Lunch with Katherine

Katherine brought Chinese over for lunch today. She wanted to go out but I'm coming down with something and just didn't want to go to a restaurant.
So we ate Chinese food and watched "Beetlejuice." Katherine told me she always got excited when she heard the opening music. She would have been very young when she first saw it. It's still a favorite.
I asked her if she's thought about a wedding gown. She said, "anything that doesn't make me look too terrible."

Sad anniversary

Mom (Grandma McNally) reminded me that today is the 11th anniversary of the day my brother Patrick passed away. It hardly seems possible. I actually had a dream about him and my other brother who passed away, Michael. It was very vivid, and Michael looked the way he did before he passed away 40 years ago--a smiling young guy.

On top of that, it would have been my parents' 65th anniversary if my dad was still here.

Nick is home

Nicky came home this morning. He sent Mike a text a little before 9 a.m. and he was already on the train that goes from the airport. He is sound asleep now. I'm glad he's home and can't wait to hear if he had a good time.

Call from Nick

Nick called me all the way from Buffalo last night. I was so happy to hear from him. He's having a good time and thinks he'll be home Tuesday.

He asked where his aunt and uncle live, but they are not close by. We decided next time he knew he was making that trip, we'd make arrangements for his aunt or uncle (Martha and Tom) to come get him to spend a day at their place. He'd probably enjoy that. I think the last time he was there he was too young to ride their 'trikes' by himself. I think it's been years since any of us were up there!

Shadow, and Nick News

Shadow had his stitches out today. He's ALL DONE! I'm sooo happy, and I bet he is, too. No more stupid cone.

Doesn't seem to miss his cajones at all.

Tonight, Nick is joining a friend for a trip by plane to visit a college friend. It's his first time flying without family (me, I mean) but his friend has made this trip before. It is too bad it is a short trip because he will be just an hour away from his Aunt's house. However, there just won't be any time as it is a weekender.

He's home!

Shadow was SO happy to see us when Mike and I went to pick him up from the vet. He was there from Monday night to this afternoon.

Needless to say, we are SO happy to have our baby home with us!

Yay!

Shadow is coming home this afternoon! I can't wait to have my little guy back again!

Another damn night...

...without my dog. He has to stay again at the vet while the drain they've got in him gets rid of all the bad stuff in his wound. I hope to God I can bring him home tomorrow. I miss him and I don't even want to know what this is going to cost us. At least Katherine is paying half.

I had a major allergy attack this morning and had to take medicine for it. So I'm feeling drowsy and depressed. And, to put it bluntly, I effing hate winter and want it to GO AWAY.

Shadow update, Part II

Shadow had to go back to the vet, not only for his follow up visit after his surgery, but because he opened up his stitches. He was able to bend his 'cone' backwards and he must have done this when we weren't there to tell him 'no.' He had a horrible open wound on his butt. It didn't seem to bother him much and he was even able to jump on the couch. But, of course, it wasn't supposed to look like that so the vet had to re-sew him.

The good news is that his biopsy came back normal. Thank God and St. Francis of Assisi for that.

He came through his second procedure just fine. There was an infection in the wound so they put a tube in him so they can flush it with medicine.

He's also been neutered. This is supposed to keep this problem with his anal glands from recurring and might even add years to his life. I wish he could live forever.

So he's spending another night with the vet so they can keep an eye on him. I'm praying I can bring him home tomorrow.

Shadow update

Shadow Dante came home Friday afternoon. He is wearing one of those stupid collars. His butt is swollen and he has stitches. Can't count them--it's one long 'whipstitch.'

The gland is out for biopsy. I'm praying it comes back negative. Meantime, he's on a doggie version of ibuprofen and some other meds (antibiotics, I think). He doesn't have much of an appetite but I can get the meds in him with bacon or peanut butter.

He didn't want me to put Neosporin on the boo-boo, but I was able to by smushing a bunch on a paper towel and putting it under him when he sat down. I didn't have the cone on him and he tried to lick it all off.

I don't make him wear it if I'm there to tell him 'no.' He does listen.

He's very mellow and wants to be right near me or Mike all the time. My poor baby.

Prom Night in the 70s

My brother Bill found these slide photos of me and my sister Martha and Mom back in the day. This would be about 1972 or 1973. Mom made my gown. She probably made Martha's, too. I remember mine was eyelet and had tiny little blue flowers in vertical stripes. It was so pretty.

And, oh my gosh, the curls!