Monday, Monday...

Sleepy Monday. Quiet. Dragging our feet a little. I have about 5 minutes before I need to get going. In 5 minutes, the weekend officially ends. Heavy sigh.

Saw the fox again this weekend. Funny guy. He was across the street when I went out for newspaper Friday morning. We watched each other. He runs funny. Trots, head up. Moves swiftly too. I hope I see him again. Mika saw him too.

Have a great week people. At the end of it, John comes home!!

Aging dogs

Our dogs are aging. How do we know?

1. More snoring.

2. Louder snoring.

3. Sleeping longer.

4. Graying around the face.

5. Panting heavier during walks.

6. Wiping out for about an hour after walks.

7. Backyard squirrels are getting bolder.

8. Play fights are shorter and fewer. Sometimes, they just stop and pant and then resume play.

9. Longer stretches after a long nap.

10. Getting a little pudgie.

False allegations

I am interested in the Georgia case where the kindergarten teacher was accused of molesting several hildren, including her own. Two years this has been going on for this poor woman. Her children were removed. Yesterday she was exonerated on more than 20 charges. Not guilty. People still think she was guilty. She was not.

It makes me want to do something about the 3 people who are in jail after being accused of similar charges. The trial was in Tyler in 08 I believe. Three people are in jail because, I believe, the Smith County had a witch hunt. Most people dont' know this occurred. The people in Smith Co. fought, just as the teacher in Georgia did, but they did not get the same attention. And, certainly they did not get the same results.

There are some crazy mean people out there. Scary, crazy mean.

A great day

Two great things happened today! Well maybe 3 if you consider having brunch with Addie. I love her. But the TWO things:

- My lump is shrinking. I can hold my arm normally for the first time since Thursday. It's still there, leaking, but I can move without feeling it. The unwanted object of my scorn and great pain has lost the battle. Pushing to the surface, it attempted to take me out. Burning. Throbbing. Stinging. Leaking tissue as it ruptured interior blood vessels pushing hard against the tender subcutaneous layer while tearing apart the fragile dermis. Final destination: epidermis and freedom. (I'm practicing for this summer's writer's workshop). Too much?

- We saw the neighborhood fox this morning!!! Can you believe that? Me, Paul, Addie, Andrea and Jack were in the same vehicle, turning onto our street from Virginia. Andrea was driving, Paul sitting behind her and they both saw it cross the street in front of the car. Andrea said at first she thought "that's the biggest squirrel I've ever seen." I can't make that up. Sure enough, we all got to see it. Beautiful, beautiful creature. Went for a walk with camera hoping to see it again. Nope. It was exciting.

Happy Mother's Day!!

So cool

You have to look closely, but there is a fox running in front of this house in our neighborhood. The picture was posted on the neighborhood blog. So cool. Took Addie for a walk to find the fox family, which apparently there are/have been baby foxes (pups?). What do you call a baby fox?

Just looked it up. A young fox can be called a kit, cub or pup.

A couple of the neighbors posted that they already knew all about the neighborhood fox, yada, yada. Doubt it.

So cool.

TGIF?

So today is Friday, usually for me, the best day of the week. I like Saturdays too. But Fridays are number one. Get to stay up late, goof around, get stuff done. You get the idea. Paul is home today too. He was a superstar at work this week and has earned the time off.

Wonderful, right? We have THREE days to come up with all kinds of fun and trouble. We love to hike. Go to a museum. Eat out. Walk dogs.

Problem: Paul's hip is especially bad today and my ARMPIT cyst has abscessed. But at least we still have each other. Right?

Here's a sample of one of our conversations this morning:

Paul: Want to go with me to Whole Foods, Lumpy?

Me: As soon as the painkiller kicks in, Limpy.

Day 21 - Finish Line

Last day as a vegan. As previously stated, I am going to add fish and dairy to my diet. We'll see how that goes. Paul already is trying to push turkey and chicken on me. Paul.

So this week I've been preoccupied with a growing lump in my armpit. It's so big it needs its own zip code. Saw Paul's friend Dr. Walt (worse yet, Dr. Walt saw me), and he is certain it is a sebaceous cyst. That's not anything dangerous. One of the causes, I read, was poor hygiene. Nice. It may have to come out. We'll know in 2 weeks after antibiotics hopefully work to shrink this glob.

Sometimes life is not pretty.

Day 20- Addie's quilt

I got some pictures of Addie and her quilt when she stayed the night last weekend. The quilt was made by Gladys Janssen who recently retired as a federal courts employee and worked with Paul. The quilt is made from 30s charm squares. The patterns are adorable. Little Bo Peep, teddy bears, puppies, little Scottie dogs, birds, toys, flowers, stars and other shapes, umbrellas, etc. Designs inspired by 1930s patterns. It's just adorable and also such a sweet gesture. Thanks Gladys wherever you are... hope you are having a blast!

Day 19

Almost at the end of the 21-day vegan challenge. I have pretty much decided to upgrade to pescetarian, which is eating only fish and no other meats. I will also add dairy. I am salivating just writing this. Hungry for cheese, grilled salmon, broiled shrimp, fish tacos, yogurt...

I still will finish the 21 days. On Friday, gelato here I come! A small one. Of course.

Day 18 - we have a problem

The new food I am eating apparently relies heavily on garlic for flavor. Heavily. Paul has started to cover his nose when I approach. Hmmmm. I guess I will google home remedies. Anyone?

Day 17 - Peek-a-boo

Paul took this picture. I like it.

Happy Monday morning. Is that an oxymoron?

Day 16

Perfect day. Almost. Communicated with all the kids. Paul feeling good. Dogs didn't bite anybody or eat underwear. Sun was shining. Went to Costco. Watched a movie - Crazy Heart. Good music, didn't care that much about the story. A little hokey. Above are some of the pictures I took Friday night/Saturday morning of Addison. My little buddy.

day 15

Happy May Day.

When I was a kid, we used to put May Day baskets (candy, little tokens) in a basket and leave on front doorsteps for friends or for someone you were sweet on. Oh, yeah, and you never put who it was from, only who it was to. Sweet tradition.

Paul remembers giving his mom a May basket... he says he put dandelions in a basket. He also remembers a neighbor boy leaving a basket for him mom on their doorstep. He recalls that his mom thought that was the nicest gesture.

On another note: I had my blood drawn for 6-month cholesterol levels. My last levels rocked. If this latest check is even better, I will continue this vegan way of life. If my levels are not changed, but still good, I will continue this vegan way of life. If my levels have risen (or lowered re: HDL), I will go back to meat and dairy.