Hello Friends!

Hello Friends! 

What a whirlwind it has been at our house! Updating my blog has been something I have thought about every day. Really. But when I would sit down to begin a post, the words just wouldn't come. Then someone told me this week to just push through it, and to just start writing. So, that's what I'm doing and so lets see where this post goes. 

To start, I really want to thank everyone who have stopped by leaving comments and sending messages asking how I'm doing, and how our gang is doing too. I so appreciate your friendship, your concern and your letting me know that you were thinking of us - It really meant a lot; you all are truly the best! ❤

I returned to work exactly a month post-surgery.

~Sitting in commuter-traffic--- grrrrr .... My least favorite thing to do~

After my first post-op appointment, my doctor had recommended that I take another week or two off work, but I didn't listen to her or friends that were telling me the same thing. I know now, I should have, because I was exhausted and yes, also grouchy and irritable. The good thing is, is that the doctor and all that I read were right, it did get easier and better. This past week or so, I finally feel like my energy is back to where it was, and I'm finally feeling like myself again. *And as a post note, I'll add that the biopsies have all come back "clear." 

~Max~

The report on the dogs has been a bit of a mix bag. A few of our crew are a tad-bit worse for wear, but as always, they're in pretty good spirits and great company.

~Ree~

Todd did have a small scuffle with Jack, that Jack started because he didn't like Todd barking at people he could see walking around the adjoining property. Todd hurt his neck, and there was an injury behind his ear that was made a little bit complicated by a prior ear infection that turned into an aural-hematoma. As a result of that, Todd has an ear that may never stand up straight again. I feel terrible and guilty about it. 

On a much lighter note, going back to April, we did celebrate Todd's 11th birthday - Can you believe that Todd is 11 years old? As always, I'm continuing to ask that ongoing question, " just where the heck does time go?"

Wherever times disappears to, I'll keep this short for now and just say, that I'm so glad you stopped by, and I really am looking forward to catching up on all that I've missed!

Progress for Jaycee

 After nearly a month for me at home, and 50 days since Jaycee arrived, I think we've both made pretty good progress. 

~Spring flowers for sale at a local feed store~

Jaycee is now available for adoption via the rescue. There have already been a couple of calls, but neither were a good fit from her. She is a really nice dog, and has a gentle and easy going personality. She's nervous meeting new people, but if someone is with her that she knows, she's fine. 

~ I love Jaycee's smile in this photo~

Her house-manners are a work in progress, as we expected them to be. She's gaining more confidence when it comes to exploring the yard and the house on her own. One thing that you can't help but notice, is that Jaycee highly food motivated (such a Lab thing!) she's very sensitive and is a pleaser. She is very curious about everything and wants to do as she's asked, she just needs someone to show her the way. 

It's not that Jaycee doesn't have any one to help her do that. There are plenty of mentors in our house, and she's great at following the crowd. But in hopes of helping her find her "inner-Lab" we are teaching her about retrieving. Jaycee chases after the ball, but her bringing it back needs just a little bit of work. In the video below, you can see that she runs right past us every time, and every time she makes us laugh. I'm sure that eventually Jaycee will get the hang of it.

And finally, here's another bit of advice I've picked up by watching Julia Child this past week.

 **Remember to time your vegetables perfectly with your meal, so they don't get cold or get overcooked.** 

 At our house timing is everything at mealtime. And when I forget to steam the veggies beforehand .... well, it gets noisy and crowded with too many cooks in the kitchen!

Me and Julia Child and The Dogs

My first week at home was a bit of a blur, the second week, was kind of a repeat of that. I've gotten a lot of rest. And I have to mention that I've been the recipient of some very thoughtful friends who've brought amazing and delicious meals, sent cards, texted, took me to lunch, and last week a good friend and I went to the movies one afternoon. Each new day brings a little more healing – for which I am beyond grateful.

While at home by myself, there's really not a lot going on. The dogs have the routine that they are used to, and I'm trying to continue with that. This routine is mostly sleeping, and wanting to go outside midday, when our dog-walker typically comes. 

~Max~

The quiet moments in between, when I'm not napping, I have been spent reading, cruising Facebook, and watching cooking shows, which is a favorite way that I love to pass time - Even though I am not a fancy cook and I am certainly not a home-chef. Nevertheless, it doesn't keep me (or anyone) from learning about and loving food and of course going out and trying new restaurants because, well, I love to eat.💓

But back to the cooking shows. I've been watching Julia Child's cooking show from the 1960's.  For those of you who don't know or remember who Julia Child is, you may remember the 2009 movie about her, Julie and Julia - And if you didn't see the movie, I'll tell you that she is a famous chef, author, and television personality, who made French cuisine accessible to American audiences. She was one of the first women to host her own cooking show on television, providing tips and lessons on how to prepare French food simply and easily.

~Foster Girl, Jaycee~

I've really enjoyed watching "The French Chef" a couple of  mornings a week, and I am even learning a few things along the way. In these old episodes, I've been taking Julia's simple advice and for fun, I've been posting her advice on Facebook and adding my thoughts to a specific day that I'm home recovering. So, I'll share a couple of my favorites with you. 

**On DAY THREE of my at home recovery, Julia Child's advice for the day was:

**If you're alone in the kitchen and you drop the lamb, you can always just pick it up. Who's going to know?** 

This is really true, who would know, right? However in my world, it will only work if you can beat that 2 or 3 second dog who always sees whatever you drop at that moment it's dropped. (photo below is Jake and Ree).   

**On DAY NINE of my home recovery and Julia Child's advice for the day was:

*to not be afraid of eggs.*

I've never met an egg I was afraid of, and our girl Ree, on the left, certainly isn't afraid of them, and I've no doubt that very, very soon, Jaycee won't be leery of eggs and will love to eat them as much as we all do. 

And finally,  **on DAY TWELVE of my home recovery and Julia Child's advice for the day was to 

**BE FEARLESS and have fun.** 

Todd is of course the most fearless in our house, not even afraid of his shadow, and I think he has fun too! 

I hope you've had a fun weekend - Onto my 3rd week at home.

The 28th of March

It’s the 28th day of the month and yet it may well be the coldest part of it. However, the weathermen are telling us that we'll trend warmer after today and we should be into the 70s by Thursday. But that’s when we could have some strong thunderstorms as an intense storm system barrels through our region. We'll see if they get it right. 

~We had several snow-squalls blow through on Saturday~

Life at our house has of course taken on a little bit of a slower pace. I'm getting more than enough rest, and have just enough going on that I'm not yet bored being at home. Not that this could or would ever happen at our house! 

~Ree and Tiggy the cat napping together - Why do I make the bed?~

But how I would love to be outside - Because I can't help but feel strongly that if I'm going to be home, I need some warmer weather! And I think the locals (below) would agree! 

~The Locals~

Todd on the other hand, is okay with whatever the weather is, he just wants to be outside. 

I do have to add that there's been a bit of a change with Todd recently. When we put him into his crate, to be fed, etc., he has started to whine and bark. Could it be that at almost 11 years old, he's outgrown being crated? What do you think?