Judy I've missed you and posted on our FB page. I wish you would have let us help you carry the struggle. Poor Max, how did his ACL tear? Did he jump, fall? Joey has luxating patellas too, but not real bad. Don't know when it happened but when I groomed him I could tell. As much as it would kill me, I wouldn't be able to afford the surgery so I pray it will never have to be done. I bet you sure did miss him.

Are Jess and the kids okay now? So relieved you didn't catch it, it can't be good.

Wish there was something I could do to make you feel better. You know I'm here if you need me.

Thank you Janet! I haven't been on FB much either.

Sometimes when I get into a funk, I retreat for a bit. Anyway, I am back now, just in time to see Lindsey's wedding pix.

You are so busy! You're in a cleaning frenzy! Nobody get in Janet's way...she'll just polish you up, and you better not get dirty!

Jessie is also getting rid of a lot of the dogs. Too many dogs can be such a chore!

I like the three. Right now, Annie and Sophie arre having their morning wrestling match. Max is in his crate, poor guy. I'm keeping him on his pain meds. I think they trained him at Cornell! He only wants to go outside now! We will see once he gets out of his crate.

How are the kittens?

Judy!! It IS good to have you back!!

I'm so sorry to hear about Max's knee. I know that you must have missed him terribly and was so worried. I hope that he gets better soon. I'm sure the girls have missed him too!!

I'm glad to hear that Jessie and the kids are doing ok. There has been a warning in Kansas about whooping cough too. I think that the whooping cough vaccine is one of the hardest to take. I know that Amy had problems with it when she was little so it's often taken out. I'm so glad that you didn't get it......what a worry.

You know that we're here for you no matter what's going on!! Even in you're in a blue funk!!!

We got a little rain last night......what a relief!!! We got .8 at the house and about .5 around in the fields. It was really spotty.....so some places got some and some got none. At least it's a break in the weather. Hopefully there will be some more coming and it won't be so hot.....of course, this is July and I'm sure the weather will climb back into the 100's!!!

This morning I went to the rental to take a few pictures, see how the exterior painting was coming along and to show two separate families the house. Neither one showed up or called. So I'm about ready to make a decision on who we'll rent to.

We have a shared drive with the house next door which is also a rental. We've told the renters that that can not block the drive, but they continue to do so. The people we have painting were ready to start on the side where the driveway is and that darn car was there. I knocked on the front door...no one came. Went to the back door....no one came. Just as I walked up toward the front again, I heard someone coming out the back door. I must have woke him up because he had an attitude. He started in on me and he messed with the wrong person.....bad mistake. Had a bit of a yelling match...mostly him. I calmly told him he needed to get it through his head that he can not block the driveway and that he had been told twice, what part didn't he understand. He said he was gonna put a fence down the middle of the drive and I just told him to go ahead, we had already filed a complaint with the police and he'd just be wasting his money. Then he began to rant and rave and it really hit a nerve and I came right back at him. Stupid jerk. He then said he was going to call the police, I said please do, I'll be waiting. Also told him that the girl (Sandy) painting the house...she was within his sight was a corrections officer so make all the threats he wanted. After a little while when the police didn't come, I knew he was all mouth so I called them. Sandy was shocked that I stood up to him the way I did. It was probably stupid, but I will not tolerate that kind of behavior from anyone.

They told me I was doing the right thing...to talk to the landlord (I had a call in to him right after the altercation) but he hasn't called me back yet. The officer that came said after I talk to the landlord to call him and let him know what was said. Also...if the car was ever blocking the drive again to call the police. Just so happened this office is the nephew of a friend of mine and he also has a rental with a shared drive. I'll tell you...the next door neighbor guy is a tattooed hooligan that deal drugs so I'm anxious to see what his landlord has to say about him causing trouble and threatening me. Time will tell.

Oh Janet that is just awful that you had to deal with all that............. i am glad the police were helpful to you, and hope that the landlord will back you up.

Do you know what i think if he doesnt and you are stuck with the likes of him as a neighbour at your rental, then i would definitely sell, or you face dealing with all sorts of issues on a regular basis - best to just get rid of the house.

Be careful Janet........ he sounds a right rough one, you watch yourself.

Janet, so sorry you had such a terrible encounter. That sounds just awful. I'm glad you called the police.

I made it home from OK today. I had a good visit with my family and Gary's sisters. But it's good to be home!

JUDY I'VE MISSED YOU! I'm sorry about Max and that you are having a hard time. You know, research shows that people do best in retirement when they have a meaningful purpose in life. Of course, that is different for everyone. Is there a community college close by? Since you are ABD, I bet you could teach a class. You mentioned volunteering, that might be good. Whatever you decide, it need to be meaningful and purposeful to you. If not, it will just be a drudgery.

Oh Janet!!! I'm glad that you called the police!! I probably would have just cried!! It sounds like he'll get that lesson learned with all of the excellent people who had around!! Good for you!!!

It's just another day here. I've got a lunch date with a friend in town. We do this every few weeks or so. We both have stressful families and it's just a way of getting out and sharing. Believe me......I have a LOT to share!!!

Oh my, Janet! This guy sounds like Jessie's crazy neighbor who has access rights to her driveway. I hope he leaves!

Thanks, Gayle. I don't know what I want to do, but I will find something. Somehow, volunteer work does not do it for me. Neither does teaching!

It's Brandon's 11th birthday!~ I'm going over there now for birthday cake!

I'm all finished with my summer class. I'm sure glad I taught it and now I'm glad its over! :) I still have a lot of things to do at school, getting ready for fall, but I can do them at my own pace and take some time off to travel a bit. I think I told you that I am going to Breckenridge CO with a couple of colleagues next week. It will be good to get out of the heat and into the mountains for a few days. The temperature is 39 there right now. :eek: Guess I'd better pack a jacket.

Ooooh Gayle, bet that sounds a lovely temperature, have a great time with your friends.

Gayle, try to have fun in CO. I can only imagine how much you miss Gary, and how different your life must be without him. I admire the way you are pushing yourself to carry on. Love you!

Betsi, some days, some hours, some minutes, it is so hard. I'm so lonely sometimes at night, my life seems so quiet. Right now, I'm trying to find things to keep me occupied. I have to just push on, it's too sad to just wallow in my sorrow. My friends have been so great, inviting me to lunch and dinner or to go places. I don't know what I'd do without them. My kids too have been so good to me.

Gayle, I am so sorry you are sad, i pray for you often. It's hard to imagine you being this way, you have always been everyone's rock, we could always turn to you for support and advise and now you are the one hurting.
So glad you have such good friends and family there to help you get through this.
Sending big hugs to you.

Gayle, I too am thankful that you have such great friends. I wish that I was there to spend some time with you too. Who knows, one day I will!! I feel bad that you're lonely at times but that's to be expected. Hugs! I'm just a phone call away!!

Breckenridge will be beautiful this time of year. I was there snow skiing years ago. There's neat little shops there and I hope they're open so you can enjoy them!! Definitely pack a jacket and jeans!!!

After our late night last night I'm just chilling today!! I've had a couple of cups of coffee and will probably take a nap later today. I might take a swim later too.