Sophie loves to be with me. She follows me everywhere I go.

That includes when I go to the bathroom. When I’m on the toilet, she likes to stick her little head between my legs next to the toilet. She tries to poke her head through the leg of my panties so she can look me in the eye. She’s sweet but I value my privacy.

Every day, after she’s worn herself out playing, she begs to be placed on my lap while I’m relaxing on the couch. She’ll snooze there for hours. She’s like an anchor. It’s hard to accomplish anything with her holding me down.

I’m finally feeling pretty good. I run down fast and I wake up congested, but I think the residual is caused by allergies.

I skipped the Michigan Club’s SnoBall last night. The music always encourages the couples to dance but I didn’t want to just sit and watch so I decided it wasn’t the place for me. I’m glad I stayed home. Sophie slept in my lap most of the evening and I felt her warmth and love.

Evie and I have been doing a lot together. She’s a flexible “date.” We’re going to a breakfast this morning with the singles group.

I’d like to go to Busch Gardens this week (to see the Herman’s Hermits guy) but it’s supposed to be cool all week and I don’t think that sitting on cement seats is the place for me yet. There will be other acts I can go to.

I have a ticket for a wine and cheese party on February 9th. Evie and some of her friends will make up our table. February 10th will be the Country Hoedown dance. I’m joining the single ladies’ table. It should be a good time even without a date.

The Michigan Club Pizza Party is the 15th of February (I’m chairman). On March 1st, Evie and I will go to the Sportsman’s Club’s day at the horse races complete with a lovely buffet.

Of course I’m working at the Emergency Squad every eight days. (Yesterday was one of the days.) It’s a pleasant way to spend the morning. Gets me out of the house.

Today is a rainy cool day. I wish I wasn’t going any place but Evie and I will enjoy a pleasant breakfast and then we’ll stop at the grocery store. I do need to get a few items, so I can brave the cold and damp for Sophie and me.

Maybe my energy isn’t completely back, but I’m on the way to recovery. Soooo much better. It all started with a sore throat about the 19th of December. Here it is January 14th. ‘Bout time!

Haven’t been doing much that’s social but got out a few times and I have a few activities on my calendar:

Karaoke on Tuesdays. I think I’ll go tomorrow night..
Sportsman’s Club meeting this Wednesday and a Sportsman’s Club day at the horse races on March 1st.
Dinner next Tuesday at Texas Roadhouse with the Singles group
A potluck a week from Wednesday.
Lunch and a bingo at the Catholic Church next Wednesday with lady friends.
Thursdays from 4-5 there’s always the Country Couples gatherings
Saturdays at 6pm I can decide to play bingo at the North Clubhouse

Non-social events on my calendar include a dental appointment this Thurday and a week from Friday Sophie will be neutered.

I’m busy enough.

It’s too cool for the pool (65 degrees today) but at least the sun is out.

I’m over my “cold” but I’m still weak. I just have no zip. Guess that’s to be expected but I’d love to feel peppy.

Hope you enjoy this very true story which was published first on Friday, December 4th, on Facebook.

I just got back from having my hair cut. Sophie was anxious to see me because I’d been gone several hours so when I opened the door from the garage into the house, she tried to come out. Knowing that I’d left the big garage door up and I didn’t want her to “escape,” I quickly stepped into the room where I’d isolated her. And yup, I stepped right into one of her poops (which aren’t especially small.) I quickly took off my sandal and sorta took a hop into the room with my one remaining sandal on. And yup, stepped in it again! As I yanked off both sandals, I heard the phone ringing. I ran in. It was my security system company. With all the door confusion, I’d forgot to enter the security code when I came in so the alarm went off and they wanted to know if they should send help. I explained that it was me and no need to send help. (But maybe by that time I did need assistance.) Mess is now cleaned up. Sandals have been scrubbed off, I’m resting.

And a PS to the story: I ran across the great room to grab the phone which triggered the motion detector so they had to call me a second time because I had TWO alarms: the door and the motion.

Sophie had a vet appointment this morning. She now weighs 2 1/2 pounds.

She’s scheduled to be neutered, have a microchip implanted, and get the rest of her shots all on January 25th.

After we got home, I took Sophie for a golf cart ride. It was a beautiful day! We stopped at Bob and Sue Bemis’s, Evelyn Gates’ and Evy Cronin’s condos. All were glad to see my tiny baby.

I’m now back home. It was just a little too much. I had thought that from 4:00 to 5:00, I’d go to the clubhouse for the country couples social hour, but I’m staying here. I’m totally worn out. I do feel lots better than I have been feeling but I don’t want to over-do it. I know I’m susceptible to any bugs that are out there.

I am a little worried. After I got inside the Bemis condo, I found out Bob has been sick too. If he had a different version of a cold-bug, I could catch his. I only stayed a couple minutes. I sure don’t need to try to fight another germ.

I do feel better, but I’m not up to par yet. I took the golf cart to town.
Stopped at the pharmacy and was told that I need to see a doctor since the discharge from my nose isn’t clear which means I need an antibiotic. I would but I am allergic to penicillin so there’s not much that I can take to help an infection.

I think I’m doing a pretty good job fighting my way back. Betcha tomorrow I’ll be even better.

I’ve been taking it easy but I’m still not 100%.

My sinuses won’t quit filling up.

I missed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and now New Year’s Day festivities. I just don’t want to be with folks.

It’s no longer that I think someone will catch it, I’m afraid that I am susceptible to whatever’s out there and I could get even sicker. So many of our friends have been up north and now they’ve returned. They’ll bring all those tough northern germs down with them.

Last night (New Year’s Eve) I went to bed early (10 p.m.) but fireworks woke me up about 11:55. Even with the interruption, I did get a nice night’s sleep.

At least the weather’s been great (low 80’s).