Friday, April 20th

Cecily-I love seatbelt slack!

Ann-I've never been to an airport lounge. I should check that out. I know we have Delta for sure.

Liz-I'm not sure on elderly dogs, but our pets have pretty quickly declined.

But, related to that, my Yorkie has suddenly gotten worse. She is 11-12 years old. She's always been a problem, and the reason we got wood floors and tile. Maybe it was always this bad, I just didn't see it? Maybe it's because of the baby? She has a doggy door and I let her out and yet yesterday I picked up poop and cleaned pee THREE TIMES. I hate it when people have a baby and their pets get forgotten. However, this is just not okay!! First I'm worried she might be sick. So I suppose that's the first thing I need to do. But obviously I wonder if this behavior is related to the baby. Except she seems to love the baby. I'd thought maybe she was too distracted to potty outside. But no, she goes outside, comes in through the doggy door and potties right in front of the doggy door! So this seems to be very spiteful behavior (and also makes me think she isn't sick). Should I try pee pads? Can they be trained this old? I'm at my wit's end! I feel like all I do all day long is clean up some pee and poop!

Eating yesterday was okay. Don't feel bad about it, but it's also not really a "losing" pattern. I think with all the stress and uncertainty next week holds I'm going to be content to just not go overboard. Then after that I may try to look into weightloss again.

Greetings Peeps and Peps

Well I am up a pound thanks to two slices of pizza last night that DH brought home. He went to lunch with his friends at a pizza place, ordered a pizza and ate one slice and brought the rest home. Thanks a lot. I should go toss it but its too dang good. Also ate the "Crack an Egg" thing. It was good and filling but so much wasteful packaging. I think I will do my own home made version.

Gallery duty today so I must leave shortly. Its sunny so we may get a few visitors. But otherwise its banking and trying to figure out electronics. And a few steps walking to the bank and in circles.

Sigh, old dogs. Such a hard thing. Our last old one Liza got so she could barely walk and would not eat and threw up her food so we knew it was time. We probably waited too long. Hard to say on Chiquita. Is she on any pain pills for her poor movement? Eating vs not eating is a pretty good indicator.

As for Justice and the pee pads, maybe move one of them outside and then go back to the old house training routine like going out with him and praising his success.

Hey Shel, how far is Bryce Canyon from Vegas? I want to see that place again (not Vegas).

Exciting news! Our nephew and his family had their house done by one of those tv home remodel shows. They had to keep the time secret for awhile but last night I saw the nephew and wife on tv advertising the show! Its on TLC this Saturday. The show is called Nate and Jeremiah who are the two designers. Judson and Laura's house. Tune in. We saw the house when we traveled last month and had seen it in the "before" state. We have the TIVO set to record. They live in north Hollywood in a house that once belonged to some tv star but it was a wreck to start with.

Lordy BB, dog poop and pee in addition to baby diapers. Maybe move some poop back outside and shut the dog door so she has to stay out for a period of time. When Tesla was a puppy she made many mistakes and then all of a sudden in one day she was trained! I think she just followed her dad dog around and did what he did. I have heard of getting a pair of little boy underpants and putting them on the dog with its tail out the peep hole. Dogs don't like wetting themselves. No clue if this works.

Ann enjoy the trip. Good on you for nibbling blueberries on the airport lounge. A modern day Cleopatra. Have fun.

And everybody work on some good sleep over the weekend. And keep the plastics stories coming. I watched Dr. Now remove about 10 tons of skin from some people last night. I like to watch redecorating of houses and bodies. Diane S

I just set it up to record (9 tonight in the Eastern time zone).

137.6 but weight numbers seem trivial compared to the emotional weight right now.

We met with oncology today and treatment has been stopped for Ben. We are now on hospice care. He is wearing his DNR bracelet. We've talked to DS#1 so far and will talk to the other 2 when they get home from school. Oh the feels! I hardly slept last night thinking that we would hear today what we did indeed hear. Perhaps a nap after talking to the boys.

Virtual hugs, my friend.

Oh, those conversations! I know it won't be surprise but one always hopes it is (much) farther down the road.

Do at least try to nap, and if not actually sleep, maybe deep breathing/meditation, etc etc etc.

I don't "like" it in the least, but I wanted you to know I read your post and I'm thinking about you and your family and sending virtual strength your way.

My heart goes out to you and your family. Just enjoy every moment that you can together talking about memories and maybe using pictures to bring them back because things can change quickly. Ben will likely be more ready than the rest of you for what is coming.

Thinking of you Paula. Read the Caring Bridge post. So glad you are taking a leave. Ben should just chuck his teaching but I know it is meaningful to him and a big acknowledgement of whats ahead. Don't you wish there was that "Easy" button? But there is none. Lean on us and everybody else you can. Rest too dear one. DS

Landed in snow in Syracuse last night and snow on our drive home today. Sigh... Paula, that reality pales thousands of times in the face of yours. My heart goes out to you and Been as you speak with the boys. Ann, enjoy every moment of the cruise. Cecily, the surgery will go smoothly, I'm confident ! Shel...seriously, let's plan a hike !! Have a grand time ! Hug your friends, families and dogs !

Seriously! We will get it done, eventually!