Belated New Year Greetings!!

I have my PC at home back up, but none of the exe.whatever files will execute or perform, so I guess I'll have to get professional assistance. It's been an interesting time - I've had my MRI done, and have the results on a CD at home, awaiting my January 20th appointment with the orthopedic specialist, Dr. Repine. It hurts quite a bit. I'm supposed to continue to follow my RICE directions (rest, ice, compress, elevate) until then, but I also need to walk critters. I took the Irish Setters out this morning, and we had quite an enjoyable romp - 40 minutes of walking and 20 minutes playing in Kathy and Jim's backyard. The Rs were excited and happy to see me, as I was them. Rosie barked four times, getting my attention to throw her bone - and I was positively ecstatic when the older yellow lab went by just as we were going inside, and while the Rs looked at him, they didn't make a sound or a move towards him. (In the past, they have just about gone through the door to get at him, especially when he piddles in the front yard, which he did today.)
Since I've returned home from pet sitting, Lovey and Banichi are sticking to me like glue. The past two mornings, however, the temps have gotten up into the 40s and the kits have been sunning themselves on the patio. Saturday, Lovey chased a dog I had never seen before down the backyard. It was an interesting-looking dog, and when Lovey turned to return at my call, the dog started chasing her back. The dog was so fixated on Lovey that he ran into my legs and then was totally freaked out. If you picture in your mind a 20-to-25-pound wire coated red Dachshund, and then triple it's leg length, that's what the dog looked like. I'll start taking care of Suki and Boo on Friday, be home Tuesday, and start at Alexy's on Wednesday. If my friend Laura's mother gets an OK from her doctor to travel, then I'm booked up (pet-sitting) until June 1st. Laura's Mom wants to take her kids on a 2 week tour of western Russia in late May - for her sake, and the kids', I hope her MDs approve.
The 104th National Western Stock Show began this weekend. As my leg won't take it, I can't go this year. ... The movie Avatar has made about $1.34 billion since its release. All I can say is that I thoroughly enjoyed it - but, if you have someone in the family who gets motion-sick, do not see the 3D version (I'm a true example). ... Since the trouble began with my PC on Christmas Eve, I've been reading like mad; which has made my lap very convenient for the kits. Once I've got my home PC back up, I'll be blogging almost every day - don't know how long it'll be before then, though... Take care!!