Hum...I like the zip code idea.

I've already changed my "secret question" to something she wouldn't know. The zip code thing is a good idea, too.

Good Morning to all -

Just a couple of quick updates:

1. Jeb is doing well, but for some reason he insisted on sleeping on the couch last night. We've talked about that, I told him I needed a dog at my feet in bed at night. He pretended not to understand.

2. I got a card from my IL's yesterday. It was very nice, thanking me for the visit and telling me they appreciated me coming over. Also, thanking me for the roses.

3. I have talked to the lady I bought the house from and we have settled on Tuesday, September 27 as the first in-home Bible study. I need to start reviewing material and be preparing for this. Also, we're talking about who we can invite to join. We want to try to keep it to around 8 - 10 people. I'm thinking that I would like to invite some of the neighbors, and she has offered to bring some finger foods.

What I'm really hoping is that by that time I have the deck in place and the weather is cool enough to meet out on the deck.

Anyway, that's it for me today. Church started back last night (no Wednesday night during the summer).

GOOD MORNING MIMI...

Georgia

LOL! This was so funny. This made my morning! You are becoming quite the comedian....



You might want to check out one of the Christian Book Stores in your area. They have Bible Studies already prepared for group study....

Focus on the Family...www.family.org also has stuff....

Later....

He's just too polite to suggest that you trim your toenails. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Actually, I think he may have trying to make a statement about me making him spend about 8 hours at PetSmart.

He looks very nice, but I'm not sure he considers it too much of a treat.

I tried to take some pictures of him last night to post here. However, he is the only dog I have ever seen who is camera shy. It's like he's been beaten by a camera or something. When I pull out the camera, his ears go down and he gets that pitiful look. He is not at all photogenic.

Is there such a word as photophobic?

GG, suffice it to say that putting yourself in the middle of this problem has "risks and rewards."

One of the things that I sell is Long Term Care insurance that gives people the "option" of where they can receive the needed care for just this sort of situation. It gives families options other than, "oops, I guess YOU are elected to give up YOUR life and be a full-time caregiver."

But please do not underestimate the physical and mental drain of attempting to care for someone in failing health.

This idea of "never putting someone in a Nursing Home" is a common theme, but decidely impractical for a lot of folks in this day and age. Most families are "scattered," the children may have to give up a job to take on the task of caregiver, LTC is very expensive (especially if the cost has not been shifted to an insurance company) and can use up a lifetime's savings very quickly. Mrs. Reese seems to be of the old school of thought (i.e. her comment about being "discarded") that went something like this: "Go to a Nursing Home to die." So of course she is angry, but she has NO ability or desire to see things from any perspective but her own "wants and desires."

She is operating on the basis of "it's okay to be a burden" on her children. Nevermind the fact that in marriage, we LEAVE and cleave to our spouse. NO, I'm not saying that we stop loving our parents, but I am saying that loving them does not mean that you have to destroy your own marriage for them. There WERE and ARE alternatives to getting help for someone in need, and it's NOT "selfish" to attempt to provide help within the "limits" you have available to you.

Think of it this way, the Good Samaritan DID NOT move in with the person at the side of the road. He arranged for the needed care to get the person back on their feet. That WAS love and concern, but not because it was "demanded" by the injured person.

Old age, especially alone, can be frightening to a person. Add in failing health, and it gets downright scary. How do most of us react when we feel threatened? Angry and scared. We "lash out." We say things we wouldn't normally say. We ARE finite, but approaching death is still uneasy, if not scary.

Mrs. Reese is a frightened old woman, whose feelings and reactions are based upon her lifetime when families lived together, resources for "outside care" were not available, Nursing Homes WERE were people went for "final care" before they died. Her family, likewise, have lives of their own. Caring for the sick and elderly is NOT a job for the faint of heart, or the physically weak for that matter. We, as a people, ARE living much much longer today that people did when Mrs. Reese was younger...and that brings with it more frequent need for care that "family members" are ill-equipped to provide.

So, if there is anything that you can do to "bridge the culture gap," that would be helpful. But don't get yourself caught up in the middle of a war, because there are often very practical reasons why a family can't, or shouldn't, try to provide all the care for some in need of lengthy care and/or rehabilitation.

God bless.

Ahhh Yes, the training of the dog owner...

Jeb knows you sometimes don't get it, but he has high hopes for you. He'll sleep on the couch until you learn...NOT to take him to get preened again...bad FGG, naughty FGG. I guess sleeping on the couch is as akin Jeb will get to smacking you on the nose with the rolled up newspaper...

Wow, photophobic? I wonder? Maybe his past owner was a crazed photographer never letting the poor animal alone with a lense always in his snout...poor Jeb...there are worse owners, but he knows you'll get it someday.

