Sue a Thundershirt is a tight fitting  coat like shirt for dogs and cats  who are afraid of loud noises like Thunder, http://www.1800petmeds.com/product.jsp?id=prod11310&sku=11315&AFFID=MS&creative=9340923616&device=c&matchtype={MatchType}

Here is an article from a e-magazine about Freckles http://www.luckypuppymag.com/lucky-puppy-of-the-week-freckles-the-queensland-blue-heeler-and-australian-shepherd-mix/

Yes, daughter Debi's Bichon Pupper has one of those, Marilyn.

Celebrate!  Celebrate!  My physical therapist discharged me on Tuesday and my surgeon discharged me yesterday.  I am good to go.  It was a nine month long ordeal, but it is over.

News yesterday that son Chris has suffered a deep vein thrombosis.  Scary stuff.  He is the second of my sons to have that, as Rob had one several years ago.  Chris is the one who had a stroke a couple of years back.  Sometimes I feel younger than my children, but I definitely don't look younger.

Today is Kathryn's baby girl's due date.  She, Kathryn that is, or maybe I should say Baby as well, has been giving out false alarms every day for the last month, so we all yearn for her birthday asap.

Lovely, sunny, coolish day here on the bay.

Great article, Marilyn!

Hopes for your new baby soon, MaryPage.

Nothing exciting going on here today - or planned for the weekend.  I hope everybody is doing well.

Hi Gals,  Mary, did you ever find out what the noises in the night were?  Sure sounds scary. Hope your bridge was good last night.

Marilyn, I'm glad you have the thunder shirt for Freckles. It must be very comforting for them. None of my dogs has ever had an extreme fear of storms.  Princess was a little afraid, but was okay if she could be near us and away from the windows.  Bunny doesn't react unless there is a loud crash of thunder and lightening very nearby and then she wants to be on my lap, but we seldom have such things.

Sue, I hope you got your taxes out okay.  Ours were filed electronically about a month ago. Got their bill this week. Groan.

My neighbors invited me over last evening to play rummikube and visit with them. It was a nice spur of the moment thing. They knew John was out of town.  That was nice.

John gets home tomorrow. It hasn't been a very good tournament for him points wise, but he's had a nice time.

It's a beautiful sunny day here in mid 60's.  About the same as yesterday. I got the bird bath all scrubbed out and filled and picked up doggy do and watered a little, but that was all I had energy for.  I also took Bunny to the vet to be weighed. She has lost nearly a pound in spite of eating anything and everything.  She seems starved, so I've upped her food quantity some and see if she settles down a little.  This is new since the prednisone, but she is down to 1 pill every other day and I can't see any change.  I guess her body just isn't absorbing it.  So far though, she seems pretty much her normal self.  I do wish she could talk and could tell me if she feels better or worse.

MP, great that they've set you free medically!!   Hope the baby arrives soon and safely.

Haven't heard much from Jeanne or Molly lately.  Time to report in gals.  Sharon

I've never found out anything about the noises in the night.  I've not found anybody else here who heard it.  So maybe I did just dream it, but.....   My partner and I had terrible cards last night.  I think we had 210 points total, while the other couple made two 700 rubbers.  I didn't even bother adding up their score.  LOL  Sorry John's not had a good tournament.

Sitting in the parking lot of a bike store while Ray's inside.

Did K ever have the cataract surgery?  My memory is terrible.

I hope the baby decided to come out.

Beautiful here.  75 degrees and lovely.

Jane

Jane do you mean Keith? He had his cataract surgery months ago.

Nothing much going on here today. I took Freckles and Keith for a walk this morning before lunch, washed my hair after lunch and just about ready to take Freckles for another walk. We are going to dinner with the usual Friday night crew. Maybe if I can talk Keith into it  we might go someplace different. It get monotonous going to the same place  every week and Keith always wants to eat the same thing, Chicken nachos Supreme split between us. Boring!!!.

Thanks, Marilyn....I'd forgotten if he'd finally had the surgery.  It seemed he wasn't sure about it.

