). Anyway.. I didn't sleep at all last night, and I guess that contributed to my stupidity. I was walking from the hallway into the kitchen and didn't even think about the board being there. I guess I tried to walk right through it. The board fell over with a thud, and I fell over the board with arms and legs going all different directions and the kitchen table looking awfully close to my head. Thank God my head didn't hit it, or I'd be laying on the floor right now. But I didn't come away undamaged. My left hip and top of my left leg hit the board really hard, my right arm hit the door way and my body was really twisted. I just stayed there for a minute with both dogs watching me until I knew I was ok. Oh man.. what a klutz. Then five minutes later, I stepped in one of the dog bowls and had to clean a half bowl of kibble up off the floor. Nope... I think it's safer (for me "and" the world) if I just stay close to home today.

On to happier things. Mike is doing great! No more panting at all at night, and he's able to fall asleep fast and sound. That Previcox has worked miracles for him. He still has the bladder spasms, but up until two days ago, they were nowhere near as often or as hard. It seems the last couple of days they're a little more often... plus he's had some granules in his diaper too, so I know it hurts him when he passes them. But.. he's eating great (too often sometimes) and still plays with his sister on occasion. Of course, he always wants to play after he eats (gets a burst of energy), but I have to stop that or he will puke. So, he has to wait a half hour before playtime.

Gidget is as sweet as she can be lately... makes me wonder what she's up to. LOL I've learned that if I close the door to the laundry room, she doesn't want to go out anywhere near as often. I think that big window door was what was tempting her to go out even if she didn't have to go.

I spent Thanksgiving with my Son and Daughter-in-law. Oh man.. what a wonderful vacation. I always feel so relaxed and loved and comfortable when I'm there. We really did "almost" absolutely nothing.. but we did it together. We cooked together, watched tv together, just sat and talked together, played Monopoly and Balderdash together.... I didn't want it to end. Chris threw me a curve ball on Friday though. He said... "I know.. let's go get some hair color and do Mom's hair auburn." Hummmmmm.... I told him I've tried going red, but every time I try, my hair turns pink or orange. He said he didn't want it "red" but "auburn"... said it was time for a change. And quite honestly, I've been ready for a change for a long time. Soooooooooo....... Saturday they gave me my Christmas present. He made the appointment for me to have my hair colored and styled, had makeup done, and (get this) he and Rebecca took me to have my portrait taken. They have a wall with some family pictures but none of our family (except my Mom and Dad). He wanted one of me up there. So, that's what we did. I have to say, I was more nervous to have my picture taken than I was to have my hair drastically changed (which by the way came out really pretty).

I was right to be afraid of the camera. Even though I've lost 20 pounds since I've seen them last, I still couldn't figure out how I could look decent in the mirror and so fat on the camera. They, of course, thought the pictures looked good, but I was really not happy with them... and the one they picked for the wall had a big smile (which is what they wanted, and I only did it for them... I have such chubby cheeks). When they asked me which ones I wanted for myself, I chose one where I was kind of sitting sideways toward the camera. They asked if I wanted a copy of the one they had, and I told them "no.. that's for your wall.. I'm glad I'll only see it once a year". BUT.. even though I hate the camera.. I had a blast having the pictures taken. I got them and the girl who was taking the pictures laughing so hard that I almost forgot that people are actually going to "see" them.

No matter how I felt the pictures came out... Chris and Rebecca loved them, and I feel so blessed. I mean... how many sons and daughters-in-law out there really "want" a picture of their mothers (in-law) on their wall.. and here is my son and daughter-in-law, taking the time and having the portraits taken so he would have one. They are really amazing.

I had to laugh at the two of them every day too. After 17 years of marriage, they are still so in love and play and tease each other and have "real" conversations with each other. They are so blessed to have found each other. If more people had marriages like theirs, there would be no divorce. I've said it before, and I'll say it again... I'd love to find a husband like my son. Rebecca is wonderful too, and he's lucky to have her.

I was suppose to come home Sunday night. On Saturday, I told Rebecca, "I don't want to go home. I miss the dogs, but I know they're doing fine... but I'm so relaxed and enjoying it here so much, I don't want to leave". Well.. I got my wish. My flight to Chicago (for layover) was canceled, and there was no way to get there to get my connecting flight to Cleveland. At first I was a little upset, but then I decided to forget about it and just enjoy the extra time with them. Rebecca took me to the airport at 7:00 am the next morning, of course the flight was about 90 minutes late but that was fine with me.. no rushing. When I finally got to Chicago, I was really lucky that my connecting flight had been delayed too. However... once we boarded the plane, the runways were so backed up (and icy) that we sat on the runway for 3 1/2 hours before we finally took off. I just took it with a grain of salt. Actually, it didn't bother me at all... I tried reading for a bit, but I ended up dozing the entire time.

The only thing I regret about the trip was that I was so looking forward to meeting Debbie and Jack. Things didn't turn out the way we had hoped they would, so we didn't get together... I'm hoping we manage to hook up next time I get to Missouri. We were both so looking forward to it.

Karol did such a great job with Mike and Gidget. Of course we talked everyday. It was so funny though because she called me on Thanksgiving (her first morning here) and said (kind of panicky)... "Joanna.. it's quarter to ten, and Mike won't wake up"... I laughed so hard and explained to her that he is just not a morning person. I also told her don't be surprised if, after he goes out, that he goes back to bed. I told her if she really wanted him to wake up that she should let Gidget go into the bedroom and give him whisker kisses.. that gets him every time. LOL

I never got such a beautiful welcome as I did when I got home. These guys were all over me... never even got a chance to take off my coat for almost five minutes. Karol wasn't here, she had left about 1/2 hour before I got here. But.. I couldn't believe it... she had everything done for me. I left the house pretty clean, but didn't expect her to have stripped the bed, washed the sheets and towels, put the bed back together, vacuumed the living room, washed the dishes and even left a fresh pot of coffee for me. There was nothing left for me to do but enjoy my kids. She's a wonderful lady and a great puppy-sitter.

I think it's time to take a break. I'm really starting to feel sore sitting here. These old bones (and muscles) just can't take a fall like they did when I was a kid. I just called Joanne (Dr. Blaha) and told her I wasn't going to make it in to work today. She's really awesome... I really got lucky when I found her, not only for the dogs but for myself as well.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'm going to try to get to IMOM today to catch up with everyone a little later. Take Care and God Bless.

Love & Blessings