Just kidding, you are a WONDERUFL pet owner...we have never taken our small dog to get the clip/cut/curl...we are generally neglectful. My daughter will get the animals down every once and a while and give them baths.

Jeb is fortunate to have you in his life...

I could tell last night that Jeb was worn out, probably barked the whole time he was at the groomers.

He is an amazing dog. He is incredibly loving (which is nice) and by far the most docile Schnauzer I have ever seen. His main vice seems to be jumping in my lap with no regard to what may be occupying his landing pad beforehand. That happened again Tuesday night. I was sitting in my recliner with a tray in my lap eating dinner & watching TV. On the tray was a plate and a glass of tea. Suddenly, with no warning, there was 26 pounds of dog on the tray. And, he doesn't even have the courtesy to say "excuse me". He just lands there and looks at me, like "what's the problem?".

Oh well, I guess if he doesn't do anything worse than that, I can't complain.

FH - Thanks for your insight into the Mrs. Reese situation.

Georgia

GG,

You and Jeb are very blessed to have each other.

I am sure the experts would have a solution for you so Jeb wouldn't jump in your lap like that....but I think it's way too cute to mess with.

He obviously "owns you", so he's entitled to jump in your lap anytime he pleases!!! I am delighted you have him...I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't had my dogs over the years.

Thanks, CSue..

I'm not too concerned about that little inconvenience. So far, it's only been a big problem 2X. Once when I was eating a bowl of soup, the other when I had a bowl of cereal. If I didn't know better, I'd think he might be doing this on "accident" so he could try to get it off the floor before I retrieve the mop.

One of the things he really likes is to go in the back yard and run in a big circle. Then, he runs right at me and jumps into my arms. I don't have to bend down, he jumps up to about chest level. Then, I put him down and he does it again. He loves that game!! I don't know if someone taught him to do that, or if he just invented it himself.

He bores of traditional "fetch" very quickly (usual after one retrieval), but he'll play the "jump in Dad's arms" game as long as I'll play.

I'm "lunching" in today (Arby's) and researching various web-sites on deck and pergola designs.

I'm about ready to get started on this thing.....

GG,

He's just precious beyond belief - and I truly think he is God's gift to you.

Yeah, he's been a big help to me through this whole ordeal.

I'd be embarrassed if anyone heard how I talk to him, just like he's another person. But, I don't think he's going to tell because we were both at a stage of our life where we needed a friend and a family.

Georgia

FGG -

Maybe Jeb is trying to teach you that you shouldn't eat food in the recliner...heh heh heh

Really, though - animals cannot differentiate between stuff like we can - he has no clue you're doing something in that recliner that he's going to mess up - he's just thinking - "hey there's FGG, he likes it when I jump in his lap" - he doesn't stop to think (or notice) "hey, FGG has other stuff in his lap, maybe I shouldn't jump up".

If I were you I'd eat all meals at the table with strict training with Jeb that when you are sitting at the table, there is no lap available and save the recliner for Jeb-time.

Not a bad idea. He doesn't beg at all, and I don't give him any table scraps. He's never tried to get in my lap when at the table.

However, sometimes I get bored eating alone. I usually read when I eat, but sometimes I just want to sit and watch a movie or something while I'm eating.

When I get home in the afternoon, he meets me the back door and we've got a ritual we go through. First, I have to go turn the alarm system off, then I head the recliner. He is all over me, licking, biting, etc. with his tail wagging incredibly fast. Sometimes he will let out this really low, long "OOOOHHHHH" sort of howl. That is the only time he does this. I will do it back to him, and he thinks that's cool. We sometimes converse back and forth a couple of times with the howl thing.

Then, it's time for the backyard and his much needed "respite" from a day in the house.

Georgia

Oh boy.....

remember the little snippet about work the other day? Well, I just got an "urgent" e-mail from my boss asking me to rapidly assemble a spreadsheet showing how much time our company employees and contract employees have been utilized so far this year (within my area of discipline).

He needs the information TODAY.

Georgia

Are you in a joking mood? I thought of something funny in response to your last post...

Sure, go ahead.

My first thought was that you can always become a standup comedian.

Better yet, I was thinking about a book: OUT OF THE FOG: A MAN, HIS DOG, A NEW HOUSE and A POND...

Couldn't think of a GOOD TITLE... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Mimi...

I don't think I could pay the bills as a comedian. I've thought about being a potter, but to make my current salary by making and selling pottery is...well..highly unlikely.

Now a book....there's an idea. I think we need to tweak the title a bit....

How about....."OUT OF THE FOG....A NEW MAN, AN OLD HOUSE, AND THE DOG THAT LOVES THEM BOTH" ?