We went to lectures, but came home before the last day. I forget why we planned it that way. It was so good to see our son Brian at FC and meet so many of his friends. Our son Alex went with us. We were lecture junkies while we were there. We didn't miss a session. Why go all that way and not take as much advantage of them as possible?? We also spent a lot at the bookstore, as we usually do when we are there.

I used to be terrified of flying. I even had nightmares in which I found out I was having to fly somewhere! In the last 3 years or so, that has eased to the point of being very comfortable. Last summer was my first domestic flight and this was the first time I had flown to Florida. I have been to Florida many times but it always involved a 2 day drive each way. I was giggly when we arrived Sat. night, having left Bloomington-Normal at 6:45 PM. It was so funny to be there so quickly. Some of the giggles may have been due to being VERY tired when I arrived but that was not because of the mode of transportation.

Sadie didn't do very well at the kennel. She is a timid pup and all those dogs intimidated her. Poor Sadie. We paid for extra play time for her and the lady said she just wanted to interact with her, not really play. She loves to be petted and have her belly rubbed. She is not very aggressive about playing. She's glad to be home and is her usual self.

Now we get to reap the benefits of all those great lessons.

I am thankful for the opportunity to go, the safe trip, all the many people I got to see that I know, and for the new people I got to meet, and for all that I learned. We got downloaded as "APPs" quite a few times which was fun. (An inside joke from chapel Mon. AM)

Sadie was sitting on the couch with us while we watched a show on TV. There were horses on the show and Sadie's head went at attention watching them. She jumped off the couch and ran to the TV when a herd of them ran by! Then she sat on the love seat, nearer the TV to keep watching the horses. She is so funny, the way she watches TV! One time she heard a doorbell on TV and ran to the front door.

I took Sadie to the vet today for this month's heartworm tablet. Since she's growing we have to have her weighed each month to get the right dose. She was 28 lbs. four weeks ago when she was spayed. I was shocked to find out she has gained 12 pounds in just 4 weeks! OK, Sadie, you can slow down now. She is 5 months and is SUPPOSED to weigh 50-55 lbs. full grown. Oh-oh!

We are enjoying her so much. She is SUCH a good dog.

We're headed out to go snowshoeing, Sadie and I.

My drain pipe seems to be thawed this morning so today will be a laundry day! Dale added some extra insulation around it so hopefully this won't happen again. The furnace has been working since the repairman came out Monday afternoon.

Our bird has begun saying, "No!" from all the times he has heard us say it to the puppy! He hasn't had any new words in a long time.