OMG, Eddie Bear is just too cute.  I can see why everyone wants to carry him around.  Is summer hard on that breed of dog with all the hair or does it thin out naturally.  That's great about him going to the door already.  Wish my boys would do that. 

Now that the back yard has dried up from all the rains in May, it's going a lot better since I can take them out there and let them run and play.  They are so funny when they start chasing each other.  Bailey is the fastest and he weaves in and out of the corner flower bed, across my patio, across the yard and starts the loop all over.  Baxter is not as fast but he's smart and manages to shortcut him once in awhile and tumbles him to the ground.  In the house, they get territorial over their chew sticks and occasionally, they will get in this snarling, snapping bout and both have their teeth bared and it's so funny to watch them.  They are very entertaining to watch.  I boarded them over the weekend during my reunion and the vet told me they were very well-behaved dogs and he mentioned that Baxter was the friendlier, more outgoing dog and Bailey was more reserved which is true.  Their personalities are so distinct and I just like to sit and watch and talk to them.

Yeah, Tee, I had a smile on my face reading your post and imagining them tearing around the yard.
I feel like I"m pulling out of my funk.  I've been crying a lot the last week or two and I sure hope I get over it.  My body is finally getting used to work.  This week I've been able to walk with a normal gait, before it felt like all the cartilage in my knees was gone, I couldn't walk normally.  I haven't had to live on aspirin and Tylenol this week, either.  And hubby said it downpoured for three hours and the roof didn't leak, so that's fantastic news.

Hi, guys!  

I haven't read everything but glancing back I'd just like to say I'm glad you're all playing so many games!!!!  And all the crafty stuff you've been doing sounds like fun.

Wendy, my sincerest condolences.  I'm sorry you're going through such a tough time.  But it sounds like things are starting to look up.  I hope that continues and you have a great season.

Oscar, congrats!  Eddie looks so darn cute.  How's the bathroom coming along?

Tee, your 2 seem to be a bundle of fun, as well.

As for me, I've been alone with Mum a lot these past few weeks as everyone's been so busy or away.  And my brother and eldest sister are away with their respective spouses now for a month in Europe on holidays (not together).  Nice for some.  My other sister, who's been away a couple of weekends for a couple of her grandkids' b'days, has just lost her job.  It was only one afternoon a week and Saturday mornings, so no biggie, but she'll miss that little bit of cash which paid for their groceries.  So she said that she'll be able to spend all her time here now!!!!  But Mum doesn't want her here all the time, saying that that would be too much for me (she knows some of what's been said to me) and this morning she said that she doesn't want her moving in with us, that we all need a break (except for me, of course, as I'm the one Mum relies on 100% and I'm the only one Mum discusses anything with - and I'm the baby!) and that my sister still needs some time at home where she can unwind.  And we don't want my big sis to stop coming on Friday nights, bringing roast chicken dinners for the three of us! 

My big sis is the only one who understands how difficult it's been for me with my other sister and her daughter, as they keep on telling me off, accusing me of things, telling me that everything I do for Mum is wrong, that everything I buy for Mum is wrong, etc.  It's been SO hard.  But my big sis has now heard for herself the type of things they say to me so she's being really supportive and will be even more so when she gets back, helping me with some of the housework, as no one else helps me at all.  She's also the only one who understands the toll this is taking on me with my illness, as the rest of the family have just conveniently forgotten that I live with a chronic illness.  At least Mum and I are getting on really well and we try and have a bit of fun, and that's all that matters. 

I've been here nearly 4 months now and have managed one single half day off and got to play one HOPA.  But my sister said that when she's here on Sunday I can have the day off and can do whatever I want ... play a game, watch TV, read, sleep, whatever.  But that'll be after I've done all the morning routine with Mum, and my sister has finally gotten up, showered, etc.  So I'll have the whole afternoon to myself!  For only the second time in 4 months!  Whoopee!!!!

On a brighter note, something to consider ...

Absolutely Dead Brilliant!!

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: 

- Knowing when to come in out of the rain; 
- Why the early bird gets the worm; 
- Life isn't always fair; 
- And maybe it was my fault. 

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. 

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. 

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. 

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. 

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. 

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. 

Common Sense was preceded in death,
-by his parents, Truth and Trust,
-by his wife, Discretion,
-by his daughter, Responsibility,
-and by his son, Reason. 

He is survived by his 5 stepbrothers; 
- I Know My Rights 
- I Want It Now 
- Someone Else Is To Blame 
- I'm A Victim
- Pay me for Doing Nothing 

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
 

Hi Stusue.  I've read some of that obiturary before, but your version is longer.   And it's oh, so true.
Your mom is really hanging in there, she must be a tough old bird, I wish I could meet her.  It must have been so hard for you to disrupt your own life to take care of your mum, but at least you know in your heart and soul that you're doing the best you can for her.  I'm sort of surprised your siblings didn't put off their vacations this year considering her health... and yours, too.
My season is going alright, I had one really bad week, but I've made some money at all the others.  Next week isn't very good but we start fair season after that so things are looking okay.  My good helper comes out full time after next week, he's great to have around.  He's a neat freak so he keeps the game looking much nicer than I do.  He's the kind that doesn't wait to be told to do something, he just goes and does it.  And he has a car so he can drive me place, lol.  Can't wait.

Hey, Wendy, hi!!  

Glad things are going okay with the season.  I hope it picks up, especially once you have your good helper!

My big sis and her hubbie have had this holiday planned for over a year and, as they're going for an event that will only happen once, I can understand why they didn't put off their holiday.

My bro, on the other hand, had a conference to go to.  He and his wife cancelled their planned 3-week holiday following the week-long conference and we thought that was great!  Then we only found out last week that, as they may have to return, they're just driving around Ireland for 3 weeks, instead of the full holiday they'd planned with cruises, etc, around Iceland and Scandinavia.  I am so not impressed as they can both go away whenever they want.  So they get a fantastic holiday and I'm here with Mum, with very little to no help. 

No one in my family believes in my illness (I rarely actually look sick - it's one of those invisible illnesses - and it's the main reason I left Australia to live in northern Germany), so now they're just ignoring it and letting me do everything ... and then complaining about everything I do!  At least I'll get some help from my big sis when she gets back, although she only comes over late on Friday and then leaves by lunchtime on Saturday - hubbie calls her home. 

But I'm the lucky one who's getting to spend all this time with Mum, so I actually feel sorry for them.  Mum will just be gone one day and they'll be so surprised, having spent so little time with her.  But I'll have memories to hold next to my heart for the rest of my life.