It would get very boring going to the same place and always eating the same thing.  We go to about 7 or 8 different places, and whoever is providing dessert that week selects the place.  It works fine.  Everybody pays for his own, of course.


Jane

Hi Sharon - Many thanks for thinking of me.  I've been busy getting ready for my son's visit tomorrow.  He called a couple of days ago to let me know he was coming to visit and stay overnight.  I bought some plants today which he can certainly help get in the ground as our season gets ready for some great weather.  Chaps will be transferred to Korea in early June, so the visit tomorrow will give us a good chance to spend some family time together before he has to focus on his next assignment.  His wife and daughter plan to visit him later in the year and perhaps some other relatives will travel with them, too.  Not me.  My international travel days are in the past.  Hope all is well with you and you're getting ready for a good weekend.

A beautiful Saturday here, and the spring plants are popping up with the warm temps...hostas coming up, daffs and tulips opening up, etc.  I love the springtime.

We were exhausted last night after a full day of being out and about.  We came home from friends after dinner out, and headed right to bed.  I think we were both asleep before our heads hit the pillows!


Jane

STILL no baby.  Becky arrived in St. Louis yesterday for a long weekend with her two grandsons there.  They are Mateo, almost 3½, and Solo, almost 1.  Everyone here is poised in an alert flight pattern, waiting for a REAL signal to the effect that baby girl is on her way.

Emily is to finish her semester at Virginia Tech here in Alexandria on the 6th.  Becky is going to fly in to help her get home.  They will stay an extra week, and Becky is bringing a suitcase filled with books for Melissa's 3 children, which she will take back to Missouri filled with Emily's extra stuff.  Brilliant!  Two birds with one, as it were.  So Becky will be here to meet MaryZ on the 7th and join us for lunch at Sam's.  I had thought Debi would come to represent my family and be proof in the flesh that I really DO have one, but LO!  Steve's darling deceased Nonna came over here from the section of Italy that is almost Switzerland or the section of Switzerland that is almost Italy (actually, the extended family live in BOTH places), and Debi & Steve have been to visit them and been given the Royal Treatment several times.  So have Steve's mother and so has their daughter, Our Maria.  So when a cousin of Steve's mother's, who is in his eighties, decides to come for his one and only ever trip to the U.S., and to visit, with several younger members of the family, with Debi & Steve on the 7th, Debi owes it to them to give THEM the Royal Treatment!  They are putting them up at the gorgeous home of a friend of Maria's in Eastport.  So it was that Debi had to regret my invitation for her to meet MaryZ, but I enjoyed a surprise call from Becky asking if she could come for that!  Woo hoo!  You never know with this crazy clan.  But then again, I think that is true of every family.

A beautiful day here.  Absolutely spectacular.  Every day should be just like this one.  Hugs & kisses to all the dear Buddies from me, Marypage.

We're definitely looking forward to see you and yours, MaryPage.  I'll send you a number as soon as I can.  The most it would be is five.

It's another gorgeous weekend here - highs predicted in the 70s and lots of sunshine.  The flowers are gorgeous here, too.

Great visit earlier today with Chaps.  He originally planned to stay overnight, but received a call about his wife's Mom (who recently moved to a new area) and decided he would visit "both Mom's" in the same day.  So after visiting with me for a couple of hours, sharing lunch and some more conversation, he went outside to my yard to plant several beautiful bright red plants in my side yard.  They are lovely and visible from the side door.  Then off he went to visit my DIL's  Mom before returning to his home later tonight.  He brought his new Pup with him and we had fun together in the yard.  A few minutes after he left, Mohamed called and we talked about his end-of-semester work at the University AND his chores the past few weeks relocating to his new apartment.
He is one BUSY Fellow! 

Today was Alex's 19th birthday so I got up early and drove up to B'Ham Southern.  We went to The Summit shopping area--ate a delicious lunch at Macaroni Grill (I'd eaten at the one in Montgomery while we lived at the farm).  Then we went to the movie to see the new Disney film about the little boy raised with wolves--I forget the story which was the inspiration for the film--I'm sure one of you will remember it.

The trip up and back is about 210 miles, so I am pooped and need to get to bed.  it sounds like all who've checked in today, had a good one. 

