What a super, great weekend this was. Full of surprises and laughter.

The birthday gifts were right on the money...a gift certificate for a pedicuare..scratch off tickets, while they did not break any jackpot, increased my income slightly, a double, double chocolate birthday cake (in addition to the cute little cake Netta sent) fresh strawberries...and especially the dog house.

When the kids were little, I had a wooden plaque that hung on the wall. There was a dog house and 5 little puppies that bore the names of the 5 kids. Whenever one was naughty, their puppy got put in the dog house.

Well, the kids reproduced the long since gone plaque..in a much larger size, and presented it to me as the last gift of the day.

I cried, I laughed...it brought back a flood of memories. We sat around and talked about who was in the dog house most often, recalling the offenses that put em in the dog house and the terms of getting out. Gawd that was fun.

It now hangs in my room...and I must confess, Netta was the first one to occupy the seat of honor. Only because she wasn't here in body.

But she surely made her presence known...she was the center of much of the conversation to be sure. We all missed her.

And she will not be spending a lot of time in the doghouse...especially in light of the delightful package she sent.

There was, of course, the usual discussion about who was Mom's favorite. I don't think they'll ever really settle on that question....as if there was a real answer for such a question.

Everybody but Micki and Tracy left late in the afternoon and as happy as I was to see them come, I was happy to see them go...I got pretty tired toward the end.

Just when I thought it was all over, I got one last call... from Little Bean...a perfect ending to a perfect day.

Today I'm gonna rest up because Tina and Marion are taking me to the boat tomorrow...Beltera...slot machines...good food...slot machines...jacuzzi...slot machines...you get the idea. We'll stay overnight, come back sometime Wednesday afternoon.

Then on Thursday I'll go to the docs to get the details on treatment plans. I'll be armed with tons of love, lots of prayers and good wishes and ready to do whatever it takes.

I thank you all for your good wishes and hope that life is as good to you as it is to me.

hugs.