hi

Things took a turn for the better at the end of this past week. Pene got to come home on Thursday. She isn't out of the woods yet because there is still a possibility of distemper, but she's doing lots better. Her distemper test results showed some antibodies for distemper, but that could just mean she's been vaccinated or exposed, not necessarily infected. The only way we'll know is time - another test two weeks from now will show if the antibody levels have stayed the same (yay) or increased (boo). Also, she could start showing neurological signs of distemper, like seizures. But so far, so good. She's eating well and being playful. Last night Piper and Pene stalked a bug through the house, which ended with Pene eating it (except for one leg). This morning she helped me water and rake the yard. And right now I think I hear the girls playing in the other room.

Carolyn is improving as well. She's leaving the rehab place on Monday and we're all thrilled. She's in a lot less pain, moving around well, and in good spirits.

Leslie was here from Monday evening until Friday morning. She was supposed to go back Thursday night but rain here in Dallas delayed her. We tried to pretend we were sad she had to stay another night but we were not-so-secretly pleased. Les and I got to hang out a lot and spent Wednesday at the ranch with Mom, Dad, Mike Shannon, and Yolanda. Wednesday night we grilled out here at the house and were joined before the end of the meal by cousin Lisa and Matt (who is working his tail off with fall busy season). On Thursday we gave baby Miles his first swimming experience in Mom and Dad's pool, which was awesome. He never cried, even when I accidentally dunked his head. We had to evacuate the pool though when the rain storm hit. Leslie returned to California early on Friday and Lisa and I spent the day cleaning Carolyn's condominium in anticipation of her return home. It was very satisfying :) Lisa had to head back to Austin yesterday morning, much to my dismay, but I suppose Eric wanted his wife and son back. It's only fair that I share.

Friday night Matt and I went to Scott McClelland's wedding rehearsal dinner at the Grotto in Uptown because Matt was an usher for Scott and Lindsay's wedding. The wedding was yesterday morning at Scofield Memorial Church. We sat with John and Susie and they all enjoyed seeing lots of their Lake Highlands friends (Scott and Matt grew up together in Lake Highlands). The reception was at Arlington Hall in Lee Park. Then Matt and I came back home to allow Matt to watch copious amounts of college football...it's like a holiday for Matt! He was flipping between three games at one point. Unfortunately the Aggies weren't on TV, but we did have other Big 12 action to watch, as well as the Cal-Tennessee game (go Bears!). And we happily thought of Luke in the nosebleed section of the third deck at Kyle Field in the far corner with all the other freshmen. Tonight we're dining at the Roberts because Emily and Rick are up from College Station for the holiday weekend. Whoop!