Sue

Oh my, oh my!  I cut my teeth, as it were, on the Just So Stories and The Jungle Book and Kim and Stalky & Company and so on and on.  My family loved Kipling, and we could all chime in and recite Gunga Din and They're Hangin' Danny Deever in the Mornin'.

I remember as though it were yesterday when the first Jungle Book movie was made.  I think it was 1942, and I loved it so.  I did not care as much for the later Disney cartoon version.  It was just too bippity do dah kind of thing, which is alright if you like it.

But I adore Kipling, and am hoping this newest version of the much beloved Jungle Book will prove to be the best yet!  Color me a huge Kipling fan!

Have made sure each and every one of my grandchildren and great grandchildren have copies of the Just So Stories.  I got a big kick out of being told that last year when Melissa was in the hospital our then six year old Will pulled that out for his daddy to read to him at bedtime, and told Adam he wanted the story "about the camel who got hisself a hump!"  Love it!  My favorite was how the elephant got its trunk.

It's a beautiful day here.  I decided to get off my rear this morning.  So after I finished the laundry, I got in the car and drove over to the Sculpture Fields.  I could get some walking done by going to John's tree, and I wanted to see if it had leafed out.  The tree is doing quite well, and the tulip-shaped leaves showed up well against the blue sky (showing why the tree is called a "tulip poplar").  Of course, I was huffing and puffing, but used a cane, and didn't have any problems.

Until I got back home.  When I discovered I didn't have my driver's license.  I had put it in my pocket when I walked, so I'd have some ID with me.  Obviously, when I took my phone out of my pocket to take photos, the license came out, too, and fell on the ground.  ARGGGHHH!  What to do?!  Oh, well - I got back in the car and drove back to the Sculpture Fields and walked back to the tree.  Dear John had taken good care of me, and there was my license on the walkway, right in front of the tree.  Sighhhhhhhh.  I guess he wanted me to have more exercise than I'd planned - about twice as much.

But all is well now.  I posted a couple of picture on FB (I think) for those of you who are able to see them there.

Have a good Sunday afternoon.  I'm headed up to lunch.

Hurrah for John still taking good care of you...and encouraging you to walk!

Wonderful visit for Molly and her son...and puppy.

Still on Baby Alert, MP?  That's an ornery little rascal!!

Beautiful day here.  I went up to the Masons Pancake Breakfast and ate with Ray who was on the 10-12 and cleanup shift.  I came home, walked my mile and a half and got my meds in their little boxes for the next two weeks. 

I need to get to WalMart and buy some more Allegra.  I'm out of the samples the doc gave me. 

It's so dry here, I've watered the feont and have a new sprinkler going here in the back.  My old sprinkler wasn't working right...it seems we need a new one every year. 

I'm on my back screened porch and the vet is in my neighbors' yard getting the bees situated for another year. 

Have a blessed Sunday,

Jane

MaryZ.  Now what name do you use in facebook. Wonder if I can get in yours.
That is good that where John's asses put, that it is in within walking distance. A good way to have you out walking.  Good that you went back quick and back tracked to find your license

It has, and still is just beautiful here right now and I have gotten back to my 4 miles a day walking and can already feel the difference.  Little to hot at the moment so will wait until about 6pm.  Head to the mall first to pick up some lighter weight and shorter pants. May even try a pair of the long shorts. What I have had are the short kind. Never will wear those again.

Jane I finely just went by what the guy told me to get out at Walmart drugs.  After the doctor gave me a prescription for my Allergies and the spray was $147 I decided to go his way. He is the head Pharmacist and it is what he now uses. The pill was same as Zyrtec and the nose spray was the new Rhinocort Allergy Spray. Both about $20 each. Took for 3 days and worked great. Not had to take any since. The spray did seem to make one a little funny feeling though for about a hour. I am sold on them
This weather should help some as I notice all the mold is off the trees now and the roof of my shed. That is what gets to me.

Jeanne, glad you've gotten some relief from your allergies.  I'm Mary Zelle on Facebook.  I'll be happy to "friend" you.

