this and that

*Medical issues seem to be the theme of the week. Just got back from the doctor with Maxidoodle. He's on his third day with a fever with a respiratory virus. (We always have to keep a close eye on his lungs because of his rough start in life.) But he's doing okay, just lying around on the couch, petting Lucky, watching TV, and coughing like crazy. And then there's Gray with yet another diagnosis, though related to his other anxiety issues. He's got trichotillomania, and is currently sporting a nice bald spot about the size of a half dollar from pulling out individual hairs. Bacon had his worst seizure yet yesterday. It lasted just short of five minutes. Five minutes that, of course, felt like hours. Rich's Mom had her hip replacement surgery on Monday, and is doing wonderfully. Annie was to have molds made for her retainer on Monday, but they decided to do just one more thing first, so it's a few extra weeks with those braces. And Aldo barfed twice. Oh wait--she does that every day, so I guess that really doesn't count.

*During a brief respite from the rain, Rich got some radish and kohlrabi seeds planted yesterday. Yay--the first things into the garden! Well, if you don't count the strawberries, which of course were already there from last year. And one of Annie's strawberry plants has flowers now. :)

*Speaking of rain, there's been no soccer practice all week. Not that the coaches are opposed to playing in the rain, but the fields are such a disaster. And yeah, honestly, that's made life a bit easier around here.

*Totally inspired by Chris, I finally got around to trying something I've wanted to try for years. It was such fun, and I really think I'm going to enjoy using this soap, too.