If you get HBO, this is the night they are showing CONFIRMATION at seven Eastern Time.  All about Anita Hill and Clarence Thomas.  The critics are liking it.

I remember watching every moment of the real thing, a lot of it at work, where my boss was amused at my passion for it and sympathetic with my point of view.  I also kept a scrapbook about it, which is still in existence and very fat.  MaryZ, if you are the least bit interested, I will show it to you if you remember to ask me to.

A terrible time in our history!    (again)

Sandy

It is very warm here today 80° But onlyh for a couple of days then back to the cooler weather. Not much new, after church we ate lunch then i took
Freckles for a walk. Now she is sleeping  next to my chair here by the computer where  you would usually find her if I am in here.

Sounds like a great day, Marilyn.

MaryPage, I remember it well, too.  I'll watch the program tomorrow.

Hi Gals, Just now getting around to posting.  Went to SS & church and then the UMW hosted a lovely dinner for all the 70+ members of the congregation. This is the 2nd or 3rd time I've been. They had ham, sweet potato casserole, bean salad, green salad, rolls, and of course lots of desserts to choose from.  Since I got home, I've done 2 loads of laundry, organized my pills for the week, and then mostly played on the computer. 

14-yr. old grandson ran a half marathon today and did it in slightly under 2 hrs.  A 9 min. mile average.  He decided at Christmas he was going to do it and so had trained all semester. Unfortunately, he had been sick with some sort of bronchitis crud for 2 weeks, so probably didn't do as well as he might have. Still sounds impressive to me. No one else in the family ran with him, but  they were all there cheering him on.

Molly, I'm glad you got to spend some time with Chaps before he deploys.  If you remember, Brian was stationed there a couple years ago.  I hope you can Skype with him. It makes all the difference when they are  so far away.  We went over for Brian's promotion to Colonel, but it was a long hard trip, so understand your not going.  We wouldn't have except for his promotion.

Jeanne, I'm glad spring has arrived in IL.  It was even nice in Chicago and daughter Lori played golf yesterday.  Four miles a day is wonderful.  No wonder you are so healthy.

Mary, I'm glad John kept your license for you!     Sounds like a nice walk.  His tree looks like it is doing well.

Jane, you're doing well with all your walking too.  I bet the Mason's brkfst was yummy.

Marilyn, you should put a link in here for the nice article about you and Freckles. I'm sure everyone would enjoy reading it.

MP, is the baby still refusing to come out and meet and greet?  All 3 of mine were late!  Sp frustrating.

Have a nice evening, everyone.  Sharon

I don't do it often but just had to take a Nap today. Slept one hour.

Mary Z. Yes I can get into you on Facebook but can't bring any photo up until you befriend me.  Please do that.  I don't use it that much but do like to see the people I know do somethings of interest.  Lots are sort of silly.

Jeanne, I just sent you a friend request.

Wow Jeanne. 4 miles a day is impressive. I only walk 1 and half and not always every day we are having more rain..lots pretty flowers..Mary, glad u found ur license....I finally was approved  for the veterans benefit ...so my husband is still taking care of me to..sure miss him even tho it's been 3 years now...the ache never goes away.....for me..Hope all had a. Wonderful Sunday..I didn't go to church tonite..our pastor was showing more pictures of their Holy land trip...I already saw most of them....Hi to all..Darlene

Darlene, was it you that asked about a sleep aid?  Did you ever try melatonin?  It's nice to know that our guys are still taking care of us, isn't it.

Sharon I did put the link here   but here it is again http://www.luckypuppymag.com/lucky-puppy-of-the-week-freckles-the-queensland-blue-heeler-and-australian-shepherd-mix/

I usually get in anywhere from 5 miles to 7or 8 miles per day.

Marilyn
If we take in all the time we are on our feet walking back and forth in the house. Around the grocery store and others I bet we could add another couple of miles.  I just have a route that I walk steady it can be about 2 mile long and then one has to walk back. I like to do it around 6:30pm . Some days if something on TV at 7pm then I cut it short.  Tonight Call the Midwife was on at 7pm so had to be home making it a shorter walk.